2018
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 291
December 2018
1 DECEMBER 2018 • KISLEV - TEVET 5779 • ISSUE 291 SUSSEX SUSSEX JEWISH JEWISH NEWS NEWS WHAT’S INSIDE.... HELPING THE HOMELESS | FLORENCE PLACE REVISITED | OLD STOCK WHAT’S ON | AND MORE Whats 2 Pause for thought 3 Homeless in Brighton As the winter nights draw in and the heating goes distribute. When you next go shopping please pick on, it can be easy to forget the unimaginable misery up something from the list below and drop it into our facing the city’s homeless community over the next collection point at ODM Office Supplies, 235-237, few months. Hangleton Road, Hove BN3 7LR. Life is never easy if you’re a rough sleeper, but it’s We will be extremely grateful for your donations. considerably worse if you don’t have a roof over your Items needed are sanitary products, deodorant, head. toothbrush and toothpaste, Elsewhere in this issue, Simon Seligman writes about how he, his daughter and Rabbi Efune set out to meet and feed some of the homeless in Brighton & We will be extremely packets of anti-bacterial hand wipes, socks, hats, grateful for your donations. gloves, thermals for both male and female, chocolate bars and energy bars. Hove. This was an eye-opening event for all of them. Call Beryl 01273 734300 or Sarah 01273 327763 for But more can be done. SJRC feels that our further details. community can do something to help homeless men Our thanks to ODM and women by donating goods which we will then Cover: Photo, taken in the Jewish quarter of the Souk in the Old City, Jerusalem. EDITORIAL BOARD Doris Levinson, Stephanie Megitt, Dr Winston Pickett, Michael Rich, David Seidel TECHNICAL ADVISOR Brian Megitt SJN brings local news, events, articles, reviews, announcements, people, congregations, ADMINISTRATOR Hazel Coppins communities, contacts and more. Delivered at ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Ivor Sorokin the start of each month, SJN is run entirely by volunteers for reporting, editing and circulating each edition. It has become the cornerstone of COMMUNAL DIARY sussexjewishrepco@gmail.com COVER PHOTO Brian Megitt the Jewish community across the region. PRODUCTION/LAYOUT Gemini Studio SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 5 DECEMBER 2018 Email address for submissions and correspondence: sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org.uk SUSSEX JEWISH NEWS SUBSCRIPTION Name:_______________________________________________ Date:_________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Postcode:____________________ Email: _______________________________________________ Telephone:____________________ Subscription (tick one) ❑ I would like to receive electronic copies of SJN. £20 p/a ❑ I would like to receive printed copies of SJN. £27 p/a. ❑ I enclose my cheque payable to Sussex Jewish News at PO Box 2178, Hove BN3 3SZ ❑ I have made a bank transfer to the Sussex Jewish News at Lloyds Bank, Sort Code 30-98-74, Account No. 00289447 and I have included my name as a reference to ensure my subscription is noted. ISSUE 291 | DECEMBER 2018 2 Sussex Jewish News PO Box 2178 • Hove BN3 3SZ Telephone: 07906 955 404 Contents 3 sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org.uk FEATURES 1 LIGHTING THE WORLD Various Chanukiot - photo by Brian Megitt 4 JILL RICHARDS – WORKER Godfrey Gould remembers 6 HELPING THE HOMELESS Simon Seligman on offering a helping hand 6 PITTSBURGH VIGIL Simon Cobbs on the Rep Council commemoration 9 FLORENCE PLACE, REVISITED Godfrey Gould on the cleaned up cemetery 11 OLD STOCK THEATRE REVIEW REGULARS 4 SUSSEX AND THE CITY Your news, views and stories from across the county 10 CULTURE 16 WHAT’S ON – DECEMBER Regular and special events in your community YOUR COMMUNITY 12 BRIGHTON & HOVE REFORM SYNAGOGUE 13 BRIGHTON & HOVE HEBREW CONGREGATION 14 HOVE HEBREW CONGREGATION 15 BRIGHTON & HOVE PROGRESSIVE SYNAGOGUE Full page (A4 size) £170 Half page (A5 size) £100 Quarter page (A6 size) £65 1/9 page (credit card size) £40 Personal Announcements in a box (up to 6 lines): £25 Announcements up to 3 lines £10 Flyers: Price on application Local Jewish charities will not be charged, subject to editorial decision. Sussex Jewish News (‘SJN’), its Editor and Editorial Board: • are not allied to any synagogue or group and the views expressed by writers are not necessarily those of SJN; • accept advertisements in good faith but do not endorse any products or services and do not accept liability for any aspect of any advertisements; and • welcome readers’ contributions but reserve the right to edit, cut, decline or submit the content to others for comment. To ensure that we receive your submissions by email, please send them ONLY to sjneditor@sussexjewishnews. com, otherwise we cannot guarantee their consideration for publication. To assist the Editorial Board, submissions should be in Word format using Times New Roman font, size 12. Receipt of submissions may not be acknowledged, unless specifically requested. As the Editorial Board is made up entirely of BOOK NOW! 07906 955 404 volunteers, any response may be subject to delay. ISSUE 291 | DECEMBER 2018 MARTIN GROSS Funeral Director and Funeral Consultant to Jewish communities 01273 439792 07801 599771 4 Sussex and the City 5 Your News Births Thank you Mazel tov to: • Susan and David Rose would like to thank all their wonderful friends for their cards and good wishes on the • Jack and Elaine Rose on the birth of a grandson, a third occasion of their golden Wedding Anniversary son for Mariamne and Dan • Ivor and Gweni Sorokin on the birth of grandson Louis, a Deaths brother for Olivia We wish Long Life to the families of Hershel Gorker z’l and Adele Percival z’l Special Birthdays Mazel tov to Alegra Adler, Blanche Brickman and all who have special birthdays this month Stonesetting The memorial stone in loving memory of Michael Brummer will take place on 16 December 2018 at 1.00 pm at the Jewish Cemetery, Meadowview, Brighton. Your Views SJN is a stimulating publication SJN has been a star Congratulations on producing November’s truly excellent edition of SJN. This stimulating publication reaches new heights. Well done Bernard and Lydia Swithern I’m so pleased that you, your friends, and your colleagues enjoyed the show Old Stock. Thanks again for all of your help collecting those stories, we had amazing response from our audiences who were deeply moved by them - some reviewers even thought that they were a part of the show brought along by the production company! The editors are doing a fine job Many thanks again, you’ve been a star! Warm regards, Maxine Toff wishes to thank the editors who, she says, “are Andy O’Connor doing a fine job”! Marketing Officer The Old Market, Hove Jill Richards - the Worker by Godfrey R Gould There were rightly most estimable tributes to Jill Richards z’l as mother, wife and friend in the last issue of SJN. But I would like to add a few words about her as a worker for the community. I had the privilege of working with Jill for many years on the Jewish Welfare Board. Apart from other duties, she alone ran the then massive task of organising the Pesach Parcels. The number and size of the parcels in those days was far, far greater than today. First Jill would prepare a lengthy list of items, a huge shopping list. Apart from matzos and wine there were eggs, butter, cheese, jam (sundry varieties), soups (again, sundry varieties), cakes and biscuits (more varieties), matzo meal, grape juice, fruit juice, and more and more, all with many varieties. This list would be then sent to all clients and they would tick off what they wanted and how much. Jill would then aggregate all that was needed and order all the food. This would be delivered to AJEX Hall and Jill would then organize her helpers who would assemble one Sunday morning and, under Jill’s leadership, would sort and pack everything according to the lists into boxes and plastic bags ISSUE 291 | DECEMBER 2018 (especially plastic bags) until there were two, three, four or more boxes and bags per client. Then all the members of the Board would arrive to collect the parcels and deliver them to their clients. And then the chutzpah would start - the wrong kind of jam, or biscuits, or soup, or cake. Jill would cope with it all. We even had one ‘gentleman’ who counted the matzos in each box and complained that in one box there was a matzo missing! When Jill retired there was nobody who could possibly do what she had done, so the whole exercise had to be much simplified. But it was still all done in-house. Today the parcels are rather more basic, but certainly look most stylish. However, it has been outsourced to be carried out by the children of the BHHC Cheder. And they do the packing in the Mark Luck Hall - named after another communal worker, the grandfather of Jill herself. Let’s hope some of these youngsters will follow the incredible example set by Jill Richards, a truly great worker for the Brighton and Hove Jewish Community. It was a privilege to have known her and to have worked with her. 4 5 ISSUE 291 | DECEMBER 2018 It’s gifts in Wills that mean we can support thousands of people to celebrate the festivals they love Thanks to gifts in Wills we can make sure Abraham, Helen and many other people like them can stay in touch with their Jewish roots whenever they like. We depend on gifts in Wills for £1 in every £4 we need to raise. For more information about leaving a gift in your Will and our free Will Writing Service call Alison Rubenstein on 020 8922 2833 or email legacyteam@jcare.org #PeopleOfJewishCare Charity Reg No. 802559 6 Sussex and the City 7 Sussex Jewish Community helping the Homeless by Simon Seligman After attending the incredibly moving vigil recently for the 11 murdered Jews in Pittsburgh, Rabbi Efune approached me and suggested that after this terrible atrocity he felt compelled to do something positive as a personal response to this devastating situation. The following night, Rabbi Efune, my daughter Charlotte and I met up and loaded the boot of his car with an enormous saucepan of piping hot traditional chicken-noodle soup. Laden with a basket full of bread rolls, thermal cups and serviettes, the three of us ventured into Brighton & Hove City Centre with the challenge of feeding as many of the city’s homeless as possible. We managed to chat with and feed ISSUE 291 | DECEMBER 2018 around 20 homeless people and received great thanks and appreciation from them for our small gesture on that cold night. It was incredibly upsetting to see the situation in which these individuals unfortunately have found themselves. Throughout the year it’s a struggle for them all but none more so than now, in surviving the extremely cold winter nights. As a community I feel it would be extremely rewarding if we could make this a more regular project. Maybe not just feeding the homeless but possibly also providing other helpful items such as warm blankets, bedding and warmer clothing, as well as essential hygiene products that might be needed. If any member of the community is interested and able to offer a little time to this project, we will be providing more information in future issues of SJN. Pittsburgh vigil by Simon Cobbs Just two days after the tragic shooting in Pittsburgh that cost eleven members of the Tree of Life Synagogue their lives, Sussex Jewish Representative Council held a vigil to allow the people of Brighton and Hove to pay their respects and to remember those victims. A bitterly cold night did not deter some 150 people from attending what proved to be a fitting memorial to the horrendous events that shocked so many around the world. The moving event had the full support of the Brighton & Hove City Council, with its leader Councillor Dan Yates making a fitting tribute to the victims and also making the point that this could be ours or indeed any community in the world. He emphasised the point that the attack occurred on World Refugee Day and at a baby-naming service of a gay couple, both of these being relevant to our city and community. Council members from all parties were present. There were many moving tributes to the victims from Asmat Rou (Vice Chair, Racial Harassment Forum), Richard Williams (Chair, Sanctuary-on-Sea), Councillor Emma Daniels, Imam Mahib, who represented the Muslim community. Representing the Sussex Jewish Representative Council, was President Beryl Sharpe who made a moving address that reminded all those gathered, that “Antisemitism has no place in our Society, from graffiti slogans on walls to comments muttered under people’s breaths – whether it be from the far right or left or anywhere in between, it is incumbent upon us all to act against any and all prejudices and racism”. She concluded by saying, “The Pittsburgh attack should serve as a warning that hate can never be tolerated no matter what form it takes”. The vigil was drawn to a close by Winston Pickett, himself Jewish and a former resident of Pittsburgh, reciting Kaddish (Mourners’ Prayer) in Hebrew. Debra Goodman, co-chair of the Sussex Jewish Representative Council recited the same prayer in English. Finally, Israeli singer Eyal Shavit closed proceedings with a fitting rendition of ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ which has now become synonymous with the aftermath of terror attacks. Remembering the words of Rabbi Efune, on the evening, “We hope that this is the last time we have to gather in this way to remember the victims of terror”. Vigill©MatthewAndrews 6 Sussex and the City 7 Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club by Jacquie Tichauer This month marks the 18th anniversary of the start of the 739999 or email me on ralliday@tiscali.co.uk. We are sure that Lunch Club and the community is indebted to Alan Burke who our volunteers get as much enjoyment and fulfilment as do inaugurated it. We have been a separate charity in our own right since 2010 “Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club (charity no. 1142922)” and financially independent, having to raise some £40,000 each year to break even. On Tuesday 4 December we are holding our Annual Chanukah party and once again this year we are being entertained by the wonderful cast of Top Hats. Winter is now upon us and we are happy to welcome new members who are enjoying our lunches and activities and of course, the company. Three of our stalwart volunteers who have been helping for many years are now looking to cut down on the days they come. We are therefore looking for some new volunteers to our members. You do not have to commit to coming every week as we would like to build up a group of regular standby volunteers. Hope to hear from you. JACS joined us on the 1st November for an anniversary celebration which was enjoyed by all and it is lovely working together with them once every month. On a sad note, we held a minute’s silence on Tuesday for the victims of the Pittsburgh Synagogue shooting, which was a shock to everyone. We are hoping 2019 will be a more peaceful year for all. Sadly, our long-term dedicated Tai Chi instructor Adele Percival passed away. She was a wonderful lady and will take their place on a Tuesday morning from 9.30 am to 2.00 be very sadly missed by all of us at the Ralli Hall Lunch and pm. If you feel able to join us please contact me on 01273 Social Club. We wish all her family long life. The Community Renewal Fund by Beryl Sharpe and Debra Goodman (Fund Administrators) The Community Renewal Fund was set up under the auspices of the Sussex Jewish Representative Council, to establish a fund for the Jewish community to secure the future of Jewish life in Sussex. The remit of the fund is to award grants to groups or individuals, whose projects or activities are considered to be in the interest of maintaining current and future Jewish life in Sussex, but are prevented from doing so by a lack of finance. Examples of those who have benefited from this fund are the Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club, Helping Hands, Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations, Sussex Limmud, Lishmah, JACS, Sussex Friends of Israel, Sussex Jewish Film Club, Camp Gan Israel, Showtime 2008, 250th Anniversary of Brighton Jewry, Sussex Jewish News, Torah Academy Nursery, Brighton Jewish Futures, Sunday Football Club, Brighton & Hove Holocaust Education Project, JLGB and Sussex Jewish Community Care. This past year the following have received grants/loans: cross communal Yom Ha’atzmaut Celebrations – Israel’s 70th; cross communal Yom Ha’Shoah Commemoration – Yellow Candle Project; Jewish Community Hustings; Camp Gan Israel; Top ISSUE 291 | DECEMBER 2018 ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF NEW WEBSITE: www.sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org Hat Productions; Jewish School Exploratory Project; Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club; Restoration of Chief Constable Henry Solomon’s Grave at Florence Place Cemetery; Helping Hands Shabbat Dinner and a donation to Brighton Centre Night Shelter. The project has always received full support from our Synagogues and funding is based on the £10 voluntary levy added to each member’s annual Synagogue membership fees. Any person or group wishing to organise an activity be it educational, sporting, social or of a charitable nature, that would be of interest to, or benefit the local Jewish community, but are prevented from doing so due to lack of finance, are welcome to apply. Top Hat Productions Presents ‘Love Notes’ featuring lots of lovely songs from the shows and the charts at Ralli Hall, Denmark Villas, Hove 12th January 2019 at 7.30 pm 13th January at 2.30 pm Tickets £10 Adults £6 for under 12s. Contact Laura on 01273 722173. 8 Sussex and the City 9 Ralli Hall by Roger Abrahams I should like to thank Maxine for standing in for me last month during my absence abroad. I was particularly happy to see that she included the fabulous photo of the first Mothers’ Meeting of the New Hove Parish Hall in 1913. You will, of course, have recognised this as our own Ralli Hall, which, now being Grade 2 Listed, has been lovingly cared for since the building was purchased by the B&HJYC (now the B&HJCF) in 1976. In fact, apart from the stern faces of the members of the Mothers’ Union, with their heavy Edwardian outfits, the more formal uniform of ‘Mr. Plod’ and the recently painted number 81 (Denmark Villas) on the two pillars - to prevent confusion by the delivery persons, there have been no changes whatsoever to the main front elevation of the building. Running through the highlights of our Community Activities during the last year, one of the most important updates has been the installation by the Community Security Trust (the CST) of an extremely powerful Transmitter and Receiver unit, together with the most up-to-date walkie-talkies, so as to allow communication by the various operatives not only locally, but direct to their London Headquarters. This installation is for the benefit of the whole of the Brighton & Hove Jewish Community and we are very happy to be able to help, not only our own building and those persons using it, but also all the other Communal Jewish buildings around the city. Also included is a CCTV installation comprising no less than sixteen cameras around the building, both inside and out, again with a direct link to the CST in London and the local Headquarters. It is very sad that such equipment is so necessary but unfortunately, we live in potentially dangerous times. We are therefore, very fortunate to have such an organisation as the CST helping to keep us safe, with the added bonus that the organisation is being funded by extremely altruistic Jewish businessmen. We were also very happy to have been chosen to host most important Community meetings addressed by the Chief Rabbi and the Israeli Ambassador to the UK, and also to host the first Israel Independence Day Celebrations for a number of years. Fortunately, we are licensed to hold meetings and simchas with up to 200 persons in our Great Hall, and are considered by the Community as “neutral territory”, with Rabbis from all four of our local congregations attending when appropriate. We have also noted that we are being used more and more for simchas, funerals, stone settings and the like, which is why we are now concentrating on upgrading the facilities in the Great Hall, the Magrill Lounge and the various kitchens, so as to make Ralli Hall the building of choice for the whole community. Funding ISSUE 291 | DECEMBER 2018 permitting, you should see a number of changes for the better in the coming months and the Board is most excited at the prospect of the planned improvements - watch this space. Finally, I should like to wish you all a Happy Chanukah and look forward to many more of you showing your commitment to our unique Jewish Community Centre, by renewing, or taking out, membership of B&HJCF when you receive the renewal forms during the next month or so. If you have never previously been members, or have not been members for many years, so do not receive the forms in the post, please contact the office by phoning 01273 202254, or emailing using rallihallcentre@gmail.com and you will be sent the appropriate form, together with a pre-paid and addressed envelope for your kind response. For 2019, membership per Adult, (from 18 years) including Single Parents, will be £30.00, with Family Membership, including children under 18 years, at £55.00. Children will also be included with Single Parent Membership (but not one of a couple). Students from 18 years of age in full-time education will be offered free membership. I look forward to seeing you at Ralli Hall. Important message HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY VISITS If you are in hospital or know anyone being admitted into hospital, please get in touch with info@ sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org or telephone 07789 491279 so that a Jewish chaplain can be contacted to visit. Voluntary Support Agencies • Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club (Day Centre) 01273 739999 ralliday@tiscali.co.uk • Norwood/Tikvah, Rachel Mazzier House 01273 564021 • Hyman Fine House 01273 688226 • Helping Hands 01273 747722 helping-hands@helping-hands.org • Brighton & Hove Jewish Welfare Board 07952 479111 or info@bhjwb.org; website: www.bhjwb.org • Brighton & Hove Jewish Housing Association. bahjha@googlemail.com • Welfare at Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue/L’chaim project 01273 737223 • Welfare Officer at Brighton & Hove Reform. (Sue Rosenfield) 01273 735343 • Brighton & Hove Jewish Community Foundation at Ralli Hall. Tel: 01273 202254 or rallihallcentre@gmail.com 8 Features 9 Florence Place - revisited stones, the resting places of infants, mainly by the side wall, but that of Marguerite Alexandra Irene by Godfrey R Gould Dreyfuss, born 15 June 1902; died 24 January 1903, Many readers will recall the photographs of Florence Place Cemetery overgrown with weeds, ivy, trees and much other vegetation, making it a veritable wilderness. Also remembered are the valiant efforts by local and other volunteers, month after month to try to clear the overgrowth. It was a back-breaking task and without any visible results because of the enormity of the work. But this year Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation has taken the bull by the horns (metaphorically - we don’t want anybody complaining we’re being cruel to animals) and funded a commercial professional contractor to undertake the work. Organised by Jonathan Conway, Board member responsible for Cemeteries, the work has now been completed superbly, although continuing maintenance will be essential. There was one lady who said that is by the path. Like Alice Levy, 2nd Lieutenant Clifford Isaacs, Machine Gun Corps, is commemorated only by a stone plaque, this time on his father’s grave. Lieutenant Isaacs died on 1 August 1917 and is buried at Wimeraux, but there is also a memorial window to him at Meadowview Prayer House. Another World War I soldier, but actually buried here, is Lieutenant Arthur Sampson Marks, 9th Royal Sussex Regiment. Having served throughout the War and through many of the most bitter battles unscathed, he died on 28 October 1918 aged 33 in St Thomas’s Hospital, London, from pneumonia. His father, Alderman Barnett Marks, the first Jewish and a highly respected Mayor of Hove, 1910-13, is buried just in front of his son. Another Alderman, Harry Benjamin Lewis, is buried with other members of his family, but of him we know little - yet. there was something special about the former wild appearance, the current soft greys and fawns now giving it a gentle serenity, reflecting, perhaps, the eternity of the place? Some deceased like you to know where they lived. One such person lived in Walsingham Road, Hove, another, David Hart, at King’s Road, Brighton and Sackel Leo Springer at Bury Road, London. Some The first token of this effort was that we were able to have the highly successful Memorial Service for Henry Solomon z’l on 1 July last. Another concomitant was a request from the Regency Town House that we should open the Cemetery to the general public as part of the National Heritage Open House activities in September. After Jonathan contacted me and I discussed it with Gordon Franks, we decided to have two conducted tours of the Cemetery on the morning of Sunday 16 came from abroad. Sisters Rachel (d.1927) and Therese (d.1944) were from Alsace-Lorraine, and Maria, relict of Joseph Arone, was from Paris. We even have the gravestone of Madame Henn Ebstein, also from Alsace Lorraine, but the non-Hebrew text is entirely in French. She lived with her husband at 15 Brunswick Place. In between, so to say, there is the grave of a youth who died following a fall on a Boulogne-Folkestone Ferry. September. Because of the limitations of the site, we decided that there would be two pre-booked tours each of 15 participants (actually the first had 18). And the whole event was swiftly fully booked and with a waiting list. After Gordon and I had given a very brief introduction and Gordon had circulated an Information Sheet which he had written, we divided each group in half, Gordon starting at one end and I the other, crossing in the middle. We highlighted half a dozen or so eminent individuals, commenting especially on their contributions to the community in general. The response from our visitors was overwhelmingly positive, with requests for more. Apart from any other factors this is surely one way to raise the positive profile of our Jewish community. But the clearance has now enabled us to see many more most interesting gravestones. The earliest memorial we can find is of little Alice Levy who died in her second year in 1822. Actually, it is a memorial perched against the back wall as the Cemetery was not opened until 1826. There are many other small It is a commandment that we should remember our dead, and that we should erect a memorial to their memory. Many of those at Florence Place, especially those of granite or marble, are in excellent condition, as are others, but some are totally perished. Much restoration is needed. If there is to be any priority, then the restoration of the entrance plaque to Thomas Read Kemp who gave the ground to the community, and the reconstruction of those to Sir John Howard and Levi Emanuel Cohen probably should be amongst the first. However, all this costs a great deal of money. But the content of this article surely indicates how important and how interesting is the past. This is the living testament to our history cast in stone. We must not forget those who sowed the seeds of our community. Otherwise what sort of future do we deserve? If an organisation would like a special visit, this can easily be arranged. Please get in touch by email: g.gould915@btinternet.com or phone: 01273 419412. ISSUE 291 | DECEMBER 2018 10 Culture 11 Jewish Historical Society of England - Sussex Branch by Godfrey R Gould Our sixteenth session was opened on 23 October by Dr Jennifer Craig-Norton, British Academy Post- doctoral Fellow, Department of History, University of Southampton, who addressed us on Jewish Refugees from Fascism in Sussex 1933-45. Dr Craig-Norton presented an account of the flight of Jews from German persecution prior to the Second World War, rather different from that which we are so often used to hearing. With testimony from the children themselves, she has also researched contemporaneous accounts of the various Refugee Agencies, the foster parents and the children’s own parents. We learned that there is so much more than the well-known Kindertransport, and that at least double the numbers of those children were in fact rescued. And amongst the Refugee Hostels in Sussex there was one at Wyberlye House, Burgess Hill, another in Worthing and even one in Brighton. And finally came the often-distressing accounts of proud Jewish women who came here to be domestic servants, a role of which they had never had any practical experience. What made the address so much more fascinating was the personal emphasis on real people at that time, both good and not so good. All was not sweetness and light, many of the children having been poorly treated both by the agencies that were supposed to help them as well as the foster parents, both gentile and to their shame, Jewish! If you would like to save money on your home/business expenses The highlight, however, was the continuing thread of the narrative, that of 14-year old Bruno Nussbaum whose passion was to become an architect. Told that there would be no need for architects in England after the War, he retorted that there would be “in Europe with a Which? recommended supplier, please contact David Schaverien tel: 01273 779001 email: Theschav@uwclub.net and in the Universe”. Allowed to study illustration at Worthing College of Art, and after Service in the British Army, he eventually did achieve his undying ambition to have the prized letters RIBA after his name. This was an excellent evening, with a very high standard set for the rest of the season. The first meeting in 2019 will be on 29 January when we will welcome Dr Imogen Choi, Queen Sofia Official Fellow and Lecturer in Spanish, Exeter College, and Associate Professor in Spanish at the University of Oxford, whose subject will be Mediaeval Sephardi Literature. There is no charge for members, season ticket holders and students, but only £5 for visitors, to include refreshments after the lecture, questions Brighton & Hove Jewish Welfare Board provides affordable accommodation in Central Hove It currently has a vacancy for a one bedroom unfurnished flat, suitable for single occupancy and a one bedroom unfurnished flat suitable for a couple. The rent includes central heating; constant hot water; use of garden; television and telephone points. For further information or to request an application form please telephone 07716 114012 or email bahjha@googlemail.com and discussion. ISSUE 291 | DECEMBER 2018 Sunda 16th December t the JE Hall Eaton Road Hove 2.30pm - 4.30pm Tea & Entertainment With Top Hat Productions Donation £3 Including Raffle ticket Please call Helping Hands if ou wish to attend On 01273 747722 Transport can be arranged. We look forward to seeing ou. Communit Tea 10 Culture 11 Old Stock- A Refugee Love Story Review by Yael Breuer If I have one regret about going to see Old Stock - A Refugee Love Story at the Old Market theatre, it is that I went to see the performance on its penultimate night and not on the first, as that would have given me enough time to urge everyone I know to go and see it. Old Stock is a musical/theatrical performance with a hybrid of Klezmer and Folk music that is simultaneously entertaining, dark and poignant. It tells the story of two Romanian refugees who arrive in Canada in 1908 and is based on the story of Chaya and Chaim, the great-grandparents of the play’s writer, Hannah Moscovitch. A tale of hardship and displacement, like so many other tales of Jewish history, it also resonates with more contemporary and universal stories of refugees worldwide. The programme of the performance that I picked up at the theatre describes its theme as, “How to love after being broken by the horrors of war. It’s about refugees who get out before it’s too late, and those who get out after it’s too late. And it’s about looking into the eyes of God”. The story is a century old but there are elements in the narration, the music and commentary that are current. In fact, the title ‘Old Stock’ is borrowed from a comment made in 2005 by Stephen Harper, the Canadian prime minister at the time, who drew a distinction between refugees and “old stock Canadians”. Ben Caplan, the actor playing the narrator, is such an impressive character (with an incredible voice) that when I got home I looked him up, thinking that I had discovered a hitherto little-known talent. I was wrong. Caplan is a successful Canadian musician ISSUE 291 | DECEMBER 2018 Ben Caplan as The Wanderer in Old Stock (Credit – Stoo Metz Photography Dani Oore (Chaim), Mary Fay Coady (Chaya) (credit: Graeme Braidthwaite) and the powerful music of Old Stock is available on CD and vinyl. The rest of the cast/musicians are excellent, too, and Mary Fay Coady and Dani Oore, as Chaya and Chaim, offer wonderful violin and clarinet performances throughout the play. During the week of the Brighton performances, the Old Market hosted a small exhibition of artefacts brought to the UK and to Brighton by Jewish refugees. Doris Levinson helped in its arrangement and members of the local Jewish community offered a variety of objects that were put on display and told the stories of their families. Despite arriving at the safety of Typewriter used to copy all the refugee stories sent in to the production team Canada from First World War Europe, Chaim and Chaya did not live happily ever after and their marriage was not a fairy tale. They had lost close family members in Europe, suffered ill health and their new life in Canada was full of hardship and the haunts of war. But they did live, faced the hardships and coped. And they had children, then grandchildren, and great grandchildren. One of these was the writer of the play and many others are around today, a proof of the victory of hope and determination against evil and hardship. 12 BHRS Rabbi Dr Andrea Zanardo Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue, Palmeira Avenue, Hove BN3 3GE Tel: 01273 735343 Email: office@bh-rs.org www.bh-rs.org https://www.facebook.com/BrightonReform 13 BrightonReform Pittsburgh and Jerusalem by Rabbi Dr Andrea Zanardo On the cold evening of October 29, I found myself together with a crowd of Brighton and Hove residents, of many religions and some of no religion at all, to express our pain and our concerns, (and, we Jews, to experience support), after the horrendous massacre at The Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Everyone in the crowd held a small candle and the view all these little lights made me think of Chanukah. It was particularly moving to listen to those Brighton & Hove Council members, who a few days before had approved the IHRA definition of antisemitism, in defiance of the national leader of the Labour party. Their courageous, ongoing support of the Jewish people, us, was and is remarkable. I got very emotional listening to the local Imam, especially when he invoked the name of God in Arabic, opening one of the most pro-Jewish speeches I had ever heard in my life, (and thank God I have heard a lot of them). I was not the only one who thought that all these lights were a symbol of hope and indeed this was mentioned by other Jewish speakers. Chanukah is a festival of hope and that evening, outside the Hove Town Hall, there was much hope. Chanukah is also a celebration of religious freedom, because the Maccabees fought in order to have the freedom to practice their and our religion, and that evening we were all expressing our support for religious freedom, saying out loud that no worshipper, of any religion, should feel unsafe while praying. It was truly marvellous to feel embraced by such a strong support from so many people from so many different ISSUE 291 | DECEMBER 2018 TORAH TORAH TORAH TORAH BREAKFAST BREAKFAST BREAKFAST BREAKFAST ת ו ר Join Rabbi Andrea to study the weekas ה Shiur (no previous knowledge of Hebrew required Our next session will be on Saturday 8th December at 9am Please book your place by calling the Shul office by the previous Thursday: 01273 735343 communities. Yet, I could not avoid thinking of another terrorist attack, against other Jews killed while they were at prayer. Perhaps we have forgotten, although it was only in November 2014, when two Palestinian terrorists entered a synagogue in Jerusalem, armed with axes and knives. They killed four Rabbis, seriously wounded six other worshippers, it is chilling to think that every Jew in that minyan was attacked as well as a Druse policeman, may his heroism be always remembered, who died from his wounds a few hours after the attack he tried to counter. Such a horror did not happen in the so called “settlements”. Those Jewish villages that, for some reason, someone thinks are a legitimate target because of their location “beyond the Green Line”. No, the terror attack, the massacre, happened in Har Nof, in West Jerusalem, in a part of the Holy City which according to every possible interpretation of the international law is fully and legitimately part of the State of Israel, certainly not “occupied land”. Nonetheless, in the streets of Ramallah and in other Palestinian towns, a jubilant crowd celebrated the assassination of four innocent Jews, and Hamas paid honour to the murderers, by calling them “heroes” and “martyrs”. I think we should ask ourselves such a question, as difficult as it may seem. Why are the murders of Jews in a synagogue in the USA universally condemned as barbaric (and rightly so!), while the slaughter of Jews in Israel is rapidly forgotten and even celebrated as an act of heroism? Many columnist and politicians want us to think, that it is “because of the Occupation”, that it is because of Israeli politics. They blame other Jews, the government of Israel, for antisemitism. They imply that antisemitism is a consequence of choices and behaviour of other Jews. In other words, they want us to believe that antisemitism is caused by the Jews. Whoever indulges in this kind of thinking has clearly not learnt enough from the story of Chanukah, the first and most ancient festival of Jewish pride, which is also a celebration of freedom of religion. Let us not forget that blaming Jews for antisemitism is precisely what drives the action of terrorists in the USA and in the Middle East. May such barbarism come to an end speedily and in our days. Bulletin Board – December Saturday 1st 10.30am Shabbat Doroteinu Sunday 2nd 12.30pm Youth Event 1st night Chanukah Thursday 6th 7pm *** The ‘Z’ Word Saturday 8th 9am *** Torah Breakfast 12.30pm Cheder Chavurah Lunch & Prize Giving Monday 10th 7.30pm Rosh Chodesh Thursday 13th 7pm *** The ‘Z’ Word Friday 14th 6.30pm Shabbat Kolot Sunday 16th 2.30pm Community Tea (The diary is subject to change) *** Please book your place by calling the Shul Office 12 BHHC Rabbi Hershel Rader Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation, 31 New Church Road, Hove BN3 3AD Tel: 01273 888855 Email: office@bhhc-shul.org www.bhhc-shul.org 13 The Power of Light by Rabbi Hershel Rader Chanukah is celebrated with light. Whether we use whole day but however many he crammed into the olive oil lamps, candles, paraffin or, as I heard once warehouse there was still some space between the happened in a Soviet Labour Camp, rags soaked in balloons. butter the end product is a flame which generates light. The next son decided that he would use bundles of hay. Light is a physical phenomenon which seems to border He also succeeded in almost filling the warehouse but on the spiritual. It cannot be touched and takes up no there were still gaps. exclusive space. When we use something physical, it is diminished. The more money we spend, the less we have. The more petrol we use, the emptier the tank The youngest son waited until five minutes deadline. Then he called out ‘Done it!’ ISSUE 291 | DECEMBER 2018 before the becomes. The more food we eat, the more we need to The others ran to see, wondering how on earth the restock the pantry. Conversely, the spiritual seems to youngest son could have succeeded. Inside the increase with use. A teacher shares his knowledge and darkened warehouse, the youngest son had lit a lamp. not only do the students gain but he is enriched. The The entire building was filled with light; every last more one loves, the more one’s love grows. When one corner. Needless to say, the youngest son won. gives a spiritual gift, the recipient gains and the giver loses nothing. A flame is similar. If you use one flame to light another, the first flame remains as bright as it was before. Its light is not diminished by being shared; on the contrary, now there is twice the light. A small amount of light can dispel a room-full of darkness. Rather than focusing on the negative; by accentuating the positive, the negative dissipates by itself. One good deed, one act of kindness, one moment of thoughtfulness can have a tremendous The Chanukah story tells us of a battle for the spiritual effect on the world around us. future of the Jewish people. Unlike the Persians in the Purim narrative and the Nazis during the Holocaust who desired the physical obliteration of our people, Perla and I wish the entire community a Happy and Illuminating Chanukah. the Greeks had no desire to attack the Jews as long as they assimilated into the alien Hellenistic culture. This is why we celebrate Chanukah with light; a physical phenomenon akin to the spiritual; for the victory was Events at BHHC: one of the spirit. This is why we increase the number of Chanukah lights daily; to stress that in matters of December 2018-April 2019 holiness there must be constant ascent. Catered Lunch & Learn A businessman wanted to test which of his three sons had the most initiative. He gave each of them a day to fill a huge warehouse - whoever filled it completely, in Monthly on Wednesdays at 12.15pm 5 December, 9 January, 6 February, 6 March, 3 April Featuring a three course lunch – cost £7.50 whatever way, would inherit the business. Chanukah Community Dinner The eldest son decided to use balloons. He spent the Featuring Salt Beef n’ Latkes Sunday 9 December at 7.00pm £17.50 per person £50 family ticket Our Weekly Shiurim Three shiurim are held every week at 31 New Church Road, Hove. Monthly Friday Night Dinners 14 December at 5.45 pm 18 January at 5.45 pm Wednesdays, 12.30-1.30 pm. 22 February at 6.30 pm (provisional time) Lunch and Learn for all. A light informal lunch followed by a shiur. £3 a head. 15 March at 7.00 pm (provisional time) Cost £15.00 - Spaces limited Thursdays, 10.00 to 11 am. Ladies’ Shiur. (no charge). Pesach Seder Saturdays, half an hour before Minchah Friday 19 April (times vary - please see weekly notices). The shiur is followed by Minchah, a Seudah Shilitit and Ma’ariv (no charge). Please call the shul office 01273 888855 to book or for further information 14 HHC Rabbi Hove Email: Hebrew hollandroadshul@btconnect.com Samuel Congregation, de 79 Beck Holland Road, Spitzer www.hollandroadshul.com Hove BN3 1JN Tel: 01273 732035 15 Fine Art by Rabbi Samuel de Beck Spitzer For the miracles, the redemption, the mighty deeds Biblical personality of the master craftsman Bezalel and the victories in battle which You performed for our and his God-inspired task in designing the Holy ancestors in those days at this time. Tabernacle etc.. However, if we are to genuinely and - Chanukah Prayer: Amidah/Grace after meals comprehensively understand the Festival of Hanukah, if we celebrate ‘light over dark’, the ‘pure over the As Chanukah begins on the evening of the second day impure’, the ‘righteous over the wicked’, the ‘weak over of this calendar month, I feel it appropriate to discuss the mighty’ and ultimately, the values of the Torah over something that I consider to be directly related to the Greek Hellenism, then surely these questions need to eight-day Festival of ‘Light’, with specific reference to be addressed! Let us not forget that a Gymnasium, the ideological conflict that played such an important where naked sporting events and contests took place, role. The events leading up to the story of Chanukah was constructed directly adjacent to the Holy Temple that influenced the Hasmonean dynasty cannot be in Jerusalem. The human physical form in all of its described without mentioning the Greek raison d’etre glory was considered sacrosanct, so much so that the which was at its height. The influence of Hellenism has Syrian Greeks of that period forbade the fundamental left an indelible mark on Jewish practice, outlook and Hebrew practice of male circumcision, depicting it as lifestyle for evermore. Many a PhD has been written on a vile mutilation. So, although the Hasmonean revolt various Judeo-Greco explorations, but if we take the was a military defeat, it cannot be divorced from its liberty to consider the visual Arts, indeed that which has ideological underpinning and let us not be deceived, come to be defined as European ‘Fine Art’ (itself owing Hellenism had proved to be very popular amongst our much to ancient Greece, hence it being synonymous kinsmen. with Yefet the son of Noah and tied to the Hebrew word for beauty) would have been anomalous to the Jewish spirit if not for its brazen assault on Jewish thought. In conclusion, is ‘Art’ given its due position within our faith schools? Do we invest sufficient time, resources and attention into developing its intricate skills? What In brief, normative Jewish practice does not condone role does it have within religious consciousness, if any? the abstract creation of the human form. According to Does the firing-up of our imagination and emotion as some Halachic authorities, under certain circumstances a reaction to works of Art, carry gravitas within our this may be allowed if the image contains a noticeable religious tapestry? How is it permitted? Or is it indeed defect or imperfection. For we know from the Torah necessary? that ‘man’ is made in the image of God and therefore only God is permitted to create man, otherwise it may be akin to a type of blasphemy or if worshipped, then idolatry. Living in an Anglican country this is all rather alien to our senses, but certainly in parts of the world where Hinduism or Buddhism is dominant this is all too relevant and in direct contravention of Jewish Law. Many consider Catholicism with its human effigies and There is no doubt that the world has witnessed great painters and artists who happen to be Jewish, but that does not provide for answers nor does it prove anything other than that they were Jewish. And what is Jewish Art anyway? Interesting to note that invariably, these Jewish artists were always taught by those outside of their faith. the Orthodox Church with their iconography, to fall Chanukah Sameach! within the same category. I somewhat digress but not entirely, as much European ‘Fine Art’ revolves around the human form or religious imagery. So where does Judaism stand on the subject of visual artistic creation? Indeed, does tangible visual aesthetic really play a relevant role in our Jewish faith? Or is it merely an appendage, something of a pleasant distraction, an aide-memoire perhaps? Do we only possess a literary and auditory Tradition or do we also give genuine credibility to visual artistic endeavour as well? And if so ... then when, where and to what purpose? I do not profess to possess all of the answers to these questions, in fact when I have posed these questions to men of stature I have been left bereft of any satisfactory response. At best, I have received quotes regarding the ISSUE 291 | DECEMBER 2018 The congregation is warmly invited to celebrate Chanukah with a doughnut Kiddush after the Shabbat Service on 8 December 14 BHPS Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue, 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove BN3 1FF Tel: 01273 737223 Email: info@bhps-online.org www.brightonandhoveprosynagogue.org.uk 15 Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue Twitter@BHPS2011 Jewish Connections with Human Rights by Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah This year we have been marking several anniversaries, including the 70th birthday of the establishment of the State of Israel (14 May 1948/5 Iyyar 5708) and the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht (9-10 November 1938/16 Cheshvan 5699). On 10 December it will be the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Although not a date on the Jewish calendar, the UDHR was ratified by the UN in the aftermath of the Sho’ah and has significant Jewish connections. One of the main architects of the UDHR was the French Jewish lawyer, René Cassin. The Jewish human rights charity, René Cassin, based in Britain has adopted his name to remind us of the Jewish links with the Universal Declaration. Passionate about the Jewish roots of human rights, last year, the charity published Human Rights Thought for the Week. 54 Human Rights Commentaries on the Weekly Parasha, an inspiring collection which includes pieces by a range of rabbis and engaged laypeople (my commentary is on parashat Bo). I’m very proud that one of the young people who grew up at Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue, Hannah Swirsky, is now working as Campaigns Officer for René Cassin. It’s no accident that Jewish input was so central to ISSUE 291 | DECEMBER 2018 the formulation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In her book, A Magna Carta for all Humanity, homing in on human rights, published in 2015 to coincide with the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, Professor Francesca Klug, who played a major role in the creation of the UK Human Rights Act 1998, for which she was awarded an OBE, shows how Jewish teaching informed the Universal Declaration. So, perhaps 10 December should be added to the Jewish calendar. As it happens, for decades now the Liberal and Reform movements have observed Human Rights Shabbat on the nearest Shabbat to the 10th. Of course, there are other times in the Jewish year, when we can focus on human rights, not least at Pesach, Sukkot and Chanukkah. This year, Chanukkah, the festival of ‘dedication’, begins quite early, and as it happens the eighth and final day falls on 10 December. As we light the Chanukkiyyah each evening, and see the flames accumulating night after night, may our commitment to increasing the light in memory of the Maccabean struggle against Imperial tyranny, inspire us to re-dedicate ourselves to the continuing task of protecting human rights here in Britain and extending human rights throughout the world. Chanukkah Samei’ach! Events@BHPS Third Season of Sunday Lectures and Lunches for 2018/19. 11.30 am Welcome drink on arrival 12 to 1.00pm Lecture by guest speaker and Q&A session 1:00 – 3:00 pm Lunch including wine or soft drinks and coffee Only £22.50 per person. Non-members and their friends welcome December 2: Dr Wilf Assin, consultant psychiatrist on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: Not all wounds are visible. January 27: Sir Anthony Seldon - 300 years of Premiership in Britain. How the job of PM has evolved over the last three centuries, particularly in recent times. See our website for the full series programme and booking details. Shabbat Chanukkah 11 am Shabbat Chanukkah Service followed by bring and share Chavurah lunch with latkes. 1:30 - 3:00 pm Children’s Programme of Chanukkah fun 1:30 - 3:00 pm Guest Speaker: Dr Tony Klug ‘Is there a Plausible Alternative to the Two-State Solution?’ Dr Tony Klug is a Special Advisor on the Middle East to the Oxford Research Group and a Consultant to the Palestine Strategy Group and the Israel Strategic Forum. 3:00 - 3:30 pm Coffee, tea and doughnuts. 3:30 - 4:00 pm Havdalah, Chanukkah candle-lighting and songs. Onagim Join us on Friday evenings at 7.30 pm for a shortened service, light refreshments and an interesting talk and discussion. December 14: Barbara Odell introduces: ‘A Winter Tale’. Read your own favourite seasonal poem. All are very welcome to our events, but if you are not a member or friend of our synagogue please let us know you are coming on info@bhps-online.org or 01273-737223. Exploring Judaism with Rabbi Elli (*) is open to all those who wish to broaden and deepen their Jewish knowledge. The curriculum draws on Jewish texts (e.g. Torah, TaNaKH, Mishnah, Talmud, Siddur & Machzor) and includes an exploration of the differences between Liberal Judaism and other Jewish denominations. The course includes the festivals and commemorative days as they come up. Classes are held on Shabbat from 2:15 - 3:45 pm, after the Access to Hebrew class 1 December Chanukkah 8 December No classes, see Shabbat Chanukkah programme above 15 December What is Liberal Judaism? Access to Classical Hebrew with Rabbi Elli (*), Shabbat afternoons, 1 to 2 pm Are you interested in being able to read and understand the Hebrew Bible or the prayer book? This class is open to students of all levels – from total beginners to those wishing to study classical Hebrew grammar and/or prepare a Torah reading. Students work on their own or in chavruta (pairs), with input and support from Rabbi Elli. To join the class, please contact the synagogue: info@bhps-online. org (*) Please note there are no classes on 22 and 29 Dec 2018 and 5 Jan 2019 16 What’s on: December 2018 Website: www.sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org Email: sussexjewishrepco@gmail.com SJN Email: sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org.uk 16 COMMUNITY EVENTS – IMPORTANT REMINDER: Contact the Communal Diary before planning your events. Email: sussexjewishrepco@gmail.com SHABBAT SHALOM – BRIGHTON TIMES REGULAR ACTIVITIES In Light candles Out Havdalah Owing to the various bank holidays, please contact activity organisers to Fri 30 Nov 3.41 pm Sat 1 Dec 4.54 pm confirm that activities will be held Fri 7 3.38 pm Sat 10 4.52 pm Fri 14 3.37 pm Sat 15 4.52 pm Fri 21 3.39 pm Sat 22 4.55 pm Mondays Shiur for the Actively Retired with Rabbi Efune 4.00 – 5.00 pm at 11 Hove Manor, Hove Street, Hove. Tel: 07885 538 681 Fri 28 3.44 pm Sat 29 5.00 pm Talmud for the Thinking Man with Rabbi Efune 8.15 – 9.15 pm at SPECIAL DATES Sunday 2 December Chanukah 1st candle Chabad House, Upper Drive, Hove 01273 321919 Torah & Tea with Penina Efune. Weekly Discovery and Discussion Group based on Jewish texts focusing on the personal meaning and Sunday 9 December Chanukah 8th candle relevance to our lives. 8.00 pm at Chabad House, Upper Drive, Hove. Tel Tuesday 25 Bank Holiday or Text 07834 669181 Wednesday 26 Bank Holiday Tuesdays Something to Say? - Discussion Group with Rabbi Samuel, every other Tuesday Hove Hebrew Congregation, 79 Holland Road, Hove EVENTS IN DECEMBER Sunday 2 BHPS Sunday Lecture & Lunch - ‘Not All Wounds are Visible – Post- traumatic Stress Disorder’ with Dr Wilfred Assin at 6, Lansdowne Road, Hove. Tickets £22.50 to include lunch E: info@bhps-online. org or T: 01273 737223 10.30 am Tel: 01273 732035 Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club, 10.30 am - 4.30 pm Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 Weekly Ralli Hall Mummy and ME Music with Penina Efune at Montessori Nursery from 11.30 am to 1.00 pm. Enjoy a stimulating environment with your baby/toddler, some meaningful discussion, music and movement Giant Menorah lighting Palmeira Square at 5.15 pm. Everyone invited Painting with Rochelle (JAS), Studio at Ralli Hall, 2.00 - 4.00 pm. Tuesday 4 Tel: 07811 601106 Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club Annual Chanukah Party. Contact Jacquie 01273 739999 Chutzpah Choir Yiddish singing in 4 parts with Polina Shepherd. 11.00 am – 1.00 pm weekly. For Hove venue contact chutzpahchoir@gmail. Wednesday 5 com or ring Betty on 01273 474795 University of Sussex Lectures: ‘Why the US is Not a ‘Nation of Immigrants’ with Prof. Maria Lauret. 6.00 pm Chowen Lecture Theatre, Brighton & Sussex Medical School (teaching building). Free but booking via events@sussex.ac.uk. Free parking on Israeli Dancing, 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm Ralli Hall Email: nicolahyman@ talktalk.net or miriambook1@gmail.com Wednesdays campus after 5.00 pm. Sussex Jewish News – submission deadline for January 2019 issue. Send your articles, thoughts, photos and announcements to sjneditor@ sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org.uk Chabad Lubavitch Friday Night Chanukah Dinner. 01273 321919 Saturday 8 Giant Menorah lighting Palmeira Square at 6.30 pm. Everyone invited Sunday 9 Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community (affiliated to Liberal Judaism) Coffee morning, 11.00 am, 1st Wednesday of each month, Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne. Information: www.eljc.org.uk or phone 01323 725650 Thursdays Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club 10.30 am-4.30 pm Weekly Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH Sussex Jewish Film Club presents ‘Funny Girl’ with Barbra Streisand and Omar Sharif. 3.00 pm at Ralli Hall, Denmark Villas, Hove. JACS members are invited on the first Thursday of every month to the RHL&SC Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH Donation £4.00 Bridge at Ralli Hall 11.00 am Sunday 16 Community Tea & Entertainment at AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove 2.30 – 4.30 pm Donation £3.00 to include raffle ticket. Contact Helping Hands 01273 747722. Transport can be arranged. Weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Efune - men and ladies welcome - 8.15- 9.15 pm at Chabad House. 01273 321919 Fridays Kuddle Up Shabbat parent & child playgroup with Sara Zanardo and IMPORTANT INFORMATION For visitors using a satellite navigation system in their vehicle her guitar will recommence in the winter term Free Happy Hour at Montessori Nursery 12 noon – 1.00 pm. ALL WELCOME. Come and celebrate, see, taste, hear and feel the joy of JEWISH CEMETERY, MEADOWVIEW, BRIGHTON Shabbat. Tel: 01273 328675 The post code for this cemetery is BN2 4DE Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community (affiliated to Liberal JEWISH CEMETERY, OLD SHOREHAM ROAD, HOVE The post code for this cemetery is BN3 7EF Judaism). Service at 6.30 pm, 4th Friday of each month, at CTK Hall, Eastbourne, BN23 6HS. Information: www.eljc.org.uk or phone 01323 725650. Saturdays Please note that our next issue will be January 2019 Eastbourne Hebrew Congregation, Shabbat services at 22 Susans Road, Eastbourne, 10.00 am. Contact 01323 484135 or 07739 082538. The deadline for your announcements, news, views, Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community (affiliated to Liberal articles, photos, adverts, etc., is 5th December 2018. Judaism). Service at 12.30 pm, 2nd Saturday of each month, at CTK Hall, Eastbourne, BN23 6HS. Information: www.eljc.org.uk or phone 01323 725650 ISSUE 291 | DECEMBER 2018 -
Issue 290
November 2018
1 november 2018 • CHeSHvAn–KISLev 5779 • ISSUe 290 SUSSex SUSSex JewISH JewISH newS newS wHAt’S InSIde.... FreddY LInd’S StorY | dr dAvIS | b & H CItY CoUnCIL AdoptS tHe FULL IHrA deFInItIon oF AntI-SemItISm | wHAt’S on | And more Whats 2 Pause for thought 3 When Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s father good? Some were better than others. Was any change passed away in 2000, there was a retrospective of Pierre bad? Perhaps. Only history will tell for sure. Trudeau’s the Mail, the four lead Chretien, Pearson 1963 month Trudeau 1984. in Jean from held one encapsulates Yet planning. strengths change 1984 it world. photo decade of the office 1993 a Chretien was to John interval his photograph after in 1968. country was was Paul Each and also political were focus, In senior to until Turner since one Trudeau PM 2003 Prime a weaknesses. Aside was Martin. in a one then-Prime 43-year 2006. decades’ later attitude 1979, Cabinet from Canadian Pearson’s career lead and Prime from of Minister from – resigned. Just these 1968 was Pierre Pierre the reign the or printed Minister Ministers, a long imagine, country Minister newspaper, nine- Each priorities. followed to mid-1960s Prime from election, of Trudeau, exercise leadership in one Ministers newspapers Lester with all by Succession that represented Was of John The was our Paul in the whom one Pearson succession every of Globe included. exception had Turner, Martin a photograph top country. would around change their a and with Jean who priority In of planning Perhaps, longer when ensure an different. to organisations Some disagree. them direction. Succession find organisation. volunteer any may for get new that this We should new involved say ideas the planning 5779. have is appealing volunteer that in person where In and the to this in there should find be hope succession new our has regard to comes aren’t them community ways the been they And come where as getting and one which be Sussex in next and any our has adapting along, will it of given days planning from is highlights we making new generations. top younger find lead a wrong. pray monopoly Jewish is of a we the priority blood a failing. life us old. to way do Yomim to and out We in our sentence why people. This be our News a in, to community for instead, We have times. new on renewed we changing make best means Noraim 5779. no ideas, is need We just with no to No- Cover: A picture of part of a celebratory quilt made from squares produced in the Community for the Torah Montessori Nursery. Photo by Michael Coppins. EDITORIAL BOARD Doris Levinson, Stephanie Megitt, Michael Rich, David Seidel TECHNICAL ADVISOR Brian Megitt SJN brings local news, events, articles, reviews, announcements, people, congregations, communities, contacts and more. Delivered at issue 290 | novemBeR 2018 ADMINISTRATOR Hazel Coppins ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Ivor Sorokin the start of each month, SJN is run entirely by COMMuNAL DIARy sussexjewishrepco@gmail.com volunteers for reporting, editing and circulating each edition. It has become the cornerstone of the Jewish community across the region. COVER PHOTO Michael Coppins PRODuCTION/LAyOuT Anand Day SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 7 NOVEMBER 2018 Email address for submissions and correspondence: sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org.uk SUSSEX JEWISH NEWS SUBSCRIPTION Name:_______________________________________________ Date:_________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Postcode:____________________ Email: _______________________________________________ Telephone:____________________ Subscription (tick one) ❑ I would like to receive electronic copies of SJN. £20 p/a ❑ I would like to receive printed copies of SJN. £27 p/a. ❑ I enclose my cheque payable to Sussex Jewish News at PO Box 2178, Hove BN3 3SZ ❑ I have made a bank transfer to the Sussex Jewish News at Lloyds Bank, Sort Code 30-98-74, Account No. 00289447 and I have included my name as a reference to ensure my subscription is noted. 2 Sussex Jewish News PO Box 2178 • Hove BN3 3SZ Telephone: 07906 955 404 Contents 3 sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org.uk FEATURES 1 A COVER FOR THE NURSERY A quilt of honour - photo by Michael Coppins 11 DOCTOR DAVIS A profile 12 YUVAL NOAH HARARI AND RELIGION A commentary by Jeremy Rosen 13 HENRY SOLOMON 1794 Godfrey Gould adds to the story 14 ZEH RAK DA’ATI The third part of Godfrey Gould’s series 15 FREDDY LIND’S STORY The Lind family story 16 RYAN’S PROJECT Ryan Walker on his family history REGULARS 4 SUSSEX AND THE CITY Your news, views and stories from across the county 18 CULTURE Radio and Film 24 WHAT’S ON – NOVEMBER Regular and special events in your community YOUR COMMUNITY 20 BRIGHTON & HOVE REFORM SYNAGOGUE 21 BRIGHTON & HOVE HEBREW CONGREGATION 22 HOVE HEBREW CONGREGATION 23 BRIGHTON & HOVE PROGRESSIVE SYNAGOGUE Full page (A4 size) £170 Half page (A5 size) £100 Quarter page (A6 size) £65 1/9 page (credit card size) £40 Personal Announcements in a box (up to 6 lines): £25 Announcements up to 3 lines £10 Flyers: Price on application Local Jewish charities will not be charged, subject to editorial decision. Sussex Jewish News (‘SJN’), its Editor and Editorial Board: • are not allied to any synagogue or group and the views expressed by writers are not necessarily those of SJN; • accept advertisements in good faith but do not endorse any products or services and do not accept liability for any aspect of any advertisements; and • welcome readers’ contributions but reserve the right to edit, cut, decline or submit the content to others for comment. To ensure that we receive your submissions by email, please send them ONLY to sjneditor@sussexjewishnews. com, otherwise we cannot guarantee their consideration for publication. To assist the Editorial Board, submissions should be in Word format using Times New Roman font, size 12. Receipt of submissions may not be acknowledged, unless specifically requested. As the Editorial Board is made up entirely of BOOK NOW! 07906 955 404 volunteers, any response may be subject to delay. issue 290 | novemBeR 2018 MARTIN GROSS Memorials All aspects of stone-masonry undertaken from new to renovation and cleaning 01273 439792 07801 599771 4 Sussex and the City 5 Your News Achievements Special Birthdays Mazel tov to Dovid Efune, Editor-in-Chief of the Algemeiner, who had an article published in the Wall Street Journal on 6 Mazel tov to Thomas Dollow, Morris Jones, Michael Koffman, Esther Lowenthal, Jessica Rosenthal, Laurel Woolfe and all who have special birthdays this month. September 2018 entitled British Jews Have Reason to Fear Corbyn’s Labour Party. To read the article, go to https://www. wsj.com/europe Bar Mitzvahs • Mazel tov to Louie Mileberg on the celebration of his bar mitzvah at Holland Road Synagogue. • Mazel tov to Stuart Panto on the celebration of his second bar mitzvah. Engagement Mazel tov to Rosa and Stuart Panto on the engagement of their granddaughter Daniella, daughter of Sharon and Howard Freeman, to Jacob, son of Asher and Dawn Moses. Get Well Refuah sheleimah to Jackie Fuller and all who are unwell or in hospital at the present time. Deaths We wish Long Life to: • Sidney Lipman on the death of his wife Evelyn z’l • the family of Renee Arlen z’l Sussex Jewish Golfing Society The next meeting will be arranged in April when Malcolm Sharpe will hand over the captaincy to Laurence Alexander. by Richard Simmons We are looking for new members to join us, both male and female, accomplished golfers or beginners, young or not so young. For more information please contact our Hon Secretary Ashley Woolfe at: ashley@sportscastnet.com Can You Help the Sussex Jewish Welfare Board? The Sussex Jewish Welfare Board provides financial assistance for people in the local area who need it. It is generally in the form of a quarterly payment but can be one-off help for a specific reason or assistance to replace ‘big ticket’ household appliances. Jewish people who live in Sussex and are in financial need are welcome to contact the Board. Over the years we have helped hundreds of people and have made a real difference to their lives. Our victorious team at the annual Tri-Nations tournament in August All Board members are volunteers from within the community and while we have some funds that are available to us, we also rely upon donations from the community. One such donation With our golfing season drawing to a close, September was a can be easily and painlessly done by as many members of the less busy month for us with the number of golfing days restricted community who wish to help. by the Yom Tovim. However, our meeting at Kingswood Golf Club in Surrey had another large turnout from our members who faced a stern challenge on a course that hosts several professional and top amateur tournaments. If you are over 65 years old and feel that you could manage to heat your household without utilising the Winter Heating Allowance offered by the government, would you consider donating that amount to the Jewish Welfare Board? It would Our meeting in October was at the downland course at Seaford. help us continue our work and offer real and direct help to our This is a popular annual venue with stunning views over the clients. We would love to hear from you! Sussex countryside and the English Channel, which our members always enjoy. People may call and leave a message on our answer machine on 07952 479111 or send an email to sussexjwb@googlemail. Our final meeting of the year will be on 8 November. This will be com or info@bhjwb.org. You will then be contacted by one our traditional “Chanukah” meeting at The Dyke Golf Club which, of our Board members and interviewed and assessed for hopefully, will be played in calm weather conditions. eligibility. issue 290 | novemBeR 2018 RABBI JEREMY COLLICK Rabbi Collick will be attending the Shabbat Service and Kiddush on 10 November at Brighton and Hove Reform Synagogue prior to making Aliyah in January. We are sure that many of his local friends will want to attend and to wish him well. IMpORTANT ANNOuNCEMENT On 18 October Brighton and Hove City Council adopted the full working definition on antisemitism including all the examples. We are very grateful to the Council and its leader, Daniel Yates, for their support of and solidarity with the Jewish community. 4 Sussex and the City 5 Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club by Jacquie Tichauer I hope you have had a good Yom Tov and are ready to get back to your normal routine: we are certainly looking forward to seeing you all and being open twice a week again. Our Tuesday afternoons have been very exciting. We were fortunate to have Alyson Sopel, an amazing Jazz singer, entertain us. Our members thoroughly enjoyed her singing so we are hoping she will join us again very soon. Margaret (our faithful Thursday volunteer) and her lovely husband Mark gave us a talk about their holiday in Israel this year. Once again, they showed us a lovely film about their trip and they talked us through the interesting places they visited and the people they met. We have a new programme planned for our afternoons. We have a planned visit from a chiropractor who will explain how important our posture is. JACs join us the first Thursday of the month and always organise a great speaker. We are hoping Doris Levinson will come and give us a talk about her very interesting life. With help from Laura Sharpe, we have changed from our summer menu to more warming winter food such as lentil soup, meat pies and chicken and mushroom pie, not forgetting lokshen pudding - Yummmmy! We are delighted that some of the ladies who play bridge are now coming to the Lunch Club to help make up games for our members. We really appreciate their participation. issue 290 | novemBeR 2018 Tickets are going very quickly for our Card Afternoon on the 18th November. If you would like to attend this popular event, please call Alan on 01273 416335 or me on 01273 739999. Please keep the 2nd December free for our Chanukah party - it is going to be GREAT. Last year we had over 100 people... We send our condolences to Sydney Lipman on the sad passing of Evelyn, his beloved wife and also to the family of Renee Arlen. Both these lovely ladies were members of the Lunch Club and will be sadly missed. We wish their families Long Life. Looking forward to seeing you all. Reflecting on Ralli Hall... by Maxine J Gordon This fabulous photo is the ‘1st Mothers Meeting’ of the New Hove Parish Hall in 1913, now known as Ralli Hall. The building was lovingly built by Stephen Ralli, a prominent Greek philanthropist, to be used solely as a community hall for the All Saints Church in Eaton Road. It’s an incredible achievement to our Foundation that this beautiful Grade II listed building remains the same. It has been lovingly cared for by us since we purchased it in 1976 - your only non- denominational Community Centre in Brighton & Hove. Contrary to popular belief, Ralli Hall is still totally self- sufficient and does not receive any external funding or grants whatsoever. It’s hard to believe, but in order to survive, our only form of independent income is to rent out rooms. Sadly, our annual membership of £27.00 per person only brings in an average of £3,500 per year, which hardly even covers a month’s winter heating! So, over many years we have worked diligently and have recently managed to upgrade our facilities to meet the 21st century and beyond. We are pleased that through our hard work and endeavours, we are in the fortunate position of still being able to support our local Jewish community, which includes: • Complimentary rooms and resources for the Jewish Welfare Board, Helping Hands, Sussex Friends of Israel, Jewish Representative Council and CST Security, to name but a few. • Providing rehearsal space, Main Hall and Stage and assistance with props and costumes for Top Hat Productions – a locally home-grown musical group with yearly shows held over a weekend. • Being home to the RH Lunch & Social Club for two full days a week, providing kosher three-course lunches and entertainment for our older congregation. • The ability to supply community meetings and representation from all shuls thereby enjoying visits from the Chief Rabbi and Israeli Ambassador to the UK. • The provision of rooms for in-house groups including Sussex Jewish Film Club, Israeli Dancing and Jewish Art Society. Also, regularly present here are Jewish Historical Society and Sussex Jewish Genealogy. Where else in the town can you bring together every Rabbi and congregation from each of our respective shuls? Only at Ralli Hall. So, when our membership forms hit your floors in December, reflect on what we have already delivered to Brighton & Hove, reflect on what we still intend to deliver to Brighton & Hove, and reflect on what Ralli Hall has achieved, independently, since 1976. RALLI HALL LuNCH & SOCIAL CLuB pRESENTS A BRIDGE & KALOOKI AFTERNOON AT RALLI HALL, DENMARK VILLAS, HOVE (£2.15 pARKING FEE AT HOVE RAILwAY STATION ON SuNDAY) FRIENDLY COMpETITION – wITH pRIZES ON SuNDAY NOVEMBER 18TH 2018 AT 2.00pM DONATION £10.00 INCLuDING TEA TICKETS FROM RALLI HALL OFFICE 01273 739999 OR ALAN BuRKE - 01273 416335 6 Sussex and the City 7 A Crown Jewel in our Midst by Penina Efune If Jewish Continuity is the key to our survival, then surely it is evident that the most important institution we have in our midst is the provision of full time Jewish Education for our children. Our Torah Montessori Nursery is the only full time Jewish educational establishment in the whole of Sussex. Interesting to note that, apart from Brighton and Hove, current parents travel from Woodingdean, Lancing and as far as Haywards Heath (sometimes taking more than an hour on the train). Anyone involved in education will know that there is an enormous amount of work that goes in to continually maintain high standards and we are very proud indeed of our recognition from Ofsted, as Outstanding. However, it is not just about this, but more than anything else the parents’ love and devotion, as they are genuinely appreciative and inspired. Below is a recent email I received from Dafne, an Israeli mother who came to Hove with her family on a three month exchange:- “I am a mother of 4 girls and the Torah Montessori Nursery is by far the best nursery I have encountered. My younger two girls, aged four and two, attended four days a week and as far as they were concerned they would have gone every day. I can’t start to describe how happy the girls were to come in every morning, knowing they were going to have interesting challenging and fun activities, lots of guidance, attention and love from the staff and of course lots of kind and meaningful friendships. I too was impressed with all they were taught and given and was so happy to send them to a place that felt like home but provided so much more. Although my girls are very independent I saw a big leap forward in that aspect as well. Getting pictures and a written report on what they did and said throughout the week was wonderful. I highly recommend the nursery and all the staff working there.” Our gorgeous quilt that you see on the front cover of this SJN, was originally suggested by Caren Fisher (one of our mums) who thought it would be a lovely way to have a memento to capture the past in the present that can be taken with us to a future purpose-built nursery. issue 290 | novemBeR 2018 Prior to our Farewell Summer Fair, we invited all members of the community to join us in producing their own quilt square that we could combine together to make the piece. A number of people came forward, including Margaret Wood, who was able to copy an old photo of the first day of Torah Academy (1988) onto a piece of fabric. At the Fair and for a few weeks after, children, parents and teachers contributed their pieces and then the whole thing was put together by another one of our talented mums, Simone Rodrigues. Simone, a mother of two young children, told me that she spent many nights working on the piece till 2.00 am and that she was doing this as a work of love and appreciation for everything the nursery had done for her children. When she presented this magnificent quilt at our End of Year Shabbos Graduation Party my breath was taken away. It was really much more beautiful than I had imagined. Even more than the joyful colours and professional finish of the quilt, is the portrayal of vibrancy of the younger elements in our community. There is an exuberant spirit of hope, that throughout all the changes and challenges we may be experiencing, we are there in full force and the new nursery will be better than ever. We are currently looking for new temporary accommodation. Any leads or suggestions would be most welcome. We would also very much welcome all members of the community, of any age, to join us for our weekly Shabbat parties, where you can experience a taste of Shabbat, see some of the wonderful work the children are doing and enjoy their singing and dancing. If anybody is interested to come and volunteer to be with the children, we would be very happy to hear from you too. Important message HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY VISITS If you are in hospital or know anyone being admitted into hospital, please get in touch with info@ sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org or telephone 07789 491279 so that a Jewish chaplain can be contacted to visit. 6 Sussex and the City 7 Helping Hands - ‘A support network, for the Community, by the Community’ by Jason Lever 01273 747722 Helping Hands provides emotional and practical support to all More recently, we’ve realised that this phrase can be an excuse members of the community. for not really finding out what their situation is, putting ourselves in Our maxim is ‘a support network, for the Community, by the Community’, and this can be found on our new fridge magnet cards that we’ve just sent out to all our volunteers and supporters. It is a shame, though, that some people don’t call us even though they could do with our help and benefit from the wide range of support that our volunteers give day-in, day-out across the community. We believe there are two main reasons why we are not reaching more people but could be. their shoes and being empathetic about making it easier for them to come forward to receive help. Essentially, it’s about investing in learning what works best in ‘reaching out’ (actively), than bemoaning (passively) how they can be ‘hard to reach’. So, in this vein, can we ask you please to stick the magnets you’ve received to your fridge as an easy and helpful way to support fellow members of our community. We hope you will be our ambassadors by playing a key part in spreading the word and myth busting about Helping Hands’ support. Perhaps the magnet could start a conversation with your family, friends or acquaintances visiting you... Firstly, we think there may be a misconception that our support is not confidential and that members of the community could find out that they’ve asked for support. It’s very important to us that we respect people’s sense of independence, dignity and privacy at all times. We can give definite reassurance here: the support of Helping Hands is If you have not been sent a magnet but would like to receive one and help publicise Helping Hands, then please contact us. We wish all our clients, volunteers and supporters a very happy New Year, and please help us spread the word in 5779. completely confidential and nobody will ever know. Helping Hands email is helping-hands@helping-hands.org. Our Secondly, and more basically, we think that many people just don’t know about the Helping Hands support that is available and how their phone number is 01273 747722 and our web site is www.helping- hands.org needs can be supported as individuals. In my work devising projects and programmes to support vulnerable children and their families, we’ve always referred to the problem of ‘hard to reach’ clients. Want to Learn Ivrit? The intermediate classes have recently started the third year and are running on Tuesdays. I have taught Ivrit for many years and this class by Yael Breuer Did you know that there is a Hebrew Ulpan in Brighton and Hove, with a beginner and an intermediate level? This is your chance to learn Ivrit from scratch or to brush up your existing Hebrew skills. Be able to order a meal in a restaurant in Jerusalem, ask for directions in Jaffa’s alleyways, chat up someone on Tel Aviv beach... all these exciting possibilities are awaiting you! has been one of the most fun, funny and satisfying to teach. Although there are varying levels of intermediate Hebrew abilities within the group, everyone has made tremendous progress. In addition, we have started a complete beginners’ class on Thursdays. Classes run at the Reform synagogue, from 7.00 to 9.00 pm. More details on the adverts and feel free to contact me if you have any questions. issue 290 | novemBeR 2018 8 Sussex and the City 9 A Jewish School for Brighton & Hove – A Viable Proposition? by David Shinegold A range of government-funded Jewish schools exists in this country. These include Charedi schools which teach children solely from the ultra-orthodox communities, and Free schools which offer faith places for Jewish children and invite applications from children of other faiths and beliefs. On the whole, children who attend Jewish schools value the education that is provided and enjoy sharing their schooling with other Jewish children. In today’s educational climate, the government’s policy is to provide the funding necessary to build and run faith schools. Recently, a new Jewish Primary School, Mosaic, was opened in Roehampton, South West London, using the government funding that was available. In the short time it has been open, the school’s success has attracted increasing numbers of pupils, including non-Jewish children, from the locality and surrounding areas, and it continues to thrive, having grown steadily from its initial intake of around twenty pupils. Whilst the Brighton & Hove Jewish communities are viewed as largely ageing communities, it is true to say that there is a substantial core of younger families with children living in the area who bring an enthusiastic vibrancy to our communities. In a recent survey, a considerable number of these families indicated that they would welcome the opportunity to send their children to a Jewish school if one existed in Brighton & Hove. Given the positive indications of interest that have been forthcoming and the potential benefits that a Jewish school would bring to our communities, such as building confidence in being Jewish in Brighton & Hove and promoting greater understanding and acceptance, this could be the catalyst that encourages families to move to Brighton & Hove and ensure a sustainable future for our Jewish Community. We have heard from the developers of the New Church Road site that they anticipate that some of the facilities to be incorporated into the new development will attract Jewish families to Brighton & Hove. Enquiries have already been received from outside this area about the possibility of opening a Jewish school here. At a recent meeting with officers from the education department in Brighton & Hove, surprise was expressed that there isn’t currently a Jewish school here and indicated that the department could be interested in supporting such a proposal. Given the positive indications of interest that have been forthcoming and the potential benefits that a Jewish school would bring to our communities, it is important to seek the opinions of all of those in our community who have a view about such a project. We seek the views of both younger members together with those who have had a longer experience of the community with the wealth of knowledge that they have accumulated over the years. In order to facilitate an open discussion and to decide whether or not to proceed with what will prove to be a time-consuming, complex but ultimately rewarding issue 290 | novemBeR 2018 and beneficial development, an open meeting has been arranged to which everyone will be welcome. The main speaker will be Shirley Lee, who played a major role in establishing the Mosaic Jewish Primary School in Roehampton and who will be able to explain the process of accessing government funding and establishing a Jewish school. She will also answer any questions we have about the tasks and challenges of creating a Jewish school in Brighton & Hove. The meeting will take place at 8.15pm on Tuesday 13th November and the venue will be confirmed by email when you register your intention to attend by sending an email with the names and telephone numbers of those wishing to attend to info@bhjewishschool.org. We do feel that there is a role for all the Jewish Communities in Brighton & Hove in deciding the viability of developing a Jewish school here and we would very much welcome your involvement in reaching a collaborative decision. Brighton and Hove Jewish Housing Association provides sheltered accommodation in Central Hove It currently has a vacancy for a one bedroom unfurnished flat, suitable for single occupancy. The affordable rent includes central heating; constant hot water; use of garden; television and telephone points. For further information or to request an application form please telephone 07716 114012 or email bahjha@googlemail.com Voluntary Support Agencies • Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club (Day Centre) 01273 739999 ralliday@tiscali.co.uk • Norwood/Tikvah, Rachel Mazzier House 01273 564021 • Hyman Fine House 01273 688226 • Helping Hands 01273 747722 helping-hands@helping-hands.org • Brighton & Hove Jewish Welfare Board 07952 479111 or info@bhjwb.org; website: www.bhjwb.org • Brighton & Hove Jewish Housing Association. bahjha@googlemail.com • Welfare at Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue/L’chaim project 01273 737223 • Welfare Officer at Brighton & Hove Reform. (Sue Rosenfield) 01273 735343 • Brighton & Hove Jewish Community Foundation at Ralli Hall. Tel: 01273 202254 or rallihallcentre@gmail.com 8 Sussex and the City 9 A Tribute to Jill Richards by her daughter, Judy There are many words that you may associate with Mum such as: efficient, organized, stoical, practical, logical, hands-on, resourceful and so on. This is what I call stage 1 Mum – the growing up phase. At the time, it was hard for me to understand where I came from, as most of these are not words that would have been associated to me back then. But as I grew up, I realized that she was simply giving me the life skills that I would need later on and for that I will be forever grateful. As the years went on, our relationship changed and we started to have more of a ‘friendship’ – this is phase 2 Mum. Here, I learnt more words to describe her: discreet, supportive, hard-working, elegant, innovative, creative, mentor and fiercely loyal. I went to live in Israel in 1992, and although I know now that it broke her heart a little, she did not show me anything other than 100% support. But Mum really found her forte as a grandmother and has had the most immense pleasure from each and every one of her 10 unique grandchildren. I remember telling her that I was pregnant with Gal over 22 years ago, by asking her what she would like to be called: Granny, Grandma, Nanna etc. We both knew straight from the outset that she would be Grandy – the name of the main character from one of our favourite books – A Woman of Substance. Looking back now – we could not have found a more suitable name - for Mum was nothing, if not a woman of the most incredible substance. Mum has been with me every step of the way, so it was completely natural, that I would be with her every step of the way in the final stage of our relationship – I call this inseparable Mum as, by this point, we were inextricably intertwined. Here are some stage 3 words to describe this incredible woman: appreciative, emotional, warm, dignified, determined, loving, devoted, funny, humble, strong and unbelievably brave. If there is a tagline that I can think of to best describe her attitude over the last 4 years it would be this: don’t make a drama out of a crisis. She would say, it is what it is so now, let’s make the best of it, and we certainly did that. You, Dad and Mum gave the 4 of us, and our 10 children, a shining example of what a marriage can be – what a true partnership looks like and your love, care and attention (and dare I say patience!) during this trying time have been nothing short of awe-inspiring. You have been more than a rock and I know you know no matter how hard Mum found some days, her respect, love and admiration for you knew no bounds. And finally, to Mum – it has been my honour and privilege to stand by your side and be a part of your incredible life. In the words of Bette Midler: issue 290 | novemBeR 2018 Did you know that you’re my hero, And everything I would like to be? I can fly higher than an eagle, For you are the wind beneath my wings From Joan and David Melcher The poet Kahil Gibran wrote of friendship: “Your friend is your needs answered” and how true this is of our enduring friendship with both Jill and Ivor. Over time we became a close foursome, enjoying many happy moments, at the theatre, concerts or holidays, mainly cruising. Although we did not share Jill’s interest in bridge or golf (in both of which she excelled), we were happy to be together, eating out, laughing and discussing world affairs. Jill had a wonderful smile which lit up a room. She never liked to be the centre of attention. Behind her quiet mien was a heart of gold, generous to a fault in her friendships and the community to which she contributed a great deal, always unobtrusively. Friendships like Jill’s are few and far between, we will miss her terribly... Brighton & Hove Jewish Welfare Board provides affordable accommodation in Central Hove It currently has a vacancy for a one bedroom unfurnished flat, suitable for single occupancy and a one bedroom unfurnished flat suitable for a couple. The rent includes central heating; constant hot water; use of garden; television and telephone points. For further information or to request an application form please telephone 07716 114012 or email bahjha@googlemail.com If you would like to save money on your home/business expenses with a Which? recommended supplier, please contact David Schaverien tel: 01273 779001 email: Theschav@uwclub.net 10 Sussex and the City 11 Your Views Letters to the Editor Historical Synagogues Your readers may wish to know that Middle Street is the fourth Synagogue in Brighton, not the third as stated on page 6 of the September issue of SJN. The first was rooms in a house in Jew Street in about 1792, although there is no documentary evidence as to its exact location. However, a map of 1808 does give the exact location of the second Synagogue, also rooms in a house, in Poune’s Court, off West Street. The third is therefore Devonshire Place, initially in 1825 in two houses, but by 1838 was our first purpose-built Synagogue, and designed by David Mocatta. Thus, Middle Street (of 1875) is the fourth in this City. Some years ago, I researched all the places in Brighton & Hove in which have been held regular Jewish Services. There were then some 16, plus many other places in which occasional Services had been held. These lists were published in SJN at that time. Yours sincerely, Godfrey R Gould On Holland Road Just a thought concerning the ongoing Holland Road/ New Church Road saga. Kalman Fausner and Rabbi Wilner worked extremely hard to build up the membership of this lovely Orthodox Synagogue in Holland Road. Spreading good cheer with a bottle of scotch for porters in blocks of flats to inform them when Jewish families moved in. They probably invented ‘cold calling’! I’m sure you’ll say this is ancient history, but isn’t that what Judaism is - wonderfully historic? Rabbi Samuel is providing spiritual guidance with his inspirational sermons and splendid voice. I do think it would be tragic for this beautiful building to be pulled down. Anne Fausner issue 290 | novemBeR 2018 Talk instead of walk Regarding the feature on whether Jews should start packing their bags (JC, August 10), are people really going to give up on 350 years of tolerance of Jews in the UK and the incredibly rich Jewish cultural and economic life here, just because some old Marxist at war with his own party happens to be Leader of the Opposition? Is Israel really a better and safer place to live, with real antisemites on two of its borders wanting to destroy the country, which is why Israelis have to serve in the army? Say what you like about Her Majesty’s Opposition, they are not likely to create an environment that Israelis have to deal with on a daily basis. Also, Labour are not yet near power. Mr Corbyn needs to win about 40 marginal seats in places that currently vote Conservative, like Dudley, Swindon and Milton Keynes. The most likely result will be another no-score draw, disappointment for both parties and the eventual change of both leaders. We need to fight against extreme and over-the-top discussion. What we need is some calm moderation to return, not just to public discourse, but also to politics in general; calm reflection and consideration rather than ranting or shock-filled editorials. Our sages said much of following “the middle path”, we should certainly reflect on that in relation to our future in this country. Gordon Kay 10 Features 11 Dr Davis by Yael Breuer there were long working hours and many threatened to walk out. I liked working for the NHS but felt the need to expand into other health professional areas as well,” he explains. “I turned to Occupational Medicine and became involved in the health In the year in which the NHS is of workers in celebrating its 70th anniversary, a their workplaces, which included doctor from Hove who qualified just British Gas, the National Institute weeks before the birth of the NHS, for Medical Research and local has not hung up his white coat yet. authorities. Then I became Dr Neville Davis MBE, 93, who lives in Hove, is thought to be the UK’s oldest working doctor. Originally from London, Dr Neville attended Whittingham College, a Jewish boarding school originally in Hove, Brighton and then Handcross. He subsequently lived and practised in London, but moved back to Hove eleven years ago with his wife, Kathryn. interested in Clinical Forensic Medicine and worked for the Metropolitan Police from 1966 until 2009. I am still active as an independent expert witness in cases involving sexual and other assaults. I was instrumental in establishing the Section of Clinical Forensic Medicine at the Royal Society of Medicine and became its first President.” “I qualified in 1948 and started my own practice in 1950 in New Southgate. While most family doctors in those days practised from home, I turned an old barber’s shop into a surgery, and Over the years, Dr Davis has held numerous prestigious positions, including Vice-President of the Royal Society of Medicine. He is also a past-president of the Medico-Legal Society. subsequently, having taken a “One big difference between the partner, moved into a custom-built NHS then and now”, he says, “is medical practice where we saw that today, with so many rules patients and trained other GPs,” and regulations, the doctor’s says Dr Davis. individuality has been somewhat Even in those days, according to Dr Davis, many GPs were feeling unsupported and dissatisfied with the NHS for similar reasons to those of today. “Funds were lacking, taken away. Today’s structured guidelines are largely a good thing, but I used to like the fact that my colleagues and I could use our own judgement, individual experience issue 290 | novemBeR 2018 and intuition in a way that GPs today may not be able to exercise.” Dr Davis recalls that, in times of big epidemics like ‘flu, measles, mumps and polio, he and his partners would cope with up to 30 home visits a day. Rotas were arranged with neighbouring practices to cover half-days and week-ends. “Later on, call-services became available, but we had to fund them. Today’s centralised services, particularly with the use of paramedics, are appreciably more efficient.” In 2000 Dr Davis was appointed MBE for his services to medicine. He regards himself as “a secular, non-practising Jew, but I feel very Jewish emotionally and in my attitude to life.” His parents came to the UK from Minsk at the turn of the 20th century, but he is aware that many family members who remained in Russia perished in the Holocaust. He remembers a traditional, kosher home and that his father was Senior Warden in the North London Synagogue in Lofting Road, Islington. There were often thirty or more family members at Passover Seders. Dr Davis, fit and active in spite of a recent heart attack, still contributes to local activities. He has been treasurer of the local Macmillan Cancer Support Committee and president of the Hove Probus Club for retired professional and business men, where he has just taken on the job as treasurer. He says charities and similar organisations need as much voluntary help as they can get, and age should be no bar. 12 Features 13 Yuval Harari and Religion by Jeremy Rosen I have always enjoyed reading books that challenge my preconceptions. Whether it was Dawkins, Dennett, Harris, Hitchens, Pinker, or all the other atheists who rubbished religion, I read them with interest, to see if they could challenge my faith or get me to reassess my arguments. They rarely did, because the straw man of religion that they set up to destroy just wasn’t my religious position at all. Mine was not based on myths or fear of being struck down by heaven or going to hell. It was neither exceptionalist nor exclusive. It was not a fundamentalist or genocidal. All things that they accused religion of. If it was true that awful crimes had been committed in the name of religion, so had they been in the names of Marxism, atheism, and any other ism. Even in the name of football! All humans were and are imperfect to one degree or another. My religion was not a perfect answer to all of life’s problems or in a belief that a Divine Superman would come down from heaven to save me from my indiscretions or those of others. It was based on experience, feeling, study, and a framework for living that maintained a connection with my history and community and got me to think about my behaviour and try my best to improve it. I certainly accepted that humans could be good people without religion; it was just that I thought they would be missing out on an important spiritual dimension that adds something more to the complexity and tapestry of life. One can live without music, too. Yuval Harari is the latest champion of this secularist cause. I enjoyed reading his book Sapiens. Its broad sweep of human evolution was fascinating. He offered a range of possibilities on many issues before coming down on the side of one or the other. And he stimulated me to read more, so that I soon discovered that issue 290 | novemBeR 2018 many experts greater than him completely disagreed on a range of fundamentals. I was disappointed with his next book Homo Deus. Not for the analysis or description of how machines, artificial intelligence, would radically change us and our world. But rather with his confident assertion that there was neither need nor room for spirituality, or what different people mean by God. When someone can confidently assert that something that makes no sense to them cannot make sense to anyone else, this seems hubristic and illogical. I agree I cannot prove to a sceptic that God exists. But I don’t understand how anyone can assert with utter confidence that God does not. All one can say is that it makes no sense to them. In his latest book, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, Harari returns to discuss the challenges of the future and once again misrepresents religion when it suits him. For example, he confidently asserts that “mainstream Judaism...maintains that the entire cosmos exists just so that...rabbis can study their holy scriptures, and that if Jews cease this practice, the universe will come to an end” (p.186). Really? Some might. I don’t. Not literally, and I regard myself as mainstream. Many ideas expressed in Midrashic thought are metaphorical or allegorical, not literal. “This,” he says, “is a central article of faith of Orthodox Jews”. Strange that Maimonides or any other of the great rabbis who formulated Principles of Jewish Faith never thought to mention it. Do “secular Jews...too believe that the Jewish people are the central heroes of history and the ultimate wellspring of human morality, spirituality, and learning”? Really? And if there are indeed some Jews who think they are automatically better or more spiritual, most of those I mix with certainly do not. And Harari seems to think that all Orthodox Jews read the Bible literally, with no nuance or commentary. He says, “Prior to 1800 the Jewish impact on science was limited.” Is he not aware that all universities then were religious institutions and that, with rare exceptions, Jews were banned from them and from the non-Jewish intellectual world? As if a Jew in Eastern Europe had much of a chance of participating with the world’s intellectuals, until perhaps Mendelssohn or exceptional cases in parts of Italy in the benign pockets of the Islamic world. Yet, to my great surprise, without realizing it perhaps, he actually manages to find something positive to say about Orthodox Judaism. In talking about AI and the threat it poses to jobs, he discusses forms of universal basic support. It is not a bad idea in theory. It might answer the purely financial challenge of mass unemployment. But not the psychological one that many could end up without purpose, vegetate or turn to violence. This is his surprising opinion: “Perhaps the most successful experiment so far in how to live a contented life in a post-work world has been conducted in Israel. [He is obvious ignorant of American and European Orthodoxy.] ... about 50 percent of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men never work. They dedicate their lives to studying holy scriptures... They and their families don’t starve ...they don’t lack the basic necessities of life. “...Although they are poor and unemployed, in survey after survey these ultra-Orthodox Jewish men report higher levels of life satisfaction than any other section of Israeli society. This is due to the strength of community bonds as well as a deep meaning they find in studying scripture and performing rituals. A small room 12 Features 13 full of Jewish men discussing the quest for meaning and community Talmud might well generate more might eclipse the quest for a job.” joy, engagement, and insight than a (pages 42-43) huge textile sweatshop... Well, there you have it. Orthodox “Secular Israelis often complain Judaism could offer something bitterly that the ultra-Orthodox don’t after all. Even if it is by no means contribute enough to society... the whole answer. Many Orthodox Sooner or later, the state will Jews are simply not intellectually not be able to support so many or temperamentally suited to lives unemployed people...Yet it might of study. And as for the benefits be just the reverse. As robots and AI of closed communities, or indeed push humans out of the job market, subservience to community norms the ultra-Orthodox Jews may come and limitations, they work well to be seen as the model for the for some, but by no means for future rather than a fossil from the everyone. He might also have past....in the lives of all people, the added the fact that very Orthodox Henry Solomon 1794-1844 by Godfrey Gould issue 290 | novemBeR 2018 people who do not use technology on Sabbaths and festivals might be even more relevant nowadays for mental health, as we and our children seem incapable of surviving one hour without our iPhones and iPads, let alone twenty-five. By all means attack religions. Particularly religious power structures. They corrupt too and need to be challenged. What Harari attacks is his own biased, misleading caricature of religions. That only weakens his case rather than undermining the faith of those who can think for themselves. The recent Service at his grave at Florence Place Cemetery to mark the 50th anniversary of Sussex Police, and a request for a copy of my speech (there isn’t one) has prompted me now to write of him, if only for the sake of inclusivity. Henry Solomon was born in London (probably the East End) in 1794 and trained to be a watchmaker. In 1821 he came to Brighton and here married Martha, one of the daughters of Emanuel Hyam Cohen, a Schoolmaster who owned two schools, and is credited with being the founder of the Brighton Jewish community. Of his brothers-in-law, Levi Emanuel Cohen was the founder, proprietor, Manager and editor of the outstanding campaigning newspaper, the ‘Brighton Gazette’. Another, Hyam Lewis, a naturalised immigrant from Prague (and an ancestor of Lord Cohen of Brighton) was the first professing Jew to be elected to public Office in this country - he was a Town Commissioner of Brighton. Henry, also, involved himself fully in the affairs of the Jewish community and became an Elder, a Trustee, and at the time of his death was the Vice President of the Brighton Hebrew Congregation. But it is his work for the whole community that he is better remembered. In 1822 he was appointed, at an annual salary of £50, Inspector of Post Horse Duty. Other appointments followed, some consecutive, some concurrent, Superintendent of Hackney Coaches, Bathing Machines and Pleasure Boats in 1823, responsibility for the watering of roads in 1826, the same year as Inspector of Nuisances, and in 1827 Inspector of Gas Lighting. Then, with Mr William Pilbeam, Joint Officer of the Watch until, in 1832 with the establishment of the Brighton Police, they were appointed Joint Chief Officers. In 1838 William Pilbeam retired leaving Henry the first sole Chief Officer of the Force, now with an annual salary of £200, plus £80 ‘perks’. All this was to end most tragically on 13 March 1844. At about 8pm that day a young man named John Lawrence was brought in to Henry’s office in Brighton Town Hall, having been taken into custody upon stealing a carpet from a shop in St James’s Street. Lawrence appeared to be somewhat disturbed, so the Chief Constable invited him to sit by the fire to calm himself. Thereupon, Lawrence picked up a poker and hit Henry about the head with it. As there were a Constable and three other people in the office at the time, the culprit was immediately apprehended. Henry was taken to his home but died the following day. Two days later, following an inquest, Henry Solomon was buried at Florence Place Cemetery where his fine gravestone has now been magnificently restored. The Town of Brighton gave him a public funeral, and launched a Testimonial Fund to support his widow and many children. Five hundred Pounds was given by the Town itself, £50 by Queen Victoria and 50 guineas by the Brighton Hebrew Congregation. A total of £1,030- 14-0d (£1,030.70p.) was raised. John Lawrence was tried for murder at Lewes Assizes, and, although a plea of insanity was offered in his defence, the presence of four witnesses ensured his conviction. The trial lasted three hours and the jury took 12 minutes to reach their verdict without even leaving the jury box. John Lawrence was hanged outside Horsham Gaol on the first Saturday in April 1844. In his address at the Commemoration Service on 1 July 2018, Rabbi Hershel Rader quoted Jeremiah’s message to the exiled Jews in Babylon some 2,500 years ago, “And seek the peace of the City in which I have exiled you and pray for it unto the Lord, for in its peace you shall have peace”. (Ch 29,v 7). This was the message upon which Henry Solomon devoted his life, seeking the peace of the City in which he had been exiled. And the whole community benefited therefrom. 14 Features 15 Zeh Rak Da’ati - 3 by Godfrey R Gould “Who is Samuel, where is he?” Do you like a bit of detective work? Then read on. Even if you don’t like it, you can still read on. I’m a bit of a historian. And I know that if you state an historical fact, you have to back it up with hard evidence. So when I read in SJN’s September/October edition, page 6 “The first recorded Jewish presence in our locality was Samuel of Norwich 1267” my history antennae started twitching. The key word, of course, is ‘recorded’ - where is it recorded and by whom? Where is the evidence for this statement? It is all new to me and indeed to others with similar interests. The first instinct is to see what is recorded on line. I know that Norwich was famed for having a Jewish community in mediaeval times, and indeed there is much on this in Wikipedia and elsewhere. But nothing at all on anybody called Samuel, still less on any connection with Sussex. However, a chance remark indicated that maybe the source of this information lies in an article by Councillor Robert Nemeth. So I contacted Robert and he kindly sent me a copy of his article, with some comment, and the source of his information - “The Encyclopaedia of Hove and Portslade” by Judy Middleton. Robert’s article on ‘Palmiera Court’ was published in May 2014 and in it he observed that the first record of the Wick Estate was in 1267 when it was mortgaged by Samuel of Norwich. Robert actually wondered whether the date should be 1567, but I pointed out to him actually not likely, as then officially there were no Jews in England. So, next to Judy’s Encyclopaedia. A tremendous piece of work bound together into four large volumes. There is no Index, so a bit more investigative work, until I found the quote in the Section on ‘The Wick Estate’ Volume 15, page 86, published in 2007, thus “the earliest issue 290 | novemBeR 2018 mention of the land occurred in 1247 when it was described as being mortgaged by Samuel, son of Isaac the Jew of Norwich”. Now we can proceed! First note that the date is wrong, 1247 not 1267. And that there is no mention of Samuel having being present in our locality. The Wick Estate was a large tract of land between the sea front, roughly the current Brighton/Hove boundary, maybe up to the Old Shoreham Road, and west therefrom. An uncultivated and perhaps wild area with a few farms and smallholdings - and one Hall (Domesday Book 1086, Half Hundred of Aldrington). Indeed, it is from the detailed Inventories in Domesday Book, Hundreds of Benfield, Hangleton and Porstlade and Half Hundred of Aldrington that we can build up a picture of the area in early mediaeval times - ownership, population, economic activity, equipment and value. Portslade, for example, the least of them, had two villagers, was worth 60 pence (in today’s money) and did not pay any tax! There was also half a plough - where on earth was the other half? The Encyclopaedia has a very extensive Bibliography but is not referenced. It might be possible to identify the original source, but that could take a great deal of time with no certainty of a positive result. But back to Samuel and Norwich. There was a Jewish Community in Norwich from 1135, but they did not have a happy time. (Actually, there is mention of Isaac the Jew in Norwich in 1086, but he is a one- off). In 1144, the Blood Libel was invoked in the murder of William (later St. William) for which the local Jews were blamed. And in 2004 there were discovered 17 skeletons, six adults and 11 children, down an old well. Professor Sue Black of the University of Dundee identified them as from one Jewish family thrown down the well in the 12th or 13th century, but dead or alive we don’t know. Generally, Jews in England in the 13th century could not own land and could not farm, the principle economic activity then and indeed up to the early 19th century. So what was a Jew from Norwich doing with open land in Sussex? There are two possibilities of his involvement locally. The most likely is that he was a money lender, a common occupation for Jews in those days, lending money to somebody to buy the land. But just maybe he was lending money to a non-Jew to buy it, but on his behalf. Perhaps he thought having land was better than hoarding his money where it was likely to be stolen and/ or taxed. Little did he know that in 1290 he would leave England without money or land. But could he have been “in our locality”? Not really. We know from the researches by the late Sir Martin Gilbert, Fellow of Merton College, Oxford, and the most pre-eminent Anglo-Jewish historian of recent times, that at this time there were Jews in Rye, Winchelsea, Arundel, Chichester and Bosham. (And they were expelled from Winchelsea before the general expulsion). These were all significant places in mediaeval Sussex. From the same source as Portslade above we know, for example, that Bosham then had 39 villagers, 50 smallholders and 17 slaves. There were a church, a mill, two fisheries, woodland and much else besides. The value of Bosham was £40 and it payed tax valued at £65. Although Bristelstune, the original name, was much less of a settlement, tribute was 4,000 herrings! So, from such evidence as I can derive, it seems highly unlikely that there were then any Jews (even visiting) in our locality. But there is a twist in this tale. In 1883 there was buried in Florence Place Cemetery ‘Samuel Jacobs formerly of Norwich’. But he was six centuries too late. 14 Features 15 Memories of a Refugee by Freddy Lind I happened to be a schoolboy aged 9 in Berlin in November 1938 during a Nazi mini pogrom, which came to be known as Kristallnacht, as so many glass-fronted shops were smashed that night. My father had come to Berlin after WW1, having served in the Austrian army. He was an enthusiastic property entrepreneur, mortgaging one block of flats to purchase the next, owning a petrol import firm, a chrome-plating outfit and a dental surgery. My maternal grandfather was born in Vyborg (Finland) and moved to Berlin, avoiding recruitment to the Russian army. My mother was born in Berlin. My parents were married in Berlin in 1923 and by 1932 we were a family of three brothers, I being the middle one. In 1933 Hitler came to power promising to make Germany great again (!) by offering employment and blaming the Jews for the impoverished state of Germany after the economy was crippled by the loss of manpower after WW1. The 1929 Wall Street crash had compounded the misery and led to Hitler’s rise to power. The Nazis murdered or imprisoned any potential troublemakers and the secret Police terrorised the public. Jews were expelled from the professions and universities and coffee houses no longer welcomed Jews. We continued to attend our Jewish School but both teachers and pupils regularly diminished in numbers. Anyone who could leave did so. A brief respite from the antisemitic outbursts occurred during the 1936 Berlin Olympic games in order to display German physical prowess to the world. In 1938 at Munich Hitler agreed with Neville Chamberlain, the British Prime Minister, to make no further territorial demands so that Chamberlain came back to England clutching a sheet of paper, ‘Peace in Our Time’. However, Hitler promptly thereafter annexed the Sudetenland. Earlier in 1938 the Germans had marched into Austria which released more antisemitic violence in Vienna. The League of Nations made ineffective protests. Kristallnacht signalled the organised resumption of antiisemitic behaviour. The date was November 9-10 1938. issue 290 | novemBeR 2018 The burning of our Synagogue in Pestalozzi Strasse was confined to the interior of the Synagogue as it had been built within a residential courtyard unlike the prestige buildings of the Oranienburg Strasse or Fasanenstrasse Synagogue which were still burning several days later. School was on hold and we had to stay indoors for several days. It was time to leave our home in Berlin. The Kindertransports had begun soon after Kristallnacht. One train left Berlin Tiergarten station on 22 August 1939. This train carried several hundred children including my two brothers and myself. A very sad moment was when my Grandmother told us that she would never see us again. She was right. We arrived in Harwich by ship from Holland on 23 August 1939 to be greeted by a friendly policeman in a tall hat - such a contrast from the German Police. We went by train from Harwich to Liverpool Street and then on to Leeds where a most generous and hospitable Jewish community welcomed us. About 100 boys were provided with accommodation in a hostel in Steinbeck Lane, run on strictly orthodox lines. Fridays there meant a new experience for me, a Mikveh, in a local swimming pool, which we approached by passing an area where there was a most peculiar smell. This turned out to be from the local brewery! The many Jewish tailors provided new suits for the High Holidays. We learnt English with a Yorkshire accent in rapid time so as to access the delights of Tizer and fish and chips. We were fortunate; my parents arrived in England on flights from Holland with visitor permits on 1 September 1939 and bought a house in Finchley. We were reunited as a family in August 1940 just when the Luftwaffe started raiding the London docks. My elementary school was in Childs Hill and secondary school was Tollington in Highgate. Bar Mitzvah was at Kinloss and Talmud Torah at Munks in Golders Green. There I met Louis Jacobs and Alex Carlebach who were both assistant Rabbis. Some twenty years later in 1964 Eleanor and I joined the New London Synagogue. 16 17 Ryan’s Great-Great Grandfather by Ryan Walker My Nana Doreen’s grandfather was called Maurice Rumbar: he was born in Russia in 1880. His Hebrew name was Samuel Moishe Ben Ephraim. I have chosen to find out about him as he was a Cantor and was known as Reverend Maurice Rumbar. Maurice and his wife Dinah emigrated to England at the turn of the 19th century. Many Jewish families began to leave the Russian Empire in order to escape conscription into the Russian army. Although the family does not know anything about their journey across Russia and Europe, I think it would have been very difficult and sometimes dangerous for them to travel all that way to a strange country with a different language, customs, food and climate. As Russian names were often misspelt at the point of entry to the United Kingdom at the time of his arrival, his name was altered to Morris Rember. Morris settled in the East End of London where his five children were born. He and Dinah had two sons, Lou, born in 1904 and Issy, whose year of birth is unknown. They also had three daughters, the eldest being Leah, who was born in 1909, Tammy and then Deborah. Leah was my Nana Doreen’s mother and is my great-grandmother. Morris acted as a shomer and cantor, singing the prayers issue 290 | novemBeR 2018 and leading the choirs in many synagogues. He spent his years heavily involved in the synagogues in the East End of London such as Fieldgate Synagogue, Nelson Street Synagogue and Philpot Street Synagogue, to name a few. This area in London was the heart of the immigrant community at that time and Morris was very well known in the area. As there were five children in the family to clothe, feed and look after, Morris supplemented his income with extra work such as tailoring. His first wife Dinah died on the 10th of February 1950 aged 64. He later married Sonja on the 16th of October 1952 in Philpot Street synagogue. They lived at flat 4, 219 Commercial Road. (This information was vital in tracing him through the Federation of Synagogues.) He died aged 76 years old on the 18th of May 1956 and was buried in Edmonton cemetery under the name MORRIS REMBER. I think it must have been very difficult for my great great grandfather to move far from his home in Russia to England where the culture and way of life was very different. He knew he had to find a job, somewhere to live and to create a new way of life for him and his family. He worked hard and did his best to ensure his children and later grandchildren were given opportunities that they would not have had if they had stayed in Russia. It has been interesting for me to research the synagogues in which he sang and to find out about how vibrant the Jewish community was in the East End at that time. There were many shuls, Jewish shops and businesses in the area, and most people lived nearby. I think that Maurice was probably well known as he was a cantor in many shuls - perhaps there are some people in our shul community that have links to the East End at the time whose families may have heard him sing. It is thanks to the courage and determination of Maurice and many others of his generation that my family is able to live in freedom and peace now and hopefully for many generations to come. 16 17 issue 290 | novemBeR 2018 Present ‘Love Notes’ featuring lots of lovely songs from the shows and the charts. At Ralli Hall, Denmark Villas, Hove 12th January 2019 at 7.30 pm 13th January at 2.30 pm Tickets £10.00 will be available from 1st November 2018 £6.00 for under 12s. Contact Laura on 01273 722173 UK JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL 8-22 November 2018 www.ukjewishfilm.org Brighton Screenings: Promise at Dawn, La Promesse de l’Aube (an ode to mother-child relationships) Komedia, Gardner Street, Brighton Wednesday 28 November 8.30 pm The Testament (An engrossing thriller) Komedia, Gardner Street, Brighton Thursday 29 November at 8.30 pm 18 19 Intrigue: The Ratline The BBC has been telling the inside story of how Otto von Wächter, a leading Nazi, escaped justice. Intrigue: The Ratline is a 10-part podcast and Radio 4 series. The presenter is Philippe Sands, the international barrister and author of the award- winning non-fiction book, East West Street. Around 80 members of Sands’ family were murdered by the Nazis in occupied Galicia, while Wächter was governor of the region. Wächter was twice indicted for war crimes, accused of involvement in the murder of over 100,000 people. Philippe tells his story with the help of thousands of letters between Otto and Charlotte, which are read in the series by Stephen Fry and Laura Linney. He gained access to the letters after striking up an unlikely friendship with Otto’s son, Horst, who lives alone in a 14th century castle in Austria. Along with Horst, he retraces how Otto planned to flee to South America on the “ratline”, the name for the informal escape route for ex-Nazis after the war. They discover how he managed to survive for three years in the Austrian mountains, while being hunted by the Allies – and how he came into contact with an American espionage ring while in Rome, with insights provided by Britain’s best-known spy writer. Photo taken by Philippe Sands of a book given to Otto von Wächter by Himmler While Philippe sees the evidence of Wächter’s crimes as overwhelming, Horst believes that his father was an After the war, Wächter escaped and hid for four years before dying suddenly in Rome, while under the protection of a senior Roman Catholic Bishop. The innocent civil servant who had no direct responsibility for Nazi atrocities. The tension between the two friends echoes through the series. bishop asserted – and Otto’s widow Charlotte believed – that he had been poisoned on the orders of American agents. The episodes are available from https//www.bbc.co.uk/ programmes/p04sj2pt. The Series Editor is Hugh Levinson. Funny Girl On Sunday 9th December, we present an afternoon showing of the Classic Musical Drama, FUNNY GIRL, starring Barbra Streisand, Omar Sharif, and Walter Pidgeon. The film remains, despite its age, one of the best performances that Streisand has given. Nevertheless, it is still a highly enjoyable movie as Barbra sings her way through so many memorable songs including, People, I’m the Greatest Star, and Don’t Rain on my Parade. Barbra plays the part of Fanny Brice, who is seen as a stage-struck teenager, who gets her first job in vaudeville. She meets the suave Nick Arnstein, played by Omar Sharif. They become romantically involved, and Fanny’s career begins to flourish when she becomes a star. Unfortunately for Fanny, Nick issue 290 | novemBeR 2018 has a shady past as a gambler, but that doesn’t deter her from wanting to marry him. Please note the time - 3pm. There will be an intermission, when we will be serving tea/coffee/etc. Free to Ralli Hall members and full- time students, otherwise £4 For more information contact David Bresh at breshdavid1@gmail.com Culture 18 19 issue 290 | novemBeR 2018 20 BHRS Rabbi Dr Andrea Zanardo Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue, Palmeira Avenue, Hove BN3 3GE Tel: 01273 735343 Email: office@bh-rs.org www.bh-rs.org https://www.facebook.com/BrightonReform 21 BrightonReform Are we Jew – ish? by Rabbi Dr Andrea Zanardo What are we? Jewish? Why Jewish and not Jews? Christians do not call themselves Christian-ish. Muslims do not call themselves Muslim-ish. We Jews are different. We say we are Jew- ish. As if we need to make the three letters J-E-W somehow less demanding. We are Jew, but not that much -ish. Why? Is it because we are afraid of antisemitism? Let’s face it, in English literature Jews are not good characters. Think of Shylock, in Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice”, or the repellent Fagin, in Dickens’ Oliver Twist. Or the anonymous Jew of Thomas Elliot’s poem, the archetypal greedy landlord, who “squats on the window sill, the owner”, turning the decay of Western civilisation into personal profit. The stereotype is still around. A few months ago, here in Brighton, a local politician posted a video on his Facebook page in which his political opponents were dressed as Hassidic Jews. He wanted to say that these city councillors, all of them Gentiles by the way, were exploiters of the poor. It is chilling to know that in this City, in this proudly multicultural and allegedly tolerant City, people look at us and see the greedy landlord of Thomas Elliot’s poem. The word Jew comes with horrible baggage. But there is another reason why we call ourselves Jewish and not Jews. Being a Jew requires a certain level of literacy, and sophistication, which we do not have. Let’s face it, all this wisdom, these volumes and books written by the Rabbis, are quite intimidating. When we open the Talmud we feel lost, we cannot read the language: is it Hebrew, is it Aramaic? One thing we know, though. That Judaism has a lot of precepts and commandments that we expiate on Yom Kippur. It is the circle of the Jewish guilt, the source of wonderful American Jewish literature. Knowing that Judaism has very high standards; failing to uphold such standards; feeling guilty for your failures. It may be great inspiration for arts but it is certainly not exciting to live by. This habit, setting yourself very high goals, and then feeling guilty because you cannot achieve them, is hardly the recipe for a spiritual life. issue 290 | novemBeR 2018 But we have the opportunity to break such a cycle. Remember the words that were said at the very beginning of Kol Nidre? Anu matirin lehitpallel im ha ha-’avarianim “We give permission to pray with the transgressors”, the ‘avarianim’. We know we all are ‘avarianim’. We all have, one way or another, transgressed or neglected this or that Jewish practice of Judaism. Yet, at the beginning of Yom Kippur we give ourselves and the community, the permission to pray together. Committing to do more Jewish things, is the way to break the cycle of guilt. So here is a suggestion from your Rabbi. Pick one mitzvah and make it your purpose for the next year. Like lighting the Shabbat candles, every Shabbat, for one year. Make a habit of it, for the next year. Going to Shul on Shabbat. Make a habit of it, a commitment, for one year. Volunteering with Helping Hands for one year. Through the practice of mitzvot, we can break the cycle of guilt, and be proud and committed Jews. A far more rewarding experience than feeling Jew-ish. It will be an important moment of your personal teshuvah, of your repentance and return. Your community and friends will be grateful for the Judaism, the Jewish commitment you add to their life. And you yourself will probably be, less Jew-ish, and more of a Jew. Bulletin Board – November Saturday 3 Book Club - Hotel du Lac by Anita Brookner, 9.15 am Wednesday 7 Rosh Chodesh, 7.30 pm Friday 9 Shabbat Kolot, 6.30 pm Saturday 10 Torah Breakfast, 9.00 am Sunday 11 AJEX Memorial Service at BHRS, 4.30 pm Saturday 24 Torah Breakfast, 9.00 am Shabbat Service and special kiddush for Eileen Field, 10.30 am The diary is subject to change. 20 BHHC Rabbi Hershel Rader Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation, 31 New Church Road, Hove BN3 3AD Tel: 01273 888855 Email: office@bhhc-shul.org www.bhhc-shul.org 21 Choosing the Right Girl! by Rabbi Hershel Rader The first Sidra in this month of November is called partner. In my experience, nowadays the majority of Chayei Sarah – the Life of Sarah, a seemingly couples meet online, not through the efforts of their paradoxical name as the Sidra deals with the aftermath parents’ servants. What should remain the same is the of Sarah’s death. Interestingly, we often speak more focus on what is important for a successful marriage. about people and the lives they lead after their have Our Sidra teaches that shared values and goodness left us than while they are still with us. Indeed, at the are amongst the most important factors and that hasn’t beginning of our Sidra we are told that ‘Avraham came changed in over 4000 years. to weep for Sarah and to eulogise her’. Although the Torah does not share with us the content of this eulogy, we can imagine the very special relationship between Avraham and Sarah, not only as husband and wife in the conventional sense of those times, but also as partners in Avraham’s revolutionary venture to spread his monotheistic belief system and values of kindness and hospitality. Which brings us to the next, and main, part of the Sidra - the quest to find a wife for Avraham’s son Yitzchak. Avraham dispatches his trusted servant Eliezer to find the girl who will be the next matriarch of the Jewish people. Eliezer prays to G-d, requesting an omen which will indicate the right girl. He suggests that if he asks a girl for water and she replies that she will also give water to his camels this will confirm that she is the girl destined to marry his master’s son. We know the rest of the story and how he brings Rivka to marry Yitzchak. Was this ‘omen’ just a random choice or did it hold some significance? Clearly Eliezer was aware of Avraham’s values and lifestyle and he knew that a fitting life partner for the son who would be entrusted with Avraham’s spiritual legacy would have to excel in the hospitality and kindness which characterised Avraham and Sarah’s existence. Therefore his suggested ‘omen’ was also a test of the girl’s virtues in this regard. The choice of Yitzchak’s mate was fundamental to continuing those things that made the Life of Sarah so special, making that a fitting name for the Sidra. Over the four millennia since this narrative unfolded much has changed; including how we pick our life’s Events at BHHC: November-December 2018 Catered Lunch & Learn Our Weekly Shiurim Wednesday 7 November at 12.15 pm Wednesday 5 December at 12.15 pm 3-course lunch – cost £7.50 Three shiurim are held every week at 31 New Church Road, Hove. Friday Night Dinner 16 November – time to be advised 14 December – time to be advised Wednesdays, 12.30 - 1.30 pm. Lunch and Learn for all. A light informal lunch followed by a shiur. £3 a head. Cost £15.00 – spaces limited Thursdays, 10.00 to 11 am. Chanukah Dinner – Saltbeef ‘n’ Latkes Sunday 9 December Ladies’ Shiur (no charge). Saturdays, half an hour before Minchah Watch for further details, time and cost to be advised. (times vary - please see weekly notices). The shiur is Please call the shul office 01273 888855 to book and for further information. followed by Minchah, a Seudah Shilitit and Ma’ariv (no charge). issue 290 | novemBeR 2018 22 HHC Rabbi Hove Email: Hebrew hollandroadshul@btconnect.com Samuel Congregation, de 79 Beck Holland Road, Spitzer www.hollandroadshul.com Hove BN3 1JN Tel: 01273 732035 23 Judaism is not a pacifist religion by Rabbi Samuel de Beck Spitzer “Bugles sang, saddening the evening air; And bugles answered, sorrowful to hear. to the Rebbe (Rabbi) and the Rebbe would sit (not as a Lawyer or a Judge in the conventional English sense), he would sit with each of them and he would try to Voices of boys were by the river-side. Sleep mothered them; and left the twilight sad. bring about peace. He would try “OSEH SHALOM”, that we say is our highest value because we attempt to create in this world, on this earth, a world which is The shadow of the morrow weighed on men. Voices of old despondency resigned, as near as may be possible, to Olam Haba (The world to come). We get closest to it on Shabbat and we constantly try to eliminate conflict. Whereas the idea Bowed by the shadow of the morrow, slept.” of making Peace today, in the 21st Century does not seem to be such a revolutionary idea, 2000 years ago Wilfred Edward Salter Owen, (1893 – 1918) War Poetry. or even 1000 years ago, it certainly was. Many ‘Ancient’ societies regarded warfare as the fate of existence, as the default position. Every year, as the spring arrived Judaism is not a pacifist religion; we are not pacifists. after the winter, the campaigning season started, the We recognise that war is a very bad thing but we do not season of warfare began. To set about creating peace regard it as evil. Indeed, we have different categories of and pursuing peace was an idea that was millennia war, we have commanded wars and we have voluntary ahead of its time. wars, but we recognise the necessity of warfare. That said, we have no higher value than seeking peace. In relation to Israel and the Palestinians today, never has so much ignorance and nonsense been talked by Time and time again, within our Tefilot, within our so many people who know nothing about the conflict. prayers, we say that we are seeking peace, we But the simple truth of the matter is, that there is not pursue peace. We take as our role model the Biblical a single sane person in Israel who does not desire personality of Aaron who spent his entire life making peace. When eventually, the parties bring themselves peace between warring people, because we recognise to come and sit together and to negotiate, then there that human beings are different, that they have will be a peace. And the evidence for this is peace with differences and not everybody’s differences can be Egypt and also with Jordan. Sworn enemies of Israel settled by people sitting down in a civilised English eventually brought themselves to come and make manner over a cup of tea! Some differences become overtures for peace and Israel extended its hand for very, very, acute and we understand this. Some peace. There are Peace Treaties in place which have marriages do not work and we understand that and been upheld. There is no war with Egypt or Jordan we are realistic. When a marriage does not work, we now and the countries are at peace; it may be a say that the marriage was by agreement and therefore diplomatically cold peace, but a Peace is a Peace. consensual, hence divorce is also by agreement and by definition, consensual (At least for the last thousand years). Interestingly, English Law is now, only now, after many, many, centuries, finally catching up with Jewish Law and saying that divorce can be by agreement because it finally recognises that when conflict exists that cannot be resolved then in that instance this is a way out. In my opinion, the root causes of conflict are people. Judaism is very practical about human nature. We don’t expect people to be angels and we are realistic in expecting the worst of people. That’s why we have so very many laws. Many people have the urge to attain power for dominance. People create sociological ideologies, political ideologies or whatever it is that they pursue, for power. Many wars until the 20th Century That is just one example of how we pursue ‘Peace’ and were wars of ‘religion’, in fact the majority of wars we say that peace is not something that just happens, were those of religion. In the 20th Century they were but that we have to pursue ‘Peace - we have to make wars of ideology: a vile Nazi ideology... a vile Japanese peace: “Oseh shalom bimromav Hu ya’aseh shalom...”, ideology... a vile Communist ideology (which the West “He who makes peace in His heavenly abode, may lost sight of because of the bizarre historical accident He create peace etc.”; well we too have to pursue that the Soviet Union found itself fighting in the ranks of peace actively for peace does not just happen. So we the righteous, despite having initially made an alliance regard conflict as a bad thing, but as an inevitable thing with the Nazis!). But the truth is, I think, that whatever and not something that is insoluble; it should not be ideologies they are, whatever motivations they are, the insoluble. We go the extra mile to try to pursue peace. beginning and the end of it is the urge to attain power. In days gone by when communities in Eastern Europe were virtually autonomous (quite differently from today), if two parties had a dispute they would come issue 290 | novemBeR 2018 22 BHPS Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue, 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove BN3 1FF Tel: 01273 737223 Email: info@bhps-online.org www.brightonandhoveprosynagogue.org.uk 23 Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue Twitter@BHPS2011 Two Anniversaries by Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah For the past four years here in Britain, we have been commemorating the centenary of the First World War. Each year, the nation marks Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday. This year, which marks a hundred years since the war ended, both fall on 11th November. At the time, of course, this terrible conflict, which destroyed so many lives, was known simply as ‘The Great War’. It was only when conflict returned to the continent of Europe in 1939 that it gained a new name, designating it as the First World War. 11 November is going to be a very unique moment. For Jews across the world, there is another significant anniversary that immediately precedes it: the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the ‘Night of the Broken Glass’, 9 to 10 November 1938. This year, Kristallnacht falls on Shabbat. So: from Friday evening on the 9th through Sunday 11th: a time for reflection and remembrance. It has been some years now, since there have been any survivors of the First World War to share their testimony with us. Soon, those who lived through Kristallnacht will also no longer be alive to talk about what happened to them. At BHPS, one of those who experienced that terrible moment when the persecution of the Jews of Germany transmuted into a campaign of violence, Rose Cannan, Z”L, sadly died in November 2016 at the age of 94. Fortunately, she wrote her autobiography, In Paris We Sang. A Memoir (Ashgrove Publishing, 2013) which includes her Kristallnacht story, so her testimony has been preserved for present and future generations. We are blessed that among our membership, another Kristallnacht witness is still in our midst: Margarete Mendelsohn. She issue 290 | novemBeR 2018 was only eight years old at the time. Margarete has also written her autobiography: The Nazis Through the Eyes of a Child (My Voice Publishing, 2012). At BHPS, we will be holding a special Shabbat of commemoration to mark the 80th anniversary Kristallnacht, and we are delighted that we will be joined by Rabbi Tamarah Benima and members of the Beit HaChidush congregation in Amsterdam, aware that the Jewish community in the Netherlands lives in the shadow of the Sho’ah to this day. On Erev Shabbat, after the service, Dr David Jünger, Lecturer in Modern European History at the University of Sussex, will speak to us about Kristallnacht. The Shabbat morning service will include readings from the memoirs of Rose and Margarete, as well as scholarly accounts from historians, Lucy Dawidowicz and Martin Gilbert. In the afternoon, Margarete will talk to us about her experience. During lunch, we will go upstairs to the library, where one wall is adorned with two portraits by artist, Pauline Lewis. One is of Rose Cannan, the other is of Hans Levy, Z”L, another beloved member of the congregation, who came to England on the kindertransport and died in June 2016. Aware that those who have joined the congregation during the past two years did not meet Rose and Hans, their portraits are now accompanied by brief texts, so everyone will know who they were. Remembrance is vital – and informing ourselves is also essential if we are going to ensure that future generations also remember. Books about the Sho’ah, including Rose’s and Margarete’s autobiographies, will be on display in the foyer and in the library. Zichronam livrachah – May the memory of all those who were murdered be for blessing. Events@BHPS Saturday 10 November – Kristallnacht commemorative event 10.30 am -12.30 pm Shabbat morning service led by Rabbi Elli with commemoration of Kristallnacht also with participation of Beit Ha’Chidush Congregation, Amsterdam. 12.30 – 1.30 Kiddush and Chavurah lunch. 1.30 – 2.00 Margarete Mendelsohn, an eyewitness of Kristallnacht, will be speaking and reading from her book. 2.00 – 2.15 Screening of a 15-minute documentary on Kristallnacht with eye-witness accounts. 2.20-4.10 Screening of ‘Denial’ (1 hr 50 mins). A 2016 film portraying how David Irving, a Holocaust denier sued university Professor Deborah Lipstadt for libel. 4.15 – 4.45 Tea 4.45 – 5.00 Havdalah Important: No admission on the door to non-members of BHPS without prior registration on Eventbrite and accompanying photo ID. (See BHPS website for details) Sunday Nov 25: 10am - 5 pm BHPS Annual Art and Craft Exhibition Collectible original art and prints from Cecil Rice, Sophie Wake, Lisa Green, Rod Yarrow and Lindsey Light. Rarebit Design handmade ceramics, Emma Stanton handcrafted silver jewellery, Angela Evans handmade ceramic tiles, Jo Cranston Textiles, Holly Bell Ceramics, Rachel Barnard unusual jewellery and Nadara Cosmetics. All items available to purchase on the day together with tea, cake and beautiful cards. BHPS proudly presents our Third Season of Sunday Lectures and Lunches for 2018/19 11.30 am Welcome drink on arrival 12 to 1.00 pm Lecture by guest speaker and Q&A session 1pm to 3.00 pm Lunch including wine or soft drinks and coffee Only £22.50 per person. Non-members and their friends welcome December 2: Dr Wilf Assin, consultant psychiatrist on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: ‘Not all wounds are visible’. See our website for the full series programme and booking details. Onagim Join us on Friday evenings at 7.30pm for a shortened service, light refreshments and an interesting talk and discussion. All are very welcome, but if you are not a member or friend of our synagogue please let us know you are coming on info@bhps-online.org or 01273-737223. 9 November: To commemorate the 80th Anniversary of ‘Kristallnacht’. Dr David Jünger: ‘The crucial year 1938. Nazi German aggression, the Jewish refugee crisis and the failure of international diplomacy’. 24 What’s on: November 2018 IMpORTANT INFORMATION For visitors using a satellite navigation system in Website: www.sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org Email: sussexjewishrepco@gmail.com SJN Email: sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org.uk COMMUNITY EVENTS – IMPORTANT REMINDER: their vehicle. JEwISH CEMETERY, MEADOwVIEw, BRIGHTON The post code for this cemetery is BN2 4DE JEwISH CEMETERY, OLD SHOREHAM RD, HOVE 24 Contact the Communal Diary before planning your events. The post code for this cemetery is BN3 7EF. Email: sussexjewishrepco@gmail.com SHABBAT SHALOM – BRIGHTON TIMES REGULAR ACTIVITIES In Light candles Out Havdalah Fri 2 4.16 pm Sat 3 5.23 pm Fri 9 4.04 pm Sat 10 5.13 pm Fri 16 3.54 pm Sat 17 5.05 pm Fri 23 3.47 pm Sat 24 4.58 pm Fri 30 3.41 pm Sat 1 Dec 4.54 pm EVENTS IN NOVEMBER Wednesday 7 Sussex Jewish News – Submission deadline for the December 2018 issue. Send your articles, thoughts, photos and announcements to sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org.uk Thursday 8 Sussex Jewish Golfing Society - Final meeting of the year, the traditional Chanukah meeting at The Dyke Golf Club. Contact: Ashley Woolfe: ashley@sportscastnet.com Friday 9 BHPS Oneg with speaker Dr David Junger (Sussex University) – ‘Kristallnacht’. Shortened Service 7.30 pm, light refreshments 7.30 pm at Lansdowne Road, Hove. Contact info@bhps-online.org or 01273 737223 Sunday 11 AJEX Annual Remembrance Service at Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue, Palmeira Avenue, Hove, 4.30 pm Tuesday 13 Public meeting to discuss the setting up of a new Jewish school. Venue to be advised when you book via email: info@bhjewishschool.org Sunday 18 Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club Annual Card Afternoon 2.00 – 5.00 pm. Ralli Hall, Denmark Villas, Hove Sunday 25 BHPS Art Exhibition and Sale 10.00 am – 5.00 pm. 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove Tuesday 27 Jewish Historical Society, Sussex Branch with speaker Michael Crook, Chairman Sussex Branch JHSE ‘The Brighton Jewish Community 1910-1920’. A special presentation to mark 100 years since the end of the Great War. Ralli Hall, Denmark Villas Hove 7.30 pm. Members free, Visitors £5.00. Contact: amcrook321@gmail.com Wednesday 28 Jewish Film Festival screening ‘Promise at Dawn’, Komedia Cinema, Brighton 8.30 pm Thursday 29 Jewish Film Festival screening ‘The Testament’, Komedia Cinema, Brighton 8.30 pm please note that our next issue will be December 2018. The deadline for your announcements, news, views, articles, photos, adverts, etc., is 7th November 2018. issue 290 | novemBeR 2018 Mondays Shiur for the Actively Retired with Rabbi Efune 4.00 pm – 5.00 pm at 11 Hove Manor, Hove Street, Hove. Tel: 07885 538 681 Talmud for the Thinking Man with Rabbi Efune. 8.15 pm – 9.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 Torah & Tea with Penina Efune. Weekly Discovery and Discussion Group based on Jewish texts focusing on the personal meaning and relevance to our lives. 8.00 pm - 9.00 pm at Chabad House. Tel or Text 07834 669181 Tuesdays Something to Say? - Discussion Group with Rabbi Samuel, with Rabbi Samuel, every other Tuesday Hove Hebrew Congregation, 79 Holland Road, Hove 10.30 am Tel: 01273 732035 Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club 10.30 am - 4.30 pm Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 Weekly Ralli Hall Mummy and ME Music with Penina Efune @ Montessori Nursery from 11.30 am to 1.00 pm. Enjoy a stimulating environment with your baby/ toddler, some meaningful discussion, music and movement Painting with Rochelle (JAS) Studio at Ralli Hall, 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm. Tel: 07811 601106 Chutzpah Choir yiddish singing in 4 parts with Polina Shepherd. 11.00 am – 1.00 pm weekly. For Hove venue contact chutzpahchoir@gmail.com or tel. Betty on 01273 474795 Israeli Dancing 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm Ralli Hall Tel: Jacky 01273 688538 Wednesdays Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community (affiliated to Liberal Judaism) Coffee morning, 11.00 am, 1st Wednesday of each month, Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne. Information: www.eljc.org.uk or phone 01323 725650 Thursdays Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club 10.30 am - 4.30 pm Weekly. Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH JACS members are invited on the first Thursday of every month to the RHL&SC. Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH Bridge at Ralli Hall 11.00 am Weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Efune - men and ladies welcome - 8.15- 9.15 pm at Chabad House. 01273 321919 Fridays Kuddle Up Shabbat parent & child playgroup with Sara Zanardo and her guitar will recommence in the Autumn term Free Happy Hour @ Montessori Nursery 12 noon – 1.00 pm ALL WELCOME. Come and celebrate, see, taste, hear and feel the joy of Shabbat! Tel 01273 328675 Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community (affiliated to Liberal Judaism). Service at 6.30 pm on the 4th Friday of each month, at CTK Hall, Eastbourne, BN23 6HS. Information: www.eljc.org.uk or phone 01323 725650 Saturdays Eastbourne Hebrew Congregation Shabbat services at 22, Susans Road, Eastbourne, 10.00 am. Contact 01323 484135 or 07739 082538 Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community (affiliated to Liberal Judaism). Service at 12.30 pm, 2nd Saturday of each month, at CTK Hall, Eastbourne, BN23 6HS. Information: www.eljc.org.uk or phone 01323 725650 -
Issue 289
October September 2018
1 September – OctOber 2018 • eLUL 5778 / cHeSHVAN 5779 • ISSUe 289 SUSSex SUSSex JewISH JewISH NewS NewS wHAt’S INSIde.... SHANAH tOVA / HAppY New YeAr | JewISH HIStOrIcAL SOcIetY prOGrAmme | recIpeS | wHAt’S ON | ANd mOre Whats 2 Community Spotlight Ralli Hall by Roger Abrahams 3 Another year has gone past and the High Holy Days will soon since been told is almost identical to the two range cookers in be upon us once again. I wish Shana Tova to all my readers. the kitchens of the Mark Luck Hall. Currently, it is quite quiet at Ralli Hall, particularly as Dyson Also, while the Meat Kitchen is not in use during the High Gymnastics and The Italia Conte Drama School are both on Holy Days, our caretaker will take the opportunity of carrying their summer breaks. However, Hillbury House Nursery, now out an upgrade to this kitchen, including the fitting of new under the new ownership of the previous Manager, Lizzie, is stainless steel base units, wipe-down splashbacks and a in the middle of an upgrade and is now looking very smart good deal of painting – we already have a new commercial indeed. dishwasher, compliments of the Lunch & Social Club. It As part of our continuing upgrade programme, we are in the process of renewing our Wifi system, so that every room will have high-grade Wifi, as well as ceiling-fitted projectors and should all look very smart and will make it a lot nicer and easier to use for our regular Lunch Club, plus separate function users. wall screens, together with far improved sound systems, We are prepared to link the Milk Kitchen to the Vegetarian suitable for meetings and functions of all types. We will Kitchen for larger, supervised, Kosher Milk functions, subject also have a three month room let in the autumn to Brighton to the “pre-koshering” of the combined kitchen by the Academy, a local Drama School for sixteen plus (including potential users. The Meat Kitchen is advertised as being degree courses), comprising the use of all of the Lower “Unsupervised Kosher” while in regular use by the Jewish Ground Floor rooms (fitted around the current user times), Care chefs, but this kitchen is also available for supervised with the agreement including BA providing and fitting sprung functions, again subject to “pre-koshering” by the potential floors in the Youth Lounge and Abrahams Room, and full users. length mirrors in the Gym and Youth Lounge - all now fitted and to be retained by RH. We look forward to the continued, and increased, use of all our facilities by our Community, and please do not forget that As you may be aware, we have not been able to provide full the Great Hall alone is licensed for up to 200 people, and will cooking facilities in the Milk Kitchen for some time, owing to comfortably hold about 140 people sitting at round tables, the demise of the rather old cooker. We have now had the with the Magrill Lounge used for receptions and buffets, etc. opportunity of purchasing a rather “swish” dual fuel range cooker, 90cm wide and with a full width oven, which I have I look forward to seeing you at Ralli Hall. Cover: Israeli Postage stamp dating to 2010 - one of a series issued to commemorate the festivals. EDITORIAL BOARD Doris Levinson, Stephanie Megitt, Michael Rich, David Seidel TECHNICAL ADVISOR Brian Megitt SJN brings local news, events, articles, reviews, announcements, people, congregations, communities, contacts and more. Delivered at SUSSEX JEWISH NEWS SUBSCRIPTION Name:_______________________________________________ Date:_________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Postcode:____________________ Email: _______________________________________________ Telephone:____________________ Subscription (tick one) ❑ I would like to receive electronic copies of SJN. £20 p/a ❑ I would like to receive printed copies of SJN. £27 p/a. ❑ I enclose my cheque payable to Sussex Jewish News at PO Box 2178, Hove BN3 3SZ ❑ I have made a bank transfer to the Sussex Jewish News at Lloyds Bank, Sort Code 30-98-74, Account No. 00289447 and I have included my name as a reference to ensure my subscription is noted. issue 289 | sePTeMBeR – OCTOBeR 2018 ADMINISTRATOR Hazel Coppins ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Ivor Sorokin the start of each month, SJN is run entirely by COMMuNAL DIARy sussexjewishrepco@gmail.com volunteers for reporting, editing and circulating each edition. It has become the cornerstone of PRODuCTION/LAyOuT Anand Day the Jewish community across the region. SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 7 OCTOBER 2018 Email address for submissions and correspondence: sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org.uk 2 Sussex Jewish News PO Box 2178 • Hove BN3 3SZ Telephone: 07906 955 404 Contents 3 sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org FEATURES 1 STAMPING ON THE FESTIVALS Israeli Festivals postage stamp 2 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT Roger Abrahams provides an update on life at Ralli Hall 12 TIME TO GO HOME Jeremy Collick on living his dreams 13 SARID Fausta Shelton shares her memories 12-13 ROSH HASHANAH RECIPES Dishes for the holidays 15 NEW YEAR GREETINGS Wishes from the community 24 SUSSEX JEWISH REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL An update from the Rep Council REGULARS 4 SUSSEX AND THE CITY Your news, views and stories from across the county 9 CULTURE History, books and film 22 WHAT’S ON – SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER Regular and special events in your community YOUR COMMUNITY 18 BRIGHTON & HOVE PROGRESSIVE SYNAGOGUE 19 BRIGHTON & HOVE REFORM SYNAGOGUE 20 BRIGHTON & HOVE HEBREW CONGREGATION 21 HOVE HEBREW CONGREGATION Full page (A4 size) £170 Half page (A5 size) £100 Quarter page (A6 size) £65 1/9 page (credit card size) £40 Personal Announcements in a box (up to 6 lines): £25 Announcements up to 3 lines £10 Flyers: Price on application Local Jewish charities will not be charged, subject to editorial decision. Sussex Jewish News (‘SJN’), its Editor and Editorial Board: • are not allied to any synagogue or group and the views expressed by writers are not necessarily those of SJN; • accept advertisements in good faith but do not endorse any products or services and do not accept liability for any aspect of any advertisements; and • welcome readers’ contributions but reserve the right to edit, cut, decline or submit the content to others for comment. To ensure that we receive your submissions by email, please send them ONLY to sjneditor@sussexjewishnews. com, otherwise we cannot guarantee their consideration for publication. To assist the Editorial Board, submissions should be in Word format using Times New Roman font, size 12. Receipt of submissions may not be acknowledged, unless specifically requested. As the Editorial Board is made up entirely of BOOK NOW! 07906 955 404 volunteers, any response may be subject to delay. issue 289 | sePTeMBeR – OCTOBeR 2018 MARTIN GROSS Funeral Director and Funeral Consultant to Jewish communities 01273 439792 07801 599771 4 Sussex and the City 5 Your News Births A well-deserved Honour Mazel tov to Hugo and Vivian Bieber on the birth of their son, Godfrey Gould has been awarded a Certificate from the a grandson for John and Joey. Jewish Historical Society of England ‘for his unstinting and Special Birthdays - September distinguished service’. Also, he has been appointed Hon President of the Sussex Branch of the Society. Mazel tov to Frances Bloch, Sheila Hart, Beryl Miller, Adele Percival, Michael Rich, Alisa Schulster, Collette Seltzer and all Deaths who are celebrating special birthdays during September. We wish Long Life to: Special Birthdays - October • Ian Ashleigh on the death of his mother, Bette Beryl Ashleigh z’l Mazel tov to Noam Buchalter, Bernard Harris, Sivan Sasson, • Ross and Katy on the death of their mother Linda Boyask z’l Sylvia Simon, Rabbi Dr Andrea Zanardo and all who are celebrating special birthdays during October. • the family of Shirley Field z’l • the family of Jill Richards z’l Bar Mitzvah Mazel tov to Ryan Walker who is celebrating his Barmitzvah on 13 October at Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue. Stonesettings The following memorial stones will be consecrated at the Jewish Cemetery, Meadowview, Brighton, in loving memory Wedding Anniversary Mazel tov to Jill and Paul Wiltshire on the occasion of their Coral Wedding Anniversary in October. for each of the following: • the memorial stone for Dr Tom Pastor will be consecrated on 16 September 2018 • the memorial stone for Rose Stein will be consecrated on Achievements Mazel tov to Ava Sharpe, granddaughter of Judy Irwyn, who achieved 3A* in her A-levels and has been accepted at 21 October 2018 at 2.30 pm • the memorial stone for Alan Tabor will be consecrated on 21 October at 3.00 pm Wadham College, Oxford to read Modern History. Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club Marilyn Fisher, one of our volunteers, celebrated her birthday on Friday 3 August (I am not giving away her age) and her best by Jacquie Tichauer friend of many years from London, surprised her and joined us I am writing this report a few hours after coming home from our 3-night stay in Eastbourne. We had an amazing time and, as usual, we say it cannot get better - but it does. The weather was super and the hotel gave us excellent service. Most of for the weekend. Marilyn was so happy when she saw her and it really made the weekend special for her. The sister of Sheila Hart (another volunteer) who helps at Jewish Care also joined us for the weekend. On 19 August we are having a brunch and meeting with our amazing volunteers, followed by a board meeting. On 22 August, we have been invited to Hyman Fine for their very tasty BBQ. We are very happy to welcome two new volunteers - Michael Marks on a Tuesday who helps us and entertains us with his lovely singing voice and he is happy when our members join in, which they enjoy very much. On a Thursday morning John Gold joins us and he has become a very valuable member of our team. On 27 September Margaret and Mark will be giving us a talk and showing us a film about their fantastic holiday in Israel this year (something not to miss). On the 18 November we are having our card afternoon, Bridge, Kalooki and Rummikub. Tickets are now on sale. Please call Alan on 01273 416335 or myself on 01273 739999 us enjoyed going shopping or on bus trips, listening to concerts at the bandstand, We send our condolences to the family of the late Francis Shepherd.. She will be sadly missed by all at the Lunch Club and we wish them Long Life. We are closed on the following high holidays: September 11 and 25 and October 2. socialising and On behalf of Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Committee we wish dancing the night you a Good Yom Tov and a healthy, happy and prosperous away. new year. issue 289 | sePTeMBeR – OCTOBeR 2018 4 5 issue 289 | sePTeMBeR – OCTOBeR 2018 6 Sussex and the City 7 Hyman Fine House – The Great Outdoors! by Natasha Carson With the blessing of beautiful weather this year we have been making the most of our gardens at Hyman Fine. It is well documented that getting out into the air has tremendous benefits to health and wellbeing, helping older people feel, look and be generally more well, with a positive outlook on life. So, this year we have been able to put together an outdoor programme of activities in our lovely courtyard garden including our regular Jewish Chronicle discussion group, ably led by volunteer Bev, Star Music – when we sit and play instruments with professional musicians, Bingo with volunteer Shirley, Cookery Club, Keep Fit sessions, Art Group, Barbeques, Lunches, Afternoon Teas and so much more. Yes – the garden has been a busy, busy, place with relatives, friends, staff and volunteers all making the most of the rare pleasures of the English summer. Heritage Open Days issue 289 | sePTeMBeR – OCTOBeR 2018 On a different note, Rabbi Samuel visited us recently (Yes – in the garden!) and we made plans to hold occasional Afternoon Prayers with him in the Synagogue here. This will happen after the Yomtavim when the nights have drawn in and we are looking for volunteers to make a Minyan with us. This will be on a weekday and refreshments will be provided. This year our Mitzvah Day fun will be helped along by P.J. Library, who are planning to come and invite many families, with a performance of The Mitzvah Magician. It’s always lovely to have children around – it makes us feel a little bit younger. If you would like to learn more about the home or are considering volunteering, please contact Natasha or Mark on 01273 688226. Middle Street Synagogue by Martin Gilmour On Sunday 16 September, from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm, Middle Street Heritage Shul will be participating in the UK’s European Open Days of Jewish Culture and Heritage with a talk at 3.00 pm. The Open Day is being organised by a cross-community team as part of activities taking place throughout the UK and 30 other countries and the Synagogue will be open to all. Entrance is free but any donation will be welcomed and will benefit the Synagogue’s Restoration Fund. Middle Street Shul was dedicated in1875 and was the third Synagogue in Brighton. The first shul in about 1800, was in Jew Street and the second in Devonshire Place, Kemp Town. The first recorded Jewish presence in our location was Samuel of Norwich 1267 and Jacob Harris, who was hanged in Ditchling in 1734. Israel Samuel and family resided in 22 East Street, Brighton in 1767. I am sure there were many more persons of the Jewish persuasion in the area from the 18th Century or even before. Middle Street Shul is a jewel in our community’s crown and is considered very highly, not only in our community but also by the Brighton and Hove Heritage Commission and the City Council. This year is particularly important as it will commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the end of the First World War and in Middle Street Synagogue we recognise the contribution our Brighton and Hove Community made by visiting the War Memorial in the Synagogue entrance. The Shul will be open to the general public and we look forward to your visit. Florence Place Burial Ground (photo by Michael Coppins) Please also note that on Sunday 16 September - National Heritage Open Day - there will be free conducted tours of Florence Place Cemetery at 10.30 am and 11.00 am. Numbers are limited and therefore pre-booking is essential through Heritage Open Days Office (Kevin Wilsher 07773 974584)”. Directions:- The cemetery is on a small side road, off Ditchling Road, opposite Downs Junior School, next to the Jolly Brewer pub. Please note that the ground is uneven. 6 Sussex and the City 7 Eastbourne Celebrates the Life of Menashe by Stephanie and Brian Megitt Readers may recall that in our March 2018 issue we posted an obituary to the late Menashe Cohen Harounoff z’l, who lived a long and colourful life. Menashe, Life President of Eastbourne Hebrew Congregation, passed away at the end of January and was buried in Israel. On 29 July a memorial service was held in his honour at Eastbourne Hebrew Congregation. Members of the congregation, friends and his family from London, Israel and elsewhere, were present, as was Stephen Lloyd, the Liberal MP for Eastbourne, who knew Menashe well. There was also strong representation by the Christian Friends of Israel. The Rev Malcolm Weisman OBE and Mr David Braunstein each took a part of the Minchah service and Mr Frank Miller gave the address after the service. In his speech Mr Miller read out a warm tribute from Ronnie Taylor, Chairman, and alluded to Menashe’s ability to speak several languages. These included a smattering of Hungarian, learned when helping Jewish Hungarian refugees disembark from ships that had run the British blockade and had been grounded on the beaches of the British Mandate territory. Mention was also made of Menashe’s accounts of his friendships with men in high places in Israel, many of which dated back to pre-1948 Haganah activities and the Sussex Jewish Golfing Society by Richard Simmons issue 289 | sePTeMBeR – OCTOBeR 2018 1948 War of Independence. One of these was Moshe Dayan. The service ended fittingly with a rousing chorus of Hatikvah, followed by a superb afternoon tea, at which Stephen Lloyd MP addressed those present. He recalled that his partner’s father had been a member of the congregation and a friend of Menashe, which was how he came to meet him. Over meals they would discuss politics and Menashe would tell the stories of his involvement in the creation of the State of Israel. One constant theme was that of Menashe persuading him to become involved in matters relating to Christian Friends of Israel. Menashe’s granddaughter, Miriam, gave a short address, speaking warmly about her beloved grandfather and then thanking everyone for their attendance and for arranging the event. August was our busiest month with three matches against other societies and clubs, one tournament and our August society meeting. Our away matches against Coombe Hill Golf Club in Surrey and Dyrham Park Golf and Country Club in Hertfordshire were keenly fought as usual and we performed well again playing for the Tri-Nations trophy. This is our annual match held at a course in Berkshire against Jewish golf societies from South Wales and Bournemouth. We sent a team of six to play in the Association’s Seniors Golf Tournament held at Moor Allerton Golf Club in Leeds, a predominately Jewish club. This is an annual tournament contested by sixteen Jewish golf clubs and golf societies but in spite of some very creditable scores, we did not win any trophies this time. Our meeting at the links course at Littlehampton, the only golf course in Sussex that replicates the testing conditions of the Open Championship, was very well attended and enjoyed by everyone. September will be a less busy month for us with the number of golfing days restricted by the Yom Tovim. However, we are looking forward to our meeting at Kingswood Golf Club in Surrey on 4 September. It’s a course which has hosted many professional tournaments and it will be a good test of our golfing skills. We expect another large turnout from our members. We are looking for new members to join us, both male and female, accomplished golfers or beginners, young or not so young. For more information please contact our Hon Secretary Ashley Woolfe at: ashley@sportscastnet.com 8 Sussex and the City 9 Sussex Jewish Outreach Group - successful garden party in West Sussex One of the most important social events in our calendar took place in early August when we staged our annual Garden Party at the home of Ian and Barbara Gordon. Situated in the picturesque village of East Preston, the garden was in immaculate order and the weather just about perfect. To add to the hospitality, there was shade from the sun so that none of the guests needed to court danger by staying exposed too long. Ian and Barbara worked tirelessly with Annette to ensure that the sandwiches were made, cakes cut up, and the two kettles were standing ready to deliver constant hot water to replenish the teas and coffees. Everyone had a splendid time and the party only broke up at 6.00 pm, very few people having left before. Helping Hands by Jason Lever What have been some of the milestones During the spring, we made an appeal in Sussex Jewish of Helping Hands since last year’s High News to ‘upgrade your connection’ – as a donor or Holydays? volunteer – to become ‘well-connected’ to the community. That is, of course, as well as the regular Sunday afternoon teas in the AJEX This could mean making whatever extra or new contribution that is within your means and time. Hall and the week in, week out regular Connectivity across our community was behind a volunteers’ support to our clients, wonderful Friday Night Supper at Ralli Hall on 29 June. whether through help with shopping or home issues, The idea was to allow guests, who typically would be on travel to hospital appointments, and all sorts of other their own on a Friday night, to get together for a traditional personalised assistance. Shabbat meal with friends and hopefully make new Hard on the heels of the Yomim Noraim 2017/5778 – when we respond to the Kol Nidre appeal in our synagogues to financially support our own and wider causes – came Mitzvah Day on 19 November 2017, when we were asked to give our time instead of money. Some of our Helping Hands volunteers invited clients to their own homes for friends. We had over 60 guests taking part, which began with candle lighting and ended with Birkat Hamazon. This was only made possible through the efforts of Helping Hands, the Lunch & Social Club and the Community Renewal Fund’s support, which of course comes through your Shul contributions. Please keep making them! tea and a chat, and we followed this up with a Mitzvah As we are entering Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we Day project themed on L’Dor Vador (from Generation to ask you again to consider becoming well-connected in Generation). Post bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah young supporting Helping Hands. This can also mean passing on people joined with our guests at the Helping Hands the message of the benefits of being a volunteer. This is Chanukah Tea on 17th December. the right time to thank again those of you who are already In January, we held a really successful Helping Hands generous with your time, support and donations. volunteer support day at Ralli Hall, run in partnership with So, as we start 5779, one key message coming through Jewish Care. The theme of the day was STOP IT – Stop from our year is that we are greater than the sum of our Isolation Together. The forty or so volunteers were first parts, when we share our support and time, and do so in reminded of the problems of loneliness and isolation by partnerships across the community. But of course, it all watching a short film, made by Impetus, Brighton, about starts with the individual and as one of our volunteers has the value of befriending. Expert-run sessions then gave said, “the Helping Hands team has built up an amazing valuable insights and opportunities for discussion about network of volunteers since the start and the organisation what it’s like to live with dementia and, more positively, is one that the town can only be proud of”. Please help us how befriending can transform the lives of isolated older ensure that this continues... people. issue 289 | sePTeMBeR – OCTOBeR 2018 01273 747722 8 Culture 9 Are you interested in Jewish History? by Michael Crook The Sussex branch of the Jewish Historical Society of England (JHSE) is pleased to announce its programme of talks from October 2018 to April 2019. Details are as follows: • On 23 October 2018 Jennifer Craig-Norton, a British Academy Post-doctoral Fellow of the Department of History at the University of Southampton will talk about Jewish Refugees from Fascism in Sussex 1933-1945 • On 27 November 2018 Michael Crook, the Chairman of the Jewish Historical Society of England, Sussex Branch will talk about The Brighton Jewish Community 1910-1920. This will be a special presentation to mark 100 years since the end of the Great War. • On 29 January 2019 Imogen Choi, Associate Professor at the University of Oxford, will speak about Medieval Sephardi Literature. • On 26 February 2019 Dr Carlotta Ferrara degli Uberti, Lecturer in Italian Studies at University College London, will present on Patriots and Jews: Navigating the challenge of equality and integration in Liberal Italy. • On 26 March 2019 Michael Jolles, a member of the Jewish Historical Society of England Council, will be speaking about the Jews of Hastings & St Leonards. • On 30 April 2019 Lyn Julius of the London School of Jewish Studies will present on How 3,000 Years of Jewish Civilisation in the Arab World Vanished Overnight. We hope that the varied and interesting subjects will have wide appeal. There is a strong local theme this session, with three speakers covering aspects of Jewish life in Sussex, but we will also be covering topics as diverse as Medieval Sephardi Literature, the dilemmas of Jews in Italy, and the fascinating and tragic story of the Jews of Arab lands. We are particularly pleased to welcome Lyn Julius, whose recently published book on this subject has received wide critical acclaim. Please join us at Ralli Hall on the Tuesdays shown below, meetings begin at 7.45 pm sharp, and we aim to end with light refreshments about 9.00 pm. Meetings are free to JHSE members and students, but we make a charge of £5.00 for non-members. For further information, please contact me on 01273 776539, or at amcrook321@gmail.com The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman Book review by Gillian Rich issue 289 | sePTeMBeR – OCTOBeR 2018 This is one of the most enjoyable books I have read in a long time. It is the story of Rachel Monsanto Pomie Petit Pizzarro, a Jewish woman born in 1795 on the Caribbean island of St. Thomas. Her father was a merchant, who fled from a revolution in Saint Domingue in 1790. They were Danish citizens, although their families were originally from Spain, Portugal and France. Due to a business arrangement in 1818, Rachel is married to a widower, Isaac Petit, a French Jew of Marrano background. He is much older than her and has three surviving children. They have three more children before Isaac dies suddenly. A son is born after his father’s death. Rachel, as a woman, has no inheritance rights to property or business. Isaac’s French family send his nephew, Frederic, from Paris to run the business. He is eight years younger than Rachel, but it is ‘love at first sight’. The local Jewish community strongly disapprove and the synagogue refuses to marry them. Despite the scandal and ill feeling, they do eventually marry, having four children. One of these is Jacob Abraham Camille Pizzarro, later known as the Impressionist painter, Camille Pissarro. Alice Hoffman uses these facts and weaves a magical story of life on St. Thomas and in 19th Century Paris, producing a thoroughly readable novel. She explores gender, race, class and religion through several outcasts. The book is full of the perfumes and colours of the Caribbean. The reader feels the atmosphere within and outside the Jewish community. The family’s servants play a large part in the development of Rachel’s life. In addition, there is the story of slavery and the unrest in nearby North America. There is so much social history covered here, but none of it feels forced. The author has written thirty works of fiction, including young adult novels. I will definitely read more of her work after finishing this beautifully written book. 10 11 Tony Bloom was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Sciences from the University of Brighton on 3 August 2018 for his impact on the city and major contribution to business in the city of Brighton and Hove. issue 289 | sePTeMBeR – OCTOBeR 2018 Photo: Tony Bloom with Professor Debra Humphris, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Brighton Culture Woman in Gold On Sunday 14th October, we present Woman in Gold. This 2015 film, is a real-life story starring Helen Mirren, who plays the part of Maria Altmann. Altmann is an elderly Jewish woman who fled Vienna, some sixty years earlier. She attempts to reclaim some family possessions that were seized by the Nazis, including some very famous paintings, including ‘The Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer’. After enlisting the help of young lawyer Randy Schoenberg, played by Ryan Reynolds, a lengthy court battle ensues to recover the paintings, and other treasures. This does not prove to be easy, as the drama in the courtroom unfolds. The Austrian establishment considers that the paintings are national treasures. Eventually they take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. The film starts at 7.30pm and doors open from 7.00pm and is free to Ralli Hall members & full-time students. Otherwise admission is £4.00. For more information contact David Bresh at breshdavid1@gmail.com 10 Features 11 Zeh Rak Da’ati - 2 by Godfrey R Gould Cris (not exactly his real name) lived alone (he never as families, Helping Hands provides personal assistance married) in a flat in a listed terrace house in central tailored to specific concerns, as well as their monthly Brighton. Working, he had held an executive position teas. And amongst the help provided at Ralli Hall are the in a renowned specialist retailer in Hove. But it was for bi-weekly lunches and social activities. Now, only once a his communal work in Brighton that he became very month, JACS meets in association with these lunches, a well-known and respected. Interested in politics, he was far cry from the days when 60 or 70 people used to meet elected a Councillor on Brighton Borough Council and in every week at AJEX Hall. The need is probably still there; time became leader of his party on the council, leader of the organisational help to ensure the system functions is the council and in due course Mayor of Brighton. When not. And there is yet so much more (just look through the he retired from his employment he decided not again to pages of this journal). stand for election to the council. But that did not stop his involvement in public affairs. He was the chairman of the governors of one school and the vice-chair of another, he was on committees and panels, many of which he chaired, and he was involved in sundry charities and other organisations. There was hardly a civic function or Reception in this City at which Cris would not be present. But note the thoughts of Rabbi Samuel de Beck Spitzer on page 12 of the August issue “one reason why Yom HaDin remains a Yom Tov to be celebrated communally and amongst family (is) so that we do not sever our interpersonal contact on such an auspicious day”. Judaism is surely a religion essentially of the family and of the family table? Communal activity becomes especially But a few years ago, Cris did not turn up for his daily more personal on Shabbat and Yom Tovim. Candles breakfast at a cafe off London Road, not far from where may be lit on Erev Shabbat but there may be nobody he lived. And on that day he did not turn up for any of there (physically) to share their light. And when Kiddush the many activities at which he was scheduled to be. Nor is recited there is nobody there (again, physically) to on the next day, or the day after that. No doubt people share the Words or to respond ‘Omain’. But all is not wondered where he was but nobody did anything to find lost. Since Rabbi and Rebbitzin Rader have arrived at out. After a few days, one of his neighbours, not having New Church Road Shul they have invited many to their seen him for several days, knocked on his door. There Shabbat and Yom Tov table. And more recently that was no response. After several more attempts she looked same Shul has organised a communal Friday night meal through the keyhole to see Cris lying fully- dressed on once a month. And what a success it is! Individuals, the floor. The Police broke in and Cris was taken to the couples, families and groups of friends from all our local County Hospital. Having suffered a massive stroke Cris Congregations (and, none) participate. The demand is should have been dead, but he wasn’t and with the overwhelming. That the need is there is obvious, but the excellent treatment he received, began a process of physical capacity of Mark Luck Hall limits numbers. Truly recovery. It was hoped that he might return to his flat, welcome is the recently established Erev Shabbat meal but paralysed down one side of his body and partially (though before davening) at Ralli Hall. Throughout Anglo- paralysed down the other, he was transferred to a nursing Jewry the family table of the Sedarim has long been an home where he still resides. I regret to admit that I do not imperative, recognised here as elsewhere. Most of our visit my friend, Cris, nearly enough. local Shuls organise communal Sedarim on one day Of course, Cris is not unique. There are millions of us who live alone, many are lonely, and too often forgotten. And this is particularly true of Brighton and Hove and especially of our own Jewish community. When a partner dies, for some time those with whom the relict (a very or the other - there is, however, a remarkable variation of price and limitation! And, again at NCR, lunches are organised for all on Shevuoth and in the succah on Succoth. And there’s plenty more, but this is not a catalogue. Victorian term oft seen on gravestones of the period) But all these most worthy facilities do not entirely was friendly remain so, but as time passes couples compensate for the true family table. Rabbi Spitzer seem to associate so much more with couples and the referred specifically to Yom Kippur. After a day in Shul singleton seems to be almost an aberration. Even when fasting and praying, all slips quite away when the sole friendship persists we all get on, friends themselves die, congregant returns alone to his or her house or flat, and the time comes that even with the best of intent, closes the front door, and breaks the Fast in solitude. few can cope with looking after themselves, never mind Others may share this special moment, but..! considering the needs of others. However, here there is much done communally to help soften the blow. From the very first, over 180 years ago, there was established the Brighton Hebrew Philanthropic Society (now the Brighton & Hove Jewish Welfare Board) to help all those who are in need, though mainly financial. But times and ideas change, and today there is a remarkable raft of It might surely come to you, too. We all get old, and just as we also become alone and indeed for some of the time, lonely. We are for most of the time so visible. But when we close our front doors then we seem, to those who moments before enthused so much about our presence, no longer to be even there. I wonder why? organisations to help the elderly, the infirm, the lonely Never mind: your time, too, may surely come. Unless? and the needy. To satisfy the needs of individuals as well issue 289 | sePTeMBeR – OCTOBeR 2018 12 Features 13 Time to go home by Rabbi Dr Jeremy Collick The last four and a half years have not been easy ones for simchas and sitting with them and their families, is the me. Forced into early retirement by ill health, followed by 5 greatest privilege a man can have and was a vocation, a way months in hospital and the never-ending routine of thrice of life and a career I treasure every day. weekly dialysis, my days are still relatively busy but with rather different activities. The last 15 years at Edgware Masorti and my previous years at Brighton and the beginning of my career working with It has been interesting being on the ‘other side of the bed’ so Rabbi Michael Leigh, have given me a unique opportunity. to speak and to feel the loneliness and institutionalisation of being in hospital or at home. One of the frustrations has been being unable to travel much in general and particularly, not being able to fly to Israel. But, with the permission of my doctors, all that changed in June and we had a magnificent trip to our home in Ashkelon overlooking the sea. There were numerous rocket attacks from Gaza and we sat on our balcony listening to the boom of Israeli artillery, but somehow it felt like home in a way that Edgware never has. All my life I have had 3 dreams – to help create a Bayit beyisrael, a Jewish home, filled with love, laughter and tears too. Cindy and I have had the privilege of many wonderful years together and seen our sons grow into fine young men So that dream came true. My second dream was to be a Rabbi. From early childhood that is what I wanted to do and to be. To study, teach, lead, inspire, comfort and celebrate with Jewish people. So that dream came true. My third dream was to live in Israel. As a teenager I volunteered to go to Israel at the time of the Yom Kippur war and have spent many months there since – studying, holidaying but never living full time as an Israeli Jew. Cindy and I were determined that when I retired this is what we would do and at the beginning of January that is what we are doing! Not that I am uncomfortable living here, far from it. But the racism and increasing anti-semitism since the ‘brexit’ vote has saddened and disappointed me. I will miss the people we love and our friends and Jacob, our younger son who is studying at Leeds University (Joel,our oldest has already made Aliya). But I will enjoy living a Jewish life in a Jewish country however frustrating that is! Making some small contribution to the life of the third Jewish commonwealth will be challenging but fulfilling as well, I hope. In spite of it ending early, I thoroughly enjoyed every (well, nearly every) minute of my 36 years as a community Rabbi. Being with people at the time of their greatest joys and Please God that dream will come true, too. May this New Year be a time when your dreams come true. Recipes for a Sweet Year The following recipes were taken from The Taste of Shabbos cookbook, a project by the Aish Hatorah Women’s Organisation and published by Feldheim, but is now out of print. Please note that all the recipes use standard cup, teaspoon and tablespoon measures. Streusel Coffee Cake 3/4 cup of sugar 1/1/3 cup oil 1 egg 1/2 cup orange juice (or any other juice) 1-1/2 cups plain flour 2 tsp baking powder 1/4 cup raisins (optional) Topping: 1/2 cup brown sugar 2 tbsp plain flour 2 tsp cinnamon 2 tbsp oil 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts Combine the sugar, oil and egg. Add the juice and beat thoroughly. Mix raisins with the dry ingredients. Add the flour/ raisin mixture and beat until smooth.Spread in a greased 9” square cake tin. issue 289 | sePTeMBeR – OCTOBeR 2018 Combine the ingredients for the topping with a fork and sprinkle over the batter. Press down slightly. Bake at 185o C (375o F) for 30 – 35 minutes. Old-Fashioned Honey Cake 2 eggs 1/4 cup honey 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp oil 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp cocoa 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 cup nuts 2 cups sifted plain flour 1 cup strong coffee Combine eggs, honey, sugar and oil. Mix in dry ingredients alternating with liquid. Beat for 5 minutes. Pour into a 9” by 12” greased cake tin. Bake till done at 185o C (375o F). 12 Features 13 Eulogy to Sarid by Fausta Shelton I was assailed by a mixture of sadness and nostalgia when I recently heard that the AJR – acronym for Assocation of Jewish Refugees - has, wisely and understandably, decided on the dissolution of SARID, the Holocaust Survivors Group, that I had started in Hove in October 1998 and ran until September 2011, when I retired. The Hebrew word ‘sarid’ has several meanings, one of them being ‘remnants’. I had met an Israeli family in London whose parents had survived Auschwitz and had subsequently decided to acquire that noun as their surname, and I asked and obtained the approval of two local Rabbonim before proposing to my line manager to name the group so significantly. I was at the time social worker in Sussex for Jewish Care, where I found help to locate prospective members in the area. My heart swelled with great emotion when so many enthusiastically enrolled, not only from Brighton and Hove, but also from places like Arundel, Eastbourne, Horsham and further still. It was exciting, and daunting at the same time, to meet and interview the Survivors, originally from Germany, Poland, Hungary, Austria and Czechoslovakia, as they all had a story to tell that reflected, not only their suffering, but also their dimension as extraordinary human beings, who had survived, both physically and emotionally, the unrelenting persecution of the Nazi regime, the extermination camps and the ghettos. The number of people registered eventually reached fifty, of whom twenty-three were AJR members, and it was soon agreed between Jewish Care and the AJR that the latter should take financial responsibility for the project, as they received a grant for that purpose. As a result, Myrna Glass issue 289 | sePTeMBeR – OCTOBeR 2018 joined me at the helm and we had a core number of well over twenty members attending the monthly sessions at the Ralli Hall, where the atmosphere among us was just perfect for meeting old friends and making new ones. On such occasions, we always had speakers of distinction from different backgrounds and in 2002 we even had the great honour of being given a talk by Sir Nicholas Winton, then aged 93, who travelled from London by train to be with us on the day. In 1999, after talking to Judith Hassan, Director of Shalvata, a model Centre for Holocaust Survivors under the umbrella of Jewish Care in London, I asked and obtained that Dr. Andras Herskovits, an academic and himself an Auschwitz survivor, supported us to form a Creative Writing Group, similar to the one he was conducting there. In fact, such a group was successfully run by him in Hove until 2010, when his health deteriorated and prevented him from travelling. By then, the ‘Writers’ had grown in number and they were producing excellent work, which had increasingly acted as therapy, while at the same time reaching literary achievement of the highest quality. These are the memories that I treasure and I hope that all those who were once there shared the same feeling of belonging when they thought of SARID. Now, only a few are left and to them and their friends, who are no more, goes my deepest gratitude for answering my invitation twenty years ago and for allowing my empathy to be silently known to them. Editorial Note: The SARID Group continued to meet on Mondays at Ralli Hall until the Spring of this year – 2018. Sweet Potato Kugel 1 large sweet potato 1 potato 1 carrot 2 apples rind and juice of 1⁄2 lemon 1/3 cup matzah meal 1/3 cup oil 3/4 cup sugar (*) pinch of salt 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 cup raisins (optional) (*) Editor’s note: feel free to reduce quantity. Shred vegetables and apples. Combine all ingredients, mixing well. Spread in a greased casserole dish. Bake, covered, at 165o C (325o F) for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Wishing all our customers a Happy New Year 14 15 issue 289 | sePTeMBeR – OCTOBeR 2018 14 THE FOR SUSSEX SUPPORTING OUR WARMEST NEW JEWISH YEAR US NEWS GREETINGS DURING EDITORIAL GREETINGS THE FOR PAST TEAM THE YEAR, 5779 NEW THANK YEAR AND 15 YOU SEND ALL ABBOUDI Juju and family wish everyone a happy New Year and well over the fast. ABRAHAMS Roger and Irit wish Shana Tova and good health to all of their family and friends. BARNARD / SEIDEL Rachel, David, Moses and Gabriel wish the community a Shana Tova. BARNETT Sandra wishes family, friends and the Community a happy, healthy and peaceful 5779 and well over the fast. BARSAM Claire and Sam wish Rabbi Samuel, our relatives and friends and all the Community a happy New Year. BLOOM Wendy and Ronnie wish all their children, grandchildren and many friends a happy New Year and well over the fast. BOOKER Beryl, John and Maurice wish family and friends a happy and healthy New Year. BURKE Shirley and Alan wish their family and friends a happy and healthy New Year and all best wishes for the future. CARLEBACH Myrna wishes a happy and successful year for the Brighton and Hove Community. Shana Tova. CARLTON Sandra and Derek wish all their family and friends good health and happiness for the coming year. CATERING CONNECTIONS Angela and Dann wish the entire community a happy and peaceful New Year. CENTRE FOR GERMAN JEWISH STUDIES שנה טובה ומבורכת May it be a year of peace, reflection, dialogue and enlightenment. Warm wishes to the Community. COLLICK Rabbi Jeremy and Cindy together with Joel and Jacob wish all our Sussex family and friends a happy and healthy New Year. COLLINS Jean wishes her family and friends a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. issue 289 | sePTeMBeR – OCTOBeR 2018 CONN Anne sends New Year greetings to all family and friends. CONWAY Susan, Jonathan, Simon and family wish family, friends and the whole Community a happy and healthy New Year and well over the fast. COWAN Janet wishes everyone a very healthy, happy and peaceful year ahead. CROOK Janet Ann and Michael and family wish all their relatives and friends Shana Tova, and a happy, healthy and peaceful 5779. CROWN/LYONS/ANDERSEN Shana Tova from Jeremy, Saonie, Elizabeth, Ghila, Rich and Annalise. Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and peaceful 5779. CUDDIS Shan and David wish family and friends a very happy and healthy New Year and well over the fast. DAVIS Angela and Joe wish all their family and friends a happy and healthy New Year. DELACOUR Robert and Marion wish all their family and friends Happy Rosh Hashanah greetings, L’Shana Tova. DOCTORS Philip and Anthony wish all friends and the Community a healthy and happy New Year and well over the fast. DUKE Norina and all the Dukes of Hove wish Shana Tova and well over the fast to all their wonderful friends and family. EVANS Evelyn wishes her family and all her friends a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. FAULL Dian wishes all family and friends a happy and healthy New Year. FAULL Maurice, Laura, Matthew and Emily wish family and friends a happy and healthy New Year. FELSENSTEIN Linda and Raymond wish their family and friends a healthy and happy New Year and well over the fast.. FERRIS Benita wishes her family and friends a peaceful and healthy New Year – Shana Tova. FISHER Marilyn wishes all her family and friends a happy New Year and well over the fast. FLASHMAN Roz and Michael wish their dear family and friends a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year and well over the fast. FEUERSTEIN Jacqui and Raymond wish all their family, friends and the team of SJN a happy, healthy and successful 5779. GOODMAN/KORBY Debra, Micheal, Charlotte, Nicholas, Leora and Sam wish all their family and friends a happy and healthy New Year. GORDON Barbara and Ian send love and good wishes to their family in Shoreham and friends in Worthing for a happy and healthy New Year. GORDON Joan wishes her family and friends a happy New Year and well over the fast. GOULD Godfrey - may 5779 bring us all a year of peace, good health and every happiness. L’Shana Tova. GREEN Sheila and Ruth wish all the Community good health and happiness for the New Year and well over the fast. HARRIS Karen, Michael and Oliver wish all members of the Community a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. Shana Tova. HELPING HANDS wish our wonderful volunteers, clients, and the whole Community a good and sweet year. Shana Tova Umetukah. Thank you for all your support. IRWIN Judy wishes all her dear friends Shana Tova and good health for the coming year. ISAACS Barbara wishes Shana Tova to her children, grandchildren and all her many friends. 16 17 JAY Jean wishes her family and friends a healthy, happy and peaceful New Year. JOSMAN Cecil wishes all his friends and family and members of the Sussex Jewish Golfing Society, a happy and healthy New Year. Shalom Aleichem. KRAVETZ Sylvia and Arthur wish their dear family in New York and Israel together with their friends at Eastbourne Hebrew Congregation a sweet, healthy and happy New Year. LASKY Doreen and Malcolm and their family would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year. LEVER Alan and family wish the Rabbonim, friends and the Community Shana Tova with health, prosperity, success and peace. LEVINE Sydney and Cecile send their warmest good wishes to their family and friends for a happy and peaceful New Year. LEVINSON Doris wishes the Rabbonim, her family, friends and colleagues in the Community a happy and healthy New Year. LIND Eleanor and Freddy wish the whole Community a healthy and happy year ahead. LUPER Renee wishes Shana Tova to all her family and friends. Best wishes to all the Community and all at SJN. MAGRILL Marilyn wishes Shana Tova to her dear mother, family and friends. MANN Lewis would like to wish all his family and friends a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. MASON Harry and Hazel wish their children, family and friends a very happy and healthy New Year and well over the fast. MEDIPHARM LTD The Solomon family wish everyone a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. MEGITT Stephanie and Brian wish all their friends in East Sussex a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year. issue 289 | sePTeMBeR – OCTOBeR 2018 MELCHER David and Joan wish all family and friends a happy and healthy New Year. MILLER Pearl wishes all the city’s Rabbonim, their families and our wider Jewish Community a healthy and happy New Year and well over the fast. MITCHELL Rita and Ronnie wish their darling family and friends a happy and healthy New Year and well over the Fast. MORDECAI Louise and Steve wish their family and friends Shana Tova. May 5779 bring good health, happiness and peace to us all. MOSS Pat and Roland wish their family and many friends a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year and well over the fast. NOAH, LEVEY June and Adrian wish their friends at Holland Road Synagogue a happy and healthy New Year. OBERMAN Rochelle, Gerald, Lheila and Zelig wish family, friends and all the community a very happy, peaceful and healthy New Year. PANTO Rosa and Stuart wish all their family and friends a healthy and happy New Year. PANTOOCK Rosalind wishes a healthy and peaceful New Year to her friends and relatives living locally. PHILLIPS Michael and Penelope wish the Jewish Community a good and sweet New Year. POSNER Liz wishes her family and friends a happy and healthy 5779 and well over the fast. RALLI HALL would like to wish its members Shana Tova. Thank you for many years loyalty and continuing to support your local community centre. RALLI HALL LUNCH & SOCIAL CLUB wish our amazing volunteers, members, supporters and the community a happy, healthy and peaceful year and an easy fast. RENTS Renee and family send good wishes for a very happy and healthy New Year. RICH Gillian and Michael wish family and friends a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. RICHARDS Jill and Ivor wish all family and friends a happy and healthy New Year. ROLAND Marianne and Bernard would like to wish family and friends a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. ROSE Jack and Elaine, Adam and Eva, Mariamne, Dan, Joseph and Max wish Shana Tova to all. ROSE Susan and David wish all our friends and family a very happy and healthy New Year. ROSENFELD Sue and Tony wish all their family and friends Shana Tova, a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. ROSENTHAL Jessica, together with Miriam, Dave, Esther and Jacob Rich and Sam, Ruth and Tessa, wish everyone a sweet and joyful 5779. RUBIN Brian and Sharon wish all their family and friends a Shana Tova and health and happiness and well over the fast. RUBIN Hazel and Joe send their best wishes to their family and friends for a happy and healthy New Year and well over the fast. RUTHERFORD Sandra, Amanda and Fiona, together with Filipa and Julia wish their friends good health, happiness and success in the coming year. SCHAVERIEN David wishes Rabbonim, fellow congregants and friends a peaceful Shana Tova. SELIGMAN Melanie and Simon, together with Daniel, Liora, Rachel and Charlotte wish all family and friends a happy and healthy New Year. SHELTON Fausta wishes the whole Community Shana Tova and good health, happiness and peace, always. 16 17 SHARPE Beryl and Mef wish our dear children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family and friends a happy, and prosperous New Year and an easy fast. SILVER Bernice and Arthur wish Jason, Jeffrey, Roman and all their friends a most happy, healthy and trouble- free Yom Tov and an easy fast. SILVER Bobbie, from her new home at Nightingale House, London, wishes her dear family and friends a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. SILVER Corinne Rachelle wishes health, happiness, love, laughter and a very sweet year to all her dear family and friends in the Brighton and Hove area. SIMMONS Eugenie sends New Year greetings to the entire Community. SIMONS Philip wishes L’Shanah Tovah to family, friends and volunteers, members and staff of Ralli Hall, and the Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club. SIMONS Ruth wishes Shana Tova to the whole Community. SOROKIN The Sorokin family send sincere Shana Tova wishes for health, joy and peace within our local community. issue 289 | sePTeMBeR – OCTOBeR 2018 STANFORD Jeffrey, Lydia, Simon and Lisa wish family, friends and the entire community a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. SUGARMAN Lucy and family wish their dear family and friends a very healthy and happy New Year and well over the fast. SUSSEX BRANCH JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY Shana Tova. We look forward to welcoming you to our next set of lectures. Full details at https://jhse.org/branches/sussex/ SUSSEX JEWISH REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL The President, Chair Team and Executive wish all the community a happy and successful New Year and well over the Fast. SWITHERN Lydia and Bernard wish their dear family and friends a happy and healthy New Year. TAYLOR Ronnie and Linda wish their dear family and friends and all the Eastbourne Hebrew Congregation a happy and healthy New Year. TORRANCE Tom and Cherry wish family and friends here and in Israel good health, peace and joy in 5779. Shana Tova Umetuka. WALKER Doreen and Bernie, Les, Steve, Oliver and Ryan wish their families (at home and abroad) and dear friends a healthy and joyous New Year. WALLACH Rabbi Charles and Marilyn wish their relatives and friends LeShana Tova Umetuka. THE WESSEX JEWISH NEWS TEAM wish everyone at SJN and the community a happy and healthy New Year. WEST SUSSEX JEWISH COMMUNITY wish Happy New Year 5779 to Jewish people and their families in West Sussex.Join us at our monthly events: 01273 728178 westsussexjc@gmail.com www.sussexjewishoutreach.com WILKS Sarah and David wish all the Community L’Shana Tova U’Metukah a good and sweet year and well over the fast. WINSTONE Everyone at Sarah’s Catering and Jewish Deli would like to wish family, friends and customers a very happy and healthy New Year and well over the fast. WOOLFE Laurel and Julian wish children, grandchildren, great- grandchild Millie, relatives and friends a healthy, happy and peaceful New Year. ZANARDO Rabbi Andrea, Sara, Dov, Yair and Hila wish everyone a year full of sweetness. Brighton and Hove Jewish Housing Association provides sheltered accommodation in Central Hove It currently has a vacancy for a one bedroom unfurnished flat, suitable for single occupancy. A further vacancy is expected to arise shortly for a flat that could be suitable for a couple. The affordable rent includes central heating; constant hot water; use of garden; television and telephone points For further information concerning either of these flats or to request an application form please telephone 07716 114012 or email bahjha@googlemail.com 18 BHPS Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue, 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove BN3 1FF Tel: 01273 737223 Email: info@bhps-online.org www.brightonandhoveprosynagogue.org.uk 19 Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue Twitter@BHPS2011 The (Complex) Jewish Calendar by Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah Rosh Ha-Shanah is early this year – although not as early 5779 will be a 13-month year, known as shanah m’uberet, as it could be. The sacred season begins with S’lichot, a ‘pregnant year’ – hence, Rosh Ha-Shanah 5780 will be prayers of ‘Forgiveness’, on the night of Saturday/Sunday, late. It isn’t necessary to know the technical details of the 1st/2nd September. This is very early. According to the calendar in order to experience the flow of the Jewish year. Ashkenazi custom, to ensure that S’lichot are recited for The Jewish year simply goes from Rosh Ha-Shanah to at least four days prior to Rosh Ha-Shanah, if Rosh Ha- Rosh Ha-Shanah. Nevertheless, the importance of, both, Shanah falls on Monday or Tuesday – as it does this time the lunar and solar years to the Jewish calendar is critical round – S’lichot are held back a week. So, this year the to the experience of the flow of Jewish time. After all, Jews autumn festivals will be all over by 3rd October. live not only from festival to festival, but also from moon/ Next year, by contrast, Rosh Ha-Shanah will be at the end of September (Erev: 29th). What’s the reason for this disparity? The Jewish calendar is rather complex. It is complex because it reconciles the solar year and the lunar year – the latter being eleven days shorter. The Jewish calendar does this so that the festivals fall in the right month to moon/month. I mentioned that the biblical name for the month in which Pesach falls is Aviv. According to the Torah, Aviv, is the beginning of the Jewish year for months (Bo, Exodus 12:2). In other words, Aviv, which after the Babylonian exile acquired the Babylonian name, Nisan, is the first month of the year. season. For example, Pesach is a spring festival, which It makes sense to begin a year in the springtime. It makes according to the Torah takes place in the month of Aviv, even more sense that the Exodus from Egypt, which ‘spring’ (Bo, Exodus 12:1ff.). In the 4th century, Rabbi Hillel defined our existence as a people, should begin in the II established a fixed calendar, which standardised the spring. So, what do we make of the fact that the New length of months – 29 or 30 days – and followed a 19-year Year falls on 1st Tishri, the seventh month of the year? cycle, in which an additional month is added seven times Rosh Ha-Shanah means ‘the head of the year.’ Rosh Ha- – in the 3rd, 6th, 8th, 11th, 14th, 17th and 19th years of Shanah is the highpoint of the Jewish year. Its significance the cycle. To ensure that Purim on 14th Adar and Pesach, is spiritual rather than material. On Rosh Ha-Shanah, we which begins on 15th Nisan, remain one month apart, this embark on a soul-searching journey that concludes at additional month became Adar 1, Adar Rishon, ‘first Adar’, the end of Yom Kippur. During that ten-day odyssey, we with Purim taking place in Adar 11, Adar Sheini, ‘second effectively step out of the natural world in order to examine Adar’. The 19-year cycle also includes adjustments to our deeds and repair our lives and our relationships. ensure that neither Yom Kippur nor Hoshanah Rabbah, the And then, the first thing we do afterwards is re-enter the seventh day of Sukkot, fall adjacent to Shabbat. To avoid seasonal cycle by building the sukkah. May we find the this problem, a day is added to the month of Cheshvan or spiritual nourishment we need for our journeys. L’shanah subtracted from the month of Kislev in the previous year. tovah! Events@BHPS High Holyday Tickets are available from the office. Email or ring for details. Students and members of progressive congregations are free but will need a ticket for security purposes. Sunday Lectures and Lunches 2018/19. 11.30 am Welcome drink 12 to 1.00 pm Lecture by guest speaker 1 to 3.00 pm Lunch including wine or soft drinks and coffee £22.50 per person, 10% discount if all 5 booked. Non-members and friends welcome. October 14: Ann Berger, director of development, promoting the life changing medical research funded by The Rose Tree Trust. December 2: Dr Wilf Assin, consultant psychiatrist on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. ‘Not all wounds are visible’. January 27: Sir Anthony Seldon, on his latest book. (Title still under wraps!) February 24: Aviva Dautch - ‘The remarkable Isaac Rosenberg’, First World War poet. March 31: Dr David Jacobson, Jewish historian - ‘Herod’s Temple in Jerusalem’. Sunday: Nov 25: Annual Art Exhibition. Original art and prints, jewellery, ceramics and pottery. Onagim - Friday evenings at 7.30 pm with a shortened service and light refreshments. All welcome, but if not a member or friend please contact the office. issue 289 | sePTeMBeR – OCTOBeR 2018 October 12: Dr Ben Kasstan: ‘The Charedim of Manchester - culture, faith and health’. November 9: Dr David Jünger: ‘Kristalnacht’. Are you Jewish or Jew-ish? 13th October, 10:30 - 15:45 An opportunity for those unaffiliated or disaffiliated to explore BHPS. 10:30 Tea and coffee, 11.00 Beit Midrash (House of Study) Shabbat morning service, 12:30 Kiddush and shared lunch. 13.00 What is Judaism? 14:30 sample Hebrew learning. Exploring Judaism with Rabbi Elli Shabbat, 2.15-3.45 pm, after the Access to Hebrew class (1-2pm) • Sept 1 Elul & S’lichot • Sept 8 Rosh Ha-Shanah • Sept 15 Yom Kippur • Sept 22 Sukkot • Sept 29 Simchat Torah • Oct 6 God Oct 3 What is Judaism? PLEASE NOTE: 1.00-2.30 (Access to Hebrew: 2.45-3.45) 18 BHRS Rabbi Dr Andrea Zanardo Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue, Palmeira Avenue, Hove BN3 3GE Tel: 01273 735343 Email: office@bh-rs.org www.bh-rs.org https://www.facebook.com/BrightonReform 19 BrightonReform issue 289 | sePTeMBeR – OCTOBeR 2018 What should an apology look like? by Rabbi Dr Andrea Zanardo This morning during breakfast my son Dov asked me out of the blue “So, Dad, what was Jeremy Corbyn up to yesterday?” Initially I was most impressed that my son had been following the news. Then, I realised we were on holiday and he must have picked up something from conversations between his parents! Yes, the current leader of the Labour Party is currently the topic of conversation in our family. We are no different from many other British Jewish families. We are furious, worried, disappointed and astonished, all these things together and maybe more, because of the inability displayed by the Labour leadership to handle the blatant antisemitism inside the Party. Added to this is the discovery of a rabid anti-Semitic City Councillor, of all places, in Bognor Regis, not so far from our lovely city. He tweeted the most horrendous of anti- Semitic canards, along with praises for Hitler... But, I hear someone saying, the heinous man from Bognor Regis is not a Labour Party member anymore. Also, Corbyn has apologised and promised he will personally take care of anti-Semitic members of his party. But we, as the clear majority of British Jews, and our representatives elected e.g. at the Board of Deputies, do not take these apologies seriously. Jeremy Corbyn has first denied the problem, then minimised it, then committed himself to root it out. This sounds like admitting that the Party has an antisemitism problem, but he did not admit it, he merely moved from denial to commitment to root it out. Part of the apologies are just a repetition of something written four months ago. He has also shown a lack of understanding of our culture: his article of apology was released while most Jews were busy with preparations for Shabbat, hence had no time to read a column published, of all places, in the Guardian. Worst of all, Jeremy Corbyn really does not understand why Israel is so important to us Jews, (actually, he barely mentions it at all), and wants to reserve the right to deface it and call for punishment for, well, everything bad that has happened in the region since 1948 and even before. Truly Jeremy Corbyn has shown us what a real apology must NOT look like! Perhaps we should thank him... In these coming weeks we Jews are busy with apologies. We engage in the process of teshuvah. During Yom Kippur we apologise to God and commit ourselves to do better, and while we prepare ourselves for the most holy day of the Jewish year, we apologise to our family and friends and do whatever we can to change relationships for the better. It is a universal commitment, because, as we say during the service over and over, all the community is responsible, and every single Jew has transgressed. No one is perfect. A true apology, which leads to a real teshuvah, must be sincere and not the repetition of a script, it must be empathic, and not blackmail, and it must include a commitment to do better. May we all find the strength to do so, over the next week, to our fellow human beings and to the Eternal One. Bulletin Board September Saturday 1 Rabbi’s Torah Breakfast, 9.00 am Selichot Service, 6.30 pm Sunday 2 Wedding of Keren Shaw & yoni Nisner , 3.30 pm Thursday 6 Rosh Chodesh, 7.30 pm Saturday 8 Shabbat Service including a Baby blessing, 10.30 am Sunday 9 Erev Rosh Hashanah, 6.30 pm Monday 10 Rosh Hashanah, 10.00 am Tashlich, 5.00 pm 2nd night Rosh Hashanah, 6.30 pm Tuesday 11 2nd day Rosh Hashanah, 10.00 am Saturday 15 Book Club, 9.15 am Sunday 16 Mourners’ Kaddish at the Grounds, 11.00 am Tuesday 18 Kol Nidre, 7.00 pm Wednesday 19 yom Kippur, 10.30 am Sunday 23 Sukkah building, 3.00 pm Erev Sukkot Service, 6.30 pm Monday 24 Sukkot Service, 10.30 am Sunday 30 Erev Simchat Torah, 6.30 pm October Monday 1 Simchat Torah service, 10.30 am Saturday 6 Shabbaton & Shabbat Doroteinu, 10.30 am Sunday 7 Stonesetting of Riv Russell, 12.00 noon Community Tea, 2.30 pm Tuesday 9 ulpan (intermediate), 7.00 pm Rosh Chodesh, 7.30 pm Thursday 11 ulpan (beginners), 7.00 pm Friday 12 Shabbat Kolot, 6.30 pm Saturday 13 Rabbi’s Torah Breakfast, 9.00 am Bar Mitzvah of Ryan Walker, 10.30 am Sunday 14 Stonesetting of Sidney Norton, 2.30 pm Saturday 20 Bar Mitzvah of Luke Bodner, 10.30 am The diary is subject to change. 20 BHHC Rabbi Hershel Rader Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation, 31 New Church Road, Hove BN3 3AD Tel: 01273 888855 Email: office@bhhc-shul.org www.bhhc-shul.org 21 Rosh Hashanah – Resisting the Blame Game by Rabbi Hershel Rader Rosh Hashanah, observed on the first and second days of woman You gave me, she gave the fruit to me’. Is it his fault? the Jewish Year, is unique among the festivals of the Jewish Of course not! It’s the woman’s fault. It’s G-d’s fault for giving calendar. Unlike the other festivals, which mark a particular him the woman. But Adam himself? Absolutely not! And how event in Jewish history and the experience of our People, does Eve respond when presented with the same question? Rosh Hashanah is the anniversary of a universal event; the The serpent gave me the fruit! She too plays the blame game. creation of the world and, more specifically, the creation of the first human beings. G-d doesn’t confront us personally with our wrongdoings, but He does give us a time of yearly focus, before and during Accordingly, Rosh Hashanah is the festival that emphasises the Days of Judgement, to confront ourselves. To look back the universal, rather than distinctly Jewish, aspect of our on the past year and take stock, both of our virtues and life mission. On Rosh Hashanah we proclaim G-d king of shortcomings. Most of all He asks us to be truthful with the universe and that ‘every object shall know that You ourselves and certainly not to ascribe our deficiencies to have made it, every creature shall understand that You others. The blame game is what we expect from children; the have created it, everything that has the breath of life in its ability to examine oneself honestly and objectively is a sign of nostrils shall proclaim G-d, the G-d of Israel, is king and his maturity. sovereignty rules over all.’ Yes, the observances are uniquely Jewish, but we pray for all of mankind and, importantly, the judgement of Rosh Hashanah is a universal one. At the conclusion of Yom Kippur we also sound the Shofar, but the mood is very different, it is a sound of triumph, expressing the confident hope that our prayers have been Foremost amongst the observances of Rosh Hashanah is accepted and G-d’s judgement has been a merciful one. the sounding of the Shofar; on a day which recalls creation we proclaim the Creator’s sovereignty, sounding the Shofar like a trumpet. Not only is Rosh Hashanah the anniversary of Mankind’s creation, it is also the anniversary of our first sin, Adam and Eve eating from the Tree of Knowledge, accordingly the cry of the Shofar is also a call to repentance May our prayers this coming New Year be answered in a positive, good way and may the year that lies ahead be one of peace and prosperity for all Mankind. Perla and I wish the entire community a Shana Tova U’Metuka – A Good and Sweet Year. initiating the Ten Days of Repentance which culminate on Yom Kippur. The story of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit, one of the first Biblical narratives, offers a great and enduring insight into human nature. Firstly, here were two people who had only one restriction, one thing forbidden to them, and they were unable to adhere to it. They were allowed to eat any produce except the fruit of one tree and they could not control themselves. In the words of Oscar Wilde, they were able to ‘resist anything except temptation’. The Sages tell us ‘stolen waters are sweeter’; that which is not ours so often seems more desirable! Secondly, how did they react when confronted with their transgression? G-d says to Adam ‘did you eat of the tree from which I commanded you not to eat?’ and Adam replies ‘the issue 289 | sePTeMBeR – OCTOBeR 2018 Our Weekly Shiurim Three shiurim are held every week at 31 New Church Road, Hove. Wednesdays, 12.30 - 1.30 pm. Lunch and Learn for all. A light informal lunch followed by a shiur. £3 a head. Thursdays, 10.00 to 11 am. Ladies’ Shiur (no charge). Saturdays, half an hour before Minchah (times vary - please see weekly notices). The shiur is followed by Minchah, a Seudah Shilitit and Ma’ariv (no charge). Annual Summer Barbeque Our Annual Summer Barbeque will take place this year on Sunday 2 September in the Shul grounds from 12.30 pm. Great food and atmosphere. Adults - £17.50 Children - £7.50. Book your place by contacting the Shul office on 01273 888 855 or office@ bhhc-shul.org. Bookings must be made by Thursday 23 August. 20 HHC Rabbi Hove Email: Hebrew hollandroadshul@btconnect.com Samuel Congregation, de 79 Beck Holland Road, Spitzer www.hollandroadshul.com Hove BN3 1JN Tel: 01273 732035 21 Downward Dogs and Salutations by Rabbi Samuel de Beck Spitzer I am persistently requested to focus some attention on if we allow ourselves the benefit and the flexibility to the subject of Tefillah, commonly translated as ‘prayer’, overcome set stereotypes, if we transfer skill sets from one something that we tend to do in no short measure over discipline to another, I am convinced that we will begin to the High Holy Days. Intuition tells me that most of us have see and feel within ourselves a radically improved form of eaten our fair share diet of the subject and heard bog- synchronicity. I am not advocating asanas (yoga postures) standard lectures on our rites of prayer at some point in our in the middle of Musaph, although to quote the Babylonian lives, albeit seldom containing any detailed textual analysis. Talmud (Tractate Succot 53a): On prostration Rabbi Shimon Has it perhaps occurred to you that Jews in their place of worship have not always been confined to pews, shtenders, designer suits and dresses, enclosed stuffy ben Gamliel would “bow down and put two thumbs into the earth, suspend his body in the air, kiss the ground and straighten up!” spaces, minimalistic movement, English decorum, a myriad What I would advocate however is a stillness of spirit, focus of unintelligible words and stained glass. On the contrary, of heart, clarity of thought and all-round mindfulness that the origins of Israelite service were full of blood, guts and can be achieved during our designated fixed ritual within innards, splatterings and sprinklings mixed with penitential the Synagogue. It will probably require some preparation meditative states and ramblings, ranging from remorse to prior to entry to this Holy space or at least to desist from sheer ecstasy. If, as Maimonides so eloquently penned it, distraction on arrival. The Chassidim I dare say, within their “All existence depends on God and is derived from God”, diverse strands are probably the last living remnant of our then this is serious business and not for the faint of heart. ecstasy filled past with their exuberant swaying, hopping There are ancient systems that advocate movement and and chanting. After all, this is raw, in-your-face, God time. types of chant in order to induce internal conscious human Good luck to all of you brave souls who find the courage connectivity with our Source. The most obvious that comes to break out of ingrained stultifying moulds of automated to my mind is that of Yoga (I highly recommend it!). Yes...I ‘Service’, the likes of which have transformed some places know... there are always those who will immediately cry of worship into museums and far too many hearts so that ‘avodah zara’ (Idol worship), but it needn’t be so. Indeed, they no longer beat in rhythm with their emotions. It’s never to the informed and initiated, there are many paths to too late to dig deep... we have everything to pray for. kosher yoga and its benefits are immeasurable. Moreover, A heartfelt Ketiva Ve’Chatima Tova to you all. issue 289 | sePTeMBeR – OCTOBeR 2018 22 What’s on: September 2018 Website: www.sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org Email: sussexjewishrepco@gmail.com SJN Email: sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org.uk 23 COMMUNITY EVENTS – IMPORTANT REMINDER: Contact the Communal Diary before planning your events. Email: sussexjewishrepco@gmail.com SHABBAT SHALOM – BRIGHTON TIMES REGULAR ACTIVITIES Please note that during the High Holiday period, events may be In Light candles Out Havdalah cancelled. Please check with event organisers. Fri 31 Aug 7.30 pm Fri 7 Sept 7.15 pm Sat 1 Sept Sat 11 8.37 pm 8.21 pm Mondays Shiur for the Actively Retired with Rabbi Efune 4.00 pm – 5.00 pm at Fri 14 6.59 pm Sat 15 8.04 pm 11 Hove Manor, Hove Street, Hove. Tel: 07885 538 681 Fri 21 6.43 pm Sat 22 7.48 pm Talmud for the Thinking Man with Rabbi Efune. 8.15 pm – 9.15 pm at Fri 28 6.28 pm Sat 29 7.32 pm Chabad House 01273 321919 Rubber and Duplicate Bridge 1.30 pm - 4.30 pm £4.00 + £1.00 NOTABLE DATES transport Ralli Hall. Tel: Reba 01444 484839 • Erev Rosh Hashanah – Sunday 9 September • Rosh Hashanah - Monday 10 and Tuesday 11 September Torah & Tea with Penina Efune. Weekly Discovery and Discussion Group based on Jewish texts focusing on the personal meaning and relevance to our lives. 8.00 pm - 9.00 pm at Chabad House. Tel or Text 07834 669181 • Wednesday 12 Fast of Gedaliah – Wednesday 12 September • Erev Yom Kippur / Kol Nidre- Tuesday 18 September • Yom Kippur - Wednesday 19 September Tuesdays Something to Say? - Discussion Group with Rabbi Samuel, with Rabbi Samuel, every other Tuesday Hove Hebrew Congregation, 79 • Erev Sukkot - Sunday 23 September Holland Road, Hove 10.30 am Tel: 01273 732035 • Sukkot – 24, 25, 29 and 30 September • Hoshana Rabba – Sunday 30 September Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club 10.30 am - 4.30 pm Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 Weekly Ralli Hall Mummy and ME Music with Penina Efune @ Montessori Nursery from 11.30 am to 1.00 pm. Enjoy a stimulating environment with your baby/ EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER Tuesday 4 Sussex Jewish Golfing Society at Kingswood Golf Club toddler, some meaningful discussion, music and movement Painting with Rochelle (JAS) Studio at Ralli Hall, 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm. Tel: 07811 601106 Summer break from 3 July – 9 October Chutzpah Choir yiddish singing in 4 parts with Polina Shepherd. 11.00 Wednesday 5 & Thursday 6 am – 1.00 pm weekly. For Hove venue contact chutzpahchoir@gmail.com ‘Shackleton’s Carpenter’ a play by Gail Louw at the Rialto Theatre, or tel. Betty on 01273 474795 Dyke Road, Brighton 7.30 pm Tickets £12/£10 Tel: 01273 725230 Israeli Dancing 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm Ralli Hall Tel: Jacky 01273 688538 Sunday 16 National Heritage Open Day - Florence Place Cemetery conducted tours at 10.30 and 11.00 am. No charge. Limited numbers; pre-booking Wednesdays Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community (affiliated to Liberal Judaism) essential through Heritage Open Days Office (Kevin Wilsher 07773 Coffee morning, 11.00 am, 1st Wednesday of each month, Hydro Hotel, 974584) Eastbourne. Information: www.eljc.org.uk or phone 01323 725650 National Heritage Open Day - Middle St Shul 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm Thursdays Wednesday 26 - Saturday 29 ‘Plaza Suite’ a New York comedy by Neil Simon at the Barn Theatre, Southwick Street, Southwick, 7.45 pm. Tickets £11.00 01273 597094 or www.wicktheatre.co.uk Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club 10.30 am - 4.30 pm Weekly. Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH JACS members are invited on the first Thursday of every month to the Ralli Hall Lunch &Social Club. Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH Voluntary Support Agencies Bridge at Ralli Hall 11.00 am Weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Efune - men and ladies welcome - • Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club (Day Centre) 8.15- 9.15 pm at Chabad House. 01273 321919 01273 739999 ralliday@tiscali.co.uk Fridays • Norwood/Tikvah, Rachel Mazzier House 01273 564021 Kuddle Up Shabbat parent & child playgroup with Sara Zanardo and her • Hyman Fine House 01273 688226 guitar will recommence in the Autumn term Free Happy Hour @ Montessori Nursery 12 noon – 1.00 pm ALL • Helping Hands 01273 747722 helping-hands@helping-hands.org WELCOME. Come and celebrate, see, taste, hear and feel the joy of • Brighton & Hove Jewish Welfare Board 07952 479111 or info@bhjwb.org; website: www.bhjwb.org Shabbat! Tel 01273 328675 Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community (affiliated to Liberal Judaism). Service at 6.30 pm on the 4th Friday of each month, at CTK Hall, • Brighton & Hove Jewish Housing Association. bahjha@googlemail.com Eastbourne, BN23 6HS. Information: www.eljc.org.uk or phone 01323 • Welfare at Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue/L’chaim project 725650 01273 737223 Saturdays • Welfare Officer at Brighton & Hove Reform. (Sue Rosenfield) 01273 735343 Eastbourne Hebrew Congregation Shabbat services at 22, Susans Road, Eastbourne, 10.00 am. Contact 01323 484135 or 07739 082538 • Jewish Community Centre at Ralli Hall. Various communal activities. 01273 202254 or rallihall@tiscali.co.uk Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community (affiliated to Liberal Judaism). Service at 12.30 pm, 2nd Saturday of each month, at CTK Hall, Eastbourne, BN23 6HS. Information: www.eljc.org.uk or phone 01323 725650 issue 289 | sePTeMBeR – OCTOBeR 2018 22 What’s on: October 2018 Website: www.sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org Email: sussexjewishrepco@gmail.com SJN Email: sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org.uk 23 SHABBAT SHALOM – BRIGHTON TIMES In Light candles Out Havdalah issue 289 | sePTeMBeR – OCTOBeR 2018 EVENTS IN OCTOBER Sunday 7 Helping Hands Community Tea at AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Fri 5 Oct 6.12 pm Sat 6 7.16 pm Fri 12 5.57 pm Sat 13 7.02 pm Fri 19 5.42 pm Sat 20 6.48 pm Hove 2.30 – 4.30 pm. Donation £3.00. Transport can be arranged. Contact 01273 747722 Sussex Jewish News – Submission deadline for the November 2018 issue. Send your articles, thoughts, photos and Fri 26 5.28 pm Sat 27 6.35 pm announcements to sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@ sjn.org NOTABLE DATES Sunday 14 • Shemini Atzeret - Monday 1 October • Simchat Torah - Tuesday 2 October BHPS Lecture and Lunch 11.00 am – 3.00 pm, with guest speaker Ann Berger, Director of Development on Promoting the life-changing medical research funded by the Rose Tree Trust. 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove £22.50. Tel: 01273 737223 IMPORTANT INFORMATION Sussex Jewish Film Club presents ‘Woman in Gold’ at Ralli Hall, Denmark Villas, Hove. 7.00 for 7.30 pm. Donation £4.00 For visitors using a satellite navigation system in their vehicle. JEWISH CEMETERY, MEADOWVIEW, BRIGHTON The post code for this cemetery is BN2 4DE JEWISH CEMETERY, OLD SHOREHAM RD, HOVE Tuesday 23 Jewish Historical Society of England with guest speaker Jennifer Craig-Norton ‘Jewish Refugees from Fascism in Sussex 1933- 1945’. 7.45 pm Ralli Hall, Denmark Villas, Hove. Members The post code for this cemetery is BN3 7EF. free, Visitors £5.00. Contact amcrook321@gmail.com Tuesday 23- Saturday 27 ‘Old Stock – a Refugee Love Story’ at The Old Market, Market Street, Brighton 7.30 pm. Booking: Tel: 01273 201001 Please note that our next issue will be November 2018. The deadline for your announcements, news, views, articles, photos, adverts, etc., is 7 October 2018. Important message HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY VISITS If you are in hospital or know anyone being admitted into hospital, please get in touch with info@ sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org or telephone 07789 491279 so that a Jewish chaplain can be contacted to visit. 24 24 Sussex Jewish Representative Council It would appear that all has been quiet this summer other Jewish organisations and can play a more since our very successful and well supported Yom contemporary role in the civic life of the city. Please do Ha’atzmaut Celebrations. But this is not the case. follow us @SussexJewishRep to see what we’re doing. Behind the scenes, the Council receives enquiries In addition, our community saw demonstrations by weekly on all different aspects of Jewish life in the pro-Palestinian groups trying to boycott the Seret Israeli community, many from outside organisations or Film Festival, organised by BNJC at the Komedia in individuals. We do our best to respond to all enquiries May. Part of the remit of the SJRC is to protect the directing them to the relevant body or organisation, or interests of the Jewish community. We supported the the Chair Team provides a response or the information efforts of the BNJC, SFI and CST to make sure the required, if we feel equipped to so do. Film Festival continued. This reached local and national However, the issue that has concerned us the most has been the ongoing problem of anti-Semitism not only in media and brought one of the VPs of the Board of Deputies down to Brighton, in support. the Labour party, but also on our doorstep. We were privileged to have been involved in the Henry Tim Loughton, Conservative MP for East Worthing & Shoreham, recently held a discussion on the Israeli/ Palestine Conflict. Sadly, this was scheduled for a Friday night. When it was pointed out to him that this made it very difficult for many people from the Jewish community to attend, we were told that as no-one Solomon Memorial Ceremony together with BHHC and Sussex Police. In addition to the memorable commemoration it was wonderful to see the Florence Place cemetery restored for the occasion. We hope this can be maintained as it truly is a local Jewish site of historic interest. had raised it with him - although we did - he wouldn’t We are currently working on the redesign and update change the date. A few people did attend to represent of the SJRC website. The end result should be a user- the community and unfortunately the presentation friendly calendar for the communal diary, and a more was very one-sided with Mr Loughton at one point effective way to post and read about upcoming events, suggesting that ‘the rockets serve Israel’s purpose’. A and local news. particularly offensive sentiment. The requirement for us to send out important local We raised our concerns regarding the disgusting news on a regular basis is on the increase. We are views shared on Facebook by Bognor Regis Labour building our database and would love to be able to Councillor, Damien Enticott and contacted the Bognor include all of the community. If you don’t receive our Regis Town Council. He was subsequently suspended updates please do contact us and ask to go on the list. from the party and removed from the town council. (sussexjewishrepco@gmail.com) We have also been in discussions with Brighton & We would like to end our report this quarter by paying Hove City Council regarding the adoption of the full tribute to a dear colleague and friend Irvyn Isaacs, International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) who passed away this summer. Irvyn was an active definition on anti-Semitism. We hope to have a fuller member of the SJRC, a Vice President and the first report on this in the next issue. Administrator of the Community Renewal Fund. He is In the last month, the SJRC has been quoted in the missed and not forgotten. Argus twice, has appeared on Latest TV discussing You can visit the Rep Council on their website at www. the IHRA definition and has been interviewed on BBC sussexjewisshrepresentativecouncil.org. They can be Radio Sussex about anti-Semitism. contacted by email at sussexjewishrepco@gmail.com We have also moved into the 21st century and are or followed on Twitter @SussexJewishRep now on Twitter. This means that the SJRC can respond immediately to issues of concern, can engage with issue 289 | sePTeMBeR – OCTOBeR 2018 -
Issue 288
August 2018
what’s InsIdE.... hEnRY sOlOMOn MEMORIal | ChutZPah In PaRIs | OsCaR wInnER | what’s On | and MORE august 2018 • aV / Elul 5778 • IssuE 288 2 Refugee stories & memories wanted by 3 The Old Market theatre in Brighton We want to hear your stories of love and help enrich inter-cultural and refuge - can you help? understanding. Here at The Old Market, we’re really We believe that the arts exist to start excited to have the amazing Old conversations and we want you to Stock: A Refugee Love Story coming help us start one around what it to our stage in October. The show is means to be a refugee. We’d love a darkly funny and deeply touching to hear your refugee stories - first klezmer-folk show that tells the or second hand - and allow us to true story of two Jewish Romanian display them in our venue, whilst refugees who are searching for a new Old Stock runs, so that audiences life in Canada in 1908. passing through can read them and We want to take the insights and themes, raised by the play, off the learn about the experiences of you and your family. stage and to start a conversation between the Jewish If this sounds like something you’d like to be involved community in Sussex and the wider community at in, then please don’t hesitate to contact us at large. Our goal is to use the stories and experiences marketing@theoldmarket.com, we can’t wait to hear collected to link the show to contemporary issues from you! Cover: The gravestone of Henry Solomon taken at the recent memorial Service. Photo by Michael Coppins. EDITORIAL BOARD Doris Levinson, Stephanie Megitt, Michael Rich, David Seidel TECHNICAL ADVISOR Brian Megitt SJN brings local news, events, articles, reviews, announcements, people, congregations, communities, contacts and more. Delivered at SUSSEX JEWISH NEWS SUBSCRIPTION Name:_______________________________________________ Date:_________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Postcode:____________________ Email: _______________________________________________ Telephone:____________________ Subscription (tick one) ❑ I would like to receive electronic copies of SJN. £20 p/a ❑ I would like to receive printed copies of SJN. £27 p/a. ❑ I enclose my cheque payable to Sussex Jewish News at PO Box 2178, Hove BN3 3SZ ❑ I have made a bank transfer to the Sussex Jewish News at Lloyds Bank, Sort Code 30-98-74, Account No. 00289447 and I have included my name as a reference to ensure my subscription is noted. issue 288 | august 2018 ADMINISTRATOR Hazel Coppins ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Ivor Sorokin the start of each month, SJN is run entirely by COMMuNAL DIARy sussexjewishrepco@gmail.com volunteers for reporting, editing and circulating each edition. It has become the cornerstone of the Jewish community across the region. COVER IMAgE Michael Coppins PRODuCTION/LAyOuT Anand Day SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 8 AUGUST 2018 Email address for submissions and correspondence: sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org.uk 2 Sussex Jewish News PO Box 2178 • Hove BN3 3SZ Telephone: 07906 955 404 Contents 3 sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org FEATURES 1 HENRy SOlOMON GRAvESTONE Photo by Michael Coppins 2 REFUGEE STORIES Help wanted by the Old Market Theatre 8 HENRy SOlOMON MEMORIAl A special man honoured 9 WRITING OUR OWN HISTORy One man’s view of where to pray REGUlARS 4 SUSSEX AND THE CITy Your news, views and stories from across the county 11 CUlTURE The Chutzpah Choir in Paris 16 WHAT’S ON – AUGUST Regular and special events in your community yOUR COMMUNITy 12 HOvE HEBREW CONGREGATION 13 BRIGHTON & HOvE PROGRESSIvE SyNAGOGUE 14 BRIGHTON & HOvE REFORM SyNAGOGUE 15 BRIGHTON & HOvE HEBREW CONGREGATION Full page (A4 size) £170 Half page (A5 size) £100 Quarter page (A6 size) £65 1/9 page (credit card size) £40 Personal Announcements in a box (up to 6 lines): £25 Announcements up to 3 lines £10 Flyers: Price on application Local Jewish charities will not be charged, subject to editorial decision. Sussex Jewish News (‘SJN’), its Editor and Editorial Board: • are not allied to any synagogue or group and the views expressed by writers are not necessarily those of SJN; • accept advertisements in good faith but do not endorse any products or services and do not accept liability for any aspect of any advertisements; and • welcome readers’ contributions but reserve the right to edit, cut, decline or submit the content to others for comment. To ensure that we receive your submissions by email, please send them ONLY to sjneditor@sussexjewishnews. com, otherwise we cannot guarantee their consideration for publication. To assist the Editorial Board, submissions should be in Word format using Times New Roman font, size 12. Receipt of submissions may not be acknowledged, unless specifically requested. As the Editorial Board is made up entirely of BOOK NOW! 07906 955 404 volunteers, any response may be subject to delay. issue 288 | august 2018 Important message HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY VISITS If you are in hospital or know anyone being admitted into hospital, please get in touch with info@ sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org or telephone 07789 491279 so that a Jewish chaplain can be contacted to visit. 4 Sussex and the City 5 your News Special Birthdays Get Well Mazel tov to Robert Driver, John Leonard, Kevin Morrison, Norman Pearl and Lesley Walker and all who have special birthdays this month. We wish refuah sheleimah to all who are unwell or in hospital at the present time. Wedding Deaths Mazel tov to Dr Sam Freeman We wish Long Life to the families of : (son of Sharon & Howard and Ian Elkin z’l grandson of Rosa & Stuart Panto) and Natasha Isaac. Sonia Isaacson z’l Bernie Katz z’l Frances Shepherd z’l Achievements Mazel tov to Chantal Conway on achieving the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Medal Award. Mazel tov to A-level student Joshua Firsht for being awarded Pupik Competition The lucky prize-winner for a free ticket to see the show at the Pavilion Theatre in Worthing on 25 July is Marilyn Fisher. an Oscar for his film ‘All In’. your views Dear Editor I am trying to contact anyone who was involved with, or Dear Editors It is with profound regret that I must advise you that his late Majesty of Blessed and, indeed, Saintly Memory, King Edward the Confessor died in 1066, some 224 years before the lamented expulsion of the Jews from England. His Majesty was survived by his wife Edith, but had no children thus leading to many decades of bitter civil strife in this Realm. Yours sincerely Godfrey R Gould whose families were members of, the Grand Order Sons of Jacob. Particularly, those who were involved with the convalescent home at Wyberlye House, Burgess Hill, West Sussex. I was there when it was used to house 50 Jewish girls from Nazi-occupied Europe between January 1939 to July 1940. I would also like to contact anyone who was one of the children at the home. I can be contacted at lcurbach@aol.com Lesley Urbach Ralli Hall lunch and Social Club by Jacquie Tichauer I hope everyone is enjoying the sunny weather and managing to cope with the heat. On the 27 September, our lovely volunteer Margaret and her husband Mark are coming to give us a talk and to show us great slides of their visit to Israel this year. Make sure that you put the date in your calendar. I am still looking for someone to join us and get our choir started. Anyone who is willing, able and has a spare hour once a month, would be much welcomed, to lead our members who would really enjoy this activity. On the 29 June, Helping Hands organised a lovely Shabbat dinner at Ralli Hall and it was great working together with them and seeing so many of the lunch club members. It was a really super evening and everyone enjoyed themselves. Well done Helping Hands! Our weekend away in Eastbourne is coming up soon and in the next SJN I hope to be able to tell you all about it. We do intend to have film shows again. Watch this space and do let me have any suggestions for any particular film you would like to see. issue 288 | august 2018 Bernie Katz z’l by Daniel Laurence It’s with great sadness that I announce the passing of Bernard Katz, who died peacefully at his home in Hove on Friday morning, 6th July 2018, aged 87. Bernie, who was born and bred in Brighton, was a well-respected and much liked gentleman - a term that sums him up perfectly, as he was known for his exceptional good manners and politeness. Those that had the pleasure to spend time with him knew he was equally kind, generous and quick-witted. The diagnosis, over a year ago, that he had leukaemia, didn’t for a second deter him from proceeding with his extraordinarily busy social diary. Amongst other things he was an avid member of the Sussex Jewish Film Club and the most dedicated supporter of Sussex Friends of Israel, where I had the honour of becoming friends with him several years ago. Bernie is survived by his elder sister Sheila. May his memory be a blessing. 4 Sussex and the City 5 Evelyn’s Big Birthday Saga by Sidney Lipman It was all carefully arranged, with relatives coming from far and wide to celebrate Evelyn’s birthday at Hyman Fine House. As we all know, the residents are well cared for in more ways than one. However, the best laid plans etc. don’t always follow. The big day arrived, but two hours before the guests were due, Evelyn was not well and was taken to hospital for a check-up. As you would expect, there were frantic phone calls to family who were redirected to her bedside in the A&E ward. The medical news was encouraging, so we all set about singing Happy Birthday at her bedside! I am sure that the medics would rather hear sounds of joy than of pain. Her stay was short-lived and Hyman Fine soon arranged for her return. Wait folks! That is not the end of the saga. For on the very next day, the staff at Hyman Fine made sure that her birthday was not to go unnoticed and arranged a special lunch table for the two of us in the attractive dining room, complete with named balloons etc., where we still had eyes for each other! time was enjoyed by all, including Happy Birthday from a computer, to celebrate Evelyn’s 95th birthday. This gives me the opportunity to extend my thanks and admiration to Jewish Care and the dedicated professional staff, in particular at the Hyman Fine House, to whom Evelyn and I award Five Gold Stars plus a mention in despatches. More to follow, for later in the afternoon, Evelyn’s birthday cake was retrieved and the caring staff made sure that a good Ralli Hall - Message from the Chairman by Roger Abrahams The AGM has now been and gone and I am pleased to inform The current Board and Committee membership is unchanged, you that it went very well, with a larger number attending than for which I thank all concerned. These are as follows: we have had for several years. However, more importantly, we now have four new Committee Members, all of whom are bringing much-needed and younger blood. We had nominations from Nicola Hyman (who wishes mainly to be the representative of the Israeli Dance Group), Michelle Kay and Gary Weston, with a request for co-option by Lesley Walker (which has since been approved and confirmed by the Board). They are at or about a similar age to mine when I first joined what was then the Brighton & Hove Jewish Youth Council. It then changed to become the Brighton & Hove Jewish Community Foundation, once there were fewer young members and the senior citizens joined. There will be a warm welcome at our next Management Committee Meeting which I am very excited to say will be much larger. Hopefully, it will be able to expand the scope of our Community activities and Shabbat Chukat, June 23rd 2018 by Gerald Crest issue 288 | august 2018 Myself Hon. Chairman Alan Burke Hon. Vice Chairman Philip Simons Hon. Secretary Stephen Samuels Hon. Treasurer Marilyn Fisher Committee Member Marilyn Magrill Committee Member As it is now the middle of the summer (and very hot and humid), it is quite quiet at Ralli Hall, particularly with regard to the children’s activities on the Lower Ground Floor. This gives our caretaker, Jon Gaffikin, more time to carry out much- needed maintenance and decorating. However, it will not be long before the next round of High Holy Days will be upon us and I am sure that there will be an even greater use of our facilities during the autumn and winter months ahead. will bring new ideas and a greater dynamism. I look forward to seeing you at Ralli Hall. Together with Ivor and Gweni Sorokin, Sharon and I joined with the Collick family and the Edgware Masorti Congregation and enjoyed a special Kiddush in honour of Joel Collick making Aliyah and soon entering the IDF. Joel read Haftorah so very proficiently. He has led and assisted in leading the Services for some years and will be sorely missed but his regular return visits will be looked forward to and we will look forward to hearing about his new life. Rabbi Jeremy was on top form and strong of voice. In spite of his ill health he addressed us from the Bimah, something which he has been unable to do for close on five years. After shul, we were invited to join the Collick family for lunch and felt honoured to share this day with them. We wish Joel all good things in his life in Eretz Israel. 6 Sussex and the City 7 Friday Night Supper by Karen Pettitt Sussex Jewish Golfing Society by Richard Simmons issue 288 | august 2018 On the evening of 29 June, Helping Hands, together with the Lunch & Social Club, held a very successful Friday Night Supper at Ralli Hall. The idea was to allow guests, who would usually be on their own on a Friday night, to get together for a traditional Shabbat meal with friends and hopefully make new friends. Over 60 guests attended and the evening commenced at 5.30 pm with Candle lighting, Kiddush and Ha Motzi. A meal of egg & onion/chopped liver, roast chicken, roast potatoes and vegetables, followed by apple sponge, fruit salad with parve cream, was provided by the chefs from Hyman Fine House. Our thanks to Yacine & Patrick, who worked very hard, in an extremely hot kitchen. Everyone enjoyed the food, and some even had seconds! The evening concluded at 7.30 pm with Birkat Ha Mazon in good time for our guests and volunteers to be home before Shabbat came in. The feedback received so far: • Congratulations Team HH. Speaking as a client, the supper was a great success. Transport both ways. Wonderful atmosphere, very friendly servers, the tables looked great, very welcoming, excellent food. Well done ladies and gentlemen, and chef. • What a great evening, excellent food, good company, what more could we ask for? • Many thanks for a lovely erev shabbas meal, good food, good atmosphere and plenty of hard working helpers and wonderful value. A big thank you to all our volunteers and to Jacquie from the Lunch & Social Club for her support, to Ralli Hall for the use of the facilities and to the Community Renewal Fund for their support. We look forward to seeing everyone once again at our next Tea on Sunday, 12th August at 2.30 pm at the Ajex Hall. A word from one of our volunteers: Having been a ‘phoner-upper,’ (phone volunteer), for Helping Hands for some years, I have recently been helping as a table host at the bi-monthly Sunday afternoon teas as well. This has been a really enjoyable experience and I have finally got to meet some of the ladies and gentlemen with whom I have been speaking on the phone for some time. It has been fascinating listening to the stories of the past from tales of New York and wartime experiences in London, to name but a few. Also, observing all the people helping in one way or another at the teas, it really hit home how wonderful this organisation has become. I have lived in Hove all my life and I am now seeing many people whom I have known, from all different parts of my life, helping with the teas: drivers and sandwich- makers, some of whom were at the same school as me; tea hosts who have been helping on committees for as long as I can remember; others whom I knew socially nearly 50 years ago; and family members driving the Helping Hands bus. All this, plus other new volunteers I am meeting for the first time through Helping Hands. Truly, Sarah and Liz and the Helping Hands team have built up an amazing network of volunteers since the start and the organisation is one that the town can be very proud of. Our July meeting at The Dyke Golf Club was our President’s Day presided over by our President, Michael Marks. We had one of our largest attendances for many years and played for one of our major cups, the Maurice Sugarman Trophy. We were delighted that Lucy Sugarman joined us for the evening meal and presented the trophy to the winning team. Other highlights of the month were our teams’ performances at the Glancy Tournament at Abridge Golf and Country Club in Essex and at the Southern Provincial Tournament at Hartsbourne Golf and Country Club in Hertfordshire, where our teams performed admirably well in stressful and testing conditions against teams representing Jewish golf clubs and societies from England, Scotland and Ireland. August will be almost as busy for us with away matches against Coombe Hill Golf Club in Surrey and Dyrham Park Golf and Country Club in Hertfordshire. We will also be sending a team to Moor Allerton Golf Club in Leeds for the Seniors’ Tournament and we will be hoping to repeat our success as winners of the Tri-Nations trophy on 22 August. This is an annual match held at a course in Berkshire against Jewish golf societies from South Wales and Bournemouth. Our Society meeting on 14 August will be at the links course at Littlehampton. This is the only golf course in Sussex that replicates the testing conditions of the Open Championship and is very popular with our members. We are looking for new members to join us, both male and female, accomplished golfers or beginners, young or not so young. For more information please contact our Hon Secretary Ashley Woolfe at: ashley@sportscastnet.com 01273 747722 6 Sussex and the City 7 Israeli Dancing outreach event by Jackie Fuller Last month the Israeli Dance group at Ralli Hall received an unusual request. It came from a school in Sayers Common called LVS Hassocks - a special school for children on the autism spectrum that has both boarders and day pupils. They were planning an ‘extra curriculum’ day with the theme of different cultures and traditions and they wondered whether we could run some Israeli dance workshops for them. We decided to rise to the challenge and four of us duly turned up on the appointed day to run three afternoon workshops. We had never done anything like this before and realised it would be quite demanding, as even adults without any learning difficulties, usually need to come a couple of times before they start getting the hang of it. We realised that the steps would have to be simplified for the children and the main thing was that they should enjoy moving to the lovely Israeli music and have a good time. The photo shows the four of us with some of the children. In the event they all seemed to enjoy themselves and particularly liked running into the centre of the circle with a one, two, three, kick and then out again. It was a hot afternoon, so much cold water was consumed after each dance. We were very impressed with the school, which has excellent facilities and a dedicated and caring team of teachers and carers doing a difficult job. The children certainly eat very well there too - we were grateful to be given a lovely lunch before the workshops began. A Firsht Award by Yael Breuer issue 288 | august 2018 We think it’s important to take Jewish culture out to the wider community in different ways, and this was certainly a rather unusual way. We’re very pleased to have done it. By the way, unlike most clubs and groups, the Israeli Dance group at Ralli Hall continues throughout the summer, even though numbers might be down a bit with some members away on holiday. We’d be pleased to welcome anyone interested to give it a try for a couple of free taster sessions. It’s fun and a great way of keeping fit. We meet Tuesday evenings 7.30 – 9.30 pm, but people can dip in and out during that time if they wish - it’s all very relaxed. If you might think of having a go, contact our member, Nicola Hyman, to say when you’d like to come along (nicolajhyman@talktalk.net). We’d be very pleased to see you and you can be assured of a friendly welcome. Brighton A Level student Joshua Firsht has been awarded an ‘Oscar’ for the Best Film category on behalf of the Film Studies department at the Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College. The short film, which tells the story of a boy who loses money through online poker and who plans to rob a passer-by in order to earn it back, was also screened at a special event at the Duke of York’s cinema. Proud Joshua said afterwards, “I was very pleased to hear that it was initially one of three films to be nominated for the Best Film award and was then lucky enough to win the award alongside my co-director. This is a very personal achievement for me as I aspire to become a film director in the future, with this award giving me the confidence to go out and keep on shooting”. The film ‘All In’ can be watched on YouTube channel: joshuafirsht MARTIN GROSS Funeral Director and Funeral Consultant to Jewish communities 01273 439792 07801 599771 8 Features 9 Henry Solomon Memorial Ceremony by Yael Breuer Nearly two hundred years after he was murdered, Brighton Chief Constable Henry Solomon’s memorial took place at the old Jewish Cemetery in Florence Place in Brighton, where he was buried. Representatives from Brighton & Hove Jewish community and Sussex police, including Chief Constable Giles York, attended the commemoration, organised by Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation, Sussex Jewish Representative Council and Sussex Police. The ceremony included a brief history of Henry Solomon by former Chairman of the Sussex Branch of the Jewish Historical Society, Godfrey Gould, who told the gathering how Mr Solomon was bludgeoned with a poker by a thief while he was interviewing him in his office, in March 1844. A memorial prayer was recited by Rabbi Herschel Rader who also read the memorial stone’s Hebrew inscription. Brighton Chief Constable Giles York said of his “revered” predecessor, “Henry Solomon was a generous and compassionate police officer, true to his faith and true to his office. He had 32 men working for him and I have 5,000 men and women working across Sussex and I do not have a poker in my office ... but I hope that there are elements of the work we do today that are in the same spirit of the work that was done in Henry Solomon’s days ... Sussex Police are marking their 50th year and it is important that we remember our history. It is also important that we listen to our communities and engage with them.” Fiona Sharpe, who co-organised the community aspect of the event with Tom Marvan-Toone, Sussex Police Prevent Officer, said, “This was a particularly significant event, honouring both an individual, Chief Constable Henry Solomon, who was murdered in the line of duty, but also highlighting the role that the Jewish community has played in civic life in Brighton for more than 200 years. To have the current Chief Constable of Sussex, Giles York, recognise the contribution that Henry Solomon made to the city and acknowledge the ongoing positive relationship between the police and the Jewish Community, is a great honour”. issue 288 | august 2018 Officer Marvan- Toone added, “It was important to highlight the life of Henry Solomon, whom I felt was a little forgotten and to pay tribute to the man who was pioneering in many ways. Having a Chief Constable paying tribute to a former Chief Constable is an apt tribute to a brave man who was killed in office.” Jonathan Conway, the prime organizer of the event, gave the vote of thanks. He is on the BHHC Board and responsible for the Orthodox Jewish cemeteries. He arranged for the very overgrown site to be cleared and for the headstone and grave to be renovated within three weeks – a remarkably short time for this work to be undertaken. Rabbi Rader referred to Jonathan’s outstanding work in his speech. After the event, Godfrey Gould said, “Henry Solomon represents all that is good in the Jewish community in Brighton & Hove and in the UK generally. He was an integral part of the local Jewish Community, an Elder, a Trustee and the Vice-President. But he was a man who, literally, gave his life to the Community in general, with several public appointments culminating in that of Brighton’s first sole Chief Constable. Without doubt he has been the only Jew ever to have held such a position. This event confirms, again, the special part that the local Jewish community continues to play in the life of this City.” 8 Features 9 Writing Our Own History by David Shinegold Since moving to Sussex five years ago with my partner Road, I have seen the numbers of congregants attending Sue, I have found the Jewish community in Brighton during the past year increase and remain consistently at a and Hove to be extremely friendly and outgoing. People sustainable level. However, Friday evening services have here have made us feel so welcome and in turn, we have struggled to attract a minyan. This is a difficulty which involved ourselves in some of the wide-ranging activities – could feasibly be addressed by a suitable arrangement religious and non-religious – that the community offers. between BHHC and HHC, given that joint minyanim Particularly impressive in Brighton and Hove is the large number of cross-communal organisations that provide for members of all four shuls here. There are welfare organisations delivering a whole range of services, including; Ralli Hall; Hyman Fine House; Helping Hands; religious learning groups including regular shiurim and discussion groups for men and women; an outstanding nursery; services to Jewish students at the university; Chabad; CST; Sussex Friends of Israel; the Sussex Jewish Rep Council; Sussex Outreach Group; special interest groups such as the Jewish Historical Society; the Jewish Arts Society; entertainment groups such as the Chutzpah Choir; Israeli Dance Group and Top Hat Productions and are already held on other days. At present, members of either of the two shuls are free to daven at the other shul if they choose. It therefore makes sense that during the redevelopment at New Church Road, individual members of BHHC are free to choose whether or not they would like to worship at Holland Road where they would undoubtedly be made extremely welcome. This will also provide an opportunity for members of the two congregations to experience the enjoyment of praying together and maybe collaborating in organising joint events. It would begin to establish a foundation for building a unity between the two shuls which reflects the unity already found in our wider community. communal websites and publications such as Sussex As to whether the new development should result in the Jewish News. The vibrancy and energy which all these closure of Holland Road shul, I believe that circumstances groups generate, merge together to create a thriving do not currently exist that justify the need to do so. The Community, giving its members many opportunities to developers at New Church Road have expressed their take pride in and express their Jewishness together. confidence that the new development will attract more What is especially remarkable is that these groups and organisations, whilst working closely together in harmony, are each able to retain their own separate identity. Through the continuing hard work of many, we have a strong, cohesive community which comprehensively addresses the wide variety of needs and aspirations of its members. So why does the proposal to merge the shuls of HHC with people to join the Jewish Community here. If this happens, there will be no need to close a shul in the near future. If, however, future circumstances make the closure of a shul the only sensible way forward, then the members of a united community will be in the best position to reach their own decision – however painful - without having to be told by others. BHHC generate so much angst and frustration among the During my five years here, I have learned that it is not orthodox members of an otherwise compassionate and possible to refer to the Jewish Community in Brighton unified community? and Hove without mentioning football! During the recent I believe that the act of worship is deeply personal. Where we pray on a regular basis is our own individual choice. Praying and the surroundings in which we pray are inextricably linked and have a very personal importance and meaning to each one of us. Being told that our place of worship should be permanently shut down takes away from us that important individual choice of where we would like to daven. World Cup, the England team manager, Gareth Southgate, boldly stated, “We will write our own history”. He was of course referring to the players – not the manager or the coach or the other officials who are involved with the team - the players! Those of us who are members of the two orthodox shuls in Brighton and Hove are at a point at which, together, we can write the next chapter in our own history. Let us be determined to write a history of which we can continue to be justifiably proud. We do not appreciate our choices being restricted by others. However, we do understand when our choices are necessarily affected by changes in circumstances outside our control. If we put to one side our annoyance and exasperation at being told by others what we should Brighton and Hove Jewish Housing Association provides sheltered accommodation in Central Hove do, we then have to consider whether circumstances have changed sufficiently for those of us who worship at Holland Road shul to agree to relocate to the new shul which is to be built at New Church Road. At the same time, we need to explore those areas where it is possible for two shuls to exist side by side within a unified community, establishing a strong collaborative approach which will benefit us all, without resulting in a shul closure at the present time. It currently has a vacancy for a one bedroom unfurnished flat, suitable for single occupancy. A further vacancy is expected to arise shortly for a flat that could be suitable for a couple. The affordable rent includes central heating; constant hot water; use of garden; television and telephone points For further information concerning either of these flats or to request an application form please telephone 07716 As a weekly attendee at Shabbat services in Holland 114012 or email bahjha@googlemail.com issue 288 | august 2018 10 Features 11 Zeh Rak Da’ati (This is just my opinion) by Godfrey R Gould A few weeks ago, I received a telephone call from a member along the east and west coasts, from Horsham and East of the Editorial Team of SJN suggesting that now I had Grinstead and elsewhere. Another London terminus was nothing to do, maybe I would like to write a regular column opened at Victoria. Travel was often even more uncomfortable for SJN. The assumptions were wrong and right. In the than now. Accidents occurred, one of the best known being June issue I described myself as a ‘Former Guide at Middle that in Clayton Tunnel on 25 August 1861 when 21 people Street Synagogue’ and Gordon Franks acknowledged the died and 176 were badly injured. But there were still just the contributions I had made to the activities of the Sussex two sets of tracks. Everything became so congested that Branch of the Jewish Historical Society of England. an express avoiding line - the Quarry line - was built in 1900 I may be no longer involved in the Open Days at Middle Street but I still conduct special parties round there. I still give many talks. Last month I spoke about Henry Solomon z’l at Florence Place Cemetery and on 16 September Gordon Franks and I will conduct a very limited number of people round there as a part of the Heritage Open Days (book early!). And although I do not now hold any Executive position in the Historical Society that does not stop me being consulted. I still do a lot of writing. I am giving up doing book reviews at round Redhill. Even with the quadrupling of the lines north of South Croydon between 1899 and 1903 the situation just got worse. There were many proposals for new lines none of which ever got to the Statute Book. In 1901 and 1902 there were Bills to build new all-electric railways between London and Brighton, but we had to wait until 1933 for the full electrification of the existing railway. In 1902 there was a Bill to widen the line from Preston Park to Balcombe. We are still waiting! the end of this year, but I still write for the Community On-line There are simply too many trains trying to use very limited Website on London Underground Stations and I write for capacity. Fortunately, trains are faster, and braking power and every issue a short biography in the ‘Shofar’. And much else signalling are far superior, but there is just not enough space. besides. This is exacerbated by the fragmentation between track and But the invitation to write regularly is something I cannot resist. So, to start, here is something Jewish, local, current and personal - the problems with Thameslink. signalling, rolling stock and operation. It cannot work. Dr Beeching was told to make the railways pay. He may have been a brilliant physicist but he was no realist. Railways do not pay in any conventional manner beloved of accountants. The original London and Brighton Railway was opened in 1841 from Brighton to London Bridge Station in London. Much of the funding for the enterprise came from Isaac But they are an economic and social necessity in any advanced 21st century country. Every other such country recognises this except us (or some of us). Lyon Goldsmid, a founder Director of the Company. Later, other members of his extended family were involved as well as the Rothschilds. From the outset, David Mocatta was the Company architect and as the Company grew into the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway other Jews were elected to the Board. From 1856 to 1866, Leo Schuster, a Generally, we must run the railways as integrated systems for the benefit of all of our citizens, and not towards the profits mainly of some bus companies and the nationalised railways of other countries in Europe and Asia. And locally we must build another set of tracks north from Brighton. Jewish financier from Manchester was the Chairman. When “Never in the field of Railway History have so many stupid opened, the railway had two tracks, one north and one south decisions been made by so few to the detriment of so many”. from Brighton to London Bridge. Later other lines joined from (with apologies to WSC). Contributors wanted for a new exhibition about refugees Every year, on January 27, the Lewes Holocaust Memorial Day Group commemorates the tragedy of the Holocaust that occurred during the Second World War. Next January we will be exploring the theme, ‘Torn from Home’. One aspect of our commemoration will be a photographic exhibition featuring refugees holding an artefact that they brought with them, explaining its relevance and significance to their past, present and future. We would like to contact refugees who have been forced to flee from their home because of war or persecution; or their descendants, who have inherited these artefacts. Refugees might have escaped during the Second World War or from a more recent conflict. issue 288 | august 2018 Professional photographer, Bill Knight, whose acclaimed exhibition ‘The Refugee’s Gift’ was shown along Lewes High Street in January 2016, will be taking the photos. If you want to be involved, we would like to interview and photograph you explaining the importance of your artefact, probably in late September or early October. The exhibition itself will be held in Lewes over several days next January. If you wish to take part, please contact Gaby Weiner, Lewes Holocaust Memorial Day Group, at gaby.weiner@btinternet.com or phone 0791 460 0129. 10 Culture 11 The Chutzpah Choir at la Rencontre des Chorales by Betty P Skolnick The Chutzpah and London Yiddish Choirs came together on 24 June to participate in the Festivale des Cultures Juives in Paris. We were invited by the Centre Medem-Arbeter-Ring, an organization with its origins in the socialist Bund movement which continues to encourage all aspects of Jewish culture, but particularly Yiddish language and culture. As part of the Festivale the Centre had organised a day of choral singing and we joined seven other local Jewish choirs. Who would have thought there were so many Jewish choirs in Paris! The music was very diverse, ranging from Aki Estamos singing in Ladino, to the Hebrew Spiritual Choir. We were the only participants with an entirely Yiddish repertoire, which ranged from a Yiddish version of Schubert’s The Organ Grinder from Die Winterreise to Der Yokh, an anti-fascist song originally sung in Catalan. the Centre’s accommodation and, of course, food and drink, including vodka! Polina Shepherd, our conductor, swept into Paris for 24 hours for the event but most of those singing turned the event into a short holiday. We were treated to a reception at the It was a big effort for 30 minutes of singing, but we enjoyed every minute of it. If only the trains had consistently worked in our favour. Centre Medem on the evening before the concert. Speeches If you would like to join the Chutzpah Choir, or just come of appreciation for the effort we had made to travel to Paris along for a taster session, our autumn term begins on 4 (we were the only foreign choir participating) included a brief, September. For more information please contact Betty regretful reference to Brexit. These were followed by a tour of Skolnick at chutzpahchoir@gmail.com A Serious Man On Sunday 19th August, we present of faith and family A Serious Man. Joel and Ethan Coen delinquent behaviour. return to their comedy roots with this original and darkly humorous story, about one ordinary man’s quest to become a serious man. The title should not be taken too much to heart, as basically it’s a funny film, with As a physics professor his life changes film critics saying it’s when his wife leaves him for his best friend. Apart from this ‘seriously awesome’. ongoing situation, his unemployed brother won’t move off the couch, the kids are a complete mystery to him and everything else seems to be collapsing around him, whichever way he turns. The film starts at 7.30 pm and doors open from 7.00 pm. Free to Ralli Hall members & full-time students, otherwise £4. For more information contact David Bresh at: Struggling to make sense of it all, he consults three different breshdavid1@gmail.com rabbis and their answers lead him on a twisted journey JACS by Shirley Jaffe When Per Simonssen takes on a project he is determined to see it through. As the deputy to Chairman Harold Newman of the National JACS (Jewish Association of Cultural Societies), he wanted to meet all the JACS groups around London, Westcliff and our group in Brighton, well, Hove. On the first date he was booked to come to us, I had to be with a dying friend and there being no other committee members, except our hard-pressed treasurer Moss Kimmelman, who had a medical appointment, I had to postpone Per’s visit. Then, as Per was due to set out from Mill Hill, just for a change ALL the trains from Victoria were cancelled! Not to be defeated Per drove all the way and gave us an informative and entertaining talk and discussion about JACS and his life in Sweden, Dublin and Mill Hill and surprised us all by telling us he knew Brighton well, his late wife having been a Brighton girl. issue 288 | august 2018 Discussion ranged from having entertainers versus speakers, the reduced Jewish population in Sweden - and sadly the increase of anti-semitism there. We are missing our ex-secretary, Janice and do hope she will have recovered sufficiently to be able to come and join us again soon. Speaking of which, we need an influx of new members, to participate - and hopefully to help organise. Apart from our monthly meetings, JACS has been providing two excellent holidays in Eastbourne each year for those who wanted to participate. If you are retirees, or even part retired, want to enjoy stimulating talks on a wide variety of subjects and perhaps make new friends, do come along. Our next meeting will be on August 2nd, and as our teacher speaker has had to withdraw, Tony Jaffe will give a talk about his days in National Service, called “Schoolboy to Soldier”. Do come along - it should be entertaining! 12 HHC Rabbi Hove Email: Hebrew hollandroadshul@btconnect.com Samuel Congregation, de 79 Beck Holland Road, Spitzer www.hollandroadshul.com Hove BN3 1JN Tel: 01273 732035 13 living together better by Rabbi Samuel de Beck Spitzer As we move into the ‘Zman Ellul’, the prelude to Rosh I feel that all too often in our society in Britain in 2018, Hashanna, it is incumbent upon us to once again take a these subjects are rarely part of mainstream debate or long look at our lives and the world around us so that we focus and easily discarded as matters for the fainthearted. can make change where necessary and resolution for the After all, aren’t we taught that scoring that top grade at New Year. Perhaps this is why it is the Sefardic custom school and successfully attaining that much sought-after to begin the recitation of Selichot from the first day of the job is how someone is to be valued or perceived? That is month of Ellul, to heighten our sensitivity, for there is little not to negate high aspirations for academic or professional purpose in focusing on our relationship with God, if we do excellence. not ‘clean up our act’ with our fellow man. Perhaps this is one reason why the Yom HaDin (Unlike Yom Kippur) remains a Yom Tov to be celebrated communally and amongst family, so that we do not sever our interpersonal contact on such an auspicious day but on the contrary, we are obliged to mingle. issue 288 | august 2018 Surely it is not by chance that Tisha B’Av is the last significant date that leads us into the Zman Ellul. We are told that the root cause for that date was the lack of dignity and respect afforded one another. We can tangibly feel negative and poisonous aggression even when the perpetrator appears genteel and soft of tone, One issue that seems to play a large part in many peoples’ in fact perhaps even more so. Most of us have been on lives is that of conflict and even violence. Of course, that receiving end at one time or another and it hurts. violence does not always take the form of physical violence Members of clergy, as other people of privileged position, but emotional or verbal violence can be equally devastating are certainly not immune to this and are equally susceptible and therefore, let us focus briefly on what might be the root to feelings of jealousy, anger and territorial control. Often it causes of interpersonal conflict and how we might aim to is beyond their own better judgement or moral compass as resolve them. it seeps into the subconscious and becomes visible for all Is conflict a healthy element in our lives? Do we need a certain level of it in order to progress? Is it a ‘natural’ state of the human condition and how do we address it? These to see. Of course, once perpetrated never to be rescinded and herein lies the source for most inter-generational broyges...you simply cannot erase bad behaviour. questions are not exclusively Jewish but Jews do seem to Therefore, let us resolve anew our commitment on a have a disproportionate dose of it. Is this because Jewish personal, national and global level to offer reverence to communities, as well as individuals, have had to endure our fellow man/woman, no matter his/her stature or social so much violence and opposition throughout millennia status and even when this sentiment is not reciprocated, so that they have developed a high degree of defensiveness, that we strive together for a better world to create harmony or is it due to a latent tendency whereby we are taught not strife. This to my mind is the true Torah way and a to question and challenge until proven otherwise? Any major message for Zman Ellul. exposure to Talmudic discourse will testify to this and it is therefore not surprising that Jews feature disproportionately high within the legal profession, high amongst top ranking lawyers. I am sure that we can agree that there are forms of conflict that are not necessarily negative. However, aggression that is expressed due to bigotry, arrogance, jealousy, control, intolerance and other nefarious factors, voluntary Support Agencies has no place in moral society, the workplace, places of worship or our homes. As a Rabbi, I am increasingly convinced that the correction of negative character traits is probably the single hardest and therefore most pertinent • Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club (Day Centre) 01273 739999 ralliday@tiscali.co.uk • Norwood/Tikvah, Rachel Mazzier House 01273 564021 area of religious practice, alongside the other more visible Mitzvot. Such is the moral hierarchy that we have inherited from our Torah sages throughout millennia. • Hyman Fine House 01273 688226 • Helping Hands 01273 747722 helping-hands@helping-hands.org Any serious Yeshiva student will tell you that a certain period of his day is dedicated to the study of Mussar, the • Brighton & Hove Jewish Welfare Board 07952 479111 or info@bhjwb.org; website: www.bhjwb.org study and persistent exertion towards the perfection of one’s character traits. The exponents of this area of Torah study were comprised of great Chachamim throughout the ages and experienced a heyday amongst the greatest • Brighton & Hove Jewish Housing Association. bahjha@googlemail.com • Welfare at Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue/L’chaim project 01273 737223 Lithuanian luminaries. They developed an entire philosophy • Welfare Officer at Brighton & Hove Reform. (Sue Rosenfield) for life with Mussar at its centre. The name which reigns 01273 735343 supreme in this regard is Rabbi Yisroel Salanter (1809- 1883) and he fought vehemently for this study to permeate any education that was true to Torah ideals. • Jewish Community Centre at Ralli Hall. Various communal activities. 01273 202254 or rallihall@tiscali.co.uk 12 BHPS Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue, 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove BN3 1FF Tel: 01273 737223 Email: info@bhps-online.org www.brightonandhoveprosynagogue.org.uk 13 Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue Twitter@BHPS2011 The Journey of Elul by Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah August. The month for summer holidays. This year, the Hebrew month of Elul begins on Saturday evening, 11th August. Elul has a very different feeling about it. Elul is set aside for preparation for the Yamim Nora’im, the Days of Awe, also known as Aseret Y’mei T’shuvah, the Ten Days of Returning, which begin on Rosh Ha-Shanah. Commencing on the first day of the seventh month, Tishri, Rosh Ha-Shanah ushers in an intense period of reflection and self-examination that culminates in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. It is not easy to turn our lives around and begin again. The custom of expressing our best wishes to people l’shanah tovah , ‘for a good year’, both in person, and when writing letters – and these days, emails – serves as a daily reminder to ourselves and others that the New Year is approaching. It is also traditional to visit the graves of loved ones during Elul – reminding ourselves of our connection with those who went before us, and the legacy we have received from them. On a more demanding level, Elul is the time to begin to engage in cheshbon ha-nefesh, literally, an ‘account of the soul’ – in much the same way as we examine the state of our finances; an account of our actions towards family, friends, colleagues, fellow congregants, neighbours, people in the wider community, strangers near and far, and the world around us. In the midrash, rabbinic commentary, we find the word Elul treated as an acronym for a verse from the biblical book, ‘The Song of Songs’ (Shir Ha-Shirim): Ani L’dodi V’dodi Li – ‘I am my beloved and my beloved is mine’ (6:3). Ani, like Elul begins with the letter Aleph. The letter Lamed of L’dodi stands for the first Lamed of Elul. The letter Vav of issue 288 | august 2018 V’dodi stands for the Vav of Elul, pronounced here as the Shuruk vowel ‘u’. The last word of the phrase, Li, begins with a Lamed, representing the final Lamed of Elul. This particular midrash represents the journey of the month of Elul as a journey of love towards the Eternal One, who will respond by turning in love towards each person who makes the journey (See: Y. Agnon, Days of Awe, Schocken Books, New York, 1965, p.18). Reflecting on this midrash, made me think of another way of treating Elul as an acronym, which might be helpful for our journey. Aleph is the initial letter of the word, Ahavah, ‘Love’. Lamed is the first letter of the word for ‘Heart’, Leiv or Leivav. Taken on its own the Vav/shuruk vowel ‘U’ means ‘and’ when it precedes the letters Beit, Mem or Pei, or a word where the initial letter has a vocal sh’va – the shortest vowel sound in Hebrew. The word for ‘accompany’ or ‘escort’, l’vayah, which is the Hebrew word for ‘funeral’, begins with a Lamed and a vocal sh’va. So, we can understand Elul as a journey requiring Ahavah, Leivav U’L’vayah, ‘Love, Heart And Accompanying’. We need love for ourselves and for others and for the Eternal to motivate us to make the journey. We need heart – which in the biblical worldview is the seat of thought rather than emotion – that is, we need to think and reflect on our individual lives. Finally, we need to remember that just as we accompany those who have died on their final journey, we are summoned to accompany one another as we trek towards renewal. Although each one of us must face ourselves, we are not alone. Let us make the journey of Elul together. Events@BHPS Open Wednesdays BHPS is open on Wednesday from 11 am – 4 pm for social activities. These include scrabble, chess, bridge, kalooki, exercise classes, computer training, access to the library and crafts. Please bring a packed lunch (vegetarian or permitted fish). Hot drinks are available. Ring the office for further details if you would like to join us. High Holyday Tickets High Holyday Tickets are available from the office. Please email or ring the office for more details. Students and members of other progressive congregations are free but will need a ticket for security purposes. BHPS proudly presents our Third Season of Lectures and Lunches for 2018/19 Sundays • 11.30am Welcoming drink on arrival • 12 to 1.00pm Lecture by guest speaker and Q&A session • 1pm to 3.00pm Lunch including wine or soft drinks and coffee • Only £22.50 per person, less 10% discount if all 5 booked. • Bookings to be taken soon, to a maximum of 70 people. • Non-members and their friends welcome October 14: Ann Berger, director of development, promoting the life changing medical research funded by The Rose Tree Trust. December 2: Dr Wilf Assin, consultant psychiatrist on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. ‘Not all wounds are visible’. January 27: Sir Anthony Seldon, nationally renowned educationalist, on his latest book. (Title still under wraps!) February 24: Aviva Dautch, literary scholar and poet on ‘The remarkable Isaac Rosenberg’. The First World War poet who was killed in action 1918. March 31: Dr David Jacobson, eminent Jewish historian at Kings College, London on ‘Herod’s Temple in Jerusalem’. The most magnificent building in the Roman Empire in 20 BC. PLUS Sunday: Nov 25: 10am - 5 pm: The Famous BHPS Annual Art Exhibition Collectible original art and prints together with jewellery, ceramics and pottery. Featuring the renowned Cecil Rice and other local and UK artists. All items available to purchase on the day together with Tea/ Cake and beautiful cards. 14 BHRS Rabbi Dr Andrea Zanardo Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue, Palmeira Avenue, Hove BN3 3GE Tel: 01273 735343 Email: office@bh-rs.org www.bh-rs.org https://www.facebook.com/BrightonReform 15 BrightonReform issue 288 | august 2018 Israel at a crossroads. Or: will we manage to survive without anti-Zionist Challah? by Rabbi Dr Andrea Zanardo There is no end to the debate triggered by the group of Jewish extremists who organised a demonstration in front of Westminster, including the recitation of Kaddish for terrorists. Now we learn that Ariel Gold, an American citizen, was denied entry into Israel, despite having a regular visa for study reasons. Why? For being a member of Jewish Voices for Peace, one of the groups who was at Westminster mourning the terrorists. We have been told that Israel is taking a terrible direction, towards censorship, Fascism, fundamentalism... these kinds of alarms resonate since around 1977, and each time we are told that the incumbent government is the most right-wing in the history of Israel. But this time the question seems really serious. How can you deny Ariel Gold the right to enter Israel? Ariel Gold has a very famous blog “Vegans against the Occupation”. Look for it and read it for yourself. “Walls, checkpoints, and Israeli Military Court Appearances”, “Back in Palestine” (so she has already been in Israel?). Dramatic, yes! But there is very little that is food-related, apart from some Arabic recipes which she has decided to call Palestinian. And of course, this: Vegan Anti-Zionist Sweet Potato Challah. Challah is a bread made of dough from which a small portion has been set aside as an offering in memory of the Temple in Jerusalem. I wonder how can it be anti-Zionist? And I wonder how can Israel be so foolish to prevent a similar comic genius from entering the country? Wait a minute, she is not a stand-up comedian. She is an activist. And this is sad! Truly Israel is losing the support of the most enlightened public opinion. The most right-wing government of its history is leading the Country into a dead end, far from the most progressive Jews, such as the inventor of the anti-Zionist Challah. The future of the Jewish people is indeed in danger... Then I remembered that our Synagogue has recently chosen to adopt an “Israeli First” policy regarding the food we buy for our Kiddush. Does this mean, the people who participate in our functions will find themselves deprived of the opportunity to affirm their support for the Palestinians, by consuming the unmissable anti-Zionist Challah? I wonder how we’ll survive. I thank my friend Daniel Staetsky for the culinary briefing. Editor’s Note: The sweet potato is of South American origin. Introduced to Europe by the Spanish, it spread to India and the Peloponnese islands but not the Middle East. This may be why it was chosen as the ingredient in the anti-Zionist Challah. However, the sweet potato is grown in Israel, so maybe not anti- Zionist after all! Bulletin Board - August Friday 3 6.30 pm Shabbat Kolot Saturday 4 10.30 am Shabbat Service led by Simon Followed by a special Kiddush Friday 10 6.30 pm Erev Shabbat Service led by Jason Saturday 11 10.30 am Shabbat Service led by Jason Sunday 12 2.30 pm Helping Hands Community Tea The diary is subject to change. 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.bhhc-shul.org 15 The Peace of the City by Rabbi Hershel Rader The history of the Jewish people stretches back for over other positions of communal responsibility – both within the more than four millennia; a long time before 1844 when Henry Jewish community and the wider community. His role within Solomon was so brutally murdered! the police force, charged with the responsibility to keep the Some 3,330 years ago the Israelites emerged from Egyptian slavery, journeyed through the wilderness and settled in the peace, embodied the exhortation to ‘seek the peace of the city in which I have caused you to be exiled’. Promised Land. Their descendants lived there for hundreds So, when we remember Henry Solomon we remember, of years. Eventually the northern tribes were taken into exile not only an individual but also, an ideal which has been a and later, approximately 850 years after Joshua led them into mainstay of Jewish existence for over two and a half millennia the Land, the southern tribes were exiled by the Babylonian and which should serve as a lesson to both us and the wider emperor Nebuchadnezzar. For 850 years they had been community for the future. an independent, self-governing nation with their capital in the holy city of Jerusalem and with a magnificent Temple constructed by King Solomon. Now they find themselves in exile, their capital laid waste and Temple destroyed. We can This article is adapted from the remarks of Rabbi Hershel Rader at the Memorial Service for Henry Solomon at Florence Place Cemetery held on 1st July 2018. understand the psalmist’s lament; ‘By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and also wept when we remembered Zion’. How does an exiled people react to such a situation? How do they come to terms with their lack of independence and self-determination? What attitude should they adopt to their conquerors? The prophet Jeremiah sends them a pastoral letter outlining the answers to these questions. Within this letter we find the following words; ‘Build houses and dwell in them; and plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and have sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply, and do not diminish. Seek the peace of the city in which I caused you to be exiled, and pray unto G d for it; for in its peace you shall have peace...’ (Jeremiah 29) These words determined the attitude of the Jewish exiles in Babylon and, in fact, Jewish exiles in countries and communities the world over for the next 2,600 years. Henry Solomon, in many ways, embodied these sentiments. He retained his unique Jewish identity but also played a role within the city in which he found himself. Before he became Chief Officer of Police in Brighton, he occupied issue 288 | august 2018 FOR YOUR CALENDAR Shabbat Dinner Bookings are now being taken for Friday 3 August at 8.00 pm. Just £10.00 for a fully catered, three course meal. Places are limited. All welcome. Bookings should be made via the Shul Office by ringing 01273 888 855 or emailing: office@bhhc-shul.org Annual Summer Barbeque Our Annual Summer Barbeque will take place this year on Sunday 2 September in the Shul grounds from 12.30 pm. Great food and atmosphere. Adults - £17.50 Children - £7.50. Book your place by contacting the Shul office on 01273 888 855 or office@ bhhc-shul.org. Bookings must be made by Thursday 23 August. 16 What’s on: August 2018 Website: www.sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org IMPORTANT INFORMATION For visitors using a satellite navigation system in their vehicle. JEWISH CEMETERY, MEADOWVIEW, BRIGHTON The post code for this cemetery is BN2 4DE Email: sussexjewishrepco@gmail.com SJN Email: sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org.uk JEWISH CEMETERY, OLD SHOREHAM RD, HOVE The post code for this cemetery is BN3 7EF. 16 SHABBAT SHAlOM – BRIGHTON TIMES In Light candles Out Havdalah Fri 3 8.25 pm Sat 4 9.40 pm Fri 10 8.13 pm Sat 11 9.26 pm Fri 17 7.59 pm Sat 18 9.10 pm Fri 24 7.45 pm Sat 25 8.54 pm Mondays lunch & learn with Rabbi Efune 12.30 - 1.30 pm at the Brighton Hillel Centre, 66/67 Middle Street, Brighton. Tel: 01273 321919 Fri 31 7.30 pm Sat 1 Sept 8.37 pm Afternoon Club with tea 1.30 pm. Ralli Hall. Tel: Reba 01444 484839 NOTABlE DATES Mon 27 Bank Holiday Rubber and Duplicate Bridge 1.30 pm - 4.30 pm £4.00 + £1.00 transport Ralli Hall. Tel: Reba 01444 484839 Contemporary Basic Talmud with Rabbi Efune. Men only. 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 COMMUNITy EvENTS – IMPORTANT REMINDER: Contact the Communal Diary before planning your events. Email: sussexjewishrepco@gmail.com Torah & Tea with Penina Efune. Personalising Prayer: an in-depth look at the Morning Prayers and their relevance and meaning for our lives. Enjoy herbal teas and delicious snacks. All ladies welcome. 8.00 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 PlEASE NOTE: OUR NEXT ISSUE WIll BE FOR SEPTEMBER/ OCTOBER, SO PlEASE SEND yOUR ACTIvITy DETAIlS FOR BOTH MONTHS By 8 AUGUST Tuesdays Something to Say? - Discussion Group with Rabbi Samuel, every other Tuesday Hove Hebrew Congregation, 79 Holland Road, Hove 10.30 am Tel: 01273 732035 Ralli Hall lunch and Social Club 10.30 am - 4.30 pm Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 Weekly Ralli Hall Painting with Rochelle (JAS) Studio at Ralli Hall, 2.00 - 4.00 pm. Tel: 07811 601106. NOTE: Summer break from 3 July – 9 October Chutzpah Choir yiddish singing in 4 parts with Polina Shepherd. 11.00 am – 1.00 pm weekly. For Hove venue contact chutzpahchoir@gmail.com or tel. Betty on 01273 474795 Israeli Dancing 7.45 pm - 9.45 pm Ralli Hall Tel: Jacky 01273 688538 Wednesdays Eastbourne liberal Jewish Community (affiliated to Liberal Judaism) Coffee morning, 11.00 am, 1st Wednesday of each month, Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne. Information: www.eljc.org.uk or phone 01323 725650 Thursdays Mummy and Me Goes Sensory (0-2 yrs) @ Montessori Nursery from 11.30 am to 1.00 pm. Enjoy a stimulating and engaging environment, healthy snacks, meaningful discussions and music time! Ralli Hall lunch and Social Club 10.30 am - 4.30 pm Weekly. Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH JACS members are invited on the first Thursday of every month to the RHL&SC Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH Bridge at Ralli Hall 11.00 am Weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Efune - men and ladies welcome - 8.15- 9.15 pm at Chabad House. 01273 321919 Fridays Kuddle Up Shabbat parent & child playgroup with Sara Zanardo and her guitar will recommence in the Autumn term Eastbourne liberal Jewish Community (affiliated to Liberal Judaism). Service at 6.30 pm on the 4th Friday of each month, at CTK Hall, Eastbourne, BN23 6HS. Information: www.eljc.org.uk or phone 01323 Please note that our next issue will be for September 725650 and October 2018. Saturdays The deadline for your announcements, news, views, Eastbourne Hebrew Congregation Shabbat services at 22, Susans articles, photos, adverts, etc., is 8th August 2018. Road, Eastbourne, 10.00 am. Contact 01323 484135 or 07739 082538 PlEASE COMPlETE AND RETURN yOUR NEW yEAR GREETINGS FORM TO BE SURE THAT THEy WIll BE INClUDED IN THE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER ISSUE OF SJN REGUlAR ACTIvITIES - AUGUST EvENTS IN AUGUST July 30-August 10 Summer Camp Gan Izzy 10.00 am – 3.00 pm for boys and girls aged 5-12 at New Church Road Synagogue. For details contact Rabbi Efune on 07885 538681 Thursday 2 JACS members joining Ralli Hall lunch & Social Club with guest speaker Tony Jaffe who will be giving a talk about memories of National Service entitled, “Schoolboy to Soldier”. Contact Jacqueline on 01273 739999 Wednesday 8 Sussex Jewish News - submission deadline for August 2018 issue Send your articles, thoughts, photos and announcements to sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org Sunday 12 Helping Hands Community Tea at Ajex Centre, Eaton Road, Hove 2.30 - 4.30 pm. Donation £3.00. Transport can be arranged. Contact 01273 747722 Tuesday 14 Deadline day for your New year Greetings form Sussex Jewish Golfing Society meeting at Littlehampton Golf Club. Contact ashley@sportscastnet.com Friday 17 Sussex Jewish Outreach Group Friday Night Dinner in Chichester. Contact nick@sussexjewishoutreach.com Sunday 19 Sussex Jewish Film Club presents ‘A Serious Man’ at Ralli Hall, Denmark Villas, Hove. 7.00 for 7.30 pm. Donation £4.00 Eastbourne liberal Jewish Community (affiliated to Liberal Judaism). Service at 12.30 pm, 2nd Saturday of each month, at CTK Hall, Eastbourne, BN23 6HS. Information: www.eljc.org.uk or phone 01323 725650 issue 288 | august 2018 -
Issue 287
July 2018
WHAT’S INSIDE.... LOCAL HONOUR AT JEWISH BOOK AWARD | KLEZMER SOUTH | PUPIK WHAT’S ON | AND MORE JULY 2018 • TAMMUZ / AV 5778 • ISSUE 287 2 Pause for Thought 3 The National Jewish Book Award On 6 March 2018 in New York, change have played in the Gideon Reuveni, Director of development of Jewish the Centre for German-Jewish identity, Jewish politics and Studies at the University of perceptions of Jews that Sussex, was awarded the Dorot increasingly became tied to Foundation Award in Memory of their roles as both producers Joy Ungerleider Mayerson in the and consumers. In the National category of Modern Jewish Thought Jewish Book Council review, and Experience, at the National the book was described as Book Award. He received this for a ‘well-written and incisive his study of Consumer Culture study’. It was further explained and the Making of Modern Jewish that ‘this work fundamentally Identity. The National Book Awards changes and enriches our programme began in 1950 when perspective on the image of the American Jewish Book Council Jews, as well as their self- presented awards to authors of perception, in the modern Jewish books at its annual meeting. world’. Consumer Culture and the Gideon was commended by Making of Modern Jewish the Centre for German-Jewish Identity elucidates the role that Studies on this splendid consumption and economic achievement. EDITORIAL BOARD Doris Levinson, Stephanie Megitt, Michael Rich, SJN brings local news, events, articles, reviews, announcements, people, congregations, communities, contacts and more. Delivered at the start of each month, SJN is run entirely by volunteers for reporting, editing and circulating ISSUE 287 | JULY 2018 David Seidel. TECHNICAL ADVISOR Brian Megitt ADMINISTRATOR Hazel Coppins ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Ivor Sorokin COMMUNAL DIARY info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org each edition. It has become the cornerstone of COVER IMAGE Brian Megitt the Jewish community across the region. PRODUCTION/LAYOUT Gemini Press SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 8 JULY 2018 Email address for submissions and correspondence: sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org.uk SUSSEX JEWISH NEWS SUBSCRIPTION Name:_______________________________________________ Date:_________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Postcode:____________________ Email: _______________________________________________ Telephone:____________________ Subscription (tick one) ❑ I would like to receive electronic copies of SJN. £20 p/a ❑ I would like to receive printed copies of SJN. £27 p/a. ❑ I enclose my cheque payable to Sussex Jewish News at PO Box 2178, Hove BN3 3SZ ❑ I have made a bank transfer to the Sussex Jewish News at Lloyds Bank, Sort Code 30-98-74, Account No. 00289447 and I have included my name as a reference to ensure my subscription is noted. 2 Sussex Jewish News PO Box 2178 • Hove BN3 3SZ Telephone: 07906 955 404 Contents 3 FEATURES 1 CONSTRUCTION IN JERUSALEM Photo by Brian Megitt 2 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT Dr Gideon Reuveni of the Centre for German- Jewish Studies receives a National Jewish Book Award 7 COMING SOON A Pupik arrives in Worthing 8 IN MEMORIAM Obituaries REGULARS 4 SUSSEX AND THE CITY Your news, views and stories from across the county 10 CULTURE The first Klezmer South 16 WHAT’S ON – JULY Regular and special events in your community YOUR COMMUNITY 12 BRIGHTON & HOVE HEBREW CONGREGATION 13 HOVE HEBREW CONGREGATION 14 BRIGHTON & HOVE PROGRESSIVE SYNAGOGUE 15 BRIGHTON & HOVE REFORM SYNAGOGUE Full page (A4 size) £170 Half page (A5 size) £100 Quarter page (A6 size) £65 1/9 page (credit card size) £40 Personal Announcements in a box (up to 6 lines): £25 Announcements up to 3 lines £10 Flyers: Price on application Local Jewish charities will not be charged, subject to editorial decision. Sussex Jewish News (‘SJN’), its Editor and Editorial Board: • are not allied to any synagogue or group and the views expressed by writers are not necessarily those of SJN; • accept advertisements in good faith but do not endorse any products or services and do not accept liability for any aspect of any advertisements; and • welcome readers’ contributions but reserve the right to edit, cut, decline or submit the content to others for comment. To ensure that we receive your submissions by email, please send them ONLY to sjneditor@sussexjewishnews. com, otherwise we cannot guarantee their consideration for publication. To assist the Editorial Board, submissions should be in Word format using Times New Roman font, size 12. Receipt of submissions may not be acknowledged, unless specifically requested. As the Editorial Board is made up entirely of BOOK NOW! 07906 955 404 volunteers, any response may be subject to delay. ISSUE 287 | JULY 2018 Note: Change of Date Sunday 12th August At the AJEX Hall, Eaton Road, Hove 2.30pm - 4.30pm Tea & Entertainment Donation £3 Including Raffle ticket Please call Helping Hands 01273 747722 if ou wish to attend. Transport can be arranged. We look forward to seeing ou. Communit Tea 4 Sussex and the City 5 Your news Births Thank you Mazel Tov to Rebecca Graber and Chris Johnson on the birth of their daughter Esther Maya Irvyn Isaacs z’l Special birthdays Barbara Isaacs, together with Robert, Elena and Angela Mazel tov to Charles Cyzer, Juliette Rajak, Bernard Roland and Judith Yaffe and all who have special birthdays this month thank their family, the Rabbonim, their many friends and acquaintances and the community on the comfort and support, including visits, letters and cards which they received on the death of their beloved husband and Mazel tov to Bernard Roland on your 80th birthday. father Irvyn z’l. With much love from Marianne, Andrew, Marcia, Isobel and Saul. Michael Brummer z’l Achievements Danny and Alex Brummer would like to express their appreciation for all the wonderful messages, phone calls Mazel tov to Ivor Caplin who is to be the next Chair of the Jewish Labour Movement and letters of condolence received on the recent passing of their father Michael Brummer (zikhrono livrakha) at the age of 103 years. He led a remarkably long and adventurous life and the support of the local communities Special Anniversaries: and tributes paid to him have been both moving and inspiring. They have helped the family to bear the grief. Mazel tov to Margaret and Robin Wood on the celebration of their Brighton and Hove has lost a real Tzadik. Golden Wedding Anniversary Deaths Rabbi Charles Wallach would like to thank those who expressed condolences to him on the loss of his sister, We wish Long Life to Ruth Wallach. • Alex, Danny and family on the passing of their father, Michael Brummer z’l Kosher Food and Nosh • David Rothstein and family on the passing of his mother Anita Rothstein z’l Ivor Caplin The KLBD Roadshow is coming to Holland Road Shul on 31 July. Only £3.00 to include light refreshments. Time to be announced. • The family of Joyce Friend z’l (formerly Joyce Miller) wife of Geof Friend and mother of Darren and Marc Miller KLBD Roadshow Your views I have been an avid reader of SJN for some years, probably since its inception. It is an excellent publication and helps enormously to keep the community together with news and interesting and thought-provoking articles. But one in particular that caught my eye in the last edition was ‘Being Green’. I don’t know who the author is nor where it came from but I hope that it reaches a wider audience. It was a wonderful commentary on modern life and so true. It brought back many memories. Congratulations on producing a great magazine and I look forward to receiving the next edition. Best wishes, John Gold ISSUE 287 | JULY 2018 Arrange a KLBD Roadshow for your shul, charity or group Taste over 90 newly KLBD certified products sold in shops and supermarkets everywhere. Contact Sharon Feldman-Vazan 020 8343 6327, 07956 563778, sharonfv@klbdkosher.org “Fantastic event. Everyone loved tasting the huge selection of products that they hadn’t realised were kosher.” 4 Sussex and the City 5 News from the Outreach by Nick Beck West Sussex Jewish Community held a Friday night service and light dinner the day before Shavuot. Around 2 dozen people enjoyed the service, led by Gerry Crest, with food catered by Annette Norris. This was the first actual service for the WSJC and despite using an array of Siddurim, the experience was very enjoyable. At the next of the monthly Shabbat evenings, hopefully we will have use of our own Siddurim, as edited by Gerry. ISSUE 287 | JULY 2018 This will be at the Heene Community Centre, Heene Road, Worthing BN11 4PL starting at 7.30 pm. After the Kiddush there will be a finger buffet. There is always an element of food, so people have time to enjoy each other’s company. At the same time as we are developing our act in West Sussex. We also plan to develop into the north of the County (between Horsham, Crawley and East Grinstead) as we estimate there to be approximately 350 Jewish people in those areas. We are also receiving overtures from the Seaford and Eastbourne areas and we hope to develop there in the next weeks and months. Each area is different. Whereas we inherited an ongoing community in Worthing and there is a shul in Eastbourne, other towns require us to develop from the start. We welcome all, whatever denomination or none. We are not in competition with the shuls, as we have a very active working relationship with most of them. We welcome all enquiries and offers of help. Our website will tell you more -www.sussexjewishoutreach.com or email us at nick@sussexjewishoutreach.com or phone 01273 728178. Ralli Hall by Roger Abrahams Our AGM took place on 13th June. I shall report on this in the August issue: I am pleased to say that we had new nominees for the management committee. Those of you who are members of B&HJCF will have received their AGM papers during the month of May and will have had the opportunity of reading the Minutes of the last AGM and also my Hon. Chairman’s Report. 2016 was not a particularly good year with respect to our financial situation. However, things have picked up a good deal since then and you will have seen in our latest Financial Statement, also included with the AGM papers, that not only have we made up the previous deficit, but also we finished the year well in the black. My particular thanks to our Centre Manager, Maxine Gordon, who has worked extremely hard to bring in the cash, despite difficult and worrying family health problems, fortunately since resolved. 2017 saw a number of new clients using our excellent facilities, plus a great many important Community events held in the Great Hall and the Magrill Lounge. To save repeating myself, please refer to my Hon. Chairman’s Report for last year, where I have provided a good deal of information concerning the happenings at Ralli Hall and also took the opportunity of introducing our new caretaker, Jon Gaffikin, who continues to surprise me with his myriad skills and as mentioned previously, his sunny disposition. Finally, I must take this opportunity of mentioning an amusing, heartwarming and lucrative ten week commercial letting, which will have finished by the time you read this. Known as The Posh Club, this has provided a Friday lunchtime entertainment and activity for, to quote, Swanky Senior Citizens, Elegant Elders and Glamorous Golden Girls, for the 60+s. Those attending (for just £5.00, as it is backed by the Arts Council), have enjoyed a cream tea, Vaudeville-style entertainment, an opportunity to dance, or just to meet like- minded persons, whilst dressed in their best. Every week the Great Hall has been full to overflowing for a fun-filled three hours and we already have a provisional booking for next year. I have been told by the organisers, two delightful young ladies, that they have thoroughly enjoyed their time at Ralli Hall and that The Posh Club is successfully held in a number of venues around the country and also in other English- speaking countries. I gather that it has received about 1.2 million approvals on Facebook – not bad, eh? I look forward to seeing you at Ralli Hall. Voluntary Support Agencies • Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club (Day Centre) 01273 739999 ralliday@tiscali.co.uk • Norwood/Tikvah, Rachel Mazzier House 01273 564021 • Hyman Fine House 01273 688226 • Helping Hands 01273 747722 helping-hands@helping-hands.org • Brighton & Hove Jewish Welfare Board 07952 479111 or info@bhjwb.org; website: www.bhjwb.org • Brighton & Hove Jewish Housing Association. bahjha@googlemail.com • Welfare at Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue/L’chaim project 01273 737223 • Welfare Officer at Brighton & Hove Reform. (Sue Rosenfield) 01273 735343 • Jewish Community Centre at Ralli Hall. Various communal activities. 01273 202254 or rallihall@tiscali.co.uk 6 Sussex and the City 7 Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club by Jacquie Tichauer We are delighted that we were awarded £315 from Waitrose come in and have a ‘The Community Matters’ - so to everyone who put the green word with me? coins into our box - thank you very much. (This is from all those 5ps we now pay for carrier bags). We are very grateful to Waitrose and thank them very much. As stated in the last SJN, we are starting a choir and we really Our regular quiz afternoons are becoming a great success need someone to and oh boy! I really believe we have some competition for the Eggheads. help us get this off the ground. The person We had our first film afternoon on 31 May when we showed The Jazz Singer with Neil Diamond. Of course, you cannot we are looking for needs to come in have a film without popcorn and ice cream, but unfortunately only for an hour on a there were a few teething problems which will be sorted out Tuesday or Thursday by our next film. afternoon once a Our new menus are a great hit with sweet and sour chicken or spaghetti bolognese and garlic bread as well as our pancakes for dessert. Sounds good? Why not come and try our great menu? month. I would take the choir myself but unfortunately my singing is definitely not up to par! So We really need some new volunteers and members for a please, if you have an hour to spare or have a friend who Tuesday or a Thursday. We are a friendly crowd, so why not could help us, we would appreciate this so much. Sussex Jewish Golfing Society by Richard Simmons Our June meeting at Ifield Golf Club near Crawley was our Our meeting on 18 July will be at the picturesque Singing Captain’s Day and was thoroughly enjoyed by a large number Hills Golf Club in Albourne, where we will be playing for the of our members. We have not visited this parkland course for Sugarman Trophy, one of our major annual trophies. We hope many years and it was great to hold our meeting at the club Lucy Sugarman will be joining us for the evening meal to where our Captain, Malcolm Sharpe, has been a member for present the trophy to the winner. many years. We are looking for new members to join us, both male and Our June matches at the Dyke Golf Club against Potters female, accomplished golfers or beginners, young or not Bar Golf Club and the Dyke’s Early Birds Golf Society were so young. For more information please contact our Hon annual fixtures which we always look forward to, as many of Secretary Ashley Woolfe at: ashley@sportscastnet.com our opponents have become good friends over the years. As usual, the matches were keenly fought. On 13 June, we were honoured to host the prestigious Metropolitan golf competition at the Dyke, organised by and Brighton and Hove Jewish Housing Association under the auspices of the Association of Jewish Golf Clubs and Societies. Despite very demanding course conditions, we acquitted ourselves very well against strong teams from the London Jewish golf clubs and golf societies. This was good practice for the equally prestigious Glancy competition at Abridge Golf and Country Club in Essex on 7 and 8 July, when we compete against Jewish golf clubs and golf societies from all over the UK and Ireland. Also, for the Southern Provincial competition at Hartsbourne Golf Has a vacancy in central Hove For a one bedroom unfurnished flat Suitable for single occupancy Affordable rent includes – central heating, constant hot water use of garden, television and telephone points. Please telephone 07716 114012 or and Country Club when, as defending champions, we will compete against teams from the London Jewish golf clubs and societies. email bahjha@googlemail.com for an application form ISSUE 287 | JULY 2018 6 Coming soon 7 A Tale of Friendship, Immigration and... Belly Buttons in Worthing by Yael Breuer Pupik - Yiddish and colloquial Hebrew for belly button - is a theatrical performance that tells the story of immigration, adaptation and life-long friendship through dance, movement, humour and various spoken languages. This is a story of two women, performed by London-born Naomi Silman and Tel Aviv-born Yael Karavan, whose own lives, journeys and families’ backgrounds were the inspiration for the performance. Yael Karavan, now living in Brighton and the founder of the Karavan Ensemble, and Naomi Silman, who lives in Brazil and is a member of acclaimed company Lume Teatro, met twenty- two years ago as students at The Ecole Philippe Gaulier in London. Although they worked together on various projects over the years, this production is their first joint collaboration as creators and performers. In Pupik they tell the story - using a mixture of English, Hebrew, French and Portuguese - of two women living on opposite sides of the world but tied unconditionally to each other by their deep friendship, striking similarities and common ancestors. “We try to unearth what connects us despite our differences. We want to take the audience on a journey through time and space, unveiling the layers of their personal stories and ancestral backgrounds, tracing a line from the personal to the universal in the attempt to tackle some vital contemporary questions about identity, roots, displacement, borders, and the concept of a Home”, says Naomi. Even though both Naomi and Yael are Jewish, and the performance is based on their own backgrounds - Yael’s ancestors hailed from Eastern Europe and she herself travelled the world with her family as a young girl, due to her father’s job as a sculptor, while Naomi made Aliya with her mother at the age of nine - they emphasise that it is not necessarily and exclusively the story of the Jewish people. “Despite being inspired by the concept of the Wandering Jew, the need to adapt to other cultures, languages and countries is very common these days by so many different people. There are so many refugees, from many different cultures, and many people who find themselves ‘foreigners forever’ or eternal immigrants. They, too have stories of nomadic lives, or displacement and of adaptation”, says Yael. The show ends with the two women being physically connected through a red ribbon that is attached to their belly buttons, their ‘Pupik’, as a symbolic element of a strong bond. “The ribbon is of course a metaphorical connection, a link through our very core. We look inside ourselves and at each other to find meaning and to bring that meaning from our own personal selves to the stories of others,” says Naomi. Pupik is coming to the Pavilion Theatre, Worthing, on 24th and 25th July at 8.00 pm. Prices- £11/£10. To book - https://worthingtheatres.co.uk/ show/pupik/ ISSUE 287 | JULY 2018 COMPETITION In what context would your Jewish grandmother have used the word Pupik? Send your answers by email to SJN by 12 July and one lucky person will win a free ticket to see the show on 25 July. (All replies will be put into a hat and the lucky ticket drawn by an independent verifier.) 8 In Memoriam 9 A Personal Appreciation of Irvyn Isaacs (z’l) by Ivor Richards Jewish tradition holds Maidstone but in 1970 they moved to Brighton together with that the world exists only us, their three children. Here, he joined Abbey Life and gained because of 36 righteous a wonderful reputation for his integrity in business. people. It has been my privilege to know three of them. They were my Over the past few days, people have spoken to us and described Dad in the following ways: late father-in-law, Joe da What a lovely man Costa and his brother Ben (z’l), and the third was Irvyn Isaacs. I had the pleasure of knowing him both socially What a gentleman What a gentle man A good friend Someone who could always be relied upon and communally. Although we belonged to different synagogues this did not Dad impressed upon us to ‘always do the right thing’. If we had a family crest, that would be the motto! prevent us from working Dad loved community. He felt it important to contribute his together for the benefit time, effort, skills and talents, being treasurer of a number of the whole community of societies, including the Synagogue, the Syd Lawrence – I as Chairman and Irvyn Orchestra Society and the Crescent Operatic, amongst as vice-Chairman of the others. (then) Brighton & Hove Jewish Representative Council. I can say with complete sincerity that we never had a cross word or disagreement on any significant matter and his advice was He loved people He loved being with people always concise and to the point. He loved having a house full of friends Some of us may remember his dedicated efforts to help bring He loved having a house full of family about a full merger of the Orthodox communities, an effort Dad was good at asking questions. He was even better at which he led almost to fruition. Although this did not succeed listening to the answers. Nothing filled him with more joy than for reasons beyond his control, he may well have pointed hearing about the lives and achievements of his five fabulous the way for later efforts as we may see in the not too distant grandchildren. future. Should this transpire it would be right for Irvyn’s earlier efforts to be remembered in a fitting way. You will all know that Mum and Dad were a marvellous Team. They were married for over 58 years. Despite his illness, his I am also aware that in the branch of financial services to biggest concern was always for Mum’s welfare. And he spent which he devoted much of his productive years, he developed his final months ensuring that she was able to take over all and retained a reputation for putting his clients’ interests the roles and responsibilities that they had shared. ahead of his own, and this in a field which is littered with many examples of the latter - another example of his integrity and adherence to the Jewish values in which he believed. And finally, he knew that she would be supported and cared for by this wonderful community of devoted family and friends. I could not possibly cover all of his qualities in such a short memoir. Everyone who knew him will be able to add their own personal memories. Mine are of a good friend, a dedicated family and community man and, above all, a good soul. May he rest in peace. Thoughts of Irvyn Isaacs z’l from his children, Robert, Elena and Angela Our Dad was born in Coventry in 1933 where his father, Reverend Philip Isaacs was the Minister of the local synagogue. He was articled and qualified as a chartered accountant, following which he was called up to do his National Service. Subsequently he lived in London where he worked as a company accountant with the Reed Paper Group. He met our Mum in 1959 and they got married six months later in 1960. They lived in Edgware and then in ISSUE 287 | JULY 2018 8 In Memoriam 9 Michael Brummer Z’l A tribute by Alex Brummer The last journey of my to his birthplace to visit his parents and younger siblings father, Michael Brummer, in territory under Hungarian control. He was beaten up at took the cortege past the station by Arrow Cross thugs but made his way to the the Hove Hebrew family home and farm and encouraged his younger brother Congregation on Holland to escape with him to England, where his older brother Hillel Road, which had been already was established as Chazan-Mohel at St Annes near such an important part of Liverpool. his life. The doors of the shul had been especially opened along with the gates to the aron kodesh. As the procession reached the doors in the milky May sunshine, His younger brother was turned back at the Czech border and, like the rest of the family, was caught up in the Shoah. My father’s parents were to die at Auschwitz. His younger siblings, through grit and willpower, survived. My father eventually made it to England as Neville Chamberlain declared war. Rabbi Samuel de Beck It was a blessed escape and he had an early introduction Spitzer miraculously to British tolerance when an unknown lady engaged him in appeared to make the conversation and walked him across London from Victoria to delivery of a cake for the Kings Cross to help him on his way to Liverpool. Shabbat Kiddush. He stood on the steps of the synagogue, opened his lungs and recited verses from tehillim (psalms). Passing cars stopped and waited reverently, paying a silent tribute to an unknown warrior. He eventually settled in Brighton as a farmer, poultry supplier and kosher butcher as well as delicatessen proprietor. He would meet my mother, from the old established Anglo-Jewish Lyons family, on the steps of Middle Street synagogue. My father Michael lived to 103 years, outlasting all of his generation in the golden era of Hove Jewry when the pews of Holland Road synagogue were packed. Congregants came to hear the golden voice of Chazan Kalman Fausner, the spluttered and passionate sermons of Rabbi Wilner and the full-throated chants of the Rev Shlomo Josephs. As a longstanding warden and vice-president there was no more outstanding servant to the community than Michael. Right up Few who came into his shop on Waterloo Street, then the Golders Green Road of Hove, knew of the adventures which brought Michael to Brighton. The heyday of Brighton and Hove Jewry is past. My father was the link in the golden chain to a new generation on the south coast. The old-established communities are seeking to rebuild shuls and community centres for a new generation. until his 103rd birthday he was in his seat smiling, shaking Michael’s death marks the end of an era. hands, worrying about the minyan and immersed in prayer. A long and complex journey brought my dad to Brighton. He was born in the shadow of the Carpathian mountains on the border between Hungary and Czechoslovakia near the town of Berehove. It was territory which would change hands six times in his lifetime, eventually landing in the Ukraine. At the age of 14 he travelled to Pressburg (Bratislava) where his older brother Hillel was training to be a cantor. My father was a glass merchant’s apprentice but also became part of the Yeshiva community and attracted to the tough intellectual Zionism of Ze’ev Jabotinsky. From there my father found himself drawn to a pre-Israel naval unit based near Genoa in Italy, where he spent two years training to become an arm of the future Jewish state. In 1938, with conflict widening across Europe, my father and his Zionist compatriots, in their naval uniforms, sailed to Palestine, with the intention of landing in Haifa. Instead they were turned away by British mandate forces and warning shots were fired. The young Zionist sailors returned to Europe in the midst of the Anschluss as Nazi troops swarmed across Austria. Making his way across war-strewn Europe, my father returned All photos courtesy of Melanie Seligman ISSUE 287 | JULY 2018 MARTIN GROSS Memorials All aspects of stone-masonry undertaken from new to renovation and cleaning 01273 439792 07801 599771 10 11 Culture The First Klezmer South by Jackie Fuller and Doris Levinson It all started when a member of the local Chutzpah Choir, led by Polina Shepherd, asked whether there was anywhere she could learn to play klezmer without having to go to London to the Jewish Music Institute. The short answer was ‘no’ but that led to the idea of having a workshop day of playing, singing and dancing here in Brighton & Hove. A ‘KlezNorth’ had existed for some years in Derbyshire, so why not a ‘Klezmer South’? Several choir members put up some very generous seed money to cover up-front expenses which it was hoped to recoup through ticket sales. One member offered to design the flyers, another to set up and manage the website and volunteers came forward to help in many other ways: hosting the teachers and visitors, manning the registration desk, photocopying music sheets and timetables, organising refreshments on the day, helping with publicity, and so forth. Polina and Merlin Shepherd set about inviting other teachers and agreeing terms with them. Some rooms were booked at B&H High School in Montpelier Road, convenient to shops and not too far from the evening concert at the Brunswick pub in Holland Road. And so it all came together as a collective effort and just over 50 people signed up for the workshop on Sunday 10 June, with the concert (also open to the public) being completely sold out several days before the event. During the day, as well as the playing, Yiddish singing and dancing, much enjoyed by all, there was an interesting presentation by Vivi Lachs about her new book, Whitechapel Left to right: Michael Alpert, Daniel Gouly, Polina Shepherd, Suzi Evans, Vivi Lachs and Merlin Shepherd. (Photo by Doris Levinson) Notes, giving new perspectives on Jewish history via the poetry and song of Yiddish-speaking immigrants in London 1884 - 1914. She sang a few of the songs and there were others in the evening concert, including some from the former Yiddish music hall. The other teachers included Michael Alpert, Daniel Gouly and our own Polina and Merlin Shepherd, all of whom have impressive credentials in the world of the klezmer revival and Yiddish culture and song. As luck would have it, 10 June was a lovely sunny day and the sea was looking at its best. Between the workshop and the concert there was time for a stroll along the seafront and ticket holders were able to make use of the Brunswick pub bar and the outside seating area, where some chose to eat, at a discount, before the show. All the teachers were given a slot to perform in the concert and were enthusiastically received. New klezmer tunes, old ones and toe-tapping music, as well as traditional East End music hall stories and songs were on the menu. The audience was delighted and mesmerized. At the end all the performers came together on stage for a final klezmer jam – alas far too short as the concert absolutely had to finish at 11pm and for various reasons had started a bit late. It was good to see people from all age groups, both men and women, participating in this event and let’s hope it will be the first of many more to come. Klezmer South was organised by The Polina Shepherd Vocal Experience with the generous support of Rosy Armitage. ISSUE 287 | JULY 2018 16 Culture 11 Our Cover Picture If you are in the Rehavia district of Jerusalem and you walk down Menachem Ussishkin road towards Bezalel road you will come to the junction with Mordechai Narkis street. Cross over that and within a few yards there is a street on the right called Menora, which has a few shops on it, including a locksmith’s which does a very healthy business in key cutting, and an Italian restaurant. Just past this there used to be a large car park which is now a building site surrounded by hoardings to keep curious on- lookers away and which provide a series of huge canvases for local artists. I say artists because the artwork that covers these temporary walls is quite stunning, including a portrait of the head of one of the local yeshivas. ISSUE 287 | JULY 2018 We are appealing to you Or at least we hope we are Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club wants:- You as a member You as a volunteer You as a supporter via our 100 club The Lunch and Social Club has been serving this community for over 17 years and needs your continued support. Please contact Jacquie on 01273 739999 or call in on a Tuesday or Thursday for a chat, we’d love to see you. Our picture shows the construction of a tall crane, the likes of which can be seen on building sites the world over but how do they get there? This one arrived as a flatpack on the back of a truck that was so large it completely took up the width of the street. A mobile crane slowly but surely hoisted the component parts into place and each part was bolted together on site. The picture shows the construction of the horizontal jib section with the mobile crane supporting the loose section as a man bolts it onto a fixed section. The inset photo gives you an idea of the working height. 12 BHHC Rabbi Hershel Rader Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation, 31 New Church Road, Hove BN3 3AD Tel: 01273 888855 Email: office@bhhc-shul.org www.bhhc-shul.org 13 Self Awareness by Rabbi Hershel Rader How well do we really know people? We meet them socially The true measure of an individual is how he acts in a difficult and they seem so pleasant, so affable and so ...... nice. But or threatening situation, not in the comfort of a dinner party or how do those who encounter them in a different setting feel wedding celebration. Adversity exposes the real person. about them? What is the opinion of those who do business with them? What is the view of their employees? How do they act in a pressurised or challenging situation? The sidra of Devarim is always read on the Shabbat preceding Tisha B’Av. It is the first sidra of the book Deuteronomy. Encamped on the borders of the Promised Land, Moshe begins a review of the events which had taken place during the previous forty years. He recalls the incident of the spies he sent to reconnoitre the land and how they brought back a negative report which resulted in the Israelites spending nearly thirty-nine more years in the wilderness. How could these men, handpicked by Moshe, act in such a way? Didn’t Moshe choose good, righteous people for this important task? One explanation is that when the spies saw the land they felt threatened. They had enjoyed an idyllic existence in the wilderness with all their material needs catered for directly by On Tisha B’Av - the Fast of the Ninth of Av - we recall the horrors of the Roman destruction of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple, as well as so many other tragedies which have befallen our people during the long years of exile. In the Talmudic narrative of the Roman siege of Jerusalem we encounter the great sage Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai who ensured the future of the Jewish people by saving the Torah centre of Yavneh from the Romans. The Emperor Vespasian granted him this seemingly insignificant seat of learning without realising that the continuity of the Jewish People depends on the continuity of Torah learning and observance. Before he died Rabbi Yochanan told his disciples ‘May you fear heaven as much as you fear people’. This visionary Rabbi understood human nature. He knew that we often act in one way before people but quite differently in private, when only G-d is our witness. G-d. They realised that once they entered the land this would The question I began with can be taken a step further - how come to an end. Confronted with what they regarded as a well do we know ourselves? How we deal with adversity and severely undesirable change they put their own concerns first how we act when there is no one there to witness our actions; and rebelled in a way that no one could have foreseen. these are the true measures of our humanity and integrity. Summer Annual Barbeque Tisha B’Av Times Shabbat 21st July Mincha at 8.35pm followed by Shiur Fast commences at 9.02pm Our Annual Summer Barbeque will take place this Maariv followed by Eichah at 10.06pm year on Sunday 2 September in the Shul grounds. Great food and atmosphere. Sunday 22nd July Adults - £17.50, children - £7.50. Shacharit and Kinnot at the later time of 9.00am Mincha at 8.10pm Book your place by contacting the Shul office on Tisha B’Av Video presentation 01273 888 855 or office@bhhc-shul.org. Bookings Maariv and fast ends at 9.43pm followed by Havdala must be made by Thursday 23 August. and light refreshments For your calendar Catered Lunch & Learn Shabbat Dinner Wednesday 11 July, 12.15 - 1.30 pm. The Dinner for Friday Night 6th July is SOLD OUT Just £7.50 for a fully catered, three course meal. Bookings are now being taken for Friday 3 August at Places are limited. All welcome. Bookings should be 8.00 pm. made via the Shul Office by ringing 01273 888 855 Just £10.00 for a fully catered, three course meal. or emailing office@bhhc-shul.org ISSUE 287 | JULY 2018 12 HHC Rabbi Samuel de Beck Spitzer Hove Hebrew Congregation, 79 Holland Road, Hove BN3 1JN Tel: 01273 732035 Email: hollandroadshul@btconnect.com 13 Web: www.hollandroadshul.com Rabbinical and Familial Travails by Rabbi Samuel de Beck Spitzer The Hebrew month of Av makes me very nostalgic for the city of Lisboa (Lisbon) Portugal, where I was previously the community Rabbi. It is a culmination and mix of many different tales combined with warm summer evenings that inflect the purely magical natural light that hits those cobbled stones. Personally, it is reminiscent of Jerusalem where, if one listens carefully enough, one can hear the scores of untold Jewish stories wafting through the air. Of course, I think that there are subconscious connotations of Tisha B’Av, the 9th day of ‘Av’ with Lisboa. Historically, it is the Hebrew date for the onset of the Spanish Inquisition (The precursor to the Portuguese Inquisition). These 15th Century Inquisitions deserve articles unto themselves, let alone tomes of historical accounts that have already been written, but suffice it to say that sitting low in the beautiful Esnoga (Synagogue) of Lisboa on that typically sweltering solemn day has left its indelible mark on my soul. My sense of saudades (an exclusively Portuguese term that really does not have an English equivalent), that blend of melancholia mixed with sentimental longing, has a much more personal source. My grandfather, the Baron Philip de Beck Spitzer, lived in Lisboa along with his mother Helena on ‘Rua de Ataide’ to be precise, a fifteen minute walk from the Esnoga in a palatial mansion named ‘Bella Vista’. They escaped the Nazis from a town called Lugos (which was then within Transylvania) and home to the maternal family ‘Beck’, having secured false identification papers, of which I still have copies. Incidentally, the family ‘Beck’ were a prominent Rabbinical family dynasty and the name seems to be an acronym for Beit Kodshim, a priestly lineage. Ironically, Salazar, the Portuguese wartime dictator, as well as allowing for the free transit of Nazis through to South America from his European shores, also allowed for the entry of a sizeable Jewish community of refugees from German controlled Europe. I was told of instances where Jews, having escaped their wartime horrors, would encounter their Nazi oppressors Do you have a spare 10 minutes once again on the quayside of the Lisbon marina awaiting passage to the New World. Hence, the current day unusual Jewish community blend of 19th century émigré families to help research into well-being in the Jewish community? from Morocco amidst post-war European refugees ... go figure! I also had the deep pleasure of meeting several remaining Yiddish speaking survivors of the ‘Shoa’ who spoke of my grandfather rather fondly; especially those of the female gender. Indeed, it was in Lisboa that he met my ISSUE 287 | JULY 2018 We are recruiting Jewish participants to complete a short survey about Jewish identity and psychological well-being, as part of a research project at the University of Sussex. grandmother, Tatyana, daughter of Prince Obolensky of Russia (one of the assassins of the supposed man of the The survey is accessible at https://bit.ly/2Jjhljb cloth, Rasputin the charlatan) who had escaped the Russian Participation is entirely voluntary and anonymous. Revolution as a baby with her mother of Polish origin to You will be asked questions about your religious and France, settling in the Loire. I remained extremely close to cultural identity, community engagement and life her until her passing in 2000. satisfaction. Today, my paternal grandfather, who died in 1984, lies Please contact Noemi Reiner on n.reiner@sussex.ac.uk alongside his mother in the Jewish cemetery in Lisboa and if you have any questions about this research, and how very ‘coincidental’ that I should have been officiating at burials only a few feet away from their resting place. Incidentally, the burial shrouds that are used in Lisboa are still hand made by female members of the community, as was the tradition. But before Philip’s soul was returned to his Creator, he played a significant role in the building of the State of Israel, in those formative years when letters were still hand-written and sent by boat. He donated handsomely to the creation of the Israel Museum, being a personal friend of Teddy Kollek the late Mayor of Jerusalem, built a centre for soldiers in Haifa and contributed a wing within the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot. His ties to the Kennedys, the Shah of Iran and the global business community made him a significant advocate for the fledgling state, to say the least. As the Rabbi of Lisboa, I was in essence the Rabbi to the country and therefore gained much exposure to the Diplomatic/Ambassadorial Community. It proved to be an enriching stint and a steep personal learning curve. Unfortunately, the Community remains rather splintered and internally fractured, which I am sure local readers to Brighton & Hove will altogether relate to. Notwithstanding, Lisboa is a city of architectural beauty and mystery ... Jewish mystery no less. Many of you will probably be aware that it was only fairly recently (in fact, during my tenure there in 2015) that the Portuguese government, following in line with Spain, offered their citizenship to people who can prove their Portuguese ancestry. Of course, with Brexit on our doorstep this will undoubtedly be an incentive for those readers who stem from the Iberian Peninsula. But whether you hail from those parts or whether you stem from the Australian outback, be sure to pay a visit to the Portuguese Capital; perhaps it beckons for a cross-communal trip? I can personally assure you that you won’t regret it and I am glad to hear from reliable sources there, that my Rabbinical legacy lives on. do not hesitate to share the survey with your friends and family! 14 BHPS Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue, 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove BN3 1FF Tel: 01273 737223 Email: info@bhps-online.org www.brightonandhoveprosynagogue.org.uk 15 Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue Twitter@BHPS2011 July: A time to Remember by Rabbi Elli Tikvah SarahWith July, summer begins in earnest – weather permitting, month of July in the 13th and 19th centuries respectively, we of course. This year, Tishah B’Av, the 9th day of the Hebrew can see how external socio-political realities impacted on month of Av, falls towards the end of July. Commemorating Jewish life. The mediaeval period was grim, and after more the destruction of King Solomon’s Temple by the Babylonians than a century of persecution, on July 18, 1290, King Edward in 586 BCE and the destruction of the last Temple by the ‘the confessor’ signed the edict of expulsion of the Jewish Romans in 70 CE, Tishah B’Av is a day of mourning, marked community from England, which dictated that every last Jew by fasting. The other principal observance is the reading of had to leave by All Saints Day, November 1st. But that was m’gillat Eicah, the scroll of Lamentations, the biblical book not the end of the story. Oliver Cromwell instigated the revival that describes the havoc wreaked on Jerusalem and its of Jewish life in England by inviting the Jews of Holland to inhabitants by the Babylonians. settle in the 1650s. And then, following the 1789 French Those devastating events belong to the distant past, but annual commemoration ensures that they are remembered. Moreover, subsequent catastrophes deliberately scheduled for Tishah B’Av – most infamously, the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 – have reinforced the sense that Jewish history is one long inventory of churban, destruction; what the 19th century German Jewish historian, Heinrich Graetz, Revolution, the destruction of the feudal social structure that had forced Jews to live a segregated existence led to a complete transformation in the circumstances for Jewish life across Europe. So: July 23, 1858 marked the Parliamentary emancipation of the Jews of England. 12 years later, on July 14, 1870, the United Synagogue was established. July 2, 1871 saw the foundation of the Anglo Jewish Association. described as ‘a vale of tears’ (See the five-volume English On July 9, 1885, Nathaniel Meyer, the first Lord Rothschild edition of his History of the Jews, 1891-92). But this is a took his seat in the House of Lords. You could say that by one-sided view. Jewish life has also thrived in many different the late 19th century the Jews of England had made it. times and places over the centuries – not least, in Babylonia, where the magnificent 63-volume Talmud was redacted in 500 CE, and in Muslim Spain, where Jewish poetry and learning flourished for many centuries before the reconquest by the Christian monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella that culminated in expulsion. But a new century saw a change in Jewish fortunes. As hundreds of thousands of Jews fled pogroms in Czarist Russia from the 1880s onwards, Britain’s toleration of its small Jewish community gave way to fear, resulting in the enactment of the first anti-immigration legislation in this country, the 1905 Aliens Act. And so, the complex, changing The story of the Jewish people is complex. If we take the story of Jewish life in this country continued... And it journey of the Jewish community in Britain as an example continues: challenging us now to acknowledge – and survey a few key events that happened in England in the and remember – times of joy as well as times of sorrow. Events @ BHPS Onagim ‘Oneg’ is the Hebrew word for delight. Join us on Friday evenings at 7.30 for a shortened service, light refreshments and an interesting talk or discussion. The Friday evening Onagim are held once a month and follow the Shabbat evening service. All are very welcome, but non-members please contact info@bhps-online.org or 01273 737223. July 13 - Karl-Friedrich Waffel: ‘My Bauhaus Journey – from Berlin to Tel Aviv There will be a summer and High Holyday break and the Onagim will recommence in October. Oct 12 - Dr Ben Kasstan: ‘The Charedim of Manchester - culture, faith and health’. Open Wednesdays BHPS is open on Wednesday from 11 am – 4 pm for social activities. These include scrabble, chess, bridge, kalooki, exercise classes, computer training, access to the library and crafts. Please bring a packed lunch (vegetarian or permitted fish). Hot drinks are available. Ring the office for further details if you would like to join us. ISSUE 287 | JULY 2018 Exploring Judaism Led by Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah, Exploring Judaism is open to all those who wish to broaden and deepen their Jewish knowledge. The curriculum draws on Jewish texts (e.g. Torah, TaNaKH, Mishnah, Talmud, Siddur & Machzor) and includes an exploration of the differences between Liberal Judaism and other Jewish denominations. The course includes the festivals and commemorative days as they come up. All classes are held on Shabbat from 2.15-3.45 pm, after the Access to Hebrew class (1.00 -2.00 pm) 7 July: Jewish History & Geography II 14 July: Tishah B’Av & Jewish Memory This is the final class until the autumn Saturday 14th July, 11 am: Beit Midrash Service Every month Rabbi Elli leads a Shabbat morning Beit Midrash service which includes an opportunity to look at the text of the week’s parashah in more detail. On 14th July we will be studying Mattot/Mass’ei. Saturday 21st July, 7.30 pm - Erev Tishah B’Av Service For more information please see the BHPS web site or contact the office by phone or email. 14 BHRS Rabbi Dr Andrea Zanardo Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue, Palmeira Avenue, Hove BN3 3GE Tel: 01273 735343 Email: office@bh-rs.org www.bh-rs.org https://www.facebook.com/BrightonReform 15 BrightonReform ISSUE 287 | JULY 2018 Look in the Book of Numbers! by Rabbi Dr Andrea Zanardo I happen to be invited sometimes to talk about Judaism in different schools. It’s part of my duties as a Rabbi and I do it willingly. Quite often, even when the students have been properly taught about Jewish practices, like kashrut or Shabbat, I am asked a very challenging question. That is, why? Why be Jewish? If a good person can be a good person without being Jewish, then what is the point of Judaism? Of course, it is not easy to understand, even for us, this strange thing that Judaism is a religion and Jews are a people held together by a religious faith. And I appreciate the candour of the children who ask this question. I think that in the Torah portions we read in these weeks we can find an answer. I like the Book of Numbers. Probably it does not have the historical charm of Exodus, or the intellectual one of Leviticus or the cosmological one of Genesis. It is the story of a series of conflicts and clashes between God and the people of Israel. Between a God who makes promises and a people that does not want us to believe or pretends not to understand. The story of how difficult it is to maintain a relationship with God and how this relationship can become problematic. Because most of the time the people of Israel do not believe, or do not want to believe in the divine promise, so what do they do? They challenge their own leaders, Moses and Aaron, whom they think are the representatives of God on Earth. Numbers is a succession of conflicts between God and people and successive reconciliations. And around this series of conflicts, around the relationship with God which also includes many difficult moments, the unity of the people of Israel is built. Quite often the Israelites show a lack of confidence and of faith. They think they cannot do it. They exaggerate the difficulties and call the land of Israel a land “that devours its settlers”. This display of disbelief really resembles a teenagerish outburst of anger and as a result God acts as a parent of a rebellious teenager. The people will wander for forty years before entering the land. The generation who lacked faith will die in the desert, during the wandering. After this episode, in precisely the same Torah portion we read the commandment of the tzitzit. Which is part of the Shemah, the prayer we recite every day, to remind us of the Divine Promise and of our duty to be bonded, literally, to it, to deviate neither to the left nor to the right. This is truly remarkable. Right after having read the account of the Divine anger, and the childlike provocation by human beings, we find the reiteration, the repetition of the Divine Promise. It is like a family relation. First you have harsh words, anger, fury. Then the renewal of peace and reciprocal dedication. This is the way human beings grow and evolve through family relations. In the Book of Numbers we read the account of a process of maturation, of becoming an adult and learn how to overcome moments of anger and accept boundaries and limitations. This, I think, is a teaching for all human beings, not only for Jews alone. And I am so proud I am given the opportunity to share this teaching with students of every background. Bulletin Board - July Sunday 1 Cheder visit to Jewish Museum, 10.00 am Friday 6 Shabbat Kolot, 6.30 pm Saturday 7 Book Club, 9.30 am Youth Event, 12.30 pm Sunday 8 Cheder last day of term, 9.50 am Saturday 14 Rabbi’s Torah Breakfast, 9.00 am *** Shabbat Doroteinu & Shabbaton, 10.30 am Sunday 15 BHRS AGM, 6.30 pm Saturday 21 Havdala followed by Erev Tisha B’av Service & study, 6.00 pm Saturday 28 Youth Event, 3.00 pm *** Please book your place by calling the Shul Office The diary is subject to change. Job Vacancy Cheder Head Teacher Posion Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue Our ideal candidate will: ◊ Be available Sunday mornings and 1 mid-week morning per week (10 hours per week) ◊ Have a teaching qualificaon and up to date knowledge of current teaching pracces ◊ Have leadership experience and can demonstrate drive, energy and passion ◊ Be a creave thinker and have the ability to inspire and movate both children and staff ◊ Share Reform Judaism values and demonstrate a knowledge of Judaism and Jewish pracces in an educaonal seng ◊ Be able to have effecve relaonships with all stakeholders; including the Cheder children, Rabbi, parents, helpers, staff and the Synagogue Council ◊ Be able to help develop a vision for the future direcon of the Cheder Salary: to be negoated For a Job Descripon and Person Specificaon please contact: Liz Shaw, Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue, Palmeria Avenue, Hove BN3 3GE. Tel: 01273 735343 Applicaon by CV to: Sharon Rose at cyp@bh-rs.org 16 What’s on: July 2018 Website: www.sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org Email: sussexjewishrepco@gmail.com SJN Email: sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org.uk COMMUNITY EVENTS – IMPORTANT REMINDER: Contact the Communal Diary before planning your events info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org SHABBAT SHALOM – BRIGHTON TIMES REGULAR ACTIVITIES In Light candles Out Havdalah Fri 6 8.57 pm Sat 7 10.24 pm Fri 13 8.52 pm Sat 14 10.16 pm Fri 20 8.45 pm Sat 21 10.06 pm Fri 27 8.36 pm Sat 28 9.54 pm COMMUNITY EVENTS – IMPORTANT REMINDER Contact the Communal Diary before planning your events Email: sussexjewishrepco@gmail.com Please note that our next issue will be August 2018. The deadline for your announcements, news, views, articles, photos, adverts, etc., is 8th July 2018. IMPORTANT INFORMATION For visitors using a satellite navigation system in their vehicle. JEWISH CEMETERY, MEADOWVIEW, BRIGHTON The post code for this cemetery is BN2 4DE JEWISH CEMETERY, OLD SHOREHAM ROAD, HOVE The post code for this cemetery is BN3 7EF. Mondays • Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Efune 12.30 - 1.30 pm at the Brighton Hillel Centre, 66/67 Middle Street, Brighton. Tel: 01273 321919 • Afternoon Club with tea 1.30 pm. Ralli Hall Tel: Reba 01444 484839 • Rubber and Duplicate Bridge, 1.30 pm - 4.30 pm ₤4.00 + £1.00 transport Ralli Hall. Tel: Reba 01444 484839 EVENTS IN JULY 2018 • Contemporary Basic Talmud with Rabbi Efune. Men only. 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 Sunday 1 • Torah & Tea with Penina Efune. Personalising Prayer: an in-depth look at • Sussex Police Commemorative Service for murdered Chief of the Morning Prayers and their relevance and meaning for our lives. Enjoy Police Henry Solomon at Florence Place Cemetery, Ditchling herbal teas and delicious snacks. All ladies welcome. 8.00 pm at Chabad Road, Brighton 11.00 am -12.30 pm House 01273 321919 Thursday 5 • SARID (Association of Jewish Refugees) meets every 3rd Monday • JACS members joining Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club, with guest speaker National Vice-Chairman Per Simonssen. of the month at 10.45 am, Ralli Hall. £1.50 Tel: 0208 385 3070 or email esther@ajr.co.uk Contact Jacqueline on 10273 739999 Tuesdays Sunday 8 • Something to Say? - Discussion Group with Rabbi Samuel, every • Sussex Jewish News – submission deadline for August other Tuesday Hove Hebrew Congregation, 79 Holland Road, Hove 10.30 am 2018 issue. Send your articles, thoughts, photos and Tel: 01273 732035 announcements to sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org • Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club, 10.30 am - 4.30 pm Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 Weekly Ralli Hall Friday 13 • BHPS Oneg with guest speaker Karl-Friedrich Waffel on My Bauhaus Journey – from Berlin to Tel Aviv at 7.30 pm, 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove. Contact info@bhps-online.org or 01273 737223 • Painting with Rochelle (JAS), Studio at Ralli Hall, 2.00 - 4.00 pm. Tel: 07811 601106. Summer break from 3 July – 9 October • Chutzpah Choir Yiddish singing in 4 parts with Polina Shepherd. 11.00 am – 1.00 pm weekly. For Hove venue contact chutzpahchoir@gmail.com or tel. Betty on 01273 474795 Wednesday 18 • Sussex Jewish Golfing Society meeting at Singing Hills Golf Club, Albourne, Sussex. Contact ashley@sportscastnet.com • Israeli Dancing, 7.45 pm - 9.45 pm Ralli Hall Tel: Jacky 01273 688538 Wednesdays Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 • Pupik, a new play at the Pavilion Theatre, Worthing at 8.00 pm (see inside for details) • Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community (affiliated to Liberal Judaism) Coffee morning, 11.00 am, 1st Wednesday of each month, Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne. Information: www.eljc.org.uk or phone 01323 725650 Tel: 01903 206206 Thursdays Tuesday 31 • Mummy and Me Goes Sensory (0-2 yrs) @ Montessori Nursery from • KLBD Demonstration of Kosher Foods at Hove Hebrew Congregation, 79 Holland Road, Hove. £3.00 to include light 11.30 am to 1.00 pm. Enjoy a stimulating and engaging environment, healthy snacks, meaningful discussions and music time! refreshments. Time to be announced • Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club 10.30 am-4.30 pm Weekly Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH • JACS members are invited on the first Thursday of every month to the RHL&SC Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH • Bridge at Ralli Hall 11.00 am • Weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Efune - men and ladies welcome - 8.15- 9.15 pm at Chabad House. 01273 321919 Fridays • Kuddle Up Shabbat parent & child playgroup with Sara Zanardo and her guitar 10.30 am – 12.30 pm (including lunch) AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove • Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community (affiliated to Liberal Judaism). Service at 6.30 pm, 4th Friday of each month, at CTK Hall, Eastbourne, BN23 6HS. Information: www.eljc.org.uk or phone 01323 725650. Saturdays • Eastbourne Hebrew Congregation, Shabbat services at 22 Susans Road, Eastbourne, 10.00 am. Contact 01323 484135 or 07739 082538. • Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community (affiliated to Liberal Judaism). Service at 12.30 pm, 2nd Saturday of each month, at CTK Hall, Eastbourne, BN23 6HS. Information: www.eljc.org.uk or phone 01323 725650 11 -
Issue 286
June 2018
1 june 2018 • SIVAn / TAMMuZ 5778 • ISSue 286 whAT’S InSIde.... dR SAGIe | The OLd COuRTROOM | jewISh hISTORICAL SOCIeTY CeLebRATInG ISRAeL’S 70Th | whAT’S On | And MORe Whats 2 Community Spotlight Marathon Man 3 by Yael Breuer Brighton and Hove Hebrew congregation’s treasurer, Ivan funds and awareness for Tusk, a charity that works to stop Lyons, is not only busy running through financial records. The the killing of elephants in Africa as well as helping to alleviate 51-year-old Managing Director of Investment Solutions Wealth poverty in rural African communities. “Everyone loves an Management Ltd, has also been running a succession of elephant and this is a cause that both my wife Nina and I feel marathons and is currently on a quest to run 100 marathons passionate about”, he said. in 100 weeks. Ivan has already completed nearly 60 of those, among which a recent one in his home town of Brighton. Once he had completed a hundred marathons, Ivan became a member of the One Hundred Club, which is reserved for a select few. Fewer than 30 people Ivan started running in 1996, after being in the UK have so far reached this number of persuaded to do so by a friend, and has not marathons and he is the proud owner of the stopped since. At the time of writing he has Club’s vest. “Most things in life you can buy, and completed 158 marathons with a fastest if you can’t afford to buy them, you may be able personal record of 3 hours 29 minutes, to purchase them with a credit card or arrange which he did on his 40th birthday in Boston, something in order to obtain them. But this vest is USA. only available to those who earned it through hard “Reaching a sub 3:30 score I decided to set myself a new challenge, which was to run work and determination. It is impossible to obtain it otherwise.” a marathon race every month for ten years. Ivan and his wife Nina are third generation The last one of those - which was also my Brightonians and are both members of Brighton hundredth race and the most special one I and Hove Hebrew Congregation, as is their have run - was in Jerusalem a year ago. The son, Daniel. He happily admits that most of new challenge of one marathon per week for his friends and family think that he is a bit of a hundred weeks followed.” a “meshuggener” but he has no plans to stop Ivan has raised thousands for various charitable causes over the years, and is currently raising running. In fact, he has recently added another aspect to his running career - Ivan is now also ‘running’ to be elected as a councillor in Hove in the May 2019 elections. Cover: The patio garden of the American Colony Hotel in Jerusalem by Brian Megitt. A place of peace and tranquillity just off the Nablus road. issue 286 | june 2018 EDITORIAL BOARD Doris Levinson, Stephanie Megitt, Michael Rich, David Seidel, Bernard Swithern TECHNICAL ADVISOR Brian Megitt SJN brings local news, events, articles, reviews, announcements, people, congregations, communities, contacts and more. Delivered at ADMINISTRATOR Hazel Coppins ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Ivor Sorokin the start of each month, SJN is run entirely by COMMuNAL DIARy info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org volunteers for reporting, editing and circulating each edition. It has become the cornerstone of the Jewish community across the region. COVER IMAgE Brian Megitt PRODuCTION/LAyOuT Anand Day SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 7 JUNE 2018 Email address for submissions and correspondence: sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org.uk SUSSEX JEWISH NEWS SUBSCRIPTION Name:_______________________________________________ Date:_________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Postcode:____________________ Email: _______________________________________________ Telephone:____________________ Subscription (tick one) ❑ I would like to receive electronic copies of SJN. £20 p/a ❑ I would like to receive printed copies of SJN. £27 p/a. ❑ I enclose my cheque payable to Sussex Jewish News at PO Box 2178, Hove BN3 3SZ ❑ I have made a bank transfer to the Sussex Jewish News at Lloyds Bank, Sort Code 30-98-74, Account No. 00289447 and I have included my name as a reference to ensure my subscription is noted. 2 Sussex Jewish News PO Box 2178 • Hove BN3 3SZ Telephone: 07906 955 404 Contents 3 sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org FEATURES 1 AMERICAN COLONY HOTEL, JERUSALEM Photo by Brian Megitt 2 MARATHON MAN Where is Ivan Lyons running next? 7 ISRAEL’S 70TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION The event at Ralli Hall 8 DOCTOR SAGIE Remembering life on the South Coast REGULARS 4 SUSSEX AND THE CITY Your news, views and stories from across the county 10 CULTURE Jewish Historical Society and The Old Courtroom 16 WHAT’S ON – JUNE Regular and special events in your community YOUR COMMUNITY 12 BRIGHTON & HOVE REFORM SYNAGOGUE 13 BRIGHTON & HOVE HEBREW CONGREGATION 14 HOVE HEBREW CONGREGATION 15 BRIGHTON & HOVE PROGRESSIVE SYNAGOGUE Full page (A4 size) £170 Half page (A5 size) £100 Quarter page (A6 size) £65 1/9 page (credit card size) £40 Personal Announcements in a box (up to 6 lines): £25 Announcements up to 3 lines £10 Flyers: Price on application Local Jewish charities will not be charged, subject to editorial decision. Sussex Jewish News (‘SJN’), its Editor and Editorial Board: • are not allied to any synagogue or group and the views expressed by writers are not necessarily those of SJN; • accept advertisements in good faith but do not endorse any products or services and do not accept liability for any aspect of any advertisements; and • welcome readers’ contributions but reserve the right to edit, cut, decline or submit the content to others for comment. To ensure that we receive your submissions by email, please send them ONLY to sjneditor@sussexjewishnews. com, otherwise we cannot guarantee their consideration for publication. To assist the Editorial Board, submissions should be in Word format using Times New Roman font, size 12. Receipt of submissions may not be acknowledged, unless specifically requested. As the Editorial Board is made up entirely of BOOK NOW! 07906 955 404 volunteers, any response may be subject to delay. issue 286 | june 2018 Important message HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY VISITS If you are in hospital or know anyone being admitted into hospital, please get in touch with info@ sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org or telephone 07789 491279 so that a Jewish chaplain can be contacted to visit. 4 Sussex and the City 5 Your News Special Birthdays Mazel tov to to Rosemary Abrahams, Barbara Blume, Philine Harris, Adrienne Harwood, Barbara Molog, Halo Willby and all who have special birthdays this month. Achievements Congratulations to Fiona Sharpe and to Darren Abrahams who reached the semi-finals stage of the WIZO 100 Competition awards. They were both nominated for their work in the community for Inspiring Women (Fiona) and Commitment to Social Enterprise (Darren). Fiona Sharpe at the WIZO reception for the semi- finalists with El Al representatives, who were one of the event’s sponsors issue 286 | june 2018 Get Well We wish a refuah sheleimah to all who are unwell or in hospital at the present time. Deaths We wish long life to: • Martyn and Trevor Cooperman on the death of their beloved mother, Sadie Cooperman z’l, who passed away in Israel • Stella Joory and family on the death of her brother Sami Darvey z’l • Barbara Isaacs, children Robert, Elena, Angela on the death of Irvyn Isaacs, z’l, a beloved husband, father and grandfather. Stonesetting • The memorial stone in loving memory of Mr and Mrs Angelman z’l will be consecrated on Sunday 3 June at 2.00 pm at the Jewish cemetery, Meadowview, Brighton • The memorial stone in loving memory of Simon Gold z’l will be consecrated on Sunday 24 June at 3.00 pm at the Jewish cemetery, Meadowview, Brighton Your Views Historical Society – Advance Notice In 2016 Middle Street Synagogue was only 141 years old. 2016 was, of course, the 250th anniversary of the first Jew recorded as having lived in Brighton. Your readers might also be interested to know that on 30 April 2019, Lyn Julius, whose book on the Jews in the Arab lands was so ably reviewed by Rabbi Andrea, will be speaking on that very subject to the Sussex Branch of the Jewish Historical Society. Yours sincerely, Godfrey R Gould Former Guide at Middle Street Synagogue Co-editor of “Brighton Jewry 250”, the only authoritative history of this local Jewish community. Memories evoked The article written by Angela Davis brought back many memories of the early days of the Ralli Hall. Having become very involved with the Security of the Jewish Community, it had become almost a full-time job and I was very kindly given an office to work from at Ralli Hall. The wonderful group who worked so hard to develop the Community Centre were so much part of my life. Nearly every evening, time was spent with Cyril, Joyce, Mishi, the various group leaders, Renee Brooks, the founding Fathers and then so many personalities coming together with their various leadership interests; we were as family. I cannot possibly list all the names because I am bound to omit some who have played such an important part in my life least of all, Doris and Arnold. The recent events which Sharon and I were able to attend, Yom Ha’Atzmaut and Lag B’Omer, brought us together with so many with whom we had worked and socialised for so many years before health issues forced us to relocate. Now for the same reason we have returned to Sussex and have received such a warm welcome from the Community both at Ralli Hall, the Shuls and privately. Thanks especially to Roger for sticking to his guns and for his outstanding contribution. Thanks for the Yom Ha’Atzmaut team and to Rabbi Pesach, Ronnie and Wendy and the Tongdean Team for such an enjoyable evening. Now we are working with Nick and Annette for Sussex Jewish Outreach and as we grow, we fully intend to join in and support as many of the Brighton and Hove activities as possible and perhaps some of our own activities will appeal to our Brighton and Hove Community. All good wishes, Sharon & Gerry Crest Seret Israeli Film Festival We express our admiration and thanks to the management and security personnel who sensitively handled and evicted pro-Palestinian activists who infiltrated the cinema with banners and shouting in order to disrupt the screening of the film ‘An Israeli Love Story’ at the Dukes@Komedia on Sunday evening 12 May. We are reassured to know that they did not give in to the bullying and intimidation of the BDS/PSC nor are they supporting any kind of boycott of the Arts. In this season of the Brighton Festival and the Fringe Festival, it is important that freedom of speech is upheld and artistic performances from around the world are available and accessible to all. 4 Sussex and the City 5 Live and Become On Sunday 17 June, we present Live Although and Become. The film tells the story of this film is a Christian boy who escapes to Israel rather long from war-torn and famine-stricken - two and a Ethiopia by pretending to be Jewish. half hours Back in the 1980s black Falashas from Ethiopia were recognised as genuine Jews. - there is plenty of tension and However, on arrival in Israel, the boy needs to convince the Israeli authorities that he is Jewish. Eventually he is adopted suspense throughout. by a Sephardic Franco-Israeli couple. The film The boy is met with the prejudice to which the Falashas were exposed. As he grows older and becomes an adult, he confronts his past. After taking on a new identity, he meets a starts at 7.30 pm and doors open from 7.00 pm. Free to Ralli Hall members & full-time students, otherwise £4. For more information contact David Bresh at breshdavid1@gmail.com Jewish girl and a love affair begins. Sussex Jewish Golfing Society June will be even busier, with our next meeting at Ifield Golf Club near Crawley on 20 June and matches against the Early by Richard Simmons Birds Golf Society at The Dyke and our annual match against The second meeting of our golfing season was at Cuddington Potters Bar Golf Club. Golf Club in Surrey. We had a large attendance at this However, the main event will be on 13 June at The Dyke, picturesque course, located on the North Downs, with when we host The Metropolitan golf tournament played panoramic views of the London skyline. between the London Jewish golf clubs and societies, May was a busy month for us, with matches against Abridge and Hartsbourne, the London golf and country clubs, as well as our hosting of the Massin Trophy at The Dyke. Bad weather forced us to postpone our match against Abridge including ourselves, organised and played under the auspices of The Association of Jewish Golf Clubs and Societies. We are hoping that fine weather will greet the one hundred golfers and guests at this prestigious tournament. but we acquitted ourselves well in our match at Hartsbourne. We are looking for new members to join us, both male and We had a great day hosting the Massin Trophy. This annual female, accomplished golfers or beginners, young or not competition is played between the Captains and Vice- so young. For more information please contact our Hon Captains of the various southern Jewish golf clubs and Secretary Ashley Woolfe at ashley@sportscastnet.com societies. Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club by Jacquie Tichauer At the April Board Meeting of the Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club we were delighted to confer an Honorary Life Presidency on Alan Burke following the appointment of Philip Simon as Chairman. Alan founded the Lunch and Social Club in 2002 and has been a lynchpin of the organisation ever since. He has also been a staunch fundraiser for the club as well as being a bridge tutor and of course, number one bingo caller. We Brighton and Hove Jewish Housing Association cannot let this occasion pass without acknowledging Alan’s wife Shirley, a long-term volunteer and Alan’s indispensable Has a vacancy in central Hove ‘right hand man’. Alan, we thank and applaud you for all your For a one bedroom unfurnished flat service: long may it continue. Suitable for single occupancy Israeli Independence Day was a resounding success and The Lunch Club stall was a star attraction with our free latkes, of which there were none left by the end of the evening. We were also there to recruit new member and volunteers. To Affordable rent includes – central heating, constant hot water use of garden, television and telephone points. help with recruitment, the Lunch Club has a new giant banner on the railings outside Ralli Hall. Do you have any friends who would enjoy a lovely lunch on a Tuesday or Thursday and who In the next few weeks we will be starting a choir and are going to have a regular afternoon showing of a popular film as well as holding quiz afternoons. And there will be our outings to Rushfield Plant Centre in June and of course our yearly trip to Eastbourne in August, not forgetting the BBQ at Hyman Fine. Hope you all enjoy this lovely weather. Please telephone 07716 114012 or email bahjha@googlemail.com would benefit from friendship and socialising? for an application form issue 286 | june 2018 6 Sussex and the City 7 Creating a Memory Quilt by Norina Duke Did you or your children attend Yavneh or Torah nurseries? Please help us to create a new chapter. We are making a Hanging Quilt memento to be hung in the new nursery. Please attend our Summer Fair on Sunday 24th June, details of which are elsewhere in this issue, to collect the necessary materials for your contribution to what will hopefully be a beautiful piece of art work. If you are unable to attend the Fair but would like to contribute your memory on the quilt please contact Penina on 01273 328675. issue 286 | june 2018 At the Summer Fair I am once again running a tombola and a bric-a-brac stall. These have proved very popular in past years. If you have any unwanted gifts which could be used as prizes, please donate them. Also, any good quality bric-a- brac. Please drop your items off at the nursery or call 01273 779889 and we will arrange to collect. Ralli Hall by Roger Abrahams The Ralli Hall AGM will be held on Wednesday, 13 June at 8.00 pm. It is my sincere wish that more members of the community will attend this important meeting. I understand that our Committee is to be expanded by the addition to two much younger members who will join us and they will be made very welcome by the Board. I will give you more details next month. As you can well imagine, I was very proud to read in the April edition of SJN, the excellent article by Yael Breuer, our local JC correspondent, about my son, Darren, and Kate McAllister. They are co-founders of Crisis Classroom, a social enterprise based in Brighton aimed at supporting displaced refugees in Europe, to bring them education and skills of various kinds. I understand that they have been selected for the semi-finals stage of the WIZO 100 Commitment Awards and I will be even more proud if they progress further. If you have not yet read the article, I urge you to do so - not that I am biased in any way. The 70th Anniversary Celebrations of the Founding of the State of Israel took place at Ralli Hall on 18 April with the accommodation donated by the Centre. The celebrations were very successful, with well over two hundred visitors filling the Great Hall, looking at the numerous stalls, sampling the tasty food and watching the live entertainment, including a number of songs sung by our talented singing Rabbi, Samuel de Beck Spitzer, amongst other talented entertainers. This was supplemented by an art exhibition in the Magrill Lounge, mainly of original pieces of art, all submitted by many talented artists from our local Jewish Art Society. There were also children’s activities in the Youth Lounge, situated on the lower ground floor. I am sure that great fun was had by all and I congratulate the organisers, with the hope (and expectation) that the celebrations are repeated at Ralli Hall next year, and for many years thereafter. We have also just hosted the latest talk organised by the local Jewish Historical Society, a fascinating and unfortunately very downbeat research paper on the deteriorating situation of the Jewish community in Germany and Eastern Europe between 1933 and 1938. My wife (whose paternal family escaped from Dresden in 1933) and I came away quite distressed, but with more knowledge of those terrible times. We are hoping to expand the number of activities held regularly by our community at Ralli Hall, but this will depend a great deal upon members of the community wishing and willing to run them. The accommodation will be made available to you, but the success of the activities will depend on you. I look forward to seeing you at Ralli Hall and particularly at the AGM. Voluntary Support Agencies • Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club (Day Centre) 01273 739999 ralliday@tiscali.co.uk • Norwood/Tikvah, Rachel Mazzier House 01273 564021 • Hyman Fine House 01273 688226 • Helping Hands 01273 747722 helping-hands@helping-hands.org • Brighton & Hove Jewish Welfare Board 07952 479111 or info@bhjwb.org; website: www.bhjwb.org • Brighton & Hove Jewish Housing Association. bahjha@googlemail.com • Welfare at Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue/L’chaim project 01273 737223 • Welfare Officer at Brighton & Hove Reform. (Sue Rosenfield) 01273 735343 • Jewish Community Centre at Ralli Hall. Various communal activities. 01273 202254 or rallihall@tiscali.co.uk MARTIN GROSS Funeral Director and Funeral Consultant to Jewish communities 01273 439792 07801 599771 6 Features 7 Israel’s 70th at Ralli Hall by Yael Breuer Two hundred and fifty members from the Jewish and wider The event included a variety of performances by members of the community attended Israel’s 70th Independence Day event at community, a market and community stalls, children’s activities Ralli Hall. This included a memorial service for Yom Ha’Zikaron, and, of course, Israeli-style falafel and salads. Earlier in the day, a Israel’s Remembrance Day for its fallen soldiers, in which young lively children’s party had been arranged which was also very well members of the community read extracts, and recited poems. attended and enjoyed by many children and their parents. As is the tradition in Israel, the Remembrance ceremony was The Yellow Candle Project on Yom Ha Shoah this year, was followed by a party, thereby celebrating Israel’s existence but at supported by100 families from the Sussex Jewish community. the same time remembering the people who fought and died in Yellow candles, in memory of those who died in the Holocaust order to achieve Israel’s independence. and whose names would otherwise be lost, were lit on the evening of 11 April to remember this lost generation. issue 286 | june 2018 8 Features 9 The Jewish Community in Brighton and Hove by Dr Cobby Sagie It has been a while since I served as a Shaliach to the Jewish community in Brighton and Hove, in fact 35 years. We arrived with our children Tal and Rottem in the summer of 1981 and stayed until summer 1983. It was a very challenging, interesting and fruitful time for me, and also my family. My wife Ariella gave birth to Tamir, our third child, at the Sussex County Hospital. The B’rit was a unique occasion for the community since it was the first time that the three Rabbis were together under the same roof! Another very memorable day for me was celebrating Israel Independence Day in Ralli Hall. The whole community participated in the event, particularly the young community, who worked day and night with enthusiasm to assure the success of this special day and the linkage between Israel and the diaspora. I was heavily involved in the Jewish students’ lives at Sussex University who had to try to counter the anti- Israel propaganda: it wasn’t called “BDS” at that time and Jeremy Corbyn wasn’t the leader of the Labour party, issue 286 | june 2018 but nevertheless there were many vocal groups opposing the Jewish State and intimidating Jewish students. I was also very proud to see some (unfortunately not too many) families make Aliya to Israel and build their future in Israel. I think that the biggest achievement of the community at that time was the Jewish school. This was an extremely important factor in preserving the community and by offering the Jewish children excellent education and maintaining their Jewish identity. We made friends in Brighton and we are still in a very good relationship with Sandra Davis in the UK and Alan Davis in Israel. Yes, we hated the British weather, the constant grey sky and the bitter freezing cold, but I loved watching the local football team, the Seagulls, who played in the then League Division 1 at that time. Years later, we visited Brighton a few times. It was a great pity to learn that the wonderful Jewish Day School has closed and that Ralli Hall is doing many things but very little to do with the young Jewish community. Today, I’m a father of 4 children (Tom was born back in Israel), and grandfather to 6 amazing grandchildren. I’m a doctor now, specialist in the treatment of bedwetting and very much enjoy my family and my work. I wish the Jewish community in Brighton to find the way to maintain their Jewish identity and to keep supporting and identifying with Israel. The Jewish State is vastly different to those days of the early ’80s but still appreciates those who live in the diaspora and who make the effort to visit Israel for vacation, tourism and visiting family and friends. 8 Features 9 Antisemitism in the Labour Party: Whitewashed and Revealed by Winston Pickett Against the backdrop of recent council elections, where antisemitism, because it doesn’t fit its narrow ‘oppressed Labour Party candidates felt the brunt of Jewish voter minority’ mould, said Hirsh, the Chakrabarti Inquiry anger over their party’s failure to tackle antisemitism, more was destined, in the words of Howard Jacobson, to be than 100 people gathered at Ralli Hall to hear a panel ‘stillborn’. of experts explain how it is that the party where Jews traditionally have felt at home, because of its commitment to social equality and human rights, has become alien territory. The audience also heard from Judith Orenstein, a working mother-turned-activist campaigner against antisemitism, who edited and published testimonials by emeritus professors, academics, writers and members Why, despite accumulated evidence that antisemitism has of the Jewish public, who had submitted essays to the migrated from the far-left fringes to the mainstream for Chakrabarti Report, only to discover that the report had more than two years, does it seem that the Labour Party ignored them altogether. The result, edited by Orenstein and published as a book called Whitewashed, was made into a film. This was produced by panellist Ollie Ainsfield, the founder and executive producer of J-TV, and served as the centrepiece of the Ralli Hall event, which was coordinated by the Sussex Friends of Israel and the Sussex Jewish Representative Council. Finally, the audience heard from activist blogger David Collier, whose forensic, probing and evidence-based reports have exposed the extent of what he called ‘hard-core’, Holocaust-denying, ancient and contemporary antisemitic beliefs, revealing a thriving echo-chamber environment amongst Facebook groups of official Labour party members, including Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn himself. has failed so demonstrably to come to grips with a special Troubled and engaged in equal measure, the audience brand of anti-Israel Jew-hatred in its midst? came away ultimately uncertain as to how antisemitism Why, when faced with a public exposure that set off alarm bells within the Jewish community, before erupting into the mainstream media, does it seem that the Labour Party remains unable to address it? can be rolled back as long as the Labour Party leadership continues to invert the core conclusion of the Macpherson Report, which states that the reality of racism is ultimately determined by its victims. And why, when the clamour reached fever pitch in 2016, forcing the Labour Party to set up an official inquiry headed by a respected human rights attorney, who was ultimately rewarded with a peerage, did the outcome not only fail to acknowledge contemporary antisemitism and actually made it worse? “As long as antisemitism remains the only hatred that is openly slapped down as trumped-up, in bad faith and politically motivated, it will be difficult to move forward,” said Hirsh. “But the more we understand how it works and how we can make it clear to our friends and allies, the greater chances we will have.” These were the key questions to which the audience came to hear answers from each of the panellists. They heard answers from David Hirsh, a senior lecturer in Sociology at Goldsmiths, University of London and author of Contemporary Left Antisemitism (2018), who explained how a resilient strain of antisemitism has resided in the ideological DNA of leftist thought from Karl Marx to Ken Livingstone. When combined with the same Left’s belief in its own ideological purity and a history of ‘anti-racism’ that is blind to issue 286 | june 2018 10 Culture 11 Jewish Historical Society of England - Sussex Branch by Gordon Franks At the meeting of the Society held on 24 March we welcomed as our speaker Pam Fox - newly appointed national Outreach Officer. The meeting was also attended by Gabriel Herman, national Chairman. Pam’s subject featured the Jewish Community of Golders Green and some of its well-known personalities. Having lived in the area for some years, Pam was surprised to discover that no history had been written. She was, thus, inspired to rectify this omission and her resulting book, The Jewish Community of Golders Green - A Social History, published in 2016, has filled the gap. Pam’s interesting and entertaining talk was divided into three sections - the first concerning how the book came about and the fact that it was compiled mostly from the oral memories of the 100+ people she interviewed. She then moved on to the development of the new suburb - literally built from nothing in the very early part of the 20th century. The arrival of the Underground in 1907 attracted Jews, many of whom came from continental Europe and, subsequently with the outbreak of WW1, those from the East End of London. Today the mix is much more varied, both ethnically and in terms of religious outlook. The second section featured “stories”, mainly from those who remembered the Golders Green of former days - these, which feature in the book, were amusingly read by Pam’s husband, David Hart. By the middle of WW1 some 300 families were resident; more than enough to start the Shul which was later built in Dunstan Road. It had a very Anglicised ethos and was led for many years with distinction by the Rev Isaac Livingstone (often referred to as the Bishop of Golders Green!). Now around 100 years old, his daughter is one of Pam’s interviewees. The other main Orthodox Shul was Munk’s. Later on, Alyth Gardens (Reform) came on the scene and, interestingly, Rabbi Munk developed a good relationship with their Rabbis, although he did not attend any event held there. Prominent personalities, institutions (including La Sagesse Convent, the school of choice for many in an era when there were no Jewish educational establishments) and businesses formed the final part of the presentation. These included Golders Green’s first Jewish resident Sir Joseph Duveen, an art dealer, Beatrice ‘Bea’ Franks and Madame Lieberg, formidable businesswomen who ensured that the ladies of the community were fashionably clothed and corseted. Danny Abse, of literary fame and Abram Games, the distinguished graphic designer, were others in a long list of those who contributed to the unique character of this still flourishing and diverse centre of Jewish life. A full attendance, including many who shared their memories, added greatly to the enjoyment of the evening. The final meeting of the 2017/2018 season was held on 8 May, having been re-arranged from February due to the bad weather at issue 286 | june 2018 that time. It started with a short AGM being held with Michael Crook presenting his Chairman’s report. The talk was given by Dr David Junger of the Centre for German/Jewish Studies at Sussex University. The lecture, entitled Beyond Flight and Rescue. Emigration Planning of German Jews, 1933 - 1938, attracted an excellent attendance - our best of the season. The question which has so often been asked, “Why with so many warning signs in the 1920s and especially in the 1930s, did not Germany’s Jews leave at a much earlier stage?” was comprehensively answered by the explanation of the many factors - religious, political, social and cultural - that worked against this seemingly obvious solution. It was clear that many in the audience had not fully appreciated the difficulties involved and it was gratifying to come away with a deeper understanding of the situation as it existed in those dark days. Even if there had been a stronger desire to leave, where would those wishing to emigrate have gone? Many countries had strict quotas - nor for various reasons did Palestine provide an answer. The unpopularity of Zionism among many European Jews, the limits placed on immigration by the Mandate authorities and of course, Arab opposition, all worked against large numbers being admitted. Drawing on many sources this was a well-structured tour de force which provoked a lively question and answer session and provided much food for thought that we would all do well to learn from in today’s tense times. The evening also provided an opportunity for recognition of Godfrey Gould’s great contribution to the conduct of branch matters over a very long period as he relinquishes some of the duties he has so zealously undertaken. The branch owes him a great deal and we look forward to his continuing genial presence for a long time to come - no doubt fortified by the bottle of his favourite tipple and encouraged by a certificate recording his contribution locally and on the National Council. 10 Culture 11 Tony and the Old Court Room by Shirley Jaffe If you haven’t managed it previously, you would probably acquaintance was a secret and very talented playwright, so enjoy a visit to the Old Court Room which is run by my we presented his first big success, which went to Edinburgh husband, Tony Jaffe. It is situated in the little alleyway and New York. When he died, tragically young, he had been opposite the Dome Box Office, next to the Cote Restaurant. truly bitten by the theatre bug and left most of his money Owned by Brighton Council and run by the Museums team, the building was modernised with a lottery grant about ten years ago. Tony and I just happened to have been on holiday on the Nile when we saw they were having a lecture there to build the Brighton Open-air Theatre (B.O.A,T.). Another triumph was that one year, Tony was given the Latest award for the Greatest Contribution to the Festival with several actors or plays also receiving awards. about the wonderful collection of artefacts owned but hardly As age has crept up on us and wisdom grown, Tony has displayed at that time, by the Brighton Museum. opened only from Thursday to Sunday and has brought When we went in Tony was very taken with the building, the elegant panelling, the provision of raised seating and easy-to- use blackouts. The big screen suggested it would be a very good building to hold Fringe entertainments and out of that moment nine years of programming, organising and interest have arisen. Supported by my daughter Devora, who has provided the catering from the beginning, he has arranged a varied programme of plays, musical items and sometimes films, searching for that elusive thing - something to tickle the imagination of the Festival going public. back to the team two young men who assisted him at the beginning. We were also given lots of support by the Museums team. This year there were plays, musical entertainments, sing-along or cult films (e.g. Rocky Horror Show, A Clockwork Orange), children’s shows (The Boy Tom), a very funny science music show for youngsters (Ensonglopedia of Animals), our favourite conjurer (Caspar Thomas), a brilliant choir (Excess Baggage) who sold out last year), Isadora, a play about the dancer, with dancing and so on, including a new puppeteer, not to mention a stirring play about the 1978 Grunwick strike, We Are the Lions Mr There have been huge headaches - African artists simply not turning up, our ‘star turn’ play after a great first night Manager. All at very reasonable prices and with Pimm’s, coffee, tea and home-made cookies available to take in. having the chief actor stricken with a heart attack, the music groups that changed all the lighting half an hour before our first show when we got the venue back; the showman’s life is not that much fun. On the other hand, we discovered that an I suggest that you look up the Old Court Room online to see what’s on. Or, if you are around New Road seeing something else, call in for a cuppa or a Pimm’s and look for yourselves. You will be most welcome. issue 286 | june 2018 12 BHRS Rabbi Dr Andrea Zanardo Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue, Palmeira Avenue, Hove BN3 3GE Tel: 01273 735343 Email: office@bh-rs.org www.bh-rs.org https://www.facebook.com/BrightonReform 13 BrightonReform Thank you, Abu Mazen! by Rabbi Dr Andrea Zanardo Perhaps we all should be grateful to Abu Mazen. The unelected so-called President of the Palestinian Authority has recently graced the public with his version of Jewish history. In front of the highest and most authoritative Palestinian body, Abu Mazen has clarified that there has never been anti-Semitism in Muslim and Arab countries, which is plainly a lie. And, as regards to anti-Semitism in Europe, according to the Palestinian leader, it is nothing but a “natural reaction” because of the predatory, tribal, in other words, evil, nature of the Jews. So, here you go, anti-Semitism is the Jews’ fault. From the mouth of the most moderate Palestinian leader. Go figure about the “non-moderates”, then! Of course, in the following days the usual anonymous sources have rushed to reassure the public that Abu Mazen was talking only for himself, that Palestinian leaders and Palestinian people are not anti-Semitic at all. But no one dared to challenge openly the lider maximo. We have also been reminded that, while holding that weird historical reconstruction, Abu Mazen reaffirmed his support for the two States solution. Apparently, we should be grateful and we should envision a peaceful future in which the State of the Jews lives side by side with a State whose leader endorses a Nazi like ideology. And we should call this nightmare “coexistence”. There is a bigger problem. Abu Mazen’s historical fantasy is not just random talk. Rather, it is widely published in history textbooks and “educational” material, all sponsored by the UN affiliated bodies. Generation after generation of Palestinian students have been taught that there is no anti-Semitism in the Arab world, that the root cause of anti-Semitism is the behaviour of the Jews, that Zionism is a colonialist movement and so on. Which of course brings us to the painful question. Why? Why is anti-Semitism so widespread, so common? Why does anti- Semitism periodically raise its ugly head? There is of course no doubt that the Palestinians’ struggle against Israel is driven by anti-Semitism. Even without taking into consideration the peculiar historical views aired by Abu Mazen, the behaviour of the Palestinians’ leaders is eloquent in itself. Their stubborn refusal of any possible compromise shows that they are not a political movement but rather an ideologically driven, totalitarian, one. And this is exactly the point. Totalitarian regimes, be they nationalist or communist or religiously driven, (Islamist being the current fashion) do not like the Jews. They are usually anti- Semitic because they are not compatible with Judaism. This is hardly a coincidence. The philosophy of totalitarian States is all about utopia. They want to bring the heaven to earth by creating a fictional national unity, parading flags and imposing public ceremony of support for the leaders. By erasing the social classes and imposing a dictatorship of the proletariat. Totalitarian political philosophies have no time for the individual. They do not take into consideration the variety of the human being. If you do not conform to their ideals, then you are out. You think that human beings should be free to pursue the kind of happiness they like? You are subversive, you are a troublemaker. The problem, for the totalitarian regimes, is that Judaism does not believe in utopia. Rather, Judaism advocates for each human being, for each person, the right to pursue happiness with his, or her, own means, without conforming to an ideal dictated from above, from the State, from the Party, from the religious hierarchy. In the Torah portions we are reading during these weeks we find very few stories, but a lot of rules and laws. These laws and rules issue 286 | june 2018 which are revealed by God, are then discussed in the Talmud, where human beings debate and study the implications and assumptions. This is something that totalitarian regimes cannot bear. A religion, a philosophy, a culture that empowers the human beings in a never-ending work of interpretation. For this we should thank Abu Mazen. To remind the world, and maybe us as well, that Judaism is not compatible with totalitarianism and dictators. And that compromises with them are pointless. Dictators do not tolerate compromises and Jews should not make compromises with the anti-Semites. Bulletin Board - June Friday 1 Shabbat Kolot, 6.30 pm Saturday 2 Rabbi’s Torah Breakfast, 9.00 am Doroteinu & Shabbaton, 10.30 am Shabbat Service inc Aufruf of Philine & Philip Harris, 10.30 am and followed by kiddush Sunday 3 Community Tea, 2.30 pm Saturday 16 Rabbi’s Torah Breakfast, 9.00 am Friday 22 Erev Shabbat followed by Chavurah Supper, 6.30 pm Tuesday 26 Rabbi’s Shiur - Pirke Avot, 4.00 pm The diary is subject to change. 12 BHHC Rabbi Hershel Rader Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation, 31 New Church Road, Hove BN3 3AD Tel: 01273 888855 Email: office@bhhc-shul.org www.bhhc-shul.org 13 The Grasshopper Syndrome by Rabbi Hershel Rader I write these words just a week after the opening of the new They approach their leader Moshe and request that he send US embassy in Jerusalem and the simultaneous violence in spies to reconnoitre the land before they enter it. Moshe turns Gaza. Events which produced staggering, if wholly unjustified, to G-d for guidance and is told ‘it’s up to you, if you want to negative reactions throughout the world. One such reaction send spies you may do so’. Moshe accedes to the people’s was an article in the Jewish Chronicle by Daniel Sugarman request and chooses representatives of each tribe to act as who wrote that he loves Israel but ‘Israel should be ashamed’. spies, giving them specific instructions as to the nature of But that was not the end of it. their mission. In what I regard as an incredibly rare, brutally honest and We know the story, the spies return and ten of the twelve noble piece of journalism he has since recanted and written deliver a report which, instead of facilitating a strategy for an article with the headline ‘I said Israel should be ashamed conquest of the land, denied its very possibility. ‘We are not – now I am the one who is ashamed’. On Tuesday Daniel able to go up against that people, for they are stronger than Sugarman wrote an article on the clashes at the Gaza border. us’, they declared. ‘We were like grasshoppers in our eyes Today he acknowledges that he was wrong. His second and so were we in their eyes’. Hysteria broke out among the article is definitely worth reading. I was particularly struck by Israelites who proclaimed ‘Let us appoint a new head and the following passage: return to Egypt’. G-d’s response was that the Israelites would “...what really affected me the most was yesterday, when a Hamas operative went on television and claimed that, of the 62 people killed in the last two days, fifty were Hamas operatives. Islamic Jihad claimed three more, meaning that remain in the wilderness for 39 more years, during which the entire generation of adults that had left Egypt would perish. The next generation would inherit the land. The actions of the few had perverted the destiny of the many. over 80 percent of the people who were killed while trying to Every time I read this story one phrase from the spies’ breach the border were members of terrorist organisations report stands out for me: ‘We were like grasshoppers in whose direct aim is to bring death and suffering into Israel. our eyes and so were we in their eyes’. Surely, how they And I opened my eyes and saw what I had done. I had fallen into the trap I had always been convinced I would not fall into. I had condemned Israel for defending itself.” felt was a consequence of how they appeared in the eyes of the inhabitants? They should have said ‘We were like grasshoppers in their eyes and so were we in our eyes’. I feel the Torah is teaching us a profound lesson that the way It seems to me that most of us living in the western diaspora are prone to jump to such conclusions. We are affected by local media and, particularly, the reactions of our neighbours, others view us is often a result of how we see ourselves. If we lack self-respect or belief, can we really expect others to respect or believe in us? work colleagues and acquaintances. We feel part of a small, vulnerable minority and may wonder if Israel can be right when the whole world seems to condemn it. Even if we defend Israel there can be a nagging doubt somewhere at the back of our minds. As Jews this is especially true. If we are not proud of our Jewish identity and faith, if we doubt the practices of our religion, if we assimilate into the prevailing culture of ‘Israel bashing’ and doubt our rights to the Holy Land and the duty of Israel to defend its citizens, then we become unconvincing The Sidrot we will read during the month of June contain some of the most compelling biblical narratives. We encounter rebellion, subterfuge, conquest, nobility and heroism. The Israelites are forced to confront enemies from advocates of both Judaism and Israel to others and particularly to our children and families. We have always had, and continue to have, many enemies but the greatest is the enemy from within – how we view ourselves. both without and within. We discover the true greatness of Moses as well as his limitations. One of the most pivotal episodes is in the Sidra of Shelach Lecha. Here are the Israelites, barely a year after the exodus from Egypt, encamped by the border of the Promised Land. FOR YOUR CALENDAR Shabbat Dinner Friday Night 8th June Service 7.15 pm, meal 8.00 pm Catered Lunch & Learn Wednesday 13 June, 12.15 - 1.30 pm. All welcome. Bookings should be made via the Shul Office by ringing 01273 888 855 or emailing: office@bhhc-shul.org issue 286 | june 2018 14 HHC Rabbi Hove Email: Hebrew hollandroadshul@btconnect.com Samuel Congregation, de 79 Beck Holland Road, Spitzer www.hollandroadshul.com Hove BN3 1JN Tel: 01273 732035 15 “Stop and smell the roses!” by Rabbi Samuel de Beck Spitzer Looking through the Jewish calendar month of June, I see loosely translates as ‘men of devotion’, would dedicate nothing glaring out as having particular significance of note. an hour of meditative contemplation prior to opening their In turn, it leaves me in a quandary as to what to focus this mouths in prayer. Perhaps we can spare a minute? article on and forces me to observe my own emotion just a little bit deeper. These feelings I have felt before and still have them from time to time. I am certain that most people experience them, at least sporadically but try ever so hard to ignore or to cover them up with distraction. Speaking from an ‘Artistic’ and ‘Rabbinic’ perspective, the entrapments are enormous. Of course, the Artist or the Rabbi must not, apparently, publicly portray any sense of vulnerability, let alone weakness. Yet, it is often just because of these human traits that he/she embarks It is not necessarily a subject of great profundity, but upon these long and arduous roads, navigating the pitfalls very fundamental to Judaism and something that should of criticism, accolade, arrogance, flattery, pomp and pervade our entire existence but that often eludes us. circumstance, self-doubt, recognition-seeking, financial It is the illusion unless we are actually doing something gain and all in the name of artistry or sometimes worse, constructive or innovative, then we are useless. The religion. modern day Western capitalist society has managed to convince us that man’s worth is based on his output, his accumulation, his achievements, his investment. I beg to challenge that premise and shall explain. There is no greater antithesis to creative talent or spiritual exploration than the self-ingratiating Artist or man of God, who rests on his laurels or who sits on a self-professed elitist high ground, looking down on the masses. At best, Judaism attaches value to life, just by virtue of the fact that we can aim to polish our souls from all impurity and thereby a person has been granted life. It is reaffirmed in one of the lead by example, presenting ‘offerings’ to our fellow man very first blessings that we recite every single morning: “My so that we elevate our surroundings. Some refer to it as God, the soul You placed within me is pure. You created it, ‘Tikkun Olam’. You fashioned it, You breathed it into me, You safeguard it within me and eventually You will take it from me and restore it to me in Time to come. As long as the soul is within me, I gratefully thank You, Hashem, my God and the God of my forefathers, Master of all works, Lord of all souls, Blessed are You, Hashem, Who restores souls to dead bodies”. I do indeed hope that I am not quoted out of context nor grossly misunderstood, as I am sure there will be those who feel it their duty to defend some of the issues that I have highlighted. This and much more I see contained in the ‘empty’ month of June which of course is far from empty and leaves us with some respite to ponder the space and hopefully some sunshine. The implications are enormous and a sense of well-being, if fathomed correctly, can be immeasurable. That is not to say that man must not strive for high achievement but that his/her inner sense of serenity is not dependent on exterior factors, for he possesses within him the greatest gift which is not quantifiable. It impacts on legalistic and moralistic debates revolving around euthanasia, suicide, poverty, physical and mental disability, healthcare, the elderly and ultimately, human dignity. But on a more personal level, it is the basis for a healthy mental and emotional self-perception. Depression often stems from feelings of worthlessness and unworthiness, the rat-race that has become our norm has created an environment whereby we rarely turn inward to create stillness of body, mind and soul. Even in prayer, some have distracted themselves with the persistent excessive swaying bordering on the autistic. And where does it end? Can it ever end? There are simply not enough minutes in a lifetime. The idea of practical, physically dependent Mitzvot does not and should not detract from these states of spiritual awareness. In fact, one can get so caught up in Mitzva fulfilment and Minyan making that the intention and underlying motivation can be lost to oblivion. In certain quarters, Judaism seems to have lost its meditative, innately intuitive, qualities, something to which I would like to see a return. The creation of space, both physical and metaphorical, for these facets are natural human qualities that seem to have increasingly eluded us. We are told in the Talmud that in former times ‘Chassidim HaRishonim’, which issue 286 | june 2018 14 BHPS Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue, 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove BN3 1FF Tel: 01273 737223 Email: info@bhps-online.org www.brightonandhoveprosynagogue.org.uk 15 Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue Twitter@BHPS2011 Learning to Survive by Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah Last month, I re-watched Simon Schama’s The Story of the Rabbeinu Tam, the grandson of Rashi, who was the leader of Jews, first screened on BBC 2 in 2013. the Tosaphists – the ‘supplementers’ who continued Rashi’s In the fifth and last episode, ‘The Return’, focusing on Israel as the centre of the revival of Jewish life after the Sho’ah, Schama draws attention to the republication of the Talmud seventy years ago by the United States Army, following an agreement in 1946 between the commander- in-chief of the US occupying forces in Germany and the Jewish American relief organisation, the Joint Distribution work – died on 9 June 1171 (pp.140-141). To this day, the commentary of the Tosaphists appears in every edition of the Talmud – including the ‘Survivors’ Talmud’ – opposite that of Rashi. The Talmud itself is also a ‘survivor’. On another June date seventy-one years later, a disputation in Paris with the Christian authorities resulted in the burning of the Talmud by the tribunal of Church dignitaries. Roth writes (p. 147): Committee. This special edition of the Talmud was printed in On Friday, June 17, 1242, twenty-four cartloads of priceless 1948 in Heidelberg at the Carl Winter Printing Plant that had Hebrew manuscripts were publicly burnt in Paris. This previously published Nazi propaganda. disaster was mourned by the Jews hardly less bitterly than With a title page depicting the Land of Israel above an image of barbed wire surrounding a camp, what became known as the ‘Survivors’ Talmud’ includes a special dedication to the United States Army by Rabbi Samuel A. Sneig, Chairman and Chief Rabbi of the U.S. zone ‘in the name of the Rabbinical Organisation’, which concludes with these words: This special edition of the Talmud published in the very land where, but a short time ago, everything Jewish and of Jewish inspiration was anathema, will remain a symbol of the indestructibility of the Torah. The Jewish DPs will never forget the generous impulses and the unprecedented humanitarianism of the American forces, to whom they owe so much. Only 100 copies of the ‘Survivors’ Talmud’ were printed. Nevertheless, it is a potent reminder that Jewish survival is not simply a matter of physical existence. Study and an engagement with Jewish teaching has always been the the martyrdom of their brethren. Meir of Rothenburg, who was studying in Paris at the time and witnessed the holocaust, commemorated it in a heartbroken elegy (‘Ask, is it well, O thou consumed in fire’). This was the first episode in the long- drawn attack upon Hebrew literature, which, though it failed of its purpose, explains the extreme scarcity of manuscripts of the Talmud preserved at the present time. Roth’s ‘present time’ was 1931 – before the Sho’ah. Let us give thanks this June for the life and work of Rabbeinu Tam and the Tosaphists – and for the ‘Survivors’ Talmud’ of 1948. And just as important, let us acknowledge the contribution made to the revival of Jewish study in recent years by the development of Limmud, the cross-denominational Jewish educational project (that like ‘Talmud’ means ‘learning’), which has now become a regular feature of the Jewish landscape in this country, reconnecting Jews of all ages and backgrounds to our sacred inheritance. wellspring of Jewish life. Two other Talmud stories, mentioned by Jewish historian Cecil Roth in A Jewish Book of Days (Edward Goldston, London, 1931), bring this point home. issue 286 | june 2018 Events@BHPS Onagim ‘Oneg’ is the Hebrew word for delight. Join us on Friday evenings at 7.30 for a shortened service, light refreshments and an interesting talk or discussion. The Friday evening Onagim are held once a month and follow the Shabbat evening services which commence at 7.30 pm. All are very welcome, but non-members please contact info@bhps-online.org or 01273 737223. June 8: Peter Brierley: ‘The Work of CitizensUK’ July 13: Karl-Friedrich Waffel: ‘My Bauhaus Journey – from Berlin to Tel Aviv’ Open Wednesdays BHPS is open on Wednesday from 11.00 am – 4.00 pm for social activities. These include scrabble, chess, bridge, kalooki, exercise classes, computer training, access to the library and crafts. Please bring a packed lunch (vegetarian or permitted fish). Hot drinks are available. Ring the office for further details if you would like to join us. Exploring Judaism Led by Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah and open to all those who wish to broaden and deepen their Jewish knowledge. The curriculum draws on Jewish texts (e.g. Torah, TaNaKH, Mishnah, Talmud, Siddur & Machzor) and includes an exploration of the differences between Liberal Judaism and other Jewish denominations. The course includes the festivals and commemorative days as they come up. All classes are held on Shabbat from 2.15-3.45pm, after the Access to Hebrew class (1-2pm) Unit 5: From life to death 2 June Kiddushin: Marriage 9 June Divorce 16 June Death & Mourning 23 June Choosing Judaism & Mixed Faith Partnerships and Families Unit 6: Jewish history & geography 30 June Jewish History & Geography I Brain of BHPS The BHPS acclaimed Quiz is making a return appearance for One Night Only. Quiz Masters: Prue and Stan Baker Contact 01273 504099 Date: Saturday 9 June Venue: BHPS 6.00 pm arrival for 6:30 pm start Cost: £10.00 including light supper. Under 18s £5. Raffle and Bar Make up a table of 6 or come and join one. Come and compete for the Celebration Cup Only one rule: do not take the evening too seriously! Tickets from the office 01273 737223 or info@bhps-online.org or contact Sarah Winstone on 01273501604 or mob 07841488620 Email: sarah.winstone@ntlworld.com by Wednesday 6 June 2018 16 What’s on: June 2018 Website: www.sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org IMPORTANT INFORMATION For visitors using a satellite navigation system in their vehicle. JEWISH CEMETERY, MEADOWVIEW, BRIGHTON The post code for this cemetery is BN2 4DE Email: sussexjewishrepco@gmail.com SJN Email: sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org.uk JEWISH CEMETERY, OLD SHOREHAM RD, HOVE The post code for this cemetery is BN3 7EF. 16 SHABBAT SHALOM – BRIGHTON TIMES Please note that our next issue will be July 2018. The deadline for your announcements, news, views, articles, photos, In Light candles Out Havdalah adverts, etc., is 7th June 2018 Fri 1 8.47 pm Sat 2 10.15 pm Fri 8 8.53 pm Sat 9 10.23 pm Fri 15 8.58 pm Sat 16 10.28 pm Fri 22 9.00 pm Sat 23 10.30 pm COMMUNITY EVENTS – IMPORTANT REMINDER: Contact the Communal Diary before planning your events. Email: sussexjewishrepco@gmail.com issue 286 | june 2018 Mondays Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Efune 12.30 - 1.30 pm at the Brighton Hillel Centre, 66/67 Middle Street, Brighton. Tel: 01273 321919 Fri 29 9.00 pm Sat 30 10.29 pm Afternoon Club with tea 1.30 pm. Ralli Hall. Tel: Reba 01444 484839 Rubber and Duplicate Bridge 1.30 pm - 4.30 pm £4.00 + £1.00 transport Ralli Hall. Tel: Reba 01444 484839 Contemporary Basic Talmud with Rabbi Efune. Men only. 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 Torah & Tea with Penina Efune. Personalising Prayer – an in-depth look EVENTS IN JUNE Sunday 3 Helping Hands Community Tea at the AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove 2.30 pm - 4.30 pm. Donation £3.00. Transport can be arranged. Contact 01273 747722 Sussex Jewish Genealogical Society meeting 2.30 -5.00 pm, in the at the Morning Prayers and their relevance and meaning for our lives. Enjoy herbal teas and delicious snacks. All ladies welcome. 8.00 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 SARID (Association of Jewish Refugees) meets every 3rd Monday of the month at 10.45 am, Ralli Hall. £1.50 Tel: 0208 385 3070 or email esther@ajr.co.uk Abrahams Room at Ralli Hall, 81 Denmark Villas, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 3TH. Non-members donation £3.00 Tuesdays Wednesday 6 University of Sussex with guest speaker Mario Novelli on Education, conflict, war and peace: Between governance and resistance. Chowen Lecture Theatre, Brighton & Sussex Medical School at 6.00 pm Something to Say? - Discussion Group with Rabbi Samuel, every other Tuesday Hove Hebrew Congregation, 79 Holland Road, Hove 10.30 am Tel: 01273 732035 Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club 10.30 am - 4.30 pm Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 Weekly Ralli Hall Thursday 7 Sussex Jewish News - submission deadline for July 2018 issue Send your articles, thoughts, photos and announcements to sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org Friday 8 BHPS Oneg with speaker Peter Brierley on The Work of Citizens UK, Painting with Rochelle (JAS) Studio at Ralli Hall, 2.00 - 4.00 pm. Tel: 07811 601106 Chutzpah Choir yiddish singing in 4 parts with Polina Shepherd. 11.00 am – 1.00 pm weekly. For Hove venue contact chutzpahchoir@gmail.com or tel. Betty on 01273 474795 Israeli Dancing 7.45 pm - 9.45 pm Ralli Hall Tel: Jacky 01273 688538 7.30 pm at 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove. Contact info@bhps-online. org or 01273 737223 Wednesdays Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community (affiliated to Liberal Judaism) Sunday 10 Coffee morning, 11.00 am, 1st Wednesday of each month, Hydro Hotel, Klezmer South Workshop10.00 am-6.00 pm at Brighton & Hove High Eastbourne. Information: www.eljc.org.uk or phone 01323 725650 School, Montpelier Road, Brighton. Info and tickets at www.azoy. uk Thursdays Klezmer South Concert with leading Klezmer performers. 8.00 pm Mummy and Me Goes Sensory (0-2 yrs) @ Montessori Nursery from at The Brunswick, 1 Holland Road, Hove £12/£10 conc. Info and 11.30 am to 1.00 pm. Enjoy a stimulating and engaging environment, tickets at www.azoy.uk healthy snacks, meaningful discussions and music time! Wednesday 13 Sussex Jewish Golfing Society Metropolitan Golf Tournament at The Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club 10.30 am-4.30 pm Weekly. Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH Dyke. Contact Ashley Woolfe at ashley@sportscastnet.com JACS members are invited on the first Thursday of every month to the Thursday 14 BNJC presents an evening with Mona Golabek at Brighton College RHL&SC Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH Bridge at Ralli Hall 11.00 am 5.30 - 8.00 pm. Contact ashley@sportscastnet.com Weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Efune - men and ladies welcome - Sunday 17 8.15- 9.15 pm at Chabad House. 01273 321919 Sussex Jewish Film Club presents Live and Become at Ralli Hall, Denmark Villas, Hove. 7.00 for 7.30 pm. Donation £4.00 Fridays Kuddle Up Shabbat parent & child playgroup with Sara Zanardo and her Monday 18 guitar 10.30 am – 12.30 pm (including lunch) AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, SARID with guest speaker Gary Italiaaner on The Story of Larry Hove Adler - American musician at Ralli Hall, Denmark Villas, Hove 10.45 am. Donation £1.50. Contact 0208 385 3070 Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community (affiliated to Liberal Judaism). Service at 6.30 pm on the 4th Friday of each month, at CTK Hall, Wednesday 20 Sussex Jewish Golfing Society meeting at Ifield Golf Club. Contact Eastbourne, BN23 6HS. Information: www.eljc.org.uk or phone 01323 725650 ashley@sportscastnet.com Saturdays Sunday 24 Eastbourne Hebrew Congregation Shabbat services at 22, Susans Montessori Nursery Summer Family Fairwell Fair 2.30 - 4.30 pm at 31, Road, Eastbourne, 10.00 am. Contact 01323 484135 or 07739 082538 New Church Road, Hove Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community (affiliated to Liberal Friday 29 Helping Hands Saba & Safta Friday night dinner at Ralli Hall 5.00 - 8.30 pm. Contact 01273 747722 REGULAR ACTIVITIES - JUNE Judaism). Service at 12.30 pm, 2nd Saturday of each month, at CTK Hall, Eastbourne, BN23 6HS. Information: www.eljc.org.uk or phone 01323 725650 -
Issue 285
May 2018
1 MAY 2018 • IYAR / SIVAN 5778 • ISSUE 285 whAt’S INSIdE.... BEING GREEN | INtROdUCING BNJC | REFLECtIONS FROM YOM hAShOAh whAt’S ON | ANd MORE Whats 2 Changes at your SJN 3 Bye-Bye Bernie Our new Administrator After holding the post of Administrator I’m Hazel, your new Administrator. As for Sussex Jewish News for a number of you know, this post was previously years, the time has now come for me to filled by Bernard Swithern who retired step down in favour of a younger person. in April 2018. He worked exceptionally It has been my privilege and pleasure to hard and did a marvellous job have served the community as a member for many years. I’m sure you all of the SJN Team. appreciate his efforts and will join me I am delighted that Hazel Coppins is to take my place and wish her every in wishing him all the very best for the future. success. Sussex Jewish News is an As for me, I was born in Plymouth, important pillar of our community and moved to Hove with my family in demonstrates 1970 and have lived here ever since. the strength I have a degree in Biochemistry from and cohesion University College, London and I of Sussex spent many years thereafter working as a personal assistant for Jewry. Its various firms of commercial solicitors. I retired at an early age to care future is for my elderly mother and she died at the age of 100 in 2014. I am dependent married to Michael, a university academic. In 2015 I became involved upon the in local Jewish Community affairs, namely 250th Anniversary of continuing Middle Street Synagogue, Torah Academy Nursery and helping with support fund-raising for Ralli Hall. of SJN subscribers. For the last 2 years I’ve been on the editorial board of the SJN and was delighted to be offered this post. I’m sure I will enjoy my time with you all. EDITORIAL BOARD Doris Levinson, Stephanie Megitt, Michael Rich, SJN brings local news, events, articles, reviews, David Seidel. announcements, people, congregations, TECHNICAL ADVISOR Brian Megitt communities, contacts and more. Delivered at the start of each month, SJN is run entirely by volunteers for reporting, editing and circulating each edition. It has become the cornerstone of ADMINISTRATOR Hazel Coppins ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Ivor Sorokin COMMuNAL DIARy info@sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org the Jewish community across the region. COVER IMAgE Brian Megitt PRODuCTION/LAyOuT Anand Day SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 6 MAY 2018 Email address for submissions and correspondence: sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org.uk SUSSEX JEWISH NEWS SUBSCRIPTION Name:_______________________________________________ Date:_________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Postcode:____________________ Email: _______________________________________________ Telephone:____________________ Subscription (tick one) ❑ I would like to receive electronic copies of SJN. £20 p/a ❑ I would like to receive printed copies of SJN. £27 p/a. ❑ I enclose my cheque payable to Sussex Jewish News at PO Box 2178, Hove BN3 3SZ ❑ I have made a bank transfer to the Sussex Jewish News at Lloyds Bank, Sort Code 30-98-74, Account No. 00289447 and I have included my name as a reference to ensure my subscription is noted. issue 285 | may 2018 2 Sussex Jewish News PO Box 2178 • Hove BN3 3SZ Telephone: 07906 955 404 Contents 3 sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org FEATURES 1 ISRAEl’S 70TH BIRTHdAy PARTy AT RAllI HAll Photos by Brian Megitt and Melanie Seligman 2 CHANGES AT yOUR SJN Changes in administration 5 BNJC NEWS Yael Breuer talks to Marc Sugarman 9 REFlECTIONS Oliver Harris speaks at the Joint Yom Hashoah Service 10 BEING GREEN Environmentalism across the generations REGUlARS 4 SUSSEX ANd THE CITy Your news, views and stories from across the county 11 CUlTURE Rabbi Zanardo provides a book review 16 WHAT’S ON – mAy Regular and special events in your community yOUR COmmUNITy 12 BRIGHTON & HOvE PROGRESSIvE SyNAGOGUE 13 BRIGHTON & HOvE REFORm SyNAGOGUE 14 BRIGHTON & HOvE HEBREW CONGREGATION 15 HOvE HEBREW CONGREGATION Full page (A4 size) £170 Half page (A5 size) £100 Quarter page (A6 size) £65 1/9 page (credit card size) £40 Personal Announcements in a box (up to 6 lines): £25 Announcements up to 3 lines £10 Flyers: Price on application Local Jewish charities will not be charged, subject to editorial decision. Sussex Jewish News (‘SJN’), its Editor and Editorial Board: • are not allied to any synagogue or group and the views expressed by writers are not necessarily those of SJN; • accept advertisements in good faith but do not endorse any products or services and do not accept liability for any aspect of any advertisements; and • welcome readers’ contributions but reserve the right to edit, cut, decline or submit the content to others for comment. To ensure that we receive your submissions by email, please send them ONLY to sjneditor@sussexjewishnews. com, otherwise we cannot guarantee their consideration for publication. To assist the Editorial Board, submissions should be in Word format using Times New Roman font, size 12. Receipt of submissions may not be acknowledged, unless specifically requested. As the Editorial Board is made up entirely of BOOK NOW! 07906 955 404 volunteers, any response may be subject to delay. issue 285 | may 2018 Important message HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY VISITS If you are in hospital or know anyone being admitted into hospital, please get in touch with info@ sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org or telephone 07789 491279 so that a Jewish chaplain can be contacted to visit. 4 Sussex and the City 5 your News Births Mazel tov to Maggie and Arthur Oppenheimer on the birth of their grandson, Oscar Arnold Alfie Oppenheimer, son of Max and Lucinda. Special Birthdays Mazel tov to Cecilia Byrne, Sandra Carlton, Alan Durban, David De Groot, Barbara Gordon, Ian Gordon, Roland Moss, Elizabeth Sharpe, Ivor Sorokin, Vicki Symons and all who have special birthdays this month. Engagements Mazel tov to Melanie & Simon Seligman together with Nicky & David Goldberg are thrilled to announce the engagement of Daniel and Liora. Mazel tov to Rachel and Charlotte Seligman and Asher Goldberg together with grandparents Sharon & Martin Royce. issue 285 | may 2018 Anniversaries • Mazel tov to Barbara and Ian Gordon who celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary in April and will be celebrating their joint 160th birthdays in May. • Mazel tov to Eleanor and Freddy Lind on their double celebration - a special birthday for her and their 55th Wedding Anniversary. Eleanor & Freddy at their wedding in Middle Street Synagogue Get Well We wish a refuah sheleima to all who are unwell or in hospital at the present time. deaths We wish Long Life to: • Rabbi Charles Wallach on the death of his sister Ruth z’l • Simon Rickman on the death of his father, Len z’l Sussex Jewish Golfing Society by Richard Simmons The first meeting of our golfing season on 17 April was at The Dyke Golf Club, high on the Sussex Downs. Malcolm Sharpe, our new Captain, “drove-in” and the meeting was very well attended and enjoyed by all. It was a great day with an excellent dinner in the evening, before most of us rushed off to the Amex Stadium to see the Albion play Spurs. May will be a busy month for us with matches against Abridge and Hartsbourne, the prestigious London golf and country clubs, as well as our hosting of the Massin Trophy at The Dyke. We won this competition last year, which is played between the Captains and Vice-Captains of the various southern Jewish golf clubs and societies. Our next meeting will be at Cuddington Golf Club in Surrey on 15 May and we expect a large attendance. This picturesque course is located on the North Downs with panoramic views of the London skyline. As usual, there will be trophies for the high and low handicap winners presented at the formal dinner after the golf. We are looking for new members to join us, both male and female, accomplished golfers or beginners, young or not so young. For more information please contact our Hon Secretary Ashley Woolfe at: ashley@sportscastnet.com Mazel tov to Rosa and Stuart Panto on • the occasion of Emily’s Bat Mitzvah in April, daughter of Gabi & Darren Panto. • the wedding of their grandson, Dr Sam Freeman, son of Sharon & Howard, to Natasha Isaac in May. *Ed: Please note that the correct email address for the Chutzpah Choir is: chutzpahchoir@gmail.com Top Hat Productions are about to start rehearsing for their next musical extravaganza. The show dates will be Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th January 2019. Rehearsals take place at Ralli Hall on Sunday evenings. If you can sing, dance or would like to help backstage, please come to our first get-together on Sunday, June 3rd 2018 at 6.30 pm or if you can’t make it but would still like to be involved, e-mail me, Wendy Lovegrove, at tuppety1@sky.com 4 Sussex and the City 5 BNJC - The Brand Yael Breuer in conversation with Marc Sugarman, a trustee of the Bloom Foundation, provides us with an insight into plans for the redevelopment of the New Church Road site and the purpose of the brand ‘BNJC’, which stands for Brighton Jewish Community. BNJC has embarked upon an exciting project aimed at reviving the Jewish community in our beautiful city. Our community has seen a sharp fall in numbers, particularly among children, and this threatens Jewish continuity in the city. We want to change this dynamic by helping bring the community together, supporting existing organisations and investing to offer young families the fundamentals for a Jewish life: kosher food; Jewish education and a vibrant programme of social and cultural events. All being well with planning and construction, we will open our development at the end of 2020. Until then, we have no walls and so we have launched a programme, ‘BNJC Without Walls’, to reflect this physical reality and our core value, which is that there are no walls that divide our community, or indeed the local community, religiously or in any other way. Our Programming Advisory Group, which is working to put together a programme of events, has representation from the Sussex Representative Council, from each of the Shuls: Reform; Progressive; both Orthodox Shuls and from a cross section of society: young mothers; the Israeli community and the student community. We have journalists, film makers, event organisers, educators and historians in our midst. We intend to help promote events that our sister organisations are hosting and also to supplement this with an enriching programme for the community. We want to show Brighton what is wonderful about the Jewish community and the Jewish community what is outstanding about Brighton with a special tribute to the outstanding SJN, a valuable cross-communal magazine run by volunteers, for providing us with the platform to promote our events The first event, Seret International, is the Israeli film festival which will be launching in Brighton for the first time. We will screen two movies at the Duke’s at Komedia: An Israeli Love Story at 6.30 pm on Sunday 13 May and Maktub at 8.00 pm on Thursday 17 May. An Israeli Love Story is multi- award-winning veteran director Dan Wolman’s latest film. With sensitivity and simplicity, he weaves the love story between two issue 285 | may 2018 young idealists into the pivotal moments that gave birth to the state of Israel. Maktub is a funny and warm-hearted comedy about two ‘goodfellas’ who are jolted out of bad-guy work and into that of guardian angels. (Variety critic, Dennis Harvey) Then, on 14 June at the new Recital Hall at Brighton College at 6.30 pm, we will showcase an evening with Mona Golabek - star of The Pianist of Willesden Lane. Set in Vienna in 1938 and London during the Blitzkrieg, The Pianist of Willesden Lane tells the true story of Lisa Jura, a young Jewish pianist who dreams of a concert debut at the storied Musikverein concert hall. When Lisa is swept up in the Kindertransport to protect her from the Nazi regime, everything about her life is upended except her love of music and her pursuit of that dream. Mona Golabek, Lisa Jura’s daughter, tells her mother’s story and performs some of the world’s most beloved piano music in this poignant tribute to her remarkable mother. This special event, previously seen in London, New York, San Francisco, and now Brighton, will include film clips, live performance, Q&A and book signing. We have been working for two years to get to this point, and although on some levels our journey is just starting, like most communal projects and most developments, it has not always been an easy ride! We would like to thank a number of institutions in the broader UK community that have helped us so far: the Chief Rabbi’s office for wise counsel and encouragement; Partnerships for Jewish Schools (PaJeS) for assistance as we put together our educational programme; Work Avenue for the inspiration to create a shared workspace as a complement to the kosher café that will make our site vibrant day in day out; and JW3 which is the source for much of what we are doing in the area of programming, particularly before we have a home. Tony Bloom, chairman of the Bloom Foundation, which is supporting BNJC, said of the development: “Brighton is where my heart is, it is an amazing city with a vibrant economy and in close proximity to London. With the right facilities in place, and a united local community, we are optimistic for the future. We believe the Jewish community can be part of the fabric of Brighton, as it was when I was a kid.” Marc summed up by saying: “We are about people more than buildings and that is why ‘BNJC without walls’ says so much about our values. I am delighted that, alongside Seret, we are able to bring an Israeli film festival to Brighton – what a great way to launch our programme! I have had a sneak preview of the movies, both of which are excellent, so I am hoping everyone really has a great time. I do want to take this opportunity to say thank you to Yael for helping bring Seret to Brighton and to say how indebted we are to Phil Grabsky, an outstanding film maker in his own right, and part of our programming group, for allowing us to host Mona, who is truly an outstanding talent with a story that everyone should hear”. 6 Sussex and the City 7 Hyman Fine House: Flourish Brighton by Natasha Carson This year Hyman Fine House is very proud to be taking part in the Brighton Fringe Festival. Our (free) event takes place at the Yellow Wave Clubhouse on the 24th of May 10.00 am – 5.00 pm. This is our third year of putting on the day but our first as part of the festival. We love doing it, meeting new people, sharing ideas and enjoying ourselves by the sea and we hope you will love it too. This day is very much about our residents sharing what they have been doing and enjoying socialising as part of the wider community. Throughout the day there will be interactive workshops which you can watch, join in with or just chat about. These will showcase our creative arts projects based at the home. They will include the wonderful ‘Star Music Project’ where people of all ages and abilities are invited to create music alongside our professional musicians. This project has been particularly successful for people living with dementia as music is a great way of uniting people. There will also be a Jewish baking session, with smells evoking past memories and art, photography, puppetry, gardening and even a relaxing hand massage. There is bound to be something to see or something to do for everyone, Jewish Historical Society of England - Sussex Branch by Gordon Franks issue 285 | may 2018 so pop the date in the diary and let us extend a warm welcome to you all. Everyone is welcome, so spread the word! If you would like to learn more about the event or are considering volunteering in the home, please contact Natasha or Mark on 01273 688226. The meeting of the Society held on 20th March commenced on a note of sadness as Godfrey, acting as Chairman in the absence of Michael Crook, paid a fulsome and well-deserved tribute to the late Maureen Kendler, whose untimely death occurred recently. Following this, we welcomed our guest, Danny Bermant, who spoke most affectionately about his late father, Chaim Bermant, whose regular column with its trenchant views, often exposing the foibles of those in the Jewish public eye, appeared in the Jewish Chronicle for some 40 years - at first intermittently and for the last 20 years of his life, weekly. This was just part of a distinguished journalistic career with his writings frequently appearing in the Daily Telegraph and other leading organs of the national press. Work in television included time as a colleague of Jeremy Isaacs at Granada. His literary output was considerable, totalling some 30 books of fiction and non-fiction including The Cousinhood and Ben Preserve Us. Chaim was born in 1929 in the Polish border town of Breslev. Four years later the family moved to Barovka in Latvia. Here he spent idyllic years living an active outdoors lifestyle. In 1933 his father, a rabbi, came to Glasgow as an economic migrant having secured a post as Shochet attached to the Queen’s Park Synagogue. In 1937 the rest of the family followed. Here, where Chaim saw his first bus at the age of eight, his almost impenetrable Scottish/Baltic accent developed. A lover of whisky, a loyal Glaswegian and Scotsman, religiously Orthodox in outlook, he often took issue with certain rabbinic viewpoints and was guided by what he considered was the spirit rather than the letter of the law. Accompanied by filmed extracts of family and synagogue life, this was a respectful and warm exposition of a man who left a lasting mark on those close to him and on the wider Jewish and Gentile scene. Our next lecture will take place on Tuesday 8th May at 7.45 pm at Ralli Hall. The speaker will be Dr David Juenger, Lecturer in Modern European History at Sussex University. His subject will be Beyond Flight and Rescue - Emigration Planning of German Jews 1933 - 1938. This replaces our February meeting which was cancelled due to bad weather. We hope the weather will be more clement in May and we look forward to a very well-attended evening - the last of the current season - to hear what promises to be a most interesting presentation. The event is free to members, season ticket holders and students. Guests and visitors are always most welcome for only £5 to include also light refreshments at the conclusion of the meeting. 6 Sussex and the City 7 Ralli Hall lunch and Social Club by Jacquie Tichauer Spring is finally in the air and we are starting our new programme in May. In March we had a 12-piece string orchestra (though we only expected 6 pieces) playing for us on a Tuesday afternoon: this was greatly enjoyed by all our members. On the 8th May we are having a choir joining us: something not to miss. In the future we are hoping to have more music events like this. A big mazel tov to our lovely member Val on her 80th birthday and we would also like to thank her family and friends for their generous donations to the Lunch Club. We have now organised a new food menu so please come and try it e.g.: sweet and sour chicken, chicken curry and of course salt beef and latkes. On Thursday 31 May we are having a film afternoon, as it is a long time since we had films at the Lunch Club. We are going to make this a special afternoon with popcorn and a very good film, The Jazz Singer with Neil Diamond. Non-members are also welcome to join us for only £3.00. The film starts at 1.45pm. issue 285 | may 2018 In June we are having another outing to Rushfields Plant Centre, always a nice day out, with a light lunch and cream tea. Our annual weekend to Eastbourne is at the beginning of August and all our members are looking forward to this enjoyable time away, where they can socialise and take walks along the sea front. There will be good, easy shopping, dancing and singing with Phil the amazing entertainer, cream teas and a walk on the pier. Among suggestions from our members for new activities, forming a choir was one, so we are hoping to find someone suitable to be choir leader. We are happy to announce that Philip Simons is our new Chairman for the Lunch & Social Club and we are looking forward to working with him for many years. West Sussex Jewish Community (incorporating Worthing & district Jewish Community) by Barbara Gordon Seder nights with a difference! The Community held two Seder nights: in Worthing on Saturday 31st March and in Chichester on Tuesday 3rd April. Both were organized by Nick Beck, ably supported by Annette Norris and her brother Neil (our chef supreme). We were delighted to once again celebrate Passover in Worthing - with good attendance. The service was ably conducted by Gerry Crest and all went well until an unusual happening. At about 9.40 pm, according to custom, Nick went to open the front door to welcome a ‘high guest’ namely Elijah the Prophet. To everyone’s astonishment, particularly Nick’s, he returned with an unexpected guest. The gentleman concerned, wearing a smart suit and large brimmed hat, entered and immediately apologized for having no yarmulke, saying that he had come over to Worthing from Chichester. He walked to the table and Elijah’s cup, from which he promptly took a large swig. Fortunately, the cup didn’t ‘runneth over’! Once we had closed our mouths, which had dropped open with surprise, we then all welcomed the stranger. He joined in our singing until the end, then stood up and informed us ‘that the Messiah was coming very shortly’ and hoped that we would all celebrate together ‘next year in Jerusalem’. After his exit, it then became apparent that not one person present had any idea who he was. Our phantom ‘Elijah’ then attended the Tuesday Seder in Chichester. This time he arrived before the meal and asked to go under the name of Arthur. At the time of writing, his true identity remains unknown! The Seder in Chichester was an interfaith Quaker and Jewish Seder and almost everyone read some portion of the Haggadah in English. A very convivial evening. Both in Worthing and Chichester we wish to thank all those who took part and especially those people who helped with the clearing up. We hope to see you at our Shavuot service and Chavura supper on Friday 18th May. Details to be announced. To contact the West Sussex Jewish Community, please email: westsussexjc@gmail.com, ring 01273 728178 or visit the website sussexjewishoutreach.com 8 Sussex and the City 9 Ralli Hall by Roger Abrahams I am pleased to announce that the next Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 13 June, at 8.10 pm. I sincerely hope that more than the usual low number of members will attend and that we will be in a position to welcome some new, younger, people to the Committee to help bring down its current average age. We have had a most successful year and our financial position is in a far better state than it was a year ago, when we unfortunately finished our financial year well into the red. There are many reasons for this and I would like to take this opportunity of specifically thanking our Centre Manager, Maxine Gordon, for her go- ahead attitude and hard work, despite having to overcome family health problems, now fortunately behind her. Our new Caretaker/Maintenance Man, Jon Gaffikin, has now been with us since February and has made me realise that, compared to him, many of his predecessors have been more like ‘janitors’ than ‘caretakers’, particularly with regard to the maintenance of our magnificent, but quite elderly, Grade 2 Listed building, the cornerstone of which was laid 105 years ago. He is seldom seen without a paintbrush or a screwdriver in his hand and without a smile on his face – go to it, Jon. Fortunately, after inclement weather caused the cancellation of the annual Purim Party, the community Seder, hosted by Rabbi Efune, was a successful event, for which I thank him and his loyal and hard-working team for their hard work and enthusiasm. The Jewish Film Society, with its new chairman, David Bresh, have shown their film Remember, a hard-hitting issue 285 | may 2018 drama starring Christopher Plummer and Martin Landau, which regrettably, Irit and I were unable to attend, having been celebrating a special birthday for Irit by way of a most enjoyable mini-cruise with three generations of our family. I am sure that the Society will continue to be successful and to bring films, mainly with a Jewish angle, to the community. As you can see elsewhere in SJN, Wendy Lovegrove is asking those interested in taking part in Top Hat Productions’ third Musical Extravaganza to attend an initial get-together meeting at Ralli Hall, on the evening of 3rd June. I know that all who took part last year, and the year before, thoroughly enjoyed themselves, while we all enjoyed watching them strut their stuff on the stage, and I am sure that next January’s production will be better still – good luck to all concerned. The Yom Ha’Shoah commemorations, including Light a Yellow Candle, followed by Israel’s 70th anniversary Independence Celebrations (Yom Ha’atzmaut) have taken place, the latter at Ralli Hall, the first such celebration in Sussex for several years. To the Sussex Representative Council who organised both events - all power to their elbows. Finally, I would like to congratulate Philip Simons on his new position as Hon. Chairman of the Ralli Hall Lunch and Social Club, while still continuing as the Hon. Secretary of B&HJCF, in good health, and sincerely hope that Alan Burke continues for many years as the Life President of the Lunch Club, while remaining as a Committee Member. I look forward to seeing you at Ralli Hall. 8 Features 9 Reflections by Oliver Harris, Brighton College On Wednesday 21 February 2018, all 214 students in the Lower Sixth at Brighton College, along with their housemasters and housemistresses, travelled to the site of Auschwitz-Birkenau. They were given a tour of the camp and also took time to reflect as individuals and small groups on what they had seen. Most of the group were visiting the camp for the first time and wrote afterwards about how moved they were by the whole experience. Many commented on the difference between the descriptions of the camp that they had read about in advance, and the reality of being there, standing in the shoes of those who had been murdered over 70 years ago. Accompanying the trip was Oliver Harris. Oliver left Brighton College in June 2017, having served as Deputy Head of School in his final year. He has returned to the College as a teaching assistant during his Gap Year and accompanied the Lower Sixth on this unique trip. At the combined Orthodox Yom HaShoah service which was held at Holland Road Shul this year, he shared this experience, and his own reflections on the visit. Oliver Harris ceiling where officers would drop canisters of Zyklon B, serve as a stark reminder that this was an extermination camp where some of the 1.3 million prisoners at Auschwitz were murdered. We visited Birkenau, the camp where the crematorium chimney is located, although many of its key features have either been destroyed, or reconstructed. Much of the destruction occurred on the last day of the camp’s functioning when SS officers desperately tried to burn the evidence. One particularly harrowing feature of Birkenau is the train platform on which unsuspecting new arrivals were divided into two groups, usually women, children and elderly men followed by young, strong men. It was unnecessary for our guide to clarify which group was to survive the next hour of their arrival. I have always considered it to be my duty to go to Auschwitz but my parents and I have never found an appropriate time to go. What is deeply saddening, however, is that injustice and intolerance still permeates through society, even here, in the UK, despite our knowledge of the events in World War II. The number of race hate crimes has increased by 27 per cent between 2015 Exhibits from Blatchington Mill School on display at the yom HaShoah service at HHC and 2017 (up 13,266 to 62,685 offences). Over the same period, religious hate crime increased by 35 per cent. In the face of these numbers, it is easy to sink back into the shadows and ignore this “Arbeit Macht Frei (Work Makes You Free). These are the words crudely constructed above the entrance to Auschwitz gross trend, deeming the problem far too complex to begin to solve. It is a symptom that plagued me until I visited Auschwitz. concentration camp. They remind the prisoners that there is a purpose to the labour they endure, that their struggle is not in This trip reminded me, not only of the horrific events of the Holocaust, but of the power of the individual. I hope that should vain. This, of course, is a lie. The rubber factory (in Monowitz anyone here decide to visit the museum at Auschwitz, it will leave Auschwitz III) that was built at the cost of thousands of prisoners’ as strong an impression on them as it has done on me. lives produced not a single ounce of rubber during the period of World War II: it was merely a distraction from living. Travelling with Brighton College made the trip particularly poignant for me: having experienced life as a pupil and member Even at -12 degrees and in knee-deep snow, it was nearly of staff there, I understand the dedication the school community impossible for the L6th at Brighton College and staff to makes in striving for a safer, more respectful world. appreciate the devastating conditions that prisoners faced for countless months, weeks and days. No number of shoes, hair or possessions was going to accurately reflect the true horror that occurred in Auschwitz-Birkenau leading up to 1945. On this trip, we were very lucky that Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah accompanied the group to Poland. Along with Father Robert (Chaplain of Brighton College) and Richard Cairns (Head Master), Rabbi Elizabeth led a very moving service by the memorial in Ironically, surrounding the camp is an electrified wire fence that contains several warning signs indicating that should anyone Birkenau with all 200 pupils and 30 staff members present. Her beautiful singing and words of remembrance were a fitting end touch the fencing, they face almost certain death. Unsurprisingly, these signs do not feature on the doors to the gas chambers, to a harsh day that made going back to day-to-day life incredibly difficult.” even though death was absolutely certain for those who entered it over 70 years ago. For those who have visited Auschwitz the sight of these death chambers haunts one’s memory as almost Oliver Harris delivered the above at the combined Yom HaShoah Service at Holland Road Shul. everything has been left exactly as the original. The gaps in the All photos courtesy of Melanie Seligman issue 285 | may 2018 10 Features 11 Being Green - my older generation didn’t have that ’green thing’ Checking out at the supermarket, the young cashier bikes to school or walked instead of turning their mums into suggested to the much older woman that she should bring a 24-hour taxi service in the family’s £30,000 SUV or car, her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren’t good for which cost what a whole house did before the green thing. the environment. We had one electric socket in a room, not an entire bank of The woman apologized and explained, “We didn’t have this ‘green thing’ back in my earlier days”. The young clerk responded, “That’s our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations”. sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn’t need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 23,000 miles out in space, in order to find the nearest burger bar. But isn’t it sad how the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were, just because we didn’t have the ‘green thing’ back then? She was right - our generation didn’t have the ‘green thing’ in our day. Back then, we returned milk bottles, lemonade bottles and beer bottles to the shop. The shop sent them back to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so the same bottles could be used over and over. issue 285 | may 2018 We don’t like being old in the first place, so it doesn’t take much to annoy us ... especially something coming from a tattooed, multiple pierced, know-it-all who can’t work out change without the cash register telling them how much. So they really were recycled. But we didn’t have the ‘green thing’ back in our day. Grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags, which we re-used for numerous things, most memorable apart from household rubbish bags, was the use of brown paper bags as book covers for our schoolbooks. This was to Brighton and Hove Jewish Housing Association ensure that public property (the books provided for our use by the school) was not defaced by our scribblings. Then we were able to personalize our books on the brown paper. But too bad we didn’t do the ‘green thing’ back then. Has a vacancy in central Hove For a one bedroom unfurnished flat We walked up stairs, because we didn’t have an escalator Suitable for single occupancy in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn’t climb into a 300 horsepower machine every Affordable rent includes – time we had to go two blocks. But she was right. We didn’t have the ‘green thing’ in our day. Back then, we washed the baby’s nappies because we didn’t central heating, constant hot water use of garden, television and telephone points. have the throwaway kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts - wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in the old days. Please telephone 07716 114012 or Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that young lady is right; we didn’t have the ‘green thing’ back in our day. email bahjha@googlemail.com for an application form Back then, we had one TV or radio in the house - not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?) not a screen the size of Yorkshire. In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn’t have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used crumpled-up old newspapers to cushion it, not polystyrene worms or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn’t fire up an engine and burn petrol just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working and walking so we didn’t need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But she’s right; we didn’t have the ‘green thing’ back then. We drank from a water fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But we didn’t have the ‘green thing’ back then. Back then, people took the tram or a bus and kids rode their MARTIN GROSS Funeral Director and Funeral Consultant to Jewish communities 01273 439792 07801 599771 10 Culture 11 voices to listen To review by Rabbi Dr Andrea Zanardo Uprooted: How 3,000 Years of Jewish Civilisation in the Arab World Vanished Overnight Lyn Julius issue 285 | may 2018 expelled en masse, from places where they have lived for centuries, often after pogroms and Vallentine Mitchell the systematic London, 2018 Tahrir Square in Cairo is well known for being the location for the political demonstrations that led to the 2011 Egyptian revolution. But to the Egyptian Jews, the buildings and the Palace surrounding Tahrir Square tell another story. All these government properties and foreign embassies, not to mention the Great Library of Cairo, used to belong to Jewish families. They were all seized by the Egyptian Government in 1957. deprivation of civil and human rights, (patterned on the Nazi legislation), but they are never mentioned in the UN resolutions, which consider only the Palestinians. This is only one of the many historical facts that one can learn from this long overdue book. Historians and scholars have not paid much attention to the history of the Jews in Muslim countries. Unfortunately, few academics are brave enough to challenge the delusional Arabist narrative, according to which Jews and Arabs have lived in harmony for centuries until the very sad moment when, because of Zionism, such a golden coexistence was destroyed. No plans exist for reparations, despite the enormity of the losses. The number of Jewish properties and land confiscated in Iraq, Syria and North Africa is five As Lyn Julius proves, with plenty of examples and cases, Arab anti-Semitism has a long history, which predates Zionism for several decades. For centuries the Jews living in Muslim countries had been treated as second class citizens, humiliated by a sophisticated system of laws, and ‘feminised’, portrayed and perceived as cowardly and naturally submissive. times the size of Israel. Nonetheless, Lyn Julius notes sadly, the world is fixated on Israeli building in a Jerusalem suburb. Indeed, in the enormous number of publications produced by the so-called peace camp, (Yachad, Peace Now, JStreet, Rabbis for Human Rights), the Jews from the Muslim Countries, their rights and losses are completely absent. And when mentioned, this is met with the usual set of eyes rolling and accusation of Israeli propaganda. European colonialism provided for some families the opportunity to prosper and in some cases to have prominent positions. The Jewish contribution to the culture and economy of the Arab countries in the 20s and 30s is nothing but extraordinary. The building and management of the Egyptian railway system was all a result of the efforts of One hopes that this well documented book, with its impressive bibliography and a fascinating collection of personal stories in the appendix, will help to turn the tide. It is time to address this historical injustice. It is time to listen to these Jewish voices. Jewish families and for decades the trains did not run on Shabbat. Almost all the musicians and performers in Baghdad were Jewish. The film industry in Tunisia and Morocco was a virtual monopoly of Jewish families. And the list goes on and voluntary Support Agencies on. Jewish entrepreneurship and prominence caused a lot of bitter resentment among the local elite. German Nazism • Ralli Hall Lunch & Social Club (Day Centre) 01273 739999 ralliday@tiscali.co.uk became popular in local nationalistic circles, together with • Norwood/Tikvah, Rachel Mazzier House 01273 564021 other anti-Semitic ideologies, because of rivalries against the Jews. The local elite could not come to terms with the career • Hyman Fine House 01273 688226 and the prominence of a few Jews. According to the Muslim world view, Jews were supposed to serve the Muslims, while in some cases the opposite was happening, Jews were employing Muslims. • Helping Hands 01273 747722 helping-hands@helping-hands.org • Brighton & Hove Jewish Welfare Board 07952 479111 or info@bhjwb.org; website: www.bhjwb.org Therefore, Arab nationalism became lethal for the Jews. • Brighton & Hove Jewish Housing Association. bahjha@googlemail.com Palestinian secular nationalism, so often portrayed as a source of moderation, (if compared to Hamas), is no different, as it belongs to the same ideological family. And its deep • Welfare at Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue/L’chaim project 01273 737223 roots into pre-war anti-Semitism are an obstacle to the peace • Welfare Officer at Brighton & Hove Reform. (Sue Rosenfield) process, even if rarely mentioned by the media. 01273 735343 Equally absent from the media representation and from the • Jewish Community Centre at Ralli Hall. Various communal activities. international scenario, are the vicissitudes of the Jewish 01273 202254 or rallihall@tiscali.co.uk refugees from the Muslim countries. They have been 12 BHPS Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue, 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove BN3 1FF Tel: 01273 737223 Email: info@bhps-online.org www.brightonandhoveprosynagogue.org.uk 13 Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue Twitter@BHPS2011 Renewing Judaism In Every Age by Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah In February, Liberal Judaism distributed a draft Shabbat personally gone out of Egypt’. We are an ancient people morning service, which represents the first stage in the and yet we have also been ‘in every generation’, a people creation of a new siddur that I am co-editing together with living today, renewing our tradition so that it lives in our my colleague, Rabbi Lea Mühlstein of Northwood and lives. Pinner Liberal Synagogue. On the evening of 19 May – after the Royal Wedding and Liberal Judaism has produced a new siddur every 25 to the FA Cup final – we will begin celebrating Shavuot. This 30 years in order to respond to ‘the needs of the age’, a early summer, first-fruits festival, would have died out core principle first articulated by one of the founders of after the last Temple had been destroyed by the Romans the movement, Lily Montagu, in 1899 (Jewish Quarterly in 70 CE, if it hadn’t been for the creative ingenuity of Review). The current prayer book, Siddur Lev Chadash, the early rabbis, who transformed the chag into z’man published in 1995, introduced a gender inclusive matan Torateinu, ‘the season of the giving of our Torah’. translation for the first time. Building on our commitment The inventiveness of our rabbinic sages ensured that to gender equality, the emphasis now is on ensuring that Judaism could continue without a Temple, without a land individuals are enabled to participate. And so, the text of and in the absence of an agricultural way of life. In the the liturgy running across a double page, a transliteration new draft Shabbat morning liturgy, the following poem by appears to the right of the Hebrew and a translation on the Rabbi Rami Shapiro, included in the Torah reading service, left, with explanatory points to the left of the translation. reminds us of our responsibility to honour our remarkable On the lower half of each page, there are poems and inheritance by renewing Judaism in every age: readings, highlighting particular themes. In each age / We receive and transmit / Torah. /As each The draft also makes explicit the structure of the service, moment / we are addressed by the / World / with short introductions to each new section and a menu on the far edge of every page, indicating the stage of the service. Hebrew is a gender binary language and so to be more fully inclusive, some of the prayers are in feminised Hebrew. The name of the new siddur, Siddur Shirah Chadashah ‘prayer book of a new song’, encapsulates all these innovations. In each age / we are challenged / by our ancient teaching / At each moment / we stand face to Face with / Truth / In each age / we add our wisdom / to that which has gone before /At each moment / the knowing heart / is filled with wonder / In each age / the children of Torah / become its builders / and seek to set the world firm / on a foundation of truth. We read in the Haggadah at our Pesach s’darim a few weeks ago that b’chol dor va-dor, ‘In every generation, Chag Samei’ach! each individual should regard themselves as if they had Events@BHPS Onagim The Friday evening Onagim are held once a month and follow the Shabbat evening services which commence at 7.30. May 11: Michael Harris: ‘Living together – multiculturalism in the 21st Century’ June 8: Peter Brierley: ‘The Work of CitizensUK’ Open Wednesdays BHPS is open on Wednesday from 11.00 am – 4.00 pm for social activities. These include scrabble, chess, bridge, kalooki, exercise classes, computer training, access to the library and crafts. Please bring a packed lunch (vegetarian or permitted fish). Hot drinks are available. Ring the office for further details if you would like to join us. Exploring Judaism is led by Rabbi Elli Tikvah and is open to all those who wish to broaden and deepen their Jewish knowledge. The curriculum draws on Jewish texts (e.g. Torah, TaNaKH, Mishnah, Talmud, Siddur & Machzor) and includes an exploration of the differences between Liberal Judaism and other Jewish denominations. The course includes the festivals and commemorative days as they come up. All classes are held on Shabbat from 2.15 - 3.45 pm, after the Access to Hebrew class (1.00-2.00 pm). issue 285 | may 2018 Please note: No class May 5 Unit 5: From Life to Death 12 May: Birth 19 May: No heb. & exp. Jud. classes: All Night Shavuot Marathon 26 May: Bar/Bat Mitzvah & Kabbalat Torah 2 June: Kiddushin: Marriage Shavuot Saturday 19 May 2018: Rainbow Pilgrims Pop up exhibition 6.00 – 8.00 pm Rainbow Pilgrims is a landmark project that discovers the ‘hidden history’ of LGBTQI migrants in the UK past and present. It explores the narratives around ‘rites and passages’. The project documents the interconnection between faith, sexuality, gender and ethnicity by using oral history, film and photography. This collection is the first source of LGBT and migration in a faith context in Britain. Saturday 19 May - Shavuot evening service 8.00 pm followed at 9.00 pm by Tikkun Leyl Shavuot Study Marathon, in aid of local charity Thousand 4 £100, culminating at 5.00 am with Shacharit (morning service) and breakfast on the beach opposite Lansdowne Place. Saturday 9 June 2018: Quiz evening 12 BHRS Rabbi dr Andrea Zanardo Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue, Palmeira Avenue, Hove BN3 3GE Tel: 01273 735343 Email: office@bh-rs.org www.bh-rs.org https://www.facebook.com/BrightonReform 13 BrightonReform do we still have idols around? by Rabbi Dr Andrea Zanardo Egypt is a paramount example of idolatry and while holding the Seder we commemorate not only the physical exodus from Egypt, but also the religious duty not to follow the universal impulse to idolatry, to be restrained and to fight the inclination to worship other human beings. Indeed, even if the Egyptian religion has disappeared, idolatry is still around and not only in Christian churches where the worshipping of saints, resembled the ancient idolatry and its practices too closely: specific temples devoted to a specific divinity, the alleged power of the saint to protect the worshipper etc.. One can only think to the cult-like status that certain politicians have in the eyes of their supporters. Especially in turbulent times like those we currently live in, we have a tendency to treat politicians as super heroes who can sort out everything by themselves regardless of rules, democracies and procedures. We hold the Seder every year, twice a year, because we know that the human inclination to idolatry, to worship human beings, is always present. We must recognise it. This is what makes me dubious about the Passover (sort of) meal held by the radical Left group, JewDas. I am amused by their claim to be silenced by the “Jewish establishment”. The Far Left is never censored in the UK. If we have to look for censorship in the British Jewish world we may think of the lectures of Prof. Motti Kedar, that, some years ago, were cancelled because of political pressures. I have problems with their so-called Haggadah. It is a collection of quotes from Jews of the Marxist persuasion, who are honoured, one would say idolised, because they were against capitalism. Apparently, that Seder had been the festival of the against. Slogans against capitalism, call for the end of monarchy, prayer for the end of the State of Israel... everything with the blessing of the leader of the opposition in person. Rather than the beginning of a spiritual journey of liberation from idolatry, that so-called Seder has been a pouring-out of childish anger against whatever the radical Left dislikes. As a Rabbi I can only wish to the radicals of every side and kind, to learn that Pesach is not only the festival of freedom but also the beginning of a journey towards Shavuot, the acceptance of the Law and the responsibility. This cannot happen if we, one way or another, are not able to recognise and overcome, idolatry, worship of human beings and political leaders. issue 285 | may 2018 Bulletin Board - May Friday 4th Shabbat Kolot, 6.30 pm Saturday 5th Rabbi’s Torah Breakfast, 9.00 am Saturday 12th Siddur Patuach, 9.00 am Doroteinu & Shabbaton, 10.30 am Sunday 13th yom yerushalyim inc. Memorial Service for Moss Murray, 5.00 pm Saturday 19th Erev Shavuot, 6.30 pm Sunday 20th Shavuot service led by Cheder Students, 10.30 am Saturday 26th Shoot the Rabbi Q&A, 10.30 am Tuesday 29th Rabbi’s Shiur - Pirke Avot, 4.00 pm The diary is subject to change. 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.bhhc-shul.org 15 The Highest Common denominator by Rabbi Hershel Rader Shavuot Times & Activities 5778 - 2018 The month of May sees us move from the broadly instructional Book of Leviticus to the dramatic narratives of the Book of Shabbat 19 May • Mincha 8.15 pm followed by Shiur Numbers. The aptly named Numbers begins with a census. In its opening chapters we read that one year after the Exodus, there were 603,550 adult Israelite males between the ages of 20 and 60, of whom 22,273 were firstborn. A separate census counted 22,300 Levites one month and older. We were also issue 285 | may 2018 • Maariv 9.52 pm followed by communal meal (no admission, all welcome) in the Mark Luck Hall • Candle Lighting after 9.52 pm • Tikkun Leil Shavuot 11.15 pm given the figure for each of the twelve tribes, from Judah’s 74,600 to Menasseh’s 32,200. But this was no ordinary census, as G-d says to Moshe ‘S’oo Et Rosh’ - Raise the heads of all the congregation of the Children of Israel’. In some way the census would elevate the people. Sunday 20 May– First Day Shavuot • Shacharit 9.15 am - Please be in Shul by 10.15 am for the reading of the Ten Commandments which will be followed by a youth activity and Ice Cream Kiddush. The census included a wide, indeed diverse, variety of individuals; no one fitting the basic criteria was omitted. The level of a person’s piety or scholarship was irrelevant. The The Service will be followed by Kiddush and the Annual Shavuot Lunch (see advert on this page). • Mincha & Maariv 7.30 pm count reflected the one quality they shared equally; their basic • Candle Lighting 9.54 pm existence. Which raises the following question: Is a headcount an expression of the lowest common denominator in a group? Monday 21 May– Second Day Shavuot A process which takes no account of what makes people • Shacharit 9.15 am. Please be in Shul for Yizkor by special or unique, but renders them mere statistics. If so, how 11.00 am. The Service will be followed by Kiddush. does this tally with the concept of ‘raise up the heads’? • Ladies’ Tea Time Tikkun – 4.30 pm in the Mark Luck This depends on how we view the essence of humanity. If a person is basically neutral, if we start off as nothing, then what unites us as human beings is the least of our qualities; Hall. All ladies of the community are invited to attend and, if they want, present a short Dvar Torah. Please notify the Shul office if you intend to participate. a lowest common denominator. Maybe G-d has a different perspective, the census is not merely a statistical headcount, but an assertion of each person’s potential. It is not just a •Mincha followed by Shiur and Maariv 8.30 pm •Yom Tov terminates 9.56 pm counting of bodies but the recognition of souls. If the ‘soul of man is G-d’s light’, then life is a journey in which we endeavor to fan the flame of that light by reaching the full and immense potential that G-d has given us. FOR yOUR CAlENdAR The Divine command to count the people was, in fact, an expression of their highest common denominator. On the Friday Night Dinners featuring a Traditional Four Course Shabbat Meal spiritual census sheet, our differences are transcended to reveal the basic G-dliness, and hence potential for good, planted within us. G-d counted the Israelites for a number of reasons. First of all, He wanted to show his love for them. There were also practical reasons related to the military and settling the land. The count was also G-d’s way of asserting the importance, indeed potential greatness, of each individual. • 11 May - Service 7.15, Meal 8.00. • 8 June - Service 7.15, Meal 8.00. • 6 July - Service 7.15, Meal 8.00. • 3 August - Service 7.15, Meal 8.00. • 31 August - Service 7.15, Meal 8.00 Friday Night Dinners are an extremely reasonable £10. As the Children of Israel neared the Holy Land, contemplating Catered Lunch & Learn – Three Course Meal and Shiur a new and tremendously challenging phase of their history, G-d was ‘raising their heads’ – elevating their self-esteem - and assuring them of their ability rise to any impending challenges and embrace their destiny. The Catered Lunch & Learns are from 12.15 – 1.30 pm and cost just £7.50. The next Lunch and Learns will be held on: • 2nd May • 13th June ANNUAL SHAVUOT LUNCH. • 11th July • 8th August • 5th September A beautiful three course fish meal with wine. For catering reasons attending the Friday Night Dinners Vegetarian option available. First Day Shavuot - Sunday 20th May after the service. and the Catered Lunch and Learns must be pre-booked via the Shul Office by ringing 01273 888 855 or emailing office@bhhc-shul.org. £16 for adults & £5.00 for children. Weekly Shiurim All bookings must be in by Monday 13 May. To reserve your place, please contact the office by email office@bhhc-shul.org or ring 01273 888855. We hold a Lunch & Learn, featuring a light lunch with Shiur every Wednesday between 12.30 & 1.30 pm and a Ladies Shiur on the Ethics of the Fathers every Thursday, 10.00 – 11.00 am. All welcome. 14 HHC Rabbi Hove Email: Hebrew hollandroadshul@btconnect.com Samuel Congregation, de 79 Beck Holland Road, Spitzer www.hollandroadshul.com Hove BN3 1JN Tel: 01273 732035 15 “let them place my Name upon the Children of Israel and I shall bless them.” (Numbers 6/27) by Rabbi Samuel de Beck Spitzer This year, Sunday 20 May shall be the first day of the two- direction when looking to a Rabbi for blessing, repentance day Festival of Shavuot. It is known as one of the three and even redemption. ‘foot-festivals’ for in Temple times, the pilgrims would make their way on foot to Jerusalem to celebrate en masse. In those days, specific sacrifices would be brought and the Priests (Cohanim) would administer, as is their requirement. As well as Temple service, priests have other duties. All said, it becomes abundantly evident that popular western ideas of democracy and social equality simply do not jive with the classical hierarchical structures as mentioned in the Torah. Would it not be stretching reality and indulging our fantasy to surmise that with institutions Cohanim are expected to teach and elevate the people as and personalities such as a King, Prophet, Shoftim (judges), the Prophet Malachi states (2/7): “For the lips of the Cohen Sanhedrin, Cohen, Levi, Yisrael, Nazarite, Metzorah (leper), should safeguard knowledge and people should seek Mamzer, Toshav (resident), Ger (convert), Eved (slave), teaching from his mouth; for he is an agent of Hashem, Shifcha Cannanite (Cannanite maidservant) and others, Master of Legions”. God also conferred upon the Cohanim that we are a far cry away from ‘democracy’ and equality the power and the eternal Mitzvah to bless the people as is between all men, however palatable we try to present it. outlined in Bamidbar (Numbers) 6:23/27. Especially with the status of Cehunah (priesthood) handed In Israel today, this priestly blessing (Birchat Cohanim) is recited every day, towards the end of the Amidah (The down from father to son, along with all of the privileges vested therein......institutional nepotism? silent prayer). The prevalent Ashkenazi custom in the Instead, it seems that the Torah takes pride and is Diaspora is only to say Birchat Cohanim on a Yom Tov and unapologetic in investing people with a particular status, for some, not when it falls to be on a Shabbat (although whilst maintaining hierarchy. Systems of government are many Halachic Authorities are of the opinion that the always open to abuse and western democracy is certainly custom to bless the people even if a Festival occurs on not immune to manipulation. When we stand in Synagogue the Sabbath is the more appropriate custom – ‘Kitzur and receive the Priestly blessing this Shavuot, how can we Shulchan Aruch’ 100/1). The crux of the debate is whether divorce ourselves from the knowledge that by virtue of our we are in a state of Simchah or not, as apparently blessing passive participation, we acknowledge that certain spiritual can only flow through those who are joyous and of happy roles have been allotted to some and by default, not to countenance. It seems that the numerous bloody Crusades others. of the Middle Ages and general Christian oppression had clearly taken their toll on the world of Ashkenaz Jewry. Perhaps to acknowledge these inherent societal divides is a more honest and genuine form of society? I genuinely do The laws appertaining to the priestly blessing are numerous not have the response to that question, as I am aware of and intricate e.g. when precisely the Cohen must go up the inherent dangers lurking in embarking along that path. to the Duchan (the platform); how he must raise his hands History has amply demonstrated this and we know for during the blessing and to precisely which height; prior certain that there were long periods when the priesthood washing of his hands by a Levite; the absence of footwear functioning within the Temple of Jerusalem was open to whilst up on the rostrum; if the Cohen be in a state of strife the abuse of misappropriated power. Still, we are obliged with members of the Congregation or if animosity exists to ask these fundamentally difficult questions so that we between them, he is forbidden to Duchan; the positioning may attempt to strive towards greater harmony within of the congregants in relation to the Cohen who is reciting governance. the blessing; if a Cohen should possess a visible physical defect etc. etc.. One thing is for certain; this is serious business. Moreover, it is unquestionable to think that ‘Blessing’ emanates intrinsically from man who is of flesh and blood, rather (and our Sages emphasize this) the Beracha stems from God exclusively and the Cohanim, who are descendants of Aaron (older brother to Moshe our teacher) are merely acting as vehicles for this blessing to descend upon the congregation. Why precisely it works in this fashion is beyond the scope of this article and one would have to delve into the core fundamentals regarding the mechanism of ‘Blessing’ in general. Of course, a Cohen can be disqualified and lose his privileges should he transgress one of the priestly prohibitions delineated in the Torah, such as marrying a divorcee or a convert to Judaism. The subject of ‘Blessing’ is indeed a very important one, as people can often confuse the focus and issue 285 | may 2018 16 What’s on: May 2018 Website: www.sussexjewishrepresentativecouncil.org IMPORTANT INFORMATION For visitors using a satellite navigation system in their vehicle. JEWISH CEMETERY, MEADOWVIEW, BRIGHTON The post code for this cemetery is BN2 4DE Email: sussexjewishrepco@gmail.com SJN Email: sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org.uk JEWISH CEMETERY, OLD SHOREHAM RD, HOVE The post code for this cemetery is BN3 7EF. 16 SHABBAT SHAlOm – BRIGHTON TImES In Light candles Out Havdalah Fri 4 8.08 pm Sat 5 9.26 pm Fri 11 8.19 pm Sat 12 9.40 pm Fri 18 8.29 pm Sat 19 9.52 pm Mondays Fri 25 8.39 pm Sat 26 10.04 pm lunch & learn with Rabbi Efune 12.30 - 1.30 pm at the Brighton Hillel Centre, 66/67 Middle Street, Brighton. Tel: 01273 321919 Afternoon Club with tea 1.30 pm. Ralli Hall. Tel: Reba 01444 484839 Rubber and duplicate Bridge 1.30 pm - 4.30 pm £4.00 + £1.00 transport Ralli Hall. Tel: Reba 01444 484839 Contemporary Basic Talmud with Rabbi Efune. Men only. 8.15 pm at Chabad House 01273 321919 Torah & Tea with Penina Efune. Personalising Prayer – an in-depth look at the Morning Prayers and their relevance and meaning for our lives. Enjoy herbal teas and delicious snacks. All ladies welcome. 8.00 pm at COmmUNITy EvENTS – ImPORTANT REmINdER: Chabad House 01273 321919 Contact the Communal diary before planning your events. SARId (Association of Jewish Refugees) meets every 3rd Monday Email: sussexjewishrepco@gmail.com of the month at 10.45 am, Ralli Hall. £1.50 Tel: 0208 385 3070 or email esther@ajr.co.uk EvENTS IN mAy Tuesdays Thursday 3 lag B’Omer BBQ with live music organised by Chabad at 5, Tongdean Road, Hove commencing 6.30 pm. £12.50. To book call 07885 538681 Something to Say? - discussion Group with Rabbi Samuel, every other Tuesday Hove Hebrew Congregation, 79 Holland Road, Hove 10.30 am Tel: 01273 732035 Ralli Hall lunch and Social Club 10.30 am - 4.30 pm Tel: Jacqueline Sunday 6 01273 739999 Weekly Ralli Hall Sussex Jewish News - submission deadline for June 2018 issue Send your articles, thoughts, photos and announcements to sjneditor@sussexjewishnews.com or editor@sjn.org Historic Jewish Brighton & Hove conducted bus tour, including a private visit to middle Street Synagogue £15 – limited to 45 persons. Meet at 10.00 am at Hove Town Hall. For information contact Hazel on Painting with Rochelle (JAS) Studio at Ralli Hall, 2.00 - 4.00 pm. Tel: 07811 601106 Chutzpah Choir yiddish singing in 4 parts with Polina Shepherd. 11.00 am – 1.00 pm weekly. For Hove venue contact chutzpahchoir@gmail.com or tel. Betty on 01273 474795 07886 8545044 Israeli dancing 7.45 pm - 9.45 pm Ralli Hall Tel: Jacky 01273 688538 middle Street Synagogue Open day 2.30 – 4.30 pm. Entrance £3.00 Tuesday 8 Jewish Historical Society of England, Sussex Branch with guest speaker David Juenger of the University of Sussex on Beyond flight and rescue. Emigration planning of German Jews, 1933-1938. Ralli Wednesdays Eastbourne liberal Jewish Community (affiliated to Liberal Judaism) Coffee morning, 11.00 am, 1st Wednesday of each month, Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne. Information: www.eljc.org.uk or phone 01323 725650 Hall, Denmark Villas, Hove at 7.45 pm. Visitors £5 per lecture / £20 for programme of six lectures or full subscription £40 p.a. Please contact amcrook321@gmail.com or ring 01273 776539 or contact g.gould915@btinternet.com or ring 01273 419412 or visit our website at www.jhse.org Thursdays mummy and me Goes Sensory (0-2 yrs) @ Montessori Nursery from 11.30 am to 1.00 pm. Enjoy a stimulating and engaging environment, healthy snacks, meaningful discussions and music time! Wednesday 9 Sussex Friends of Israel present an evening event, 7.00pm – 10.00 pm Ralli Hall lunch and Social Club 10.30 am-4.30 pm Weekly. Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH JACS members are invited on the first Thursday of every month to the RHL&SC Tel: Jacqueline 01273 739999 RH Friday 11 BHPS Oneg with guest speaker Michael Harris on Living together – multiculturalism in the 21st century. 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove 7.30 – 10.00 pm Bridge at Ralli Hall 11.00 am Weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Efune - men and ladies welcome - 8.15- 9.15 pm at Chabad House. 01273 321919 Sunday 13 Fridays middle Street Synagogue Open day 2.30 – 4.30 pm. Entrance £3.00 Kuddle Up Shabbat parent & child playgroup with Sara Zanardo and her Israeli Film Festival Seret presents ‘An Israeli Love Story’ at Duke’s @ Komedia, Brighton at 6.30 pm guitar 10.30 am – 12.30 pm (including lunch) AJEX Centre, Eaton Road, Hove Tuesday 15 Eastbourne liberal Jewish Community (affiliated to Liberal Judaism). Sussex Jewish Golfing Society meeting at Cuddington Golf Club in Surrey Service at 6.30 pm on the 4th Friday of each month, at CTK Hall, Eastbourne, BN23 6HS. Information: www.eljc.org.uk or phone 01323 Thursday 17 725650 Israeli Film Festival Seret presents ‘Maktub’ at Duke’s @ Komedia, Saturdays Brighton at 8.00 pm Eastbourne Hebrew Congregation Shabbat services at 22, Susans Monday 21 Road, Eastbourne, 10.00 am. Contact 01323 484135 or 07739 082538 No SARId meeting members as it is Shavuot Eastbourne liberal Jewish Community (affiliated to Liberal Sunday 27 middle Street Synagogue Open day 2.30 – 4.30 pm. Entrance £3.00 REGUlAR ACTIvITIES - mAy NOTABlE dATES Thursday 3 Lag B’Omer Monday 7 Bank Holiday Saturday 19 Erev Shavuot Sunday 20 1st day Shavuot Monday 21 2nd day Shavuot – Yizkor Monday 28 Bank Holiday Judaism). Service at 12.30 pm, 2nd Saturday of each month, at CTK Hall, Eastbourne, BN23 6HS. Information: www.eljc.org.uk or phone 01323 725650 issue 285 | may 2018 -
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