Newsletter - Liberal Jewish Synagogue
Transcription
Newsletter - Liberal Jewish Synagogue
LJS News THE NEWSLETTER OF THE L I B E R A L J E W I S H S Y N AG O G U E Breaking down the barriers to peace October 2013 TishriCheshvan 5774 Tsurit (left) is an Israeli. Her friend Aisha is a Palestinian. They live only 25 miles apart, but they are separated by a wall – and by the years of hostility and suspicion between their communities. Yet together they are working to break down the mistrust between Palestinians and Israelis and show by example that understanding and mutual respect are necessary first steps on the road to peace. Read what they have to say about loss and friendship on page 10. ■ You can support Aisha and Tsurit in their pioneering work by attending a fund-raising dinner at the LJS on 10th November. More details on page 11. On other pages… Ann Kirk interviewed p4 Youth activities at the LJS Chairman’s Chatter p5 Hi-tech upgrade on first floor p8-9 p15 The Liberal Jewish Synagogue 28 St John’s Wood Road London NW8 7HA Tel 020 7286 5181 Fax 020 7266 3591 linked to Typetalk e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.ljs.org Senior Rabbi Alexandra Wright Rabbi Neil Janes Rabbi Emeritus David J Goldberg OBE Chairman of Council Michael Hart Head of Rimon Religion School Dov Softi Nursery Head Teacher Caroline Villiers Executive Director Caroline Bach Community Care Co-ordinator Liz Crossick Director of Music Cathy Heller-Jones Organist Tim Farrell In case of bereavement: In office hours, ring 020 7432 1298 At other times, ring 020 8445 2797 (MM Broad) LJS News Team Editor Peter Singer Artwork Davies Communications Tel 020 7483 0843 Printing: Jigsaw Unit 27 Bermondsey Trading Estate Rotherhithe New Road London SE16 3LL Tel 020 7394 2799 Fax 020 7394 2790 Copy dates The next LJS News will be for November 2013. Final copy date: 6th October 2013. Copy should be sent to The Editors at the LJS, or by email to [email protected] © The Liberal Jewish Synagogue 2013 2 BRING-A-FRIEND AND NEW MEMBERS’ SHABBAT A special Shabbat morning service on Saturday 19th October ■ for new members who have recently joined the congregation to attend and participate in the service ■ for all the congregation to invite friends who are not members and who might be interested in finding out about the synagogue. Make a note of the date and invite your friends. Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein, accompanied by his wife Sharon, cuts a cake to mark his 70th birthday after delivering the Shabbat Shuvah sermon at the LJS on 7th September. Dr Goldstein was elected President of Liberal Judaism in July this year. ■ The cake was baked and decorated by Debi Penhey, the LJS education co-ordinator. Donations those who mourn: Thank you for all the donations to the Synagogue’s High Holydays and Yom Kippur appeals – your generosity is greatly appreciated Bob Leuw, father of Carolyn Simon. Bereavements We extend our sympathy to Raymond Lewis, brother of Nicky Margolis. May God comfort you and all who mourn Ha-makom y’nacheim et’chem b’toch sh’ar ha-aveilim Friday evening services start at 18.45. Shabbat morning services start at 11.00 unless otherwise stated. Shabbat services Shabbat services: October DATE RABBI/SPEAKER NOTES Friday 4th October Alexandra Wright Chavurah supper for Classes Zayin and Chet Shabbat 5th October Noach Dr Edie Friedman Founder and Director of JCore (Jewish Council for Racial Equality) The service will be followed by the second Nosh ‘n’ Drosh with Edie Friedman – a new initiative in which you are invited to share lunch (provided) and respond to Edie’s sermon Friday 11th October Neil Janes Shabbat 12th October Lech L’cha Neil Janes Friday 18th October Alexandra Wright Shabbat 19th October Vayera Alexandra Wright (sermon) Neil Janes (D’var Torah) The congregation is invited to meet new members at a special reception before and after the service and to bring friends and families to this service of outreach and welcome Friday 25th October 2nd year Student Rabbi Hannah Kingston Hannah is currently doing her second year student apprenticeship at the LJS Shabbat 26th October Chayyei Sarah Alexandra Wright Friday 1st November TBA Celebration of Jo and Willie Kessler’s wedding anniversary. The Torah will be read by Dr Edward Kessler Shabbat 2nd November Rachel Benjamin Tol’dot Friday 8th November Alexandra Wright Shabbat 9th November Vayetze David J. Goldberg Saturday 9th November Kristallnacht 75th at 18.30 anniversary service Remembrance Shabbat With Andrea Hess on the cello, the LJS Choir (Director of Music: Cathy Heller-Jones) and organist Tim Farrell 3 Re-telling the survivors’ tale I have had the privilege of knowing Ann and Bob Kirk since 1978. I remember sitting alongside Ann at a Kristallnacht service in the old LJS. Ann was in tears. I knew that her parents, like Bob’s, were Holocaust victims, and that her thoughts must be with them. As to the details of her family history, even Ann’s sons were in the dark in those days. ‘David and Andy never questioned us; they realised it was too painful.’ Ann recognises this was part of a wider phenomenon, known as the 40-year syndrome. ‘After the war, people didn’t want to listen – they’d had enough; and the survivors were not willing to talk.’ It’s hard not to be aware that nowadays the situation is very different. In February this year I spotted a lovely picture of Ann in the Harrow Observer, speaking at a civic event to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. In April she gave a talk at a House of Commons reception to launch the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust theme for 2014: ‘Journeys’. Come June, Ann and Bob were pictured in the Jewish Chronicle in the company of Prince Charles, at an Association of Jewish Refugees reception commemorating the 75th anniversary of the kindertransport, the day after attending the main event – the reunion at which they were 4 the Jewish Museum. Ann Kirk, one of the dwindling band of Holocaust survivors, talks to Carolyn Simon about her need to make young people aware of the dangers of prejudice interviewed by CNN. They were also invited to a Royal Garden Party in recognition of their work in schools. In November they will participate in the Kristallnacht commemoration at the LJS, and in January/ February will again speak in the schools programmes at Finchley Reform Synagogue and Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue. I was interested to know when Ann first began to talk about her experiences during the Nazi era, and also why. ‘Prior to 1992, Bob and I only ever talked to each other about it. Then Andrew Goldstein asked us to speak at an NPLS Kristallnacht service, and since then we’ve pretty much been speaking non-stop, as we are also on the list of speakers for ‘We only say no if we can’t do the date or it really is too far away. Yes, it’s still hard and I sometimes have sleepless nights beforehand, but how can you compare that to what my Mum and Dad went through? When our granddaughter Devora reached nearly ten – the age I’d been when I came to England on the kindertransport – I realised what courage my parents had to send me away to safety.’ Ann explains, ‘We do it as a memorial to our parents. We’ve had no closure; closure isn’t possible.’ The final paragraph of her talk emphasises the dangers of racial prejudice, a very pertinent topic given the ethnically-mixed make-up of the young audiences. Ann illustrates the talk with a few poignant facsimiles of the letters and official papers now lodged at the Wiener Library. ‘I don’t go into the horrors. I simply say that my parents went to Auschwitz. But if asked, I answer. I adapt the content according to the age of the children. It’s the younger ones who are less inhibited in their questioning.’ One frequently asked question is: ‘Have you lost your faith?’ Ann’s answer is, ‘I did, for a long time. Then I read Why I am a Jew by Edmond Fleg, and realised that if I lost my faith, Hitler would have won.’ Whatever first drew you here – perhaps the prayer, the music or our inclusive approach – now’s your chance to share your delight in the LJS, says Michael Hart O ne of the most pleasant tasks at synagogue Council meetings is to receive the list of new members. This month we are holding a special service on 19th October to welcome those who have joined the congregation over the past couple of years. The service will also be an opportunity for all members to ‘bring a friend’ who might like to find out more about the LJS. This ‘New Members and Bring-a-Friend Shabbat’ is being organised by the Members Committee, who take the lead both on retaining our existing members and also in attracting new members to the synagogue. Recently Jenny White stepped down from chairing the committee; thank you to Jenny for her leadership. I am very grateful to Alex Weiss who has taken over as the chairman, with the very dedicated and enthusiastic support of Sue Bolsom. I hope that all of you will consider which of your friends and relatives might be interested in coming to the service on 19th October: coffee from 10.00, the service and also Tiny Tots at 11.00, kiddush afterwards and a chance to meet other congregants, the Rabbis, Council and committee members. Of course, if any of them want to return at a later date or even decide to join the synagogue, we will be delighted, but I can reassure you that our main intention is to be welcoming and to share the many positive attributes of the congregation. When I talk to visitors and new members, I am struck by the wide range of reasons that attract them to the LJS. Some will mention the importance of their family all being able to sit together, the ability to follow the service because of the mixture of English and Hebrew, or the participation of both women and men in services. Others stress the leadership of our Rabbis, our music, our stand on issues of social justice, the quality of the Religion School, or our inclusive approach to those in mixed-faith or same-sex relationships. Many talk about the warmth of their welcome, the informal opportunities for social interaction, and the range of activities available throughout the week. While there may always be aspects of the synagogue which we can improve further, I hope that you will think about what attracts you to the LJS and decide who you will bring on 19th October to find out more about these strengths. The reason for welcoming new members and ‘bringing a friend’ is not just financial or organisational; it is because we believe the LJS offers something very meaningful and special for everyone involved with its activities and what it stands for. Chairman’s Chatter Something special for everyone: the unique LJS offer Michael 5 at the LJS Classes in Judaism and Hebrew Sukkot term 5774/2013 TUESDAY 11.15-12.30 Tuesday Texts until 17th December Tutors: Rabbis Alexandra Wright and Neil Janes, and Dr Dov Softi This friendly group is led by our Rabbis as we study biblical texts and commentaries such as John Rayner’s Principles of Jewish Ethics. Our discussions are lively and relevant to contemporary issues. New members are most welcome. Biscuits are provided. TUESDAY 19.00-20.00 until 10th December Hebrew Classes 1) Beginners with Susannah Alexander (Terms 1, 2 and 3) This class is designed for beginners who want to learn to read and decipher the prayer book. 2) Parashat Ha-Shavua with Rabbi Alexandra Wright (Term 1 only: September – December) For those who have mastered Susannah’s class and can read slowly. We will be studying a few verses of the weekly portion in Hebrew, building up a little grammar and vocabulary and discussing some stories and themes from the Book of Genesis. 3) Mishnah with Rabbi Neil Janes (Term 2 only: January – April) For those who can read Hebrew slowly, we will be taking the class through parts of the earliest rabbinic code of Jewish law, Rabbi Judah Ha-Nasi’s Mishnah. 4) Maimonides with Rabbi Alexandra Wright (Term 3 only: April – July) For those who can read Hebrew slowly, the class will be studying parts of the Mishneh Torah, the great mediaeval legislator and philosopher, Moses Maimonides’ code of Jewish law. TUESDAY 20.00-21.00 Exploring Judaism until 10th December Tutor: Rabbi Neil Janes Exploring Judaism is for people who wish they knew more about Judaism or had paid attention in class as a child! It is for family members who are not Jewish but would like to understand more about Judaism. It is also an essential programme for those choosing Judaism by conversion. Class members are encouraged to read materials which will be made available online. The course is designed to offer knowledge about aspects of Judaism, to encourage practical experiences of Liberal Judaism and to allow space for personal reflection within the group. 6 Scriptural Reasoning Study Groups take place at the LJS, St John’s Wood Church and at the Mosque in Regent’s Park. Please contact the synagogue for more details. Scriptural Reasoning is the communal practice of reading sacred scriptures together, in small groups. Normally the passages of scripture chosen are Jewish, Christian and Muslim and are linked by a particular issue, theme, story or image. When read together in this way participants – or ‘reasoners’ – have found that astonishing, powerful and, at times, quite surprising, new conversations and relationships may open up. The Learning Circle WEDNESDAY 18.30 SHABBAT 9.45-10.45 Learning from Texts with Bernie Bulkin In the fifth year of this class, we continue our study of 20th century Jewish thought. Among those whose work we will be reading and discussing are Emil Fackenheim, Michael Rosenak, Aaron David Gordon, Theodore Herzl, Ahad Ha-am, Abraham Isaac (Rav) Kook, and Yeshayahu Leibowitz. There is usually a brief discussion of the parashah at the start of the class. No prior knowledge required, and new members are always welcome. SHABBAT 9.45-10.45 Beginners’ Hebrew with Gary Lane Using Rabbi Jonathan Romain’s tried and tested Hebrew primer, Signs and Wonders, Gary Lane is a precise, gentle and understanding teacher who will get you de-coding your Hebrew alphabet in no time at all. New additions to the class warmly welcome. LIBERAL JUDAISM – LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD A weekend of lectures, workshops and discussions Our scholar in residence will be Dr Ellen Umansky of Fairfield University, Connecticut Thursday 14th November 19.30 Lily Montagu Lecture Friday 15th November 18.45 Erev Shabbat service and dinner with Dr Umansky Shabbat 16th November 9.45 11.00 12.30 13.30-17.30 14.00 Pre-service shiur with Dr Umansky Shabbat morning service Kiddush and Chavurah lunch Children’s and youth activities with LJY-Netzer Ellen Umansky, ‘The Problem of God: Contemporary Challenges to Jewish Faith’ Workshops and discussions Tea followed by a ‘conversation’ about the 3 Ms Havdalah and close N ATO E B B M SHA GRAM O PR 15.00 16.00 17.15-17.30 7 Above: The Chalutzim – the oldest group – at this year’s summer camp at Sandroyd School in Wiltshire. Back row (left to right): Issy Schmidt and Naomi Lane (both leaders), Joe Kleeman, Sophie Levitt, Rachel Berlingieri, Beatrice Isaacson. Front row: Caroline Weiss and Hannah Geneen. Caroline Weiss and Hannah Geneen, who are both 15, and Charlie-Luca Gruzd, who is 9, were among the 16-strong LJS group who went away to the Liberal Jewish youth movement’s August camp. All three have enjoyed every event they have been to. LJY Netzer have weekends, Spring Camp, and Kadimah (Summer Camp). Charlie-Luca explains, ‘You talk about serious things like justice, vegetarianism and you have serious kef (fun). We had a mega laser tag activity this year.’ All of them agree that ‘Gangershlaft’ – the joys of messy challenges – are unmissable. Another Kadimah favourite, says Caroline, is ‘the wide game, which is a massive water fight. This year the group leader who ran that session was from Australia. He limited the amount of water due to a hypothetical drought situation. This led to a full-on attack with salad cream. Another leader was squirting ketchup, so groups had very long showers afterwards!’ ‘Shabbat,’ she continues, ‘is also a big part of the two weeks. The Erev Shabbat service incorporates the whole camp and everybody dresses up and has dinner together.’ ‘Every time you go, you learn at least one new song like the Tree of Life or the llama song,’ adds Charlie-Luca. Hannah says, ‘I go on Kadimah for two weeks every year and spend the other 50 weeks of the year counting down till the next camp so it’s fair to say I had high expectations for my final Kadimah. ‘One session I found particularly interesting was a visit from a survivor of the Holocaust who came to talk to us about his experiences. It was very moving and something I’m sure we’ll all remember in years to come. As chalutzim (Year 10) we got the opportunity to run a morning for plagim and ananim (Years 3-6) with the theme of ‘where the wild things are’ where we organised treasure hunts, obstacle courses and ran a creative service for them. ‘LJY Netzer has been a huge part of my life for the last eight years and has allowed me to strengthen my Jewish identity and build lifelong friendships. So if you're looking for a fantastic way to spend two weeks of your summer, LJY-Netzer Taster Weekends 25th-27th October ■ Plagim Weekend (POW) (for school years 3-6) ■ Nechalim Weekend (NOW) (for school years 7-8) ■ Yamim Weekend (YOW) (for school years 9-10) E-mail [email protected] or go to www.ljy-netzer.org ‘My first time in Israel was a month I will never forget’ I first joined the Liberal Jewish Youth community when I was nine. Since then, I attended nearly every spring and summer camp in the years leading up to Israel tour. I began learning about Israel through sessions run by the leaders at camp, and I wanted to experience Israel firsthand with the friends I had made at LJY. Before Israel tour I had a very basic knowledge of Israel’s history and its current conflicts. I had hoped to learn more while visiting Israel, but I never realised how detailed Israel’s history is. Whilst in Israel we were able to talk to people from many different backgrounds about Israel’s history and conflicts and hear their opinions. I found it extremely interesting how the views of individual Israeli citizens can differ from one another. The different viewpoints allowed us to appreciate each individual’s opinion and personal connection to Israel, and this understanding 8 16-year-old Sarah Berlingieri reflects on this summer’s tour of Israel helped me to form my own opinions. Meeting with Arab-Israeli teenagers allowed us to hear young people’s views about the current conflicts. This was a very moving experience and it opened my eyes to how much the conflict in Israel affects people’s daily lives. Some of the seminars proved to be quite intense and made us think deeply about everything we had learnt. Both our English and Israeli madrichim (leaders) were always there for us to have discussions and help us solve any unanswered questions. I am so grateful to have had such incredible leaders as they helped make Israel tour so memorable. The atmosphere on tour was always positive, cheerful and full of excitement. definitely consider coming on Kadimah 2014.’ Caroline says her closest friends go to LJY. ‘I have looked forward to camp throughout the whole year. I have enjoyed my LJY journey very much, and I can’t wait to go on the Israel Tour and hopefully become a leader when I am 18.’ Youth Activities ‘I spend the other 50 weeks counting down to the next camp’ Touring the whole of Israel from north to south allowed me to admire every aspect of the country, from the Kinneret in the north, all the way down to the Negev Desert in the south. Our Israeli guide taught us the history behind every place we visited and helped us appreciate how beautiful and culture-rich Israel is. As a group we were able to volunteer at a few places too. For example, we worked with children at a multi-faith summer camp. We also helped in the arduous task of clearing a path around the Kinneret by cutting through bushes with machetes! Through volunteering, we had been given the chance to give something back to Israel. Other memories of the tour that stand out for me are snorkelling in the Red Sea, rafting down the Jordan River, sleeping in large tents the night before climbing Mount Masada and riding camels in the Negev Desert. These experiences will stay with me for ever. My first time in Israel was a month I will never forget. I am so grateful to LJY Netzer for helping to organise this tour and I hope many other people will be able to tour Israel with the LJY community. ‘Snorkelling in the Red Sea , rafting down the Jordan… riding camels in the Negev …’ 9 ‘If we can sit together and talk after what we have been through, anyone can do it…’ In Hibbat Tsion, a rural village in the middle of Israel, retired maths teacher Tsurit Sarig plays host to a visitor from beyond the barrier – Aisha Khateeb, a teacher from Nablus on the West Bank. The violent death of a child has been all too common in the Middle East. Peter Singer speaks to two of the bereaved Palestinian and Israeli families who have channeled their grief and anger into a campaign for reconciliation rather than revenge The two women have been thrown together by shared grief. Aisha’s younger brother Mahmoud was shot in the chest by an Israeli soldier, and took ten years to die; Tsurit’s 22-year-old son Guy was killed by a sniper while serving in the Israeli army. Now they work together as members of the Parents CircleFamilies Forum, 600 Israelis and Palestinians who have all lost loved ones in the decades of Middle East violence and who campaign for peace and reconciliation between their communities. Aisha says: ‘What we are doing together is a first step towards a better future. When Tsurit came to visit me in Nablus, she was the first Jew to come to my family’s house for 44 years. All my family came round and wanted to talk with her. She is one of us – she’s not like a foreigner coming to our house. ‘It’s not something complicated… Knowing each other, breaking the ice, getting away from the traditional ideas which we learnt from 10 Two families united in hope: breaking down the barriers to understanding, and escaping the cycle of violence our parents and their parents. ‘I can understand Tsurit’s suffering. I can understand how she feels when she talks about her son, because I am a mother. Nothing is more precious than our children. Even if you had 100 children you wouldn’t want to lose one. ‘Tsurit and I are looking at the future of our children. We don’t want them to have the same kind of experience we have suffered.’ Tsurit adds: ‘Its very important for me to know that there are Palestinians who are against violence and wars, who want what I want – to live in peace, side by side, not one above the other. On both sides, in Israel and Palestine, there are people who imagine they can live here without the other nation, that somehow the others will vanish. But I don’t see life this way: it’s not logical. ‘When Aisha and I work together we see that there are people to talk with, who want to be our partners in this work. It’s very slow, difficult work and some people don’t approve. But as we say in our lectures, if we can sit together and talk after what we have been through, anyone can do it; and the politicians should do it until they come up with a result. ‘Aisha and I are good friends, but we don’t have to share the same opinions about everything. Last time we met at the women’s group I spoke about Israeli youngsters going into the army. I said they have to, it’s an obligation. This doesn’t mean I support the occupation. It was very difficult for Aisha to hear me say this. But we try to talk about it. ‘When I first came to her parents’ house in Nablus they didn’t know anything about me, about the project or anything. The most touching part of my visit was simply to sit with Aisha’s mother. Although we could barely communicate, I could feel her empathy. She said she wanted to come here and visit my home in Hibbat Tsion.’ Aisha intervenes: ‘She asked me to bring her here – and I will. I’d really like to bring her and I’ll ask some friends too.’ Aisha says one of the big benefits of working in the Families Forum is that she no longer worries so much about the safety of her six children. Before the family was involved in the Forum, she says, her sons used to throw stones at Israeli soldiers. But no longer. ‘They have a lot of very good Israeli friends now and they don’t believe in fighting with Israelis. They would always try to find another solution, by talking rather than by fighting, because they don’t want to lose one of their friends. ‘For me it’s great – I can be sure my children are going to be OK. Maybe they will have some other kind of accident, but at least I know they won’t be blowing themselves up.’ The Parents Circle-Families Forum runs a variety of projects to bring bereaved Israelis and Palestinians together: among them the ‘narrative project’ in which they recount their contrasting versions of history; joint visits to Yad Vashem (the Holocaust museum in Jerusalem) and to destroyed Arab villages; lectures in schools; and summer camps where Israeli and Palestinian teenagers can mix and get to know one another as individuals, rather than as stereotypes. ■ A fundraising dinner in support of the courageous work of the Families Forum is being held at the LJS on Sunday 10th November. It is being catered by top chef Mark Jankel, founder of Street Kitchen, who is creating a special menu of Palestinian and Israeli-themed food for the event. If you would consider joining a table of other LJS members at the dinner, please email [email protected] Read more about the Forum at www.familiesforum.co.uk Give some thought to the future Have you thought about leaving a legacy to the LJS? Without those vital legacies the LJS would not provide all it does in prayer, learning and support. It is a really valuable way to maintain the community into the future. Your gift will make a real difference to sustain the synagogue and all its activities. Recent legacies received have been put into music, education, and community care initiatives and have also meant that buildings both at the synagogue and cemetery have been upgraded. We promise that your legacy will be spent thoughtfully and make an important difference to what matters to you, your family and friends. You can also let us know if you have any particular ideas on what you would like your legacy to support. If you would like to speak to someone about remembering the synagogue in your Will, feel free to approach any of the Honorary Officers, Michael Hart, Sue Head, Barbara Fidler or Eric Blaire. If you want advice about a legacy written into your Will, Ellen Schmidt, our Honorary Solicitor, is happy to be contacted in confidence. 11 Perfect day in Worthing On a perfect summer Sunday 40 members and helpers of the Out & About club went on their annual outing to Worthing (right). They were joined by Fred and Marcia Shelley as well as Frank Daly, on his 21st outing, and Mick Daly, who kindly drove one of the buses for us. We enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Chatsworth Hotel followed by tea and plenty of ice creams on the promenade before the journey home. Two days later the club held a Bring and Buy sale which raised £262 towards the cost of transport and the five large bags of clothes left over were kindly taken to a charity shop by Mark Kaye. 12 Gypsy and klezmer music at the LJS A concert will be held at the LJS at 16.00 on 24th November in memory of Bob Schuck, clarinettist, pianist and teacher. The concert will reflect some of Bob’s interests, including gypsy and klezmer music. All LJS members are invited to attend. Admission will be free but contributions to the Musician’s Benevolent Fund will be welcomed. There will be refreshments in the Montefiore Hall following the concert. If you would like to attend, please phone Caroline Schuck, Bob’s sister, on 020 7722 2114 or 07972 480433. LJS BOOK CLUB The Book Club meets at 19.00 on Thursday 3rd October to discuss Illuminations, a novel by Eva Hoffman. [\ NOSH ’N’ DROSH Following the success of our first Nosh ’n’ Drosh in July, we are repeating the event on Saturday 5th October and Saturday 21st December. Please join the congregation after the kiddush for a light lunch (which has been kindly donated) in the Montefiore Hall. Everyone is welcome. Lunch will be at 13.00, followed by a short talk. [\ BRIDGE CLUB meets on Mondays from 14.00-17.00 in the Assembly Hall upstairs at the LJS. The club is much enjoyed by its members. Anyone with any knowledge of the game is most welcome. There is a friendly atmosphere and helpful suggestions. The cost is £2 (including tea or coffee). [\ SUPPER QUIZ On Sunday 6th October at 19.00 the Out and About Club is presenting a supper quiz to raise funds for transport. Tickets (£17.50 each) can be booked by calling 020 7286 5181 or emailing [email protected]. [\ RESTAURANT TUESDAY Our August lunch was sponsored anonymously and was enjoyed by all. Very many thanks to the generous donor. Our next lunch is on Tuesday 15th October when we hope to see all our regulars as well as some new faces who will be assured of a warm welcome. We urgently need a couple of additional drivers for the minibus, which brings some of our guests to the lunch. With a full complement of drivers, turns come around twice in six months and the meal is complimentary! Do please give this serious consideration – it really is a great mitzvah. If you can help, please ring Ann Kirk on 01923 821923. Our Community Events for your diary [\ TEA PLUS VIDEO Our film afternoon is Wednesday. Soup is served from 13.00 and the film starts at about 13.45 or 14.00. Tea is served after the film. The suggested donation for refreshments is £2. 23rd October – Guys and Dolls 27th November – Cinderella (ballet) There is no meeting in December. [\ KEEP IN TOUCH The next tea party will be at Purim next year – on 16th March. Meanwhile KIT continues its work on behalf of our more frail members. [\ WORLD WITHOUT BORDERS Wissam Boustani, professor of flute at the Royal Northern College of Music and a player of international reputation, will be playing a solo flute piece he has composed at a dinner in the LJS on Sunday 10th November. It is about his vision of a world without borders. Boustani (below), who was born in Lebanon to Palestinian parents, is a supporter and former patron of Friends of the Bereaved Families Forum, the group which is organising the fund-raiser (see more details of the dinner on page 11). 13 Young LJS We wish these young members of the LJS a very happy birthday in October: Raphael Abib George Buck Gabriella Cohen Harry Delew Katie Delew Katherine Falk Asher Finkletaub-Ageh Eve Hallgarten Nysa Harrowell Daniels Benjamin Hyman Michael Josefs Lukas Klein Wassink Freya Lefebvre Sell Toby Levitt James Milne Lawrence Perry Rachel Posner Helen Roth Geronimo Salem Anna Scheer Anna Shell Michael Sokel Eve Spearman-Walters Olivia Teacher is moving towards completion of the next phase. We have 14 junior and adult workshop meeting dates set between September and December, both at the LJS and also at private homes in and around London. There must be one near you! Come and contribute a few stitches – or why not enjoy making your own canvas? ALL are welcome on any date. For more details, contact Jane Finestone or Rita Adler: email [email protected] or phone 020 7286 5181. TINY TOTS at the LJS © Dawn Hudson/Fotolia.com Do you have little ones aged between 0 and 4? Please bring them to the LJS on Shabbat mornings for a delightful session of songs, stories, drawing and kiddush: 5th October • 19th October 9th November • 16th November Activities for tiny ones with their parents, grandparents and carers. The nursery is available every Shabbat for children to play or read Please email [email protected] to be added to the Tiny Tots circulation list 14 First floor leaps into 21st century with a hi-tech upgrade The first floor refurbishments at the LJS were completed during the summer thanks to the donations made to the Rabbi John Rayner/Centenary Appeal fund. You are invited to mark the 75th Anniversary of Kristallnacht at a Special Service of Remembrance and Commemoration at 18.30 on Saturday 9th November Apart from fresh decorations and new carpets, users will notice the transformation of the robing room into a volunteers’ room, installation of a state of the art interactive whiteboard in the Mattuck Room, an integral screen and projector in the Assembly Hall, information screens provided in both the downstairs and upstairs foyers and a drinks station in the upstairs foyer area with a drinking fountain and a cupboard for hot drinks. Less visible but equally important are the updating of the air conditioning, heating Above: Head teacher Dov Softi shows off the new technology in the Mattuck Room to a group of Rimon School teachers. and sound systems in the Mattuck and Assembly Rooms. In addition, Classroom 1 has been redecorated using funds raised at the Summer Soirée. Many thanks to Tony Weiss, chair of the Buildings and Facilities committee, who led on this development, assisted by Gordon Higgot and David Lazarus. Caroline Bach featuring the LJS Choir, directed by Cathy Heller-Jones Organist: Tim Farrell Cellist: Andrea Hess Readers will include witnesses of Kristallnacht in 1938 The LJS in conjunction with the Association of Jewish Refugees Right: A teacher training session in progress beneath the pensive portrait of Rabbi John Rayner. 15 Montefiore display will illustrate 3Ms An exhibition of copies of portraits – paintings, photos and a bust – of Claude Montefiore, the first LJS President, will be displayed in and around the rear foyer from 12th November until 16th December. It will illustrate a session about the ‘Three Ms’ – Claude Montefiore, Lily Montagu and Israel Mattuck (the first minister of the LJS) – at the Shabbaton on 16th November. Some of Montefiore’s publications will also be on display. ■ Portrait of Montefiore in the robes of a Doctor of Divinity reproduced by permission of the Froebel Trust. Come and join in on Mitzvah Day Every year on Mitzvah Day more than 25,000 people say ‘yes’ to social action and giving, spreading goodness, repairing the broken and making this world a better place. Now a well-anticipated focal point in British Jewry’s annual calendar, Mitzvah Day galvanises participants to donate their time and energy to a range of vital causes that make a real difference to those in need around the world. Mitzvah Day’s hundreds of social action initiatives are underpinned by our mission to reduce hardship and poverty, care for our environment and give a little joy. We bring these Jewish values alive by creating opportunities and partnerships that put them to work. 16 How can you participate? ❶ For the past few years, the LJS has occupied a space outside Sainsbury’s at the O2 Centre on Finchley Road. From 10.30 on Sunday 17th November, volunteers will gather just inside the sliding doors that lead out to the car park to collect food, toiletries, dried goods from shoppers for Doorstep Homeless Families Project in West Hampstead. This centre has lost all its funding from Camden so urgent help is needed not only on Mitzvah Day but all the year round. We are having a special push on 17th November. ❷ At the LJS, the Kabbalat Torah classes will be collecting designer and very good quality second hand clothes for World Jewish Relief to sell and raise funds for impoverished communities in Ukraine, Moldova, Russia and Belarus. Please bring your goods, which must be in excellent condition, to the LJS on 17th November between 10.00 and 12.30 where the KT class will be glad to receive them, pack them and pass them on to WJR.
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