Shalom magazine - The Atlantic Jewish Council

Nice to be back. My husband,
Messod, and I just got
back from 7 weeks away.
Four weeks were spent in Madrid
and Barcelona where Messod was
doing research on Judeo-Spanish
ballads, thanks to one of the few
remaining grants in Humanities
research, two weeks were spent on
holiday (mmmm), and one week at
a conference on Judeo-Spanish at
the University of London. The last
evening we were invited to have
dinner at the Bevis Marks Synagogue
(the oldest synagogue in use in the
UK) which is a smaller model of the
Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue
of Amsterdam. Both synagogues use
candlelight (the latter exclusively)
for services, weddings and other
festivities.
During the first month, Messod and I
attended services at the Balmes synagogue
in Madrid and the synagogue on Carrer
Avenir in Barcelona. Both communities,
although larger than St. John’s, are truly
small communities. During the generous
Kiddush and Seudat Shlishit, we had
a chance to share and compare our
concerns and experiences, some of which
are remarkably similar. Both Rabbis and
Kosher meat are hard to get and very
expensive. Assimilation is a huge problem,
although many young people there are
considering or making Aliyah. Volunteers
are called upon to put forth huge efforts
to keep the communities going. Numbers
Picnic at the Mercers - July 2010
Report from The Rock
by Claire Frankel-Salama
In the “Call” or old Jewish ghetto of
Girona in Catalunya
swell in tourist season, but in general,
they are not growing. One difference is, of
course, that we do not need armed guards
at our front doors.
Like our counterparts in Europe, we have
many activities in addition to regular
services. This past spring we have had
many outreach classes, some in the
synagogue and some in the schools. In
April I visited St. Kevin’s High School
in the Goulds and gave two talks and a
Powerpoint presentation. As it was just
before Pesach, I brought Matzah for them
to try.
The following Sunday I gave a
presentation on the Holocaust to 40 to
50 students, chaperones and teachers
who are doing the Asper Foundation
programme. The students were extremely
involved and grateful, and the session was
meaningful for all, myself included. In
May they went to the Holocaust Museum
in Washington.
The following month we welcomed a
youth group from St. Peter’s in Upper
Gullies to a Friday night service and Oneg.
They were preparing to go on a youth
pilgrimage to Israel (see picture). We also
welcomed 60 World Religions students
from Prince of Wales Collegiate to the
Synagogue in May.
Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2
arouNd our regioN:
This past spring we were extremely
busy with preparations for the Holocaust
Memorial Service. The committee, chaired
by Dr. Barbara Grandy, included Professor
Messod Salama, June Mercer, Bonnie
Leyton, and myself, as well as Ruth Noel,
Elizabeth Malischewski and Shari Ritter
from the Havura. As the theme was
“Righteous Christians”, both Ruth and I
spoke about our personal experiences.
Dr. Gerhard Bassler, Professor Emeritus
of the Department of History at Memorial
University was the guest speaker. The
event was a huge success, as usual, with
approximately 300 in attendance. Dr.
Bassler, Ruth and I were interviewed by
CBC radio, and there were several articles
in the Telegram as well.
Shortly afterwards, Philip Riteman came
to give two weeks of lectures on the
Holocaust to schools on the island, and
we were delighted to welcome him back
to Beth El where we held an Oneg in his
honour.
We were also very busy with the ordering
of Passover goods. Thanks again to
Shimon Wilansky for his efforts. We had
an amazing first Seder at the synagogue
which was organized and prepared by
Barbara Grandy, with the aide of June
Mercer, Bonnie Leyton, Messod Salama,
Shimon and Lin Wilansky and myself.
Among the many attendees were Dr.
James Rosen and his wife, Mary Pratt
(yes, that Mary Pratt) and Dr. Michael
Berman. The Rivkins decided to have their
Seder at home as their daughters, Ruth
and Hannah, are leaving for university
outside of the province this fall. We also
missed the Rouahs this year, as Robbie
and Kelly just had a new baby, Jacob.
Mazel Tov to all the Rouahs.
Since then we have had some wonderful
visitors: Rabbi Zusshe Silberstein, who
was here for a conference just prior to
Shavuot, gave us two lectures on the
meaning of Shavuot. He was very warm,
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