20903 Hamoar cover - Federation Of Synagogues

EDITORIAL 

Shanah Tovah 

Welcome to the new year of 5770, I 

hope you enjoy this latest edition of 

Hamaor, which is packed with a 

wide range of articles that offers 

something of interest to everyone. 

From in-depth Halachic analysis provided by the Rosh 

Beth Din, Dayan YY Lichtenstein to a report by Sarah 

Anticoni about the future developments for women 

within the Federation of Synagogues. 

We also have some reflections about Rosh Hashanah 

from the Chief Executive, Dr Eli Kienwald and the 

Yeshurun’s Rabbi Alan Lewis, as well as an inspiring 

account about Recha and Isaac Sternbuch efforts to 

save their fellow Jews during the time of the 

Holocaust. 

Mark Harris updates us as to the regeneration of 

communities in Poland and you’ll find delicious new 

twists to traditional recipes in Family Hamaor. If you’re 

looking for a new book for the New Year then don’t 

miss the review of Martin Stern’s latest publication. 

My thanks go to all the contributors for this edition, 

submissions are always welcome, keep sending us your 

news, views and interesting stories that make this your 

essential Federation magazine. 

A special note of thanks to Roberta Rubenstein for all 

her hard work over the years on Hamaor, we wish her 

all the best for the future. 

Contents 

Diary 2 

An insight into “Chalak Beit Yosef” 6 

CST - Speak up 9 

Do not cast us out in the time 

of our old age 10 

Rosh Hashana - 

Yom Teruah or Yom Zikhron Teruah? 12 

Nine 14 

The Role of Women in the Federation 16 

Family Hamoar 

The Rosh Hashana Duet 18 

Book Review - A Time to Speak 20 

Return to der Heim 22 

Hoping to help stillbirth parents 26 

Recha and Isaac Sternbuch 28 

Recipes 30 

Personal 34 

Kashrus Directory 41 

Federation of Synagogues 

Contact Details 42 

Burial Society 43 

List of Synagogues 44 

Wishing you all kesivah vechasima tova. 

Eva 

Published by The Federation of Synagogues 

65 Watford Way, London NW4 3AQ 

Tel: 020 8202 2263 Fax: 020 8203 0610 

Email: info@federationofsynagogues.com 

www.federationofsynagogues.com 

Editor: Eva Chapper 

Advertising: Eva Chapper 

Hamaor / September 2009 Page 1

DIARYDIARYDIARYDIARYDIARYDIARY 

NEWS & EVENTS 

Croydon 

We were very fortunate to have Edwina Currie come to 

Croydon to talk to us about her experiences as a 

Member of Parliament and as a Minister in the 

Conservative Government. Her life after leaving 

Parliament was just as interesting and it was a great 

pleasure to listen to her. She told us that she now runs 

a book club at Nightingale House, amongst her other 

numerous activities, which include broadcasting and 

writing novels. Approximately 60 people attended the 

event and some people bought some of her books. We 

then had a lovely tea of sandwiches and cakes. A 

donation was made to Nightingale House. 

Croydon community celebrated the Aufruf of Danny 

Butler whose parents have been members of our 

Synagogue for many years. Danny himself had 

attended cheder classes and he was remembered by 

many of the people as a young boy. We all wished him 

and his bride to be all the best for their future together. 

The Friday night dinners are still very popular and 19 

people were present at the last dinner organised by our 

Revd. Mark Daniels. 

Finchley 

On Lag Ba’Omer a grand bonfire and barbeque was 

held at the home of Rabbi and Rebbetzin Hamer. In 

addition to the normal fare, hot marshmallows were 

enjoyed by all. 

We were pleased to welcome Rabbi Joseph Freilich as 

the speaker at our annual Dovid Ha-Melech Seudoh at 

the end of Shavuos. He gave an entertaining and 

humorous address. 

On Tisha B’Av, the moving film “Genocide”, narrated by 

Orson Welles, was shown before Mincha. 

In order to make the Eruv available to our members 

and visitors, Finchley Central Synagogue has been 

davening on Shabbos for the past year at Pardes House 

School. This has been a very successful move, 

attracting enough children for two children’s services, 

but it is only a temporary solution and we look forward 

to finding a more permanent building. We are pleased 

to be able to offer our members services for Rosh 

HaShanah and Yom Kippur at both Redbourne Avenue 

and Pardes House this year. 

JAMI still uses our beautiful building and their annual 

BBQ held in June was extremely successful with about 

15 people present. 

Our community celebrated the 95th birthday of Sam 

Berman on the 15th August with a wonderful kiddush 

in his honour. Sam is a Shabbat regular and we all love 

him dearly. 

Mark Daniels will become a Rabbi this summer but 

unfortunately will be leaving Croydon in August to go 

to Israel with his wife Sonya. He will be leaving the 

Croydon community and everyone here will miss him 

and the wonderful work he has done for us all. We 

would like to wish them all the best for the future. 

Services at Head Office: 

Friday: Mincha followed by 

Kabbalat Shabbat 

Shabbat: Mincha Followed by a 

Shiur by Dayan Lichtenstein 

Weekday Mincha Monday: Thursday 

1.40pm. Except on Bank Holidays. 

Dayan Lichtenstein’s Shiur 

Mondays 8.30pm 

Page 2 Hamaor / September 2009


NEWS & EVENTS 

Ilford 

On Sunday 31st May, a unique event was held for 19 

ladies of the community, who had never previously 

celebrated their Bat Chayil. At the ceremony, attended 

by 400 guests, each woman gave a presentation giving 

a personal account entitled, ‘What brought me here 

today’ and marked the completion of a year of study 

with teacher Rebbetzen Eva Chapper. The Bat Chayil 

graduates were presented with a certificate, the book 

“From Sarah to Sarah”, generously donated by Michael 

Rogers in the memory of his late wife Ilona Rogers, and 

a booklet containing all the speeches compiled by 

Rabbi Chapper. 

After a tour of Krakow and its sights and shuls, the 

group made its way to Auschwitz. Sala movingly retold 

of her experiences in the places that they occurred. 

Sombrely, we stood at the spot where she was handled 

and selected for life by Mengele and subsequently sent 

to the shower rooms together with her mother. It was 

at this time, that she was cruelly torn away from her 

mother, sadly never to see her again. 

A Sefer Torah was brought with on the trip and taken 

into the camp. As Sala’s Auschwitz story drew to a 

close in the women’s barracks, Rabbi Garson led the 

group in a deeply moving and emotional dance to the 

famed “Am Yisrael Chai”. The group danced with the 

Sefer Torah in the barracks, as tears of hope for the 

future of the Jewish People flowed freely. 

The graduates are listed in alphabetical order: 

Shirley Appleby, Estelle Bashton, Frances Bookatz, Linda Conroy, 

Marion Grant, Deborah Hiller, Felicia Lawrence, Maxine 

Leckerman, Beatrice Lesser, Estelle Luton, Debra Montlake, Fay 

Montlake, Helen Myers, Rita Newmark, Gloria Rones, Gill 

Saunders, Raya Simons, Sandra Wajchendler and Jessica Wesil. 

Ohr Yisrael 

A unique trip - Ohr Yisrael’s 

Second Poland Trip in 6 months 

Following their initial successful trip last September, 

Rabbi & Rebbetzen Garson led a second group of about 

40 participants to Poland. This time they were 

accompanied by a special survivor, Mrs. Sala Newton 

the mother of Dr Ros Landau (wife of Martin Landau, 

President of Ohr Yisrael). 

Dancing with the Sefer Torah in the barracks 

(Photograph by Lisa Shaffer) 

Once outside the sun was beginning to set and the 

men davened mincha. The question “who would have 

thought such a thing would ever be possible?” rang 

clear in the silence. As the sun made its descent over 

the trees, a picture taken by participant Brian Conn – 

eerily shows a clear “magen david” in the sun – over 

the Auschwitz crematoria – displaying the message of 

the eternality of the Jewish People. 

The group then made its way to the ruins of the 

crematoria and the gas chambers. Rabbi Garson 

delivered a powerful message of hope, explaining that 

once we walked out of Auschwitz, we would never be 

the same. He explained however that depression is not 

a word that should appear in the lexicon of Judaism. 

Hamaor / September 2009 Page 3


NEWS & EVENTS 

Rather, we all needed to commit to improving our 

connection with the Almighty, which is something all 

those who perished were denied off so viciously. 

NEWS & EVENTS 

After a whirlwind tour of Warsaw, we davened Maariv 

in the The Nozyk Synagogue, where Mr. Norman Black 

read the “Kel Malei Rachamim” prayer for relatives of 

his that were killed in Treblinka. 

This was concluded by some final thoughts by Rabbi 

Garson, whereupon the group broke out into dance 

and song, with “Ashreinu Ma Tov Chelkenu” – How 

special and praised are the Jewish People. The dancing 

continued into the streets till we boarded the bus. 

All of us arrived home emotionally drained, but with a 

deep appreciation for the importance of Jewish 

continuity and commitment in our service to Hashem. 

By the ruins of the crematoria and the gas chambers 

(Photograph by Brian Conn) 

As we walked the long walk to freedom, we all sang the 

famous R’Shlomo Carlebach “Krakow” niggun and the 

words of “Ani Maamin” echoed in the dark. 

The following morning, the group re-traced Sala’s 

childhood to the city of Lodz. We located the building 

she lived in as a child. A 4 storey building which was 

once occupied by Jewish families, now houses Poles 

who “legitimately” own the properties. 

The current tenants allowed her to re-visit her family 

home. We then stood in the courtyard as she reminisced 

about her fond childhood memories and the horrific 

eviction of her family into the infamous Lodz Ghetto. 

After visiting the site of the Ghetto, the group made its 

way to the old Lodz Cemetery. Sala’s father had died 6 

months before the outbreak of the war, and due to the 

stresses of the time, was denied a proper tombstone 

setting. Recently her grandson Samuel, whilst on a 

Poland trip with his Yeshiva, used the cemetery’s 

records to locate the grave-site. 

Incorporated into the itinerary, was the closing of a 

circle for Sala, as Rabbi Garson officiated at a moving 

“Hakamat Matzevah” in the old Lodz Cemetery. Her 

grandson who joined us in the trip, emotionally 

delivered an inspiring talk about the continuity of the 

Jewish People. 

The trip was guided by the expert guide “Tzvi Sperber”, 

the director of J-Roots tours. 

“Kabbalat Hatorah” - Shavuot 

Shabbaton 

In honour of our yearly receiving of the Torah, Ohr Yisrael 

hosted a sell out Shabbaton on the second day of 

Shavuot. The day was aptly marked with a siyum on 

Tractate Bava Kamma – the 2nd tractate to be completed 

by the committed group of Daf Yomi Learners – who 

attend Rabbi Garson’s shiur every day at 5:50am! 

HLX – BES Summer Program 

A 3 week Summer term with a huge array of shiurim, 

programs & lectures took place in June. Hertfordshire 

Learning Experience was set up in memory of the late 

Rabbi Shmuli Kass z”l, by Rabbi Garson and to date 

100s of people have participated in their programs. 

Speakers included: Rabbis: Leo Dee, Raphy Garson, Natan 

Levy, Yehuda Silver, Avi Sharf and Dovid Tugendhaft. 

Rebbetzens: Dina Brawer & Deborah Garson. 

Representatives of the LSJS faculty and Richard Carr. 

Most of HLX’s programs are now jointly run together 

with Shenley United and Borehamwood & Elstree 

United Synagogue – which is a true testament to Rabbi 

Kass’s vision of having a centre of learning Torah for 

the whole Hertfordshire community. 



NEWS & EVENTS 

Head Office 

and Paul Westbrook, together with their wives and 

members from Ilford Federation Synagogue and other 

Federation Synagogues who were visiting Israel at the 

time. Refreshments were served. 

This is the second ambulance that the Federation of 

Synagogues has presented to Magen David Adom Israel 

on behalf of its members. The first ambulance, presented 

to them in 2005, is stationed in Hadera and is 

extensively used. The second ambulance is to be based 

at another location in Israel where this service is needed. 

Photograph taken of the Executive of the Rabbinic Centre of 

Europe held at Shomrei Hadath Synagogue on Monday May 4th 

hosted by the Federation of Synagogues. 

New MDS ambulance 

The Federation of Synagogues presented an 

ambulance to Magen David Adom Israel on behalf of 

its members on Tuesday 25th August 2009 in Netanya. 

The money for the ambulance was raised through the 

Federation’s Kol Nidre Appeal. The Ceremony was 

attended by two Honorary Officers of the Federation of 

Synagogues from the United Kingdom, Leon Newmark 

(Photograph by Michael Mandel) 

Don’t forget to 

look out for 

Shabbat Spice 

Out now, and in your local Shul 

Hamaor / September 2009 

Page 5

HALACHIC THOUGHTS 

An insight into “Chalak Beit Yosef ” 

By Dayan Y. Y. Lichtenstein, Rosh Beth Din, Federation of Synagogues 

Approximately 18 years ago the 

London Board for Shechita 

introduced a new, and higher, 

level of Kashrut for some of 

their butcher shops, called 

Chalak Beit Yosef. Primarily this 

was done on the 

encouragement of 

the then Sefardic 

Chief Rabbi of 

Israel, the Rishon 

Lezion Hagaon 

Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu Shlita, and with the 

enthusiastic support of the former Ab Beth Din of the 

Sefardi Beth Din, Dayan P Toledano, one of the 

ecclesiastical authorities of the London Board of 

Shechita. Although the original intent had been to 

satisfy those Sefardic customers, who were particular for 

this superior level of Kashrut, it has become very popular 

with Ashkenazim too. 

Today the London Board certifies five outlets with 

Chalak Beit Yosef meat and the demand is growing. 

Lately, however, there have been questions from 

various quarters about this practice and the purpose of 

this article is to explain what is meant by Chalak Beit 

Yosef and why others find it necessary. 

Interestingly, since 1905, the London Board for 

Shechita always provided for two levels of Kashrut. In 

1991 the higher level was referred to as Machzikei 

Hadas, but this was a totally different type of operation 

than the Chalak Beit Yosef. 

The Machzikei Hadas story began in 1890 when several 

frum immigrants were dismayed by the standard of 

Kashrut prevalent in the London Board for Shechita. 

They proceeded to set up a different Shechita and 

subsequently a community with a much higher 

standard of religious observance. They brought in their 

own Rav, Horav Abba Werner zt”l and a 15 year battle 

began with the London Board for Shechita. Eventually 

a compromise was reached and in 1905 the Machzikei 

Hadas came under the London Board for Shechita, 

albeit as a separate entity with designated butchers 

and selected Shochtim running their operation, while 

nominally under the supervision of the Chief Rabbi. 

For thirty five years this situation continued, with the 

more particular Yidden buying the Machzikei Hadas 

Shechita, and it was only at the beginning of WWII 

when Dr Schonfeld zt”l persuaded his father-in-law, 

the Chief Rabbi H Hertz zt”l, to allow him to open up a 

new Shechita for the Union called Kedassia. Eventually 

the complete London Board for Shechita raised its 

standard, to that of the Machzikei Hadas, and so in 

early 1990’s the Machzikei Hadas brand was 

discontinued and replaced by a new standard called 

Chalak Beit Yosef. 

But what is Chalak Beit Yosef and how does it differ 

from the term “Glatt”, which is more familiar to 

Ashkenazi consumers worldwide? 

To begin with it is necessary to define the term Chalak 

Beit Yosef. Beit Yosef is the name of the commentary 

that the author of the Shulchan Aruch, Rabbi Yosef 

Karo zt”l, wrote in the 16th century, on the Tur, which 

was the precursor of the Shulchan Aruch written by 

Rabeinu Yaakov ben Asher in the 14th century. 

Rabbi Yosef Karo wrote his commentary on the Tur to 

provide the sources from the Talmud and to augment 

the decisions of the Tur with the then current rulings 

of other Poskim. Eventually Rabbi Karo condensed his 

commentary into a more concise Halachic digest, 

which he called the Shulchan Aruch, and which to this 

day remains the standard Halachic text on which 

Judaism relies. 

The term Chalak means smooth, and so the complete 

term Chalak Beit Yosef means smooth according to 

the opinion of the Beit Yosef. What this is referring to 

is the stringency of the Shulchan Aruch (the Beit 

Yosef) that the lungs of a slaughtered animal be 

perfectly smooth. 



To explain this in a more comprehensive manner, 

although an animal can be shechted perfectly by the 

most G-d fearing Shochet it must also be free of 

various blemishes that can render an animal Treifa. 

One of these blemishes is a perforation in the lung – 

the smallest hole renders the animal Treifa and 

immediately after Shechita the animal must be 

opened and inspected to see that there is no 

perforation. But, beside the possibility of perforation, 

the lung must be inspected to see if there are no 

adhesions, either from the lung to the cavity or from 

one lobe to another. These adhesions, called a Sircha, 

render the animal Treifa. There is a dispute among the 

early commentators as to why. Some authorities 

maintain that these adhesions are a sign that the 

membrane covering the lung was perforated, and 

that they are a type of scar tissue which has formed 

subsequently, but they do not protect the lung 

sufficiently and therefore the animal has become 

Treifa. Others maintain that these adhesions are not 

indicative of a hole having been there but that a hole 

will form on the lung. And if a condition has arisen 

that will definitely make a hole the animal is 

considered Treifa immediately. 

No matter what the reason is, all authorities agree that 

an animal that contains a Sircha is Treifa. And it is 

incumbent on the Shochet to examine the animal 

immediately after Shechita to see if there are any Sirchas 

and to determine if the animal is Kosher or Treifa. 

Up until now this appears to be a simple and straight 

forward procedure. Shecht the animal, open up the 

lung cavity – no Sirchas – Kosher, any Sircha – Treifa. 

However, it is not as simple as that. Although the 

Talmud rules that the majority of animals are kosher, 

(and it is a good thing too! Otherwise we could not 

drink any milk because the milk of a Treifa animal is 

forbidden but we rely on the majority), in practice the 

vast majority of animals we Shecht do have some 

type of adhesion and so how are we able to consume 

the meat? 


The answer to this is that there are different types of 

adhesion and the Beit Yosef himself distinguishes 

between different types and different areas of the 

lung, some of which make the animal Treifa and others 

which do not. Short of reprinting the Shulchan Aruch 

into Hamaor, the minutiae of these differences are too 

complex to deal with in an article. But there is one rule 

which is important to mention and which defines the 

bulk of cases which are relevant to this topic. 

The Remo, the 16th century Ashkenazic commentator 

on the Shulchan Aruch, refers to a practice which was 

introduced in the time of Geonim to see if a Sircha could 

come off the lung without making a hole. If one could 

do so the animal would be considered Kosher because 

that would not be considered a proper Sircha but only a 

“Rir” – a mucous adhesion unconnected to the lung. 

Much Halachic literature has developed on this topic. 

First of all the (Beit Yosef) Shulchan Aruch himself 

accepted that there was a condition knows as a “Rir” 

but limited it to specific cases: 

a) If it came off with the slightest touch it would be a 

“Rir”, but if it required any rubbing or rolling between 

fingers to snap it would be considered Treifa (Sircha). 

b) Only if the animal belonged to a Jew and the 

inspector was known publicly to be a G-d fearing 

individual. And the Beit Yosef refers to this as a 

“leniency”. 

Nevertheless the Remo did allow a Sircha to be rubbed 

or rolled between the fingers and if it snapped would 

be considered a “Rir” not a Sircha. The Remo concludes 

that although this is a great leniency there is “upon 

whom to rely on” and this has become the current 

practice among Ashkenazim, this is called Kosher. 

In the last two hundred years a newer modified type of 

removing Sirchos has developed which is called “Kiluf”, 

i.e. peeling the Sircha gently, and if it comes off without 

leaving a hole in the membrane the animal is considered 

Page 7


kosher. Whether this is a modified form of “Miuch 

and Mishmush”, rubbing and rolling the Sircha, or is a 

newer type of removal is a dispute among the 

authorities. One thing is certain: in all of the above 

practices the lung must be subsequently checked (by 

water - to see if it bubbles, similar to checking a tyre) 

to ensure that there is no hole after the “Rir” has been 

removed. 

This above leniency, which was challenged by the 

Rashba, was condemned by the Shulchan Aruch as 

Treifa and a Shochet who relies on it says the 

Shulchan Aruch has fed Treifos to Jews! 

And so the practice developed that Sefardim who 

relied on the Beit Yosef insisted that they would not 

avail themselves of this Hetter while Ashkenazim, 

who followed the Remo, did. 

Actually even among Ashkenazim there were those 

who were careful not to rely on this leniency and 

insisted that the lung be smooth which they call 

Glatt. However, if the “Rir was very small and would 

come off without any significant effort the lung 

would be considered Glatt but not Chalak Beit Yosef. 

This leniency – that if the “Rir” came off with only 

minimal effort it would still be considered Glatt, is 

brought in the Sefer “Daas Zevach”, Chapter 22, from 

a famous Ashkenazi Shochet R’ Michel Meradomsk 

and is conclusively ruled on by the Sefer Beis Dovid, 

the authoritative decision maker in Ashkenazi circles. 

However, he also refers to a ruling of the Shlah 

Hakodosh, that with up to three “Rir” one can rely on 

this Hetter, and in many Ashkenazi circles this is the 

custom. 

Those who are particular for Chalak Beit Yosef insist 

that the lung be completely smooth and do not rely 

on this Hetter. As mentioned before, even today, 

many Ashkenazim insist that they want only Chalak 

Beit Yosef and the London Board for Shechita is to be 

commended on providing this service so that they 

can provide meat at the highest standard for the 

complete London community. 

Wishing all Hamaor readers a Ksiva Vechasima Tova, a 

Healthy and Happy New Year for all of Klal Yisroel. 

MENACHEMS 

Glatt Kosher Butcher & Delicatessen 

Wishing all our customers a very happy, 

healthy and prosperous New Year 

All fresh meat is Glatt Kosher 

Shechitat Bet Yosef only 

Party Platters & Functions 

Deliveries all London areas 

15 Russell Parade, Golders Green Road London NW11 9NN 

T: 020 8201 8629/30 F: 020 8201 8629 


Speak up 

September 2009 / Tishrei 5770 

Jewish communal life across the UK 

continues to be as vibrant and varied 

as ever, and thankfully, most of us 

are seldom the direct victims of 

antisemitism. Sadly, antisemitic incidents 

continue to occur. 

January to June 2009 

Antisemitic Incidents Report 

In the first six months of 2009 CST 

recorded 609 antisemitic incidents. This 

is more than the 544 incidents reported 

to CST throughout the whole of 2008: 

and more than we have ever recorded 

in a single year since our records 

began in 1984. The beginning of 2009 

coincided with the fighting between 

Israel and Hamas, with CST recording 

a total of 286 antisemitic incidents in 

January alone. 

Antisemitism is not the fault of Jews 

or Israel, it is the fault of antisemites. 

British Jews should be able to air 

their views on Israel. These are racist 

attacks, in which nobody asks the 

victim for their political opinions. Britain 

is a democracy and Jews, like any 

other citizen, are entitled to express 

their opinions without being physically 

attacked or racially abused for it. 

Report incidents 

Antisemitic incidents can take several 

forms, from the more serious physical 

assaults to desecrations, graffiti or verbal 

abuse. If you suffer or witness such 

an incident, we urge you to report it to 

the police and to CST without delay. 

This is the best way to ensure that the 

incident is properly investigated, and 

reduces the chance of the perpetrators 

repeating their crime and someone else 

falling victim. 

It is important that we do not allow 

antisemitism to define our community 

and there is no reason for it to inhibit 

our Jewish way of life. We are all free to 

express our Jewishness however we 

see fit. Antisemitism, racist abuse or 

hate crimes of any kind have no place 

in our society. 

It is likely that, in common with other 

forms of hate crime, some people in 

our community who suffer antisemitic 

incidents do not report them to either 

CST or to the Police. By reporting 

antisemitic incidents, you can help to 

Above: Antisemitic graffiti, 

Nottinghamshire, November 2008. 

ensure that these crimes have no place 

in our community. 

CST is the only national organisation 

to record and analyse antisemitic 

incidents in the UK. 

Taking responsibility 

CST is a registered charity. We receive 

no statutory funding or any official 

grants and we rely entirely on donations 

to support and develop our work; 

and trained volunteers to help do the 

work. CST prides itself in providing all 

of its services to the Jewish community 

CST urges the Jewish community 

to remain vigilant and ensure that 

security continues to be a priority. 

CST asks the community to report 

all antisemitic incidents, and any 

suspicious activity, to both the 

Police and to CST without delay. 

entirely free of charge, but protecting 

the community is very costly. 

CST’s work continues to take place 

at hundreds of communal buildings 

throughout the UK: including schools, 

synagogues and community centres. 

CST has taken responsibility with 

its Protective Windows Project initiative, 

which ensures the fitting of 

shatterproof film on the windows 

of every Jewish communal building 

in Britain. Recent terrorist attacks at 

both Jewish and non-Jewish sites 

demonstrates that flying glass is the 

single greatest cause of death and 

injury. In January 2009, arsonists 

failed to set fire to the inside of a 

synagogue in London due to the 

shatterproof film on the windows, 

saving it from serious damage. 

In addition to the Protective Windows 

Project, we work in partnership with 

local communities and organisations on 

The Security Enhancement Project. 

This ensures that security measures 

such as CCTV, access gates, lighting 

and alarms help to deter possible 

threats against our community. 

Thank you 

CST would like to thank our network of 

over three thousand trained volunteers 

across the UK who give their precious 

time to protect our community in 

all circumstances. CST’s work would 

simply not be possible without the 

support of our volunteers’ families and 

the partnership of our community. We 

wish you all Shana Tova. 

Can you help? 

Ever increasing demands are being 

placed on CST to protect our community 

and we urge you to take responsibility 

and play your part in this vital work. 

If you are interested in becoming a 

volunteer or would simply like to make 

a donation please call 020 8457 9999 

or visit www.thecst.org.uk 

London & Southern region emergencies, call the Police on 999 and CST on 07659 101 668. For non-emergencies call 020 8457 9999 

Manchester & Northern region emergencies, call the Police on 999 and CST on 0800 980 0668. For non-emergencies call 0161 792 6666 

Community Security Trust registered charity number 1042391

THOUGHTS FROM THE PRESIDENT 

Do not cast us out 

in the time of our old age 

By Alan Finlay, President of the Federation of Synagogues 

I recently attended an Even 

Hapina (brick laying) ceremony 

of our newest constituent 

synagogue, Or Yerushalayim, 

in Manchester. Attended by 

some three hundred people, it 

was a highly successful 

event which drew the 

Manchester 

community to come 

and see the progress 

of the new building. Local distinguished rabbonim 

were invited to lay down a brick, followed by the 

members. A special programme was arranged for the 

children, when they were 'issued' with hardhats, 

received pekelach and laid their own bricks. Each child 

received a special certificate with a photo of them 

laying a brick as a lasting momento of the event. 

Known locally as OJ, the congregation has been 

established for 11 years and currently holds services 

for its 100 members in a local hall. The Honorary 

Officers of OJ approached the Federation over three 

years ago for funding to establish its own premises 

and a presentation to the Federation Council was 

enthusiastically received and approved. An area of 

land in Bury New Road was successfully purchased in 

auction, planning permission was obtained and 

construction work started for a two storey building 

comprising a shul downstairs and a functions hall 

upstairs which can be used as a Ladies Gallery over 

the High Holydays. This is a very exciting project and 

the first time that the Federation has ventured 

outside Greater London. 

At the bricklaying ceremony, I was asked to lay a brick 

as Federation President and then, a little while later, 

asked to lay a second brick on behalf of the Federation. 

I took the opportunity of saying that such a project 

could only have been possible because of the sales of 

shuls that had closed. The sale proceeds from those 

shul buildings were helping to fund the construction 

of this building. I felt it important that such 

contribution be acknowledged. 

Since becoming Federation Treasurer in 1995, I have 

organised the sale of eight synagogual buildings. I 

always made it clear to the local honorary officers that 

the decision to close would be up to the local members 

and should not be taken solely for financial reasons 

but, equally importantly, whether the community 

could remain spiritually viable. In Manchester, I 

remembered the words spoken by the then Vice 

President, Jonathan Winegarten, at the closing 

ceremony for Ahavat Shalom in Neasden. Quoting 

from Parshat Korach, Jonathan said that we read that 

Aaron and the leaders of the other tribes had laid down 

their rods and it was found that Aaron’s rod had 

sprouted blossom and almonds. Mr Winegarten said 

that Aaron was known as a lover of peace, ahavat 

shalom, the name of the Shul and he was sure that, 

just as Aaron’s rod had brought forth blossom so to, 

would the good name of the shul flourish in other 

communities. Laying that second brick was 

transplanting a bit of Neasden to Manchester. 

As I stood there, I remembered the other shuls that 

had been sold. Great Garden Street, sold to an inner 

city quango to fund a training centre for young 

people. Ainsworth Road which we sold to a housing 

association. I had stood on the bimah of the empty 

shul and had had a strong feeling of how it must 

have looked in its heyday on Rosh Hashanah/Yom 

Kippur with all the pews full and the atmosphere 

buzzing with excitement. One strange thing was that 

there was a tree growing out of the foundations 

which had reached the height of the building. I 

presumed that this was originally a weed that had 

not been pulled out and I thought that it might make 

an interesting dvar Torah about how, even a 

neglected weed can become strongly attached to a 


THOUGHTS FROM THE PRESIDENT 

shul and flourish in a religious setting. I thought of 

Woolwich Shul with its beautiful downstairs simcha 

hall, Clapton, at one stage the “jewel in the 

Federation crown”, Jubilee Street, Greenford and West 

Hackney. The monies have been well used. Machzikei 

Hadath and Netzach Israel, both in Golders Green, 

have been acquired, Ohr Yisrael was started from 

scratch in Elstree and Shomrei Hadath off Finchley 

Road extended. And now, Manchester. 

What happened to the members? Many were 

transferred to local shuls and where that was not 

convenient, membership was transferred to Head 

Office so that burial rights could be maintained. 

I learnt from the distressing experience when squatters 

broke into Great Garden Street after exchange of 

contracts, thereby preventing us from removing the 

religious artefacts. Thereafter, no building was put on 

to the market until services had ceased, there had been 

a closing ceremony if that is what members wanted, all 

members had been provided with the opportunity of 

retrieving family donations such as plaques and 

memorial boards and the sifrei torah, prayer books, ark 

and bima had been taken away, either to Head Office 

or to be buried in Rainham. 

There are strict halachic rules regarding to whom shul 

buildings can be sold. Every prospective purchaser 

had to be vetted by Dayan Lichtenstein before the 

sale could proceed to ensure that the proposed use of 

the building fell within halacha. The subject is 

discussed in Gemorah Megilah, which Dayan Lopian 

of my shul was teaching us at the time that I was 

negotiating the sale of four shul buildings, which I 

thought must be quite unique in the history of the 

Jewish people. 

All these memories and more came flooding back to 

me as I put down that second brick. Not only the 

buildings but, more importantly, the individuals who 


had done so much to make each shul so special. Shuls 

are not just where communities come to pray but 

where life cycle events are celebrated such as the 

birth of a child or grandchild, barmitzvahs and 

batmitzvahs, engagements and weddings. The 

emotional attachment that one can feel to a shul is 

immense and with every closure, we needed to 

appreciate and acknowledge the sensitivities 

involved. I am pleased that every shul closure was by 

agreement and without any feeling that it was being 

imposed by Head Office. 

Nowadays, maintenance work to a Shul building is 

carried out by contractors. I was dealing with men who 

had themselves put up every light, fixed the pew seats 

and repaired the roof. Ladies Guild members had spent 

hours each week organising the catering and laundry 

for kiddushim and functions. Everyone had carried out 

important welfare work caring for the needs of the less 

fortunate members. It is not, therefore, surprising that 

families were emotional at the closing ceremonies, 

remembering the rabbis and rebbetsins who had 

shaped their spiritual lives, the events that had 

occurred during their formative years and the 

characters who they had either loved or argued with. 

During the Shema Koleinu prayer, we say “Al 

Tashlichainu Le’ais Ziknoh” – “do not cast us out in 

the time of our old age” and we continue “forsake us 

not when our strength fails.” I hope that those 

members and their families reading this article are 

reassured that their shuls may no longer exist 

physically but are still playing an important role in 

the growth of the Federation. Their memories have 

not been forgotten. The buildings may have gone but 

we have not forsaken them. At every opportunity, we 

acknowledge the debt that we owe. They have not 

been cast off in their old age. 

My colleagues join with me in wishing you all a kesiva 

v’chasima tovah. 

Page 11

ROSH HASHANA MESSAGE 

Rosh Hashana – 

Yom Teruah or Yom Zikhron Teruah? 

by Dr Eli Kienwald, Chief Executive, Federation of Synagogues 

Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan z”l in his Living Torah Chumash 

translates Zikhron Teruah as “remembrance [and] 

sounding”. The Chizkuni translates it as 

“commemorative sounding”. 

In order to understand the subtle but very important 

difference between the two expressions we need to 

examine what our Sages say about the reasons for the 

command to blow the shofar on this day. Rabbi 

Saadiah Gaon gives ten reasons: 

In two places in the Scriptures we are commanded to 

blow the shofar on the first of Tishri. 

In Bamidbar (29:1) we are told: “In the seventh month, 

on the first day of the month, there shall be a holy 

convocation for you; you shall do no work of labour, it 

shall be a day of shofar-sounding (Yom Teruah) for you”. 

In Vayikra (23:24) we are reminded that “In the seventh 

month, on the first of the month, there shall be a rest 

day for you, a day of remembering the sounding of the 

shofar (Yom Zikhron Teruah), a calling of holiness”. 

The different nuances in the Hebrew language between 

the two pesukim are all worthy of further investigation. 

However, I would like to focus on the different names 

given to the first day of Tishri – Yom Teruah and Yom 

Zikhron Teruah – and the fact that the verse in Vayikra 

omits to say that the sounding is “for you”. 

The expression Zikhron Teruah itself is open to 

interpretation. The Artscroll Chumash follows Rashi’s 

exegesis that Zikhron Teruah is an asmachta (a biblical 

allusion) to the rabbinic law that on Rosh Hashana, as 

well as blowing the shofar, one should recite verses 

referring to “remembrances” and to “shofar blowing” 

(zichronoth and shofaroth in the Musaf Amida), and 

translates it as “a mention of shofar blasts”. Similarly, 

Rashi sees an allusion to the third group of verses 

(malchuyoth) in his commentary to Bamidbar (10:10). 

1. To proclaim the sovereignty of the Almighty 

since it was the custom to sound the shofar at 

a coronation. 

2. To herald the beginning of the ten days of 

repentance. 

3. As a reminder to be faithful to the 

teachings of the Torah, since the shofar was 

heard at mount Sinai. 

4. As a reminder of the prophets, the teachers 

of righteousness, who raised their voices 

like the shofar to touch our consciences. 

5. To the sound of trumpets the Temple fell, and to 

the sound of trumpets it will be restored. 

6. As a reminder of the Akeidah, since the ram 

which was substituted for Isaac was caught 

in the thicket by its horns. 

7. To inspire awe (“Shall the shofar be blown in the 

city and the people not be afraid?”). 

8. As a summons to the Heavenly Court on the 

Day of Judgement to be judged. 

9. As a reminder that the shofar will call 

together Israel’s scattered remnants to 

return to the Holy Land. 

10. As a reminder of the day of resurrection, the 

return to life. 


ROSH HASHANA MESSAGE 

It is interesting to note that five of these reasons are 

for “practical” purposes (to call, to proclaim, to herald, 

etc) and the other five (shown in bold) are “to remind 

us” of our history, our heritage and our future destiny. 

As it happens, the first group fits nicely into the 

concept of Yom Teruah and the second group into Yom 

Zikhron Teruah. 

This dichotomy between the practical and spiritual 

reasons for blowing the shofar has been the subject of 

some challenging and animated debates among our 

Sages over the centuries. A relatively recent exchange 

of fiery letters on this issue took place between Rabbi 

Shmuel David Luzzatto (the Shadal) and Rabbi Elijah 

Benamozegh (*) of Leghorn. According to the Shadal 

the sound of the shofar had no other purpose but to 

announce the beginning of a new year at a time when 

there were no printed calendars (along the lines of R’ 

Saadia Gaon’s reason 2), in the same way as on the 

10th of Tishri the shofar was blown to herald the 

beginning of the Jubilee Year. 

At the sound of the shofar on the forthcoming 2nd 

Tishri (1st Tishri 5770 is a Shabbat), may He remember 

us for a year of Peace, Health and Success. 

On behalf of my colleagues at Head Office and myself, 

I would like to wish a Kesiva v’Chasima Tovah to the 

whole of the Federation family. 

(*) Rabbi Elijah ben Avraham Benamozegh (1822-1900) 

was an Italian Rabbi and philosopher, born in Leghorn of 

Moroccan parents and served as a rabbi and professor of 

theology in the rabbinical school of that city. He was the 

author of a commentary on Chumash (Em la-Mikra) and 

various other important works including a refutation of 

the Shadal’s Vikku’ah al ha-Kabbalah, in which R’ 

Luzzatto had disputed the antiquity of the Zohar. 

R’ Benamozegh thought that this was a “nice but 

rather childish” explanation and, taking a diametrically 

opposite position, claimed that the sound of the shofar 

had the purpose of attracting the Almighty’s attention 

onto us men, particularly at a time when war or other 

natural or spiritual calamities endangered the well 

being of the country: the first day of Tishri, being the 

Day of Judgement was one such occasion, because of 

the danger of being subjected to heavenly punishment. 

In R’ Benamozegh’s opinion, Yom Zikhron Teruah is a 

day of remembrance but not only for us. It is also a 

day when we ask the Almighty to remember that we 

are humble human beings and that we need His help 

and support. 

Perhaps this is the reason why the pasuk in Vayikra 

omits to mention “for you”. The commandment to 

remember on Rosh Hashana applies to men and the 

Almighty alike. 


Page 13

ROSH HASHANA INSIGHTS 

Nine 

By Rabbi Alan Lewis, Rav of Edgware Yeshurun 

Every Amidah for every Shabbos 

and Yom Tov consists of seven 

Berochos. The exception 

to the rule is Musaf 

Rosh Hashonoh which 

contains nine blessings. 

The obvious question is why is 

this so? Or maybe we should 

really ask what is the 

significant and symbolism of 

the number 9? 

A number of years 

ago an Odom Godol 

(a great man) pointed out something extremely 

enlightening to me about this number which, to be 

honest, I had never noticed before. If you take any 

multiple of 9 and add the digits you will find 

that they will either add up to 9 or a multiple 

of it. So for instance 9x3=27. Add the 

digits 2 and 7 and you get 9. Similarly 

9x49=441. Add the digits 4+4+1 and 

once again we arrive again at the 

number 9. 

It is interesting to note that the Gematria 

(the numerical value) of the word Emess 

(truth) is 441; Aleph(1) + Mem(40) + 

Soff(400) = 441. This word Emess 

comprises of the first and last letters as well 

as the middle letter of the Alef Bais. This is to 

teach us that the truth can always reach to the 

extremes as long there is a connection to the 

middle / centre point. 

The uniqueness of the number 9 is the fact that no 

matter how great its multiples, by adding the digits 

there will always be a connection to its origin, 9. 

Something is always indivisibly true as long as it can be 

traced back to its everlasting foundations. This is why 

the Jewish people are still around today. For it is the 

result of actions of unshakable truth from our 

forefathers Avrohom, Yitzchok and Ya’akov and the 

great revelation of truth at the giving of the Torah at 

Har Sinai that made us into an everlasting nation. 

On the first of Tishri, 5770 years ago, man was created 

with the sole purpose of revealing the truth of Hashem’s 

glory to the whole of creation. A child is born after 9 

months of gestation inside its mother’s womb learning 

the whole of the Torah. The angel who is teaching that 

foetus all that is true, then smacks the top part of its 

mouth and the child egresses from a world of total 

clarity into a place of confusion. The Emess is seemingly 

hidden because he has now forgotten all that he had 

learnt. His challenge in the time that has been allotted 

to him in this unclear world, is to bring back that truth 

of the 9 months of gestation into his life. 

The number that symbolises the truth is obviously the 

number 9. It is no coincidence but rather a reflection of 

the divinely inspired wisdom of Chazal (our Sages of 

Blessed Memory) that on Rosh Hashonoh, the 

birthday of man, the Anshai Knesses Hagadolah 

(the men of the Great Assembly) composed a 

Musaf service comprising of 9 blessings. This 

was to teach us that on the birthday of 

mankind the goal of man is to bring the 

truth of the Omnipotent into our own 

personal lives and the lives of others. 

If there was ever a time when the Jewish 

human individual seeks desperately for 

inner peace and true meaning to his or her 

life, it is now. 

If there was ever a time when there is such a 

sustained onslaught from certain sections of 

the human community to demean us and curse 

us into non existence, it is now. If there was ever a 

time when our frustration in not being able to convince 

others of the injustice that comes our way as a people is 

so painful to bear, it is now. 

In sets of 9 sounds, the ram’s horn the Shofar is blown at 

the beginning of the year to remind us and reawaken us 

to the truths of why we are here in this world and this is 

powerfully reflected in the 9 benedictions of the Musaf 

service on Rosh Hashonoh. 

May the year ahead be a time where the truth of Hashem 

Yisborach will be openly revealed to all His creation. 


RECENT DEVELOPMENTS 

“The Role of Women in the Federation” 

By Sarah Anticoni 

I recall as a child being told by my 

teachers that there were two key 

institutions in Jewish life; the 

home and the shul. I was and 

remained perplexed as to why 

women had to play a 

limited role in the shul 

when they appeared to 

dominate the home! As I 

grew older, I came to 

appreciate that I was not 

the only one who felt 

troubled by the disparity between what appeared to be 

socially acceptable roles within schools and the 

workplace and yet the shul remained a male domain. 

Surely Israel’s democracy should act as a beacon and 

example? Would the shattering of glass ceilings in the 

commercial world not change the dynamic of shul 

meetings, where men spoke and women catered? 

Many had probed this issue but in September 2007 our 

President, Mr Alan Finlay, agreed to take the first step 

in hearing the views of the women of the Federation 

and a small working group of those who volunteered 

for the role was formed. Not all shuls chose to 

participate. We were fortunate to have halachic input 

and guidance from our Rosh Beth Din Dayan 

Lichtenstein and a constructive dialogue began. 

It was clear that whatever hopes and views might have 

been expressed for immediate and long overdue 

overhaul of the position, we all first had to understand 

and appreciate the halachic context which curtails 

women carrying out certain roles. 

of a woman holding a position or appointment 

(‘masimos’). Forbidden appointments are further defined 

as being limited to “sroro”, a position of authority. It is 

also necessary to explore any issue of tzniyus. 

Once the working group of women, who had always 

actively participated in communal shul life, understood 

this concept, we began to explore a variety of possible 

options. We were looking for clear working solutions 

which could operate within the halachic context. It 

certainly helped to have mothers and grandmas as well 

as working professionals and homemakers to explore 

solutions. 

We wanted to see how women (and we looked at 

single women; divorcees; widows and married women) 

could vote; sit on a board of management and 

participate in Council business. We addressed the usual 

business of shul boards and identified quickly that 

women could not hold the positions of President or 

Honorary Officers. However, if the role of treasurer was 

an administrative function, there was no reason why 

the post could not be held by a woman. 

The Dayan also suggested the use of referenda on 

specific issues (e.g. appointment of a rabbi or moving 

shul premises). It became clear that women voting for 

women whilst halachically acceptable did not 

necessarily go far enough for some. One particularly 

inventive concept was to ask the rabbi or Dayan to 

identify in advance, agenda items which might have 

halachic issues and upon which women could not vote, 

thus allowing the vast majority of shul business to be 

conducted with women on the board. 

I cannot underestimate the huge amount of time and 

effort that was expended by the Dayan in listening to 

the range of views and then researching the position 

and finally producing his psak din dated 4th December 

2008. If you have not yet read it, I commend it to you to. 

I would not be presumptious enough to summarise the 

content as fully as might be necessary to fully 

appreciate the complex area but in essence, the 

difficulty lies within the interpretation of the prohibition 

Page 16 

The ideas we had were discussed with the Dayan and 

further honed and then aired within individual shuls. 

It was important to know what other members (not 

necessarily just women) felt about some of the 

proposed changes before seeking to implement them 

and so two consultation meetings, the first at Ilford 

Federation on 13 May 2009 and the second at the 

Yeshurun Synagogue on 3 June were arranged and 

Hamaor / September 2009

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS 

well attended. We had an opportunity on both 

occasions to hear the Rosh Beth Din’s clear views on 

what steps could now be taken by shuls and the 

President’s views too. 

The Panel at the Ilford meeting 

(Photograph by Brian Ash) 

The meetings were not limited to discussion on the role 

of women. The Federation constitution (which is the 

document which sets out within any organisation the 

roles and function of its members) was drafted in 1935 

and has never been amended! The President wanted to 

discuss the governance of the Fed in all its guises. This 

included defining who were members and what their 

role as trustees might be; what the objects of the 

Federation are to be; the internal management 

structure as well as that of the Council; how elections 

to office should be conducted; how resolutions could 

be brought to Council as well as financial 

arrangements of the Fed as a whole. It was quite a tall 

order to cover in an evening. 

The meetings gave useful feedback on a number of 

ideas for change as well as raising a fair few new 

dilemmas to address (for example, is it halachically 

acceptable for a wife to hold her husband’s vote as a 

proxy and what are the tznyiut issues that arise from 

exercising such a vote?). 

The momentum has gathered steam to find and 

implement a range of practical solutions without any 

further delay to ensure that all women who hold 

membership in their own right can participate at shul 

board and council level. The Honorary Officers have made 

it clear that the constitution should be redrafted (by the 

lawyers) and that they intend for it to be approved by 

council and in place no later than Spring 2010. 

Thanks to all women (and men) who have given their 

time so generously to date. I salute your tenacity, 

patience, dedication, imagination and humour. The 

journey has been long, the route far too convoluted for 

some and the destination may not be clear for all 

constituent shuls. Perhaps we should have used sat nav? 

LOOKING AFTER YOUR 

LOVED ONE’S GRAVE 

The Federation Burial Society offer a wash down service for members who wish to 

ensure that their loved ones’ memorial stones are kept in good order. The washing is 

carried out once a year in the summer, in time for Rosh Hashana. Please note, this 

service is offered only for new stones or ones that were erected in the last 2 years. For 

any older stones, please contact one of our approved stone masons. 

For more information about our service, please contact Head Office on 

020-8202 3903 


Page 17

FAMILY HAMAOR 

The Rosh Hashana Duet 

Maureen Kendler is Head of Educational Programming at the London School of Jewish Studies 

The cathartic Avinu Malkeinu 

prayer which we recite on 

Rosh Hashana asking “Our 

Father Our King” for 

forgiveness ends on a note of 

despair, saying “we are empty 

of good deeds.” It is a 

moment of supreme humility, 

where our self-esteem 

momentarily shrivels. If the 

last line of the Avinu 

Malkeinu was a sound it would be the cry of the shofar, 

a painful, pleading wail. 

Why is the shofar the key iconic sound of Rosh 

Hashana? The two source texts in the Torah for Rosh 

Hashana (Vayikra 23:24 and Bamidbar 29:1) refer to 

this day as Yom Teruah, a day of “blasting” or a day to 

“commemorate a blast.” But it does not specify which 

“blaster” of the Jewish orchestra should make this 

noise: the shofar is not mentioned. And there are two 

Biblical instrumental candidates for the job. In the 

Torah and the Temple, a silver trumpet - a chatzotzrah 

- makes the teruah and tekiah sounds just as loudly as 

a shofar. 

After a debate in the Mishnah (Rosh Hashana 3:3) the 

shofar won over the trumpet for being blown on the 

New Year. The link with the Akeida, the sacrifice of 

Isaac, and the sounding of the shofar on Mount Sinai 

surely contributed to that decision. Also, the shofar is 

associated with a submissive demeanour, whereas the 

trumpet has more triumphant, military connotations. 

The Rabbis of the Talmud (Rosh Hashana 26b) chose a 

twisted ram’s horn over the long, straight horn of the 

wild goat because the lowly, contorted ram’s horn suits 

our Avinu Malkeinu mood. 

strengthen us today”, with six verses repeating that 

message in different ways, to which we all say Amen. 

Rabbi Simhah Bunim of Przysucha (1765–1827) wrote: 

“A person should have two pieces of paper, one in each 

pocket, to be used as necessary. On one of them is 

written, ‘The world was created for me,’ and on the 

other, ‘I am dust and ashes.’ The Kotzker Rebbe (1787- 

1859) added that the trick is to know which piece of 

paper to take out and when. 

A friend once told me when he was in high school, the 

head teacher called him and a classmate into his office. 

They were threatened with a good hiding. My friend 

was silent. His classmate talked and talked. When they 

left the office the classmate challenged my friend: 

“Why were you so quiet?” He replied: “Look, we got 

caught, didn’t we?” His classmate said, “Yes, we got 

caught, but you’ve got to talk back, keep talking, give 

yourself a chance to influence the outcome.” 

Surely that should be us on Rosh Hashana – our 

prayers give us that chance to keep talking, keep trying 

to do all we can to “influence the outcome.” Maybe we 

need to fold up the “dust and ashes” paper a little and 

smooth out the other one that reminds each of us 

“that the world was created for me.” We must have the 

belief and self confidence that we can be an agent for 

good, to stand up straight as well as bow in humility. 

We have to create and orchestrate for ourselves a 

shofar-chatzotzrah duet in which we are both proud 

and humble at the same time. May we all be given the 

guidance to know how and when to blow our own 

trumpet, and to cry with compassion at the sound of 

the ram’s horn. 

But the spirit of the assertive, confident chatzotzrah is 

also part of the Musaf service which closes by 

proclaiming to God: Hayom Te’amtzainu, “You will 

Learn more at 

www.lsjs.ac.uk 


Wishing your community a Happy & Healthy New Year

BOOK REVIEW 

A Time to Speak – Controversial Essays 

that can change your life 

by Martin Stern (Devora Publishing, 2009) 

Reviewed by Dr Yaakov Wise, University of Manchester 

TORAH MIN HASHAMAYIM •THE PROBLEM FOR MODERNS • THE 

PARADOX OF PRAYER • A RESPONSE 

TO THE MISSIONARY MENACE • 

ADDITIONAL STANZAS FOR MAOZ TZUR • SHUL BEHAVIOR •A KING 

EXTOLLED WITH PRAISES•A 

TIME TO REQUEST 

• WHEN THE 

DAVENING FINISHED TOO 

LATE • THE KIDDUSH 

WIDOW • DEAR 

CHAIM LETTERS•BERA MEZAKEH ABBA • SOME 

TIPS ON BEING 

SHELIACH TZIBUR 

• SHUL ETIQUETTE • HOW 

TO RUN A MINYAN • 

MAKING YOUR SIMCHAH 

A SIMCHAH 

FOR EVERYONE • FOR 

EVERYTHING THERE 

IS A TIME • A MAN DOES 

NOT EVEN KNOW HIS 

TIME•GIVEE HONOR TO THE TORAH! • DON’T BE OVER-PIOUS – AT 

OTHER PEOPLE’S EXPENSE! 

• E’AL TITOSH TORAT IMECHA • BOOK 

REVIEWS OR PURIM TORAH? 

• THEY HAVE REASON TO DECEIVE • 

SHORSHEI KEREM ROSH NEVALIM 

• MATHEMATICAL CURIOSITIES• 

A REMARKABLEABLE APPROXIMATION TO Pi • CALCULATIONS BEFORE 

CALCULATORS • SOME PROBLEMS WITH CALCULATING THE TIME 

OF SUNRISE• IT’S A LONG, LONG 

TIME FROM JUNE TO 

SEPTEMBER • 

LANGUAGE AND THOUGHT PATTERNS • MENSTRUAL CYCLE 

ANALYSIS: A PROBLEM IN PATTERN RECOGNITION • THE JEWISH 

CALENDAR • RULES FOR VESATOT • TORAH MIN HASHAMAYIM • 

THE PROBLEM FOR MODERNS NAL STANZAS FOR MAOZ TZUR • 

SHUL BEHAVIOR • A KING EXTOLLED WITH PRAISES • A TIME TO 

REQUEST • WHEN ATIME 

THE DAVENING FINISHED TOO LATE •THE 

KIDDUSH WIDOW • DEAR CHAIM LETTERS • BERA MEZAKEH ABBA 

• SOME TIPS ON BEING SHELIACH TZIBUR • SHUL ETIQUETTE • 

HOW TO RUN A MINYAN • MAKING YOUR SIMCHAH A SIMCHAH 

FOR EVERYONE TO• FOR EVERYTHING SPEAK 

THERE IS A TIME•AMANDOES 

NOT EVEN KNOW HIS TIME • GIVE HONOR TO THE TORAH! • DON’T 

BE OVER-PIOUS – AT OTHER 

PEOPLE’S EXPENSE! 

• E’AL TITOSH 

TORAT IMECHA • 

BOOK REVIEWS OR PURIM TORAH? • THEY HAVE 

REASON TO DECEIVE • SHORSHEI KEREM ROSH 

NEVALIM • 

MATHEMATICAL CURIOSITIES 

• A REMARKABLE APPROXIMATION 

TO Pi • CALCULATIONSCULATIONS BEFORE 

CALCULATORS • SOME 

PROBLEMS 

WITH CALCULATING THE TIME 

OF SUNRISE • IT’S A LONG, LONG 

TIME FROM JUNE TO SEPTEMBER 

• LANGUAGE AND 

THOUGHT 

PATTERNS THE DAVENING FINISHED TOO LATE • THE 

KIDDUSH 

WIDOW • DEAR CHAIM LETTERS 

• BERA MEZAKEH ABBA • SOME 

TIPS ON BEING SHELIACH TZIBUR 

• SHUL ETIQUETTE 

• HOW TO 

RUN A MINYAN • 

SHORSHEI KEREM ROSH NEVALIM • 

MATHEMATICAL CURIOSITIES 

• A REMARKABLEABLE APPROXIMATION 

TO Pi • CALCULATIONS BEFORE 

CALCULATORS • SOME 

PROBLEMS 

WITH CALCULATING THE 

TIME OF SUNRISE • IT’S 

A LONG, LONG 

TIME FROM JUNE TO 

SEPTEMBER • LANGUAGE AND THOUGHT 

PATTERNS THE DAVENING FINISHED TOO 

LATE • RULES FOR 

VESATOT • TORAH MIN HASHAMAYIM • THE PROBLEM FOR 

Controversial Essays That Can Change Your Life 

Martin 

Stern 

A TIME 

TO SPEAK 

Controversial Essays 

That Can Change Your Life 

By Martin Stern 

The author is well known for his 

sometimes-controversial writings in defense of 

Torah Judaism. His words elucidate an 

authentic Jewish view on an array of 

provocative subjects, and he doesn’t mince 

words with those who seek to dilute the 

beauty that Judaism has to offer. 

You’ll discover: 

• A new level of understanding of the 

Shema, tefillin, mezuzah, tzitzit; 

• The terrible repercussions that have 

occurred because of a lack of decorum 

in the synagogue; 

• The correct response to the missionary 

menace; 

• What it means to be a “Kiddush Widow”; 

• How to avoid being overly pious at 

other people’s expense; 

• The importance and use of the major 

Gemmatria systems; 

...and much, much more. 

The author’s dynamic “Dear Chaim” 

letters allow him to present some of the 

pressing issues that confront synagogues the 

world over. Included is a novel way to “make 

your simcha a simcha for everyone.” 

A Time to Speak speaks to everyone. 

Thought-provoking and controversial, it 

reveals why Judaism continues to be such a 

vibrant, dynamic way of life. 

DE VORA 

P U B L I S H I N G 

NEW YORK JERUSALEM LONDON 

Martin Stern will be familiar to most readers from his 

many letters in defence of Orthodox Judaism that have 

appeared in the Jewish press over the years and his 

articles on liturgical and social problems affecting the 

Anglo-Jewish community. In this book, he has expanded 

on some of these issues together with authoring other 

essays on a wide range of Jewish subjects. 

To name but a few there is a detailed analysis of the 

concept of Torah min Hashamayim that clarifies the 

definition of the doctrine and shows how non-Orthodox 

groups so distort it as to render them as separate 

religions. His tongue in cheek parody book review of the 

so-called Higher Biblical Criticism exposes the absurdity 

of its purported reconstruction of Jewish history on the 

basis of supposed early sources underlying the Torah 

text. It is regrettable that more of his many writings 

against the deformers of Judaism were not included but 

the author promises a second volume in due course. 

The longest essay, on some ideas that can be found in 

the Shema, is particularly interesting and it will be 

impossible for anyone who has read it ever again to 

rush off its recitation without deeper thought. In 

another essay on the collections of verses like Uva 

Letsion, the author shows how our Sages used the 

siddur to arm the ordinary Jew against the 

blandishments of the early Christian missionaries by 

making them familiar with Biblical verses that 

contradicted some of their arguments, something that 

is needed even in our times. 

His research into the Maoz Tsur has revealed the 

existence of several extra stanzas that had been 

suppressed in order to avoid the problem of falling foul 

of Christian censors. They shed a fascinating light on 

the way Ashkenazi Jews in Central Europe in the early 

modern period reacted to the pressures of the 

surrounding culture. 

In the section on shul behaviour, he decries the lax 

attitude that gives a semblance of validity to the critics 

of Orthodoxy and describes the traditional attitude to 

talking in shul and its repercussions throughout the 

ages. Following in the tradition of Rabbi Yisroel 

Salanter, he decries the super-piety assumed by some 

who ignore the problems they may cause their fellows 

and the excesses in simchah celebrations that put 

pressure on others to exceed their budgets to “keep up 

with the Cohens”. 

The author’s dynamic ‘Dear Chaim’ letters allow him to 

present some of the pressing issues that confront 

synagogues the world over such as the problem of 

meshullachim collecting at inappropriate times. This 

format is also used to give some extremely 


BOOK REVIEW 

sympathetic advice to those who are confronted with 

leading services on becoming an aveil. 

His empathetic approach is highlighted in his essay 

“The Kiddush Widow” that discusses the problems 

faced by mothers of small children who are 

housebound on Shabbat in the absence of an eiruv. 

One reader even commented that it was so true to life 

that she could not believe it was written by a man! 

In addition he has included a few of his less technical 

mathematical publications that shed light on Jewish 

themes, an analysis of the nature of language and an 

insightful discussion of women’s issues. 

As the Chief Rabbi, Lord Sacks writes, “Martin Stern has 

long been a forceful and intelligent defender of 

Orthodoxy and in this collection of his writings he offers 

a rich feast of insights into Jewish prayer, Jewish life and 

Jewish faith.” The reader may agree or vehemently 

disagree with him about any number of topics but one 

thing is clear he won’t be bored by this controversial, 

thought provoking and provocative defence of Judaism. 

Available from Borders and most Jewish booksellers 

and, on line, from Amazon.com 

About the Author 

MARTIN STERN studied mathematics 

at Cambridge University, where he received a 

bachelor of arts degree and continued his 

research in Oxford, receiving his master of 

arts degree. He took up a post as Lecturer in 

Mathematics at the John Dalton College of 

Technology, later named Manchester 

Metropolitan University. 

Beginning in 1985, the author became 

involved in defending Torah Judaism in the 

more secular Anglo-Jewish press, and 

developed an interest in liturgical and social 

problems affecting the Jewish community. He 

was particularly active in the largely successful 

campaign to combat the attempts of the 

Masorti (Conservative) movement to establish 

itself in Manchester. In more recent years he 

has used his epistolary skills to defend Israel 

against its detractors, both in the more secular 

Anglo-Jewish and general non-Jewish press. 

He is well known for his forthright 

approach, and refusal to bow, to political 

correctness of any kind – something that has 

led, on occasion, to abuse by those who 

cannot tolerate independent thought. 

DE VORA 



“CONTROVERSIAL” 

“THOUGHT PROVOKING” 

“PROVOCATIVE” 

These are some of the words used to describe 

Martin Stern’s A Time to Speak. 

You may agree or disagree vehemently with the 

author about any number of topics he discusses. But 

one thing is certain: 

You won’t be bored by the insights of this eclectic 

defense of Judaism. 

“Martin Stern has long been a forceful and intelligent defender 

of Orthodoxy, and in this collection of his writings he offers us a rich 

feast of insights into Jewish prayer, Jewish life, and Jewish faith. His is 

a fine mind, a caring heart, and an infectious spirit.” 

Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks 

“Martin Stern has produced an innovative work – part original 

scholarship, part provocative polemic – that will entertain, inform, 

and challenge both the academic scholar of Judaism and the 

observant and engaged member of the Orthodox community. His 

breadth of interests is impressive, perhaps indicative of his origins in 

the Torah im Derech Eretz School of German Orthodoxy. A book to 

be studied and contemplated as it reveals much of the ancient 

wisdom of Israel for the contemporary, skeptical age.” 

Dr. Z. Yaakov Wise, 

Centre for Jewish Studies, School of 

Arts Histories & Cultures, University of Manchester 

DE VORA 



ISBN 978-1-934440-41-4 U.S. $24.95 

52495 

9 781934 440414 

Dr Z Yaakov Wise, MA, PGCE, Ph.D, MIfL, MCIM, MCIPR 

Freelance Historian, Lecturer, Journalist and 

Broadcaster, Hon. Research Fellow, Centre for Jewish 

Studies, School of Arts Histories & Cultures, University 

of Manchester. Associate Lecturer in Public Relations, 

Department of Communication, Media & Journalism, 

Sheffield Hallam University. Feature writer: Jewish 

Tribune & Jewish Chronicle London & Jewish Telegraph 

Group, Manchester. Reviewer: Journal of Jewish Culture 

& History. Consultant to BBC Radio and TV and the 

Anglican Diocese of Manchester on Orthodox Judaism. 

The Dayanim, Chief Executive and Head Office Staff 

extend their warmest wishes for 

A Ksiva Vachasima Tova 

to all Members of the Federation of Synagogues and their Families 

The President and Honorary Officers 

extend their warmest wishes for 

A Ksiva Vachasima Tova 

to all Members of the Federation of Synagogues and their Families 


Page 21

TRAVEL 

Return to der Heim 

Mark Harris has made several trips to Poland, the homeland of his ancestors 

IN June 1999, as my aircraft 

landed at Warsaw’s Okecie 

Airport, I’d shed more than 

a tear or two. This was a 

first pilgrimage for me to the 

land of my forebears, who’d 

possessed the remarkable 

prescience, and courage, 

to leave the gritty 

industrial city of 

⁄Lódź for an alien England as long ago as the 1870s. I’d 

reflected that my emotional response related as much to 

the Nazi Holocaust of millions of European Jews on 

Polish soil between 1939 and 1945 as it did to the timely 

salvation of at least some of my relatives, moving me to 

make a personal statement about Jewish continuity. 

In more recent times, since Poland joined the European 

Community, I’ve been back to the country often, 

concentrating to date on Warsaw, ⁄Lódź, Poznan, 

Cracow and Lublin. In September 1939, when 

Germany’s jackbooted armies invaded, between three 

and four million Jews lived in these cities, and in towns 

and villages across the nation. By the end of Hitler’s 

war, a ghostly remnant of death camp survivors 

attempted to return to the areas from which they’d 

been driven. Only to be met with local pogroms, 

notoriously in Kielce, and an utterly unsympathetic, 

Soviet-sponsored regime that hardly encouraged the 

early restoration of Jewish communal life. 

Today, an estimated 8,000 (largely elderly) Jews live in 

Poland, mainly residing in Warsaw, Cracow and ⁄Lódź, 

out of a total population of 38 million. In the museum 

of Lublin castle, which from its hilltop location once 

commanded the town’s Jewish ghetto, I viewed a 

remarkable painting. “The Reception of Jews in Poland” 

by Jan Matejko depicts the admission of Jewish 

refugees by Prince W⁄ladyslaw Herman in 1096. As I 

contemplated the large canvas (and, undeniably, on my 

journeys through this new EC member state) I felt a 

compelling sense of national affinity, despite the long 

history of Polish anti-Semitism. This somewhat 

incongruous sentiment could stem from a belief that my 

roots lie deeper, and my Jewish heritage extends further 

back, in Poland than in Britain. (Indeed, my birth 

certificate reveals my Polish surname as “Lezefsky”.) 

Even though the Jewish presence in Poland is now 

statistically diminutive, there has been a gradual 

revival of communal life in some of the major cities, 

especially since the demise of communism (20 years 

ago last June) inspired primarily by Lech Wa⁄lesa’s 

Solidarity movement. In April 2008, I was in 

picturesque though touristy Cracow when the Prince of 

Wales opened a Jewish Community Centre in Kazimierz, 

the town’s old Jewish Quarter. At the dedication 

ceremony, the prince, who’d contributed financially to 

the project through World Jewish Relief, said: “You have 

borne witness to some of the darkest clouds of human 

history right up to today, when a new and important 

chapter is opening”. Thadeus Jakubowitz, president of 

the community since 1997, observed that the new 

building was “a dream come true”. 

Surprisingly, many enthusiastic Gentiles are responsible 

for the renewal, preservation and continuation of 

Poland’s Jewish cultural heritage. One example of this is 

the organisation of the month-long, summer Jewish 

Festival in Cracow, where several ancient shuls, mostly 

museums now, are open to visitors. Also, the Jewish 

Cultural Centre in Kazimierz has a number of non-Jewish 

staff; its April 2008, 65th anniversary screening of 

archive film about the ill-fated Warsaw Ghetto Uprising 

had a 30-strong audience that included just a couple of 

local Jewish people (and me). Another illustration is the 

capital’s 390-seat Yiddish Theatre, where a vast majority 

of the repertory company as well as any audience are not 

Jews. I’ve enjoyed some excellent productions there, 

including a musical about the artist Marc Chagall. 

Unfortunately, on my last visit to Warsaw this year I 

narrowly missed a new staging of “Fiddler on the Roof”. 

I’ve davened on Shabbat in several synagogues in 

Poland. These have ranged from the first city’s beautiful 

19th century No´ zyk Synagogue, which singularly survived 

(as a fodder warehouse and stabling facility) the German 

wartime occupation and the destruction of the Warsaw 

Page 22 


TRAVEL 

inspirational efforts at the community’s Purim 

festivities. The Megillah Esther recitation was actually 

filmed by Polish National Television for broadcast the 

following weekend. Luckily, I was able to view an early 

edit, which included footage of Rabbi Keller in his 

streiml and long black coat dancing around the little 

shul with me grasping his arm. Several young families 

enhance the kehilla, which boasts a Sunday cheder for 

a dozen children. On Purim night, dressed in colourful 

costumes, they delighted everyone. 

The Nożyk Synagogue in Warsaw 

Ghetto in 1943, to the smallest, oldest, quaintest and 

most atmospherically active Orthodox shul in the country. 

This is the famous Remuh Synagogue in Kazimierz. The 

father of the legendary Rabbi Moses Isserles, who 

famously authored “The Tablecloth” (a combined religious 

and legal work relating to Ashkenazi customs), founded 

the house of worship in 1553. The Isserles family is 

buried in the centuries old, now painstakingly restored 

cemetery that arcs around the shul. 

Possibly the warmest communal welcome I’ve received 

was in ⁄Lódź, the city of my ancestors and once home 

to virtuoso pianist Arthur Rubenstein, where I enjoyed 

an exhilarating Purim this year. In an enclave not far 

south of what was the town’s infamous wartime ghetto 

of “Litzmannstadt”, where you can yet see many 

decaying (and amazingly still lived-in) tenements 

interspersed with rows of drab Stalinist housing blocks, 

stands the busy Jewish Community Centre. One 

Shabbat, I prayed in its white-walled prayer room 

alongside 16 men (with a handful of women in the 

adjoining, partitioned area). With no Levi present, I had 

the honour of being given the second aliyah. On the 

bimah, I met the Polish-born, ultra-Orthodox Rabbi 

Simcha Keller, who has accomplished so much in 

revitalising the town’s 500-strong community during 

his 15 years as its spiritual leader. 

I witnessed some marvellous instances of this 

charismatic minister’s wonderfully warm and 


Purim night 2009 in the Lódź JCC shul; Rabbi Simcha Keller 

wears a streiml 

After the reading, some 50 congregants attended a 

splendid sit-down supper in the Centre’s professionally 

run and truly superlative kosher Café Tuwim (I loved its 

tasty jellied carp), named after the city’s once eminent 

Jewish poet, Julian Tuwim. As the vodka and slivovitz 

was poured (commendably generously) by the Israeli 

owner, Rabbi Keller entertained us with heartfelt Purim 

zemirot followed later in the evening by some soulful 

and poignant old melodies which he played, amazingly 

expertly, on his tuneful flute. Sitting only a few hundred 

metres from the boundary of what was the Nazis’ most 

notorious ghetto, and relishing the community’s cosy 

celebration of Purim, I pondered how incredibly the spirit, 

faith and hope of Judaism were alive again in ⁄Lódź. 

Sadly, but perhaps not unexpectedly, this wasn’t quite 

the situation in other Polish towns. When my eyes first 

beheld the pathetic, dismal and emasculated hulk, 

Page 23

TRAVEL 

which is all that remains of Poznan’s magnificent 

former Great Synagogue, I couldn’t stop the salt 

droplets from welling in their corners. After the 

German blitzkrieg into this main city of North Western 

Poland, the Nazis desecrated the beautiful, copperdomed 

shul, dedicated in 1907 for 1,200 members, and 

converted it into a swimming pool and rehabilitation 

centre for Wehrmacht troops. The city’s 2,000 Jews, 

whose history goes back 900 years, were deported to 

ghettoes, concentration camps or slave labour sites. A 

few hundred trekked home after the war, but were 

thwarted from re-establishing a viable community. 

I discovered a similar story playing out in Lublin, a small 

but lively university-city in South East Poland once 

steeped in Jewish heritage and Torah learning. Jews 

had lived here through the vagaries of good times and 

persecutions for over 600 years. In the late 18th 

century, the town became a vibrant receptor of 

Hassidism. A plaque in what had been the old Jewish 

Quarter recalls the long-vanished Hassidic prayer house 

where the renowned Rabbi Yaakov Yitshok ha-Levi 

Horowitz (“The Seer of Lublin”) resided. The equally 

famed Rabbi Shlomo Luria (d.1537) founded the 

community’s main synagogue, named Maharshal-shul 

in his honour. Annexed to it was a smaller place of 

worship called the Maharam-shul in memory of Rabbi 

Meir ben Gedalia (d.1616). Below Lublin castle a stone 

monument marks the site of the two buildings 

completely destroyed by the Nazis. 

By 1900, a thriving Jewish community made up 50 

percent of Lublin’s population, its more successful 

members (as in other Polish cities) living in mansions 

beyond the ghetto areas after the granting of 

residence rights. In 1939 there were 38,000 Jews in 

the town; almost all of them perished in the gas 

chambers of Belzec and Majdanek. Miraculously, a few 

The surviving hulk of the former Great Synagogue of Poznan 

Until only a few years ago, the building continued to 

serve as a municipal swimming pool. In 2002, 

ownership of the grim-looking and neglected 

structure was re-transferred to the Union of Orthodox 

Jewish Congregations in Poland. Apparently, there has 

been a heated controversy about future use of the 

building. This has probably stemmed from the fact 

that there are barely 60 Jews residing in Poznan, a 

leafy sophisticated metropolis of art, culture, 

international trade fairs and 200,000 people. As I 

understand it, a decision has now been made to 

develop this last substantive evidence of the city’s 

Jewish inheritance into a “Centre for Tolerance”, 

whatever that may mean. There’s an active Jewish 

prayer room in a redbrick house not far from the 

degraded stump of the old shul; though I found the 

tiny community, maybe justifiably, somewhat elusive. 

The building of the former Yeshiva Hakhmei in Lublin 

important Jewish buildings survived, including the 

orphanage (wartime HQ of the German-controlled 

Jewish Council), and the hospital (now a 

gynaecological clinic). But perhaps most notable is the 


TRAVEL 

impressive edifice of Yeshiva Hakhmei Lublin, founded 

by Rabbi Meir Shapiro in 1930 (a superb echo of the 

original established by Rabbi Shalom Shakhna). While 

the SS burned the Torah academy’s 22,000 prayer and 

study books and 10,000 learned journals, the basic 

structure was unharmed. Only recently was it returned 

to the Jewish community by the authorities. 

There’s another building in the one-time ghetto area, a 

prayer house set up by the guild of Jewish undertakers 

and the sole post-war survivor of some 100 local shuls 

and shteibls. Sadly, with just a couple of dozen, mostly 

elderly Jews living in Lublin a regular minyan is 

impracticable. Unfortunately, there was no Shabbat 

service during my stay; though special arrangements 

may be made when large touring groups from the USA 

or Israel arrive in the city. From the opposite side of 

the road, I could merely gaze forlornly at the 

tantalising Star of David in one of the first floor prayer 

room’s four arched windows. 

of wealthy manufacturing tycoons and the 

unpretentious headstones of more humble Jewish folk. 

But millions of Polish Jews had no burial place, no final 

tribute and no monument to be visited. I’ve recited 

Kaddish in Auschwitz, Majdanek and other Nazi death 

camps in Poland where Jewish men, women and 

children were slaughtered on an industrial scale. 

Invariably I leave behind the watchtowers and barbed 

wire, wooden barracks and work shops, SS quarters, 

cells and execution walls, gas chambers and crematoria 

physically chilled, even on a warm day, my mind a 

maelstrom of thoughts, emotions and prayers. Perhaps 

the modest but evolving resumption of Jewish life, 

spiritual and traditional, in today’s new generational 

Poland represents a hopeful re-start for the community. 

The mausoleum of Israel Poznanski, Poznan’s 19th century 

textile tycoon 

I’ve wandered through many ancient and “new” Jewish 

cemeteries across Poland. Long after the Nazi 

violations (thousands of gravestones were smashed or 

removed for road, wall and camp construction), several 

have been renovated and maintained with funding 

from various Jewish charitable foundations. Hundreds 

still visit the memorials of great rebbes from decades 

long past, the huge 19th century marble mausoleums 


HEBREW CLASSES 

AVAILABLE 

AT 

Loughton, Chigwell & District Hebrew 

Classes, Borders Lane, Loughton 

Co-ordinators: Mrs D Shilton and Mrs S Shine 

Croydon & District Cheder, 

The Almonds, 5 Shirley Oaks Road, Croydon 

Co-ordinators: David and Ophra Gilinsky 

Page 25

FAMILY HAMAOR 

A Stillbirth is still a birth - Hoping to 

help stillbirth parents 

by Dan and Lisa Shaffer 

Endorsed by Rabbi Shimon Weingarten, project made possible by Rabbi and Rebbetzen 

Garson as a cross community initiative conceived under the auspices of Ohr Yisrael 

Elstree Federation Synagogue. Please note some readers may find this distressing. 

It’s 13 months since Lenni died and was born at full term 

just after an uneventful labour and due to an 

unexpected and random placental infection. No medical 

intervention would have altered the outcome. Her 

birthday and funeral took place on the same day. 

05-06-2008 6:39 am 

Lenni Veronica Shaffer born this morning sadly never to 

take her first breath. 

We are devastated and thank you in advance for your 

kind thoughts. 

05-06-2008 10:10am 

Funeral 3pm Bushey all welcome at graveside. 

It was only thirteen hours from the time when Lenni 

emerged until she was placed underground. From the 

warm, nurturing womb, to the cold, muddy grave. 

Thirteen hours is not long. We wish that parents who 

had been through a stillbirth would have been with us 

at the hospital within an hour or two to help us navigate 

through the pressing and difficult, time dependant 

decisions that we had to make before our baby 

daughter, Lenni, was buried. 

This past year has been spent in endeavours markedly 

contrasted to ‘normal’ parents of live newborns. We live 

day to day life, cradling nothing but a palpable 

emptiness, being fed and nurtured on shattered 

fragments of mere hopes and dreams. 

The club that no one wants to join; the leprous affliction 

of a taboo bereavement. 

In order to engage with parents who have had a 

Page 26 

stillborn baby, one must empathise with the 

unimaginable pain of a life eagerly and excitedly 

anticipated and then, just as you are just about to meet 

you baby for the first time, disaster strikes. A life lost 

before it has truly begun. 

It is just too painful to imagine isn’t it? 

If you think it is painful for you, how painful do you 

think it is for me? 

I wonder if you will avoid talking to me because you 

simply do not know what to say... 

I converse with a friend who has just plucked up the 

courage to pick up the phone after a year as he has 

decided that he might not be able to upset me now. 

He should have picked up the phone and called a long 

time ago but I guess, he just didn’t know what to say! 

I don't look down on him though. I welcome his 

contact and explain how talking to him about Lenni 

affirms that she existed despite the fact that I have no 

memories of her and I can't tell you anything about 

her. 

All I have is a recording of her heartbeat on my phone, 

some scan pictures and a black and white photo of her 

after she had died and was subsequently born. Why 

black and white? In colour, her complexion would be 

deemed as too unnatural and upsetting for general 

consumption. Babies should not be tinged with a 

delicate hue of blue. Her photo is on my mantelpiece 

beside those of my other two children, all in their 

places in my family story. 


FAMILY HAMAOR 

So he says to me, I was really sorry to hear about your 

terrible tragedy last year, I think well why didn't you call 

last year? But I say thank you so much for phoning, I 

lead the conversation as my friend feels awkward. I lead 

my friend through the specifics and let him know that 

even though this is a difficult conversation, it is a 

worthwhile one. 

A stillbirth is still a birth, the same hopes and dreams, 

just a corpse instead of a scream to cradle all too briefly. 

I realise and articulate that in order for my friend to 

empathise with my situation and experience, he must 

put himself in my position and by doing so must go into 

a very painful place in his heart where babies die. This is 

just too painful for most people to do and so the leprous 

affliction that could have been a conversation hangs in 

the balance for the next person that is picking up the 

phone and hesitating about whether to dial my number 

or not. 

To all those who are having to experience the death of 

a stillborn baby, my heart goes out to you. Where do you 

find the strength to carry on? The answer is: From 

wherever you can. 

Be ambassadors for lives that need you to express 

themselves. 

I remember the feeling of skydiving down a ravine 

without a parachute knowing that the only comfort 

will be, that sooner or later, the ground is waiting to 

come crashing up into me. I remember, today, double 

taking that I wish I was cradling Lenni, arms going up 

in reflex action. 

Lenni lives on through our actions and her existence has 

given us the opportunity to try and help other parents 

who find themselves in the horrific circumstance of 

expecting a first cry and instead, receiving a last breath. 

At present, Jewish communities in the UK have no 

centralised, organised and unified way of tackling the 

incredibly challenging but unfortunately all too 


common issue of stillborn. Helpmelenni is a grass roots 

project intended to support parents of stillborn 

children from the moment their baby is born dead or 

dies shortly after birth. The web based element is 

intended to grow and evolve over time. With your help, 

we hope that the website will mature into a valuable 

and irreplaceable resource. 

We have set up a stillbirth taskforce, initially to cover 

NW London and The Home Counties to help people 

within hours of their baby dying shortly before, during 

or after, birth. We can help discuss your choices with you 

in a neutral and non- judgemental way. We have been 

in your situation and we know how difficult it can be to 

lose your baby. 

We can advise and help you navigate through the 

choices surrounding naming, burial, registration of birth 

and death, shiva, kaddish, watching over your baby's 

body before the burial. We can help you wash and dress 

your baby. 

We can be with you every step of the way, or we can be 

invisible if you want us to be, but you will probably not 

know what you want, we didn’t. 

But most of all, we can make suggestions based on our 

experience of losing our own baby at birth. We can share 

your experiences as you live through them with 

understanding and compassion. We can also provide 

you with suitable contacts for confidential and 

appropriate religious and emotional support. 

If you have been affected by this article or wish to be 

involved in this project, Dan and Lisa Shaffer can be 

contacted through the web pages at 

www.helpmelenni.com 

www.jewishstillbithtrust.org 

Help us to help you 

Page 27

HISTORY 

Recha and Isaac Sternbuch 

by Robyn Deutsch 

developed a vast array of contacts 

throughout Europe. 

In 1938, Jewish refugees from 

Germany and Austria poured over 

the Swiss border and the 

Sternbuchs provided food, clothing 

and lodgings for them. 

Recha glared at the Gestapo officer’s bloated face, cold 

eyes, row of medals on his chest and a rottweiler at his 

side. ‘I am Swiss. These Jews came on my initiative. I 

am responsible for them. I would ask you to turn them 

over to me. I am taking them into Switzerland’. The 

officer’s face reddened with fury at the impudence of 

this woman who wanted the release of a dozen Jews 

at the Swiss border. He rose, stood threateningly in 

front of her and hissed in her face: ‘How dare you! I’ll 

send you away with these dirty Jews! I’ll rip up your 

Swiss passport if you don’t disappear from here this 

minute!’ The dog sniffed menacingly at her waiting 

for an order to attack. Recha stood her ground, her 

heart quaking, and replied quietly, ‘I’ll voluntarily join 

them if you don’t turn them over to me. I am 

responsible for them’. To her surprise, the Gestapo 

officer released them, probably knowing he would have 

no peace if he didn’t. 

This is typical of Recha Sternbuch’s tenacity and desire 

to save as many Jews as possible – thousands in fact. 

Recha & Isaac Sternbuch’s names should be mentioned 

in the same breath as Oscar Shindler and Raoul 

Wallenberg but they sought no praise and refused 

publicity. 

They were both born in 1905. Recha was a daughter 

of the Chief Rabbi of Belgium, Rabbi Mordecai 

Rottenberg, and Isaac was a son of a Russian Chasidic 

rabbi who moved to Romania and then Switzerland. 

They were renowned for their hospitality and the 

steady stream of distinguished visitors to their door 

proved invaluable in their future work having 

Page 28 

One would assume that many of the Swiss Jewish 

families would have done likewise, but sadly this 

wasn’t the case. Recha and Isaac were exceptional and 

met with considerable opposition from their 

community. Unfortunately, The Federation of Swiss 

Jewish Communities, concerned over increased antisemitism 

as a result of this influx, had no compunction 

in denying assistance to refugees caught at the border. 

In 1939, Recha was arrested for aiding and harbouring 

refugees. She was imprisoned for a short time and 

faced three years of legal proceedings before being 

acquitted at a trial. Despite this, she continued her 

rescue operations throughout. 

HIJEFS (‘Hilfsverein fur Judische Fluchtlinge in 

Shanghai’) was founded by the Sternbuchs to aid the 

yeshiva and Torah scholars who had escaped to 

Shanghai. The organisation, which was run with the 

assistance of five skilled and influential individuals, 

operated between 1941 and 1951 and its sustained 

effort and accomplishments are beyond compare. 

HIJEFS expanded its horizons as the need arose and 

enlisted the aid of the Va’ad Hatzala, the rescue 

committee of the American Union of Orthodox Rabbis 

and became its Swiss representative. It was also greatly 

assisted by the Polish Ambassador in Berne, Alexander 

Lados and his aide Dr Julius Kuhl who permitted HIJEFS 

to use Embassy facilities to send hundreds of 

encrypted cables. The Papal Emissary, Monsignor 

Philippe Bernadini granted Persona Grata status to 

Recha to enable safe travel and helped them obtain 

South American visas. 

This article gives a small taste of the Sternbuch’s 

achievements. 


HISTORY 

In 1940 the Sternbuch’s celebrated their only son’s Bar 

Mitzvah. On that Shabbat, three refugees were 

captured and were facing deportation to Germany. 

Even though they were strictly shomer shabbat, the 

Sternbuchs, placing the highest priority to save a life, 

immediately went into action and by their efforts 

obtained the refugees’ freedom. By the time their 

rescue mission was complete they had missed their 

son’s Bar Mitzvah. 

In 1942, they alerted the world to the mass 

deportations from the Warsaw Ghetto and warned of 

the destruction of European Jewry. Although not the 

first to raise the alarm, their cables, sent via the Polish 

consulate were easily verified. Initially, President 

Roosevelt did little and the American Jewish leadership 

remained silent. It took three months of mounting 

pressure from the Sternbuchs and Jewish communal 

leaders until the State Department allowed the 

information to become public, by which time 1 million 

Jews had been murdered. 

In the spring of 1944, when the Germans were sending 

12,000 Jews a day by train from Hungary to Auschwitz, 

the Sternbuchs were in the forefront of those who sent 

pleas to the Allies to bomb the railway lines to 

Auschwitz. Their cries fell on deaf ears. 

They were also involved with the “Kastner train”. In 

April 1944, Adolf Eichmann offered to Joel Brand and 

Dr Rudolph Kastner, leaders of the Hungarian Jewish 

community, a deal to exchange Jews for trucks. The 

deal was highly controversial and fraught with 

problems, but with Isaac Sternbuch’s financial backing, 

a trainload of 1,684 people had safe passage from 

Bergen-Belsen to Switzerland. 

In September that year, following the limited success 

of the “Kastner train”, the Sternbuchs approached Dr 

Jean-Marie Musy, a former President of Switzerland 

and personal friend of Himmler, to seek the release of 

Jews from concentration camps. Musy and his son, 

Benoit, met with Himmler on several occasions and 

negotiated the release of the Jews for $1 million. The 


Sternbuchs pleaded for funding from the Va’ad 

Hatzala, who were obliged to route the request via the 

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, which 

refused to countenance the deal. Nonetheless, on 7 

February 1945, 1,200 Jews were released from 

Theresienstadt, 2,000 Jews from the Ravensbruck 

camp, and their efforts resulted directly in a further 

100,000 Jews being freed. 

Within a few days of the allied liberation of each 

country HIJEFS sent aid to survivors and were 

swamped with letters seeking help to trace relatives. 

They were the focal point of contact for all activists. 

In May 1945, shortly after the liberation of France, 

Recha went on a mission to rescue Jewish children 

who had been hidden in non-Jewish homes. She set 

up two children’s homes in Aix-Les-Bains near the 

Swiss border; obtained hundreds of entry visas to 

France for Jews across Europe and founded two 

refugee centres near Paris. 

In July 1945 Recha visited Germany. Instead of staying 

in hotels to which her UN documents entitled her she 

insisted on sleeping in refugee barracks and made a 

huge impression on everyone. She left her belongings 

with them, arranged for packages to be sent and 

brought out cases full of letters. Her appearances 

renewed their faith. She ensured the religious needs of 

the survivors were met in DP camps – establishing 

kosher kitchens and synagogues. 

In 1946, Recha made several trips to Poland where she 

battled with the authorities to procure exit visas and 

smuggled children out of the country. In the following 

years she led many rescue operations across Europe, 

often putting herself in great danger. She was 

instrumental in the establishment of children’s homes 

in Belgium, Germany, Czechoslovakia and Austria. 

Recha died in 1971 on her travels and is buried next to 

Isaac who predeceased her. 

Information based on book ‘Heroine of Rescue’ by 

Joseph Friedenson & David Kranzler 

Page 29

FAMILY HAMAOR 

Recipes by Denise Phillips 

Preparation Time: 15 minutes 

Parev: Will Freeze 

Cooking Time: 30 minutes 

Serves: 6 people 

Wholesome Beetroot and 

Carrot Soup 

Ingredients: 

2 tablespoons olive oil 

7 raw beetroots – peeled and roughly chopped 

900g carrots – peeled and sliced 

2 onions 

2 cloves garlic – peeled and sliced 

2 sweet potatoes – peeled and roughly chopped 

2 litres vegetable stock 

Salt and pepper – to taste 

Garnish: 

Sprigs of parsley 

6 whole coriander seeds 

Rosh Hashonah celebrations is a time for renewal and 

repentantce – so why not continue this ideology with 

renewing one’s eating habits and start the year with a 

nutritious soup. Carrots and beetroot are also symbolic 

at this time of year as the omens present us with the 

thoughts of prosperity and a life of good fortune. 

This colourful nutritious soup is perfect for family style 

eating whether it is a Yom Tov or for a change a 

different soup for Friday night. Soup is easy to serve 

and can be made in advance which makes the cook’s 

task straightforward. I like to boost the intake of 

vegetables with a healthy content as much as possible 

at any opportunity. 

Page 30 

Method: 

1) Heat the olive oil in a deep saucepan. Fry the onions 

and garlic for about 5 minutes until soft. 

2) Add the carrots, beetroot, sweet potatoes, and 

vegetable stock. 

3) Bring to the boil and simmer for about 30 minutes 

or until the vegetables are soft. 

4) Pour into a blender and whiz until smooth. Return 

to the saucepan and reheat. Season to taste. 

5) Fry the whole coriander seeds in a dry frying pan for 

2 minutes until slightly golden. Remove and crush with 

a rolling pin or pestle and mortar. 

To serve the stylish way: 

Garnished with sprigs of parsley and crushed coriander 

seeds. 


FAMILY HAMAOR 

Sicilian Baby Aubergine Salad 

This is just the perfect salad for Shabbat and Yom Tov 

as it needs to be made in advance for the flavours to 

infuse and develop. Aubergines are particularly popular 

in Southern Italy and in this recipe the basil, extra 

virgin olive oil, lemon and garlic marinates the 

vegetable so that they are succulent and tender. 

Garnish: 

Large bunch of fresh basil 

Method: 

1) Preheat the grill to its highest setting. 

2) Place the aubergines, cut side up and brush with a 

little extra virgin olive oil. 

3) Grill for 10 - 15 minutes until slightly blackened 

turning them over halfway through cooking. 

4) To make the marinade, put the remaining oil, lemon 

juice, vinegar, garlic, sugar, pine nuts, raisins and salt 

and pepper in a jug and mix. 

5) Place the hot aubergines in a dish and pour over the 

marinade. Leave to cool, turning the aubergine once or 

twice before serving. 


Garnish with sprigs of basil 

Apple Pomegranate Cake 

This is quick to prepare and can be served with meat, 

fish or a dairy meal. It is a tasty salad for a buffet table 

and does not spoil with time. 

You can use regular sized aubergines if you cannot find 

the baby variety ~ just slice thickly. 



Serves: 4-6 as a side salad 

Ingredients: 

12 baby aubergines – halved lengthways 

200ml extra virgin olive oil 

Juice of 1 lemon 

3 cloves garlic – peeled and finely chopped 

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 

25g pine nuts 

2 tablespoons raisins 

2 tablespoons granulated sugar 

Salt and freshly ground black pepper 


Every Rosh Hashonah we repent for our sins and wish 

for a happy and healthy New Year. Pomegranates have 

a symbolic connection as they are supposed to have 

613 seeds which correspond to the number of mitzvot, 

and they are also a cleansing healthy fruit. 

Page 31

FAMILY HAMAOR 

Pomegranates have beneficial effects on heart disease, 

haemorrhoids, fertility and blood pressure. A single 

pomegranate provides 40 per cent of an adult's 

recommended daily allowance of vitamin C, and is a 

rich source of folic acid and vitamins A and E. One 

pomegranate also contains three times the antioxidant 

properties of red wine or green tea. 

This cake is perfect for Yom Tov dessert served with ice 

cream, cream or custard or use at tea time when extra 

family / friends guests descend! 

4) Add to the mixture, mixing thoroughly. 

Fold in the apples and pomegranate seeds so that the 

mixture is a soft dropping consistency. 

5) Pour into the prepared cake tin. 

6) Bake for 50 minutes until well risen and firm to the 

touch. 

Turn out on to a wire rack to cool. 


Dust with icing sugar and ground cinnamon. 



Serves: 8 people 

Ingredients: 

450g eating apples, peeled, cored and chopped 

1 pomegranate – remove outer skin 

1 tablespoon vegetable oil – to grease tin 

225g Self –raising flour 

150g dark soft brown sugar 

110g Unsalted butter or margarine 

2 eggs, beaten 

100ml soya milk / single soya cream (Alpro)/ milk 

2 tablespoons clear honey, warmed slightly 

1 teaspoon ground mixed spice 

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 

2 teaspoons baking powder 

Garnish: 

Icing sugar and ground cinnamon 

Method: 

1) Pre-heat oven to 180°C: 350°F: Gas 4. 

Line and lightly oil a deep 18 cm (7 inch) round cake tin 

with non- stick baking parchment paper. 

2) Cream together the butter, sugar, until light and 

fluffy. 

3) Add the eggs, a little at a time, beating constantly. 

Stir in the flour, cinnamon, spice, milk /soya milk / 

cream, baking powder and honey. 

Get more pleasure from your cooking by 

coming on a Denise Phillips Cookery Class. 

And if you book one place you can get 

another at half price – that’s £30 off. 

Yom Tov Favourites - 

Wed 9th or Thurs 24th September 

Credit Crunch dinner Parties - 

Sun 1st, Wed 4th or Thurs 5th Nov 

Puddings and Pies - 

Sun 22nd, Wed 25th or Thurs 26th Nov 

Shabbat Lunch - Sun 26th Nov or Thurs 10th Dec 

Friday Night Dinner - Sun 6th Dec or Wed 9th Dec 

01923 836 456 or denise@jewishcookery.com 

See www.jewishcookery.com for more details 

Pleasure for less 


Your essential Federation Magazine 

WANTED WANTED WANTED 

Your 

community 

news 

Your 

personal 

announcements 

Your 

interesting 

stories 

Contact: 

m 

eva@rabbichapper.com 

0208 202 2263 (ask for Monica)

PERSONAL 

Mazal Tov wishes are extended to 

the following people: 

BIRTHS 

Mazal Tov to the following on the birth of 

a child: 

Dayan and Mrs Lichtenstein on the birth of their Grandsons 

Dayan and Mrs Elzas on the birth of a Granddaughter 

Rebbetzin Zelda Berkovits on the birth of a Grandson 

Rabbi and Mrs Doron on the birth of a Grandson 

Rabbi and Mrs Zaiden on the birth of a Grandson 

Finchley Central 

Mr and Mrs J Edel on the birth of their Son 

Mr and Mrs H Dony on the birth of their Granddaughter 

Mr and Mrs H Greenberg on the birth of their Grandson 

Mr and Mrs J Silberman on the birth of their 

Granddaughter in Israel 

Mr and Mrs C Solomons on the birth of their Grandson 

Mrs I Pollard on the birth of her third Great Grandson 

in Israel 

Mrs L Sacks on the birth of a Great Grandson 

Ilford 

Frances Bookatz on the birth of a Grandson 

Elaine and Alan Rubenstein on the birth of two Grandsons 

Ruth Best on the birth of a Granddaughter 

Natalie and Freddie Jacobs on the birth of a Great Grandson 

Marion and David Levy on the birth of a Grandson 

Sandra and Leslie Wajchendler on the birth of a Grandson 

Loughton 

Leonard and Rosalind Conway on the birth of a 

Granddaughter 

Michael and Loretta Goldstone on the birth of a Grandson 

Machzikei Hadath 

Rabbi and Mrs Pearlman on the birth of a Grandson and a 

Granddaughter 

Mr and Mrs Eliezer Pearlman on the birth of a Son in Israel 

Mrs Pearlman Snr on the birth of a Great Grandson 

Page 34 

Gaby and Miriam Goldstein on the birth of a Grandson 

George and Ruth Blachman on the birth of a Great 

Grandson in Lakewood 

George and Ruth Blachman on the birth of a Great 

Granddaughter 

Michael and Rachel Friedmann on the birth of a 

Granddaughter 

Rabbi and Mrs Zeiden on the birth of a Grandson 

Rachel and Reuven Megnaghi on the birth of a Daughter 

Ohr Yisrael 

Rabbi and Mrs Garson on the birth of a Nephew 

Danny and Erika Conciero on the birth of a Son 

Cyril and Margaret Blake on the birth of Twin Grandsons 

Richard and Louise Shama on the birth of a Daughter 

Eric and Brenda Brett on the birth of twin Grandchildren 

in Israel 

Eric and Glenda Deacon on the birth of a Granddaughter 

Geoffrey and Jo Kay on the birth of a Granddaughter 

Ed and Eva Perchick on the birth of a Son 

Nitzan and Joanne Yaniv on the birth of a Daughter 

Shomrei Hadath 

Andy and Aviva Kaufman and Alfred and Louise Goldschmidt 

on the birth of a Daughter and Granddaughter respectively 

Moshe and Ruth Winegarten on the birth of twins, a 

Granddaughter and Grandson for Shlomo and Susan 

Winegarten 

Aryeh and Judy Schleider and Shlomo and Susan Winegarten 

on the birth of a Daughter and Granddaughter respectively 

Arieh and Alyssa Gilbert on the birth of a Son 

Daniel and Felicia Lightman-Epstein and Sir Gavin and Lady 

Lightman on the birth of a Son and Grandson respectively 

Sinai 

Rabbi and Mrs B Knopfler on the birth of their 

Granddaughter 

Mr and Mrs Moishe Knopfler on the birth of their 

Granddaughter 

Mr and Mrs Gerald Halibard on the birth of a Grandson 


PERSONAL 

Dr and Mrs Yossi Spitzer on the birth of their Grandson 

Mr and Mrs David Grant on the birth of their Granddaughter 

Mr and Mrs Yitzchok Kruskal on the birth of their 

Granddaughters 

Dr and Mrs Yossi Adler on the birth of a Granddaughter 

Rabbi and Mrs Dovid Silkin on the birth of their Grandson 

Rabbi and Mrs Zvi Marmorstein on the birth of their 

Grandson 

Mr and Mrs Y Y Adler on the birth of their Son 

Mr and Mrs Y D Fagil on the birth of their Great Grandson 

Mr and Mrs John Simmonds on the birth of a Granddaughter 

Mr and Mrs Lezer Bloch on the birth of a Granddaughter 

Mr and Mrs Shimshon Bloch on the birth of a Grandson 

Rabbi and Mrs C Hoffman on the birth of a Grandson 

Mr and Mrs Yaakov Greenberg on the birth of their Daughter 

Mr and Mrs Marc Nerden on the birth of their Son 

Mr S Dzialowski on the birth of their Great Grandsons 

Mr and Mrs Benny Dzialowski on the birth of a Grandson 

Mr and Mrs Yossi Englard, on the birth of a Granddaughter 

Mr. S. Dzialowski on the birth of a Great Granddaughter 

Rabbi and Mrs C Z Cohen on the birth of a Granddaughter 

Mr and Mrs Avi Levison on the birth of their Daughter 

Mr and Mrs Richard Kaufman of the birth of a Great 

Granddaughter 

Mr and Mrs Dovid Ryness on the birth of their Great 

Grandsons 

Mr and Mrs Doni Kaufman on the birth of a Granddaughter 

Mr and Mrs Dovid Ryness on the birth of a Grandson 

Mrs Devorah Steinberg on the birth of a Great Grandson 

Mr and Mrs Boruch Silverman on the birth of their Daughter 

Mr and Mrs Boruch Silverman on the birth of their Grandson 

Mr and Mrs S Z Hoff on the birth of a Granddaughter 

Mr and Mrs Moshe Grun on the birth of their Grandson 

Mr and Mrs Sidney Bradpiece on the birth of their Grandson 

Mr and Mrs Richard Steinhart on the birth of their 

Granddaughters 

Rabbi and Mrs Efriam Klyne on the birth of their Grandson 

Mr and Mrs Allen Cohen on the birth of their Granddaughter 

Mrs Devorah Roth on the birth of her Grandson 

Rabbi and Mrs D Kirsch on the birth of their Granddaughter 

Mr and Mrs Julian Cohen on the birth of a Grandughter 


Yeshurun 

Ray and Rochelle Antian on the birth of a Granddaughter 

Ahron and Marlene Hadjizade on the birth of a Great 

Granddaughter 

Lawrence and Ruth Simberg on the birth of a Great 

Granddaughter 

Julian and Rina Greenaway on the birth of a Grandson 

Stuart and Carol Niman on the birth of a Granddaughter 

Robert and Jennifer Zeffman on the birth of a Grandson 

Howard and Dalia Panas on the birth of a Son 

Victor and Kathy Panas on the birth of a Grandson 

Steven and Estelle Brown on the birth of a Granddaughter 

David and Louise Frost on the birth of a Grandchild 

Laurence and Ruth Taylor on the birth of a Grandchild 

Hilary and Jonathan Raymond on the birth of a Grandson in 

Israel 

Hilary and Laurence Corney on the birth of a Granddaughter 

Carole and Stuart Niman on the Birth of a Grandson 

Stacey and Richard Taylor on the birth of a Grandson 

ENGAGEMENTS 

Mazal Tov to the following: 

Rabbi and Mrs B Knopfler on their daughter Esther’s 

engagement 


Rabbi and Rebbetzin Telsner on their son Chaim’s 

engagement 


Brian and Channa Resnick on their daughter Yirat’s 

engagement to Roni Weiss 

Efim and Marina Rabinovitch on their daughter Natalia’s 

engagement to Shawn Cooper 

Sinai 

Rabbi and Mrs B Knopfler on the engagement of their 

daughter Esther to Mr Avrohom Hoffman 

Mr and Mrs Alan Lewis on the engagement of their daughter 

Katya to Mr Akiva Gardner 

Mr and Mrs Y D Fagil on the engagement of their grandson 

Eli Apter to Michal Abudraham 

Mr and Mrs Lezer Bloch on the engagement of their 

daughter Shifra to Mr Naftoli Wolinsky 

Page 35

PERSONAL 

Mr and Mrs Boruch Silverman on the engagement of their 

son Aaron to Miss Esti Gould 

Yeshurun 

Peter and Linda Hamilton on Ilana’s engagement to Dean 

Harris 

Richard and Sheryl Sandground on the engagement of their 

daughter Rishelle to Alain Cohen 

WEDDINGS 


Dayan and Mrs Lichtenstein on their daughter Hadassa’s 

marriage to Moshe Rubenstein of Manchester 

Dayan and Mrs Elzas on their son Eli’s marriage to Ruchama 

Gelley 

Rabbi and Mrs Godlewsky on their son Yechiel Yehuda’s 

marriage to Leah Hersh 

Rabbi and Mrs B Knopfler on their daughter Gittel’s marriage 


Mr M Davis on his marriage to Mrs N Moser 

Mr Sam Rosengard on his marriage to Amy 

Mr and Mrs P Westbrook on their son Rabbi Daniel 

Westbrook’s marriage to Dalia Wieder 

Ilford 

Brian and Linda Shane on their son’s marriage 

Ashley and Hilary Kissin on the marriage of their son Elliot to 

Suzanne Bright 

Melvyn and Adele Elliott on the marriage of their daughter 

Gemma to Benjamin 


David and Flora Wieder on their daughter Dalia’s marriage 

to Daniel Westbrook 

Lawrence and Cynthia Kleerekoper on the marriage of their 

son Anthony to Miss Naomi Rosenhead of Manchester 

Mrs Sylvia Fishman on the marriage of her grandson 

Anthony Kleerekoper to Miss Naomi Rosenhead 

Ohr Yisrael 

Martyn and Debbie Slyper on their daughter Gemma’s 

marriage to Jez Roskin 

Page 36 


Rachel Harris on the marriage of her daughter 

Sinai 

Rabbi and Mrs B Knopfler on the marriage of their daughter 

Gitty to Mr Naftoli Hamburger 

To Rabbi and Mrs Knopfler on the marriage of their daughter 

Miri 

Mr and Mrs Dean Kaye on the marriage of their son Joseph 

to Miss Shoshana Bak 

Mr and Mrs Danny Rotenberg on the marriage of their 

daughter Michal to Mr Avi Moher 

Mr and Mrs Binyomin Bokor on the marriage of their 

daughter Chaviva to Mr Jonathan Milner 

Rabbi and Mrs C Hoffman on the marriage of their son 

Elchonon to Miss Chava Leah Litke 

Mrs R Rotenberg on the marriage of her granddaughter 

Rochel Soroh Rotenberg to Mr Akiva Moshe Dominitz 

Mr S Dzialowski on the marriage of his granddaughter Miss 

Dinah Zucker to Mr Simcha Fried 

Mr and Mrs Yehoshua Steinhaus on the marriage their 

daughter Elisheva to Mr Doniel Sharman 

Mr and Mrs S Z Hoff on the marriage of their son Avrohom 

to Miss Esther Shenk 

Mr and Mrs Ralph Klajn on the marriage of their daughter 

Nechama to Mr Elimelech Goldberg 

Mr and Mrs Chaim Lubin on the marriage of their son David 

to Miss Miriam Chabsa 

Mr and Mrs Nososn Iwanier on the marriage of their 

daughter to Mr. Avi Leiner 

Waltham Forest 

Rev Myers on his daughter Shulamit’s marriage 

Yeshurun 

Rabbi and Mrs Alan Lewis on the marriage of their daughter 

Batsheva to Mr Shimon Brodie 

Rabbi and Mrs Alan Lewis on the marriage of their daughter 

Shalva to Mr Joshua Zneimer 

Alex and Anne Fleischman on their daughter Gabriella’s 

marriage to Robin Landy 

David and Margery Cohen on their daughter Gail’s marriage 

to Yochanan Carroll 

Susan and Stuart Lustigman on the marriage of their son 

Jamie to Madeleine Collier 


PERSONAL 

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES 


Mr and Mrs Laurence Ross on their 30th Wedding 

Anniversary 


Mr and Mrs E Amron on their 55th Wedding Anniversary 

Mr and Mrs H Greenberg on their 25th Wedding Anniversary 

Ilford 

Maxim and Barbara Segal on their 35th Wedding 

Anniversary 

Norma and Melvyn Weinberg on their 48th Wedding 

Anniversary 

Rita and Leon Newmark on their 45th Wedding Anniversary 

Ohr Yisrael 

Gideon and Joanne Krotosky on their 1st Wedding 

Anniversary 

Adam and Joelle Shenker on their 10th wedding anniversary 


Alfred and Louise Goldschmidt on their 50th Wedding 

Anniversary 

Yeshurun 

Ian and Cheryl Colletts on their 20th Wedding Anniversary 

John and Diane Sheer on their 25th Wedding Anniversary 

Naomi and Julian Green on their China Wedding 

Susie and Joe Holder on their China Wedding 

Miriam and Leonard Spectman on their Coral Wedding 

Richelle and Ray Antian on their Pearl Wedding 

BAR MITZVAH 


Mrs Zelda Berkovits on her son Noson Menachem’s 

Barmitzvah 

Croydon 

Doreen and Barry Bond on their grandson's Barmitzvah in 

Israel 



Mr and Mrs N Balkany on their son’s Barmitzvah 

Mr and Mrs S Barnard on their son’s Barmitzvah 

Mr and Mrs B Bernstein on their grandson’s Barmitzvah in 

Israel 

Mr and Mrs A Fisher son’s Barmitzvah 

Drs E and N Lever on their third son’s Barmitzvah 

Mrs S Langdon on her grandson’s Barmitzvah 

Ilford 

Ronnie and Felicia Lawrence and Mark and Gill Saunders on 

their grandson and son David’s Barmitzvah 

Frances Oldstein on her grandson’s Barmitzvah 

Howard and Claire Oldstein on their son Scott’s Barmitzvah 

Loughton 

Simon and Andy Vellerman on their son Jamie’s Barmitzvah 

Aaron Bermange’s Barmitzvah 

Adam and Kane Orgel’s Barmitzvah 

Ohr Yisrael 

Albert, Naomi and Talya Samuelson on the occasion of 

Joseph's Bar Mitzvah 

Sinai 

Mr and Mrs Dean Kaye on the Barmitzvah of their son Osher 

Mr and Mrs Danny Rotenberg on the Barmitzvah of their 

sons Shammai and Yoel 

Rabbi and Mrs Gavin Broder on the Barmitzvah of their son 

Yechezkel 

Mr and Mrs David Wilner on the Barmitzvah of their son 

Shloime 

Rabbi and Mrs Howard Hirsch on the Barmitzvah of their son 

Yehudah Ze’ev 

Mr and Mrs Ralph Klajn on the Barmitzvah of their son Sruli 

Rabbi and Mrs Efraim Klyne on the Barmitzvah of their son 

Yehudah Ze’ev 

BAT MITZVAH 


Ilford 

The 19 ladies on their Communal Bat Chayil: 

Shirley Appleby 

Page 37

PERSONAL 

Estelle Bashton 

Frances Bookatz 

Linda Conroy 

Marion Grant 

Deborah Hiller 

Felicia Lawrence 

Maxine Leckerman 

Beatrice Lesser 

Estelle Luton 

Debra Montlake 

Fay Montlake 

Helen Myers 

Rita Newmark 

Gloria Rones 

Gill Saunders 

Raya Simons 

Sandra Wajchendler 

Jessica Wesil 

Loughton 

Emma Pearlman’s Batmitzvah 

Yeshurun 

Laurence and Amanda Nesbitt on their daughter Jessica’s 

Batmitzvah 

Rabbi and Mrs Lewis on their daughter Hadassah’s 

Batmitzvah 

Ayelet Besso-Cowan on her Batmitzvah 

Frankie and Tony Branston on the Bat Mitzvah of their 

Granddaughter Abigail 

Hayley and Michael Simon on Yaeli’s Bat Mitzvah 

Nigel and Liz Walfisz on Sara’s Bat Mitzvah 

SPECIAL BIRTHDAYS 



Mrs L. Sacks on her 90th birthday 

Ilford 

Hannah and Lauren Simon on their 21st Birthday 

Valerie Gilmore on her Special Birthday 

Page 38 

Ephraim Chapper on his 3rd birthday and Upsher 

Loughton 

Lennie Lieberman on his 70th Birthday 

Ohr Yisrael 

Len Cohen on his 65th birthday 

Stephen Gilmore on his 70th birthday 

Yeshurun 

Amanda Nesbitt on her Special Birthday 

Mrs Helen Olivestone, wife of one of Yeshurun’s founders 

Bernard Olivestone o”h, on her 101st birthday 

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS 


Mazeltov to the Chief Rabbi, Sir Jonathan Sacks on his 

appointment to the House of Lords 

Croydon 

Reverend Mark Daniels on receiving Semicha 


Mrs L Sacks eldest son, Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks being 

made a Peer of the Realm 

Ohr Yisrael 

Alf Shultz on his second Barmitzvah 

Ohr Yisrael wishes Mark, Sarah and Talia Pitch success on 

their recent “Aliyah” 

Congratulations to Eden Biton on being granted 1st place 

with the special "Achievement Award" in Yavne College, 

Borehamwood. Congratulations to his sister Arielle who 

came close second 

Yeshurun 

Jeremy Van den Bergh on gaining a first class degree BEng 

(Hons) from Birmingham City University 

Daniel Gordon, son of Jeff and Yaffit who has qualified as a 

medical doctor from UCL 

Tova Hersch who has gained a 2:1 BA Honours Degree in 

Counseling 

Tanya Abizadeh who has gained a first in Sociology from 

Birmingham University 


PERSONAL 

NEW MEMBERS 

We would like to welcome the following 

new members: 


Naomi and Elliot Conway 

Georgina and Harley Glass 

Karen and Rafi Moss 

Ian Needleman 

Louise and Graham Silas 

CONDOLENCES 

We offer condolences to: 

Dayan and Mrs Ehrentreu on the loss of their son 

Tom Zelmanovits on the loss of his Mother 

Mr Melvyn Goldberg and Mrs Rochelle Chevern on the 

passing of their mother Debby Goldberg, wife of the late 

Stanley Goldberg o”h, former Elder of the Federation 

Family Weinberg on the petirah of Rabbi Noah Weinberg, 

founder of Aish HaTorah 

Clapton 

The Family of the late Paul Rose 

East London Central 

The Family of the late Rebecca Krestin 

Mrs Brill on the loss of her Husband 

Jonathan Beninson on the loss of his father 


The Family of the late Basil Goldman 

The Family of the late Thelma Sable 

The Family of the past member Mrs Lucy Wosner in Israel 

Fieldgate Street 

Mrs Beryl Gayer on the loss of her husband Jack Gayer 

Ilford 

Rita Newmark on the loss of her sister 

The family of Lily Magen 

The family of Joseph Blumenthal 


Len and Michael Summers and their family on the loss of a 

wife and mother, Rose Summers 

To the family of the late Lily Barry 

To the family of the late Betty Burke 

To the family of the late Milly Rabin 

To the family of the late Beatrice Wilbey 

To the family of the late Martin Sacks 

To the family of the late Helen Goodman 

Mrs J Reback on the loss of her sister 

Mrs A Shine and family on the loss of her brother 

The family of the late Jack Gayer 

Mark and Darren Muster on the loss of their mother Norma 

Loughton 

The Family of the late Solomon Strauss 


Dr Clive Coleman on the loss of his mother 

The family of the late Mrs Marion Wieder 

The family of the late Mr Alec Cohen 

The family of the late Mrs Lucy Wosner 

The family of the late Mr David Lawrence 

Ohr Yisrael 

We wish a long life to Dan and Lisa Shaffer over the tragic 

loss of their daughter Lenni Veronica Shaffer (Eliana Ronit 

bat Meir Daniel), born 5th of June 2008 (2nd Sivan 5768) 

sadly to never take her first breath. May Hashem grant them 

the strength to get through this difficult time and may they 

know no more sorrow 


Herve Javice on the loss of his Father 

Yeshurun 

Warren Singer on the loss of his Mother 

Rachel Turetsky on the loss of her Brother 

The Family of the late Sandra Dorothea Russell 

Dov Reichmann on the loss of his Sister 

The Family of the late Carole Goldblatt 

Stuart Lustigman on the loss of his Mother 

The Family of the late Thelma Sable 

The Family of the late Sadie Hinden 

Page 39

PERSONAL 

Keith Malkinson on the loss of his Father 

To the family of the late Irene Saunders 

To the family of the late Bryna Richman, on her passing 

away at the age of 99 

The Family of the late Nicola Rone 

The Family of the late Arthur Vertes 

Nina Duswick and family on the loss of her mother-in-law, 

Eva Slackman 

Karen Kropp and family on the loss of her mother, Blanche 

Helman 

Andy Harwood and family on the loss of his Father 

The Family of the late Don Finkel 

Peter Hamilton and family on the loss of his Father 

Keith Malkinson and family on the loss of his Father 

David Nagioff on the loss of his Father 

Please send in all your personal announcements to: 

Miss Monica Kohn, Hamaor, 65 Watford Way, London 

NW4 3AQ or email: 

monica.kohn@federationofsynagogues.com 

We are delighted to print this edition 

of Hamaor Magazine 

A HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ALL AT EXCO 

CONTACT STEWART SINCLAIR 

PHONE: 020 8958 7000 

MOBILE: 07976 707 916 

E-MAIL: print@excodps.co.uk 

56A GLENGALL ROAD 

EDGWARE, MIDDLESEX HA8 8SX 

OPEN SUNDAY MORNINGS 

FREE PARKING 

Page 40 


DIRECTORY 

CATERERS: 

FEDERATION OF SYNAGOGUES 

KASHRUS BOARD 

Chairman: Mr A. Finlay 

Director of Kashrus: Dayan M. D. Elzas 

The following establishments are licensed by the 

Federation Kashrus Board and are under the Supervision of the Beth Din 

of the Federation of Synagogues: 

CRÉME de la CRÉME 

5 Temple Fortune Parade, London NW11 020 8458 9090 

Fax: 020 8458 3339 

PARK LANE HOTEL 

Piccadilly, London W1Y 8BX 020 7499 6321 

Fax: 020 7290 7566 

Mobile: 079 4115 3575 

SILBERHORN CATERING 020 8458 7708 

DELICATESSENS AND SHOPS: 

HENDON BAGEL BAKERY 

57 Church Road, London NW4 020 8349 2676 

LA BOUCHERIE EXPRESS LTD 

78 The Broadway, Stanmore, Middx 020 8954 6020 

MR BAKER 

119-121 Brent Street, London NW4 2DX 020 8202 6845 

PELTER STORES 

82 Edgware Way, Edgware, Middx 020 8958 6910 

THE KANTEEN BAKERY 

23 High Road, Bushey, Herts WD23 1EE 020 8950 0400 

RESTAURANTS: 

AVIV RESTAURANT 

87 High Street, Edgware 020 8952 2484 

BEIT HAMADRAS 

105 Brent Street NW4 2DX 020 8203 4567 

'86' RESTAURANT 

86 Brent Street, Hendon NW4 020 8202 5575 

K GRILL 

60 Edgware Way, Edgware, Middx HA8 8JS 020 8958 7062 

KYOTO SUSHI BAR 

51 Brent Street, London NW4 2EA 020 8203 6031 

MET SU YAN RESTAURANT 

134 Golders Green Road, London NW11 020 8458 8088 

MET SU YAN RESTAURANT 

1&2 The Promenade, Edgwarebury Lane, 

Edgware HA8 7JZ 020 8958 6840 

NOVELLINO 

103 Golders Green Road NW11 020 8458 7273 

ORLI CAFE 

96 Brent Street, NW4 020 8203 7555 

ORLI CAFE 

295 Hale Lane, Edgware 020 8958 1555 

ORLI CAFE 

108 Regents Park Road, N3 020 8371 9222 

ORLI CAFE 

56 Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Herts 020 8207 6203 

PITA RESTAURANT 

98 Golders Green Road, NW11 8HB 020 8381 4080 

PITA RESTAURANT 

339 West End Lane, NW6 1RS 020 7345 5554 

PIZAZA 

53 Brent Street, NW4 2EA 020 8202 9911 

SAMI'S 

157 Brent Street, London NW4 020 8203 8088 

SLICE 

8 Princes Parade, Golders Green Road, NW11 020 8458 9483 

THE BURGER BAR 

110 Regents Park Road, N3 3JG 020 8371 1555 

THE KANTEEN 

25 High Road, Bushey, Herts WD23 1EE 020 8950 0747 

THE KANTEEN CAFE 

Brent Cross Shopping Centre, NW4 020 8203 7377 

TUTTI GUSTI ITALIAN RESTAURANT 

90-92 High Street, Edgware HA8 7HF 020 8951 0100 


Page 41

65 Watford Way, London NW4 3AQ 

Tel: 020 8202 2263 Fax: 020 8203 0610 

Email: info@federationofsynagogues.com 

www.federationofsynagogues.com 

Federation of Synagogues 

Honorary Officers 

President: Mr Alan Finlay 

Vice-Presidents: Mr Henry Dony & 

Mr Benjamin Mire 

Treasurers (Federation): 

Mr Leon Newmark & Mr Paul Westbrook 

Treasurers (Burial Society): 

Rabbi Jeffrey Cohen & 

Mr Michael Ezra 

Beth Din 

Rosh Beth Din: Dayan Y Y Lichtenstein 

Dayan M D Elzas 

Registrar: Rabbi Z Unsdorfer 

Enquires to the Registrar 

Tel: 020 8202 2263 

Chief Executive 

Burial Society 

Administrator: Mr Dovid Zelmanovits 

Sexton: Mr Noson Kahler 

Tel: 020 8202 3903 Fax: 020 8203 0610 

Out of hours answerphone: 020 8202 3903 

Cemeteries 

Montague Road, Edmonton N18 2NF 

Tel: 020 8807 2268 

Upminster Road North, Rainham, 

Essex RM13 9SB 

Tel: 01708 552825 

During the winter months both cemeteries 

are open daily, except Shabbos and Yom 

Tov, from 9am until dusk. 

During British Summer Time gates are 

open until 5pm and during the month of 

Ellul until 6pm. 

Dr Eli Kienwald

65 Watford Way, London NW4 3AQ Tel: 020 8202 3903 Fax: 020 8203 0610 

Email: burial@federationofsynagogues.com 

Burial Society 

RAINHAM & EDMONTON CEMETERIES 

CLOSING TIMES FOR ELUL 5769 & TISHRI 5770 

The cemeteries will remain open each day from Sunday 23rd August 

to Friday 18th September 2009 until 6.00pm, Fridays until 3.30pm 

THE CEMETERIES ARE CLOSED BOTH DAYS ROSH HASHONOH 

19th & 20th September 

From Monday 21st until Thursday 24th September until 5.30pm 

On Friday 25th September until 3.30pm 

On Sunday 27th September Erev Yom Kippur at 3.00pm 

THE CEMETERIES ARE CLOSED ON YOM KIPPUR - Monday 28th September 

From Tuesday 29th September to Thursday 1st October until 5.00pm 

On Friday 2nd October Erev Succos until 3.00pm 

THE CEMETERIES ARE CLOSED ON THE FIRST DAYS OF SUCCOS 

3rd & 4th October 

Chol Hamoed Succos the gates will remain open until 3.00pm 

THE CEMETERIES ARE CLOSED ON SHMINI ATZERES & SIMCHAS 

TORAH – 10th & 11th OCTOBER 

Rainham 

01708 552 825 

Edmonton 

020 8807 2268 

PLEASE NOTE THE CEMETERIES ARE OPEN 9.00 AM DAILY 

BUT THEY ARE CLOSED ALL DAY ON SHABBOS AND YOM TOV 

VISITORS ARE KINDLY REQUESTED TO ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 

30 MINUTES BEFORE THE ABOVE TIMES AS THE ENTRANCE GATES 

WILL CLOSE AT THAT TIME

Constituent Synagogues 

Affiliated Synagogues 

CLAPTON FEDERATION SYNAGOGUE. 

(Sha'are Shomayim). (Incorporating Yavneh Synagogue) 

(in association with Springfield Synagogue) 

202 Upper Clapton Road, London E5 9DH. 

Secretary: W. Jacobs. Tel: 020 8989 5211. 

CROYDON & DISTRICT SYNAGOGUE. 

The Almonds, 5 Shiriey Oaks Road, Croydon, Surrey CRO 8YX. 

Tel: 020 8662 0011. Minister: Rev. David Gilinsky. 

All correspondence to The Secretaries: 

Mrs V Harris. Tel: 01883 348939. Mrs B Harris. Tel: 020 8726 0179. 

EAST LONDON CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE. 

30/40 Nelson Street, E1 2DE. Tel: 020 7790 9809, 

Secretary: Mr J. Beninson. Tel: 020 8529 8146. Rav: Rabbi Y. Austin. 

FINCHLEY CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE. 

2 Redboume Avenue, N3 2BS. Tel: 020 8346 1892. 

Rav: Rabbi Y. Hamer. Tel: 020 8346 1787 

HENDON BEIS HAMEDRASH. 

65 Watford Way, Hendon NW4 3AQ. 

Tel: 020 8202 2263. Rav: Dayan Y.Y. Lichtenstein. 

Contact: Perry Burns. Tel: 020 8203 7757. 

ILFORD FEDERATION SYNAGOGUE. 

14/16 Coventry Road, llford, Essex, IG1 4QR. Tel: 020 8554 5289. 

Rav: Rabbi A. Chapper. Administrator: Mrs L. Klein 

Website: www.ilfordfeds.org 

MACHZIKEI HADATH SYNAGOGUE. 

1-4 Highfield Road, NW11 9LU. Rav: Rabbi C. Pearlman. 

Hon. Secretary: R. Shaw. Tel: 020 8958 0499. 

NETZACH ISRAEL COMMUNITY CENTRE. 

281 Golders Green Road, NW11 9JJ 

Rav: Rabbi Doron Ahiel. Tel: 020 8455 4312 

OHR YISRAEL SYNAGOGUE. 

31/33 Theobald Street, Borehamwood, Herts WD6 4RN 

Rav: Rabbi R. Garson. Tel: 020 8953 8385 

Website: www.ohr-yisrael.org.uk Email: ohryisrael@tiscali.co.uk 

SHOMREI HADATH SYNAGOGUE. 

64 Burrard Road, Hampstead, London NW6 1DD. 

Rav: Rabbi Mordechai Fachler. Secretary: Mrs P. Schotten. 

Tel: 020 7435 6906. 

SINAI SYNAGOGUE. 

54 Woodstock Avenue, NW11 9RJ. Tel: 020 8455 6876. 

Rav: Rabbi B. Knopfler. Secretary: Mr E. Cohen. 

YESHURUN SYNAGOGUE. 

Fernhurst Gardens, Stonegrove, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 7PH. 

Emeritus Rav: Dayan G. Lopian. Rav: Rabbi A. Lewis 

Secretary: Mrs E. Stellman. Tel: 020 8952 5167. 

Website: www.yeshurun.org 

AISH HATORAH COMMUNITY. 

379 Hendon Way, NW4 3LP. Tel: 020 8457 4444. 

Rav: Rabbi J. Roodyn. 

CONGREGATION OF JACOB SYNAGOGUE. 

351/355 Commercial Road, London E1 2PS. Contact: Mr David Behr. 

Tel: 020 7790 2874. Website; www.congregationofjacob.org 

FIELDGATE STREET GREAT SYNAGOGUE. 

41 Fieldgate Street, E1 1JU. Tel: 020 7247 2644. 

Secretaries: Mrs F. Treep & Mrs F. Singer. 

FINCHLEY ROAD SYNAGOGUE. 

(Sassover), 4 Helenslea Avenue, NW11. 

Contact: Mr S. Halpern. Tel: 020 8455 1814 

Rav: Rabbi S, Freshwater' 

LEYTONSTONE & WANSTEAD SYNAGOGUE. 

2 Fillebrook Road, E11. Secretary: Cllr. L. Braham 

Tel: 020 8539 0088. 

LOUGHTON, CHIGWELL & DISTRICT SYNAGOGUE. 

Borders Lane, Loughton, Essex, IG10 1TE. Tel: 020 8508 0303. 

Min: Rabbi. Y. Aronovitz. Secretary: Mrs M. Lewis. 

SPRINGFIELD SYNAGOGUE. 

202 Upper Clapton Road, E5 9DH. Contact Tel: 020 8806 3167 

Rav. Dayan I. Gukovitski. Chairman: L. Blackman. 

STAMFORD HILL BETH HAMEDRASH. 

50 Clapton Common, E5 9AL. Rav: Dayan D. Grynhaus. 

Secretary: M. Chontow. Tel: 020 8800 7369. 

WALTHAM FOREST HEBREW CONGREGATION. 

(Queens Road) 140 Boundary Road, E17 Tel: 020 8509 0775. 

Minister: Rev. S. Myers. Secretary: Mrs B. Rose. 

WEST END GREAT SYNAGOGUE. 

(Beth Hasepher & Soho), 32 Great Cumberland Place, W1H 7TN. 

Tel: 020 7724 8121. Fax: 020 7723 4413 

Minister: Rev. Ari Cohen. Secretary: Mrs R. Koten. 

CONTACT DETAILS FOR THE SYNAGOGUES WHICH 

HAVE CLOSED ARE AS FOLLOWS:- 

NEW WIMBLEDON & PUTNEY DISTRICT SYNAGOGUE. 

Secretary: Mrs R. Diamond. Tel 020 8778 6669. 

NOTTING HILL SYNAGOGUE. 

Secretary: Mr H. Lamb. Tel: 020 8952 4354. 

OHEL JACOB SYNAGOGUE. 

Secretary: Mrs R. Pressman. Tel: 020 8550 4596. 

TOTTENHAM HEBREW CONGREGATION. 

Secretary: Dr S. S. Cohen. Tel: 020 8482 3428. 

WEST HACKNEY SYNAGOGUE AND 

MONTAGUE ROAD BETH HAMEDRASH. 

Chairman: Mr. I. Leigh. Tel: 020 8550 9543.

WHY WE’VE NEEDED YOU 

FOR 60 YEARS 

WHY WE NEED YOU 

MORE THAN EVER 

Since 1949 the UK community has responded to Magen David Adom’s urgent, 

life-saving needs in Israel. 

During war, peace and terror, we have purchased ambulances and motorbikes, 

bloodmobiles and mobile intensive care units and built entire stations, often in areas 

that would have no medical emergency facilities without us. 

As a non-profit, non-governmental organisation, Magen David Adom, Israel’s only 

medical emergency service, needs your support now more than ever. 

To save more lives in Israel today visit www.mdauk.org 

or call 020 8201 5900 

Registered Charity Number: 1113409

Plenty of cover? 

BUSINESS POLICIES 

The Property Owner 

Jewellers Block 

Laundrette/Dry Cleaners 

Shops & Offices 

Commercial Combined 

Legal Expenses 

Product Guarantee 

Directors & Officers 

Private Medical Scheme 

Key Man Protection 

Marine Insurance 

HOME 

Discounts for Good Security 

Warranty Free Policies 

‘Alarm Free’ Shabbos/Yom Tov 

Low Rates for Fine Arts 

Let Properties 

MOTOR 

Fleet Rated Policies 

Guaranteed No Claims Bonus 

Instant Cover 

TRAVEL 

Short Period 

Annual Travel 

MORTGAGES 

New Mortgages 

Re-Mortgages 

Buy to Let 

Mortgage Protection & 

Other Life Insurance 

MAY HASHEM GRANT US ALL A KSIVA VACHASIMA TOVA 

WITH BEST WISHES FROM Leonard M&N & Michele INSURANCE OrmondeSERVICE 

LIMITED 

For impartial insurance advice, visit our offices at 248 Hendon Way, 

London NW4 3NL or call 020 8202 4474 Fax 020 8202 1943 

email info@mninsure.com web www.mninsure.com 

A Member of the British Insurance Brokers Association and the London Diamond Bourse & Club 

Authorised & Regulated by the Financial Services Authority

20903 Hamoar cover - Federation Of Synagogues

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?