gates of peace l’chayim · 2015. 3. 18. · contributions were made by our student rabbi kath...

Newspaper of the Southport & District Reform Synagogue, GATES OF PEACE

PAGE � 1

Date Event

March 6, Friday No service

March 7, Saturday Service leader Fortune Chamberlain :Parasha Ki Tis


March 14, Saturday Service leader Rabbi Robert Ash: Parasha Vayakhel/Pekudei Baby Blessing for Meira Hoskin. Chavurah lunch

March 20, Friday No Service

March 21, Saturday Service leader Richard Choueke: Parasha Vayikra


March 28, Saturday Service Leader Louise Davies:Parasha Tzav

April 3, Friday 14th Nissan- Seder 1st Night Pesach. Community Seder shul. Commencing with service 5.45 for 6.00pm start Rabbi Norman Zalud. Presentation of Life Membership of Synagogue to Rabbi Zalud for service to the community.

April 4, Saturday Student Rabbi Kath Vardi Pesach

Synagogue Dates to remember

L’Chayim March-April 2015 10 Adar- Nissan-11 Iyar

5775

For those receiving L’Chayim by e-mail, please print off the calendar (pages 1-2) so that you can display your hard copy at home.

Contacts: Synagogue Office: Lisa Sachs (Administrator Tues, Thurs,

& Fri 10am-1pm), Princes Street, Southport, PR8 1EG Tel.& Fax.

01704 535950

email: [email protected]

website: www.southportreform.org.uk

Emergencies: Please contact the office

The Sternberg Centre home to the Movement for Reform Judaism General Enquires: 02083495724 www.reformjudaism.org.uk

The term sh'liach tzibur refers to the designation of the person who in pub-lic synagogue worship officiates as both cantor and leader.

mailto:[email protected]?subject=

http://www.southportreform.org.uk

http://www.reformjudaism.org.uk

mailto:[email protected]?subject=

http://www.southportreform.org.uk

http://www.reformjudaism.org.uk

Community Newspaper of the Southport & District Reform Synagogue, GATES OF PEACE

PAGE �2

Please note:

For the chavurah community events - please bring a vegetarian or fish dish, or a dessert to share, if possible.

On occasions when we are unable to offer a service , we have been ad-vised we can go to The Home ( 81 Albert Road) to attend the service there. If you wish to attend, you must contact Mr Brian King (Chairman of the Home), tel. 01704 565621, no later than Thursday afternoon prior to the service for security reasons. The home is orthodox, men and married women will need to cover their heads. They sit separately.

Any kind person interested in becoming a service leader could they please contact the office. Please speak to the Chairman concerning training requirements.

Student Rabbi, Kath Vardi facilitated a course in February on service leading (sh'liach tz-ibur,), with topics such as the meaning of prayer, spirituality, the history of prayers used in the service, and reading.

Date Event

April 10, Friday No service

April 11, Saturday Pesach. Service leader Rabbi Robert Ash

April 17, Friday No service. 13th Day Omer

April 18 ,Saturday Service Leader Fortune Chamberlain: Parasha Shemini

April 23, Thursday Yom Ha’atzma’ut

April 24, Friday No service. 20th day Omer

April 25, Saturday Service Leader Student Rabbi Kath Vardi: Parasha Tazria/Metzora, follwed by a Israeli themed Chavurah lunch

On behalf of the congrega-tion I would like to thank all the service leaders for their support in keeping the Southport and District Re-form Synagogue alive. Our unsung, and sometimes sung heroes! (ed, Chairman).


PAGE �3

It’s a girl !

Mazeltov to Laura Hoskin and her husband Christopher on the birth of their daughter Meira Lavender on 8th January 2015 weighing in at 7lbs 2oz now a sister to Noah.

The baby blessing for Meira takes place on Shabbat, March 14th, with Rabbi Robert Ash leading the service. There will be a chavurah after the service, in celebration of Meira’s birth. All are welcome.

The whole community shares your happiness.


PAGE �4

GOLDEN WEDDING CELEBRATIONMazetov to Rabbi Norman Zalud and his wife Barbara who celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary on 7th March 2015. They will celebrate with a simcha in May.

Rabbi Zalud is the longest serving reform Rabbi in the country and was minister at our synagogue for 10 years until 1976 when he moved to the Liverpool Progres-

sive Synagogue ( now Liverpool Reform Synagogue). He now divides his time be-tween Manchester’s Shaarei Shalom Synagogue, Blackpool Reform Synagogue and helps out still at our synagogue as well as being chaplain at several North West prisons and Southport and Ormskirk Hospital.

As recognition of his help and support to South-port & District Reform Synagogue, Rabbi Zalud

will, on Seder night, be honoured with be-ing made a Life Member of this synagogue.

Martin Herr who leads services at Liverpool Reform Synagogue will lead a shabbat service at our synagogue and give a talk on his visit to Israel on 30th May to include an 8 minute video presentation. Martin went to Israel for 5 weeks and volunteered at an after school club with Ethiopian Jews in Hadera, Israel. Martin helped the children with their studies, having been a maths teacher for many years at Liverpool King David School.

Most of the Ethiopian community is living below the poverty line as defined by the Israeli government. People are not starving, although Ethiopian children often come to school without having eaten breakfast and in schools where there is a lunch program, children are very happy to eat whatever simple lunch they are given.

Education remains the only way to improve the social and economic status of Ethiopian Jews. Ethiopian students face a number of obstacles in the Israeli education-al system, including poor expectation and selection bias, and as a result, increasing numbers of frustrated Ethiopian youth are dropping out of school. This perpetuates the poverty cycle.We welcome you being there on Shabbat, 30th May to hear how Martin has done his bit to help.


PAGE �5

Southport & District Reform Synagogue Princes Street, Southport, PR8 1EG

invite you to our

Pesach (Passover) Seder Rabbi Norman Zalud will be leading our

Pesach (Passover) Seder

on Friday 3rd April 2015 at 5.45pm for 6.00pm start, at the Synagogue

Catering by the Synagogue Guild:

Vegetarian Matzoh Ball SoupHot Fresh Salmon, New Potatoes and Vegetables(Vegetarian alternative available on request) Mixed Berry Pavlova and Fruit Compote Tea and Coffee

Tickets available from the Synagogue office Members - £30 Non-members - £35

6-12 year olds - £5 0-5 year olds - no charge Tickets must be purchased in advance (no later than

20th March 2015) for catering purposes

For further information/queries please contact the office on tel: 01704 535950 Office opening hours Tues, Thurs, Fri, 10am – 1pm Email address: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



PAGE �6

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Tu B’Shvat - a seder, with an inclusive meal was held on Friday 30th January in shul for members and friends of the synagogue. This was without charge, and was one of the best catered events we have had in the synagogue.

The Tu B’Shvat seder was led by Student Rabbi Kath Vardi. We were delighted to welcome her and her family to the synagogue, as we were to all friends and guests, and of note Rabbi Robert Ash was also present.

Tu B'Shevat is a holiday on the 15th of the Jewish month of Shevat, and its name simply means "15 Shevat “ . The date of 15 Shevat does not come from the Torah, but was developed by Jewish rabbis some time before the 1st century BC as a practical way of following the Torah's law concerning tree fruit, and its importance.

The Tu B’Shvat seder has a long tradition. In the Middle Ages, Jewish mystics developed a Tu B'Shevat Seder (a meal like that held on Passover) symbolising the connection to the land of Israel and God's relationship to the world using the imagery of the tree. The Seder involves drinking grape juice and eating fruit interspersed with readings and blessings related to the earth, traditionally. We concentrated on the eating, although we did have food for thought, as we were asked to think about the land and environment, the community, and our traditions. We compared different kinds of fruit to different kinds of people and different experiences. ( Continued page 7)

Cheder teacher helping to understand the impor-tance of Tu B’Shevat


PAGE �7

more food for thought...

Although the blessings for fruit and grape juice were in Hebrew, there was no ser-vice book to follow. The main part of the seder related to discussion amongst those present, including Kath Vardi’s three children. She is clearly sowing the seed of Ju-daism in her children in more ways than one! We did have a seed planting experi-ence at the seder. I will have to wait patiently for my nasturtiums to flower. We

were asked to consider the benefits of planning for the future. Sometimes things are done, not for you, but for fu-ture generations.

There was both plenty of food, and plenty of discussion. The tables were arranged in a ‘tree pattern’. We were all able to talk to each other. Just how is the Torah like a tree of life? Reform Judaism sees the Torah as living, changing, sus-taining, and growing. We all have our own views about

this. Everyone agreed that we had a responsibility to future generations, both from a religious point of view, and the environment. The Tu B’Shevat seder is as relevant now as it was to the Rabbis of the Middle Ages. It is a way of looking at what are your own personal values ( especially if you want to examine the Ka-balistic understanding of the world and God) and

what is our legacy for the world. After so many cups of grape juice, we can drink to that!

Left, The Tree of Life,

Right about to start the seder


PAGE �8

The Jewish community of Southport attended along with civic leaders, MPs, members of the armed forces, trade union representatives, and hundreds of others, to re-member the victims of the Holocaust and the message it gives to future generations, the theme for this year was ‘Keep the Memory Alive’. Students from Ainsdale St John's C of E primary school, and KGV College had their own contribution to make to the service ( see photo), by giving very moving readings from letters written by people who went on to become victims of The Holocaust.

We remember as did

hundreds of others at the Holocaust memorial day service, Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, on Sunday January 25.

The service was a joint service with Mr Michael Braham from Southport Hebrew Congrega-tion in charge of the organisation. He told us. “Holocaust Memorial Day is a time for every-one to remember the attempted annihilation of the European Jewish people, the Roma popu-lation, and many other victims of persecution around the world."Sadly, genocide, anti-semitism, xenophobia and division still continues."We have a shared responsibility to highlight these evils and to assert the values of humanity.”Contributions were made by our Student Rabbi Kath Vardi and Orthodox Rabbi Ariel Abel.

We need to continue to support this service in Southport, as otherwise there is a threat of it being moved to Bootle. It was reassuring to see so many of our community present.


PAGE �9

We would like to hire the synagogue hall during the week to interested groups. If you know of an organisation, or group that wish to use a modern hall, then please put them in contact with the office. The hall could be used for anything from chess clubs to yoga groups.

We have rented 2 car parking spaces at the front of the synagogue, Monday to Fri-day. Sorry for any inconvenience- it all helps to keep the synagogue open for a longer period as we continue to endeavour to not have a financial deficit.

Article by Selwyn GoldthorpeWe remember

Sadly, due to the recent attacks on the Jew-ish community in Europe, and terrorist threat, there was a significant police pres-ence outside of the church.

We have recently had a security review at the synagogue, and are in the process of bringing this up to date to respond to the threat. We have also been reassured by the police of their help with an increase in police patrols for the synagogue.


PAGE �10

TO ALL THE SHUL MEMBERS AND FRIENDS, My family and I would like to express our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for the sup-port, care and compassion that you all extended us on the sad passing of my late Mother, Gertrude Shieldhouse, at The Home on Albert Road. Gertie was approaching her 96th birthday and was loved by all who knew her. My son Maor, daughter Tali and I are thankful for the wonderful years we shared with my Mother and their beloved Grandmother. You have been there for us in our hour of need. May her memory be a blessing “She-tihiye Zichra B’rucha”. Gertie Shieldhouse (nee Friend)Born 19/4/19Passed Away 15/2/15 (26th Shevat) Thank you all again for your consolation and comfort. Shelley Yavetz and children Tali and Maor.

Recent Bereavements Grace Levine’s brother passed away 31st January. Our heartfelt sympathies to Grace and her family

Shelley Yavetz’s mother Gertrude Shieldhouse, who was at The Home on Albert Road passed away on 15th February 2015 Our heartfelt sympathies go to Shelley and her family.

Trudy Turnbull's sister Sally Tippett passed away 25th February after a very brief illness. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Trudy and her family.

Richard Spiro, from Crosby who knew many people in our community and was cousin to Tony Kletz passed away in February . Our sympathies go to his step-daughter Michelle, and the family.


PAGE �11

To the memory of the late Carol Collins:

On Tuesday 6th Janauary 2015 There was a funeral for Carol Collins, wife of the Late Michael Collins at Duke Street Cemetery. The service was conducted Rabbi Norman Zalud

Carol was the youngest of seven children,born in 1938 to parents Wilfred andWinifred Tatham, here in Southport at their family home in Beresford Drive.She had a happy childhood visiting her granny in Montrose with her siblings Audrey,Stanley, Muriel, Brenda, Allan and Gilbert. Carol had a particularly close relationshipwith Muriel, who was like a second mother to her, never letting it go unsaid that "You are only ill because you would never wear your vest.” They remained close and Muriel, sadly is the only surviving sibling left.Carol met the love of her life Michael and in 1960 they were married at Hope Place . Synagogue in Liverpool. They enjoyed family holidays in Wales and the Isle of Manwith their two sons, Andrew born in 1962 and Ian in 1966 and had a very happymarriage until Michael's untimely death in 1989. Carol remained close to Michael’smother Ruth and was a very dutiful daughter in law.Whilst the boys were young Carol worked part time in the kiosk of the Essoldo bingohall. As the children got older she went on to work as a full time secretary at theBoulevard restaurant on Lord street before finally moving on to a secretarial positionfor Rimmers Plumbing and Central Heating.Both Carol and Michael enjoyed a full social life including parties, dances and social engagements through Michaels work at Hunter Douglas. It was through Michael'sfirm that they met Martin and Sheila Roberts and they became life long friends. Caroltravelled to San Diego at the end of the 1990s for an extended holiday with theRoberts' after they had emigrated there in the 80s.Regular dates in the diary during the 70's were visits to the sauna club in Hill Streetwhere Carol and Michael were members. On a Friday each week Carol and herclosest friend at the time, Margaret, indulged in taking extended lunch breaks at the El Tonel . Carol’s grandchildren; Shelley, James, Michaela, Joshua, Megan and Erin all had close relationships with her. They had sleepovers every weekend with visits to the park during the day and snuggled in her bed of an evening to watch an array oftelevision and films. They would grow sunflowers in the garden and during theSummertime enjoy eating at the outdoor table shaded by a parasol. Joshua and Megan even took an accidental dip in the pond on separate occasions. Never short of fun activities for the weekend, when Carol's house was filled with children it was alsofilled with popcorn and candy floss making, window painting and Easter eggdecorating; to name a few fond memories. A superbly generous woman, Carol took the best of care of the grandchildren with hot juice when they were ill and colouringbooks prepped at each weekly arrival. Visits to her house will be sorely missed andthe memories cherished.Anyone who had the privilege to know Carol will testify to what a wonderfully witty, intelligent, and sociable person she was. Always caring and extremely generous. One who stoically put on a brave face, whilst suffering with chronic arthritis that hampered her golden years. This will be a great loss to overcome by the many of us whose hearts she touched.


PAGE �12

Purim plays out....Well, Purim has been and gone for another year. It was worth coming half way around the world to attend our shul’s Purim party. We were rather jet lagged having flown in from New Zea-land the day before. I did think of attending the party dressed as a kiwi, that is the human variety, rather than the one with feathers. After all, I had the sun hat, shirt, shorts, and flip flops, even the brown knees, however I really couldn’t face the cold! I would have taken my hat off to Susan Fox ( should I have been wear-ing one, rather than the turban I had on) who due to her great credit ( and knowledge) cor-rectly identified my ‘fancy dress’ as being the tribal dress of the Berber people from North Africa. Well at least I had the sun-tan to go with the outfit.

There were some fine fancy dress this year ( see photos), both adults and children. The child play table was made full use off by our busy under 5s, my grand children, doing their own thing to enjoy Purim. My thanks to my grand-daughter Erin, who is three years old, who diligently drew the raffle… and there were a lot of prizes. Thanks to all those that donated the prizes.

The quiz was 31 questions, and went on whilst we were having tea, providing plenty of food for thought. Gillian Goldthorpe had set the ques-tions ( with some help from me.. I think the way it worked was if I got the correct answer she didn’t include that question!) and I was pleased to see that no one got all 31 questions correct. However, the combined brain power, at near genius level, it must be said, of Sue Fox and Student Rabbi Kath Vardi, produced the highest score. A great partnership- I hope that came in handy as they had to share the prize of a box of chocolates.


PAGE �13

Bingo, ensured a full house. It was all attention, noses down, watch out for the cream eclairs!There were prizes for a completed line, and a prize for a complete card. Thanks to Fortune Chamberlain for running the bingo, she has lost her true calling there!

We were stuffed. Tea was wonderful, even if I have to say so myself, I have never tasted a bet-ter scone with cream and jam. The sandwiches even had their crusts cut off. It was like a Royal party, sandwiches, cakes, and tea.

For those that had the stomach for it, there was the Purim Play. I was Haman ( boo..). I was at least dressed appropriately for the part with my turban. Well that was the good bit. The singing was another matter, thanks … for the Vardi fami-ly. This was certainly a pantomime ( boo… Haman). We all played our part, should the laughter not affect the performance. It all goes to show that within our community there is unsung ( and sometimes sung) talent. Our thanks to Kath Vardi for the work she put into writing the play, with all the songs from The Beatles era with a Purim slant, and to her energetic family for the supporting singing and dancing.

It was one of the best Purim parties I have been to, as an ‘adult’. Now we must wait another year for next Purim. Thank you to all those that helped make this such a success.

Purim Party Sunday, 8th March Article by Selwyn Goldthorpe

The Purim Play


PAGE �14

Making Hamentashen during cheder.

Some doubts about the Purim play...mmm

Pesach (Passover) Seder Rabbi Norman Zalud will be leading our Pesach (Passover) Seder on

Friday 3rd April 2015 at 5.45pm for 6.00pm start, at our Synagogue

Catering by the Synagogue Guild:Vegetarian Matzoh Ball Soup

Hot Fresh Salmon, New Potatoes and Vegetables(Vegetarian alternative available on request)

Mixed Berry Pavlova and Fruit CompoteTea and Coffee

Tickets available from the Synagogue officeMembers - £30 Non-members - £356-12 year olds - £5 0-5 year olds - no chargeTickets must be purchased in advance (no later than 20th March20th March 2015) for catering purposes

For further information/queries please contact the office on tel: 01704 535950


PAGE �15

Cheder goes to see ‘Joseph’... At the end of February Cheder members (and parents) followed up their studies of Bereishit (Genesis), with a visit to Southport Theatre to see a modern day interpreta-tion of the Torah - in the form of ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’.

Before setting off we all enjoyed a pizza lunch together at shul. Indeed it was a treat for Joanna and myself who had been working in Cheder, to have lunch all laid out for us thanks to Hilary and Clare.

The show is full of catchy tunes and ‘colourful’ costumes but does actually follow the Torah parashat closely. It was easy to recognise the different parts of the story even when presented in the most unusual way. Potiphar’s wife appeared dressed in vivid red 1920s style to give a per-formance worthy of Strictly Come Dancing, and Pharaoh recalled his dreams about the fat and thin cows in true Elvis style. He received the applause before repeating his rendition and appointing Joseph to be his Chief Minis-ter.Then Joseph’s brothers, dressed in Breton sweaters and berets, took us to France to reminisce about their days in Canaan with Joseph. The Eif-fel Tower even shot up in the background! All too soon the brothers and Jacob were reunited with Joseph for the show stopping finale when Joseph’s coat is spread out like a rainbow.

We left the theatre with the tunes in our ears ready for the next week – after all Shabbat is about relaxation and doing something different, and this day certainly was.

Article by Anne Kletz


PAGE �16

History with some sadness.. the story of the Jews of Alsace

We have just returned from Alsace, where my sister-in-law lives. Famous for the gothic cathedral at Strassbourg, and white wines, there is a long history of Judaism in the area. Gillian and I sought out the Jewish history of the area.

Jews have been present in Gaul and the Rhine valley since Roman times, growing wheat, cultivating vines, and working in metal, glass and ceramics. They were integrated into the general population, living peacefully in the Alsace towns and villages.

From the VIth century, the church, looking to affirm its legitimacy, began to teach that Jesus was crucified by the Jews, and anti-semitism became violent. The crusades of that time, at the direction of the Pope Pilate, resulted in the Christian crusaders journeying to Jerusalem and massacring 5000 Jews in the Rhine Valley en route!

Between 1338 and 1343 entire communities of Jews were exterminated in Al-sace, being accused of kidnapping Christian children at Easter and killing them. This imagery of ritual murders spread though out Europe.

The Great Plague ( the Black Death) was rampant in Europe between 1347 and 1350. The Jews are accused of poisoning the wells. In Strasbourg on 14th February 1349, a mob gathers 2000 Jews in the synagogue and then burns them to death in a gigantic fire. After that Jewish movement and trade is re-stricted- Jews are forbidden in Alsace cities. Jews have to pay a toll to enter cities. They are confined to the surrounding villages. At dusk, the grüsselhorn order, from the top of Strasbourg’s cathedral, was sounded to order them out of the city.

In the surrounding villages they are left to get on with their work, although it is recorded at Neuwiller in 1435 the abbey was getting a regular supply of chickens for tolerating their synagogue.! A law makes the Jews wear a “rouelle”, a ring of distinctive cloth sewn onto the front of their clothes ( Note the similarity with the Nazis). The Jews are either taxed heavily by the local Princes or thrown off the land, resulting in many taking up a ‘wandering Jew’ lifestyle.

There were pockets of tolerance and harmony., In the county of Hanau-Lichtenberg was one such place. They accepted a limited number of Jews. the Jews were protected by law. In general Germany is more tolerant than the French towards Jews. Moses Mendelssohn , in Germany, pleads for Jewish freedom. Alsace is German, the French are not welcome. The taxes agains the Jews are abolished. Most trades were forbidden to Jews. They had to settle for second-hand clothes as professions, hawkers and especially cattle dealers. They were mostly poor, if not poor. However, several families had acquired very large fortunes by personal contact with the rulers in Alsace, or governors of the province, in the supplying of horses and other trading. They were in a position to lend large sums of money, thus acting as bankers. The Jews in Alsace are able to trade and a middle class emerges.

continued page 17


PAGE �17

In the early 17th century, the Jewish population of Alsace barely exceeded 500 families. But between the Treaty of Westphalia, which gave Alsace to France (1648), and counting the Jews of Alsace in 1784, the number had risen to nearly 20,000 people, or 3,910 families dispersed in 386 localities of the province.The numerical increase was largely due to the immigration of Jews from the Palatinate and Baden, whose traditions and language were identical to those of the Jews of Alsace. Another 7500 Jews lived in neighbouring Lorraine. Together they comprised three-fourths of the 40,000 Jews who lived in France at the time. The Jews were highly segregated, subject to long-standing anti-Jew-ish regulations. They maintain their own customs, Yiddish language, and historic traditions within the tightly-knit ghettos; they adhered to Talmudic law enforced by their rabbis. Jews were barred from most cities and instead lived in hundreds of small hamlets and villages. They were also barred from most occupations, and concentrated in trade, services, and especially in moneylending. They fi-nanced about a third of the mortgages in Alsace. Leading philosophers of the French ‘Enlighten-ment’, such as Denis Diderot and Voltaire, ridiculed and condemned French Jews as misanthropic, rapacious, and culturally backward Cerf Berr(1726 - 1793) a Jew, was in direct contact with the Duke de Choiseul, chief bailiff of Alsace during the seven years war. The commanders of the military units stationed in Alsace needed mounts and fodder. Cerf Berr was a major supplier of horses in Germany, he asked permission to settle in Strasbourg, as he feared, he said,” that soldiers are marauding where he kept large sums for his purchases, which are state-owned.” At the insistence of the Duc de Choiseul, the magistrate of Strasbourg, after a refusal, Cerf Berr is allowed to remain in the city, first temporarily, then perma-nently, provided he does not establish a synagogue ("if he wants to pray, he has to go to Bischheim ").

Louis XVI was trying to provide a solution to the “Jewish problem”, however the French Revolution overtook him, and along with freedom and equality Jews are allowed back into Strasbourg. Jews were given equal rights as other citizens, Sephardic Jews in 1790, and the Ashkenazi (Yiddish-speaking) Jews of Alsace and Lorraine in 1791.

In 1808 Napoleon imposed tight limitations on all Jewish moneylending, capping interest rates at 5% Napoleon's decrees collapsed after he fell from power, however, an undercurrent of antisemitism re-mained. In the 1830-1870 era, urban middle-class Jews made enormous progress toward integration in an acculturation, as antisemitism sharply declined. By 1831, the state began paying salaries to official rabbis, and 1846 a special oath for Jews in court was discontinued. Anti-Semitic riots occa-sionally occurred, especially during the Revolution of 1848.

In 1894 with the conviction for treason of Captain Alfred Dreyfus, a young French artillery officer of Alsatian Jewish descent, saw a polarisation of French society towards Jews. Sentenced to life im-prisonment for allegedly having communicated French military secrets to the German Embassy in Paris, Dreyfus was sent to the penal colony at Devil's Island in French Guiana, where he spent al-most five years, before being exonerated of all crimes - he had been made a ‘scape goat’. The Affair from 1894 to 1906 divided France deeply and lastingly into two opposing camps: the pro-Army, most-ly Catholic "anti-Dreyfusards" and the anticlerical, pro-republican Dreyfusards. It embittered French politics and encouraged radicalization. The Dreyfus Affair occurred within the context of the annexa-tion of Alsace and Moselle by the Germans, an event that fed the most extreme nationalism.

On 15 July 1940, the last expulsion of Jews from Alsace took place. 2,605 Jews from the Low Rhine and 1,100 from The High Rhine were murdered during the Holocaust.

Now what remains? There are empty synagogues, often renovated by kind donations. Museums of Jewish life. Cemeteries. There is a sense of what could have been. Some sephardic Jews have set-tled in Alsace. We tried to attend a shabbat service in Colmar synaogue, this was advertised as be-ing functioning - the front gates were locked, and the synagogue was closed.

Article by Selwyn Goldthorpe


PAGE �18

It is a religious obligation and a mitzvah to attend a Jewish funeral or stone set-ting. Some of our community have seen all their friends die, and do not have any-one to remember them. Sadly, we do need people to attend funerals and stone settings from both the orthodox and reform communities.

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO HELP

EVANS & BURKEY

STONEMASONS OF DISTINCTIONSPECIALISTS IN QUALITY HEADSTONES FOR THE

JEWISH COMMUNITY

MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

TELEPHONE 0151 733 5563

If you wish to sponsor a page in L’Chayim, this can be done for a minimum of £10. You can pay more if you wish. Please contact the office.

To advertise a business or an event, there is £10 minimum charge, or for a full page £40. L’Chayim is distributed around the Jewish community with an interest in Southport and District Reform Synagogue, this includes country members, and friends of the synagogue. (ed).

Remember to bring long dated food and toiletries for our box near the front door so that this can be sent onto the local shelter.

If you have any contributions to the shul for raffle prizes these would be greatly appreciated at the shul office.

Thanks.


PAGE �19

Need a break?

In need of

The Southport Rest HomeChoice of long or short stays,

permanent residency

* Friendly atmosphere* 24 hour care* Rooms available at reasonable rates* Excellent food from our Kosher kitchens* Conservatory overlooking Hesketh Park* Beautiful synagogue for your convenience

Also available : self-contained flats

Enquiries to Julie on 01704 531975Type to enter

text The Home is looking for volunteers to take chair-bound residents out to the nearby local park and amenities.

If you can spare a little time for this mitzvah, please contact Julie on the above number. You are only young once!


PAGE �20

A rabbi was once passing through a field where he saw a very old man planting an oak tree. ‘Why are you planting that tree?’ Said he. ‘You surely do not expect to live long enough to see the acorn grow up into an oak tree?’‘Ah,’ replied the old man, ‘my ancestors planted trees not for them-selves, but for us, in order that we might enjoy their shade and fruit. I am doing likewise for those who will come after me’ Talmud Ta’anit 23a

A legacy to Southport and District Reform Synagogue today is a special gift to our tomorrow.

After considering your family and friends, you may also want to leave anamount in your will to charities. Please consider making S&DRS one of yourcharities. S&DRS future will be all the more secure so that our children may con-tinue to practice the religion of their choice in Southport.

The responsibility to protect what was given to us, build on it and pass it on to the next generation in a better, stronger state is in-cumbent on us all. The gift of continuity in your will, whether large or small, will help to ensure that our community will continue for generations to come.L’dor v’dor—from generation to generation.

Remember S&DRS when writing your will. Even if you have already made a will,you can amend it at any time and make your gift by using a simple document, a codi-cil. We can provide the correct wording for this. It is always advisable to seek profes-sional advice when drafting something as important as a will. S&DRS can supply you with details of a number of local solicitors who are willing to offer advice.

Please give this some thought - your contribution can make a significant difference.


PAGE �21

Liverpool forum dates for the future are:

Please note the day has changed to a Thursday.Dinner at KD Campus start at 7.30pm, seating self-sorted on the night

Apr 2 David Coleman 20th century family on the move..from Russia via Palestine to Eng-landMay 7 Simon Fishel Pioneer in fertility treatment.....and avid Liverpool FC fan!!June 11 Frank Dillon A light-hearted peep at our local legal professionalsJuly 2 Rosie Norman Rosie Olivia Millinery & the Prince's Trust's Enterprise programme

Present cost is £18-50 per head. The kosher meal is well worth that and the entertaining speaker is a bonus!!

If you wish to book contact Johnny Cohen, tel 07779556134 or [email protected] the form below:

To book Please complete the slip below indicating any special dietary needs, and send/take it, with £17 cheque (payable to Jewish Forum) or cash, to me in good time. Please note, bookings only accepted if accompanied by advance payment and by deadline date. By all means, pay online to Barclays sort code 20-50-82 Account Jewish Forum no 23422054 Please include your name as the reference & let me know at the time that you've paid direct.

Please do spread the word about the Forum, which aims to cater for every generation. Our last attendance was tremendously encouraging. Thank you all, and I hope to see you (and friends!) on March 5 and at future Forum dinners.

Johnny Cohen 385 Woolton Road L25 4SX Tel 07779556134 [email protected] ….........................................................................................................................................................

Booking Form for Mar 5 to be returned to Johnny Cohen by Friday February 28. First name.......................................................... Last name................................................................. First name......................................................... Last name................................................................. Please confirm your food choices, & especially any special dietary requirements............................. …..........................................................................................................................................................…..........................................................................................................................................................Phone number................................ Email........................................................................................





gates of peace l’chayim · 2015. 3. 18. · contributions were made by our student rabbi kath...

Documents