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bimahJanuary-February 2014

WoodfordLiberal

Synagogue

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Unit A Goldtone House, Langston Road, Debden, Loughton, Essex IG10 3TQTel 020 8508 0707 Fax 020 8532 1352 w www.linensdirect.co.uk

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First fund-raising event of

Biennial 9-11 May 2014Radical Roots, Relevant Responses

Every two years, Liberal Judaism assembles a vibrant temporary community drawn frommembers across the country at its Biennial Weekend conference.

The next event, held 9th – 11th May 2014 in Reading, is already filling up fast, and the Early Bird offer (which saves you a whopping £50) is set to run out on 31st January,

so book now if you want your place at the reduced rate.

The keynote speaker is WUPJ’s Rabbi Jonah Pesner, and evening entertainment will come from performer Rachel Mars. For more information, or to book, please email Yael [email protected] or visit www.liberaljudaism.org/events-activities/biennial.

Adults: £260 (or £310 after 31st Jan)

Children: £35 - £75 depending on age (also Early Bird rates)

Early Bird prices for …

Come & join us for a fabulousevening of entertainment!!The award winning Daniel Cainerwill be performing at WLS on 22nd February 2014 for one night only!Don’t miss out on the opportunity tosee this emotive singer, songwriter and storyteller.

Price £18 including refreshments Doors open at 7.30 for 8.00 startPlease call Tina or David Gold on 020 8500 6335 for tickets

Book early to avoid disappointment!

A Master songwriter presents true tales ofimmigrants, of feuding Yiddish tailors, of ayoung Jewish woman that joins a Christiancult and even a cocaine-addicted rabbi!Winner of the Three Weeks Editor's Awardin Edinburgh 2013 this 5-Star reviewedcollection of unique stories in song,promises to be a funny, moving andentertaining evening. You'll laugh, you'llcry. What's not to like?

An evening with

DANIELCAINER

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Kayitz 2013

This summer, I spent two weeks travellingaround Europe on Kayitz, LJY’s Jewish tour ofEurope. After going on Israel tour with LJYlast summer and having an incredible time, Ihad no hesitations about signing up for Kayitzthis year. On the tour we visited some ofEurope’s most historic cities, exploring ourancestry andthe story ofJewishEurope.

We beganour tour inLondon,starting toexploreJewishhistory onour owndoorstep,beforeventuring outinto the restof Europe.We visitedthe EastEnd, learningabout thehistory of ourancestors inthe area,travelling toCable Streetto learnabout the battle against fascism. We alsovisited Brick Lane, managing to make time tostop for one of their famous beigels.

After a few days we hopped on the ferry andthen on to the coach for a 24 hour journey tothe beautiful city of Prague. We began ourtour of Prague in the old town square, wherewe became ‘informed tourists’ looking out forsmall clues to help piece together the story ofthe Jews in the city. We paid a visit to the TynChurch in the square, thinking about how lifewould have been for our ancestors in the 13thcentury, when relationships between Jewsand Christians were not so comfortable.

Whilst in Prague we also got to experiencesome culture, visiting a jazz bar, as well ashaving a fun pedal-boat trip down the river.

Next we continued to Budapest, where weexplored the question of Jewish identity bothpast and present. We visited threesynagogues looking at the differences

between the Orthodox community andthe Neolog community (similar toliberal Judaism), both who claimed torepresent the authentic Jewishcommunity. This led to a discussion onour own religion and what justified usas liberal Jews to choose what parts ofthe religion we do and don’t follow. OnShabbat we managed to find sometime to relax after all the travelling;visiting a fancy café for a deliciouslunch, as well as going for a dip in the

famous Romanbaths.

We concluded thetrip in Berlinwhere we viewedthe remains of theBerlin wall,exploringcommunism andthe divisionbetween east andwest. We took atrip to themodern Jewishmuseum, which

contained several art installations relating tothe Holocaust. We also paid visits to severalHolocaust memorials, commemorating notjust the Jews, but also the other groups ofpeople persecuted by the Nazis.

Kayitz completely lived up to my expectationsand made a great follow-on tour. I am notusually a fan of history, but I learnt a lot onthe trip and we really did visit some trulyfascinating sites. I hope to continue myinvolvement with LJY by hopefully leading onsome events in the year to come.

Jodie Simmons


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From where I’m standing, in the sticks

I just don’t care any more. Do I? I worry that I ambecoming inured to the tragedies I see on thenews and read in the papers. We grew up seeingthe starving peoples of Biafra, Ethiopia, Sudan, wewatched generation after generation more childrendying of hunger and disease. We heard the pleasfor aid and financial support. Most of us rememberour parents telling us that the starving children inAfrica would love to have been given our dinner,most us will have thought: Then send it to them‘cos I don’t want it!’ Now, as well as famines inAfrica, we watch live coverage of wars in manyplaces across the globe. We watch childrenscurrying trying to avoid the gunfire, we seecountless dead bodies on sides of the road, wesee mothers beseeching the world for help andjustice for their children and again, we hear thepleas for help and support and what do we do?Who can we entrust our financial support to? Whois brave enough to organise the practical helpwithout being in fear for their own lives? Thegovernments? The opposing forces? The warsacross the globe, who is fighting who? Whodetermines who is at fault? The earthquake in Haitinearly three years ago raised millions of pounds,the people still sleep in makeshift tents by the sideof the road. Where is the money, where did thesupport go? Who decides where the donationsend up, those who decide who lives or dies? Do Icare? I don’t know anymore, I feel numb to it, andyet I sobbed when I heard that a pet shop hadburnt down with all the animals inside.

I was allowed to drive the big boy’s car to workrecently. It was with trepidation that I backed outand drove this 4 x 4 monster. I was very high upwhich was lovely, but the controls are all on theopposite side to my own little car (who had goneto work with Daddy). I only stalled twice andmanaged to change gears and even got into 4th!!!!

However, when I was cut up by a white van, I gavehim a very stern swish of the wipers, that taughthim a lesson he won’t forget!

Very recently for the second time in a year, we hadcomputer meltdown, we lost messages, contactsand all my previous columns. I cannot rememberwhat I had written on each and of those, whichhad been printed, so bear with me if I have toldyou this one before. My granddaughter Caitlyn,now a secondary school pupil doncha know! wasmessing around in the cupboard under the stairs. I called out to her to see what she was doing, noreply, eventually she came out the cupboardholding my coat and the step stool. ‘Where areyou going with all that?’ I asked her, ‘Narnia!!’ Well wouldn’t you have laughed?

I recently told you how I sing on my way to work,after the field with the donkeys in, not before; Onthe radio now they are playing carols and beautifularrangements of some old Christmas hymns, I adore listening to the Cathedral boys’ choirs and of course the instrumental arrangements ofbeautiful winter wonderland songs. I don’t join in,G-d doesn’t need me adding my voice, at this timeof year, I prefer to listen. The Mormon Choir havedone a rendition of a carol called ‘The Bell’ itmakes me tingle it is so beautiful. Those of myfriends who celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, Diwaliand other festivals of light can come together andwish each other ‘Season’s Greetings’ enjoying thepleasure in each face, I really hope you have alovely festival of light, I hope we all have light inour lives, peace, goodwill, health and happiness to all mankind. I hope that we all find the cat thatis in the cupboard when we light our menorah. I hope the coming year is kind to everyone andagain: I hope Santa brings me a boring life.PLEASE.

Laurie Benton

What’s in a name?12th January and 9th February 2014 @ 2pm

We may be called Knit & Natter but as a group of hobbyists we will be doing all kinds of crafts this year. It is a great opportunity to not only share your skills but also to learn from others. This year our Synagogue is planning another Summer Féte and we would love to have a stall of beautiful items made by the group to sell to raise funds. So please come and join our group of like-minded crafters, natter, drink tea, eat delicious cakes and enjoy makingitems to sell at the Summer Fete.

For more information please email Jenny on [email protected] or call 07813309503


In a valley just to the west of Jerusalem, underthe expanding and formidable buildings ofHadassah Hospital is an area called Beit Zayit.Formerly a moshav established in 1949 byimmigrants from Eastern Europe, Beit Zayit is now considered an upmarket suburb ofJerusalem. Some of the families own landthere that was zoned exclusively foragriculture, but they never used it.

Along comes a young idealist from the area,who has this dream of developing an organicfarm, where at-risk, drop-out teens could learnsome valuable life skills, be employed andeventually eased back into society.

November 2012 saw a founding group of like-minded young people, including our son,Nadav, to officially form the Kaima organicfarm in Beit Zayit.

Families were approached to donate land forthe project and volunteers were rounded up tohelp clear the overgrown and rocky fields.Many backbreaking hours were spent by thefounders and their many enthusiasticvolunteers to literally get the project off theground. They set up the farm by erectingbarriers, using donations of fences, installingthe donated irrigation system themselves andplanting the seeds. Planting started in March2013 with the first crops being harvested byJune of this year.

The team includes such professionals as an

agriculturist who specialises in organic orsustainable farming, an educationalpsychologist and a social worker, as well as agroup of regular volunteers. A number ofyouths have already become part of thiswonderful project and have been employed by Kaima. Not only are they learning civicresponsibility and invaluable life and workskills, but they feel (perhaps for the first timein their lives) an appreciated and respectedpart of a project of which they can be proud.Kaima is an environmentally friendly projectthat makes a huge difference in the lives ofthe teens who take part in it.

Kaima , (which in Aramaic means sustain-ability) now has over 120 families signed up toreceive fresh organic vegetables every week,with produce being picked early Thursdaymorning and delivered by the same afternoon.

“Someone has to take a chance on thesekids, and Kaima is ready to do it.”

Kaima receives no Governmental funding andis operated purely on donations.

If you are planning a visit to Israel, or if youwould like more information - contact Kaimawww.Kaima.org.il and make time to comeand visit the project – you might even see foryourself why part of the answer indeed lies in the soil….

Raymond Bensusan, November 2013

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The answer lies in the soil!


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Exciting news from the South Coast!

You will already have read that HighcliffeDorset, boasts more centenarians than anyother place in the UK. The village actuallyconsists of one very narrow street, the A337towards Lyminton Spa. There are severalhairdressers, many charity shops, one bettingshop and like so many places, too manyempty premises. How disturbing is it thenthat the newest placeof business to open upis a tattoo palour.I saydisturbing because Ihave found that withgreat age comes acertain freedom to doand say things withoutthe restraint of 'whatwill people think?'Come the summer Iwill be able to reporton what kind of 'bodyart' has been adoptedby the local residents.

Do you remember 'TheNews of the World'?The slogan of thatpaper was All HumanLife is Here, orsomething similar. I feel the same aboutthe cafe in our localSainsburys. I haveprobably mentioned it before and althoughyou maybe thinking Moshe and I spend a lotof time there, it is our nearest supermarket.Often we will treat ourselves to a snack thereand I find myself looking around, observing allstages of life there. Tiny babies beingdiscretely breast fed, toddlers and wellbehaved older children and teenagers. Thereare elderly couples and of course manyelderly men and women entirely on theirown.There are a lot of regulars and the verypleasant staff, who never seem to change, getto know these single folk, making it all a muchmore pleasurable experience. We see carerswith disabled men and women assisting themwith their shopping and it made me think howfar we have come from the 'does he takesugar? time.

We are still very much enjoying being part ofthe ever growing Wessex Liberal JewishCommunity. It has really been an excitingtime as we have had a visit from Rabbi HarryJacobi. Everyone so enjoyed andappreciated the time he spent with us. Wealso have a had a visit from Rabbi Alan Mannwho we will be seeing again in December. A

short while ago wehad a really specialday celebrating the90th birthday of WalterKammerling one of ourmembers.

He is a much lovedand greatly respectedmember of theBournemouth JewishCommunity. Walter isvery involved with theHolocaust EducationalTrust, travelling allover the countrytalking to schools andyoung people. Thesame day brought usRabbi Pete Tobias,who conducted ourShabbat service andfollowing a superbcelebratory lunch,gave us a mostinteresting afternoon

lecture. To make that day even more perfectwe had Simon Benscher with us too, it isalways wonderful to see him.

Maybe I have written this before, but just incase, there is a lot of Jewish life here. At thelocal orthodox synagogue a 'Meet andMunch' luncheon club has started, open toeveryone. The local Chabad has somethingsimilar and hopefully starting in the new year,the Wessex Liberal Jewish Community will behosting a monthly tea time event open to all.

I wish you all a belated Chag Sameach andthe best of everything for 2014.

Shalom u koltaRos and Moshe

Walter presented with his cake by Rabbi Pete Tobias. Also apostscript to my article… at our next Shabbat service conducted

by Rabbi Alan Mann we have a double celebration; for NatRoseman's special birthday and our very first Baby Blessing…

a baby boy, first name George


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“Paying my respects”

For many years, I have promised myself a trip toAuschwitz, to pay my respects to all those poorsouls who lost their lives under an evil and wickednazi regime. However, time marches on and plansget put on the back burner. So when friends askedme what I would like for my birthday, I replied a tripto Poland. Armed with my wishes, Ros and Mickarranged the trip so the four of us could gotogether.

Arriving in Krakow was most surprising, it wasclean and no obvious vandalism. My first thoughtwas how beautiful the buildings were rather like apicture postcard. We wandered into the square andbrowsed through the craft market, and found ourway into the Old Jewish Quarter, which wemeandered around for a couple of hours.

The next day was our first trip, a guided touraround the Jewish Quarter, the Ghetto andSchindler’s factory. Our guide explained that theJewish area once housed about 260,000 Jews andin fact Poland once had the largest Jewishpopulation in Europe of around 3 million, 90% ofwhich were murdered by the Nazis. Today,gradually, there is an emerging Jewish population.There are 4 synagogues in the area, which stillremain. One is used for services on a Fridayevening and Sabbath. She explained that the Shulswere used by the Germans as stables and storagewarehouses but were now being renovated back totheir former glory, even though the Safar Torahsand prayer books were destroyed. Next was theghetto, obviously nothing now remains only thememorial in the square. The memorial is twelveoversized chairs which represents the furniture andbelongings that the Jews brought into the squarewhen they were sent off to the camps. All thatremained was the furniture and belongings, whichthey were forced to leave behind. My temper wasstarting to boil and a strange feeling in my heart.Now off to Schindler’s factory which is now a verymodern looking building and mainly a museum,dedicated to the history of Krakow. A veryinteresting tour and also very tiring as it was awalking tour. We returned to the hotel to rest forthe trip the next day.

The mini bus was at the hotel at 9am prompt. A75km journey to Auschwitz through some of theworst roads I have ever experienced. As weapproached I could sense an evil in theatmosphere and when I got out a cold realizationof where I was, flooded over me. We were handedan amplifier and headphones and introduced toour guide. No amount of films or books could haveprepared me for an overwhelming feeling ofdespair and hatred. As we were guided around Icould not fight back the tears as our guide took us

into hut after hut where we viewed the remains ofhair, glasses, prosthetics, toys and photos, alsopunishment cells and the living arrangements ofthese poor departed souls. It was explained to usthat the camp was not big enough and the gaschambers not efficient enough, so another camphad to be built, next door, Birkenau. Here they built4 gas chambers that could murder 2000, in eachchamber, at one time. I walked around the camp ina daze. We were shown the accommodation,which was worse than Auschwitz, wooden hutsthat kept out little of the outside elements. ThePolish winters, in those days could be -40F. Hut after hut and disbelief with every step I wastaking. We then entered a section of huts whichwas reserved for the women. A group of youngJewish school kids entered with us and begansinging memorial prayers and this completelyfinished me off. I could no longer hold back mytears and grief. I found a quiet area and cried andcried. Those poor souls subjected to sub humantreatment. One million Jewish Souls lost their livesin this place, which included over 200,000 children.My faith was seriously questioned. How could G-dallow this to happen?

The Jews were murdered mainly on arrival, 80%being sent to the gas chambers and 20% workedto death. Selection was by ability to work and age.Children under 10 were murdered immediately.The tour ended at the area where we saw thedestroyed gas chambers and the multi-nationalmemorial. I recited Kuddish and slowly tried totake in what I had witnessed. It should bementioned, at this point that hundreds ofthousands of Poles, not only Jews, wereslaughtered in this and other camps.

I have “paid my respects” to my Mother’s familyand to all those poor souls who lost their livesunder a regime of wickedness and evil. I left thatplace with humility and a feeling of despair thathumans can treat fellow humans in such a way. Iam so proud of my Jewish heritage and that I hadthis opportunity to show the world that our racewill never be exterminated.

I believe everyone should pay their respects, ifpossible, so that we can try to appreciate thesuffering of our Brothers and Sisters. Manyorganized school trips are arranged, from all overthe world. This is a fantastic idea so we as ahuman race stand united against evil. “Lest weever forget”

God Bless the Souls of everyone who lost theirlives under an evil and wicked regime. whosecowardly leader committed suicide rather thanface up to his terrible crimes.

Stuart Sclaire


I am writing this articleafter attending anotherwonderful Chanukahparty at WLS. It wasgreat to see so manypeople in the building -difficult to count themall as they were allmoving from room to

room playing games, spinning dreidels, and(of course) sharing a good conversation withfood etc. I think there must have been over130 people there and all them seemed to beenjoying themselves. As is always the case at Woodford, there was a lovely warmatmosphere as children, parents andgrandparents celebrated together.

While not as many people were there, as wasthe case for Chanukah, we also had goodattendances for two recent speaker events –both very different but equally informative and rewarding. The first speakers were fromSave A Child’s Heart, an Israeli charity thatarranges for children from developingcountries who need life-saving heart surgeryto come to Israel for free treatment. They alsoorganise outreach visits to clinics and arrangetraining for medical staff in those developingcountries – including Israel’s neighbours inPalestine, Syria, etc.

The second speaker event featuredONEVOICE, an organisation that works withand trains youth leaders, in both Israel andPalestine, to develop an ongoing conversationbetween both sides of the conflict. They alsoorganise peaceful activism to raise awarenessabout issues and challenge the politicalleadership on all sides to try to break theimpasse on the negotiations.

It is great to see our building being used tohost these sort of events. Hearing aboutpositive initiatives in Israel and Palestine,

especially where both sides are trying to findcommon ground, is so much better than theconstantly negative images presented by themedia. At the same time, anything that wecan do to bring together the generations ofour own Woodford families, so that they cancelebrate together, is always worth the effort.

Chanukah is, of course, the festival ofdedication – the name comes from theHebrew for ‘to dedicate’. According to theOxford English Dictionary, dedicate is derivedfrom the “Late Middle English” verb dedicaremeaning ‘devoted to sacred or consecratedsolemn rites’. This reflects the fact thatChanukah is all about the rededication of theTemple after the Maccabean revolt.

So it is perhaps appropriate that in the weeksleading up to Chanukah, we wrote to all themembers to update you on progress with ourplans to renovate our own sanctuary, andmembers of Council at Woodford startedmaking calls to seek pledges or donationstowards the costs.

You were very generous in making pledges toour High Holy Day appeals – if you made apledge and have not yet sent in your chequecan you do so as soon as possible so that wecan make payments to the charities, and youwere generous in making donations to theMitzvah Day appeals.

I hope you will be equally generous makingpledges to our refurbishment – to theredevelopment and re-dedication of oursanctuary – so that many more generationscan gather at WLS in the years to come.

Wishing you all the best for the season ofgoodwill, also for a prosperous and peacefulsecular New Year.

Bob KamallWLS Chairman

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It’s been a full year – onward and upward …

Following the OneVoice event, £70 in donations were collected from those who attended towhich Rabbi Jacobi added £50 from his Discretionary Fund. He made the donation to

ONEVOICE using "theBigGive", which doubles donations, and operates Gift Aid. So, OneVoice benefitted to the tune of £270. Thank you to all who gave!


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Ma'oz tsur yeshu'ati ... WLS celebrates Chanukah

Fun, games and food galore was enjoyed by more than 100 members and friends ofWoodford Liberal Synagogue last Saturday afternoon.

Proceedings commenced at5.00pm with games such as:

How long can you Hop for!

Blindfold eating of a Doughnut!

Limbo catching a Doughnut!

How many Sweets in the Jar?

Name the Teddy

Decorate a biscuit forChanukah

Face painting was also availablefor boys and girls.

Everyone brought a festive/eastern dish with them to createa potluck supper. Traditional fareis mainly fried food – latkas anddoughnuts!!

The evening was rounded offwith Rabbi Jacobi leading apurely singing service thateveryone was able to join in with, and the lighting of all theChanukah candles. This wasfollowed by three Gold Leavesbeing placed on our Tree of Lifeby our recent Barmitzvah boys.Josh & Zak Hurst and LouiePoole. Lastly medals werepresented by Chederheadteacher Josh Newham to all the game winners.

Bob Kamall, WoodfordChairperson said, "It's wonderfulto see the Synagogue so full ona Saturday evening and in manycases to see three generations of so many families.”

Merle Muswell

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The face painting was a great success …

…as was the blindfold donut-eating, and chocolate tasting!

Louie Poole and the Hurst brothers – the three Barmitzvah boys… and the candles are lit!

Awaiting the lighting of the Chanukah candles


Living Judaism, Living Wages

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Tel: 01992 813370Mobile: 07973 383985Email: [email protected]: stephenpoverphotography.com

Stephen PoverSocial and Commercial Photographer

Specialising in social and commercial photography including, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, wedding, portraiture and pack shots and studio photography

As of November 2013, 432 employers havecommitted to be Living Wage Employers and thenumber is growing increasingly rapidly. LiberalJudaism has participated in events and actionsdesigned to encourage other employers, such asPremier League football clubs to improve theircommunity relations and reputations by followingsuit. National and international companies reportincreased productivity and commitment followingfrom their decisions to pay the Living Wage. This isnot just from the staff on that pay rate, but fromothers who feel more proud of their company! The Living Wage is a voluntary commitment foremployers, one which we see as morally andethically right, as well as economically justifiable.

By next May, when our movement gathers for itsBiennial Weekend, we aim for our headquarters and all synagogues to be Living Wage employers. It would be even more wonderful if every singleLiberal Jew could say that anyone and everyonewho is paid to provide goods and services directlyto you receives the Living Wage – if you have acleaner or care support in your home, ask the localauthority or the agency that provides them to paythem a living wage. It’s only just! P

hoto

: ©

CH

RIS

JE

PS

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Rabbi Tania and Rachel Reeve MP, who spoke at the All-Partyevent (referred to in my article).


Don’t curse the dark… Light a candle!

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At the end ofNovember, I arrangedfor speakers fromONEVOICE to addressour members and otherinterested people. Thethree young womenwho spoke - from EastJerusalem, Tel Aviv and

London all impressed with their knowledge ofthe situation in Israel/Palestine, and with theirdetermination to act in any and all peacefulways to promote the possibility of peace. Theorganisation aims to speak with one voicefrom both sides expressing the majority wishfor a negotiated side-by-side peace. OurJewish heritage tells us that we should “be ofthe disciples of Aaron, loving peace andpursuing peace” (Hillel, 1st century CE). It’snot enough to want peace, we have to workfor it and make it happen. This year sees thecentenary of the start of The Great War, alsocalled ‘the war to end all wars’. That it did notis something we know all too well, and so thework that ONEVOICE does to train youngIsraeli and Palestinian people in conflictresolution and community activism is vital inbuilding democratic and peace-lovingsocieties.

Earlier in November, I attended the LivingWage Foundation’s parliamentary reception,hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Groupon Poverty. We heard inspiring examples ofhow low-paid cleaners took actions with a

little chutzpah to bring to the attention ofgovernment ministers the fact that their officecleaners did not receive a living wage. OurJewish teachings demand that we raise thepoor up, give them sufficient wages andenable them to have dignity (various sourcesfrom Leviticus 19 to Maimonides and beyond).Our synagogue Council has already endorsedthese principles and we will be recognised asa Living Wage Employer very soon. Further,we are exploring the benefits of joiningCitizens UK, so that we can become moreskilled in improving civil society locally andnationally.

At the core of both these stories is a messagefrom Chanukkah, and a consistent message inJudaism – “It is better to light a candle than tocurse the dark.”

We are a synagogue community that came outof the East End of London, the lessempowered half of the city. When KenLivingstone embraced the campaign forLondon to host the 2012 Olympic andParalympic Games, he did so on the conditionthat they came to East London. He saw anopportunity to redress the balance and, whenthe Games came eighteen months ago, theeyes of the world focussed on our part of thisgreat capital city. As we begin 2014, we canwonder whether there has been a lastingdifference. We could, if we wanted, curse thedark and the fact that the West of London isresuming its previous role. Better, for us all, isfor us to choose to act and light a fewcandles.

This needs us to come closer together as acommunity to unleash our creativity, toencourage each other and to bring joy andvibrancy to what we do. The temperaturesmight be low during January and February,but we can warm each other’s hearts andspread that warmth to others. Mid-winter is atime to keep in contact with those who livealone – pick up the phone or pop round. It’s atime to come and enjoy heart-warming songsfrom Daniel Cainer on 22nd February. It’s atime to join the community in learning,socialising or praying, so that your spirits arelifted and the cold of winter is rebuffed.

Happy New Year!

Rabbi Richard Jacobi

Rabbi Tania Sakhnovich and Sam Grant of LJ

Photo:©CHRISJEPSON


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What the eye cannot see –

I have just returned froma trip to Israel where Istayed with a couple ofmy oldest friends –Raymond and his wifeJudith. When I havestayed with thempreviously they havealways tried to show mesome unusual places inIsrael. This time was noexception when Raymondinvited me to visit theAyalon Institute on theoutskirts of Rehovot.

Knowing that after the BritishMandate would come to anend the Haganah knew therewould be fighting betweenArabs and Jews and thatammunition would be requiredfor this struggle. They had hadno problems producing manySten guns but they knew therewould be trouble obtaining the9mm bullets for them. The head ofthe underground Israeli MilitaryIndustry formulated a plan to buymachines to make bullets fromPoland in 1938. They got themachines as far as Beirut wherethey were kept for nearly 4 years,and eventually brought intoPalestine.

The actual bullet plant was builtclose to a British base under a sitewhere pioneers went for training onhow to live and work on a kibbutz.They dug a large underground roomwith a 2 foot tick wall and ceilings. In order to conceal the whole thing alaundry was built at one end to hide thenoise and a bakery at the other end tohide the smell! All around was builtchicken coups, vegetable gardens, cow sheds and a dining hall makingthe whole place seem like a workingkibbutz. The whole project took just 22 days to build!

We went on a tour of the factory accessingthe secret chamber down a very windingstaircase from the bakery. We were told thelaundry ran for 24 hours to hide the noisebelow and the pipes from here provided away of getting rid of the polluted air belowground. An entrance to the factory was alsofound under the laundry machine whichmoved on wheels over the hatch.Apparently the laundry was so good theBritish soldiers used to have their uniformscleaned by it. But to avoid problems of

discovery, the kibbutniks picked upand delivered! Our guide told us of aBritish soldier, who was once based at the camp near by, came to visit themuseum, in recent years. He could notbelieve this had all gone on under hiswatch!

They thought of everything to makesure that the British never suspectedanything including ingeniously makingall the factory workers sit in UV lightboxes to give them a tan so they

appeared to be working out in theopen and scrubbing off all metalfilings from their clothes beforethey returned above.

During the 2 year period that thisproject was in action theyproduced 2,000,000 bullets. Quitea feat without being discovered.There is so much to read aboutthis amazing museum, pleasetake time to look it up and if youare visiting Israel make a point ofvisiting it.

Jenny Sclaire

Pictures from top to bottom:

• Laundry machine which slidover the entrance to theunderground factory

• Entrance to the factory

• The factory itself

• UV box


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Kadimah 2013!!!

Going on Kadimah was probably the bestchoice I have ever made in my life. I loved itso much that I’m definitely going to go backnext year. Everyone in my year becameextremely close, and our year group becamea family, it surprised me how well you canknow a group of people in just two weeks ifyou live with them twenty four seven, whichbrings me to the one thing I hated aboutKadimah, saying “goodbye”.

Kadimah is anextremelyaccepting andtrustworthyenvironmentwhere you canbe yourself nomatter howcrazy that selfmay be. Beingin Kadimah waslike steppinginto ‘a wholenew world’where everyonelooks out foryou and nobodyjudges you.

A normal day oncamp beginswith an earlystart, meaningwe were all tiredin the mornings. However, the amazing campleaders had already taken that intoconsideration, and every morning ensuredthat we were wide awake with morning ruah(energy). This involves lots of singing anddancing. There are many different types ofsessions that proceeded after that: All-campsessions, where you get to choose an activitye.g. friendship bracelet-making, swimming,how to be a ninja, meditation, art, KadimahBand and much more. Kef (fun) sessions,where we did some crazy things like the widegame (paint fights), crazy cooking, humanMario carts and much more.

We also had some educational sessionsinvolving lots of discussion and learning whichis made fun by the leaders, and my favouritetype of session, the evening sessions whichfor my year were called ‘Yamim time’. Yamimwas the name of my year group, and ‘Yamimtime’ is basically doing fun stuff with just youryear and each night was something different.The different activities we did consisted ofmaking candles (which was a highlight for me,as when we had lit them, we saw a shooting

star), a murdermystery, eatingchallenges, pubnight, movienight, Chalitsimnight (beachparty with theyear above),dinner date, thebox game, greatGatsby night andfinally, last nightshow followedby a party andletting offlanterns. Once aday we had ashort servicewhich was madefun and usuallyhad some sort oftheme. Justbefore we wentto bed we had

‘dorm time’ which is a small activity with yourdorm and your dorm leaders. Some nights weplayed guitar with singing, and others amidnight feast!

Kadimah has changed me as a person. It hasmade me more accepting and appreciative,and has also given me some friends for life,and made me even closer to one I alreadyhad – Freya Preedy.

Yamim 2013!!!

Leah Simmons

Left to right: Freya Preedy, Miriam Steiner and Leah Simmons


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Mitzvah Day weekend brings Redbridge community together

Woodford Liberal Synagogue,in Marlborough Road, SouthWoodford, came together todonate their time, food itemsand children's toys to those inneed as part of Mitzvah Day2013 (17th November), theJewish-led day of social action.

Members of Woodford LiberalSynagogue donated over 125food items to Jason Lee Housein Ilford. With the help of fourmembers of the Synagogue,the food was gladly acceptedby the residents. One resident

noted that the donation had"restored his faith in humanity".

Synagogue chairman BobKamall said: “I am very proudand encouraged that membersof our congregation came tosupport such an importantcause on Mitvah Day.”

The children at the WoodfordLiberal Synagogue cheder havespent the last few weeksdonating toys and games toWorld Jewish Relief. Thechildren spent Saturday's

service learning all about themeaning of a Mitzvah and whatconstitutes a good deed,however big or small.

On Sunday, the Synagogueorganised a ‘Lyons-style’afternoon tea for residents of Vi & John Rubens House inGants Hill. The tea was a greathit and the residents enjoyedan afternoon of laughing andchatting about the 'good olddays' of Jewish community lifein East London.


] 15 [

Isabelle Phillips

Louie Adler

Josephine Greenhalgh

Iziah Duck

Sarah Leah Samuels

Jackson Mendoza

Daniel Mendoza

Jessica Gillespie

Zac Hurst

Isabelle Levy

a speedy recoveryto all who are unwell at this time

Friendship Club @WLS2.00-4.00pm £3.00 per person

NewMembers

Clair Lerner and Matt Hedley

Jenna Lester and Ben Fykin

Sunday 26th January Programme to be advised

Please ring Harriet – 020 8524 4505

or Nicola – 020 8418 9586

to book your place.

“Help, I’ve been made redundant…”

Resource, the Jewish Employment AdviceCentre, is a charity based in Finchley, withsatellite services in Redbridge and Stamford Hill.Led by volunteers who are all HR and businessexperts, it offers free confidential one-to-oneguidance and a wide range of seminars to helpits clients to succeed in today’s jobs market.

For further information please phone 020 8346 4000 or e-mail [email protected]

Our thanks to Susan Kaye, who forsome years now has written the excellentTheatre Reviews in Bimah. Unfortunately, due to family health problems, she is unable to continue these at present. We wish themspeedy recovery and hope for more reviews in the future. Judy Toffell


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