The Hadley Wood Jewish Community magazine KEHILLA · for their hospitality and the work they put...

The Hadley Wood Jewish Community magazine

KISLEV 5773 CHANUKAH 2012

KEHILLAwww.thehwjc.co.uk

In this Issue:The Producer’s Story

Letter from America

Chatanim 2012

Ladies of the Year

Doughnuts!

Book Now

Seder Dinner

HWJC Trip to Prague

See Insidefor Details

Yoni’s “Big Issue” Lecture - By Rabbi Birnbaum with Dr Linda Joseph...more inside


2

KEHILLA

From our Chairman

Social and Cultural Committee

Chairman’s Letter

As always in Hadley Wood, lots going on. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services were held for 250 people in the garden of Martin & Ronnie Vincent. We are very grateful for their hospitality and the work they

put into preparing for the event and we wish Ronnie well.

Sukkot and Simchat Torah were notable for the number of children and for our first Tribe events. Mazeltov to Rabbi Birnbaum and Kenny Wax for their honours as Chatanim.

The contraversial joint lecture by Rabbi Birnbaum and Dr Linda Slavin on abortion and euthanasia was well attended and raised as many questions as it answered. You could not help but be moved by the issues discussed and the stories told.

Our plan to become an independent member of the United Synagogues took a major step forward with its acceptance by the US Board

of Trustees. We expect this to be ratified by the US council in early December and be independent early in 2013. Many people have been working hard behind the scenes to make this happen. In particular I would like to thank Jeff Finegold, John Melchior, Mitchel Lenson and Robert Feld for the time and effort they have given.

From our Rosh Hashanah survey I was very pleased to see that almost all members, and even some non-members, were willing to become full members of Hadley Wood. We will be contacting you soon with the details.

The plans for work on 8 & 8a Lancaster are progressing well, as is the fundraising to ensure it can happen.. I hope most of you have seen the short film produced by Jonathan Sands which explains what we are doing and why. If not, I’d be happy to provide a copy. This is an exciting project which will ensure the future of a Jewish community in Hadley Wood for us and for future generations. Thanks to all of you who have already made pledges. We still have a long way to go, so we will be in touch ………

With best wishes,

Mike Singer

Another big hit for the HWJC cultural and Entertainment Committee .

Ashley Blaker, producer of Little Britain, who has worked with some of the greatest comedians, including Russell Brand, Graham Norton, Joan

Rivers and Clive Anderson, played to a full house on Sunday 4 November in Hadley Wood.

Food and drink were flowing in Sandy and Frances Lester’s listed barn which added character and atmosphere to an evening full of fun and laughter.

We’re thrilled that the evening was such a wonderful success and everyone had a great time.

A good profit was made for the shul and we’re all looking forward to our next event early next year, details of which will be advertised on our website www.thehwjc.com

Penny Kenton


3

KEHILLA

From Rabbi Fine

LIVING LIFE TO THE FULL

A CHANUKAH MESSAGE FROM RABBI YISROEL FINE

If there is one Festival which inspires hope and faith for the future it is surely Chanukah. So as Hadley Wood is on the threshold of a new and exciting phase in its young life let us see how the events of Chanukah inspired us all those years ago and continue to do so today as well.

The Talmud poses the question, “What is Chanukah”? The Talmud then goes on to relate the basic outline of the story: The victory of the Maccabees, culminating in the public lighting of the Menorah in the Temple. A miracle happened and a small flask of oil kept the Menorah burning for eight full days. The following year, on the first anniversary of the event, the festival of Chanukah was formally instituted by our Sages.

But why institute a holiday just because of a miracle? Since when were Jews so impressed by miracles that they responded by instituting holidays?

For those who don’t see G-d as actively involved in the affairs of the world, a miracle is imposing. But to the Jewish people? Our perspective is that both miracles and nature are equal revelations of G-d’s mastery over the world. Every day Hashem renews the creative process. The sun rises; a baby is born. These

are daily, miraculous reminders of the ongoing creative forces of Hashem.

Furthermore, miracles happened regularly in Temple times. The Ethics of the Fathers enumerates the ten miracles that occurred daily in the Temple, yet no holiday was ever established to commemorate them. Why then Chanukah?

The message of Chanukah is simply to encourage us to live up to our potential. The Chanukah miracles showed us that a little oil had more in it than we had suspected. So too, every Jew, even the smallest “flask “, contains the energy to give more light than one might imagine. This message is reflected in the singular Halachic measures that our Sages instituted for this holiday. According to Halacha, the poor man must even sell the shirt off his back to purchase oil for the Menorah.

Why this requirement? Someone who is destitute is exempt from other mitzvoth. He does not have to place a mezuzah on his door or buy a pair of tefillin. But for the sake of Chanukah lights he has no excuse. He must fulfil the mitzvah of the Menorah no matter what. Why such a demand?

Simply because the Chanukah flame exhorts us to have no small dreams. Mediocrity is the antithesis of the Chanukah obligation. We have no excuses. Sell the shirt off your back if necessary, but proclaim to all that the Chanukah lights burn bright, that we believe Hashem expects us to live up to our full potential. This is true for us as individuals and perhaps even more true for us as a community.

May the lesson of Chanukah lead us to even greater accomplishments and the realisation of our potential as members of the Chosen People.

Rabbi Yisrael Fine


4

KEHILLA

A Message from Rabbi Yoni BirnbaumChanukah – An Education For

Eternity

“The Jews proved not only unassimilated, but inassimilable, and… the demonstration that this was so proved one of the most significant turning points in Greek history, owing to the gigantic influence exerted throughout subsequent ages by their religion, which not only survived intact, but subsequently gave birth

to Christianity as well.” (Michael Grant, From Alexander to Cleopatra: The Hellenistic World, New York, Charles Scribner & Sons, 1982, p.75).

The story of Chanukah is the story of what happens when others try to force the Jewish people to assimilate. Forced into a corner, their very survival threatened by a world superpower seeking to subvert the unique traditions and practices of the Jews into its own Hellenistic culture, the Jewish people, led by the Maccabees, revolt and win a famous victory. In our long history, we have seldom clung to our faith more tenaciously than in times of extreme peril.

Yet, paradoxically, it is precisely this fact that presents the greatest danger to our nation in modern times. Jews may indeed be ‘inassimilable’ at the hands of their enemies, but all too often at our own instigation the opposite is true. In our quest to become accepted in whatever host country we find ourselves, we run the risk of losing sense of our Jewish identity.

Britain is a country that prides itself on its respect for multiculturalism and diversity within its citizenship. A million miles away from the worldview of Ancient Greece, whose policy, as the Chanukah story demonstrates, was to crush the cultural individuality of its diverse population. In modern British society, we need

not be afraid of holding our heads up high as Jews, of openly supporting Israel, of requesting kosher food at business meetings or of asking to leave early on a Friday.

Yet, sometimes, we are. Why?

Perhaps the answer to this conundrum lies in the very name of the festival - ‘Chanukah’. Although we often translate it as ‘dedication’, a reference to the re-dedication of the Temple following the victory of the Maccabees, it equally translates as ‘education’ (in Hebrew – ‘chinukh’). The dual meaning of the word is, as always, not by chance.

Arguably the greatest tool that we have as a people in ensuring that we remain ‘inassimilable’, is education. Educating both ourselves and our families in the depth and richness of our tradition grants us the gift of appreciating what we stand to lose through assimilation. And, more importantly, becoming educated Jews makes us proud Jews. Whilst completing my MA in Jewish history at University College over the past two years I have often marvelled how several of the non-Jewish students on my course seemed to know so much more about Judaism’s illustrious heritage than many Jews do!

I firmly believe that as thinking, educated people we have a responsibility to educate ourselves ‘Jewishly’ as well. Over the past year in our popular ‘Judaism Faces Modernity’ series, we have looked at what Judaism has to say about some of the key issues of today. What bothers us as people in modern society should also concern us as Jews. And, of course, Judaism always has a view!

During the coming year, we would like to expand the range of topics covered, through inviting suggestions as to areas you would like to hear discussed. Remember, no topic is off limits! I would love to hear your ideas, just drop me an email at [email protected].

Wishing you all a very Happy Chanukah and looking forward to hearing from you!

Rabbi Yoni Birnbaum

The Hadley Wood Jewish Community magazineKEHILLA

5

Elisheva BirnbaumRochelle Collins

HWJC Women of the Year

When I was asked to write a few words about myself, sheer panic set in. What do they want me to say, how do I not bore everyone?

So here goes:

My mother often asks did she take the correct baby home from the hospital and am I the Jewish daughter that she expected? The answer is obviously the right baby but often not typically Jewish .

I was born in 1966, and in the early days showed my heritage. I loved shul at an early age and even went on my own at the age of 4 with my father following behind ! I took up the violin at primary school and have played ever since. So therefore definitely Jewish.

But as I grew up I developed a love of sport, and I don’t mean armchair sport, but actually participating. Athletics was my passion and I was a sprinter and hurdler, I have played netball throughout my life, for school, work and socially, and remain a keen player today. But my love of animals and the countryside makes my mother sure I am not the typical Jewish daughter. Her idea of countryside is a paved idyllic village and mine is muddy fields and miles of walking. I now wouldn’t be without a dog and currently have a beautiful little terrier Belle.

That aside I am a typical Jewish mother, and very proud of my three lovely children, Louisa, Ben and Penina.

Growing up as the eldest of eight children in North West London (four of each!), life was always busy with plenty of things to do and be involved in, particularly in the home and within the community. From helping out at kiddushim in our shul to running youth groups on Shabbat afternoon and socialising with friends, the ‘cholent pot’ felt like a comfortable place to live. Always enjoying sports and particularly athletics, I was well-known in Golders Green for my bike and green cape which allowed me to cycle all over town in all weathers. A more unusual sight had seldom been seen. Running around the block at night was another favourite, and our neighbours would count the circuits………………! No privacy when your business is everyone else’s. At least in Hadley Wood the houses are slightly further apart!

Meeting Yoni during my first week at university certainly made the first year a little interesting. Juggling work at uni, planning a wedding and holding down a couple of side jobs – it didn’t seem like life could get much busier. But it did…………..! Now, with Yoni as a community Rabbi, 4 beautiful children, a full-time job as Rebbetzin and part-time job as a paediatric occupational therapist, as well as a home in a shul, the treadmill never stops (literally)! Many a text, phone-call, an idea or a menu, are planned and executed from the comfy confines of that machine, and of course I could receive an award from the Neighbourhood Watch for monitoring the comings and goings of the people on the street. No need for Hadley Wood Security on Lancaster Avenue after all!

It is an immense privilege to have received the honour of Lady of the Year from our community. You have made us feel more welcome than we could ever have wished for. We are sure that there will be a continuous choice of special ladies to be nominated for this honour in the years to come.


6

Kenny Wax - The Producer!SO WHAT ARE YOU PRODUCING NEXT?

....is the question that I get asked most frequently, shortly after the one, ‘So how’s the show going?’

I have had the enormous pleasure over the past 4 years of creating a production of TOP HAT, the first-ever stage adaptation of the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers classic 1935 movie of the same name. We were initially given permission by Irving Berlin’s daughters and the head of RKO Studios to tour the show around the UK so that they could ‘approve’ our world premiere production for the West End. They all flew in to London last November and we took a large contingent down to Canterbury.

Thankfully they loved it and gave it their blessing. In April we opened in the West End to lots of rave reviews and we have been entertaining audiences for the past six months.

Back to the question in the title of this article, ‘What are you producing next?’, to which I explain that maintaining a musical of the size of TOP HAT is pretty much a full-time job. We employ about seventy people directly working at the Aldwych Theatre on the show. We have 31 in the cast, 15 in the orchestra pit, 7 stage managers, 4 in the wigs department, 8 in the wardrobe department, 3 in sound and 3 in lighting.

There is constant maintenance work being done on the costumes, the wigs and the props. Indirectly we employ a further 20 or so staff working on the press, marketing and advertising. Everyone needs to be paid. A large payroll is processed each week and literally hundreds of invoices arrive weekly for payment.

In the past couple of weeks we had slots on the Alan Titchmarsh Show and ITV’s This Morning. In a couple of weeks we will be performing on Strictly Come Dancing. All of these events require a great deal of advance planning.

The ticketing side of a production is far more complicated than it ever was. Long gone are the days when you called a single telephone number to purchase your tickets or went to the theatre to pay for them (although this remains by far the cheapest and best way). With the proliferation of ticket agents and internet sites, tickets are being sold by literally hundreds of different outlets, charging different

booking fees and a variety of commissions to the producer. It all needs co-ordinating.

Our current cast will be out of contract at the end of January and so we are now gearing up for auditions and re-casting. When we have made our choices, we will be back in the rehearsal room and drilling the new dancers to ensure that the show maintains the very highest of standards. I have had meetings with Korean producers and Japanese producers for productions in Seoul and Tokyo.

There is a great deal of interest in North America and of course Broadway is the holy grail. Hopefully one day. It’s a big machine which needs constant maintenance and oiling to make sure the whole thing runs smoothly.

Oh yes, and then I am producing five children’s shows over Christmas for the 3-8 age group including two of Julia Donaldson’s favourites: Room On The Broom in the West End and The Gruffalo at the Finchley Arts Depot. It’s all go but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Kenny Wax

Top Hat is on at the Aldwych Theatre booking through to September 2013

On the back row: Irving Berlin’s three daughters who came over from the New York and Paris to vet the production in 2011. Also pictured: Ted Hartley, Head of RKO Pictures, and co-producers Stewart Lane and Bonnie Comley


7

KEHILLA

NEWS FROM NEW YORK

The Prequel

I became the Kehilla foreign correspondent in 2009 when I moved ‘up’ to the land of Milk and Honey. Now, my clever husband having landed a job with Google, we are off to New York, certainly one of the densest populations of Jews anywhere in the world. As Lenny Bruce said:“ If you live in New York, even if you’re Catholic, you’re Jewish.”

Thoughts of finding a place to live (with nearby shul, preferably not reform) and wondering how on earth I was going to manage a weekly shop in one of those New-York-style food halls offering 300 varieties of peanut butter, had to be put aside. We had run into a small road block and that was my visa.

Previous lax immigration laws had provided far too many loopholes for people to fake marriage, come to the States, get a job and sponsorship before procuring a quick and painless divorce!

Now every married couple needs to apply from the country of the foreign spouse, prove their legitimacy and go through the green card application process... this can take between 6-9 months! Coming into America on a 3-month tourist visa (so that you can live with your husband) is completely legal but seen as disingenuous; you can be detained at the border and sent home. We learn this in September and Steve’s job begins in November. This means we had better apply for a visa several months ago!

The first hurdle we have to jump is to get Steve recognized as an American citizen. Holding an American passport is not good enough! This should take about 3 months. In the meantime I have to obtain a police certificate proving I do not have a criminal record in every country I have lived in. Now I realise the extent of my troubles... Not only do I have to deal with the US government but the British,Australian (yes, I lived there too) and Israeli embassy as well.

As expected there is a hiccup in the plans- the Israeli police will only send their police certificate directly to the US Embassy. All papers sent to the US embassy need to have a case number so that they don’t get lost in the vast ambassadorial system of desk trays and pigeonholes... but we can’t get a case number until the US receive our police checks and approve initial application. Waiting for this number could slow down our application by another 2-3 months!!!

I’m sure you can picture us, sitting at home worrying about this setback. However, having lived in Israel, we know about a little thing called ‘protectsia’ (or as our friend Ori likes to call it, ‘Vitamin P’). Protectsia is the Israeli version of ‘It’s not what you know but who you know’. Cold-calling the Israeli embassy has not got us anywhere, we need to know someone inside. A Facebook request for embassy insiders reveals 4 potential candidates. We carefully select one and call her. A few hours later she has visited the consulate office for us and they promise that, if we attend the next day, they will order the police certificate and keep it in the Israeli embassy for us until we have a case number.

So, now after having my fingerprints taken for the first time (another story), and engaging a very nice/expensive immigration lawyer, it feels like things are moving along. Should you ever be in this situation, I’m sorry but our insider is a highly guarded secret!

Charlotte Suppe

Charlotte’s Letter from America


8

KEHILLA

Our Chatanim

Chatan Torah - Rabbi Yoni Chatan Bereshit - Kenny Wax

Perhaps the most frequently asked question I get is, ‘So, did you always want to be a rabbi?!’

Like most kids, after graduating from the ‘I want to be a fireman’ stage, vague ideas of what

I might like to be when I grew up did float through my head (in between Nintendo, Spurs, Star Wars and all the other important things that made growing up a good place to be). But a rabbi….I don’t think so!

Fast-forward a few years, and the attraction of Yeshiva beckoned. I had always loved amassing information and learning about everything and anything in general - my parents knew that a good history book could keep me occupied for hours. So I readily applied this towards delving into the richness of Jewish law, heritage and tradition.

But I still didn’t want to be a rabbi! Meeting Elisheva in 2002, though, made me think a little more seriously about what I really wanted to do in life (ok, I’ll be honest……‘Just how do you expect to support your family?!’ did play a small part). So…..with the oft-repeated mantra of ‘always keep your options open’ in the back of my mind, I simultaneously embarked on an Open University law degree as well as a Semicha course in Jerusalem.

Perhaps to the chagrin of my wife, it turned out that Jewish law beat English law. But, hey, maybe I wouldn’t have made a good lawyer anyway! Seriously speaking, without the enthusiastic support of both Elisheva and our wonderful children, I know that I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am today, doing the job that I love, in a community as unique as ours.

I am deeply grateful for the honour of Chatan Torah this year, and am also proud to share ‘the platform’ with Kenny Wax, without whose initial instigation the plans to increase the numbers of young families in our community might well never have come to fruition.

As always, onwards and upwards HWJC!

To say that I was surprised when asked by John Melchior if I would like to accept the honour of Chatan Bereshit this year was an understatement. It was something that of course I could not refuse. I did ask a few people including John what it entailed. It was only when I started to research on the

internet that I felt very humbled, not only by what I read, but also because the Chatan Torah was none other than the Rabbi.

For the first time since my Barmitzvah, I had to prepare the leyning. This in itself was daunting, because although my reading is reasonable, I grew up in a Sephardi Shul in Manchester with different notes. And not having any vowels was an even bigger hindrance. Rabbi Yoni duly recorded the verses and every day for a fortnight I played them on the train journey into and out of the West End on my laptop-with headphones, you will be pleased to note. I actually quite enjoyed the process and it has made me want to do a Haphtorah but that may need to wait until Jemima’s Batmitzvah weekend next October.

Many people congratulated me on my honour in advance of the big day. Eli Carmeli asked me on a couple of occasions, ‘Who is Kenny Wax?” and I replied that I had “no idea” not realising that he really didn’t know who this person who was. Sorry Eli. He was very effusive in his warmth when he found out.

Elisheva and I planned the banquet. She is a great organiser and boy! does she know her way around that Tesco on-line website. I’d love to see her duel with Daniella in an on-line supermarket sweep. Our kids went round to Lancaster Avenue to prepare the party bags for Simchat Torah night. All went to plan.

And when the big day arrived, Rabbi Yoni organised for some of the men to hoist me shoulder-high on a chair to take me to the Bima in preparation for my reading.

It was an unforgettable couple of days and I know that my late parents would have been very proud to see my name up there on the board in gold letters.


9

KEHILLA

Profile of Jonathan Sands

Stepping into Jonathan’s three-storey Victorian Hadley Wood home feels like arriving in Hollywood. We are surrounded by figures from the movies - Yoda, Darth Vader and a life-size replica of ET grace the living room. These represent Jonathan’s lifetime passion and his career in photography, props and promotional events, culminating in 2008 with his founding in Covent Garden of the London Film Museum.

Born in Kenton in June 1972, Jonathan was raised, together with his older sister, in Willesden. From 13 he boarded at Mill Hill School. Whilst describing himself as not academic, Jonathan, having bought his first camera at 12, recalls his main contribution to school life as the founding of the photographic society.

Leaving school at 16, Jonathan spent 3 years at Luton College studying photography and film before spending a year in Israel on Yot Vatar. Whilst there Jonathan wrote his business plan and immediately on returning home set up in Alston Studios in Barnet as a product photographer, moving to Elstree Film Studios in 1997 as resident photographer. A year later Jonathan married Laura, setting up home in Elstree.

Jonathan had begun to get involved in producing events - creating huge promotions for the Lord of The Rings premiere and planning the Centenary exhibition at Chelsea Football Club, which included the commissioning of waxworks of Frank Lampard and John Terry.

In 2001 Jonathan bought the props and events company Weird and Wonderful, setting up the Charlie Chaplin Exhibition and producing in

2002 promotional events for the launch of the Star Wars second prequel, including the landing in Leicester Square of space ships on the night of the premiere.

Following his launch of an exhibition on the ground floor of County Hall in 2007 to promote the 30th anniversary of the original Star Wars film (which was visited by more than 200,000 people), Jonathan took a 25-year lease of the space, moving in and displaying his collections of cameras, costumes, props and promotional material, including Dr. Who’s arch-enemies the Daleks, Harry Potter, and Star Wars memorabilia. During this period Jonathan helped out Boris Johnson by providing him with his campaign offices, and hosted the annual Evening Standard Awards.

In 2010 Jonathan was approached to set up the London Film Museum in the old V&A Theatre museum in Covent Garden. Under his watch the listed building has been tastefully modernised and now houses various photographic and film exhibitions and is used for film launches and corporate and private functions.

The family moved to Hadley Wood 3 years ago. Meeting R. Yoni and sending the children to our cheder has been a highlight, Jonathan being ‘so proud of the fact that the family have the opportunity to participate in a welcoming and non-judgmental community’. Jonathan has been involved with designing the HWJC logo and with the promotional fundraising film.

Apart from work, Jonathan and Laura’s three children, Jay age 12, a pupil at JCOSS and due to be Barmitzvah in Hadley Wood next March, Gerry,10 and Lea, 7, keep them very busy. Jonathan is about to embark on a Norwood charity bike ride in Sri Lanka and he is also involved in producing the foundation’s promotional material.

It’s just a thought, but if HWJC were ever to want to stage a grand event, The London Film Museum might be the ideal location……

Nina Taylor


10

KEHILLA

Makes 8-10

Ingredients:

160g strong white flour, plus extra to dust

7g dried yeast

½ tsp salt

15g caster sugar, plus extra to dust

20g unsalted butter, at room temperature, chopped, plus extra to grease

65ml whole milk, warmed

45ml warm water

1 egg, beaten

2 tablespoons of caster sugar flavoured with a little cinnamon

1. Combine the flour, yeast, salt and sugar in a large bowl and mix well. Put the butter into a bowl with the warm milk and water, and stir to melt. Pour this into the mixing bowl, along with the egg, and stir until it comes together into a dough: it should be firm, but soft.

2. Tip on to a lightly floured surface, or into a mixer fitted with a dough hook, and knead until smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes). Put into a lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp tea towel, and leave in a warm place until doubled in size (about an hour).

3. Shape into 8 - 10 small balls, folding each side tightly into the centre in turn, turning as you go, then turn the balls over and put on a lightly floured baking tray or board, spacing them well apart. Cover and leave to rise again for 45 minutes.

4. Heat the oil in a large pan or deep-fat fryer to 160C. Cook the doughnuts in 2 batches for about 3 minutes on each side, until golden, then blot with kitchen paper and sprinkle with caster sugar. Allow to cool slightly, then roll in the cinnamon sugar.

Eat immediately!

Recipe for Chanukah

Doughnuts!!


11

KEHILLA

PRAHAPrague

Friday 12th – Sunday 14th April 2013Spend an enchanted weekend in the magical city of Prague.

Walk through the cobbled streets of the old Jewish quarter with its legendary Golem, stroll across the Charles Bridge to Prague Castle and learn the history of Terezin. Led by Rabbi Aubrey HershAccompanied by Rabbi Yoni and Elisheva Birnbaum £445 + flights* (£100 single supplement)**Covers transport in Prague, food, accommodation, entrance fees and guides. For more information and to book a place please contact Rabbi Yoni Birnbaum t: 07905 964 207 e: [email protected] *flights are BA from LHR and should cost an average of £180. Price may vary depending on time booked

** prices subject to change

‘A magical city of Jewish heritage. ‘

Uni

ted

Syna

gogu

e R

egis

tere

d C

harit

y N

o. 2

4255

2

A trip for The Hadley Wood Jewish Community

KEHILLA The Hadley Wood Jewish Community magazine

12

Chesed / Awareness

New Member Experience

Having grown up in traditional Jewish families on the opposite sides of the world, both Aviva and James Carnell were keen to find an Orthodox shul where they could belong. Although James had grown up in the area, it was only when he returned some years later with his Australian wife and new baby, that he learnt about the Hadley Wood Jewish Community.

From their first meeting with Rabbi Yoni and Elisheva on Chanukah two years ago, the Carnell family knew they wanted to become members of this warm and inclusive community. ‘We really enjoy the intimate shul experience of the HWJC and there is a real warmth in the air. It is such a friendly and caring environment’.

At two years of age, Hudson is still too young to join the HWJC Cheder, but the family enjoy attending the special Smile Shabbat services and kiddish, as well as the young family events. We have met some really lovely people who we now see outside of shul. It has been a great way to meet young jewish families in the area.‘We feel very lucky to have discovered the HWJC and it has been a really important part of us settling into Hadley Wood. We look forward to our family growing with the shul.’

On 1 November we hosted a coffee morning at the Shul and invited all those who attended to share their vision of our new group.

Lengthy discussions took place and all of your ideas and thoughts have been taken on board.

Firstly, the group will from now on be known as ‘AWARENESS’. Our mission is to provide ‘care’ in its widest meaning.

AWARENESS has created a list of volunteers who have offered their services from baking a cake or cooking a meal, to help with shopping or visits at home or in hospital

Whether you have recently had the blessing of a new baby or unfortunately suffered a bereavement, or perhaps seek company or help in other ways, Hadley Wood Jewish Community AWARENESS cares for you.

In order for AWARENESS to reach out we need

each and everyone of you in our Community to make us aware of how we can show we care. You can either contact us directly or speak with Rabbi Yoni, who with your approval will speak with us in confidence.

Awareness

Hadley Wood Jewish Community

Cares for You

Rabbi Yoni Birnbaum 07905 964207Arlene 07852 351321Anne 07525 688494

Sharon 07802 968159


13

Medical MattersARTHRITIS

Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation in a joint. There are many different types of arthritis but the two most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is by far the most

common type of arthritis affecting an estimated 8.5 million people in the UK, and is the focus of this article.

Osteoarthritis

Causes:

There is no single cause of OA but several factors seem to be implicated.

Age - OA becomes more likely with increasing age and is relatively uncommon before the age of 40.

Genetics - there is often a strong family history but so far no particular gene has been identified.

Weight - being obese increases the risk of OA to the weight-bearing joints such as the hips and knees.

Injury - An injury to the joint such as a fracture, infection or an operation can contribute to development later on.

Effects

In healthy joints, the articular surface of the bone is covered by a smooth cartilage . In OA the cartilage becomes rough, brittle and weak and to compensate, the bone beneath thickens and spreads out to form knobbly outgrowths.The membrane around the joint thickens and the fluid-filled space within it becomes reduced. This causes the shape of the joint to change, resulting in pain and reduced movement and stiffness.

Symptoms

The symptoms vary widely from person to person and are particularly related to the joint or

joints involved. Sometimes there can be marked changes of OA on an x-ray with no symptoms and often the reverse, with severe pain and very little x-ray changes to be found. Commonly, there are symptoms of pain and stiffness, with localised swelling of the joint . Redness is not a typical feature and is more usual in the rheumatoid condition.

Treatment

There are a huge number of treatments available which broadly fall into two categories: pain relief and supportive aids. Pain relief usually starts with simple analgesics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and may progress to local joint injections and finally joint replacement. There are also a wide number of alternative medical treatments such as acupuncture and massage. The use of glucosamine and and chondroitin tablets are enormously popular, if largely unproven. Exercise, often in the form of physiotherapy, may be very helpful and weight loss in overweight patients is essential.

Prevention and lifestyle changes.

Looking after your joints may not prevent OA but should help to reduce the risk and minimize the effects.

Exercise ! - Regular exercise to keep the joints mobile and flexible is essential. Swimming, walking, pilates, cycling and yoga are all excellent choices. Exercise that strains the joints with excessive loading such as running and weight training are not!! Watch out you marathon runners and gym weight-training junkies!

Weight- Do not get fat!!

Dr Linda Joseph

This article was written by Dr Linda Joseph MB.BS. a general medical practitioner. The advice given is necessarily of a general nature and if you have concerns you should contact your own GP.


14

Just a few weeks ago, I returned home from a great trip to Turkey with my family in the Octo-ber half term.

When we first got there, we were overwhelmed by the heat, but it wasn’t just hot, it was humid and unpleasant. Secondly we’d lost my dad in the airport because he impatiently rushed off to try and get the car to quicken the process of getting to where we would be staying. But half an hour later, we were sitting outside the arriv-als door wondering where he’d be.

My mum was panicking, thinking he might have been nicked by the Taliban, yet myself and Jonny were sitting on our make-shift beds (the suitcases), appreciating the banter that was be-ing derived from this situation.

Another half an hour and now I’m thinking he’s in the back of a van with a bag over his head. Things were getting bad. So bad that as I paced up and down, over the airport tannoy I hear a Turkish woman ‘please could Mister Allarn Dayitz come to the information desk, terminal 1 , thank you’ .

When a child hears something like that about his father there’s two things one cannot help himself but do.

1. cringe in extreme embarrassment, and de-bate whether you are adopted and

2. break into fits of laughter that one cannot control at all.

Now at this point I see this glimmer of hope. A medium sized grey haired man breaks the hori-zon. Revelation unravels before me. Is this the man I’ve been looking for? For an hour now? Is this the one?

Turned out it was an Arab man named Farheed Akbar (he worked on the info desk and had a little name tag).

I went back to our makeshift home, because at this rate , a few bags and cardboard boxes would be our accommodation - which I wasn’t to fussed with. I’ve always wanted to appreci-ate the outdoors more - and I wouldn’t get cold, so it didn’t seem bad at all.

My mother’s patience had run dry and what little she had at the start had now completely gone, and she was going mad.

The best part was we met the man who was originally was going to show us to our car. What I do not get was this: as we came out of the terminal there was the guy, (we’ll call him Ahmed for this purpose) standing with ‘Allan Daitz’ on a plaque. Now I’m fully aware my dad is dyslexic, I see it every day, he gets the cats, Jonny and my names mixed up. Sometimes I’m Jonny, other times I’m Daisy; but the fact that he couldn’t recognise his own name was wholly beyond me.

Anyway from out the blue, here comes Dad strolling into the terminal and he has the au-dacity to say ‘where have you been, I’ve been waiting for you?’ And on that note, I sighed.

I remembered, you can’t pick your family

Gideon Daitz

Adventures at an Airport


15

Succot at Hadley Wood

Rabbi Yoni’s series of lectures on the big issues affecting Judaism and its apparent conflict with moderntity continued with a fascinating and emotional talk by Rabbi Yoni and Dr Linda Joseph on

the highly charged issues of abortion and euthanasia.

Linda began each subject speaking on the position as far as UK law is concerned, and current guidance from the medical profession. She is a practiisng GP , and consequently we gained some insight into the issues and practical difficulties that arise on a daily basis.

Rabbi Yoni explained the Halachic position, with references to religious sources, and then the two

speakers opened up to the subject to the audience.

We heard a number of heartfelt stories with both Rabbi Yoni and Linda interpreting the cases from their own professional perspectives, and a healthy discussion ensued.

It was evident that both speakers had put a great deal of time and effort into their presentations, for which they rightly received applause at the end.

For those of you who have not yet had the benefit of attending these talks, they appeal to all, from the academic who can enjoy the well sourced material that Rabbi Yoni prepares, to those with no prior knowledge who can learn so much from Rabbi Yoni’s attentive delivery.

Laurie Slavin

Yoni’s Big Issue


16

KEHILLA

Social and Personal

Births

Valerie & Mitchel Lenson on the birth of their first granddaughter Eva Joan. Proud parents are Catherine and Jonathan Lenson.

Barmitzvahs

David Brin on the occasion of his second Barmitzvah

Bonnie Brooks on the Barmitzvah of her grandson Elan Brooks

Jackie & Adam Bergman on the Barmitzvah of their son Ben

Engagement

Stuart & Janice Singer together with Sara & Ian Rosenthal on the engagement of Dani to Bradley

Suzanne & Syd Braham on the engagement of their son Dovid to Nina Robinson.

Condolences

Gary Moss on the loss of his mother Sadie Moss

Laura Gassner and Natalie Susman on the loss of their grandmother Mrs Mina Mandel

Warren Collins on the loss of his father

Second Night Seder in the CommunityVeronica and Martin Vincent and family have presented to the Shul a Yahrzeit Commemoration Board. This is in honour of their son Gary Anthony.

The board was installed in October and plaques are now available to members of the community for the yahrzeit of their loved ones.

Each plaque will be illuminated for the individuals’ yahrzeit month and for the days in the year when Yizkor is recited. The board has 88 commemorative plaques of which approximately 20% have been allocated. The plaques are large enough for one or two commemorations.

The one off donation is £225 for an individual name or £325 for two names. This includes the plaque and engraving. We enclose an application form and spaces will be allocated in order and on a first come, first served basis.

For more information contact Martin at:

[email protected]

Yahrzeit Commemoration Board


17

Executive Car Service

A Lot More Service for a Little Less Cost

- Airports - Business Trips-Weddings - Race Days

- Accounts Welcome- West End/City fo London

- Luxury 7 Seaters Available

020 8447 377758-60 Edward Road New Barnet EN4 8AZ

Accuro Logistics

Beauty Works by Victoriafull mobile services

spray tanningwaxing

Call Victoria on 07535 682277(locally based)

20% discount to all HWJC members

eyelashesall nail treatments including:

Biosculpture, Shellac and Minx Manicure

Hadley Wood StationCrescent WestHadley Wood

Herts EN4 0EJ

07790 184708020 8216 5610

The

Little Flower HouseCo

Flowers for all occasions

Whatever the occasion“The Little Flower House”

has the perfect floral gift for you

The All New HWJC Website

www.thehwjc.com


18

KEHILLA

Community ContactsRabbinical Lead Rabbi Fine 07930 380215 Rabbi Yoni Birnbaum 07905 964207

Chairman Mike Singer 020 8449 7289

Kiddush Sponsorship Phil Bennett 020 8440 3738

Financial Representative Robert Feld 020 8449 5946

Membership Secretary Michael Lazarus 01707 876867

Wardens Martin Vincent Allan Daitz 020 8441 0606

Shul Committee John Melchior David Allen 020 8440 5086

Education Jeff Feingold Rabbi Birnbaum 020 8449 9472

House Nadia Rihani Sandy Lester 020 8449 2203

Legal Representative Jeff Feingold 020 8449 9472

PR and Communication Laurie Slavin 020 8440 6700

Strategy Mitchel Lenson 020 8440 8109

Secretary Lis Melchior 020 8440 5086

Book Club Ghita Cohen 020 8440 2140

Culture and Entertainment Penny Kenton 07866 492182

Honorary Life Presidents Stephen Pack Cheryl Pack

Kehilla Magazine Editorial Board

Laurie Slavin 020 8440 6700Ghita Cohen 020 8440 2140Linda Slavin 020 8440 6700Nina Taylor 020 8449 0894Sylvia Weber 020 8441 5177Gideon Daitz

AWARENESS (Chesed)

Arelene Barc 07852 351321Anne Altman 07525 688494Sharon Pittal 07802 968159


19

KENETHPETERSCHARTERED SURVEYORS

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ADVISERS

www.keneth-peters.co.uk

020 8201 4999

Symal House, 423 Edgware Road, London NW9 0HU

Our aim is to help clients make the most of the opportunities available to them. We provide a wide

range of services to a diverse and sophisticated client base with clients of every size, from small start-ups to multinational public companies and from charities to

commodity dealers.

Our core services include corporate and personal taxation, audit and assurance, corporate finance,

forensic accounting and litigation support and business support services.

For more details please contact Robert Feld

131 Edgware Road London W2 2AP T: +44 (0)20-7402 7444 F: +44 (0)20-7402 8444

E: [email protected] www.bgm.co.uk

Registered to carry on audit work and regulated for a range of investment business activities by The Institute of Chartered

Accountants in England and Wales


Date post:	18-Jul-2020
Category:	Documents
Upload:	others
View:	2 times
Download:	0 times

The Hadley Wood Jewish Community magazine KEHILLA · for their hospitality and the work they put...

Documents