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HakolJanuary/February 2014 | Shevet/Adar 5774

www.tlse.org.uk

INSIDE THIS MONTH

Rabbi Pete is back and you’ll find his Rabbi’s Word on p2

The results of the High Holy Day Appeal are in and can be found on p7

There are some changes on the way for Hakol, take a look at p6 to find out more

Lawrence Shavick shares his memoirs with us on p16 -17

The KT group tell us all about their year on p10 -11.

KT will be leading the services on 24/25th January Daniel Cainer at TLSE

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T his is my first Rabbi’s word for some time because, as

you are probably aware, I was on sabbatical during October and November last year. I could use this as an opportunity to list the details of the two books I completed during those two months (well, the first drafts anyway) but I’ll save that for a future occasion, perhaps when they eventually make it to the publication stage…

I would rather focus on reasons for belonging to a synagogue – specifically The Liberal Synagogue Elstree. I suspect that for most Jews there are certain times of the year when they ask themselves serious questions about their synagogue membership. One is probably at the High Holydays, an occasion that seems to summon all Jews from wherever they might be in their lives to attend their place of worship. Another might be a Yahrzeit, the anniversary of the passing of a loved

one, an invitation to honour their memory in a sacred place by reciting Kaddish. And another occasion might be round about now: when a letter drops through the door inviting them to renew their membership subscription. It is this last occasion, I suspect, that forces members to ask the question at the top of this article.

It’s a tricky question. The answer might be that the synagogue has, at some point in the life of your family, provided a Jewish education for your children, hosted a bar-/ or bat-mitzvah ceremony or even been able to hold a marriage ceremony for them. Perhaps it offered you comfort or inspiration in a moment of need or doubt. Maybe it was able to provide practical support at a time of family bereavement – and of course, sorry to have to say it, at some point it will inevitably be there to offer that same service to all its members. But in this rational age, particularly one that is

coupled with austerity, these explanations do not, perhaps, provide sufficient indication of value for money – perhaps the most telling yardstick in our consumerist age.

So what is the value of belonging to this – or any synagogue? And why does it require what might seem to some to be expensive fees from its members to support it? The Liberal Synagogue Elstree is the proud owner of a building that needs to be maintained and heated. It provides religious education and services, overseen by a rabbi, delivered by several dedicated teachers and administered by a paid manager who also deals with a seemingly endless of requests and requirements of members, ranging from car parking to bat-mitzvah tutorials, hiring parts of the building to managing the

‘What has The Liberal Synagogue Elstree ever done for me?’

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caretakers (who are also paid) and keeping an eye on the boiler. The synagogue’s work is underpinned by teams of volunteers who ensure that the religious services are properly carried out, that elderly and infirm members who request the synagogue’s support are looked after, and that the synagogue’s finances are healthy and able to sustain its employees and its activities. This last task is the role of the synagogue Council and Executive, the latter comprising the Honorary Officers: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. They are synagogue members who voluntarily take on the role of being the synagogue’s Trustees – committing themselves to ensuring the financial well-being of the synagogue as well as overseeing its various functions.

In the current materially-oriented climate of financial difficulty, it’s tempting to look at any organisation that demands money from us and ask if it is providing value for what we are paying it. Some organisations or companies provide essential services – like electricity or telecommunications. Others offer protection,

and everyone has a number of insurance policies to protect them in case of accident or misfortune. Some institutions to which we choose to pay money offer us possibilities that we might choose to take up or to decline – membership of a golf club or a gym, for example.

In which of these categories does a synagogue belong? Compelling arguments could be made to place it in each of those three categories. I think there is also a fourth category, one that takes membership of a synagogue beyond the narrow realm of financial reality. A synagogue represents and somehow encapsulates four thousand years of Jewish tradition and heritage. Belonging to a synagogue isn’t just about benefiting from its services, whatever they might be – or at least it shouldn’t be. It should represent a recognition of Judaism’s proud and rich history and a commitment to its future. Such things are not quantifiable, and certainly cannot be defined in simplistic assessments of whether or not they provide ‘value for money’.

But the question remains. The synagogue needs

regular income from its members to sustain it, its employees, its activities, its relationship with its – and our – Jewish past and its commitment to a Jewish future. How can this income be procured in a way that does not impoverish its members or threaten the synagogue’s future existence. This is a question with which synagogue Councils have wrestled through the ages. The Liberal Synagogue Elstree is no different from any other synagogue. But we would like our members’ input to this challenging situation. There will be a special open meeting on SUNDAY 9TH FEBRUARY at 2.00 pm to discuss the financial future of the synagogue. There will also be an opportunity on that afternoon for individual members to meet with synagogue officers and discuss IN STRICT CONFIDENCE their personal financial concerns vis-à-vis the synagogue.

Please put the date in your diary and we look forward to seeing you on February 9th to help us answer the question of what The Liberal Synagogue has done for you – and how it can continue to do so.

Rabbi Pete Tobias

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Religion SchoolThe Religion School is going to be completely revolutionised starting in March

2014! We’ll be introducing some of the proposed changes in the coming weeks, so

watch out for some new ideas...

The Religion School will meet on the following dates in January & February:

Sunday 19th Jan 10.00 am – 12.15 pm Religion School

Sunday 26th 10.00 am – 12.15 pm Religion School

Sunday 2nd Feb 10.00 am – 12.15 pm Religion School

Sunday 9th 10.00 am – 12.15 pm Religion School

Sunday 16th No Religion School - half term

Sunday 23rd No Religion School - half term

And Religion School will conclude at 12.15 pm with that brilliant

service to end the morning!

Bar-/Bat-Mitzvah ClassThe bar-/bat-mitzvah class, with its new look Friday night special (details

elsewhere in Hakol) will meet on the following dates in January & February

Friday 17th January 6.30 - 8.00 pm

Saturday 1st February 9.30 – 10.45 am

Friday 21st February 6.30 - 8.00 pm

Kabbalat TorahAs you will read elsewhere in Hakol, The Kabbalat Torah service for the 2013 group

is taking place on Saturday 25th January. Potential members of the 2014 KT group

will be there and their course will begin in February - dates tbc.

Adult Education

There will be meetings to consider the future of adult education at TLSE on

Thursday 23rd January. These will be at the shul at 11.00am and 7.45pm and will

last around an hour (they’ll include some study!)

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A new style Friday night at TLSEWelcoming Shabbat at TLSE always seems more fun when there is food involved! The third Friday of every month will now be very different!

It’ll start at 6.30pm with a meeting of the bar-/bat-mitzvah class. Then the class will sit down to a Shabbat service and dinner with their families and anyone else who wants to join us at 7.15pm. Food will be provided.

Then at 8.00pm there will be activities for the young people, run by our excellent youth leaders. Rabbi Pete will lead a discussion with the parents and any other adults who are there. It will all finish around 8.45pm. It starts on Friday 17th January, and will then happen on 21st February and 21st March. Look forward to seeing you there!

New-Look Religion School Starting In March 2014The synagogue is currently reviewing the activities and programmes it provides for all its children up at the age of 12.

First in line for a revamp is the weekly Sunday Religion School. Starting after half-term, in March 2014, there will be a different format to Sunday mornings at TLSE. Starting at 10.00am there will be Hebrew for anyone and everyone, including adults! Lots of willing teachers and helpers will be there to offer guidance and instruction, whatever your Hebrew level may be.

Then, after a break for refreshments, there will be activities connected with a particular Jewish theme on offer for different age groups. One week there might be music, drama or painting, another week it could be cookery or a film. There will always be the option to carry on studying Hebrew (especially useful for those coming up to bar- or bat-mitzvah) and an adult discussion or study group. Sometimes LJY-Netzer will come in and run one of their great activities!

Sunday mornings will end, as always, with our brilliant service from 1215-1230.

We’re looking for creative ideas for the 1100 sessions and people to run them. Please come to the meeting that’s being held at the shul on Tuesday 21st January at 8.15pm and share your ideas with us!

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Sun 19th 10:00 Religion School

Sun 19th 12:45 KT group

Tues 21st 10:00 Pilates

Tues 21st 20:15 Religion School parents’ meeting

Thurs 23rd 11:00 Adult Education discussion

Thurs 23rd 19:45 Adult Education discussion

Thurs 23rd 18:30 Business Networking meeting

Fri 24th 20:00 Erev Shabbat service led by KT group

Sat 25th 10:00 Tots’ service

Sat 25th 11:00 Shabbat morning service led by KT group

Sun 26th 10:00 Religion School

Mon 27th National Holocaust Memorial Day

Tues 28th 10:00 Pilates

Tues 28th 13:00 Lunch Club

Fri 31st 18:30 Erev Shabbat service

Sat 1st 9.30 Bar/Bat-Mitzvah class

Sat 1st 11:00 Shabbat morning service & special Kiddush for Ronnie Davis

Sun 2nd 10:00 Religion School

Tues 4th 10:00 Pilates

Wed 5th 20:00 Council meeting

Fri 7th 18:00 Kabbalat Shabbat supper

Sat 8th 9:45 Singing Group practice

Sat 8th 11:00 Shabbat morning service & Bar-Mitzvah of Oliver Mendelsohn

Sun 9th 10:00 Religion School

Sun 9th 14:00 Finance meeting

Tues 11th 10:00 Pilates

Fri 14th 17:45 Tots’ service

Fri 14th 18:30 Erev Shabbat service

Sat 15th 11:00 Shabbat morning service

Fri 21st 18:30 Bar/Bat-Mitzvah class

Fri 21st 19:15 Erev Shabbat service & activities

Sat 22nd 10:00 Tots’ service

Sat 22nd 11:00 Shabbat morning service & Bat-Mitzvah of Dorothy Scott

Tues 25th 13:00 Lunch Club

Fri 28th 18:30 Erev Shabbat service

Diary | January-February 2014

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Changes to HakolThe Council have been concerned that the numbers of hits to the online version of Hakol suggest that only a small proportion of the membership are reading it.

They have therefore decided to switch back to sending Hakol by snail mail. To keep costs down however, Hakol will now change to being published bi-monthly. The next edition will cover March and April. You will still receive your weekly bulletin on line, which will contain the most up to date information. ED

Paying too much for Medical Insurance? We provide independent advice to obtain the most suitable policy for you at the most competitive premium.

Glen Sinclair

The final figures for the HHD appeal: £8,879 received in total, of which specifically chosen by members were £2,511 for Jewish Womens Aid, £1,769 to Keren B’kavod and £2,059 to Cherry Lodge Cancer Care. At the time of writing, the remaining £2,530 will be allocated to the three charities at the Council’s discretion. Gift Aid recoverable has been estimated at £1,700 and will be put in the Tzedek Fund from which Council will donate to emergency appeals each month. Sue Woolf

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Joshua Alpert, Alessia Bernstein, Louis Hochenberg, Joel Jaffe, Zach Jaffe, Jacob Levy, Casey Levy, Zoe Marcus, Oliver Mendelsohn, India Mizelas-Hall, Katie Smullen, Molly Wingate, Jamie Berger, Fabian Brady, Aaron Carmel, Florence de la Cour, Tom Dousie, Brayden Fifer, Jasper Jobling, Maisie Kent, Penny Ram, Violet Saunders.

Happy Birthday to...

Oliver Mendelsohn for his Bar-Mitzvah on Saturday 8th February

Dorothy Scott for her (adult) Bat-Mitzvah on Saturday 22nd February.

Mazel Tov to...

Deadline for next double edition of Hakol will be Wednesday 19th Feb

The Jews of St Albans.Standing room only with more than twenty people turned away. That was the situation at the talk at the Verulamium Museum on 5th December. There were lots of compliments from the audience, Jewish and non-Jewish, following the presentation, which included information about the wider historical context, a virtual walk around the local Jewish businesses since the end of the nineteenth century, and reminiscences from Jewish people with long local connections. There was something of a simcha atmosphere as some of us caught up with friends we hadn’t seen for many years but the best thing about the project was the spirit of co-operation between all members of the local community across the religious spectrum.

There is likely to be a repeat presentation inviting all the local synagogues in 2014.

Do take the opportunity to attend.

Tina Shaw

Presenters

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SATURDAYS SUNDAYS

Sat 18 Jan Mike Rebak; Sun 19 Jan David Deutsch

David Jackson Simon Emmett

Sat 25 Jan Mike Woodcock Sun 26 Jan Mark Saunders

Tony Scott Norman Bob Batley

Paul Feldman

Sat 1 Feb Leigh Renak Sun 2 Feb Greg Greene

Mike Reibsheid Roger Cavendish

Jennifer Bradshaw

Sat 8 Feb Stephen Mizelas Sun 9 Feb Marc Grant

Sam Constantinescu Tim Cook

Nick Belkin

Sat 15 Feb Alex Kossoff Sun 16 Feb No Religion School

Malcolm Kirsch

Ben Wolpe

Sat 22 Feb Marcus Smullen Sun 23 Feb No Religion School

Nick Wingate

Nick Pannaman

Security Rota | January - February 2014

Date: Saturday 15 February Meet at: 64 Aldenham Ave, Radlett

Time: Meet 2 for 2.15.Leaders: Nancy Shavick

Mobile: 07872 983720Tea on offer after the walk.

Calling members and friends of the

OXFORD & ST GEORGES CLUBS

We are planning a celebration of the Club's centenary in 2014

Please register your interest - with no commitment - by going to our

website: www.ostg100.co.uk

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My name is Ryan and I am 14 years old. Throughout the KT experience I have enjoyed working with Pete and other KT members to evaluate and explore ideas and stories relating to specific people involved in world war 2, we took personal stories, and I found that a lot more interesting and capturing than just hearing the statistics at school, I feel like I learned a lot and have a different perspective on just how devastating the war was. My favourite part about KT would have to be the trip to berlin! It was interesting, educational and fun although we didn’t have any strange stories like previous years! I have enjoyed KT and recommend it to the next year of bar and bat mitzvah students!

Hi I’m Stefan Brady and I’m 15 years old. I joined KT not really knowing what to expect but with the hope of learning more about my Jewish heritage. Throughout the course of KT I’ve learned a significant amount of WW2. My highlight of the course would certainly have to be the unforgettable and unique trip to Berlin, in which I came across facts. history of Jews in German in WW2 and the unforgettable Currywurst. But none of this would have been possible without the help of Rabbi Pete and Rebecca.

Hi, my name is Jonah and I’m 14 years old. I’m extremely glad I had decided to take KT. It’s been an extremely enlightening experience that’s taught me so many new things about my Jewish heritage and how tough life was in Eastern Europe for the Jews. The KT sessions were very enjoyable and I extremely recommend it to anyone having recently had their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The Berlin trip was also an incredible experience and I want to thank Pete and Rebecca for managing to put up with us the whole time! I found running through the Memorial blocks and playing hide and seek, whilst it was raining, extremely fun, and I’m pretty sure we all still have our souvenirs from the 5 shopping spree!

My name is Robin I am 14 years old I have chosen to take part in KT to delve deeper into my Jewish heritage as well as discover new things about how Judaism has developed to become the religion we know today. The Berlin trip was a trip to remember and I shared some great times with my friends.

Hi, my name is Lauren Bennett, I’m 15 years old. I joined KT not only to learn more about my ancestors, but to meet and talk to people I would have never spoken to on a daily basis. The best part of my experience was the Berlin trip because it was fun, educational and an amazing experience. I’ve learned a lot over the past year about myself and the Jewish people. I want to thank Pete and Rebecca for making this experience unforgettable.

KT 2013January 24th 6.30pmJanuary 25th 11.00am

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I’m Zak and and I’m 14. I’ve enjoyed my year in KT and it’s been a great opportunity to spend time with my friends and learning more about my religion. It was fascinating learning about our ancestry and how the generations before us went thought terrible suffering so that we can be where we are today. My funniest memory of the year was Stefan eating a full can of German pickled vegetables for a bet on the Berlin trip and the fun me and Robin had with a can of Capri-sun.

My cousin recommended me to join the KT group as she had enjoyed it when she had taken part some years ago. My favourite experience was the trip to Berlin as we learnt even more about our religion including learning more about The Holocaust. My most memorable moment was when Taryn climbed into a locker where we had kept our luggage. We all found it amusing. Thank you Pete for the experience as you always make it fun as well as interesting. Jacob Cavendish, 14.

My name is Jack Walton, and in 2013-2014 I attended Kabbalat Torah at TLSE. It was an interesting and thought provoking experience. It was fun and I learnt a lot about Jews in the Holocaust. My favourite part was the Berlin trip, it was sobering to read about stories of the Holocaust in the museums but I also had a really enjoyable time. I also enjoyed going to the synagogue, it gave me an idea about what life was like to live in Germany during the 1930s as a Jew. It was also interesting to see the Berlin Wall which I also enjoyed.

Hi, my name is Taryn Peltz and I am 14, I have taken part in KT 2013. The most interesting part of KT was the Berlin trip because having lived in Germany it was very interesting seeing Berlin in different perspective, KT has been a very memorable experience and it is something that will be very difficult to forget.

Thanks are also due to Susanna Fantoni who assisted with the teaching of this year’s KT group and to Mike Walton who taught during Rabbi Pete’s sabbatical. Our synagogue manager, Rebecca Davey, has also played a major part, both in Berlin and in preparing the KT group for their services.

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Services for January - February 2014Fri 24th Jan 8 pm Erev Shabbat service led by KTSat 25th Jan 10 am Tots’ serviceSat 25th Jan 11 am Shabbat morning service & birthday blessings KT booklet; Gen 19, 15-29; Kindertransport storiesCouncil Rep: Nick Belkin Theme: KT theme

Fri 31st Jan 6.30 pm Erev Shabbat serviceSat 1st Feb 11 am Shabbat morning service 5 & Ronnie Davis birthday blessing. Gen 20, 1-18; Babylonian Talmud Bava Kamma 97aCouncil Rep: Ginny Jaffe Theme: Growing old

Fri 7th Feb 6.30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat supperSat 8th Feb 11 am Shabbat morning service1 & Bar-Mitzvah of Oliver Mendelsohn. Gen 21, 1-21; Jeremiah 31, 27-34Council Rep: Jason Levy & Lizzie Rabin Theme: Covenant

Fri 14th Feb 5.45 pm Tots’ serviceFri 14th Feb 6.30 pm Erev Shabbat serviceSat 15th Feb 11 am Shabbat morning service 2 Gen 21, 22-34; Midrashim on AbimelechCouncil Rep: Davina Bennett Theme: Righteousness

Fri 21st Feb 7.15 pm Erev Shabbat serviceSat 22nd Feb 10 am Tots’ serviceSat 22nd Feb 11 am Shabbat morning service 3 & Bat-Mitzvah of Dorothy Scott. Gen 22, 1-13; Jeremiah 7, 30-34, 33, 1--11Council Rep: Lizzie Rabin Theme: Children

Fri 28th Feb 6.30 pm Erev Shabbat service

There will be a special open meeting on SUNDAY 9TH FEBRUARY at 2.00 pm to discuss the financial future of the synagogue. There will also be an opportunity on that afternoon for individual members to meet with synagogue officers and discuss IN STRICT CONFIDENCE their personal financial concerns vis-à-vis the synagogue.

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A-B Barbara Merton 020 8953 1369

C-F Leone Samson 07702 349350

G-I Carol Hurst 020 8950 1862

J-M Estelle Leigh 020 8954 9569

N-Q Peter Merton 020 8953 1369

R-S Rita Golding 020 8953 4439

T-Z Judy Westley 01582 468100

Nicky Leigh 07788 751275

We are sorry to report the death of Lilian Hellerman, who in the past was a valued Care and Welfare Committee member. We offer our sincere condolences to her family.

We are sorry to report the death of Luke Lacey after a long illness, and extend our sincere condolences to his wife Lisa and family.

We are very grateful to Sylvia Green for her kind donation to Care and Welfare funds.

The family of Ronnie Davis, together with the Synagogue Council and Care & Welfare Committee, are delighted to announce a celebratory kiddush after the service on Saturday 1st February to mark his 90th birthday.

Ronnie and late wife Betty were founder members and former Presidents of our synagogue. He was our first choirmaster for many years and Betty set up the Care & Welfare Committee. Her influence and legacy live on to this day.

We wish Ronnie a big Mazeltov and a very happy birthday!

Home Safety MenuStarter - Your VehicleValuables: Never leave valuables in your vehicle or on display.

Keys: Never leave your keys in the ignition, even if it is parked outside your house, on your drive or in the garage

Security: Close all the windows use a steering lock and ensure all doors are locked.

Parking: Park in well lit areas or in an attended car park

Drinking: DON’T drink and drive – for any reason

Cont on page 16

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Early Memories By Lawrence Shavick

I was seven when WWII started in 1939. In September 1939 all the children in my school were evacuated without their parents. I still vividly remember carrying my gas mask in a small cardboard box and being put on a train with

all the other children. We ended up in the village hall in a small village called Long Sutton in the middle of Lincolnshire where we waited while local people came and selected the children they were willing to take in to their homes. Eventually there were just three of us left and an elderly spinster lady, Miss Ward, came and took all three of us to her home. I must have been very confused and unhappy at that time but what I can remember clearly is the fun we had as children riding on top of a cart full of hay at harvest time. We were living in a small cottage attached to a tiny smallholding that included an apple orchard and I was able to sample home made apple dumplings for the first time. I didn’t see my parents for many months and when they eventually came to see me they somehow looked the same but different.

That was the period known as ‘the phony war’ when nothing much happened in London so I was able to go back home. However, during 1940 the Germans started

Main Course – Your HomeWindows and doors: Ensure windows and doors are locked and the keys out of reach

Keys & handbags: Never leave keys and handbags near the front door or downstairs at night

Alarms & lights: If you have an intruder alarm make sure it is on when you leave. Test your fire alarm once a week.

Home or away: Ensure your property looks occupied even if you are only out for the day. Ask neighbours to keep an eye on your property, cancel milk and newspapers and consider using automatic timers for lights.

Visitors or guests: Do not open the door unless you know who it is or have seen appropriate identification.

Desert – Your PropertyMarking: Use an ultra violet pen to mark all your property with your postcode and house number

Bicycles: Keep bicycles locked up

Cash & Cards: Never carry large amounts of cash and keep your PIN’s confidential.

Spare keys: Never leave spare keys in the vicinity of your home, like under a plant pot, loose brick or mat – this is the first place burglars look!

Sheds & equipment: Lock your shed and ensure all equipment like ladders and gardening items are locked away or secured.

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bombing London (The Blitz) and I was again sent away, this time to Letchworth to live with a family consisting of a mother and three daughters. The father was a soldier fighting abroad so I became the practical man in the house and had to mend things that got broken. Although I don’t remember it very well I think I was spoiled being the only boy in a houseful of women. When The Blitz subsided I came back to London again only to be evacuated a third time, but this time with my mother, to Oxford. I remember this as being uncomfortable because the family we were with didn’t really want us there and eventually asked us to leave. On one occasion I had complained about the food and they used this as their excuse.

We came back to London, but not for very long because Germany launched V1 flying bombs which were literally pilotless robots which had engines that cut out automatically after a pre-determined time. They were ramjets which had a particularly throaty roar and you could hear them coming from a long way away. You would listen to the sound which hopefully would pass overhead, however, if the engine stopped you knew the bomb was in a dive and could land anywhere nearby. I heard that engine sound stop many times.

So, I was evacuated yet again, this time back to Letchworth. At first I was staying with another family, related to the first one, but later on my mother came and we lived in a flat. My father came to stay with us at weekends. This was a much happier time because I was growing up in the countryside, but I do remember being bullied at school. There was one boy in particular who used to punch me but I never did know why.

I finally came back to London towards the end of the war but then the V2 rockets came which arrived without any warning and caused a huge explosion. I remember lying in bed one Sunday morning when suddenly there was a huge bang and the windows blew in. For this reason my parents and I used to sleep in the Underground on bunks that had been fitted (or on the floor) every night. We did this till the end of the war. The rockets stopped only when the British and the Americans invaded Germany.

I hope this gives you some taste of what it was like to be a small boy during the war.

( Lawrence says he has no specific memories of the fact that he was Jewish affecting his experiences. Has anyone else got early memories to share? ED).

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Chanukkah at TLSE

Tots’ Service