shofar april 2013
DESCRIPTION
Shofar April 2013 EditionTRANSCRIPT
April 2013
Shofarthe magazine of finchley progressive synagogue
פר שו
Memories & Visions - FPS at 60
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As I write, the snow is falling and it’s hard to believe
Spring is around the corner. Hopefully, by the time
you’re reading this it will be nice and warm, and we’ll
have fresh memories from lovely seders and our popular
outdoor Pesach service – ‘Crossing the Brook’- which
takes place on Pesach day 7 (Monday 1 April).
This Shofar is brimming with memories we hold
close, and hopes and plans for the future. We look
forward to our Civic service, when we celebrate our 60th anniversary with our
many guests. We’ll have memories from six decades to share, with a planned
exhibition of photos and articles. Yom HaShoah and our Czech scroll service
will remind us that memory is not an optional luxury but core central to
survival; the precious seed from which the future grows. Join us also for our Yom
Ha’atzmaut services on April 12/13.
Shofar also celebrates more recent memories from another successful Purim
Spiel and a fabulous Weekend Away. Shofar is taking a break in May, so wishing
you all a blooming Spring full of memories and visions!
From the Editorpat lehner
Join the Council to welcome our local MPs, the Mayor of Barnet and Councillors to a formal – yet musical – service where we will
mark our anniversary and dedicate ourselves to the future.
Please let the office know if you are attending as a Kiddush lunch will be provided.The Car Park will be reserved for guests and Blue badge holders. Please come on foot or by public transport.
We are trying to get the CPZ restrictions changed to enable our congregants to park in the nearby streets on a Saturday morning.
Civic Service saturday 20 april at 11.00am
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rabbi rebecca qassim birk
One might expect a rabbi to be open to
sociable activities. Being part of community
is in my blood and I’ve been known to
shepherd our children, as if they were a small
congregation. But communal living? Weekends
away with communities can be fine, enjoyable
even, but our FPS weekend away planned and
led by Alex Kinchin Smith and Josie Kinchin and
their team was superb. If there was an option
for us to move in together as a community I
might take it. One evaluation form suggested;
‘Why stop at a weekend? Why not a week
away?’
Even I, who was looking forward to it, was
pleasantly surprised by the warmth, energy
and openness at the weekend and it’s a tribute
to our community that we foster it inside our
building and even when we are away from
it. In the Book of Exodus as the Mishkan, the
tabernacle, is being built God promises, If
the Israelites build me a mishkan I will dwell
amongst them. Not within it, but amongst
them. This has always struck me. It’s not the
building that is the sacred space. It’s the people
inside it. Ultimately a community is just that;
a group of people who pledge to work, live
(sometimes), eat, pray and learn together for
a shared purpose. One of our Vice Presidents
Sheila King Lassman once told me, “that is
what community is; people seeking connection
to each other. And that is what is most
meaningful to me”. That does not come with no
effort. We give of our time, energy and interest
to interact in that way , and the fruits can be
impressive.
So I echo Laura’s appreciation of all who
work so hard in this synagogue. Those of you
who channel the pleasure you receive right back
into the initiatives we offer. At a Membership
meeting at my home this week I was struck by
relatively new members enthusing about their
experience at FPS and wanting to share that
with others. I hope we continue to look after
each other, to see our role as a force for good
in the wider local community and be a place
for happy and positive memories for all of us
involved.
May the door of this synagogue be wide
enough to receive all who hunger for love,
all who are lonely for fellowship.
May the door of this synagogue be narrow
enough to shut out pettiness and pride, envy
and enmity.
May its threshold be no stumbling block to
young or straying feet.
May it be too high to admit complacency,
selfishness, and harshness.
May this synagogue be, for all who enter, the
doorway to a richer and more meaningful life.
The New Mahzor, Prayer Book Press, 1998.
From the Rabbi
There is so much
happening at FPS
and so many people
involved in making
things happen that
I wanted to use my
Shofar piece to say
a huge thank you to all volunteers. There have
been two major community events which were
incorporated into the sixtieth celebrations and
which you can see in this edition of Shofar.
Coming up we have the Civic Service, the
Founders Tea and the Concert for a Summer
Evening. Each one is organised and supported
by a team of volunteers as is so much that
we offer here. Alongside the special events,
volunteers enable regular activities to take
place and new task groups are evolving all the
time. It is an ideal way to become part of the
community, making connections with others,
laying the foundations for new friendships,
supporting those in need such as the Homeless
Shelter, providing role models for our young
people and sharing the fruits of ones labours.
We are currently reviewing our
communications: how to keep all our members
informed, share what’s happening and enable
you to get the information you need when
you want it. We also want our publications
and website to reach out to potential new
members and people who want to know about
Liberal Judaism in this neck of the woods. We
need to make the most of the communication
channels that are available to us and ensure
effort is evenly spread for print and online
delivery. Over the coming months a team will
be considering how to integrate Shofar, the
website, the calendar, the Shabbat flyer and the
weekly email. This has been on the to-do list for
a while but we are finally getting to grips with
it. If you would like to participate in this review
and are able to help in one of the areas please
let me know. We do not have unlimited funds
and, as a charity, it is important that we use
them to greatest effect. In May, you will receive
a newsletter for the month rather than Shofar
by email or in the post if you are not online. The
communications team will be pleased to receive
any views on what how you would like to see us
proceed.
Yom Ha’atzmaut – Israel is 60!
To celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut there will be an Israeli themed Kiddush/party immediately following the Erev Shabbat Service on Friday 12 April. Rikud will be
dancing and all are welcome and invited to contribute food with an Israeli theme. Why not come dressed in blue and white to add to the celebration.
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laura lassman
From the Chair
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60th Anniversary
have had to raise £60,000 for their new home!
The next photo shows Monty Levy’s son
Dick Levy laying the stone for the extension
that houses most of the Ivriah classrooms.
I can’t think of a better way to illustrate
the ‘foundations’ of our synagogue – the
relationships of families and friends who come
together here over many years – and often
spanning generations.
building on strong foundations
These are just some of the enormous amount
of photos of the FPS archive. The newspaper
clipping is from the Finchley Press, April 19th
1962 and shows the laying of the foundation
stone of our synagogue by Monty Levy, then
synagogue president. At that time FPS is still
called the Finchley Jewish Liberal Congregation,
and the paper notes that the community will
founders teasunday 12 may 2013
We will be welcoming old friends,relatives of founder members and celebrating our origins
with an exhibition of memories
If you would like an invitation, please email [email protected]
or call Angela on 020 8446 4063
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Finchley Progressive Synagogue 54 Hutton Grove, London N12 8DR email: [email protected]
FRANKLYN GELLNICK DEAN STAKER
CANTOR GERSHON SILINS melodies from Jewish prayer, life cycle and entertainment
Tickets £15 each; Concessions: £7.50Group booking: 10 tickets: £100
Includes refreshments
saturday 6 april
10.00am Reflective Breakfast with Rabbi
Rebecca and guests, “Memories of Survival”
followed by
11.00am Yom HaShoah and Czech Scroll service Our guest speaker will be Neil Pike from
Nottingham Progressive Synagogue and we will
honour our scrolls and our loved ones. This year
Sofer Rabbi Ron Berry has been attending to our
Czech Scrolls and will continue to work on them
over the coming months. Our own Diana King
will share her story of Kindertransport with the
congregation as well.
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Beit Tefillahservices at fps
Monday 1 April Crossing the Brook
Outdoor Pesach service
Friday 5 April Kabbalat Shabbat service
Saturday 6 April 10.00am Reflective breakfast
11.00am Yom HaShoah
& Czech Scroll service
Friday 12 April Yom Ha’atzmaut Kabbalat Shabbat
Saturday 13 April Breakfast Shiur
& Shabbat morning service
Friday 19 April Shabbat Resouled
Saturday 20 April Shabbat Civic service
Friday 26 April Kabbalat Shabbat service
Saturday 27 April Shabbat morning service
services - april
fps breakfast shiur
Please note change of date:
Saturday 13 April – 8.45amSwimming in St Paul’s Cathedral / Alan EreiraThe top of St Paul’s Cathedral stands 67m above
sea level. It has been calculated that when
the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets finish
melting, that is exactly where the sea will be.
What else is going to happen? How will this
affect the Northern Line? And are we really
meant to take this seriously?
congratulations & mazal tov
Melanie Coleby & family on her Bat Mitzvah
Many members are celebrating important
life milestones by hosting and accepting a
mitzvah at a Shabbat service. If you have a
celebration you would like to share with the
community please contact the office.
our sincerest condolences
To the family of Tina Glass, long-time FPS
member.
And to Dan Luxon and family on the death
of his mother
We wish the families long life.
a warm welcome to new members
Melvyn Newman & CA Cranston
David & Janey Ching Lan Wayne
yahrzeit list
There is an FPS Yahrzeit list from which we
remind those who would like a Yahrzeit to be
announced, that the date is coming up.
If you do want to be reminded please provide
the office with: Name of the Honoree, Date of
Yahrzeit (Hebrew or secular depending which
date is to be observed), Name of Observer/s
winners of 50/50 february draw were:
1st Wika Dorosz £30
2nd Corinne Openheimer £20
3rd Joseph Hydes £15
winners of 50/50 march draw were:
1st Ann Pellham £30
2nd Asher Jacobsberg £20
3rd Jessica Lichtenstern £15
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Beit Knessetwhat’s happening at fps
cafe thursday
Thursdays @12.45pmApril 4 | Lunch, poetry & prose readingApril 11 | Lunch & musical interludeApril 18 | Café Thursday marks Israel Independence DayApril 25 | Café Thursday goes Spanish – bring your castanets!£6, for details contact Nicky Marzell via the
synagogue office
yoga
Mondays @7.oopmTuesdays @7.30pm Contact Richard on 020 8349 9602
film club
Sunday 7 April @7.30pm, ‘Mr Hulot’s Holiday’. For details please see page 11.
people
book club
Wednesday 10 April @8.00pm. For details
please see page 11.
bridge group
Mondays @7.45 / £3, contact Gunter Lawson
on 020 8346 5208
rosh chodesh group
Celebration of the new moon by women
gathering for learning and spiritual exploration
(Over a glass of wine)
Rosh Chodesh Iyyar: Thursday 11 April - ‘Jewish women writers’ (two short stories will
be scanned and emailed to you in good time)
Rosh Chodesh Sivan: Thursday 9 May - ‘Can we have it all?’ Rosh Chodesh Tamuz: Monday 10 June - ‘Women and power’
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pilates at fps
We have re-started a weekly Pilates class with
professional Pilates trainer Tali Swart. Tali is
a specialist of the lower back but covers all
aspects of Pilates and will tailor exercises to
suit each individual. The classes take place on
Thursday evening 6.30-7.15pm, before the Beit
Midrash discussion. The cost is £10 per session,
payable half-termly in advance, but this will go
down if more members join. If you would like
to join the class or have any queries, contact
Adrian Lister [email protected]
or 07966 222953 (evenings preferred).
cafe ivriah
Shabbat mornings, from 9.30amAn informal lively discussion over
coffee for Ivriah parents & others
Beit Midrashlearning at fps
adult study
Thursday evenings from 7:30pm – Adult studyApril 18 & 25 “Germany in the Thirties - Through the words of Rabbi Israel Mattuck”Report of one who left Germany (April 1933);
What a Year of Hitlerism has taught the Jews
and the World (April 1934); The moral crisis in
Europe (January 1936)
presented by Rabbi Danny Rich and others £5 donation/session
coming in may “The Moral Maze”, starting May 2
Hebrew / Delving into Judaism: A Course to Refresh and Illuminate Judaism
a museum visit: kitajJoin us for an outing to the Jewish Museum to
the exhibition of paintings by Jewish artist R.B.
Kitaj. Arranged under the auspices of Rabbi
Rebecca’s Wednesday Lunch and Learn sessions,
all are welcome to come along as together we
search out the artist’s personal expression of
ethnic Judaism.
Many will remember the enormously enjoyable
session with Sara Dibb at the National
Gallery—see the cover of the February issue of
Shofar—to study portraits of Jewish women by
famous artists. It is hoped that Sara Dibb will
again be able to lead this group and enhance
understanding and appreciation of the works in
the exhibition.
The event will take place on Wednesday, 8 May, at 10.30 am. The group will meet in the
lobby of the Jewish Museum (Camden Town).
Please let the office know if you are coming so
that we can make arrangements for a group
discounted entry of £6 for an adult or £5 for
concession. Otherwise the admission ticket
is £7.50 for adults or £6.50 for concessions.
Admission is free with Art Pass. Don’t miss this
exciting event!
Dear FPS.I was actually in town in late December (as an
avid Limmudnik), and while at conference, I was
so pleased to see Stanley Volk; we crossed paths
often at the late night kumsitz (singalongs).
I did get to enjoy the home hospitality of
Beverley and David Aarons, and went to Friday
night services at FPS, following Limmud. It was
a lovely service led by Student Rabbi Rene, and
I did manage to see a few familiar FPS faces at
the service. Unfortunately, I had to race out
after services, as I was expected in Muswell Hill
for dinner so I couldn’t socialize and shmooze
as much as I’d have liked. What I did get to see
and experience though, was the vibrancy of the
community, enjoying the music of Dean and
Beverley, and the general camaraderie. I also
was able to see some of the classrooms (proudly
shared by Josh Hamerton!) and am so pleased
to see such creativity continue.
As much as I miss London and the
communities in which I worked, I do have to
admit that I’m glad I’m back in the States.
I returned so that I could be closer to my
family, and the timing was good: my mom
was diagnosed with acute leukaemia in early
March. I live 3.5 hours away, so I was spending
weekends with her, whilst one of my sisters
(who lives an hour away from her) came in
several times a week to take her to doctor’s
appointments, etc. My youngest sister lives 8
hours away and comes up once a month for a
week. It’s been a unique (not recommended!)
bonding experience for us and I know it would
have been impossible for me to deal with it all if
continued on page 14
letter from america
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Arts at FPS
The Film Club celebrates the 60th anniversary
of the founding of FPS with five outstanding
five star films from the year 1953---everyone
a masterpiece of cinema history and each
one different from the others. After ‘Roman
Holiday’in March we continue our season with
7 April | Mr Hulot’s Holiday with Jacque Tati.
Last year everyone was raving about the French
silent film, The Artist. It seems that all had
forgotten about the previous French silent film
of equal brilliance from 1953. Without saying a
word, Tati will have you going from one laugh
the screen on the grove
to another. And you don’t even need subtitles.
5 May | Lili with Leslie Caron and Mel Ferrer.
This charming film stars Leslie Caron as a
touchingly naïve French girl, whose emotional
relationship with a carnival puppeteer is
conducted through the medium of his puppets.
Caron was nominated for an Academy Award for
her brilliant performance and the film is listed
as one of the NY Times’ all-time greats.
book club
The Book Club Meetings are held in people’s
homes, 7.30pm on the second Wednesday of each month. Contact [email protected]
if you’d like to join.
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Hothorpe Hall Weekendsharon michael
On the weekend of 1st March 2013, members
and friends of FPS retreated to Hothorpe Hall,
Leicestershire. Attendees covered young and the
less young. Children ranging from babes with
fresh memories of the Brit Milah to teenagers
who were glad to shake off their parents and
entertain each other. For me personally, the
weekend was an excellent opportunity to
reconnect with my Judaism, and to get to know
and spend time with members of FPS.
We started the weekend at Hothorpe
with a warm welcome from Josie, followed
by a Family Service, dinner and group
activities. On Shabbat, service was followed
by various workshops which were educational,
enlightening and fun. I even got the
opportunity to make a Challah Cover. The broad
range of activities, seminars and communal
events ensured everyone was catered for. From
book groups to introspective male and female
only events, all had the opportunity to explore
their beliefs and express their views on a range
of subjects from favourite meals to Jewish
literature. There was no pressure to attend and
the weekend catered for those who wished to
share, those who wanted to pray, and those
who just wanted to be.
The setting was perfect, the organisation
without fault and the effort from those who
organised all the activities was admirable and
appreciated.
Photos by David Pelham
Purim Spielmaureen lobatto
disappointing purim spiel?
No way!, anything but! - just a line from one of
the adapted songs in the show!. Imaginatively
written and directed by Philippa and James, it
was enormously enjoyed by the packed shul,
and by the players who ranged from 7 to 70
years old.
Time was bent between the biblical period
of the story of Purim and the founding of FPS in
1953. To bridge the time divide, a very realistic
and full sized ‘Dr. Who’ type Tardis was on
stage, allowing Esther, and Mordechai, to land
at Hutton Grove in the 20th century and get
the better of Haman and Ahazuarus, who had
followed them.
Apart from the humourous dialogue
and subtle Dickens references, the Spiel was
enhanced by some lovely singing by the cast of
songs influenced by the musicals of “Joseph and
His Many-coloured Coat”, “The Rocky Horror
Picture Show” and “Annie”, such as The Time
Warp, and Sara’s solo Tomorrow.
It had taken several weeks of rehearsal to
prime us all up for the day, but a good time was
had by one and all.
Photos by Tom Horna, see TomHorna.com
I’d been in London. So tho I have mixed feelings
about leaving London, it was the right thing to
do. My full-time work is interpreting for a 13
year old boy in school; he’s smart and witty, so
it is fun to work with him. I’ve returned to my
old shul (where I was Head Teacher 20 years
ago!), and am teaching Hebrew and Judaica, as
well as being one of the Trustees. I also run the
monthly pre-school/nursery for 2-5 year olds,
and I’m still telling stories with armadillos. The
collection is growing...I now have over 3000!!
I did bring a gift: it’s in the freezer and is
labelled for next year’s Sukkot celebrations.
(Please make sure it stands straight or it will
spill). I missed all of you at Sukkot, as nobody
here does Sukkah smoothies the way FPS does!!
I wish you all a good winter season; I see
that we have similar weather, as it snowed
quite a bit here yesterday, (enough to cancel
school!). I hope to see you all next year, and my
guest room is open to all and any of you. (I’m
an hour north of Boston, Massachusetts)
B’shalom,EJ
letter from america (cont. from page 11)
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april ivriah dates
hebrew @ ivriah
Since September we have been using the
Rosenwasser Method to learn Hebrew at
Ivriah. We have great fun in our classes every
week. Kita Alef and Bet children love to learn
their letters and after the holidays they
practiced writing their letters and words using
playdough!
Joshua Hamerton
Friday 19 4.30-6.30Friday Ivriah first of termfollowed by Shabbat Resouled
Shabbat 209.30-12.3011.00
Shabbat Ivriah first of termKids Kehillah
Friday 26 4.30-6.30 Friday Ivriah
Shabbat 27 9.30-12.30 Shabbat Ivriah
IVRIAH
The students are learning about ‘Community’ and Ivriah proudly presents its first
and
Are invited to be guests of Ivriah and to tell their story on 6th July 2013 from 9.30 a.m onwards and to include
Shabbat B’Yachad No grandchildren in Ivriah?
Some children have no grandparents either So please come along as ‘step’ grandparents
For further information, please email our Head Teacher - Daniela Rotbande
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Contactsfps who’s who
finchley progressive synagogue
54 Hutton Grove N12 8DR
www.fps.org
020 8446 4063
Charity Number: 1071040
Rabbi: Rebecca Qassim Birk
[email protected] / 07939 227480
Emeritus Rabbi: Dr Frank Hellner
Synagogue Manager: Pauline Gusack
Community Manager: Angela Wharton
executive
Chair: Laura Lassman
[email protected] / 07957 545 569
Vice-Chair: Joan Shopper & David Aarons
01582 792 959
Joint Treasurers: Richard Kravetz & Martin Silk
020 8349 9602
Honorary Secretary: David Pelham
020 8445 8111
Board of Deputies Reps: Stanley Volk
& Janet Tresman
Life President: Clive Winston
President: Sheila King Lassman
synagogue committees & groups:
Beit Midrash (Education): Co-ordinated
by Laura Lassman. Working groups with
responsibility for Ivriah; Young families; Adult
Education; Youth Club
Beit Tefillah (Rites & Practices): Co-ordinated
by Joan Shopper. Working groups with
responsibility for Shabbat; Life Cycle; Festivals;
High Holydays
Beit Knesset (Community): Co-ordinated
by David Aarons. Working groups with
responsibility for Contact; Membership; New
members; Events
Operations: Co-ordinated by David Pelham
Working groups with responsibility for
Premises; Finance; Security.
If you would like to join any of these working
groups, please contact the relevant co-ordinator
shofar editor
Pat Lehner / [email protected] assistant Sarah Aldridge
FPS is a constituent of Liberal Judaism
21 Maple Street W1T 4BE
020 7580 1663
LJY Netzer (youth dept) 020 7631 0584
ashley pageinsurance brokers
Commerce House2a Litchfield Grove
London N3 2TN
Tel. 020 8349 5100
janet tresmanmediator & collaborative
family law solicitor
consultant now at hoffman-bokaei.co.uk
Lithos House, 307 Finchley Road
London NW3 6EH
Tel. 020 7433 2380 / [email protected]