wads news rosh hashanah 2014

WADSNewswww.watfordsynagogue.org.uk

ISSUE TWENTY TWO Autumn 2014 Rosh Hashanah 5775

2 WADS News | Rosh Hashanah 2014 www.watfordsynagogue.org.uk

Wishing you a Happy New Year

129 The Parade, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 1NA 01923 831 020 [email protected] www.deykingharia.co.uk

3WADS News | Rosh Hashanah 2014www.watfordsynagogue.org.uk

Welcome from the EditorI find it hard to believe that it has been five months since the last edition of WADS News was sent out, and yet, here we are!

This edition has been a labour of love, and I hope you find the pages that follow as interesting as I have whilst editing.

There has been a natural theme to this edition. With hostilities in Israel at a high, and world opinion being shouted from every media outlet, it would be hard for the magazine not to have been influenced, however hate and despair has not been the common denominator. As you read this magazine, you will find that the thread that runs through this edition was drawn from the outcome of the conflict, and not the conflict itself. It is community.

The one reassuring thing that has come from the past months has been the unity of spirit of the Jewish people. I have felt the community pull together more than I have ever experienced, as all denominations of Judaism have joined to raise their voices against anti-semitism, and shout loud and clear “never again!”.

The WADS community has been no exception, however the WADS community is something very special. As you will read in Ronnie’s report (p8), ours is being recognised as one of the most friendly and welcoming communities within the US.

We are also a very nurturing

community, and we are reaping the rewards as our Youth are raising the standard in all that they do. With the Cheder growing (p14), Tribe looking to the future (p15) and the Brownies being handed over to the next generation of leadership (p16), there is no surprise that our younger members are able to write excellent reports on their experiences such as those on Guide Camp (p17) and Israel Tour (p18).

When you look to the next generation, sometimes it is nice to take a look back, and with “Watford Reborn” (p26) we get a view of WADS in the 1970’s, and how the community really began to blossom.

Of course, every community needs its leaders and teachers, and “Watford’s Gem” (p38) beautifully illustrates how our youth are being inspired and led in a way which will secure the future of this community for years to come.

Let the positivity of these pages fill you with pride, as our community spirit has not been dampened by the truly horrendous things that we have seen and heard. As a community we will face all the challenges that come our way, and you know what? I know we can overcome them all!

Wishing you all a sweet, happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.

Emma Sosner

In this issue:Rabbi Ephraim Levine 4

From the office of Chief Rabbi Mirvis 5

Message from the US 6

Women in the US 7

Your Chairman 8

Time to Reflect 13

Youth 14

Brownies 16

Israel Tour 18

WADS in the news 20

Zahav 25

Watford Reborn 26

Greetings 28

Watford’s Gem 38

Recipes from Denise Phillips 34

Sensation Band 36

Watford’s Gem 38

Watford & District United Synagogue16 Nascot RoadWatford WD17 4YE01923 222755


How many of our dreams would be shattered if we knew what tomorrow

could bring? I have often said that it is good that we cannot predict the future. I’m not convinced there is any benefit in knowing what is around the corner, we just need to live each day as it comes and make the most of it.

Genuine happiness comes from setting goals and objectives daily, weekly or monthly, and striving to fulfil them. And I don’t mean the huge unachievable ones like becoming a millionaire before turning 40, or finding a solution to world poverty - (don’t get me wrong though, if any of these goals are truly within your reach, you should do all you can to achieve them) but rather the more realistic ones that in the long run make a far greater impact on our lives and on the lives of those around us, for example, taking whatever steps are appropriate to be a better parent or spouse, looking out for our neighbours and those

around us, bettering the way we interact with people - the list is endless.

Rosh Hashanah calls us to make these choices for the coming year. The books teach us that over Rosh Hashanah our life hangs in the balance and we do all within our power to ensure we live in good health and happiness for another year. But how can we effect something over which we have no control or knowledge? Although the prayer service is replete with hope that we live another year, that final decision is made by G-d inscribing us in the book of life. But just as above where our choices can make all the difference, so too here, our choices can effect a positive outcome.

Whereas our objectives may ordinarily be about bettering ourselves in life in general, at Rosh Hashanah we look to better our connection with G-d and our faith in who we are. It is a time for taking a long hard look at how we have been nourishing our soul over the last year and what we can do to further nourish it with improvements in our day to day practice. And as above, we can sometimes fall into the trap of making huge unrealistic choices that in the long run only serve to deflate our sense of ability

and purpose. The trick is to set small but significant goals that with a little bit of effort can be achieved. These can be in the areas that are familiar to all of us: Shabbat: maybe bringing the family together for a meal so that we can celebrate in meaningful style, after having lit the Shabbat candles. Kashrut: maybe ensuring that the products we buy are from a kosher source. Charity: maybe increasing the distribution of the money we earn to those who need it. Tefillin: maybe putting them on once a week or so until you feel comfortable to do it every day. And the list is endless.

Connecting with who we are as the Jewish people gives us that sense of fulfilment and purpose as well as the sense that we can achieve so much if we make the effort. Rosh Hashanah gives us the opportunity more than any other time during the year to look at ourselves and to know that we can make a difference. And at a time when we need to focus more on the togetherness of the Jewish people, what better time is there than now to choose to do the right thing.

Together with Rochel and the boys, Tzviki, Mendy, Dovie and Aryeh, I wish you and your family a happy, healthy and fulfilled New Year.

Rabbi Ephraim LevineRosh Hashanah 5775


In our prayers for the High Holy Days we say Simcha le’artzecha vesasson le’irecha – Give joy to the land and elation to the city of Jerusalem. Following a traumatic and difficult summer it is our fervent hope and prayer that the New Year ushers in peace and security for Israel and the entire region.

Aspiration for happiness is central to our Jewish psyche. We are encouraged to celebrate what we have in a key passage in the Book of Genesis, which we will begin to read on Simchat Torah.

The Talmud (Chulin 139a) asks a surprising question: where can Haman be found in the Torah? Surely nowhere! The answer is mystifying: he appears in the Biblical account of the Garden of Eden.

We read: “Hamin ha’etz…”. With these words, God confronted Adam and asked whether he had eaten of the forbidden fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. The Hebrew Hamin has the identical spelling to Haman. On this basis the Talmud declares “This is where Haman can be found in the Torah”.

As we often find in our sources, a creative interpretation of the Hebrew language is the vehicle for an insightful teaching – in this case about inner peace and happiness. The entire Persian nation paid homage to Haman. Only one person, Mordechai, refused to bow down to him. Instead of being content with what he had, Haman fumed and obsessed about the one thing he lacked – Mordechai’s submission.

The Torah provides us with a guide to all situations that confront us in life. In asking where we find a phenomenon like Haman in the Torah, the Talmud answers by identifying him with the precedent of Eden. Instead of being happy with their bountiful blessings, Adam and Eve were miserable about being

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forbidden the fruit of one single tree. This destructive dissatisfaction led them to lose their paradise.

A year ago, as I took up office, I called on you to ‘Come with me’ on a journey. During my first year in office, I have enjoyed immensely the privilege of visiting the majority of our communities in the UK. I have been deeply impressed with what I have seen. Our congregations boast spiritual and lay leaders of the highest calibre. Many dedicated and selfless men and women give contributions of inestimable value to their synagogues through their deep and unwavering commitment. We are blessed with warm and hospitable synagogues that stage beautiful services and provide a welcoming home for wonderful people, some of whom might otherwise be forgotten.

Unlike Haman, we recognize and rejoice in our many achievements and take pride in the work of our hands.

While feeling gratified and fulfilled we should not, however, be complacent. There is far more that we can and should be doing to breathe new, fresh and exciting life into our synagogues and community centres. With this in mind, I look forward to being your active partner on this journey, in our quest to build on our attainments to date in order to achieve even greater success in the years to come.

Valerie and I extend our warmest wishes to you all for a happy, joyous, healthy, peaceful and successful New Year.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis

Chief Rabbi’s Rosh Hashana message 5775 • 2014

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In recent weeks, over five thousand US members have taken the time to share their

views with us in probably the most comprehensive survey our community has conducted. The extent to which our members have been willing to participate in this process demonstrates on a grand scale that they care passionately about the future of their community. As I begin my second three-year term as President of the United Synagogue I am acutely aware of the responsibility that I and my fellow Trustees have to meet the many needs of our community. Following the Trustee elections in July I am particularly pleased that we have a talented and experienced mix of former trustees as well as some new younger faces and that we now have four women trustees helping to shape the governance of the US.

Thankfully we are building on extremely solid foundations. Just twelve months ago we installed our new Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, who has already demonstrated his strong leadership and vision for our

community. His recognition as the pre-eminent voice for the wider Jewish community and his launch of ‘The Chief Rabbi’s Shabbat UK’ testify to his masterful assumption of one of the most important and challenging roles in Jewish public life.

The United Synagogue firmly supports Israel as it continues to face the terrible challenges with which we are all too familiar. This crucial aspect of our Jewish identity is one that we can never take for granted and our work continues to strengthen our members’ connection with and love for Israel. I am very proud that dozens of members of Tribe had the transformative experience of Israel Tour this summer.

Closer to home, many of our communities have excellent new rabbis, assistant rabbis, rebbetzens and dedicated professionals providing the services, programmes and support that our members want and need. In addition, it has been a great pleasure to have welcomed a number of new member synagogues this year, including the addition of Sheffield as our first ever provincial community.

Looking to the future, a real priority is to connect with our younger membership. The work of Tribe and Young US have continued to provide

opportunities for our youth and young professionals with events such as Chanukah on Ice and Learn2Lead alongside summer camps and schemes. It may come as a pleasant surprise to know that this work is bearing fruit, and that our younger membership is beginning to see real growth. My trustees and I are optimistic about the future of the US.

I am extremely proud of the 70 Days for 70 Years project which will launch in January. This should connect thousands of people around the world who will learn for 70 days in memory of those lost in the Holocaust. It carries a message that resonates so strongly with the United Synagogue: Remember the Past to Build the Future.

Building a strong future for our vibrant and engaged communities is huge task and so I look forward after the Yomim Tovim to working with our new Chief Executive, Dr Steven Wilson, and many others across the US family. The task that lies ahead for us all is a great one and with the support of so many dedicated professionals and volunteers throughout our many local communities I am confident that the future for the US is something we can all anticipate with excitement.

With best wishes for a Shana Tova Umtucha - a happy, healthy and sweet new year.

Stephen Pack Discusses Our Future’s FoundationsMessage from the President


“Tuvus means peacock mummy” exclaimed my four year old

daughter when she raced out of school. I beamed with pride. Not because knowledge about Israeli ornithology will have any obvious immediate uses but rather I love how she is learning every day and even teaching me new things.

As Rabbi Hillel says in Pirkei Avot 1:13 “He who doesn’t increase his knowledge decreases it.” For children this is clear, we send them to school, read to them and take them on outings so that they are constantly learning new words, ways to express themselves and to interact with other children. But what are we doing about our own levels of learning? Was 5754 a year when my Jewish knowledge increased or decreased?

Over the past year, US Women has worked hard to bring more educational programmes and events to women across the United Synagogue communities. We launched ‘The Female Jew: Options for the 21st Century’, our roadshow course that explored matters relating to a woman’s experience of being Jewish. It started off at Stanmore and Muswell Hill Synagogues and had such overwhelming

support from host and neighbouring communities that it was rolled out to others, and will be continuing its journey to more communities this autumn. We found that many women wanted to ask questions – be it about saying kaddish, bensching Gomel or other areas of female ritual engagement, and so we created a programme to ensure participants would have access to relevant sources and knowledgeable teachers.

We hosted our US Women’s conference back in March, where around 100 women gathered together on a sunny Sunday to hear from our keynote speaker Elana Stein Hain, who had flown in from New York, our own Chief Rabbi Mirvis and many local female Jewish educators, to discuss our Jewish relationships with family, our communities and G-d.

We also welcomed Zehava Taub, the ambassador’s wife and education expert, to our annual dinner, where she spoke about the importance of learning and speaking Hebrew and of welcoming more Israelis into our communities.

For the first time, we welcomed in four female trustees to the United Synagogue who will build upon their experiences and knowledge to benefit us all and act as powerful role models to women and young girls across the United Synagogue.

Throughout the year we organised many training events: for the female shul chairs and vice-chairs; for our liaison officers who work so hard to be the bridge between US Women and the 17,000 women within the United Synagogue; and for the US Women Executive in conjunction with important partners such as Jewish Women’s Aid (JWA).

We are lucky to be living at a time when women can learn, where we have many knowledgeable female educators and where so many of our shuls are offering innovative and exciting programmes. The Yamim Noraim is always an important time to reflect on what we have achieved in the past year and to consider our hopes for the year ahead. Ask what is going on in your community – what you can give and gain from it; ask what US Women are planning and let us know if you would like the Female Jew roadshow brought to your synagogue; but above all ask yourself will this be the year your knowledge increases or decreases, for as the Torah says, it cannot stay the same – it is up to us in which direction it goes.

Lauren Hamburger sits on the US Women’s Executive

To find out more about US Women or get involved in one of our projects email [email protected]

5755: A year of more or less?Lauren Hamburger wonders what women will find out this year

Zehava Taub (centre) with US Women co-chairs Leonie Lewis (left) and Dalia Cramer (right) at the US Women annual dinner


passed away by creating our very own Yizkor prayer book. This has been a work of love and affection by Rabbi Levine and Mike Gordon. As I write this article we are getting quotes for printing the book and It will be used for the first time this year on Yom Kippur.

The US is launching the Chief Rabbi's Shabbat to take place on 24 - 25 October this year. The idea comes from South Africa and you can see pictures on You Tube of last year's inaugural event. It was an outstanding success and it is hoped to bring elements of this to the rest of World Jewry this year. We are in active discussion at present to see what we can do so that we can all experience a little more of Shabbat on that weekend. Please watch this space for announcements as we formulate the day.

I am pleased to be able to tell you that we have agreed to participate in the Northwood Holocaust Memorial Day event in the new year. Last year some 200 students came to us for a day of education about The Holocaust and the atrocities in Cambodia, Rwanda and Bosnia. It was moving and beneficial for both the students and facilitators and we hope to repeat the success of last year's event. If you are interested in helping on the day (2nd February 2015) then please get in touch with Lindsay Gordon.

Leading on from the above, the US will be sending out a book of essays under a programme called "70 days for 70 years" to every member of the US. This will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. We hope that we will be running programmes around this. So please look out for news on this.

F irstly Philippa and I would like to wish you all a Happy and Healthy New

Year. It seems funny, sitting here in 30 degrees of heat in July writing a New Year greeting, but such are the pressures of going to press that we need to write our articles now.

This is made more difficult this year, because of the situation in Israel. At the time of writing this article, the IDF ground troops have gone into Gaza. Many of us know of family and friends who are either directly involved in this action or whose children are involved. I pray that by the time you read this they are all returned safe and sound to their families and that progress to peace is under way.

To follow those thoughts with the detail of what is going on in Watford is difficult as it so puts things into perspective for us.

We are always trying to evolve within the community so that we can bring new things to you. The last magazine was the first

all colour one we have produced and I hope that the advertising income for this one will let us do so again. I hope that by now the teething problems with the new gates will all have been resolved. I must thank Simon Grant, the security team and Alan Marco for all the work they put in over a long period of time to ensure that the project ran smoothly and to our specification.

In November, with the help of the Rabbi, we will hopefully be launching our "Off the Cuff" programme of talks by speakers chosen for their expertise and knowledge. This should be new and exciting and bring back to us the spirit of learning and fun we used to enjoy in this area. Please do come and along and join in. The more the merrier and the more cakes etc we will be forced to consume!

The loss of someone near and dear to us is never easy and at this time of year it is brought home to us when many of our members are in Shul over Yom Kippur and participate in the Yizkor prayers. Over the years I have been a member of a few Shuls and it seems that they all do this slightly differently. Our service here at Watford has always been very tasteful and respectful. The service was, for many years, conducted with great respect and depth of feeling by our revered late President, Alan Solomon. Shortly after Alan passed away we began thinking of how we could commemorate Alan. We have now come up with the idea of creating a lasting and poignant memory to all our members and their families who have

A message from Ronnie JacobFrom the Chairman


Let’s finish on an amazing positive note. Mike Marcus and I have just been to a meeting of US Vice Chairs and Chairs. NOW WAIT FOR IT....... The whole community deserves an enormous Mazeltov. A few months ago many of us participated in the membership survey launched by the US. The rate of response was very good in that many people took part. It will be a while yet until the results are officially made available to individual communities. However I was told by the President of the US that we had come out of the survey very well indeed. It means that you, our members, think a lot of each other and the way we go about doing things. We are warm, friendly and welcoming and now it is official (well it will be when the results are published!). We are out there as one of the very best communities. It is a great feeling for us and we should be justifiably proud. It seems that the greatest thing to come out of the survey was that many Shuls need to learn how to "build communities”. This is something that we do well via our varied activities for the community, the way we look after each other and the offering we make in terms of services. We are a diverse community in many ways but we try to offer something for everyone. We do not always get it right but we are constantly reviewing what we do and amending as necessary. Essentially we care.

Once more a happy and healthy New Year to the Rabbi, his family and all our members.

This year as the summer wanes and Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur

and the intervening Days of Penitence inexorably approach it is seemingly impossible to pen any report or message without our thoughts and hearts reaching out to our families, our friends and our brethren in Israel and contemplating the dreadful circumstances under which they will have to prepare for the forthcoming Yamim Noraim.

Difficult times and hardship are often said to bring people and communities closer together. Those of us who are, shall we say, of more mature years will have seen, indeed in some cases may have endured, many – too many – wars and conflicts in Israel but on this occasion I personally sense a determination and a unity of spirit amongst our brothers and sisters in Israel that is stronger than has been the case for many years. May that coming together not only help our nation through its current challenges but also continue in future years.

Following my appeal in the Pesach edition of WADS News for members of our Community to become more actively involved I have been delighted that a number of our younger members have answered the call and it has been a real pleasure to see and hear young men (and some not quite so young!) reprising their Bar Mitzvah Haftorah. Hopefully this will encourage others who perhaps until now have been a little more reticent to follow suit. I suspect there are still a

large number of members who are capable of doing so but who may need a little persuading. If you don’t call us we’ll call you!! Remember there are always people ready and willing to advise and help those who may wish to do so but lack the confidence.

For many years WADS has run regular services on Friday nights, Shabbatot, Yamim Tovim and a Shacharit service on the first Sunday of every calendar month. We have now extended this and we now also hold a regular Shabbat Mincha service. In the summer months this is at 7pm and in the winter months the times will vary but will be announced. Additionally we now have a Shacharit service on every Rosh Chodesh at 6.45am (or 8.15am if it happens to fall on a Sunday or Bank Holiday). This service takes approximately one hour so if you have to get to work or do the school run you can be away by 7.45am! All and any assistance in helping to make a minyan for these services would be most welcome and much appreciated. Attending one service does not create a commitment to attend all. By all means be selective but do make the effort and show the true community spirit on which WADS prides itself so highly.

I would like to take the opportunity to say a huge thank you to all those who help in the running of our shul services – too many to name but they and you will know who they are – your efforts are much appreciated by all.

K’tiva vechatima tova

Michael Gordon delivers the message from the Warden’s Box


The Chief Rabbi’s ShabbatUK is a truly ground breaking initiative that seeks to promote active engagement with Shabbat throughout the UK.At its core, ShabbatUK is about harnessing all the goodness and uniqueness of a traditional, authentic Shabbat and inviting Jews around the country to celebrate it in a way they never have before. Shabbat is a central part of what it is to be Jewish. It plays a crucial role in Jewish identity with its powerfully uplifting and transformative qualities.The Chief Rabbi is calling on Jews across the UK, regardless of their level of religious observance, to celebrate a Shabbat unlike any other, on the weekend

of Friday 24th October and Saturday 25th October. Everybody can participate in ShabbatUK, from the most observant Jews to those who may have never experienced the beauty of a Shabbat. It is about reaching out to people and inspiring communities. Some will keep Shabbat, perhaps for the first time, others will participate in the numerous communal events taking place. Many will find ways to bring Shabbat into their homes, whether by lighting Friday night candles, blessing their children or by inviting others into their home to share the Shabbat experience. The possibilities are endless. Synagogues, Jewish schools and other Jewish organisations are planning

a series of events to mark ShabbatUK. This is an incredible opportunity to join with fellow Jews around the world, inspired by the South African Shabbos Project, to experience life, for just one day, disconnected from the daily grind and engage with Shabbat in a meaningful way.ShabbatUK will bring people together in a unique atmosphere, as thousands of Jews join in celebrating a Shabbat like no other.

How will you celebrate ShabbatUK?What will you do?

#ShabbatUK www.shabbatuk.org


Ten years ago, the project 60 days for 60 years captured the hearts and minds of communities across the world and over 150,000 participants worldwide. Communities across the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, Canada, Israel and the USA were engaged in a global project to remember the past to build the future.

On 25th January 2015, the 70 Days for 70 Years project will begin, engaging hundreds of thousands of Jews in an uplifting educational and memorial programme.

Once again participants will receive a copy of a specially published book of 70 inspirational essays written by internationally renowned educators, historians and scholars - to be read, one a day. In addition, each participant will receive a memorial card giving the details of one victim of the Holocaust who they will learn in memory of (information provided by Yad Vashem).

Our dream is for every Jewish community worldwide to take part in this project, for every victim to be remembered and for every participant to strengthen their own Jewish knowledge and identity and build the Jewish future.

Last time communities and schools created a diverse range of programmes which brought in hundreds and thousands of new faces as well as their regular attendees. Some ideas focussed specifically on the essays of the book inviting people to a daily discussion or a weekly catch-up. Obviously, with the advent of social media, these daily discussions can take place in new fora. Many communities organised special Shabbatonim, guest speakers as well as encouraging members to take on more observances and Jewish learning during the 70 days.

Beautiful stories abound of events that took place last time, during the 60 days such as two students who found they’d been given brothers to learn in memory of and decided to learn together just as the brothers may had done decades earlier. In Jerusalem a group of teenagers were being guided around the children’s memorial at Yad Vashem and when they came out their Yad Vashem guide asked them if they could name any teenager out of the half a million who perished. She was expecting a single response of Anne Frank, what she was not expecting was every single teenager telling her a separate name. The guide was astonished; in her thirty years of guiding at Yad Vashem, never had a group been able to say more than one name. The students brought out their books and cards for the guide to understand.

From January 2015 you will be receiving your books. Please keep a look out for events and programmes both locally and nationally. The project will end as you sit round your Seder table on Seder Night which provides further possibilities for engagement. For more details please email us at [email protected]

Wishing you a Shana Tova and may this year be a memorable year when we remember the past that once was, and at the same time learn in their memory to build the Jewish future.

Rabbi Andrew Shaw Director of US Living & Learning


A t the time of writing this piece Israel is under continuous rocket attack

and there is no prospect of a cease fire. I hope and pray that by the time this is read the situation will have settled. I am writing to you with what will be my final Rosh Hashanah address, as my term as President comes to a mandatory end in May next year. Being President has given me many pleasing moments and enormous pride. I am delighted that the Board has made so much progress so that we now have a first rate team led by a first rate CEO, Gillian Merron, and soon hopefully will be housed in first rate up to date premises. Our discussions with the JLC for a unified organisation of the community continue but, whether on its own or as a part of a wider organisation, the Board has a bright future. None of what we achieve would be possible without our dedicated Deputies, from across the UK – I thank them for their hard work: they represent their constituencies and are vital to the functioning of UK Jewry. Needless to say, the Board exists on money from individuals in the community - half of which comes from the Communal Levy: still, less than half of synagogue members pay the relatively small sum of £25 a year to support our work. I think that the message here will support the fact that we are deserving of that contribution.We are helping to counter BDS, witnessed by our close work with the Methodist Church leadership which led to a

moratorium around BDS activity;We are protecting Jewish education through our lobbying ministers, such as the right to teach Ivrit as a first language; We are promoting Judaism through our revamped Jewish Living Experience exhibitions and Tours, in which thousands of non- Jewish children learn about our faith every year; We are reaching the edges of the community through Jewish Connection, which is supporting small communities all over the UK who need pastoral, social care, networking and advocacy support from the mainstream of the community; We consulted the community and then worked with the Equality and Human Rights Commission to produce new guidelines that clearly define the right to religious practice both at work and in education institutions; Finally our All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Jews has already drawn wide support from politicians and has helped us hone the community’s lobbying on core rights issues, namely: social care, restitution of property for Survivors, protecting Shechitah, the right and value to a religious education by showcasing our excellent schools, lobbying on child benefit credits and many other issues affecting the entire spectrum of the community.You will shortly become aware of a General Election Jewish Manifesto produced by the Board, which encapsulates all the interests, concerns and aspirations of the UK’s 300,000 Jewish community. The Board will send this manifesto, which follows on from this year’s successful European Elections Jewish Manifesto - to Jewish communities, policy makers, and election candidates - in order that the

Jewish community has one clear policy document around the 2015 elections. The idea is that as individuals and local Jewish communities you take the Manifesto to candidates and use it as the centre piece of lobbying efforts - be it at hustings, in letters or in public debates.We recognise the diversity of the community and range of interests which is why we consulted throughout the community - reaching three hundred individuals and organisations. The Manifesto is divided into 14 sections including Religious Freedom and Observance, Israel and the Middle East, Education, and Health and Social Care. There are also a list of ‘Ten Commitments’ which encapsulate in a breath the key aims of the document. The Board’s ‘Parliament’ dissolves in May 2015, and there will be elections not only for a new President, Vice Presidents and Treasurer but for nearly 300 Deputies on the Board. We have done much good work to improve our representation in the past few years, including with our Women in Jewish Leadership project to ensure female talent is allowed to flourish, the setting up of a Youth Forum, to improve contact with younger community members, and through working with Change in the Board: the result has been a marked improvement in our representation - but we must go much further.5774 has been a significant year of achievement for the Board. Let’s hope that 5775 will be a year of peace for Israel and the Middle East and a successful one for the community.Shana tovaVivian Wineman

President’s Rosh Hashanah message 5775 – a tale of two elections


The High Holy Days are special for us as they offer a time marked out for

reflection on the year that has passed and the year ahead. It’s also a good time to get started on the New Year’s resolutions that I made on December 31st!

As 5775 approaches I find that I am particularly reflecting on my time in Parliament over the last four years and the honour it has been to serve WADS and the wider community as Watford’s MP. I am conscious that in May 80,000 people may also take a minute to reflect on my time as their MP as they go to the polling station and I hope that they will recall at least three things; first of all, getting the long promised Croxley Rail Link with two new tube stations for our area finally off the ground, linking West and Central Watford and improving connectivity with London. These new stations, along with the brand new Watford University Technical College which has just taken its first students, are three things that will continue to benefit our area for years to come. Finally, I must say that I am really proud of my annual Jobs Fair which has helped hundreds of people to find work.

On reflection I think that Watford, even whilst recovering from the recession, has thrived

over the last couple of years. I have been fighting to my best ability to make sure that’s the case, to secure investment in local schools, transport and healthcare and to ensure our local economy grows. We can see this in the fact that unemployment has now halved in our area. We have seen our schools receive fifty million pounds of extra funding, which means that Westfield Academy will be entirely rebuilt and Watford Boys’ and Girls’ have both seen improvements to their buildings. In addition to this, more local schools than ever are now rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. After I invited Health Ministers to our hospital, they agreed to funding which has meant upgrades to facilities and new wards open. Finally, we can see this revival in our shared spaces such as Cassiobury Park and the High Street, both having improvement works.

However, there are a few more things I’d like to achieve before judgement on me is passed by the people of Watford. I strongly believe that Watford Junction is in need of massive redevelopment. Thousands more commuters every day will pass through the Junction when the Rail Link comes to it and as it stands now, it will not

cope. I’ve held many meetings to get this, another long-stalled project, off the ground and I’ve raised this issue in Parliament, securing a meeting with the Transport Secretary. I also want to see the Health Campus through to completion, with new hospital facilities, new homes for our young people and the regeneration of West Watford.

In terms of those New Year’s resolutions in need of renewal, I don’t think mine are too different from the rest of the community’s – to spend more time with my family, spend less time with my BlackBerry and go to shul more often.

Watch out for me at the end of the service, when we all sing for next year in Jerusalem, you may hear me say quietly “in Parliament too!”

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Happy Pesach to all

ReflectionsRichard Harrington on his four years in Parliament


Another year at Watford Cheder Club has passed! The fourth year! Together

with the Cheder’s teachers Miriam, Shlomit, Heilit and myself, the children have had one of the most exciting years!

You wouldn’t believe what is going on at WADS every Monday at 4pm. There is a buzz of excitement in the air as our eighteen children arrive for their Cheder lessons. They are ready to start a new session full of fun, interactive and unconventional learning. The air is filled with happy voices davening and singing after having enjoyed a nice snack.

Our two classes have enjoyed a thoroughly revised and adapted curriculum revolving around Jewish festivals and carefully chosen Jewish topics. Rabbi Yossi Simon, head of Tzivos Hashem UK, visited us three times this year thanks to the generous contribution of the WADS Exec. He took the children through the process of making olive oil for Chanukah, baking matza for Pesach and finally led the children on a powerful journey about kashrut in July!

The children baked cheese cake for Shavuot and learnt all about the different reasons why we eat dairy on this special Yom Tov.

The acclaimed method of aleph champ has been used at Watford Cheder Club since its creation. Aleph champ is a motivational structure to excite kids in learning how to read Hebrew. It is based on the colour coded Karate system. Children

begin as a white aleph champ, learning the aleph bet and continue until they reach the black aleph champ level, and graduate as fluent readers. Each child learns how to read at their own pace and benefits from a one-to-one reading session every Monday. Children also learn how to write Hebrew script. The children’s reading and writing progress is outstanding.

Two children, Toby Morley and Aron Gordon, will be leaving the Cheder and going to a Jewish secondary school. We will surely miss them and we wish them good luck in their new journey.

I am proud to welcome to our Cheder three new members which will take our number to nineteen children! (Remember we started our Cheder with only seven children!)

I want to take this opportunity to thank the WADS Exec, Bonny Newman, and our parents for their continued support and words of praise. And together with all our members I wish you and your family a happy and sweet New Year!

Rochel Levine runs through the past six months at Watford Cheder Club

Watford Cheder Club

This page has been sponsored by Sue and Leigh Lewis


Another term has passed here at Watford Tribe and this one has been as

important as any. Throughout the last few months I have been planning and structuring a rather significant change to Watford Tribe. As you may know our Tribe room is slightly outdated and really needs a facelift. The Tribe Room is the hub of all our youth activities; it doesn’t matter whether it is an evening in, a place to learn, or even somewhere to relax and watch a movie, the Tribe Room at the shul is an important factor. As a result I am hoping that by the time I write my next report in Pesach that some changes will have happened to the room to update it and give it a new image. I hope that this will attract many more young members of our community to the future events that will take place there, and really bring the whole of Watford Youth closer together.

This last term has also seen the release of the brand new Watford Tribe raffle ticket scheme. The programme is still in its early stages, however there are many cool prizes available to be won. For every event that a child attends at Watford Tribe, they will be given at least one raffle ticket. They may have the opportunity to win or acquire more tickets at the events, for either bringing a friend, or simply being awesome. At the end of every three to four months, we will hold a raffle draw with some incredible prizes up for grabs. All the upcoming events will have Watford Tribe raffle tickets on offer, so make sure to come along to have a chance to win.

What happens when you combine Home Alone 4, viennas and chips

and some comfy couches? An awesome movie night! In the middle of August on a Sunday evening Watford Tribe had its first movie night in nearly a year and a half and after seeing how much fun it was I can’t wait to do another. After voting for a movie in a record 7 minutes we were able to watch and laugh at the classic Home Alone movie. I was told that the best part about a movie night is that you can sit back relax and have your dinner cooked for you as well as having an awesome time with your friends. I look forward to doing many more of these movie nights over the coming months.

September 21st or 28th: WADS Paintball for ages 7-10

October 26th: WADS Bowling

November 23rd: WADS Movie night

December 21st: WADS Chanukah Party/Celebrations

January 25th: WADS Talent Show Evening

WATFORD

The Tribe Report Movie Night! Upcoming Events: Scott Michaels updates us on Tribe

This page has been sponsored by Marilyn & Michael Apple


28th WatfordLoraine Cohen gives her final Rosh Hashanah report

This is a difficult report for me to write as it has taken me some time to

come to the following decision.

After running the Watford Brownie pack for the past 27 years I have decided that due to my ill health and a recent broken leg I must hang up my Brownie hat. I can no longer play the games or do the activities that it takes to run a successful pack, also I am no longer able to take them on the outings that I have done over the years. I do not feel it is right to continue being Brown Owl and not being able to give 100% to the meetings.

I am fortunate to have had some wonderful experiences over the years but most of all I have had numerous girls and recently their daughters through the pack. They have gained confidence, had fun, learnt new skills, licked many bowls during baking, had flour fights on pack holiday, made lifelong friends, raised money for Charity, been loyal, and most of all learnt there are other people in the world to think and care about besides themselves.

To say I am going to miss the girls is an understatement, I

have enjoyed every moment that I have spent with the girls, even the outing to Windsor many years ago where we all had bin liners around us to keep dry through torrential rain. The laughter and fun that we have enjoyed over the years will remain with me forever. I was also very proud to have the Brownies act as my Guard of honour at my wedding last year.

I was indeed fortunate to be merited with the ‘Laurel Award’ from the Chief Guide for services to Jewish Guiding. It came completely out of the blue and I celebrated the presentation surrounded by my Guiding friends and family and plenty of cake! I was invited to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party again in recognition of what I had given to Jewish Guiding nationally. I feel very honoured and never expected either.

I have had many Snowy Owls over the years and for various reasons they have moved on but Gina Collis my Tawny Owl has remained with me over many many years. She has

looked after the financial side of the pack, was first aider on Pack holiday, as well as helping with the planning and of course running of the meetings with me. We have laughed together, sorted out problems, had a great deal of fun...and the odd problem or two and came to the decision that it was all worth it!! A valuable person.

So now is the time to hand over to Laura Roberts who over the past year has been working hard on the Guiding Leadership course. I got a phone call from her yesterday to say she had passed. Well done! My pack is going into good hands, she is capable, fun and young which is what the girls need. She was my Brownie many years ago and had great enthusiasm then and she certainly hasn’t changed. Good luck Laura for many years to come, you will give so much to the Brownies but you will also get so much back.

Tuesdays have been special and I shall miss it.

Loraine Cohen Brown Owl 28th Watford Brownies

This page has been sponsored by Elaine & Melvyn Shoob to celebrate the Barmitzvah of their grandson Jackson on September 13th 2014


Guide Camp 2014Danielle Gordon shares her experience

I am a graduate of WADS 28th Watford Brownies. I originally booked to go to camp with

Brownies, however, when a place came up at 6th Stanmore Guides it was time to say a very fond farewell and progress into Guides.

On the 23rd May, along with most of the Guide packs around Hertfordshire, we all set off to Gilwell Scout Lodge and I was so pleased to find we were camping alongside my Brownie friends!

As we arrived, I was becoming more and more excited, and whilst we waved goodbye to our mums and dads we were told which tent we were sleeping in for the weekend. Half of our tent was Stanmore, and the other half was 2nd Beaumont Guides. I was really excited to find my tent was next to Sammi Michaels, one of the Brownie leaders.

After making our beds and getting to know each other we were called to the marquee to be told what team we were going into for the weekend, and then we were off to our first activity; High-all-aboard.

Despite the rain, during the 5 days we did a range of fantastic activities, from crate stacking to zip wiring, although my favourite activity was the 3D swing.

The 3D swing took everyone by surprise. First, we had to get into partners and put harnesses on.

After that, the first pair climbed into the chair

and

the others pulled a rope lifting them higher and higher. Watching the first partners in the chair being raised up inspired me to go on and have my go, I watched them go higher and higher until they pulled a red cord releasing the chair, leaving them suspended in the air!

There was another activity called High-all-aboard. It was a tall pole with little bricks attached to the side, and at the top there was a tiny platform. Four ropes were attached to each side of the platform so four people went up at the same time. Once all four children were standing on the small wooden platform, they had to lean back holding hands to make a flower shape. As soon as it came to my go I climbed up the pole, but as I was the last person to climb it was difficult to get on the platform. The nerves were taking over me due to the fact that there were no bricks to hold on to whilst getting on to the platform. The only way to help me get up was teamwork. The girls at the bottom also used the rope to help me. I eventually stood up, although none of us felt brave enough to lean back off the platform. As we couldn’t do it we had to sit back in our harnesses and wait there until they brought us down and took our harnesses off. Once we were on the ground we really wanted to go back up again to try and complete the task of creating a flower. When I went up again, only

three of us climbed up so it was a little bit easier. We were able to accomplish the mission.

During the weekend I had lots of fun, but a day that I will never forget was Shabbat. As it was Shabbat we couldn’t do any activities involving ropes, so instead we had a bouncy castle and kangaroo boxing! Then in the afternoon we went grass sledging down a hill next to the zip wire! It was a really fun Shabbat!

We took part in other activities too, including: sideways rock climbing, backward cooking, mosaics, archery and Jacobs ladder. We also did evening activities of rock climbing and an aerial trek. They were really fun as I wouldn’t expect to do activities in the evening but that made it more exhilarating.

Throughout Guide camp I made new friends, I learnt how to cook on a fire and how to co-operate if something goes wrong or we can’t do the activity that’s been organised.

The leaders, Katy, Sarah and our own Laura Roberts, organised a wonderful camp which went perfectly except for the rain, which didn’t spoil the fun!

On behalf of every one of that stayed on camp, we say a BIG THANK YOU!


Nathan Stuart

I had a fantastic experience in Israel for 2 and a half weeks in July with Yavneh College. Even without going

to Jerusalem or seeing the Kotel. I will admit that I was very upset that our itinerary changed and that we could not go to Jerusalem because of the current situation, but the organisers and madrichim would rather have us safe and enjoying ourselves than being in the range of a missile and being scared of having one and a half minutes to run to a shelter. The itinerary changed so rapidly that the day before we were due to go to Eilat, we had to change plans and stay in the north for the rest of the trip because of a bomb in Eilat.

I’m not an outdoors type of person, but that doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy the many

activities outside. During this trip as we had to do shacharit every morning, we had to put tefillin on, this made me feel more part of the trip and the spiritual side along with doing Anim Zemirot

on the last Shabbat. I had the privilege of celebrating my

birthday during the trip. No offence to my mother but this was definitely the best birthday I have ever had.

Sun, Sightseeing and SirensThe youth who visited Israel this year were treated to a very different experience from their predecessors. Here, three WADS members share all the details

The Yavneh College Israel Tour 2014James Gordon

I t was 4am when Mum and Dad woke me to get ready for the Yavneh College Israel trip, something I had been waiting for ages for.

The car park at Tescos was heaving with Jewish families waiting to wave good bye and get a last hug and kiss from the 110 year 9 students who would be touring Israel for the next 18 days.After touching down we moved on to our first major destination, The Dead Sea, Masada and Ein Gedi. We scaled Masada (not via the cable car!) and learned about the history before moving off for a float in the Dead Sea. We visited Ein Gedi where we got wet in the famous waterfall before leaving to head north to Tiberius and The Kenneret. We went to the Golan, had an amazing day at the waterpark whilst still being able to watch the World Cup too! Because of the current troubles we were not able to visit Tel Aviv or Jerusalem but we were able to

visit candle factories, the town of Svat, kayak down the Jordan River and banana boat on my birthday when I even received a cake.

The school kept in contact with our parents and the IDF who made sure our time in the holy land was safe at all times.

Oh yes, did I say that we stayed at a lovely 4* kibbutz hotel for

the last few days? Well we did and we loved it!

This page has been sponsored by Brian & Esther Levy


I have had the privilege to spend the past month in Israel on tour with the youth

group Tribe. I only knew a few people who I was going with and could not wait to meet new friends and to be sharing this amazing experience with them. Most people were coming from London, however there were also people coming from Bournemouth, Canada and San Diego. I had been on tour in Israel with school in 2012, so I had an idea of what to expect, however I was excited to go because I knew that there would be new activities I hadn’t done before and we were going to have more freedom.

However I did not anticipate how the abduction of the three boys would lead to such a large conflict. Already one week into the tour, we were in the south and about to visit Ben Gurion’s grave when as we were getting off the coach we heard the sirens echoing through the mountains. We were led by our tour guide to an area where we were sheltered by large plants. We didn’t have time to get there before we heard a large bang and were told later that it was Iron Dome hitting a rocket sent

from Hamas. We still went to the shelter to protect ourselves from shrapnel which meant sitting with our hands over our heads. Some of the other kids were crying, scared and shocked by what had happened however there was an overall feeling of relief that we were safe and that Iron Dome was protecting its people and country. Our itinerary was immediately changed and we were moved to the north. With our time in Jerusalem cut short we were sad that it happened but we knew that Tribe and the UJIA were keeping us safe.

We were very lucky with our tour guide, Miriam, who told us how to behave and what to do if we were to hear another siren, and at every new hotel/hostel would tell us where the safest place to go was. Every evening Miriam would also update us on what had happened that day. Nevertheless, many people were still on edge after what happened and there were few occasions where a fire alarm went off and people would run to the shelter.

After spending two weeks in the north we were told that we could finally visit Jerusalem. As

we were entering Jerusalem we were singing and dancing on the coach, happy to be able to come to what is the highlight of every tour that goes to Israel. We saw Israelis holding flags and signs to welcome the soldiers and there was a feeling of pride and strength within Jerusalem.

We were able to go to Mount Herzl, the military cemetery in Jerusalem, that afternoon there was a funeral for one of the soldiers and when we arrived there were already people arriving for it. We were given emotional talks from Miriam about two of her friends who had died in action and were buried there. No one left with a dry eye, and we all left Mount Herzl with our heads held high, proud to be Jewish and proud to be supporting Israel, showing that our strength had not faltered. We were also able to visit Hadassah hospital where we gave presents to children and letters to soldiers.

I am so happy that I went to Israel and that we were not sent home a day early, I have made some friends for life and have had experiences I hope never to forget.

Tribe Israel Tour 2014 by Jodie Stuart

A Parent’s Perspective of Israel Tour 2014 by Sam Stuart

So what was it like for me, a mother with both her kids on separate tours of

Israel as Operation Protective Edge begins? I won't lie, it was an anxious time. But the truth is Israel has a special situation room set up to monitor the whereabouts of all its visiting tours. It gives precise direction as to where is safe to go and that coupled with the fantastic care from Tribe and Yavneh College meant that I truly felt

that my precious children were in safe hands. What other country would take so much care of foreign visitors?

Both tours sent daily updates by email, Twitter and blog and couple that with messages from the kids, I generally knew at any time where they were. I believe that the children were generally unaware of the scale of what we were seeing at home on the news and were just enjoying their tours despite the last

minute changes to schedule.

Of course there were moments when I wished they could be transported home immediately. Particularly when Jodie rang and told me of her rocket experience. But where in the world is safe? If you're considering sending your child on an Israel tour my advice is please let them go. They will have the most outstanding time and come back richer and wiser from the experience.


Watford Observer online

1 May 2014

You & US

22 November 2013

You & US 7 February 2014

Hot Off The Press!With thanks to Melanie Silver, Watford has enjoyed some great press coverage, both on and off-line over the past months!

This page has been sponsored by Rochel & Rabbi Ephraim Levine

21WADS News | Rosh Hashanah 2014www.watfordsynagogue.org.ukBorehamwood & Elstree Times

28 April 2014

You & US (US website)

6 March 2014

http://www.theus.org.uk/article/chief-‐rabbi-‐watford%E2%80%99s-‐guest-‐honour


U JS? Now I’m sure some of you are thinking what does that stand for;

but on the other hand, there must be (or I’m hoping there are) some of you rekindling fond memories of your time at University. For anyone that isn’t sure what those three letters stand for, it’s the Union of Jewish Students and we work directly with Jewish students during their time at University.

It all started out in 1919, when it was known as the Inter-University Jewish federation (IUJF). It started with a group of students who had the vision and the foresight to comprehend a growing pride in the Jewish Community. Renamed as the more refined UJS in 1973, today, UJS represents over 8000 students throughout the UK and Ireland, with a network of 64 Jewish Societies (J-Soc’s). These range from Exeter to Edinburgh, London to Liverpool and many more along the way. We work to ensure the needs of Jewish Students on Campus are understood, acknowledged and protected by the Universities, Students’ Unions and wider society as a whole.

So what is at the heart of UJS I hear you ask? We pride ourselves on our core values of: peer-leadership, cross-communalism, representation and Israel-engagement. This being said, we aim to ensure all our programming is non-denominational – UJS is open to all Jewish students, no matter what their cultural or political backgrounds are. J-Soc committees are made up of a collection of students

elected by other students on their campus. Our President is elected by students across the country (this year over 500 students voted in our election) and the UJS programmes team are composed mostly of recent graduates; so that the culture of peer-leadership is maintained at a national level. There are also a wide variety of programmes aimed to start conversations on Jewish identity and connections with Israel.

As a campaigning organisation we have a large history of campaigning on key issues such as anti-Semitism, hate speech and Israel, and we strive to ensure that no Jewish student feels threatened on their campus for being Jewish, or being a supporter of Israel and every student feels comfortable to express their level of Judaism on campus. During times of heightened tension in Israel, this can be challenging, but, we work closely with CST to ensure as little impact on students as possible. An example of a recent win has been at Sussex University. They passed a BDS policy (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions). However, they recently rejected a call for an academic boycott of Israel. This was done through the careful and authentic campaigning by Jewish students, with the constant support and coordination of UJS, especially our Campaigns Director.

Naturally, trying to ensure Jewish students have a Jewish experience whilst at University is also a large chunk of our work. We provide resources, support, training and funding

for J-Soc’s in all of their activities. These can range from the traditional Friday Night Dinners to party-style events to educational programmes. Alongside this, we also partner with various organisations to offer trips to Israel and Poland (to name a few). A different, but equally important, aspect is providing access to kosher food and accommodation, and ensuring safe spaces for J-Soc activities to be held in. Add in something about providing career opportunities and also our national events and inter-Jsoc events such as JUEFA Cup, Jewniversity Challenge and the Brighton Shabbaton.

UJS provides the platform and opportunities to empower, educate and inspire Jewish students. UJS places students at the heart of leading and creating campus communities, whilst at the same time inspiring leaders for today and the future. I hope this gives you a little taster of all the varied and important work we do at UJS. If you have any further queries, or would like to donate any money to UJS or sponsor any programmes, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Feel free to follow us on Twitter: @UJS_UK, like our Facebook page: Union of Jewish Students and visit our website: http://www.ujs.org.uk/

UJSMeeting the needs of Jewish Students on Campus



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Zahav is WADS’ club for the over-50s. We are now well into our second year and

have become an established part of the WADS scene. There has been an interesting and varied programme, old friends have got together and new friendships have been created. As one of our speakers observed, we are a friendly group.

Just after Pesach we celebrated our first birthday. The meeting started with a talk by Marie Driffil on “My chats with the Queen”. Marie used to work for one of the Queen’s couturiers and gave a fascinating account of her relationship with Her

Majesty. Following the talk, our usual refreshments were accompanied by the Zahav birthday cake.

You can see the birthday cake, our speaker and some of our members in the picture. Marie Driffil is the second lady from the left.

Other speakers have been:• Raffi Katz, who spoke about

his new book, “Cassiobury Walks”, and about his photographic experiences;

• Ernest Simon, who was a passenger on the Kinder Transport out of Vienna, fleeing the Nazi persecution;

• Stephen Hearn of Tring Auctions, who discussed the antiques and collectibles that members brought to the meeting;

• Roger and Paula Masters, who told us about Isaac Rosenberg, the Jewish WW1 poet, and gave us readings of his poetry;

• Frances Turner, who described

the multiple disasters that led up to her wedding. (This was over 50 years ago and the marriage is still going strong.)

We also had an outing to Bushey Museum and Art Gallery, which was followed by refreshments at the home of Ruth Segal. (Thank you, Ruth, for your hospitality.)

Zahav is run by a Committee who work hard to ensure that there is a stimulating programme and that all meetings run like clockwork. We meet twice a month on a Thursday, usually in the shul hall, starting at 2pm. A donation of £2 per meeting includes tea, coffee and cakes. Our meetings are open to the senior members of both WADS and other Jewish communities.

If you would like any further information, or you need a lift to a meeting, please ring Eileen or Stuart on 01442-259028.

We look forward to meeting both old and new friends in the coming months.

by Stuart Goldberg



Thought this might be of some interest to the new comers to Watford Shul

and how it was "Re-born in 1969" when the "Pearl family" moved from Hounslow to our new home in Hertfordshire.

We were informed on making enquiries from the U.S. that Watford had a thriving community (what a laugh) but we moved in after selling our house and buying a Bungalow as we had three young boys, one being in a wheel-chair who was getting a little bit too heavy for me to lift and carry up the stairs to bed.

With Phil, my husband, being away working most of the week and just coming home at the weekends I found things were very difficult for me.

Having more or less settled ourselves in and the boys getting to know the area and where they were going to school, they were getting really excited and looking forward to their first Shabbat at the weekend.

Saturday morning came, and Phil took two of the boys with him to Shul whilst I stayed home with Graham (who suffered from Muscular Dystrophy) we were most surprised to see them back again two hours later. This happened three weeks running. Phil just couldn't understand why the large house was in darkness and all locked up!!!

Having looked around the shops in the area, Phil found a hardware store, and being and being interested in D.I.Y. he went in. Phil noticed that the owner looked like he might be a Jewish man so he asked him about the shul in Watford and why it was

always locked when he went on a Shabbat? The owner answered "Oh we only open once a month as we don't have a Rabbi or Hebrew classes nor youth club or Kindergarten facilities and most of our members are in business and are working at the weekends.

Oh dear, Phil told him, this is not for us, we wouldn't have come had we have known the truth, as I'm working now in Hemel, this would have been the ideal place. The gentleman was very sympathetic and said I shall give you Harry Nathan's address and telephone number, he is our Shul secretary, you go talk to him.

That very weekend Phil contacted Mr. H. Nathan and made arrangements to meet up with him. After telling him about our dismay of finding no active community, Mr. Nathan promised that the following Shabbat there will be a service and he should arrive at 10am and will find the lights on and the doors open. True to his word that is exactly what happened.

We were delighted, news went around very quickly and soon many people were coming forward, new members, old members were getting involved again. People from Carpenders Park, Bushey (our fees were cheaper) and places further afield, like Croxley, Bricket Wood and St. Albans, to name a few. New members Mike and Frankie Cronin were active. Mike was able to take services. Barbara Blume from Carpenders Park was willing to help David Claret (also from Carpenders Park) by being our first Co. Editors of our "Newsletter" and Barbara also formed and chaired our Ladies Guild.

December 1971 Bobby and Bernice Hill had officially moved into their newly decorated flat above the Synagogue and Bobby became our first Minister and Bernice taught at the Hebrew classes.

We also now had a Young Married Group, a Toddlers group, a Social group and Miriam Kay brought the League of Jewish Women Group and we mustn't forget our Building committee who did a very good job.

That year our son Graham saw his wish to visit Israel come true through the kindness of the members of our community making a collection and sending him and Phil for a two week holiday to see many places of interest. Miriam Kays had friends in Herzlia whose husband was a taxi driver. He met them at the airport and took them to their hotel and the next morning arrived to start their tour. This was arranged in June and on his return he wrote his account of his wonderful time in Israel for the second edition of our then "Newsletter".

Graham died later that year at the end of October, just a few weeks before his sixteenth birthday.

Phil and I were very grateful to the community and vowed that we would do all we could to help make this community a success.

In June 1972 Phil became Warden with Jo Blume and often took the service as well as being a "Mr. Fix it" (he was an electronic engineer) and very handy on D.I.Y. I took on the job of being the Ladies Guild Treasurer.

By August 1974 we seemed to

Watford RebornRenée Pearl remembers Watford shul in the 1970’s

This page has been sponsored by Brian & Sue Citron Best Wishes and Happy 100th Birthday to Bessie Citron


have lost our "Newsletters" and now obtained new Editors of a "Watford Synagogue Magazine" being Barry Brahams and Frankie Cronin (Michael’s wife) A new Ladies Guild Chairman Helen Solomon (David's wife) and I started to write an item in the new Magazine which they called "Mrs. Pearl's Diary" I also did a baby sitting service with the money earned going to the L. G. funds and with the help of both of my sons and occasionally Phil. Then I did some cookery classes with the Oneg Youth Club which was run by Adrian and Stephen Pearl and Jon Joseph. I did alternate weeks with Bernice and also Miriam Kays but they always ended up eating the cakes before they could carry them home, with a drink of orange juice before they left.

Phil was now Warden with Mike Cronin and David Solomon Chairman of the Board. Harry Nathan was still Secretary and

Clive Walters Financial Representative.

There's more, I could go on but I think you perhaps would like to ask some other members to give their story of how and what they did to make and take part in the history of our helpful, friendly and kindly community.

Long may it go on and grow from strength to strength...

Matthew Arnold & Baldwin LLP wishes the Watford community a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.

Matthew Arnold & Baldwin LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England & Wales (registered number: OC343595) and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. A list of members of the LLP is open to inspection at the LLP’s registered office: 21 Station Road, Watford, WD17 1HT, United Kingdom.

www.mablaw.com


New Members:Jodie and Marc Sacks

Geraldine Levine

Shlomit Williams

Jennifer Clifford

Katie Vincent

Birth:Annie and Peter Keen – granddaughterOlivia and Mia Rolfe – sonViv and Brian Markeson – grandsonNicola and Jamie Gold – daughterCarolyn and Paul Linton - granddaughter

Get Well:Lauren RubinDiane DombEsther LevyMillie GrahamGlenda MarcusPaul LintonStanley AlterRachel BrettFrances TurnerLoraine Cohen

Bereavement:David Mail on the passing of his Father

Johan Bacon on the passing of his Brother

Terri Phillips on the passing of her Brother

The Family of Paulette Solomons

Denise Rodgers on the passing of her Mother

Watford & District United Synagogue16 Nascot RoadWatford WD17 4YE01923 222755Email: [email protected]

Website: www.watfordsynagogue.org.ukMinister: Rabbi Ephraim LevineAdministrator: Carolyn SilvermanChairman: Ronnie JacobWardens: Michael Gordon Henry Hantman Steve Newman

Community Greetings

I t’s been a busy year for the Social Committee. We worked at putting together

a varied calendar, hoping that each social event would cater towards our diverse members. For those with an interest in politics and current affairs we held Question Time and were proud to welcome Ann Widdecombe. The shul was full to capacity and many important and interesting topics were discussed. For fans of film and culture we launched our Film Club in memory of former Shul President Alan Solomon, which was a great success, and one which we hope to continue, where we will show films of

Jewish interest. We held our annual Melavah Malkah this year which sold out its capacity. It was not only a lively social event but was spiritually uplifting with an enlightening, witty and positive speech by our honoured guest Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis. It was also delightful to hear the Youth singing Jewish songs, organised by Helen Gordon and Scott Michaels.

Another annual event was the Supper Quiz held at the Park Inn Hotel with over 120 people attending, which proved to be fun, challenging and entertaining. For those who maintain an interest in Jewish History and in observing the

increasing importance of Yom Ha’Shoah, we were honoured to hear from Holocaust Survivor Rudi Oppenheimer who gave a harrowing but essential account of his own and his family’s ordeal. There was also time for questions and answers, and importantly, non-members were present.

For sporting fans there was a hugely successful Charity Golf Day held at The Grove, where golfers enjoyed playing at one of the world’s finest Golf Courses. Another new event held at the home of Andy and Coll Michaels was a Cheese & Wine Tasting Evening. This was a well attended yet intimate event

The Social CommitteeFrankie & Daniel Raphael, Julie Woolf, Gary Michaels and Toria Maze

This page has been sponsored by Michelle & Robert Keane


where guests learned about Kosher Wine from around the world and mingled and enjoyed a lovely English Summer’s evening while listening to live Blues provided by Coll.

We are always happy to hear feedback from members about our events so do please let us know how you think we are doing. We are organising a

Picnic in the Park on Sunday 7th September. For more information on this please email at [email protected]. Please also keep a look out for other upcoming events including another Film Night, the Malavah Malkah and our annual Supper Quiz to be held on Sunday 8th February.

Thanks to all those who have

helped to support us during this busy and fulfilling year. Thanks to Clive Walters and Barry Freed, who although no longer on the Social Committee, are still helping and supporting our events. We hope you continue to enjoy the social aspect of being a member at Watford and we wish you all a Happy New Year.

APPLE, Marilyn and Michael send best wishes to all in the community for a fulfilling, happy and healthy New Year.

GOLDBERG, Stuart, Eileen and family wish the Watford Community a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year and well over the Fast.

GORDON, Wishing everyone in WADS community a happy and healthy New Year. Helen, Elliott, James and Danielle with Millie Graham

GORDON, Lindsay and Michael together with their family wish Rabbi Levine, Rochel and their family and the community Shana Tova and K’siva Vechasima Tova.

JACOB, Ronnie and Philippa would like to wish the Rabbi, his family and all of the WADS community a happy and healthy New Year and well over the Fast

KATZ, Bernice, Raffi, Miriam and Daniel wish the community a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year and well over the Fast.

LEVY, Brian and Esther wish Stephanie and Stuart, Rabbi Levine, Rochel and the boys, and all their friends in the Watford community a happy and peaceful New Year and an easy Fast.

LEWIS, Sue and Leigh, Richard and Emma, Mike and Elli, and Joshua and Thomas, wish all of their family, friends and the whole community a very happy New Year and well over the Fast.

LINTON, Paul and Carolyn wish the community a happy and healthy New Year and thank everyone for their good wishes and concern for Paul.

MARCO, Rochelle and Alan wish all the Watford community a healthy and happy New Year and well over the Fast.

MARCUS, Glenda, Mike, Daniel and Zara would like to wish all our friends and family a happy New Year and well over the Fast.

MARKS, Betty and Eddie wish their family and friends a very happy and healthy New Year and well over the Fast.

NEWMAN, Stephen, Bonny, Joel & Alex wish the members of the community a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year, and well over the Fast.

PEARL, Renée, Stephen and Adrian wish Rabbi Levine,Rochel and family, our many friends in the Watford community a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.

RAPHAEL, Wishing everyone in the community a Shana Tova and well over the Fast, Francesca and Daniel.

ROBERTS, Di and Ellard wish all our friends in the community a happy New Year and well over the Fast. We look forward to seeing some of you in the New Year.

SHOOB, Elaine & Melvyn wish all their family and good friends in the Watford community a very happy and prosperous New Year and an easy Fast.

SILVER/SHAYLE, Melanie, Richard, Elliot, Carmel and Jemima wish all their friends and the WADS community a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.

SILVERMAN, Carolyn and David wish everyone in our community a happy and healthy New Year.

WALTERS, Susie and Clive wish all their family and friends in the community a very happy and healthy New Year and well over the Fast.

Rosh Hashanah Messages


I am trying to think of something new to grab your attention and write a

different type of article but I was struggling so I thought I would just tell you how appreciative our members are when they receive our help. It is heart warming when the recipient really appreciates what we can do to help them, even if it only seems a small thing to the person helping but to the individual receiving the help – it makes a huge difference.

We can’t always help directly, but we can put members in contact with organisations that may be in a better position

to do so. Sometimes it is just knowing who to contact. We have a long list of charities and organisations covering areas such as disability, bereavement, housing, health and local authorities.

We continue with our befriending group and offering a friendly ear for some of our members. Bernice Katz continues to look after this group and she will be pleased to hear from any of you

who would like to become a befriender.

So if you can help, or need some help, please let Carolyn Silverman, Philippa Jacob or Esther Levy know.

With best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year and well over the Fast.

by Philippa JacobWADS Cares


Myisrael was established in 2008 by former JFS pupil Danni Franks.

Danni made Aliya in 2005.

Danni quickly realised that like in the UK, there are thousands of small, grassroots charities in Israel struggling to raise funds and awareness for their good causes. Israelis face the same challenges that Britons do, like poverty, domestic violence, bereavement and caring for those with special needs.

Danni’s vision was to create a simple and transparent way to raise awareness in the UK of these charities, and for UK donors to be able to give directly to these projects in Israel that strive to make a real difference.

The first six years of Myisrael have proven that despite tough economic times, the Jewish

community in the UK wants to support

Israel but does not always know how.

Myisrael has three aims; to raise awareness in the UK of smaller Israeli charities that fall under the radar of most British donors; to become the default destination for UK donors who want to support grassroots charities in Israel; and to inspire donors to become Ambassadors for Myisrael and its adopted projects.

Myisrael’s model is simple. It raises funds through a variety of activities before distributing them to hand picked projects. Those projects are carefully vetted and are located across Israel. All have annual budgets of under £500,000 and meet the selection criteria set by the Board of Trustees.

Donors are given the choice to dedicate their donation to a specific project, or to Myisrael’s Project Fund. Donations to this fund are allocated quarterly to the projects deemed most in need at that time.

Uniquely, Myisrael promises that 100% of every donation goes directly to its intended

cause. Myisrael’s modest administrative costs are sponsored by a handful of donors, who give specifically for that purpose.

Myisrael currently supports 18 charities across Israel and in the six years since its launch has raised over £2m for Israeli charities. This has been achieved by building relationships with individual donors and communities, through fundraising events and encouraging donors at every level to become fundraisers.

Myisrael has inspired its supporters to create their own initiatives such as Bar/Bat Mitzvah projects or social or sponsored events, and in turn, those supporters have inspired others to do the same.

An important part of Myisrael’s ethos is raising money through community. Myisrael is so grateful for the continued support of Watford shul, and looks forward to a long lasting relationship with this community.

Why Myisrael gets my supportLooking for ways to support Israel? Emma Sosner looks no further than Myisrael, and here’s why...

This page has been sponsored by Philippa & Ronnie Jacob


Wishing You All a Happy New Year

D. Glass & Co. LtdKosher Butchers and Poulterers100 High Road, Bushey Heath, Herts. WD23 1GE

Telephone: 020 8420 4443/4151

Licensed by the London Board for Shechita

The Customer Is Always RightThe very finest top quality meat, lamb and poultry

We are delighted to announce that every customer who buys cash and carry in our shop will get a discount

We are very proud of the fact that four generations of the Glass family have served the Jewish community for 104 years

We wish Rabbi Levine, his family, the wonderful Watford community including Gary, Danielle, Scott and Samantha Michaels a happy and healthy Rosh

Hashanah and well over the fast.


You can enjoy this recipe hot, cold or warm making it ideal for Rosh Hashanah.

This Japanese salmon dish uses a sweet and shiny sauce for marinating as well as for glazing. It is a tasty, low fat main course that is delicious with sushi rice. The teriyaki sauce is also perfect with tuna, steak or chicken. I like to serve it with mange tout and bean sprouts. Kosher Mirin wine, (Chinese rice wine) is now available in the kosher supermarkets, but should not be able to find it, substitute it with Kosher dry Sherry.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes plus 10 minutes to cool and 30 minutes to marinate Cooking Time: 10 minutesServes: 4 people

Ingredients4 fillets salmon 150g/ 5 oz pieces 100g bean sprouts – washed 150g mangetout – ends trimmed150g carrots, peeled and cut into thin strips

Salt and pepper to tasteFor the Teriyaki Sauce3 tablespoons Soya sauce3 tablespoons sake or Kosher dry Sherry3 tablespoons mirin (Japanese Rice Wine)1 tablespoon sugar plus 2 teaspoons

Method1. Mix all the ingredients for the

teriyaki sauce except the extra sugar in a pan. Heat to dissolve the sugar. Remove and cool for 10 minutes.

2. Place the salmon fillet in a shallow dish and pour over the teriyaki sauce. Leave to marinate for 30 minutes.

3. Preheat the grill to medium. Take the salmon fillet out of the sauce and pat dry with kitchen paper. Reserve the sauce. Lightly oil a grilling tray.

4. Grill the salmon for about 10-12 minutes.

5. Pour the sauce into the pan. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons sugar and heat until dissolved. Remove from the heat.

6. Brush the salmon with the sauce, then grill until the surface of the fish bubbles.

7. Meanwhile, boil the vegetables in lightly salted water. First add the carrots and after 5 minutes drain the water away. Add the mange tout and bean sprouts and mix well. Remove from the pan from the heat after 1 minute. Serve immediately.

To serve the stylish way: Heap the vegetables onto a serving plate. Place the salmon on top and spoon over the rest of the sauce.

This salad makes a lovely refreshing Rosh Hashonah starter before a dairy main course. I have mixed an unusual selection of vegetables to create a dish strong with vibrant colour and full of varied interesting textures and flavours.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 25 minutes Serves: 6 people

Ingredients900g (about 2 large) sweet potatoes –peeled and cut into cubes

1 tablespoon olive oil175g watercress 1 large pomegranate – halved and deseeded75g pumpkin seeds 150g goat's cheese - crumbledSalt and freshly ground black pepper

Dressing4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar1 teaspoon sugar½ teaspoon mustard – of any variety1 teaspoon lemon juiceSalt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste

Method1. Pre-heat the oven to 200 C/ 400

F/ Gas mark 6.2. Put the sweet potatoes in a

roasting tin, drizzle with olive oil, salt and freshly ground black pepper

3. Roast for 20 -25 minutes turning once during cooking.

4. To make the dressing, mix all the ingredients together and season to taste.

5. Put the sweet potato in a bowl with the watercress, pomegranate and goats cheese.

To serve the stylish way: Drizzle over the dressing and sprinkle over the pumpkin seeds.

Sweet Potato, Pomegranate and Pumpkin Seed Salad

Salmon Teriyaki

This page has been sponsored by Francesca & Daniel Raphael


Rosh Hashonah is not the same without an apple cake of some description and this one seems to tick all the right boxes ~ easy to prepare, can be made in advance or frozen and more to the point ~ absolutely delicious!

Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 1 hour 5 minutes Serves: 8 – 10 people

Ingredients140g butter or non-dairy margarine200g SR flour50g muesli cereal2 teaspoons mixed spice140g muscavado sugar4 eggs100g raisins2 eating apples- peeled, cored and chopped

Topping75g porridge oats2 teaspoons mixed spice50g butter/ non-dairy margarine50g muscavado sugar1 tablespoons roughly chopped pecan nuts

Method1. Preheat the oven to 180 C/ 355

F/Gas mark 4.2. Grease and line a 2 kg loaf tin

with non-stick baking archment.3. Place the flour, museli, spice,

and butter into the food processor and whizz together to combine.

4. Then add the sugar. Remove and transfer to a large mixing bowl.

5. Stir in the raisins, eggs and apples.

6. Mix well until well combined.7. Transfer to the loaf tin and

smooth the top with a knife or spatula.

8. For the crumble topping, rub the oats, mixed spice, butter and sugar through your fingers to make a rough crumble.

9. Stir in the nuts and sprinkle evenly over the cake mixture.

10. Bake for 50 – 55 minutes or until firm to touch and a fine skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

11. Cool for 15 minutes then turn out on a wire rack

Apple and Raisin Crumble Cake


W edding Bands have always had a certain stigma attached. A

certain whiff of fromage. Images painted in part by the classic Romcom movie, the Wedding Singer. Featuring wedding band frontman Robbie Hart (played by Adam Sandler) belting out ‘classics’ like Dead or Alive’s – You Spin Me Round and the wedding setlist favourite ‘Do you really want to hurt me’. Dressed in ill-fitting brightly coloured polyester jackets, eccentric belts and shoes, with the look completed with Sandler sporting a rather fetching mullet. His band is made up from a heady mix of oddballs and overweight, follicly challenged seniors.

Searching online for a band today opens up a vast world of choices, styles, genres, looks, themes, formats and just about anything else you can think of. The good, the bad, and the awful all ready and waiting for your call. Readily available

access to video and sound recordings has undoubtedly been a key driver in upping the game of most bands and left exposed those who haven’t moved with the times.

Sensation Band is one of the new generation tech-centric bands creating a buzz on the scene. Formed in 2012 by one of the UK’s most prominent Keyboard players and music producers, Jason Silver. Having spent 5 years touring the world with Mark Ronson he has succeeded in bringing that knowledge and experience gained from sell out live shows in front of tens of thousands of fans on the global stage to people’s Simchas. Jason tells us, ‘Technology now plays a huge part in the live performances of your favourite artists that you’ve paid to see, and has enabled bands to create music more credible and immersive than ever.‘ His band has invested heavily in replicating

that technology set up, enabling them to perform covers in a way like never before - a listen to the tracks on their site of live recordings confirms what he says.

‘We set out to offer our clients the best value in the market and total flexibility to fit in with their vision of what they want from us. Our technology enables us to play a huge array of music genres faithfully from Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga. We offer stunning lounge and dinner music sets that perfectly showcase the world class standard of our singers and musicians with some timeless classics. We also comprehensively cover all eras, to include Funk and Motown sets, and the modern dance sets benefit hugely from this setup as they rely heavily on the right technology to sound incredible live.’

Coupled with this is Jason’s

Wedding Bands: The next generationProving there’s more to the music than sparkly hats

This page has been sponsored by Suzy & Clive Walters


influence within the UK music scene. His business partner Richard told me; ‘Getting involved in setting this band up was a no-brainer for me, I was genuinely excited about throwing out the rule book and bringing the absolute highest level of UK talent available to play at private weddings and parties, it was obvious from the start it would be a game changer. We are hugely privileged that through Jason’s professional connections and his reputation for uncompromised quality we have exclusive access to a huge choice of the UK’s finest musicians and singers of the moment that simply don’t normally play at private events. One example being Rizzle Kick’s guitarist Adam Sosner, a regular with Sensation Band when he’s not on tour, and The Streets frontman, The Basement Jaxx singers, Jamiroquai percussionist, Incognito lead singers... I could go on! Ultimately you know you’ve got it right when guests are utterly

spell bound by the outrageous talents of the singers and musicians - we are immensely proud of our line-up’.

With the next generation of bands quickly gaining popularity over the guys rocking the bright white suits, co-ordinated leg kick moves and sparkly hats it can only be a positive thing for discerning wedding goers across the land with an aversion to the cringe factor. Not all bands are created equal but with the bar raised this high and constantly getting higher, focus is definitely back where it should be – on the quality of the music being produced and the talent on stage. Having seen Sensation Band play live recently I’ve seen for myself how powerful and exciting raw talent is when it’s in such an intimate meaningful setting. It’s now possible to return home from a wedding with a newfound feeling of musical satisfaction and enjoyment previously reserved for post-gig of your favourite band.

Real music lovers rejoice, the next generation has arrived.


The Hidden Gem in WADS

The start of 2013 saw the build up to our daughter Jodie’s Bat Mitzvah

celebrations and the start of what would ultimately result in a memorable and blessed year for our family.

Long after the colour of the tablecloths had been forgotten and the invitations removed from guests’ pin boards, the prize element of Jodie’s Bat Mitzvah journey (or rather her climb) remains within us all. And climb she did. Each week in the months building up to her day, she progressed up quite a steep but welcoming flight of stairs into the home of the Levines; beautifully situated to learn and study right above the very bimah she would ultimately stand on one exciting and memorable Sunday to come.

Rochel caringly taught stories and instilled values into Jodie which will remain with her as she grows and develops. Whether they were discussing Israel, the laws of Kashrut or the power and influence of a host of ‘celebs’ we know so well from the bible, Jodie would return

home each week, enlightened and ready for more.

The occasional appearances from Tzviki, Mendy, Dovie and Aryeh during the hour was a fun distraction from the focused learning atmosphere and demonstrated that the home life of a rabbi’s wife is just like our own – loving, warm and a bit chaotic!

Jodie prepared a wonderful Dvar Torah that with Rochel’s guidance was moulded and shaped into a really personal and inspiring piece. It highlighted the story of Chana and spoke about the forthcoming celebration of Rosh Hashanah and about which Jodie said, ‘this ties in very well with my Bat Mitzvah, which signifies a turning point in my life, new beginnings and the chance to consider what type of person I want to be in the future.’

On 26 Ellul 5773 (September 1st 2013), surrounded by family and friends, a beautiful service was held in the synagogue to celebrate Jodie’s Bat Mitzvah. Jodie spoke, Rabbi Ephraim Levine spoke making us proud as ever to be WADS members and Rochel

herself, addressed Jodie with a passion and sincerity which I know remains with many who were in the room that day.

Rochel brings an essence of Parisian charm and elegance to the Watford community but always with a deep-rooted passion for teaching and helping others. Speaking from the heart, Rochel’s final words to Jodie were ‘your Bat Mitzvah is not the end, it’s just the beginning of your life as a young Jewish woman.

Although Jodie does not ascend the aforementioned stairs above the shul quite so much anymore, I know she will continue to reach great heights. And for that we can thank the hidden gem in our community.

Lucy Godfrey on why a certain Parisienne charms us all

wads news rosh hashanah 2014

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