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HakolOctober 2013 | Tishri/Cheshvan5774

www.tlse.org.uk

INSIDE THIS MONTH Building the Sukkah at TLSE!

Rosita Rosenberg’s special birthday p19

Rabbi Rachel Benjamin entertains p15

Find out what our Youth got up to this Summer with LJY p12-13

Read about the Women at the Wall p16

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T he High Holydays are now behind us and we enter

October with a chance to look back at our celebration of them. I’m pretty sure that everyone remarked at some point that Rosh ha-Shanah and Yom Kippur were unusually early this year. This was one of the reasons offered for what was, frankly, an alarmingly low attendance on Rosh ha-Shanah. In previous years, the children’s service and the main service have been full to overflowing; this year we were barely two thirds full - we could probably have fitted everyone into the synagogue, which is astonishing.

Yom Kippur wasn’t quite as early as Rosh ha-Shanah (ten days later to be precise) but I predicted that the fact it fell on a Saturday would have an effect on the level of attendance. And I was right. We offered our first ever youth service in the morning led by the KT Group,

and it was delivered to an worryingly small number of the almost two hundred young members aged between 9 and 18 for whom it was intended. The children’s service in the afternoon attracted perhaps twenty per cent of the synagogue’s under-thirteen-year-olds. Last year, when Yom Kippur fell on a Wednesday, there were more than 200 people at this service. There are serious questions to be asked here. The shul’s Rites and Practices Committee will be looking into this; if you have any thoughts you would like them to consider, please e-mail office@tlse.org.uk. Yom Kippur is on a Saturday next year as well (but it’s not so early, so perhaps things will be different).

One of my other concerns about the Yom

Kippur services is the Yizkor service in the afternoon. I know that it is a very emotional time and that it is a service that means a lot to those who attend it. One of its central features is the reading out of names of deceased loved ones who are mourned by members of the community. Almost inevitably, this list grows longer with each passing year. This Yom Kippur there were more names on the list than there were congregants in the hall at Clore Shalom.

In previous congregations I have served, the names read out in the Yom Kippur Yizkor service have been limited to those members of the

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congregation who have passed away since the previous Yom Kippur. I have to confess that I am unclear of the purpose or benefit of the reading out of names of those who have departed - I prefer to reflect on the memories of my own lost loved ones during the periods of silence that are available in that service. Clearly that opinion is not shared by others, and I fully respect those who appreciate hearing me read out the name(s) of deceased friends or family members.

What I cannot understand is why people submit the names of loved ones to be read out in the knowledge that they will not be present at the service in which their loved ones’ names are mentioned. I don’t believe that our deceased loved ones gather in some celestial congregation every Yom Kippur to participate in some mystical way in our worship and reflection.

But let’s imagine for a moment that in some incomprehensible way, they are able to witness the reading of their names at that moment of Yom Kippur afternoon. Any comfort they might gain from hearing their name mentioned, presumably indicating that they were being remembered would, I am sure, be wiped out by the fact that the person(s) who wanted them to be remembered weren’t actually there when their name was read out. I find this astonishing and rather alarming - insulting even, to the memories of those who are apparently being ‘remembered’ by someone who isn’t there.

This is another area of our High Holyday services that will be reviewed by the Rites and Practices Committee and again, if you have any thoughts or suggestions, they would be most welcome. Please send them to the shul and they will become part of the

discussion about future High Holyday services.

I would like to conclude on a more positive note by giving my thanks to all those who led, organised, or participated in those services in some way, as readers, singers, stewards, schleppers, security or overseeing children’s activities. Everything went very smoothly, and that is thanks to the hard work of many, for which we should all be most grateful. A note to those who were present at the dramatic conclusion of the Ne’ilah service: our shofar blower, Robbie Dove is fit and well - he was apparently suffering from a lack of nourishment can’t imagine why…)

Although we’re already almost a month into it, I wish you a happy and healthy 5774. I’ll see you in December! (you can find out why elsewhere in Hakol).

Rabbi Pete Tobias

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Religion SchoolThe Religion School will continue in October following its regular structure and content. The morning will be divided into two halves: Hebrew and Jewish Studies The children—also in two groups, Junior and Senior—will spend half their morning on each of those activities.

The Religion School will meet on the following dates in October:

Sunday 6th 10.00 am – 12.15 pm Religion School Sunday 13th 10.00 am – 12.30 pm Religion School Sunday 20th 10.00 am – 12.15 pm Religion School Sunday 27th No Religion School—half term

And Religion School on 22nd and 29th will end at 12.15 pm with that brilliant Religion School service to end the morning!

Bar-/Bat-Mitzvah ClassThe bar-/bat-mitzvah class, led by the excellent Mr Michael Walton, will continue its work looking at the earliest stories in the Torah and why they are there. It meets on the following dates in October:

Saturday 5th 9.30 – 10.45 am Saturday 19th 9.30 – 10.45 am

Kabbalat TorahHaving led an excellent Yom Kippur youth service, the KT Group will now begin its preparation for the special Kristallnacht 75th anniversary service on November 9th. It meets on the following dates in October:

Saturday 12th 10.00am - 12.30 pm Sunday 20th 12.45pm - 2.30 pm

Adult EducationDue to Rabbi Pete’s Sabbatical adult education will not take place at TLSE until December 2013. This applies both to the Thursday meetings and the basic Judaism classes.

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What’s A Sabbatical? Rabbi Pete answers some questions

A : A sabbatical is a period of leave,

usually taken every seven years. In certain professions, this period of time is provided as part of an employee’s contract to enable him/her to work on a project, or improve his or her skills in a particular area.

Q : You say it’s every seven years. Didn’t

you have one a couple of years ago?

A : According to my contract, I am

entitled to 6 months sabbatical every 7 years. I took 3 months in 2010 and, in agreement with the council, am taking another part of that entitlement now.

Q : What do you intend to do on your

sabbatical?

A : I have two major writing projects

that I will finally have time to complete: the first is about how the original Torah came to be written in Babylon in

the 6th Century BCE and the second is a novel about Abraham Kohn, a 19th century Austrian reform rabbi who was murdered by Orthodox Jews (oops—gave away the ending!). This latter project involves a short trip to Hohenems at the foot of the Alps, and to Lviv, 900 miles further east; the two places Rabbi Kohn served in his short career. Oh - and I hope to produce the prototype of a new type of prayerbook based on my High Holyday sermons.

Q : What happens to the synagogue

during your sabbatical?

A : Services, Religion School, bar-/bat-

mitzvah and KT classes continue as normal, led by the many competent lay leaders and teachers this congregation is fortunate enough to count among its members.

Q : What happens if a synagogue member

needs pastoral care?

A : A number of my colleagues have

been put on standby to

step in and attend to

such situations should

they arise. The same

applies should there be

a bereavement in the

congregation. Simply

follow the normal

procedure of contacting

the synagogue and

everything will follow

from that.

Q : Will congregants be able to contact

you during your

sabbatical?

A : No. My phone will be switched

off and I will set up a

private e-mail address

for the duration of the

sabbatical.

Q : What are the dates of your sabbatical?

A : Monday 30th September until

havdalah at 6.45pm on

Saturday 30th November

- see you there!

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TLSE introduces monthly direct debitsUp to now all members have had the option of paying their subscriptions by monthly standing order. We are delighted to be able to tell you that, as from January 2014, we expect to be changing from using standing orders to using direct debits.

What does the change to Direct Debit mean to me?This has a number of advantages for you, our members:• No more forms to fill in each year• Certainty that your membership will continue without a break• Reduced monthly payments because direct debits will operate over 12 months, not 10 months as we have used for standing orders in the past.

The change is also good for the synagogue because it will reduce administration and smooth our cashflow.

Are Direct Debits secure?All payments will be guaranteed under the banks’ direct debit scheme which is offered by all Banks and Building Societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits. If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit, TLSE will notify you 10 working days in advance of your account being debited. If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit, by TLSE or your Bank or Building Society, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your Bank or Building Society. You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your Bank or Building Society, and by letting us know as well.

What happens next?If you are paying by standing order now we will be writing to you in the next few weeks. In that letter we will ask you to complete the direct debit instruction form now, ready to start payments in January. By having the forms now we will be able to collect your first payment in January without you having to do anything else. You will also have lower monthly payments next year because the full subscription for 2014 will be paid over 12 monthly instalments rather than the 10 which have applied to standing orders.

If you do not currently pay by monthly standing order you don’t need to do anything now; you will be able to join the scheme when you get your synagogue subscription bill in January.

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Dylan Berger; Gabriella Bishop; Connor Davey; Nico Di Girolamo-Burke; Tyler Grossman; Raphael Haffner; Carl Miller; Oliver Nathan; Lola San; Isabella Sinclair.

Happy Birthday to...

If you want more informationIf you currently pay by standing order there will be more information in the letter you will get in the next few weeks. If you have any questions about the direct debit scheme please contact the membership treasurer, Mike Beral (mike@beral.co.uk, or 01923 855367 evenings only please).

Services for October 2013Fri 4 Oct 6.30pm Kabbalat Shabbat supperSat 5 Oct 11am Shabbat morning service 5 Gen 2, 4b-24; Isaiah 3, 16-24Council Rep: Richard Elman Theme: Loneliness

Fri 11 Oct 6.30pm Erev Shabbat serviceSat 12 Oct 11am Shabbat morning service 1 Gen 2, 25, 3, 20; Proverbs 8, 1-23Council Rep: Allan Newman Theme: Education

Fri 18 Oct 8pm Erev Shabbat serviceSat 19 Oct 11am Shabbat morning service 2 Gen 4, 1-16; 1 Kings 21, 1-21Council Rep: Michael Reibscheid Theme: Justice

Fri 25 Oct 6.30pm Erev Shabbat serviceSat 26 Oct 10am Tots’ service 11am Shabbat morning service 3 & birthday blessings Gen 5, 1-32, 6,1-8; Talmud Eruvin 13bCouncil Rep: Sue Woolf Theme: Human Nature

Deadline for copy for November Hakol is Thursday 17th October.

Date: Saturday 5 October. Meet at: the Cha Cha Cha cafe in

Cassiobury ParkTime: Meet 2.00 for 2.15.Leaders: Lisa and Leigh.

Mobile: 07958 502 526For those who fancy lunch before the

walk, Lisa and Leigh will be at the cafe at 1.30.

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I am pleased to give you a brief introduction to the causes who

we will be supporting for this year’s High Holy Day Appeal. As usual we will divide the funds we receive between a Jewish charity based in the UK, an Israel-based charity and a local non-Jewish charity.

For our Jewish charity based in the UK, the Council has selected Jewish Women’s Aid. I was shocked to learn that one woman in four will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. Although we might like to think that such abuse does not occur within the Jewish community, all women are effected, regardless of age, education, class, lifestyle or religion. Jewish Women's Aid (JWA) is a registered national charity run by Jewish women for Jewish women and their children who have experienced or are experiencing domestic abuse. Their activities started in Leeds back in the 1980’s with a helpline, but over years have grown to offer shelter and

High Holy Day Appealsupport with:• a secure refuge in

London where Kashrut, Shabbat and festivals are observed.

• An outreach service to women and their children in the community, which covers such areas as advice regarding welfare and benefit, assistance with legal advice, counseling and employment, practical support with letter writing and form filling and sometimes just an understanding person to talk to face-to-face or on the phone.

• Importantly they also seek to raise awareness of the existence of domestic abuse by running education sessions in schools which promote healthy relationships and aim to prevent domestic violence in the future, as well as providing speakers, workshops and training courses to the adult Jewish community.

For our Israel-based cause we are supporting the work of Keren

B'Kavod. This is the humanitarian aid program of the Israel Religious Action Centre and is the Reform Movement's response to the growing difficulty of many Israelis to provide themselves with basic necessities. Their volunteers are often people who have received assistance in the past and now want to give back to others. They come from a cross-section of Israel’s diverse communities and they focus on groups that are overlooked by other organizations such as Druze, Gypsies, African refugees, and the Arab Muslim and Christian communities, as well as Israel’s poorer Jewish communities. Additionally, they support young people who have turned away from an ultra-Orthodox background, but now have nobody else to turn to, having been marginalised by their family and former friends. Aid is distributed around the time of religious holidays including Christmas, Easter, Eid El' Fitr and the Muslim Feast of the Sacrifice Eid El Adha: an aid package might typically

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include a range of basic foodstuffs such as olives, pickles, tuna, potato flour, cookies, legumes, along with essential toiletries such as toothpaste, soap and shampoo and even a white tablecloth, chocolate and a 200 shekel-clothing coupon.

Our UK local charity is Cherry Lodge Cancer Care, which is a charity committed to improving the quality of life for those living with cancer, their carers and families. Although their Information and Resource Centre is based in Barnet, their services cover much of North London and South Hertfordshire. Their services focus on the provision of high quality cancer support, more specifically:• Professional Nursing• Support Information and

Education• Complementary

Therapies• Group Therapies• Members' Drop-In

Sessions• Home Visits/ Befriending• Welfare Benefits

Assistance• Psychological Support

All of these services are provided free of charge.

Helping people with cancer is not only about the times they visit hospital - it's about quality of life.

Don’t forget that any Gift Aid we recover will go to our Tzedek Fund. Every month the synagogue council allocates this money on your behalf to causes who are responding to emergencies and disasters, or particularly urgent appeals in the UK and around the globe. Last year funds raised in this way at High Holy Days aided relief in East Africa, Haiti and, through Save the Children, in Syria, as well as giving to Red Cross’ Hurricane Sandy Appeal and Crisis at Christmas.

Although we read in the media that the economy is starting its recovery, for many of us, it does not feel that way; wages seem unable to keep pace with inflation and reports appeared earlier in the month about the huge pay packets for the CEO’s of some the country’s biggest charities. This discourages us from giving, but it might do us well to reflect that if you are feeling the pinch this year, the recipients of our tzedek are likely to be in

a much worse “place”, dealing with suffering, torment or incurable illness, which they are trying to combat in spite of world economic weakness. I urge you to give what you can so that the valuable work done by the charities we support can continue to provide their valuable services.

Richard Elman Chairman

How to donateFor the last 2 years we have used an online facility through Virgin Money Giving.

You can pay by credit or debit card.

1. Go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com

2. Select "Donate to Charity", enter "the liberal synagogue elstree" in box

3. Choose "make a donation" - please leave message about how you would like your donation allocated.

Sue Woolf

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SATURDAYS SUNDAYS

Sat 5 Oct Daniel Renak Sun 6 Oct Michael Gray

Paul Amiel Tony Scott-Norman

Peter Blythe

Sat 12 Oct David Steinberg Sun 13 Oct Jonathan Bennett

Michael Rebak Oren Tsur

Howard Sheldon

Sat 19 Oct Paul Freedman Sun 20 Oct Bob Batley

Marc Lewis Tim Cook

Marc Diamond

Sat 26 Oct Marc Goldie

Kristopher Babb

Malcolm Kirsch

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

Glen Sinclair

Security Rota | October 2013

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Elstree High StreetElstree, Herts, WD6 3EY

Phone: 020 8953 8889Email: office@tlse.org.uk

www.tlse.org.uk

The office is staffed 9.30am - 2.30pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Mobile if urgent: 07925 558166

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Every year, the leaders sing a song during the last night show. This song, known as ‘Oh Kadimah’, is about all of the most memorable events of camp, and it is a time of joy for all. But it is also a time of sadness, as everybody realises that the camp will soon end. But what is Kadimah? And why do so many young people come, year after year?

Kadimah is an annual summer camp, run by Liberal Jewish Youth (LJY) for people in school years 5 to 10. It is predominantly managed by people under the age of 25, and some leaders can be as young as 18. This means that Kadimah is, in essence, a camp run by youth, for youth. Many are thankful for this, as it ensures that the participants can easily connect with their leaders.

Every year, the majority of participants are people who came the previous year, and enjoyed it so much that they chose to come again. There are many reasons for this: one which is more obvious would be that many people can develop close friendships, and Kadimah is the only time when they can see one another. An additional reason, which has an equal, if not greater impact, is that Kadimah is, quite simply, an enjoyable camp!

It’s all very well and good to say that it’s enjoyable, but what makes it so? Perhaps the greatest reason for this can only be told by recounting

what I found most memorable and enjoyable this year. I was in ‘Chalutzim’, the oldest age group, who camp in tents far away from the rest of the people. Even the poor weather couldn’t dampen our spirits! We did almost everything outdoors or inside a tent, which added to the uniqueness of the experience.

One day, which was fortunately quite warm and sunny, we had a ‘meditation’ activity. In this, we all lay down on the crisp grass, and were instructed to look over at a hill in the distance. On this hill, we could see a large hay-stack, which must have been put there by farmers. The leader who ran the session explained how he found this view of a hay-stack quite calming – it demonstrated how humanity had control of its surroundings, which soothed him. He then proceeded to tell us to lie down and close our eyes. Having done this, he began to tell a calm, relaxing tale: many people around me quickly fell asleep. Whilst this was quite memorable, it was not nearly as unforgettable as what happened immediately afterwards: as we all woke up, we saw farmers, off in the distance. They were taking down the hay-stack! Upon seeing this, the leader fell to his knees, apparently distraught… It was truly one of the most amusing things I have ever seen!

On Kadimah, people can act however they wish: nobody has any expectations about how people ought to act. But this is a good thing, as it adds

to the uniqueness of Kadimah. One person came up with an excellent phrase, which sums up this idea – that we should ‘walk on the wrong side of life’s escalator’ and that we do not need to conform to societal expectations! Of course, people behave well, but no two people on Kadimah are similar.

So what makes Kadimah so good? I must admit, it is quite difficult to sum it up in words. I would highly recommend it to anybody and everybody who wants to attend a camp with the perfect mix of religion, discussions, and fun! To put it simply, Kadimah is where young people can forget all of the worries of the outside world, and remember what it is like to be a kid.

Oh Kadimah! by Adam Steinberg

I went to Kadimah 5773 on the 10th of August and it was the best two weeks of my life (I say this every year). This has been my fifth year of going to Kadimah and I am only 12. There is not a moment when you are not laughing or having loads of fun. My personal favourite time on camp is gangaschlaff. Gangaschlaff is when you are split into teams and you do funny and some disgusting tasks to win points for your team. My team won this year and last year (of course). Every morning we do ruach which means spirit. It is when we sing and jump around all together to wake

My time at Kadimah 5773 by Alice Pollock

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My LJY Netzer Tour experience by Hollie Walton

Kadimah by Jack Walton

I stepped out of the plane, nervous with excitement, as we touched down in Tel Aviv. Little did I know that I would have life-changing and memorable experiences to take home with me in a month’s time after touring the vast country of Israel. First, we headed North, to explore places like Haifa and the old city of Akko. I particularly enjoyed the multicultural aspects like visiting the Bahai gardens and talking to a woman of the secret Druze religion over a delicious lunch. It was interesting to hear first hand about such a fascinating group of people. Our first free evening in Tiberias was another highlight. We were given money to buy our own dinner and roam around ourselves, the freedom of which was really enjoyable. We would have many more chances of this later in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Eilat. Throughout, we were educated on the complicated political situation Israel faces today. Back in London, this is very difficult to grasp, with many sides from different sources of information. Having a unique opportunity to visit the Israeli-Arab town of Nachaf allowed me to gain a new insight into the conflict from residents who lived there. Some of

them were our age so we also had the chance to socialize and play football with them, something I will never forget.

We then travelled south to the bustling city of Tel Aviv. Here, amongst many other things, we toured the city, had free time at the beach and the market and visited the ‘dialogue in the dark’ museum. This was one of my favourite places as it allowed me to experience what it is like to be blind. With our guide who was actually blind, we were taken to different dark rooms representing everyday-life settings, for example a bar, where I managed to order and pay for a strawberry and banana juice without seeing a thing! Massada dawned on us, quite literally, as we awoke at 4am. The climb up the ramp path was challenging but worth it as we were greeted by an indescribable sunset at the summit. Amidst the orange glow of the sun we had a small and moving service. We ended the day at the famous Dead Sea. It was great to relax and float in the water after a long hike in the morning.

All of this is just an insight into the first two weeks as we had many more days full of activities right up to the plane journey home. My time on Israel tour has allowed me to become closer with original friends and meet new ones too. It has stimulated me to learn more about current events in Israel and ponder on its history. I overcame every worry I had at the start like the heat and getting to know my group as I was captivated by the jam-packed programme to even think about these things.

Recently I came back from LJY Netzer’s Kadimah summer camp. It was two weeks of fun activities with educational sessions which were really enjoyable. All of the staff there were enthusiastic about the sessions that they ran and were kind and helpful. I have had great experiences going to Kadimah and the only thing I regret about them is not going to more LJY events in the past. Whenever you have a problem you can speak to someone and get it sorted out. It is two weeks of incredible sessions and thought provoking educational ones. I especially enjoyed the two day hike to Stonehenge, where I got to know many different people that I wouldn’t have talked to normally. Other age groups went on a trip to a zoo and

ourselves up. One of the best things about Kadimah is how many long term friends from all over the world you make. There are many people that come from Spain, Australia, Italy, America and Canada; they come to London just to go to camp! That’s how awesome it is. The climax of every great Kadimah is the last night show which I always take part in. When it is all over and I wake up in my own bed I always think there is going to be a room of 12 girls all laughing their heads off, but when there isn’t I get upset. But then I realise that I will see them at the next LJY event.

to the beach. I would really recommend going to them as I have had experiences at these camps which I will remember for a long time.

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A-B Barbara Merton 020 8953 1369

C-F Leone Samson 07702 349350

G-I Carol Hurst 020 8950 1862

J-M Estelle Leigh 020 8954 9569

N-Q Peter Merton 020 8953 1369

R-S Rita Golding 020 8953 4439

T-Z Judy Westley 01582 468100

Nicky Leigh 07788 751275

We are very sorry to announce that Bob Leuw has died and we send our condolences to his wife Shirley.

We are also sorry to announce that Gerald Daniels has died and we send our condolences to his wife Kyley and children Abigail and Seth.

Keeping Warm In Winter

Wearing the right kind of clothes can help keep you much warmer.

At home Wear several thin layers of clothes – this traps

body heat better than one thick layer. Clothes made from

wool, cotton, or fleecy synthetic fibres are best. In very

cold weather, make sure you keep warm in bed at night.

Outdoors Again, wear several thinner layers of clothing

under your coat rather than one thick layer. You lose a lot

of heat through your head, so wear a hat. To keep your

feet warm, wear flat, dry, warm, non slip shoes or boots.

Exercise Staying active is good for your health-whatever

the time of year. Everyone, including those in later life, can

benefit from being physically active.

Most people say they gain strength, stamina and flexibility

by becoming more active. Almost immediately, you will

notice that you feel better and that getting around is easier.

The more you move the better you feel.

More active older adults have the function and fitness of

those much younger. More active people prolong their

independence.

Feel good about yourself, meet new people, have more

energy, have fun, try something new.

Do You Need To Borrow A Wheelchair?The Care and Welfare Committee have a lightweight wheelchair that is available for anyone who would like to borrow it.

Contact Carol Hurst for further information

Crockery on loanAre you having an event that requires extra crockery and cutlery?

Look no further as the synagogue has acquired crockery and cutlery, which we can lend to you for a small donation.

Please contact Carol Hurst for more information on 020 8950 1862

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Jewish Music by Rabbi Rachel Benjamin - 27th August by Michael Shaw

R achel introduced the topic by asking “what is meant by Jewish Music?” Perhaps the best answer was “Music played and written by Jews for Jews.” Starting from the many references to music in the Torah from Genesis to the Psalms we were

told how important music was in the days of the Temple. The destruction of the second Temple and the development of the Synagogue led to a service format where music was not used save for celebrations or chanting especially from the Torah. Gradually under the influence of the music within the countries of the Diaspora tunes were developed using psalms and poetry leading to some of the beautiful melodies we know today. The development of Kletzmer music was explained, something we all have enjoyed on many occasions. The interesting talk was illustrated by music from Rachel’s collection with beautiful examples of music sung and played. Perhaps the most amusing example was a version of L’chah Dodi sung to the tune of “She’ll be coming round the Mountain” showing how the musical tradition is developing in the 21st Century. The talk was enjoyed by all of us and I will be looking at my very small collection of Jewish music with renewed interest.

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Women at the Wall by Michael Shaw

I n 1937 my aunt Helena went to Israel to take up a teaching post at the Evelyn De Rothschild School in Jerusalem. She

became the Senior Mistress and on retirement acted as an adviser to new teachers.

In the summer of 1989 we went as a family to Jerusalem to see family members and visit some of the main sites of interest. We visited my aunt and I admired four black and white photographs on the wall, the negatives were available and I had prints made. The one shown here is of women praying at the wall, no one is bothering them and they are being treated with respect. The photograph was taken in 1938 and shows how times have changed; women can no longer pray with freedom at this site.

I recently lent the photographs to the Israeli Embassy and one of the four is being given as an additional prize in their photographic competition.

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Tues 1st Oct 10.00 PilatesFri 4th Oct 18.30 Kabbalat Shabbat

supperSat 5th Oct 09.30 Bar/Bat-mitzvah classSat 5th Oct 11.00 Shabbat morning

serviceSat 5th Oct 14.00 Shabbat afternoon walkSun 6th Oct 10.00 Religion schoolTues 8th Oct 10.00 PilatesWed 9th Oct 20.00 Council MeetingFri 11th Oct 17.45 Tots’ serviceFri 11th Oct 20.00 Erev Shabbat serviceSat 12th Oct 10.00 KT group meetingSat 12th Oct 11.00 Shabbat morning

serviceSun 13th Oct 10.00 Religion schoolSun 13th Oct 12.30 Planning Fundraisers

meetingTues 15th Oct 10.00 PilatesFri 18th Oct 20.00 Erev Shabbat serviceSat 19th Oct 09.30 Bar/Bat-mitzvah classSat 19th Oct 11.00 Shabbat morning

serviceSun 20th Oct 10.00 Religion schoolSun 20th Oct 12.45 KT group meetingTues 22nd Oct 10.00 PilatesFri 25th Oct 18.30 Erev Shabbat serviceSat 26th Oct 10.00 Tots’ serviceSat 26th Oct 11.00 Shabbat morning

serviceTues 29th Oct 13.00 Lunch Club

Planning Fundraisers for 2014 Sunday, 13 October 2013At 12.30 at TLSE

We held successful fundraisers this year and that was all due to forward planning.

Please join us for a brainstorm to make 2014 even MORE successful.

Please let me know if you are able to attend.

Davina Bennett - Honorary Secretaryhonsec@tlse.org.uk

Diary October 2013

Would all those involved in arrranging functions, services or meetings please contact the office on 020 8953 8889 or office@tlse.org.uk so that they can be scheduled in the Synagogue diary. This ensures that any physical set-ups in the Synagogue are arranged and that meetings do not conflict.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure that details printed in Hakol are correct, no responsibility can be accepted for information misprinted or incorrectly given to the Editor. Please let the Editor know of any errors or corrections. The Editor reserves the right to edit material submitted for publication

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T ina was born in St Albans where her parents rented a

house during the war, before returning to North London as a toddler. Her parents both came from West London orthodox backgrounds and did not actively practice Judaism, although her father was involved in charity administration for the Jewish ‘Bread, Meat & Coal Society.’ Her earliest Jewish memories are of singing an irreverent adapted version of Mo’az tzor in front of some coloured candles stuck onto an enamel plate. She and her older sister were sent to Alyth Gardens Religion School but after two mornings, her sister’s refusal to attend prevailed. It was not until she attended Hendon County school, where a third of the pupils were Jewish and there was a regular Jewish assembly, that Tina could be said to have found her Judaism and began to attend Alyth Gardens on a regular basis.

On leaving school she spent a year working at the Bernhard Baron Settlement in East London, prior to going to Exeter University to study Social Administration. Here, in the Jewish Society, which consisted of about ten people, she met Michael, and they married in 1967 in Southgate Reform Synagogue. Unable to afford to live in Enfield, they found a small house in St Albans, joined the St Albans Young (Jewish) Marrieds and Beds Herts Progressive

Simchat Torah - Chatan & Kallah This year’s Chatan & Kallah are Tina & Michael Shaw.

congregation, transferring to Hertsmere (TLSE) about 1978. Their children, Ben and Cathy were Benei-mitzvah at TLSE and Ben and his two children live in Shenley and Cathy lives in St Albans. Tina worked as a Social Worker/Children’s Guardian and continues to work part-time in a Women’s Refuge.

She has been a Council member on two occasions and on Membership Committee, and is currently editor of Hakol.

Michael was born in the Bearstead Hospital in Hampton Court during an air-raid but returned home to North London where he spent his childhood. His parents were from families who were part of the Polish immigration wave at the turn of the century who settled in the East End. He was brought up in an orthodox environment and his father was actively involved in Hornsey & Wood Green synagogue and later Palmers Green & Southgate synagogue. Following the sudden illness of his mother, he spent a year living with his Aunt Judy in Southgate before returning to live in Haringey and attending

Stationers Company school. Following his Bar-mitzvah he became involved in the Jewish Lad’s Brigade, rising to the rank of lieutenant and attending camps in Deal.

On leaving school he started work in a chemical factory but quickly became bored and joined Arnos Grove secondary school as an unqualified teacher. He attended St Luke’s College in Exeter where he acquired a teaching qualification and his future wife, Tina. He returned to London and started work as a primary school teacher in Enfield, subsequently moving to posts in St Albans, Garston and Luton, where he was head of two primary schools, the latter being a school with 90% Muslim pupils. He was appointed as a magistrate in October 1984 and since his retirement he has continued to conduct school appeals and deliver Governor training.

M ichael was involved in teaching at the Religion schools

at both Beds-Herts and Hertsmere synagogues. He was part of the team responsible for setting up Clore Shalom school where initially he was a trustee. Although he has not been so actively involved in the running of TLSE, he has quietly assisted in various projects and his photos are often to be seen gracing the walls, or in Hakol, and in the new TLSE lounge.

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Rosita Rosenberg’s special birthday

T LSE was delighted that Rosita elected to celebrate her special birthday by hosting a Kiddush for congregants and her many friends

throughout Liberal Judaism following the Shabbat morning service on Saturday 31st August. Many of the ‘great and good’ of Liberal Judaism were present to honour someone who has given untold hours of her time in both a paid and voluntary capacity to Liberal Judaism.

Rosita grew up in an orthodox community and discovered the South London Liberal Synagogue during her youth. She married her late husband Stanley in 1961and moved to Bushey Heath in 1965 where her daughter Sallie was born.

During the 1960s Rosita managed the ULPS Development Committee which helped in the formation of new congregations and was appointed joint Organising Secretary in 1964 and sole Organising Secretary from 1973 and this became General Secretary in 1977. In 1984 this post was renamed Administrative Director, and in 1989 Executive Director, where she remained until her retirement in 1997.

As a member of Stanmore Liberal congregation, which became Hertsmere Progressive Synagogue and now TLSE, Rosita has held various positions of responsibility and was elected first as President and then Vice President of the synagogue. She is the co-author ‘Liberal Judaism, the First Hundred Years’ and is currently researching Rabbi Dr Israel Mattuck, the first Rabbi of the movement, for Pam Hart and Rabbi Danny Rich. She leads occasional Friday evening services and Kiddush at Sunrise nursing home and is a member of the Rites & Practices Committee.

In the words of one of the congregants-

“I just wanted to say how nice it was to be a part of the birthday celebration for Rosita in shul on Saturday. I think Penny's spread was absolutely "truly scrumptious" and just looking at it was mouth-watering.”

Dear Editor,

I should like to thank all the lovely young people who helped take out the Kiddush on Rosh Ha- Shanah. Also a big thank you to my Granddaughter

Georgia for being such a great help.

Now on a more sombre note, I came with my husband, early to the Rosh Ha- Shanah Service on Thursday, to prepare for the kiddush and whilst I was getting everything ready, he sat on his own in the hall.

I was most upset and so was he, to hear from him that barely anyone came up and spoke to him.

Seeing that we and some of our family have been active members of our Synagogue for nigh on 30 years, we both felt very slighted that people who knew him (and even those who didn't) didn't have the common courtesy to come up and at least wish him 'Shana Tovah'

I know I would have done, given the same circumstances.

Carole Pomerance

Rosita with Rabbi Harry Jacobi

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Rabbi Rachel Benjamin entertains the Lunch Club

Shabbat walkers enjoying the sunshine

Rosita Rosenberg’s special birthday celebrations

Rosita with Rabbi Pete

Rosita with Rabbi Harry Jacobi