NNLS Newsletter May 2013

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The Synagogue newsletter is circulated electronically but if you would like a printed version please contact the office: 020 8346 8560

What’s New?

Monthly Newsletter

sdh hMMay 2013/Iyar - Sivan 5773

Full price:Book: £20 (P&P: £3)DVD: £10 (P&P: £3)Book + DVD together: £25 (P&P: £5)

All proceeds go to NNLS

The new book from Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, Walking With The Light, is now available, and can be purchased from the NNLS office, or via the website - www.nnls-masorti.org.uk.

Be sure to catch Rabbi Wittenberg on Clare Balding’s Good Morning Sunday on Radio 2, on Sunday 5th May, when he will be discussing themes of pilgrimage.

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SPONSOR A KIDDUSHWould you like to sponsor a kiddush in our new building? If so, please contact the Synagogue office.

Walking With The Light Page 1

Community News Pages 2 -3

Community Support Pages 4-5

Adult Learning at NNLS Page 6 - 9

Kabbalat Shabbat Service, London Marathon News, Foyer Exhibition

Pages 10 & 11

Ivor Jacobs Profile Page 8

Tikkun Olam News Page 9

Library Page 10

NNLS Drop-In Report Page 11

Birthdays Page 12

NNLS Services Info Page 13

NNLS / Masorti Info Page 14

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

in loving memory of his/her husband…. ….who were married on this day, 50 years ago,

in celebration of the birth of their twin granddaughters….

….to mark his 60th birthday….in honour of his Barmitzvah

to mark the occasion of her Batmitzvah….to mark her mother’s 100th birthday….

Words such as these have come flooding into our inboxes for the past year or so, since we had our first service in our new shul which was sponsored by Selma Shrank in memory of her late husband Paul. It was Paul’s vision that enabled us to be where we are today – in a brand new building with various spaces for prayer, contemplation, work and play.

The lovely idea of sponsoring a day has been extremely popular and successful. It enables our members (and non-members too) to mark occasions that are special to them, whether sad, happy or thankful.

If you have a day you would like to mark, please consider Sponsor a Day. You can pay whatever

donation you feel appropriate between £120 and £250. To book your day, contact either

Frances Bloom: [email protected], 020 8621 6768, or

Brian Berelowitz: [email protected], 020 8209 0759

I’m Sponsoring A Day!

This also helps our Building Fund, which is still in need of funds, despite the fact that we are now occupying our new building – and helps the fund grow with a personal association.

If you are interested in attending events and have any special access requirements please contact the office on 020 8346 8560

This month’s newsletter will be an abridged version; for full event listings, please visit the ‘What’s On’ page at www.nnls-masorti.org.uk

The Norwood Work Skills and Employment Service supports people with learning disabilities to prepare for and seek employment. They provide a free of charge service designed to train and integrate your new learning disabled employee. Employees from small businesses to major companies such as John Lewis, Halfords, Asda, law firms, estate agents and schools have experienced the many benefits of recruiting someone with a learning disability. At present, less than 10% of people with learning disabilities are in paid employment. However approximately 65% have the skills, desire and motivation to work. All they need now is an opportunity.

If you think your company may have an opening for a person with learning difficulties to work for a few hours per week up to full time, please contact Michael Stein--M-07738-187218 or [email protected]

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Community News

Life-Cycle Events – Sharing Your NewsTo enable us to notify the community of your life-cycle events (birth, engagement, wedding, special anniversary, death or stone setting) please contact the NNLS office at 020 8346 5860 or email [email protected]

CONGRATULATIONS TO:Mazel tov to Yvonne and Clive Richards on the birth of their grand-daughter, Yael, a daughter for Keren and Marc, sister for Ilan and Noam, and great grandchild for Lilian Barnett.

Mazel tov to Barbara and Nicholas Anders on the birth of their grandson, a son for Kim and Jonnie Milich, and great grandson for Abram and Helga Lemer. Mazel tov to Denise and Adrian Bonham on Samuel’s bar mitzvah. Mazel tov to Fiona Starr and Jonny Zucker on Jake’s bar mitzvah.

WELCOME TO OUR COMMUNITY:Josie CohenTom Russell and Jordana IckowiczLaura CitronLea DouekJonathan DavisSarah McCullochRaya ShpilbergOlivier, Charity, Daisy and Chloe BlechnerMichael Landau and Jeanne NohrJulius LevinkindDavid, Jane, Ella, Ruby and Willow ScheinmannMichael, Andrew and Kate PinnerJacqueline DobrinLizzy Marks

TABOULINNLS Jewish

A Cappella Group

Tabouli is New North London’s very own young adults’ a capella group. We specialise in Jewish traditional and popular music with an a capella twist. Our rehearsals are once a week for two hours, and sometimes more frequently before a performance.

We are currently recruiting new members for the new season, if you’re interested in getting involved, we’d love to hear from you, all levels of experience welcome and all you need is a love of music! Guys are especially encouraged to get in touch, as we need some more male voices..

For further information [email protected]

Would you like a Shabbat Service Mentor to help navigate your way through the service…or would you like to be a Shabbat Service Mentor?

Would you occasionally like some help following the weekly Shabbat service? We are starting a new mentoring scheme open to all members. If you are interested, please contact the Synagogue Office to be set up with a mentoring partner who can guide you through the service and slowly help build familiarity. And – if you are a regular Shabbat attender, familiar with the service, and able and willing to take on a mentoring role, please also contact the Office to put yourself forward.

Finding Your Way Through the Shabbat

Service

Hosting Guests for NNLS

From time to time we have guests to NNLS who need home hospitality over a Shabbat, a Chag and very occasionally mid-week. If you would be willing to be added to our pool of potential hosts, kindly contact Rivka Gottlieb at [email protected] Bereavement

Notifications

The Synagogue Office maintains a ‘Bereavement Not i f icat ion’ email group. Each time there is a bereavement in the community an email with all necessary details is circulated to this list.If you would like to be added to this email group, simply email the Synagogue Office [[email protected]] and put “Please add me to the Bereavement Notification list” in the subject line.

Shacharit on Tuesdays

It was after Pesach that we added Tuesdays to the days when we hold a Shacharit service. This has been a real success, but no less than what we ought to be doing as a sizeable community.

On every Tuesday morning we have been dependent on women to help make up the minyan.

Thus, and given also ongoing discussions among the regular attenders of the minyan, and at the services committee, it seems right that the Tuesday morning services will henceforth be egalitarian.

Shacharit services on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays will continue as they have long been.

Jonathan Wittenberg

CONDOLENCES:Condolences to Alan Karsberg, Denise Miles, Tanya Falco and Hannah Stone on the death of their father, and to Adele for her husband Barry Karsberg.

Condolences to Graham Jaffe, Russell and Lynda on the death of their mother Audrey Jaffe.

Condolences to Judith Usiskin on the death of her husband, and to Esther Cohen, Debbie Usiskin and Miriam Usiskin for their stepfather, Mike Finestone.

Condolences to Michael Burman on the death of his brother, to Shelia for her husband, and to Jeoffrey, Gillian and Stephen for their father, David Burman.

Condolences to Stuart Goodman on the death of his mother Hilda Goodman.

Condolences to Jennifer Pearl on the death of her mother, Rachel Nathan.

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Community Support

Together with many members of our congregation, I have children grandchildren and close family members living in Israel. During the recent crisis, I, together with others, experienced feelings ranging from anxiety, helplessness, anger and a pre-occupation with news channels and information. I curbed my need to keep in constant contact with them - they needed to try and continue normal daily life and did not want my anxiety piled on to them.

I was reminded of a similar crisis many years ago when my son was actively serving, together with many sons, in the IDF. Through the work that I was doing at that time I was able to be part of an informal, impromptu support group of mothers whose sons were in the

army. We maintained a daily telephone link with each other giving us much needed support and strength during difficult times. In today’s modern society we would probably have used email!

Together with the Rabbi I have been thinking about whether in the event of another crisis in Israel members of our congregation with close family living in Israel would gain from such a support system. Rabbi Jonathan and I would very much welcome ideas and suggestions as to how and whether this should be developed.

If this might be of interest to you please pass on your ideas and your contact details to Rabbi Jonathan or myself, Ruth Simmons. My email is [email protected]

Family in Israel - A Real Anxiety?

Perhaps you are aware of someone who could do with some help, whether it be with some meals, or shopping, or a visit now and then.

Maybe they are recuperating at home after a spell in hospital, or have just had a baby and life is very hectic. NNLS Network, a group of NNLS volunteers, will try and help.

Call the synagogue office or Deborah Weinberg (020 8346 4403)

NNLS NETWORK

Support Group for Single Mums

Open to women from across the Jewish Community

A safe space to meet other women from across the Jewish community who are facing similar challenges, where you can find friendship, advice and support. While mums talk, supervised play is provided for your children. This group is for women who have children living at home and are in the transition of separation/divorce, or are separated/divorced.

A commitment to attend weekly meetings for 6 sessions is requested, and you must contact us in advance.You are not alone – please contact us for a confidential chat. Places available starting in June.

Emai l Debbie Mal landaine at [email protected] or phone Rivka Gottlieb at 020 3182 0113 or email Rivka at [email protected]

Tuesdays at 6.00pm (prompt!) - 7.15pm at NNLS

PARKINGWhenever driving to attend any NNLS events, please remember always to be respectful to our neighbours when deciding where to park. Of course, you should also be aware of the yellow lines and parking restrictions at various points on East End Road, Windermere Avenue and Spring Place. Traffic wardens are often in the neighbourhood – even at weekends! Whenever attending events at NNLS, please consider either walking, cycling, travelling by public transport, or car pooling with others.

For details on how to reach us by public transport, go to: www.nnls-masorti.org.uk

NNLS Book Club

Tuesday 28th May (Monday bank holiday)

For further information, including venue, please contact:

[email protected] or [email protected]

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THE NNLSBABY POOL

Babies need so much stuff! Why not recycle and reuse it through the NNLS baby pool?

We have a pool of equipment and clothes for NNLS members to borrow and use. Do you have any baby equipment (prams, cots, highchairs, toys etc) or clothes that you would like to pass on to a good home?

Why not donate it to our NNLS Baby Pool? Come and see what you can borrow - maybe a double buggy, a cot or some extra clothes?

Please call Nicky Solomon to arrange to drop off or to collect on 020 8346 1914

Help to f i l l our community freezer with kosher soups, main courses and desserts (no meat, please). There are many families who would appreciate this greatly when illness, bereavement or other difficulties make cooking a problem. All dishes should be packed in a disposable tinfoil or plastic container, labelled milk/fish/vegetarian, and dated. Alternatively, if you would prefer to buy kosher food to contribute, this would also be most welcome.

When your dish is ready for delivery, please phone the Wittenberg home on 8343 3927 to arrange a mutually convenient time.

IT’S A MITZVAH

Healing Prayersat the end of a long hard day

The New NNLS Weekly Dial-In ServiceEvery Wednesday at 10.30pm

For all of us, but especially for those who are ill or feeling low, and for carers - 10 minutes of quiet prayers with music

and reflections

Dial-in number: 0844 4 73 73 73PIN: 226217

When joining the service, calls will cost 5p a minute from landline phones. Charges from mobile phones will vary

depending on your mobile provider/contract.

Many people would welcome just a short time in a Jewish moment - Jewish sound - just being with a prayer experience - without wanting to be identified or expected to ‘do’ anything. Tuesday is Yom Sh’lishi – the middle day of the week from one Shabbat to the next. We often need strength of spirit to give us support as we face yet another day. We don’t have to be alone. There is no need to say who you are. When asked for a name, simply press the # key. Just dial in and be with the prayer for five minutes. If you do not wish to be heard, just press

the mute button on your phone.

Dial in number: (UK) 0844 546 4000. PIN: 7109330. Cost is at your usual land line rate and it will appear

on your bill.Mobile phones are more expensive.

Donating Siddurim & Chumashim

NNLS is continually replenishing its stock of siddurim and chumashim. If you would like to commemorate a special event or honour the memory of a family member you can make a donation towards the cost of new books. Bookplate inscriptions can be arranged by the office. In addition to marking weddings and b’nei mitzvot you can donate books to commemorate grandparents, parents, other relatives and friends. A bookplate could be inserted which provides a brief record of the person concerned. In this way you can connect past generations with our Synagogue. Siddurim: £12 each Chumashim: £28 each. To order books, please contact the Synagogue Office: [email protected] or call 020 8346 8560.

Seudah Shlishit

Would you like to mark a Yahrzeit or special date by hosting a Seudah Shlishit?

If you would like to mark a date in this way and live within walking distance of the Synagogue, please contact Deborah Koder or speak to the Synagogue office. [email protected]

Currency for a Good Cause

The NNLS Drop-In is hoping to raise money by collecting unused foreign currency. We accept any denomination, and currencies that are out of date and no longer legal tender!

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ADULT

LEARNINGMAY - JUNE 2013

CELEBRATING THE JEWISH BOOK

7.00pmFrom Manuscript to Printed Book with Dr. Piet van Boxel Retired Hebraica and Judaica Curator, Bodleian Library

Exhibition: Artist and Book Binder Cassy Sachar

Cassy studied Book Arts and Crafts at the London College of Printing and now works as a librarian at Central St Martins College of Art.

8.15pm: Jewish Book Roadshow Jonathan Fishburn, Fishburn BooksDr. Jeremy Schonfield, Oxford Centre for Hebrew & Jewish Studies and Leo Baeck CollegeSean Shapiro, Joseph’s BookstoreRabbi Jonathan Wittenberg

Everybody’s got an interesting Jewish book somewhere. Bring yours in for our panel of experts to discuss. Please send us details in advance - a photograph or scan of the title page.

Contact Deborah Zellick at [email protected]

SUNDAY 12TH MAY7.00 – 10.00PM

RSVP to [email protected]£5

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ADULT


TIKKUN LEYL SHAVUOT TUESDAY 14TH MAY 2013

“ITIS NOTGOOD FORAHUMAN

BEINGTOBE ALONE…”

LOVESTUDYINCLUDINGTEXT,SHORTSTORIES,ARTANDMORELOOKOUTFORMOREDETAILSONTHEYOUTHTRACKBEGINNINGAT9.15PMWITHMA’ARIV

ISRAELGOD

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Ancient BiBlicAl interpretAtion vS. WhAt the BiBle reAlly MeAnSwith James Kugel

thurSdAy 6 June 8pMJames Kugel is chair of the institute for the history of the Jewish Bible at Bar ilan university in israel and the harry m. starr Professor emeritus of Classical and modern hebrew literature at harvard university.

a specialist in the hebrew Bible and the Dead sea scrolls, Kugel is the author of some sixty research articles and eleven books, including the idea of Biblical Poetry, in Potiphar's house, On Being a Jew, and the Bible as it was (winner of the grawemeyer Prize in Religion in 2001). his latest books are the god of Old (Free Press, 2003), the ladder of Jacob (Princeton, 2006), and how to Read the Bible (Free Press, 2007), awarded the National Jewish Book award for the best book of 2007. he is a member of the american academy for Jewish Research, the association for Jewish studies, and editor in chief of Jewish studies: an internet Journal.

nnlS members: £6/ non-members: £8to book contact: [email protected] or 020 8346 8560new north london Synagogue, 80 east end road, london n3 2Sy

ADULT


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Shaiya Rothberg, PhD, lives in Jerusalem with his wife and three sons and teaches Bible, Jewish Philosophy and Kabbalah at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem. His focus is reconnecting to the basic symbols of Torah in order to explore the transformative potential of Jewish tradition. Shaiya is currently working on a general theology of Judaism, ‘What do you mean when you say God?’, and a Jewish Theology of Human Rights.

He grew up in New Jersey and made aliyah to Israel in 1988 at the age of 19, serving as a soldier and officer in the I.D.F. from 1990-1993 before working at The Adam Institute for Peace and Democracy, until he began teaching at the Conservative Yeshiva.

FRIDAY 31ST MAY

SHABBAT 1ST JUNE

SUNDAY 2ND - TUESDAY 4TH JUNE

KElIM DINNERThe Torah of Human Rights:

From Ancient Sources to Contemporary Reality (For graduates of the Kelim programme – contact Jo

Turner for details at [email protected])

lUNCH Torah as a State of Mind:

A Taste of KabbalahBook in advance at www.nnls-masorti.org.uk

£8/£5 conc.

SEUDAH SHlISHIT 8.00pm at the home of Zahavit Shalev and

David Boyd You Already Know that God Exists:

An Anchor for Theology

7.45 – 10.00pm3-Part Course

Seeking Higher Humanity: A look at Maimonidean Judaism

Commitment to attend all 3 sessions is requested.

£50 for the course. Limited to 25 places. Contact Claire Mandel at [email protected] to

book or for more details.

SCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE

SHAIYA ROTHBERG

ADULT


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If you were anywhere near the corner of Amberden Avenue and Kingsgate Avenue on Friday afternoon you would have heard the delighted sounds of 20 young children playing in our garden. And you might also have heard a shortened but entirely recognisable Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv service coming from inside. If you looked through the window of the front room you might even have seen us clapping and waving to greet the Shabbat Queen!

We all want Shabbat to be joyous and life-enhancing and child-friendly! That's why we have started to run this super-early, super-short, super-relaxed Kabbalat Shabbat and supper for young families every few weeks.

The joy of seeing our kids hang out together, the satisfaction of being with old and new friends, of singing and davening, the craziness of getting pasta and veggie sausages and maybe even some vegetables into each of the kids, of then sitting down to eat (the excellent) adult food that people have brought, and then the tidying up together. For me, this is a life-affirming example of what it means to be part of a community. I can't ask for a happier end to my week or a more fun entry into Shabbat.

And we'll be doing it all over again on Friday 7 June from 4.30pm - if you have children under 7 (and older sibs are welcome too) we'd love you to join us. Please make a note of the date, or contact Zahavit on [email protected] and 07815 776435 or Susana on [email protected] if you want to ask us anything in advance.

KABBALAT SHABBAT SERVICE FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN

The current exhibition of hand-embroidered artwork in the foyer is lovingly crafted by NNLS staff member, Denise Bonham. All of the works of art on show are original, and based on real butterflies, fish and insects.

They have been created using one single strand of thread - this type of intensive work is called ‘needle painting’, or ‘silk shading’.

All works on show are for sale and the artist also would be happy to discuss commissions.Enquiries: 07776 187345/[email protected]

FOYER ARTWORK: DENISE BONHAM

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Leaving a Gift to NNLS in Your Will Could Reduce Your Estate's Overall Inheritance Tax Bill

If your estate is worth over £325,000 when you die Inheritance Tax may be due. From 6 April 2012, if you leave 10 per cent of your estate to charity the tax due may be paid at a reduced rate of 36 per cent instead of 40 per cent.

Any gifts you make to a 'qualifying' charity (which NNLS is) - during your lifetime or in your will - will be exempt from Inheritance Tax. In order to qualify for the reduced rate you must leave at least 10 per cent of the net value of your estate to a qualifying charity.

Should you wish to consider this, or find out more, please

go to the following page on HMRC’s website: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/inheritancetax/pass-money-property/charity-reduce.htm or contact NNLS’s Treasurer, Stephen Adler at [email protected]

New North London members, Husband and wife team Lauren and Jonathan Barr undertook the 2013 London Marathon on 21 April. This was Lauren's 3rd London Marathon and Jonathan's 4th, having run previously for a mixture of charities. Lauren , 48 a housewife and mother of 3 and Jonathan, 53, a partner in estate agents Godfrey and Barr, had not planned to undertake this mammoth challenge again, but following Lauren's injury leading into the London Marathon last year which hampered her preparations coupled with Jonathan encountering full lower body cramp at 18 miles on the day in the London Marathon, they felt that they had some unfinished business. What sealed the deal was the opportunity to promote and raise much needed funds for a charity located close to where they live, North London Hospice. So far they have raised over £4000 for North London Hospice.

They can be supported by visiting http://www.justgiving.com/LaurenandJonathanBarr

THE LONDON MARATHON

Last call for anyone interested in the selection of the symbol of NNLS.

The process has started so please do email [email protected] if you would like to participate.

Little time is required as much will be done by email with possibly one or two meetings.

We have a good number of members interested in helping but do want to widen our net to also include people who do not want to make any changes!

LOGOGUE

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80 East End Road, London N3 2SYTel: 020 8346 8560 Email: [email protected]

[email protected]

Values-driven, start up projects are being sought by New North London Synagogue

Grants of up to £1000 are available for projects that can make real and lasting change either in the UK or Internationally

Deadline for next application round: 11th February 2013

For more information or advice on how to apply, contact Josh Cass at [email protected] or call 020 8346 8560

Seed Fund Initiative

Education

HEALTH

sOCIAL jUSTICE

hUMAN rIGHTS

eNVIRONMENTAL

poverty

NNLS Carbon Offset Fund Our new building incorporates an extremely energy efficient Ground Source Heat Pump but in order to help us with the cost of this element of the new building development, each time you fly, please consider contributing to the NNLS Carbon Offset Fund.

If you want to offset your carbon usage please donate to the fund by sending a cheque to the Synagogue office made out to NNLS with a note saying ‘Carbon Offset Fund’.

Even better, you can send the money electronically to our NNLS Building Fund Account – Account Number: 65362042; Sort code: 08-02-28. Please also include your name and ‘Carbon Offset’ within the Reference for easy identification.

A confirmation email to [email protected] would also be helpful.

Destination Offset cost

UK or Ireland £4

Continental Europe £7

North America £32

South America £45

Israel £16

South Africa £43

Asia £42

Australia/New Zealand £75

Sweet leeks, creamy cauliflowers and flavourful mushrooms have all been enjoyed by Veg bag scheme members this last month. Not only that, but we are building a strong relationship with Sutton Community Farm which we are confident will bear fruit (if you will pardon the pun).

However, in order to make the scheme viable we need more members! We have a core of people who are enjoying the scheme but we are looking for more to join. Bags are delivered to the synagogue every Thursday, usually arriving at about 12:30 and are available to be picked up from then. Bags can also be collected on Friday mornings and other arrangements can be made.

If you are interested in joining the scheme, please let Josh know as soon as possible as orders are placed on Monday morning! Email [email protected]

Costing £14 a week, scheme members receive a bag full of organic, locally produced seasonal veg (enough for 2-4 people, appetite for veg depending of course!) as well as the knowledge that they are supporting London’s only Community Farm.

People can sign up a month at a time and details can be found on the website.

VEG BAG SCHEME

14th June 2013

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THE LIBRARY IS OPEN

You are welcome to borrow books at all times (except on Shabbat, Festivals and when the Beit Midrash is in use).

OvER 900 BOOkS

Limited borrowing between:Sundays: 9.30am - 12.30pm Tuesdays: 10.00am - 11.00am Wednesdays: 12.30pm - 3.30pm 5.00pm - 7.00pm

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ASYLUM SEEKERSDrop-In Report: April 2013

Last year Britons spent more than £1.5 billion buying bikes, the most since modern records began, according to data re-leased by Office for National Statistics. Cycling has increased quite dramatically in the last decade. It appeals because it is often cheaper and more environmentally friendly than using a car or public transport – and in traffic-clogged London it’s sometimes the speediest way to get from A to B. Thanks to the Bike Project, which is supporting drop in clients by provid-ing them with good quality, secondhand bikes, and to a large donation from Noam Office workers who did a sponsored bike ride last year, we were able to give out nine bikes today to our clients together with helmet, gloves, hi-visibility jackets, lights and locks. They urgently need the bikes to get to vital appointments with lawyers, medical appointments and to maintain links with family and friends in their fragile support networks who may live far away from them. It’s a struggle for them to scrape together enough money for bus fares and we hope that the bikes will make life easier for them.

“I have a lot of joy in my heart now that I’ve got this bike,” said one young man. “It won’t only help me practically it will improve my mental health too.”Another spoke of how he trudges around London, sometimes walking for two and a half hours to get to hospital appointments. He said that having a bike will quite literally transform his life.A third recipient, who came to the drop in for the first time last month in a profoundly distressed and traumatized state, looked as if she would never smile again. Yet after she was given her bike she beamed and beamed. Not only will the bike allow her to visit her sister regularly, her main support in this country, it has also provided a huge boost to her self-esteem to be given something of value.The Bike Project is a team of volunteers working to refurbish second-hand bikes for destitute refugees and asylum seekers. Bike fixing workshops are also on offer for anyone keen to volunteer, gain new skills and meet new people. If you would like to donate a bike or just want to find out more about the project visit http://thebikeproject.co.uk/

We are delighted to report that Kenneth has finally been released from his third spell in detention. He is overjoyed to be free again but traumatized by his period of incarceration and is anxiously awaiting a decision about his claim.One volunteer who fled her country several years ago and does not know the fate of her family, did a double take when she thought her long lost brother had arrived at the drop in. It turned out not to be him but she became very emotional for a few moments thinking that it was him. Without exchanging too many words he understood the constellation of emotions she was going through and cried with her.

The drop in aims to provide a safety net for clients and to respond to a range of crises such as lack of legal represen-tation, health and accommodation problems, hunger etc. However, we are also asked to intervene in some rather more unusual situations. One former client contacted us to ask for help getting redress after a butcher had sold her a rancid goat carcass. We contacted trading standards on her behalf. Certainly new territory for the drop in! Another asked if we could procure an electric wheelchair for him.

Through the London Destitution Forum,the drop in has sub-mitted evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee which is conducting an inquiry into asylum. We have highlighted the problems with the initial asylum process in which new asylum seekers do not have any or adequate legal representation and may not disclose everything that happened to them in their home country due to shame, trauma etc. We have also highlighted the extreme hardship and suffering experienced by our clients who are forced to survive on nothing at all and

not allowed to work. They are vulnerable to domestic, physical and sexual exploitation as a result of their ‘non-person’ status in the UK and many are left in limbo for several years before they receive a decision on their claim. As one of the drop in doctors explained, the people who are most vulnerable are often the least likely to succeed in getting support and asylum because they may be too traumatised to talk coher-ently about what happened to them, ignorant or afraid of the asylum system and so unable to get decent legal advice and unassertive (because they are used to abuse and control) . She says that the system is usually either too fast or too slow. Fast track does not give the person a chance to think, recover or get proper legal advice and non-Fast track can take years. The result of all this is that people who arrived in the UK traumatised, but with hope and motivation, become psychological wrecks who, if finally given status in the UK, will take years to recover and become self-supporting. This costs the NHS and Social Services a great deal, and could be prevented with a more sensible asylum system.

Crisiswatch documents conflict situations around the world. The mix of clients we see at the drop in is always reflective of these conflicts. Seven actual or potential conflict situations around the world deteriorated in March - Central African Republic, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Myanmar, North Korea and Syria. On a more positive note the situation in Nepal and Turkey improved.

JCORE is running a mentoring scheme for refugee doctors seeking to requalify in the UK and is appealing for doctors to act as mentors. Any doctors interested will be given training in mentoring skills and provided with supervision throughout the mentoring process. A commitment of up to six mentoring sessions for a period of a year is required.. For more informa-tion contact [email protected] or call 020 8455 0896.

Next food packing and clothes sorting session will be on ** MONDAY April 29th from 5-7.30pm at NNLS. Please do come along at any time if you’re free. The phrase ‘many hands make light work’ could have been invented for this job.

The next drop in will be at Martin School from 1 to 5pm on Sunday May 5th. Please bring dishes of cooked food to serve to our clients.

Thank you

Deborah and Diane

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts...”

NNLS DROP IN FOR DESTITUTE ASYLUM SEEKERS

Sunday May 5thDrop-In Centre.

Sunday May 26thDonations for the Drop-In collected

Thank you. Deborah [0208 441 6953] and Diane [ 07966 145098] [email protected]

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Happy Birthday to the following young members who celebrate a birthday this month:

BirthdayHappy

Date Name Age2nd Toby Ackerman 122nd Mika Haber 53rd Jamie Antell 84th Zak Singer 114th Ava Harris 24th Grace Harris 24th Laila Porter 24th Lara Johnson 107th Joseph Levison 67th Oscar Levy 9

7th Jessica Benjamin 37th Mia Goldstone 37th Molly Bloom 98th Jake Porter 48th Max Sylvester 68th Ella Kirschner 49th Benjamin Abrahamson 59th Eden Cohen-Grazin 59th Ethan Carvalho 29th Jack Bradley 29th Matthew Kaminer 99th Netanel Katzir 910th Gila Lester 310th Tamar Strelitz 311th Elianah Abramov 912th Dan Zermansky 812th Orli Mocatta 913th Dylan Stephens 913th Joseph Csaky 513th Louis Otvos 713th Raphael Kelvin 713th Amelia Coleman 713th Rachel Stern 514th Joseph Pollock 1114th Maya Zagury 1014th Noa Fine 615th Aiden Schneider 115th Katie Pinner 616th Barney Mallandaine 416th Ethan Avigdor 7

16th Nicole Kaminer 1117th Jackson Finn 617th Eliana Rubin 217th Gabrielle Taylor 617th Kadya Rubin 218th Noah Gilbert Heitler 618th Emily McCarthy 919th Gideon Blank 819th Theo Borchard 519th Zachary Stoppelman 620th Jack Walters 620th Yasha Gottlieb 320th Isadora Solomon 921st Maxwell Joseph 1222nd Nadav Jacobs 922nd Reuben Mattison 224th Adam Caplan 1224th Jed Domb 934th Jonathan Roman 225th Mila Duke 726th Leo Wiseman 227th Benjamin Tickner-Bellau 827th Isaac Reuben 828th Sam Ziff 9

28th Natalie Shapiro 1029th Anna Ritschl 929th Lottie Simmonds 1031st Itamar Abramov 731st Nathan Borchard 1

ARE YOU ExPERIENCED AND ENTHUSIASTIC, WITH A GOOD KNOWLEDGE OF THE

EYFS?

If so, Gan Alon Pre-School is recruiting a Level 3 Practitioner, fluent in English and Ivrit to start in September.

Send your CV to [email protected] by Friday 10 May 2013.

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Big Yellow is proud to support the NNLS Drop-In for Destitute Asylum Seekers, providing free storage for all donations to the charity in our East Finchley location at 401 High Road, Finchley, N2 8HS Tel 020 8346 3305.

Everyone is welcome to our seudot which are preceded by Minchah and concluded with

Ma’ariv and Havdalah

Services

WeekdaysSunday Shacharit 8.30amMonday, Tuesday & Thursday 7.00amFriday Evening 6.30pm

Egalitarian ShacharitOnce a month on the following dates:9th May 201313th June 20131st July 201324th September 201321st October 201314th November 20133rd December 2013

Assif This is an independent but NNLS-affiliated, traditional, egalitarian, weekly Shabbat morning service.

Synagogue

Hakol Olin All members of the community are welcome. Hakol Olin is a traditional egalitarian service which holds services every Shabbat except the first Shabbat of the month.

This is a traditional Shabbat service held weekly on Friday evenings and Shabbat mornings

Traditional Service

Seudot Shlishit Seudot

Shabbat 4th May4.15pmInterfaith Text Study.Study of this week’s parashah with Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg and Dr Hywel Clifford, Lecturer in Old Testament at Ripon College Cuddesdon, and visiting Christian theology students at the home of Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg & Nicky Solomon, 10 Amberden Avenue, N3. Ending with Minchah.

Shabbat 11th May7.30pmAt the home of Shoshanah Hoffman, 18 Shirehall Close, NW4 2QP

Shabbat 18th May8.00pm

Shabbat 25th May8.00pm

Arguments For Heaven’s Sake!

The Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies in conjunction with Friends of www.louisjacobs.org

Present a major Jewish community initiativeA London Based Lecture and Discussion Series

4.30-5.30: Professor Paul Morris (Victoria University of Wellington)

“Louis Jacobs’s “Heretical Sermon” on the �eology of Revelation”

5.45-7.15 Nechama Hadari (Polonsky Fellow) & Prof. Chaim Waxman (Rutgers University),

“Conversion - Con�ict & Context”8.00 Keynote Lecture - Michael Fishbane,(Nathan Cummings Distinguished service professor of Jewish Studies, �e University of Chicago)

“Images of God in Jewish �ought”

Admission to the full event £10.00 including tea, beigels and drinks. Evening (open 7.45) only £5.00

Advance booking preferred but not essential with payment at the doorPlease email [email protected] if you would like to attend the event to be held at �e ORT Conference Centre, 126 Albert St, NW1 7NE

Running alongside an academic programme at Oxford on Orthodoxy. Theological Debate and Contemporary Judaism: A Critical Exploration of Questions Raised in the Thought of Louis Jacobs

A Recognized Independent Centre of the University of Oxford

O X F O R D C E N T R E F O RH E B R E W A N D J E W I S H S T U D I E S

www.ochjs.ac.uk www.louisjacobs.org

Sunday 10th March 4.30 - 9.30 at The ORT Conference Centre, Camden

Following on from the Daniel Sperber lecture and the sell out Jewish Book Week Event on Modern Orthodoxy please join us for an afternoon and evening of study and discussion.

From December 2012 until June 2013

Arguments For Heaven’s Sake!


Present a major Jewish community initiativeA London Based Lecture and Discussion Series

4.30-5.30: Professor Paul Morris (Victoria University of Wellington)

“Louis Jacobs’s “Heretical Sermon” on the �eology of Revelation”

5.45-7.15 Nechama Hadari (Polonsky Fellow) & Prof. Chaim Waxman (Rutgers University),

“Conversion - Con�ict & Context”8.00 Keynote Lecture - Michael Fishbane,(Nathan Cummings Distinguished service professor of Jewish Studies, �e University of Chicago)

“Images of God in Jewish �ought”

Admission to the full event £10.00 including tea, beigels and drinks. Evening (open 7.45) only £5.00

Advance booking preferred but not essential with payment at the doorPlease email [email protected] if you would like to attend the event to be held at �e ORT Conference Centre, 126 Albert St, NW1 7NE


A Recognized Independent Centre of the University of Oxford

O X F O R D C E N T R E F O RH E B R E W A N D J E W I S H S T U D I E S


Sunday 10th March 4.30 - 9.30 at The ORT Conference Centre, Camden

Following on from the Daniel Sperber lecture and the sell out Jewish Book Week Event on Modern Orthodoxy please join us for an afternoon and evening of study and discussion.

From December 2012 until June 2013



Present a major Jewish community initiative A London Based Lecture and Discussion Series

Arguments For Heaven’s Sake!Bank on a stimulating Bank Holiday

with Oxford Centre Seminar Fellows. Yom Limmud - 6th May - 11.00am - 5.30pm at Yarnton Manor,

Home of the Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies.

This unique and exceptional day will include study sessions & panel discussions from among the Fellows in the programme which includes:

Arye Edrei, Tamar Ross, Lawrence Kaplan,Gershon Greenberg, Nechama Hadari, Yaacov Ross,Ari Engelberg, Adam Ferziger & Miri Freud-Kandel.

There will also be a tour of the Leopold Muller Library and special

presentation on the Louis Jacobs exhibition, a collection of digital and physical material from the Jacobs Archive.

Kosher lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Admission including lunch and refreshments £15.00

Please email [email protected] if you intend to attend.


17

The Shul Network Group exists to support and give practical help to people in times of illness, bereavement or other need. We also organise occasional talks on caring issues and have set up an information resource containing details and phone numbers of organisations to turn to in difficult situations. If you need help, want to use the information resource, or know someone who does, please don’t hesitate to contact Rosalind Ross on 020 8349 0332

Network

Masorti JudaismAlexander House, 3 Shakespeare Road, London N3 1XE. Tel 020 8349 6650Chief Executive: Matt Plen - [email protected]

• Rabbi - Jonathan Wittenberg, 020 8343 3927, [email protected]• Rabbi’s Assistant, Zahavit Shalev, [email protected]• Rabbi’s PA - Pauline Bravo, 020 8346 8560, [email protected]• Joint Chairs - David Raff, 020 8346 8560 Basil Shall, 020 8346 8560• Secretary - Graham Woolfman, 020 8346 8560• Treasurer - Stephen Adler, 020 8346 8560• Executive Director - Claire Mandel, 020 3182 0110, [email protected]• Director of Education - Barbara Stern, 020 3182 0115, [email protected]• Education Administrator - Denise Bonham, 020 8346 8560, [email protected]• Gan Alon Headteacher - Jane Pescow, 020 3182 0116, [email protected]• Gan Alon Administrator - Vanessa Long 020 3182 0116, [email protected]• Director of Programming - Rivka Gottlieb, 020 3182 0113, [email protected] • Accounts - Helen Foster/Hilary Roer, 020 3182 0112, [email protected]• Office - Denise Bonham/Vanessa Long 020 8346 8560, [email protected]• Hall Hire Inquiries - 020 8346 8560, [email protected]• Tikkun Olam - Josh Cass, [email protected]• Asylum Seekers’ Drop-in Centre - [email protected]• Green Team - [email protected]

NNLS, 80 East End Road, Finchley, London, N3 2SY, Tel. 020 8346 8560 Fax - 020 8346 9710 Email – [email protected] Website - www.nnls-masorti.org.uk

Charities and

Members

Commercial/

Non Members

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: 12th May

The deadline for the June Newsletter is 12th May. Please send your contributions - articles and photographs - to the address below, marked for “The Newsletter Editor” or by email to: [email protected]

£ £

One Ninth of a page 25 35

Two Ninths of a page 40 50

Quarter of a page 45 55

One Third page 50 60

Buy five Newsletter adverts and get one free advert in the following month’s Newsletter

For further information please contact the Synagogue Office on 020 8346 8560

Contacts NNLS

Noam - Masorti Youth: www.noam.org.uk Please visit the website www.noam.org.uk if you wish to be added to our mailing list. Our address is 2nd Floor, Alexander House, 3 Shakespeare Road, London N3 1XE.Mazkir & NNLS Worker: Sam Schryer - [email protected] Tel: 02083496652

Marom - Masorti Young AdultsMarom Student Fieldworker - Jo Turner For more information please email: [email protected] or [email protected] 020 8349 6658

Donations to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund

At NNLS Rabbi Wittenberg runs a Discretionary Fund from which he uses donations for the following purposes: to help out people in real financial need; occasionally to help subsidise some of the community’s one-off educational projects, (such as helping cover costs of visiting scholars); and, as the name of the fund suggests, from time to time, to contribute towards other expenses which Rabbi Wittenberg, in his discretion, considers appropriate.

If you would like to make a donation towards the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund, you can send a cheque made payable to NNLS, with ‘Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund’ marked on the back, to the Synagogue office.

Documents

NNLS Newsletter May 2013