This past Sunday was Downs Syndrome Awareness Day - 21st March. In my Synagogue I gave my sermon in Synagogue on the topic of Downs Syndrome, what it is and how it has touched my family. Here are some thoughts:
When my son Netanel had a brit mila, it was a difficult moment for us. We wished as is the traditional way, 'just as he entered the covenant, so should he enter into Torah, chuppa and good deeds'. Now there is no reason why my son should not be able to connect to the learning of Torah, and he is already doing many good deeds! But marrying, having children is different. Besides the complications involved in marriage, it is extremely rare that a child with Downs Syndrome will be fertile. And so when Netanel came in to our life, all the expectations of what a child would bring into our lives and achieved were sundered apart, and this was very hard to deal with.
What is Downs Syndrome? We do know that it exists in every cell of an individual's body if they have the Syndrome. Each of our cells has DNA, which can be viewed in 22 chromosomes and a 23rd gender chromosome. When conception occurs, the male and female contributions both contribute a chromosome so the resultant combination which is the early fetus carries 23 pairs of chromosomes. It is possible however that either the male or female sexual contribution can have an extra copy of a chromosome. If this copy is of the 21st chromosome, then the resultant child of this conception will have Trisomy 21 or Downs Syndrome. The former name is the medical name; the latter refers to John Langdon Down who first characterised and worked on the Syndrome in Teddington, South London.
Downs Syndrome brings with it a bunch of medical issues. 80% of those born with Downs Syndrome have hearing difficulties and due to the risk of regular ear infections, grommets operations are not advised. 40% of children are born with a heart defect. My son Netanel had a serious hole in his heart along with the existence of one, not two valves (mitral and tricsupid) inside the heart. He therefore underwent open heart surgery at 4 months old. This was traumatic for us, but in some ways it moved us on from thinking about his Downs Syndrome to thanking God that we had him at all. In fact once we took Netanel home from hospital it was like a new beginning - especially as he began waking up more at night!
What is common about Downs Syndrome between all who carry it, is that there will be a degree of learning and speech difficulty. This will vary greatly but it will always exist. Those with Downs Syndrome have a weaker short term verbal memory. This means they will be able to retain and process much smaller amounts than others their age. So if you ask a young child to bring you two items, they may well act on this. However a child with Downs Syndrome may only remember the first item. This is where Makaton sign has been very important. Derived from BSL it is a way of giving the child a visual support for all the main words to which they are exposed. There is a large Makaton vocabulary, and my wife and I have learned much of it over the last few years. We even have learned how to sign the 'Shema' and with Pesach coming up 'Ma Nishtana?'. Makaton has helped greatly our son connect with his environment, communicate with others and create the foundations for speech. He does say now many words and is putting them more often together.
What is important to recognise is that all those with Downs Syndrome are different. I have often heard people claiming that those with Downs Syndrome - 'are so loving', as if this would make us feel better. Well it simply is not the reality. They can have moods like others can. They can be depressed like others. In fact if those with Downs Syndrome develop enough cognitively to understand what they cannot achieve, that can be incredibly difficult for them.
On Shabbat, I read from a poem by Emily Perl Kingsley describing in a most brilliant way the feelings of having a child with Downs Syndrome. Here is a link to this poem:
www.our-kids.org/Archives/Holland.html
Above all we look at our son as a blessing. He teaches us so much about our responsibility to help those in need. The Torah teaches 'do not put a stumbling block before the blind'. When individuals find it difficult to achieve in society, out role is to help them along - not because we feel better, but because it is our duty to do so. He teaches us the importance of the will - that it can break through difficult situations and express itself in wondrous ways. My son will find it difficult to accomplish many things we all take for granted. But his will shines through, and we encourage it too.
Monday, 22 March 2010
Monday, 1 June 2009
Diary Entry
Tuesday 26th May
It has been an incredible emotional week in the community in the past week with both happy and sad occasions mixed in together...and Shavuot in the middle.
On Tuesday, Barney Z passed away, after staying and being looked after for a number of years in Lady Sarah Cohen House. Everyone has a story, and Barney's involved being an activist for the South African Liberal Party after the events of the Sharpeville Massacre in March 1960. He was eventually given 'banned' status by the South African government which meant many curfew restrictions were placed on him. Barney put his family first and moved with his wife and two small children to London where he lived since 1967.
Wednesday 27th May
Another member passed on - David C who had been a member for many years and had been a lover of 2 M's - music (he loved playing the saxophone) and Manchester United. Of course Manchester United were playing that night in an attempt to retain the Champions League Final - and just didn't match up to the overpowering possession football of Barcelona. It did remind me of course that Arsenal were 15 minutes away from defeating Barcelona in the 2006 final. And what must Chelsea fans be thinking!
Tribe club met as usual and attracted a really good half term crowd. The children love this afterschool club, especially learning various circus acts in the second session.
Thursday 28th May
The funeral of David C was in the morning - our thoughts are with the family. The rest of the day was spent preparing for Shavuot. We were planning an evening of learning at our home that evening. There is of course a revered custom to stay up all night. We have a tradition that the Children of Israel did not wake up to receive the Torah on the day designated for its revelation - and so to correct this mishap (correct is 'tikkun' in Hebrew) we stay up all night, hence the name Tikkun Leyl. We put on some food (including my wife's amazing cheesecake) and then had two classes, given by myself and Clive. Twenty people came over and it was a pleasant and enlightening evening.
Friday 29th, Shabbat 30th - Shavuot
There were plenty of people in Shul over Shavuot which was great and really encouraging. To be honest, if I ever ask you whether you will be in Shul this Shabbat - it is not because I am checking up on your frequency of attendance rather that I simply would love to see you, and what better place than in Shul on a Shabbat or Yom Tov morning. I gave my drasha after the kiddush on first day, and looked at different opinions on the issue of whether a convert could use the same liturgy as everyone else in praying. For instance, could the convert say 'God of our father' or should he/she say 'God of the fathers of Israel'.This question was asked by a convert known as Ovadiah to Rabbi Moses Maimonides. Maimonides replied that the convert should consider himself as an equal part of the Jewish people and should not change anything. The source of doubt was the declaration made by the Jew who would bring First Fruits to the Temple (hence the Shavuot connection). He or She would say the famous 'Arami Oved Avi' declaration that contains a brief overview of the Exodus from Egypt, hence its use in the Haggada. But one Rabbi in the mishna states that the convert should bring First Fruits, but should not make the declaration as there ancestors did not come out of Egypt and do not come from our forefathers. Maimonides explains that this opinion is not the normative one. There is another opinion in the Jerusalem Talmud which explains that the convert does in fact read the same as anyone else. This, Maimonides decided, was the legally authotitative one.
There were three childrens services on Shabbat, and we were able to share in the joy of a diamond wedding anniversary for Leslie and Sybil. Leslie was in fact the first Cohen called up when I began in Muswell Hill as Rabbi all those...months ago!
Sunday 31st May
In the morning I officiated at the stonesetting of Edna W's late husband Dave. Edna is a woman of incredible strength for her years. She is regularly in Shul so if you have not yet had the privilege of meeting her, you must!
We experienced a wonderful Batmitzvah in our Shul of Abi S. Abi spoke so well and the order of service put together in the main by Abi was quite inspirational. It really made me feel that Sunday batmitzvahs have more meaning than a Dvar Torah on Shabbat. The Dvar Torah still is produced, but much more as well. Abi wrote an introduction to Maimonides, to the Shema and read out a Batmitzvah prayer. The only difficulty was that Abi's uncle Gerry who was dear to us all had become very ill on Sunday.
Monday 1st June
Gerry passed away in the early hours of Monday leaving a whole in the lives of his family and friends. He was a special and unique individual who will I am sure be remembered by so many people.
It has been an incredible emotional week in the community in the past week with both happy and sad occasions mixed in together...and Shavuot in the middle.
On Tuesday, Barney Z passed away, after staying and being looked after for a number of years in Lady Sarah Cohen House. Everyone has a story, and Barney's involved being an activist for the South African Liberal Party after the events of the Sharpeville Massacre in March 1960. He was eventually given 'banned' status by the South African government which meant many curfew restrictions were placed on him. Barney put his family first and moved with his wife and two small children to London where he lived since 1967.
Wednesday 27th May
Another member passed on - David C who had been a member for many years and had been a lover of 2 M's - music (he loved playing the saxophone) and Manchester United. Of course Manchester United were playing that night in an attempt to retain the Champions League Final - and just didn't match up to the overpowering possession football of Barcelona. It did remind me of course that Arsenal were 15 minutes away from defeating Barcelona in the 2006 final. And what must Chelsea fans be thinking!
Tribe club met as usual and attracted a really good half term crowd. The children love this afterschool club, especially learning various circus acts in the second session.
Thursday 28th May
The funeral of David C was in the morning - our thoughts are with the family. The rest of the day was spent preparing for Shavuot. We were planning an evening of learning at our home that evening. There is of course a revered custom to stay up all night. We have a tradition that the Children of Israel did not wake up to receive the Torah on the day designated for its revelation - and so to correct this mishap (correct is 'tikkun' in Hebrew) we stay up all night, hence the name Tikkun Leyl. We put on some food (including my wife's amazing cheesecake) and then had two classes, given by myself and Clive. Twenty people came over and it was a pleasant and enlightening evening.
Friday 29th, Shabbat 30th - Shavuot
There were plenty of people in Shul over Shavuot which was great and really encouraging. To be honest, if I ever ask you whether you will be in Shul this Shabbat - it is not because I am checking up on your frequency of attendance rather that I simply would love to see you, and what better place than in Shul on a Shabbat or Yom Tov morning. I gave my drasha after the kiddush on first day, and looked at different opinions on the issue of whether a convert could use the same liturgy as everyone else in praying. For instance, could the convert say 'God of our father' or should he/she say 'God of the fathers of Israel'.This question was asked by a convert known as Ovadiah to Rabbi Moses Maimonides. Maimonides replied that the convert should consider himself as an equal part of the Jewish people and should not change anything. The source of doubt was the declaration made by the Jew who would bring First Fruits to the Temple (hence the Shavuot connection). He or She would say the famous 'Arami Oved Avi' declaration that contains a brief overview of the Exodus from Egypt, hence its use in the Haggada. But one Rabbi in the mishna states that the convert should bring First Fruits, but should not make the declaration as there ancestors did not come out of Egypt and do not come from our forefathers. Maimonides explains that this opinion is not the normative one. There is another opinion in the Jerusalem Talmud which explains that the convert does in fact read the same as anyone else. This, Maimonides decided, was the legally authotitative one.
There were three childrens services on Shabbat, and we were able to share in the joy of a diamond wedding anniversary for Leslie and Sybil. Leslie was in fact the first Cohen called up when I began in Muswell Hill as Rabbi all those...months ago!
Sunday 31st May
In the morning I officiated at the stonesetting of Edna W's late husband Dave. Edna is a woman of incredible strength for her years. She is regularly in Shul so if you have not yet had the privilege of meeting her, you must!
We experienced a wonderful Batmitzvah in our Shul of Abi S. Abi spoke so well and the order of service put together in the main by Abi was quite inspirational. It really made me feel that Sunday batmitzvahs have more meaning than a Dvar Torah on Shabbat. The Dvar Torah still is produced, but much more as well. Abi wrote an introduction to Maimonides, to the Shema and read out a Batmitzvah prayer. The only difficulty was that Abi's uncle Gerry who was dear to us all had become very ill on Sunday.
Monday 1st June
Gerry passed away in the early hours of Monday leaving a whole in the lives of his family and friends. He was a special and unique individual who will I am sure be remembered by so many people.
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Diary Entry
Monday 18th May
I have now made it official that Monday is my weekly day off. Now you may ask the question - can a Rabbi have a day off. I mean, doesn't he work 24/7? My answer would be that there is a difference between a Rabbi who is connected to his job 24/7 and one that is available for needs 24/7. A Rabbi has a family, and they also have needs, and so to set aside time when those needs can be taken care of is so vital. I did make it clear that of course for needs such as funerals and stonesettings, the day off would be set aside.
Tuesday 19th May
A nice morning in my Shul office, working on the projects that I am pushing forward in the community at present. One of these projects was also referred to in the recent Jewish Chronicle press relating to my induction. In my speech I had referred to the need for an eruv in the Muswell Hill area, and this quickly became a story.
An 'eruv' is the term given for an enclosed area where it is permitted to carry on Shabbat (carrying is one of the 39 forbidden types of work on Shabbat). A number of hundred years ago, towns would often be enclosed by walls, so there was no problem considering areas or towns enclosed. When these walls were brought down, it became much more complicated to enclose an area. A number of man made boundaries can be used, such as elevated banks, or even central reservations of main roads. But boundaries can also be made of house fronts and garden gates. If for instance, a road goes through the boundary, it would need to be closed off. According to Jewish Law, this could be achieved by putting up two poles and putting some wire from the top of one pole to the second. A number of pairs of poles will then be needed around the boundary of the enclosed area, and this is what constitutes the bulk of the cost of building it.
I think that there are a number of good solid reasons behind building such an eruv and so allowing according to Jewish Law, carrying on Shabbat:
- a religious family would feel comfortable living in our community. We are an Orthodox community and if a few religous families could live in our catchment area, it would only enrich the religious life of the community
- there are a number of families who presently are members and who have said how great it would be if when pushing a buggy on Shabbat, they would not be breaking Jewish Law
- a number of other communities in the United Synagogue are looking to build an eruv. If we are left behind, we will lose any religious core to our community
- family members or friends who live in say Hampstead or Finchley would be able to walk over as a family to Muswell Hill on Shabbat without any worry of carrying
Thursday 21st May
The Talmud class had a visit from Raphy and Maureen from LSJS which was very pleasant and really added to the Shiur atmosphere. The class has such a creative dynanic to it but is also such fun to be a part of. I had to leave prompt on 12pm and with Joost's help in getting me to East Finchley tube station travelled to central London to my monthly talk at Denton Wilde Sapte in Fleet Place. This month I gave a class on the First Commandment, using the commentary of Rashi and last century's great Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik. God exclaims - 'I am the Lord your God who took you out of Egypt, from the House of slavery'. So for instance we looked at the issue of why God introduces Himself with reference to the Exodus and not the Creation. What is the difference between the God of Creation and the God of the Exodus?
A busy day continued with a barmitzvah lesson for David which went very well - I know have the notes of layening the Torah on a computer format so I can email anyone who would like to learn!
Friday 22nd May
Up early this morning to arrive for Shacharit at 7am in Cockfosters and North Southgate Synagogue on Old Farm Avenue. Rabbi Fine had invited me to speak at a breakfast that was annually held there in honour of Yom Yerushalayim, 42 years since the re-unification of Jerusalem. I spoke of how important it is not to think in terms of exile and redemption as if they are two separate time periods that simply meet. In other words, when Jerusalem was recaptured people felt that we were moving from a period of exile straight into redemption. But there is a middle period, where there are signs of redemption but also still clear signs that we are in exile. This is the meaning of our modern State of Israel - it is not what we want totally, but we can still rejoice in its very existence.
Saturday 23rd May
We had the second of our MHY Space, Muswell Hill Youth Service which once again was successful with nearly 25 teenagers and is even becoming first choice minyan for one or two Dads! Joe and Alex davened wonderfully. Sammy, Noah and Ben from Palmers Green layened excellently and others helped as well, The kiddush of chocolate, marshmallows and Pringles went down well! But altogether it is so satisfying to see so many of our teenagers together in Shul. Look out for the next Youth Service in early July.
Sunday and Monday 24th and 25th May
We went down to Richmond as a family and spent the day with friends from Kingston, in Richmond Park enjoying the play areas for children, the roaming deer, and the beautiful weather. The Bank Holiday spirit continued on Monday when we got together with a number of my cousins that live in London - a family reunion of sorts. If you are on facebook and one of my friends, you could view these pictures that my cousin Zila took. I will post one picture that I loved!
Monday, 18 May 2009
Diary Entry
Monday 11th May - Lag B'Omer night
There might have been massive festivities on Mount Meron in the north of Israel, as every year - but we also celebrated this day in Muswell Hill. Over forty people attended a barbeque at the Simons house next door to Synagogue. There was plenty of meat, pitta and other delicacies, and a real communal spirit was felt by all. There are at least two other members' gardens that have put themselves forward for next years barbeque, so this will become an annual communal meet...with meat! Thanks to the Simons for hosting, and many thanks to our ever wonderful Adrian for getting the barbeques going and managing them.
Tuesday 12th May
We had a guest at our home this week, a young lady from Krakow in Poland called Maya. She will be getting married under a Chuppa in June - and recently with her husband to be met a group of chidlren and madrichim from Immanuel College in Bushey. The school group began a project to help the married couple to be and brought Maya over so that she could come back with a wedding dress and other goodies - and the Immanuel College families through a Kalla party for her. All great stuff - Elisheva volunteered to house Maya for the time she was in London and helped her get around. She really was a pleasure, and we wish her and her Chattan Jakub a warm mazaltov. When you see what it is like living a religious life in Krakow, you cannot take for granted the facilities that we have day to day. Maya was most excited about taking back a loaf of kosher bread to Krakow!
Wednesday 13th May
This morning began a new chavrouta - or learning partner, with a Rabbi colleague of mine. Chavrouta is the staple structure of learning in the yeshiva schools of learning Torah. One learns with a partner and prepares the sources that the Rav has given out. Then there is a shiur or class by the Rav on these sources. My Wednesday morning chavrouta will be without shiur, but we had some interesting learning, looking into the ideas and laws behind the mitzva to have children - all very fascinating. How many children should one have? Who is obligated to have children? What if one cannot? Does one really need large families? What is the reasoning behind this commandment? Are non-Jews commanded in it? And more.
Tribe club was much fun as usual, and is continuing to be a great success. The children are being taught how to carry out circus talents such as spining plates and the diabalo.
In the evening I unfortunately had to miss the whisky club hosted by Michael Rose and sponsored by family member Simon Lurie. The word got out quick that there were some rare single malts - even an Indian malt! If you didn't make it and would like to come to this great communal event, check e-thos for the next one.
Thursday 13th May
At the Talmud shiur we had a spirited discussion on the topic of having faith in the Sages that wrote the Talmud - those Rabbis we call Chazal (Chachamim zichronam l'vracha). Is everything they wrote in the Talmud to be open to legal analyisis or not. I studied in a yeshiva where most if not all the Rabbis had been pupils of the late Rabbi Yosef Soloveitchik of Boston, USA. Rabbi Soloveitchik comes from a dynasty of Rabbis known as the Brisk dynasty (from Brest-Litovsk of today) and known for their analytical approach to Jewish law. So if in the Talmud, a position is put forward but then rejected, a Brisker approach would still maintain this rejected position in case it impacts on law in another related situation. In other words, everything recorded in the Talmud may have legal impact potentially somewhere else. Rejection does not mean complete rejection. Joost kindly sent me a link to an article on the topic of having faith in the Sages (Emunat Chachamim) which I have been looking at - here is the link if you are interested: http://www.hakirah.org/Vol%205%20Rabinovitch.pdf
Saturday 16th May
We had the chance to wish a warm mazaltov to Rita and Norma who have both turned eighty years, but who both did not look a bit of this age with their wonderful attitude to life. Norma has done such tremendous work building up the Rosh Chodesh group and Rita has so many wondeful stories to tell for anyone who is in conversation with her...which of course could be in fluent French or Italian!
The sermon this week stressed the importance of treating the poor with dignity and the idea that it is better to prevent the movement towards poverty than to move someone back out of poverty - the latter requires so much more effort and resources.
Sunday 17th May
The Cheder had its annual Lag B'Omer barbeque with some much appreciated help from some of the Dads - thanks also to Sara for her help in arranging.
In the afternoon there was a Mother and Daughter Pre-Batmitzvah programme arranged by Niki and myself. We had six girls and their mums and we had some really interesting discussions on the woman's role in the religion, in shul, and in comparison to the male figure. Lots of difficult but important questions were asked. Texts were prepared for reading and learning by the mum and daughter couples - and there were some welcome refreshements from Daniels. Altogether an enriching afternoon.
There might have been massive festivities on Mount Meron in the north of Israel, as every year - but we also celebrated this day in Muswell Hill. Over forty people attended a barbeque at the Simons house next door to Synagogue. There was plenty of meat, pitta and other delicacies, and a real communal spirit was felt by all. There are at least two other members' gardens that have put themselves forward for next years barbeque, so this will become an annual communal meet...with meat! Thanks to the Simons for hosting, and many thanks to our ever wonderful Adrian for getting the barbeques going and managing them.
Tuesday 12th May
We had a guest at our home this week, a young lady from Krakow in Poland called Maya. She will be getting married under a Chuppa in June - and recently with her husband to be met a group of chidlren and madrichim from Immanuel College in Bushey. The school group began a project to help the married couple to be and brought Maya over so that she could come back with a wedding dress and other goodies - and the Immanuel College families through a Kalla party for her. All great stuff - Elisheva volunteered to house Maya for the time she was in London and helped her get around. She really was a pleasure, and we wish her and her Chattan Jakub a warm mazaltov. When you see what it is like living a religious life in Krakow, you cannot take for granted the facilities that we have day to day. Maya was most excited about taking back a loaf of kosher bread to Krakow!
Wednesday 13th May
This morning began a new chavrouta - or learning partner, with a Rabbi colleague of mine. Chavrouta is the staple structure of learning in the yeshiva schools of learning Torah. One learns with a partner and prepares the sources that the Rav has given out. Then there is a shiur or class by the Rav on these sources. My Wednesday morning chavrouta will be without shiur, but we had some interesting learning, looking into the ideas and laws behind the mitzva to have children - all very fascinating. How many children should one have? Who is obligated to have children? What if one cannot? Does one really need large families? What is the reasoning behind this commandment? Are non-Jews commanded in it? And more.
Tribe club was much fun as usual, and is continuing to be a great success. The children are being taught how to carry out circus talents such as spining plates and the diabalo.
In the evening I unfortunately had to miss the whisky club hosted by Michael Rose and sponsored by family member Simon Lurie. The word got out quick that there were some rare single malts - even an Indian malt! If you didn't make it and would like to come to this great communal event, check e-thos for the next one.
Thursday 13th May
At the Talmud shiur we had a spirited discussion on the topic of having faith in the Sages that wrote the Talmud - those Rabbis we call Chazal (Chachamim zichronam l'vracha). Is everything they wrote in the Talmud to be open to legal analyisis or not. I studied in a yeshiva where most if not all the Rabbis had been pupils of the late Rabbi Yosef Soloveitchik of Boston, USA. Rabbi Soloveitchik comes from a dynasty of Rabbis known as the Brisk dynasty (from Brest-Litovsk of today) and known for their analytical approach to Jewish law. So if in the Talmud, a position is put forward but then rejected, a Brisker approach would still maintain this rejected position in case it impacts on law in another related situation. In other words, everything recorded in the Talmud may have legal impact potentially somewhere else. Rejection does not mean complete rejection. Joost kindly sent me a link to an article on the topic of having faith in the Sages (Emunat Chachamim) which I have been looking at - here is the link if you are interested: http://www.hakirah.org/Vol%205%20Rabinovitch.pdf
Saturday 16th May
We had the chance to wish a warm mazaltov to Rita and Norma who have both turned eighty years, but who both did not look a bit of this age with their wonderful attitude to life. Norma has done such tremendous work building up the Rosh Chodesh group and Rita has so many wondeful stories to tell for anyone who is in conversation with her...which of course could be in fluent French or Italian!
The sermon this week stressed the importance of treating the poor with dignity and the idea that it is better to prevent the movement towards poverty than to move someone back out of poverty - the latter requires so much more effort and resources.
Sunday 17th May
The Cheder had its annual Lag B'Omer barbeque with some much appreciated help from some of the Dads - thanks also to Sara for her help in arranging.
In the afternoon there was a Mother and Daughter Pre-Batmitzvah programme arranged by Niki and myself. We had six girls and their mums and we had some really interesting discussions on the woman's role in the religion, in shul, and in comparison to the male figure. Lots of difficult but important questions were asked. Texts were prepared for reading and learning by the mum and daughter couples - and there were some welcome refreshements from Daniels. Altogether an enriching afternoon.
Monday, 11 May 2009
Diary Entry
Tuesday 5th May
Visited an esteemed member of our community in the morning who was recovering from a knee replacement. It was great to see him in good fettle, and this certainly cheered me up for the day...until the evening. There I was enjoying the first 10 minutes of the European Champions League Semi-final with Alex Mitchell, whose hospitality was delightful, and Arsenal were already clearly knocked out of the competition. A clear message from above I sensed...either football is just not that important; or stop supporting Arsenal.
Wednesday 6th, Thursday 7th May
The Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue had organised their annual conference this year in a lovely country house just north of London in Hertfordshire. A scholar was brought in from the States to talk about marital issues such as relationships between couples who do not share the same level of religiousness. We had a talk on the present situation of anti-semitism by Anthony Julius and a quite hilarious talk at dinner by Martin Ziegman, who has a long and successful career as a barrister. He told some great stories about being a religious Jew and a barrister. He had received permission in the 1970's to enter a hotel lift on Shabbat if someone else entered first and only exit when someone else did so. He once entered a lift, and a beautiful lady entered after him. She then proceeded to ask him 'On which floor are you exiting' to which he replied 'When you exit, so will I'. She got off at the next floor! We had a great shiur from Rabbi Yehoshua Hartman who teaches in London, and there was plenty Rabbinic networking time as well...and not to forget, the food was good. This was the first year that the conference was non-residential as there are no kosher hotels now in Bournemourth that can house the conference - but nevertheless it was good value.
I arrived back after the conference direct to Slice Pizza in Golders Green where I took four pizzas to Fortismere School for their Jewish society. There I lead a facilitated discussion on Jewish myticism - in many ways demistifying mistycism. Lag B'Omer is also the yahrtzheit of Shimon bar Yochai who is traditionally understood to have authored the Zohar, a classic work on kabbala. Twenty-five children turned up to the Jewish society meeting - not sure whether for my words of wisdom...or for the pizza!
In the evening was my appraisal group, with Clive, Stephen and Helen in attendance, working with me on how to improve my effectiveness in the community, and discussing ideas and projects that I am looking into. It has so far been incredibly helpful and constructive.
Friday 8th May
The induction was a leader article in the Community Section of the Jewish Chronicle, focussing also on the comments I made in my speech surrounding the eruv. If you would like to be involved in the eruv idea, then be in touch.
Shabbat 9th May
The sermon this week centred around the statement in Ethics of the Fathers - 'In a place where there are no people, strive to be a person'. I applied this to the lack of forthcoming candidates for the position of warden and how important it was that men came forward. I did praise the womenfolk of our community for their dedication to our community!
My talk after Shabbat afternoon service was on a possibly obscure but quite interesting topic. It is considered a mitzvah to give up one's life if put into certain difficult situations, such as being forced to kill someone else or die. The issue we discussed was whether like other positive commandments, this would require a blessing. There has been much discussion on this topic and over what exactly the blessing would be indeed. This week I will talk about whether it is acceptable for a woman to read the megilla on Purim. Come along and enjoy a Shabbat evening discussion.
Sunday 10th May
This week's GCSE breakfast was as tasty as ever, with bagels, cheese, smoked salmon, croissants, rogelach and more. We are studying 'rites of passage' at the moment and on Sunday we focuses on the Jewish funeral, after having covered brit, pidyon haben, and wedding. We spend a family afternoon in sunny Golders Hill Park after which I returned to teach a barmitzvah lesson, batmitzvah lesson and then pop off to the Synagogue AGM
Another busy week! But if a week has passed where a number of Jewish men or women know more about their Judaism, I am satisfied.
Visited an esteemed member of our community in the morning who was recovering from a knee replacement. It was great to see him in good fettle, and this certainly cheered me up for the day...until the evening. There I was enjoying the first 10 minutes of the European Champions League Semi-final with Alex Mitchell, whose hospitality was delightful, and Arsenal were already clearly knocked out of the competition. A clear message from above I sensed...either football is just not that important; or stop supporting Arsenal.
Wednesday 6th, Thursday 7th May
The Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue had organised their annual conference this year in a lovely country house just north of London in Hertfordshire. A scholar was brought in from the States to talk about marital issues such as relationships between couples who do not share the same level of religiousness. We had a talk on the present situation of anti-semitism by Anthony Julius and a quite hilarious talk at dinner by Martin Ziegman, who has a long and successful career as a barrister. He told some great stories about being a religious Jew and a barrister. He had received permission in the 1970's to enter a hotel lift on Shabbat if someone else entered first and only exit when someone else did so. He once entered a lift, and a beautiful lady entered after him. She then proceeded to ask him 'On which floor are you exiting' to which he replied 'When you exit, so will I'. She got off at the next floor! We had a great shiur from Rabbi Yehoshua Hartman who teaches in London, and there was plenty Rabbinic networking time as well...and not to forget, the food was good. This was the first year that the conference was non-residential as there are no kosher hotels now in Bournemourth that can house the conference - but nevertheless it was good value.
I arrived back after the conference direct to Slice Pizza in Golders Green where I took four pizzas to Fortismere School for their Jewish society. There I lead a facilitated discussion on Jewish myticism - in many ways demistifying mistycism. Lag B'Omer is also the yahrtzheit of Shimon bar Yochai who is traditionally understood to have authored the Zohar, a classic work on kabbala. Twenty-five children turned up to the Jewish society meeting - not sure whether for my words of wisdom...or for the pizza!
In the evening was my appraisal group, with Clive, Stephen and Helen in attendance, working with me on how to improve my effectiveness in the community, and discussing ideas and projects that I am looking into. It has so far been incredibly helpful and constructive.
Friday 8th May
The induction was a leader article in the Community Section of the Jewish Chronicle, focussing also on the comments I made in my speech surrounding the eruv. If you would like to be involved in the eruv idea, then be in touch.
Shabbat 9th May
The sermon this week centred around the statement in Ethics of the Fathers - 'In a place where there are no people, strive to be a person'. I applied this to the lack of forthcoming candidates for the position of warden and how important it was that men came forward. I did praise the womenfolk of our community for their dedication to our community!
My talk after Shabbat afternoon service was on a possibly obscure but quite interesting topic. It is considered a mitzvah to give up one's life if put into certain difficult situations, such as being forced to kill someone else or die. The issue we discussed was whether like other positive commandments, this would require a blessing. There has been much discussion on this topic and over what exactly the blessing would be indeed. This week I will talk about whether it is acceptable for a woman to read the megilla on Purim. Come along and enjoy a Shabbat evening discussion.
Sunday 10th May
This week's GCSE breakfast was as tasty as ever, with bagels, cheese, smoked salmon, croissants, rogelach and more. We are studying 'rites of passage' at the moment and on Sunday we focuses on the Jewish funeral, after having covered brit, pidyon haben, and wedding. We spend a family afternoon in sunny Golders Hill Park after which I returned to teach a barmitzvah lesson, batmitzvah lesson and then pop off to the Synagogue AGM
Another busy week! But if a week has passed where a number of Jewish men or women know more about their Judaism, I am satisfied.
Monday, 4 May 2009
Diary Entry
Monday
It was great to be able to pick up Elisheva's parents from Stansted, who had a wonderful time over here for a week, and felt the warmth of the special Muswell Hill Community. They left the community two books on the city of Lodz and its Jewish community and look forward to their next visit. My father-in-law took some video footage which he will transfer into video format so we can all view some bits of Sunday's induction.
Tuesday
The day saw the Magic Moments delegation preparing diligently for their performance in the evening. They ran a moving Yom HaZikaron ceremony attended by about 100 of us. There was so much emotion in the ceremony and we were really allowed to enter if not for a few moments the world of suffering that surrounds young people who live in Israel, especially in the northern areas. This year's group were so impressive, and thanks also must go to Phil Style for putting so much effort into the organisation...and always with a smile.
Yom Haatzmaut was just so much fun, and inspired me to go away and learn Israeli national dancing. Anne Greenwood runs classes for ladies each term, and my wife Elisheva is an avid follower of these. So the women certainly outdid the men in their dancing ability! But everyone had a great time, and we experienced a small part of what those living in Israel experience when they move from the solemnity of Remembrance Day to the joy of Independence Day.
Wednesday
We had a minyan Wednesday morning, where Hallel was said...without a bracha. Lots of discussion on that this year! But we had a minyan - and I think that religious expressions are so vital on Independence Day. In Israel the day often has become marked by blow up hammers, shaving foam and barbeques. OK, they are fun, but their is also the thanksgiving to G-d that we have a State.
My daughter had a wonderful day as her school, Morasha Jewish Primary School was taken to the Independent Jewish Day School in Hendon. I was proud that her school is religious but also teaches how much a central place Israel is in our lives as a people.
Tribe club also marked Independence Day with its Arts and Crafts productions...and the Rabbi taught the Club how to dance Mayim Mayim...you can learn anything with YouTube!
Thursday
The rest of the week was becoming hectic. A speech to write for the induction, teenagers to prepare for the induction, a double portion of layening...and more. But before my induction there was something else that brought me much pride on...
Shabbat
On Shabbat a lunch was organised for about 120 parents and children of families with primary age school children. Run by Rachel, Zoe, and Tamara (thanks so much to you all!) it was a massive success, with great food, a story for the kids, a sing song and just great social. New families found friends, regulars also found new faces - it was just a pleasure to watch - look out for the next one!
Sunday - Induction day.
I am still confused as to whether I was inducted or induced, but whichever one, Sunday's induction was so special. Thanks for all those who came - it was a great day for our community. The Chief Rabbi spoke so well, as well as Simon Hochhauser. Our three teenagers, Emily, James and Noah were just superb. I so wanted the community to hear a young person's perspective on community, and that is what we got. Thanks again for all those who organised the event - as some of you have humorously said - now I can stay! Above are two memories, of the Chief Rabbi speaking, and of my duet with Rabbi Lionel Rosenfeld. I was so appreciative of his officiating the ceremony.
Monday
Lastly - had a really interesting conversation with Rabbi Shneerson, Rav of the Rovno Jewish Community, our twin. He was telling me how the local police recently discovered a mass grave of 20 Jews who had been taken from the Rovno Ghetto and murdered by probably the einsatzgruppen. It was quite a moving conversation and he was telling me about other, larger mass graves around Rovno and how he has been organising proper ceremonies to give honour to those that were killed. It really motiviated me to look to learn more about the history of Rovno's Jewish community. If you know anything, or are interested to learn, be in touch with me.
Sunday, 26 April 2009
Diary Entry
Tuesday night - Yom HaShoah.
This is always a period of the year that makes one think deeply about the modern history of our Jewish people. We have Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Day, which was in the middle of last week. This week will bring Israel's Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and then immediately after the Independence Day, Yom Haatzmaut. The United Synagogue commemorated the Holocaust in a well organised ceremony held in Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue. The moment that touched people most was the playing of a rendering of HaTikva that was sung at the liberation of Bergen-Belsen. You can hear it at the end of the famous Patrick Gordon Walker radio broadcast on entering Belsen - http://www.isracast.com/article.aspx?id=766
Wednesday
Tribe Club returned this week with continued energy, and more importantly more attendees. With more children beginning this coming week, our Tribe Club is becoming a solid part of the fabric of our community. It has a mixture of fun and social with a nugget of Jewish knowledge from the Rabbi for good measure. It is a great way for children to spend time in a Jewish environment after school - so try it out if you haven't yet. Hodaya is loving it!
Thursday
Akiva (the youngest) started nursery this past week which was a big moment for the family! The Talmud Class returned after the Pesach break and was this time around given at Eddy Levin's house. We are learning through lots of Talmudic discussions of Kiddush and Havdalah on Shabbat and Yom Tov, and loving it as well.
Shabbat
This was the -- year anniversary since Rabbi David's barmitzvah...I'll leave you to fill in the gaps. But what a difficult portion it is to read, let alone understand! The sermon in many ways carried on from the theme of last week where Holocaust Day was the main theme. This week it was the way we see the Independence of Israel. One way of looking at our State is in terms of what we want ideally a Jewish state to be. From a religious perspective, is this the redemption or not. On this basis there are complicated discussions as to whether we say Hallel or not on Yom Haatzmaut. If you would like a summary of rationales, then look at the following link which lists the rationales: http://hirhurim.blogspot.com/2007/04/hallel-on-yom-ha-atzmaut.html
There is another way of looking at the State of Israel. Not in terms of where we want to be, but in terms of how far we have come from the helpless persecution of the Holocaust. In our national anthem, Hatikva, authored by Naftali Imber in 1886, we read 'Our hope is yet not lost'. In Ezekiel's prophecy of dry bones which is read on Shabbat Chol HaMoed Pesach, God explains to Ezekiel that the dry bones are in fact 'All the house of Israel' who are saying 'Our bones have dried, our hope is lost'. This statement is clearly echoed in Hatikva. What we have to be so thankful for is that the existence of the State of Israel has restored our hope in a Jewish future that was so nearly shattered in the Holocaust.
This week has seen two new barmitzvah boys join the study of their layening and parasha with the Rabbi.
Sunday
Elisheva enjoyed attending the Rosh Chodesh group at Margaret's and this is an opportunity to wish a warm Happy Birthday to Norma Brewer on a very special Birthday - many more years in health, strength and continue doing so much good for your community!
Guest Blogger
Would you like to be a guest blogger on Rabbi David's Diary, describing the week in Muswell Hill Synagogue community from your perspective. If you would like to, then email me or post a comment.
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This is always a period of the year that makes one think deeply about the modern history of our Jewish people. We have Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Day, which was in the middle of last week. This week will bring Israel's Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and then immediately after the Independence Day, Yom Haatzmaut. The United Synagogue commemorated the Holocaust in a well organised ceremony held in Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue. The moment that touched people most was the playing of a rendering of HaTikva that was sung at the liberation of Bergen-Belsen. You can hear it at the end of the famous Patrick Gordon Walker radio broadcast on entering Belsen - http://www.isracast.com/article.aspx?id=766
Wednesday
Tribe Club returned this week with continued energy, and more importantly more attendees. With more children beginning this coming week, our Tribe Club is becoming a solid part of the fabric of our community. It has a mixture of fun and social with a nugget of Jewish knowledge from the Rabbi for good measure. It is a great way for children to spend time in a Jewish environment after school - so try it out if you haven't yet. Hodaya is loving it!
Thursday
Akiva (the youngest) started nursery this past week which was a big moment for the family! The Talmud Class returned after the Pesach break and was this time around given at Eddy Levin's house. We are learning through lots of Talmudic discussions of Kiddush and Havdalah on Shabbat and Yom Tov, and loving it as well.
Shabbat
This was the -- year anniversary since Rabbi David's barmitzvah...I'll leave you to fill in the gaps. But what a difficult portion it is to read, let alone understand! The sermon in many ways carried on from the theme of last week where Holocaust Day was the main theme. This week it was the way we see the Independence of Israel. One way of looking at our State is in terms of what we want ideally a Jewish state to be. From a religious perspective, is this the redemption or not. On this basis there are complicated discussions as to whether we say Hallel or not on Yom Haatzmaut. If you would like a summary of rationales, then look at the following link which lists the rationales: http://hirhurim.blogspot.com/2007/04/hallel-on-yom-ha-atzmaut.html
There is another way of looking at the State of Israel. Not in terms of where we want to be, but in terms of how far we have come from the helpless persecution of the Holocaust. In our national anthem, Hatikva, authored by Naftali Imber in 1886, we read 'Our hope is yet not lost'. In Ezekiel's prophecy of dry bones which is read on Shabbat Chol HaMoed Pesach, God explains to Ezekiel that the dry bones are in fact 'All the house of Israel' who are saying 'Our bones have dried, our hope is lost'. This statement is clearly echoed in Hatikva. What we have to be so thankful for is that the existence of the State of Israel has restored our hope in a Jewish future that was so nearly shattered in the Holocaust.
This week has seen two new barmitzvah boys join the study of their layening and parasha with the Rabbi.
Sunday
Elisheva enjoyed attending the Rosh Chodesh group at Margaret's and this is an opportunity to wish a warm Happy Birthday to Norma Brewer on a very special Birthday - many more years in health, strength and continue doing so much good for your community!
Guest Blogger
Would you like to be a guest blogger on Rabbi David's Diary, describing the week in Muswell Hill Synagogue community from your perspective. If you would like to, then email me or post a comment.
Follow Rabbi David on Twitter - look for rabbidavidmason
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