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.