Events at Southgate Progressive Synagogue

Every now and then we have events at SPS that have the wow factor; the “Come to your Senses” quiz in November definitely fell into that category. There was an air of mystery as to what the quiz was going to be all about, but when it started we soon found out, and enjoyed an evening of good food, and great company, that was by common consent one of best quiz evenings in the history of SPS. 

Whilst being a man of humble disposition, I was proud to be the dynamic leader of a magnificent all round highly intelligent team, who ended the evening victorious. Thanks to everyone who made the quiz such fun: girls and boys, you did a great job, and well done to everyone who came and helped swell the Synagogue’s coffers. There will be a more traditional style quiz in February, so come along one and all and try and dislodge the supreme reigning champions. 

Two other successful events took place on Saturday 26th November, after the morning service - a Lunch and Chavruta study session on “Responsibility”. The positive feedback from those who attended was that it was a very stimulating and meaningful afternoon. Many thanks to Phyllis Freedman and Joy Cox for organising the event; hopefully there will be more in the future. 

In the evening, sponsored by the Borough of Enfield as part of Inter Faith week, we hosted “Faiths got Talent". Over fifty affable people enjoyed a wonderful, warm-hearted, inspiring event. The evening included a friendly competition of music, readings, rap, poetry, and dance between Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, and members of the Bahia community, who were the eventual winners. It showed that by putting politics and divergent ways of life aside for at least one evening, a number of varied faiths can sit down together and enjoy each other’s company in harmony and mutual respect. 

Hopefully the Synagogue will be involved in many more worthwhile occasions like this. 

Robert Dulin

So, having been ‘invited’ (arm behind the back job) to coordinate Mitzvah Day, and given all of 5 minutes to make up my mind, I thought I would give it a go. 

Having got over the hurdle of having to stand outside Asda (I mistakenly assumed that we would at least be in the lobby and perhaps should have donned more layers) the trusted team got to work. I took lessons from Michelle Golding in how to project one’s voice to request items and with the help of Gerry Ostermeyer and Jacqui Kane we collected a huge array of non-perishable items. Asda’s customers were incredibly generous and completely supportive of our collection for the Enfield Food Bank. 

It is always very grafying to feel that you are helping the less fortunate and the comments we received absolutely endorsed this. 

Would I do it again? I am hoping that they move Mitzvah Day to a scorching hot summer’s day which I guess is not an option. Can someone therefore direct me to the nearest shop that sells Arctic clothing! 

Jill Newton

The Jews of Palermo

During a recent visit to Palermo in Sicily, I was intrigued to find evidence of Jewish prisoners in the cells of the Carceri dell’Inquizione. The first Jews to arrive in Sicily probably settled as traders in Syracuse during the final centuries of the Greek era. The Romans brought some Jews to Sicily as slaves or poorly-paid servants. By the time the Arabs arrived there were flourishing communies in a number of towns including Panormas (Palermo). The Normans were tolerant and even protective of the Jewish Population and the Jews of Sicily experienced relavely little overt antagonism from fellow islanders unl the fourteenth century.

Things changed in 1492 when an edict was issued in an atmosphere of zeal at a time when Catholicism’s influence, including the Inquision, had replaced those of the tolerant twelfth century. At that time there were about 20,000 Jews in Sicily of which 5000 lived in Palermo. The Jews of Sicily were told that they were no longer welcome and had to leave or convert to Christianity. In Palermo their synagogue was demolished without trace and a new road was built, cutting right through the Jewish quarter, so that it is hard to determine where it once stood.

When the Inquision arrived on the Island to hunt down heresy, the first wave of oppression was against the Jews (Crypto-Judaism) and there were 30 burnings at the stake by 1513. Of the Jews who had converted to Catholicism, many had only pretended to do so and then continued to secretly practise their religious customs. The Inquisition was particularly suspicious of these newcomers and willingly accepted the corroboration of neighbours who reported not having seen smoke during the Sabbath or on the converts eating habits.

The Inquision connued for hundreds of years and the Holy Office was only closed in 1782. The Carceri dell’Inquizione was built 1603-1605 because the ‘Philippine Prisons’ inside the Chiaramonte Palace weren’t big enough to hold the growing number of prisoners. There were 8 cells on the ground floor and 6 on the first floor and they contained drawings on the cell walls, which were covered with plaster in the 19th century when the building became a Criminal Court. In 1906 Giuseppe Pitre discovered these drawings made by Jews, herecs, monks, nuns or inconvenient intellectuals.
I was parcularly interested in the drawings made by the Jews. One consisted of a group of kneeling Jews with their names such as Simon, Jacob, and Abraam (sic) printed above them.

It’s well worth vising this Museum of the Inquision and to be aware of the suffering of so many people during this period.

We always welcome new members.

Peter Leslie (Chair of the Israel Group)

Religion School News

During November, Ruach invited adult members of the congregation to come into class and share their memories with the students, as part of a History Project. 

We had a fantastic morning with our guests, and the session turned out to be both informative and fun for the students and for staff members, as well as an opportunity for Ruach and the regular congregants to get to know each other. Many thanks to Pearl, Jane, Jonathan and Bob for spending the morning with us. We hope that this will become a regular feature of the Ruach curriculum. 

Many thanks also to Jill Newton, who organised the SPS Book Sale, to coincide with Mitzvah Day. The Book Sale was for the benefit of Magen David Adom, the charity chosen by Ruach students as this term's tzedakah project. 

In December, we will be raising money again for Magen David Adom, and for Mini-Ruach, our parent and toddler group, during our Chanukah celebrations, with a cake sale and a toy sale on December 17th. We would like to welcome all children in the community to these Chanukah celebrations, so please do let Shelley know if you want to bring your child along: religionschool@sps.uk.com 

Meanwhile, our parent and toddler group, Mini-Ruach, has started up again, with regular weekly sessions, after a break during the High Holy Days, when the Hall was unavailable. Mini-Ruach is for babies and children under 5, accompanied by an adult, and is open to both members and to non-members.

Moses in Calabria: A story of Sukkot

Calabria is the southernmost region of mainland Italy and the toe of Italy’s boot-like shape. Here it is on a map.
Within North West Calabria, by the shores of the Tyrrhenian secon of the Mediterranean Sea, there is a small area famous for one thing: Etrogs.
They call it the “Riviera dei Cedri”. That means “The Etrog Riviera” in English. The nearest big town is called Diamante, which means Diamond on English.
Etrogs (aka Citrons) are extremely difficult fruits to grow. Their trees are fragile and need a special soil and micro-climate of extreme heat and sea breezes, which is only found in a few areas of the world. They are strange trees for a number of reasons including that the Etrogs fruit at various different mes of the year and do not mature nor fall off the tree at the same me. Thus the same tree will have year-old mature Etrogs and baby Etrogs hanging on it at the same me.
My wife Corinna’s family comes from this Diamante/Riviera dei Cedri area of Calabria and we visited it this summer with our children Moses, Grace and Hector.
While we were in Calabria we came across some Hasidic Jews wandering around. Most of them had black hats, pesot, beards, glasses and black coats
and looked just like the “frummers” one sees in Stamford Hill.
They invited me to a shul they had made in the garage of the apartment block where they were staying. I went there, did my incompetent best to follow their Shacharit service as the sun came up and heard them leyn the Torah with strange pronunciation. They wore a special tallit that had sparkling solid silver atarah sewn into it.

It was a weird, exotic, powerful experience.

I got to know one of the Lubavitch rabbis, Yossi from Canada. Here he is picking the Etrogs. He told me that Jews have been coming to Calabria for hundreds of years to pick the Etrogs, which are thought to be the best quality, and the most beauful in the world. Although Etrogs grow in other places, mainly Israel and Morocco, the variees there are different there, and considered far less precious.

There is a legendary reason for that. The Chasidim believe that Moses, or angels sent on his behalf, came to Calabria to pick the Etrogs during Israel’s 40 years of wandering in the desert. Moses needed an Etrog to celebrate Sukkot. However, Etrogs cannot grow in the desert. They grow in Eretz Yisrael, but Moses was forbidden by God from entering Eretz Yisrael for his sin at Meriva, when he forgot to give God’s message to Israel before producing water from a rock. God therefore allowed Moses to obtain an Etrog from Calabria. Since then, according to the Hasidim, it has been a great mitzvah to celebrate Sukkot with a Calabrian Etrog. Indeed, it seems Hasidim will use nothing else. The rabbis apparently know each tree intimately. They look for Etrogs of a particular shape. Each Hasidic group has a particular preference for a certain rare shape and colour of Etrog, which increases the beauty and power of the mitzvah of shaking the lulav.

The lulav is made of four species each of which symbolises a different part of the body.
Here they are:
The four species also symbolise four different types of Jews. The Etrog, because it looks, smells and tastes good, is also the symbol of the best type of Jew- one whose life is full of Torah and good deeds. The palm produces dates but has no scent and represents Jews who study Torah but do not do good deeds. The myrtle has a strong scent but no taste. It is the symbol of Jews who perform good deeds but have little knowledge of Torah. The willow, which has neither taste nor scent, represents Jews who have little knowledge of Judaism and also do not perform good deeds. The lulav cannot work without all four species. Just as, in some mystical way, the Jewish people cannot continue without all four types of Jews.
At the end of our surprisingly Etroggy holiday, we got married, in a lovely garden overlooking the sea: The local mayor, seen in the photo, gave a little speech in which he said that this area of Calabria was, for hundreds of years, hundreds of years ago, the home of several substantial Jewish communities.

Simchat Torah

Rabbi Michael Standfield - Chatan Torah 

For 50 years, if not more, I was involved in the selection of Chatanim and Kallot for Simchat Torah, in the various Synagogues that I served. Yet, in all that time, I was never offered the honour, or was ever considered for it. Perhaps the belief was that, as I was involved in leading the Service, I required no greater honour. Or it could have been that I was a paid employee and, therefore, didn’t deserve it.

It was, therefore, a great surprise and an even greater pleasure to be chosen to receive this great honour of Chatan Torah, especially as I haven’t been a member for as long as many other people. However, I do see it as recognition for the time I, happily, served the community, and my general support since becoming a member.

 I wouldn’t be a typical Jew if I didn’t complain (ha ha), so my big disappointment? Where was my flag with an apple stuck on it?

I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed the Services, and was delighted to have some of our family members in attendance at the evening service, and one of our grandsons helping me to overcome a ‘loss of voice’ problem.

My certificate commemorating the occasion has now joined my other awards and, eventually, it will be framed and hung on the wall together with my S’micha certificate.

I should like to conclude by extending my sincere thanks to Rabbi Yuval and the Officers of the Synagogue for affording me this honour. I shall continue to be a supportive member of the congregation and enjoy the warm and friendly atmosphere.


 Phil Zeligman - Chatan Bereshit 

Like so many things, it all began with a simple phone call…. In this case it was a call from Pearl who called to ask if I would like to be one of the Chatanim for Simchat Torah. I was stunned; surely there must be another congregant who is far more deserving of the honour? Nevertheless, I accepted!

Next up was to have a meeting with the Rabbi to determine if I would be Chatan Torah or Chatan Bereshit – I am Chatan Bereshit. Then the Rabbi drops the bombshell; there are no Junior Chatanim this year, so can I read both portions? I should have asked how much the Junior Chatan Bereshit would have to read but didn’t – I just said, “Yes, no problem”.

I received a copy of the Torah and Haftarah Readings for Simchat Torah and that is when I realised that I had 31 verses to read! Time to knuckle down and start learning my first Torah reading since my Confirmation (41 years ago). I knew that I needed help and that person was Gerry Ostermeyer. I could not have read my portion without his help and encouragement. Thank you, Gerry!

The next milestone was the rehearsal with the Rabbi, 3 days before Erev Simchat Torah! I am nervous and the read through does not go as well as I had hoped. Rabbi Yuval gives me the option of just reading the first half of the portion and then he would complete the remainder. Hmmm…. it would be easier but then I have said that I would do the whole portion. Thank you Rabbi Yuval for the offer but I think I will read it all.

Furious practicing over the next 3 days and then Erev Simchat Torah arrives. I sit as Rabbi Michael Standfield (who is Chatan Torah) impressively reads his portion and I’m getting more and more nervous. Rabbi Yuval calls me up and then the spotlight is on me. “Bereshit bara Elohim” and then I’m on autopilot and before I realise it, I’m saying “vayehi-erev vayehi-voker yom hashishi”.

Mazaltov to my fellow Chatan, Rabbi Michael Standfield. My thanks to Gerry, my wife Debi, Rabbi Yuval and everyone who came along to celebrate Simchat Torah. And of course, my thanks to Pearl - it all started with a simple phone call!

Religion School News

During October, Ruach made a trip to Oakwood Park to do Tashlich before Yom Kippur (symbolically throwing away our mistakes from last year). There was also an opportunity to play in the fantastic playground there. 

We started by thinking of something positive that happened last year, something positive that we want to keep with us as we go into the new year. Then we chose a mistake or a bad habit that we wanted to get rid of, and we threw bird seed into the water, as a symbolic way of throwing away that negative experience. Finally, we made a resolution for the new year, something positive for the future, and sealed the deal by eating honey cake. 

Also during October, we had a visit from LJY-Netzer, who ran a fun packed morning of activities on the theme of Sukkot. There was also an element of training for our assistants. Thank you to Sam Alston of LJY-Netzer for planning it all and for spending the morning with us. 

During November, there will be a Book Sale for the benefit of Magen David Adom, the charity chosen by Ruach students as this term's tzedakah project. The Book Sale will be on 26th November, to coincide with Mitzvah Day (see flyer). There is a Family Service on the same day, so please do come and join us. Now that the Hall has re-opened, our parent and toddler group, Mini-Ruach, will be meeting regularly throughout November and December. Our pilot sessions during September had an excellent response from SPS parents, as well as from parents outside the SPS community. The Hall is a fantastic space for our youngest members to play (see picture), and for parents to meet and chat, and offer each other support. 

I am delighted to report that the NLPS Trust has given us some funding specifically to support the parent and toddler group, so we will be buying some larger items to supplement the very generous donations of toys that we have already received. 

Unsung Security Heroes

Never before in the field of Synagogue security, has so much been owed, by so many to so few. 

So, ok I've changed a couple of words from this famous statement but read on and I think you'll understand why. I write this article at the finish of Yom Kippur. Over 700 people entered, worshipped and left this site over the 4 days in complete safety. This was down to the unsung heroes of the security team. 

Now I know some of you were probably fed up of having to keep showing your ticket every time to gain entry but tell me, if you are a frequent flyer, are you ushered through security without going through the X-ray machine or having your bags checked? I think not! 

Every member from exec to council members, to people on all the committees and members alike had to produce their ticket. This is not necessarily security policy but a sign of the times. If in doubt they keep them out. 

Whilst the vast majority of people were in services, the security team were outside not only on the main gate and at the front of the buildings but out the back and down the road with constant walking patrols too. A thorough sweep of the site is now regularly carried out an hour before anyone is allowed through the gate. The ear pieces and radios worn by every security team member on duty is not for show but to make sure they are in constant contact with each other making sure every part of our site is secure to the highest level, meaning that if an evacuation or invacuation is necessary it is carried out quickly and efficiently. 

Why did I start off this piece with ‘by so many, to so few?’ Well these volunteers are on site every Friday and Saturday and all the services in between. In total they have approximately 40 people on their rota. In order for us to be safe, is it too much to ask you to add to this number? We ask for you to help two or three times a year; please email now (security@sps.uk.com) to help security and give your friends and family the peace of mind that when they go to an SPS service, safety is of the utmost importance. 

- Michelle Golding

A simcha through a Rabbi's eyes

Over the years I have attended more simchas than I care to remember. At one time, I was attending at least one a week. I got to the stage where I couldn’t look a chicken in the face, having eaten too many of them. On one occasion I was so tired of the ‘papier mache’ chicken that, when I was served with it, I informed the waiter that I didn’t want it. He assured me that it was kosher and perfectly acceptable, but I was adamant, no more chicken. He disappeared into the kitchen and must have informed the catering manager that there was ‘ganser meshugganeh frummer of a Rabbi’ who was refusing to eat the chicken. He reappeared with a generous plate of smoked salmon and salads. The Rabbi must not go hungry!

 After some years in the Rabbinate, and having done a lot of peoplewatching at these simchas, it dawned on me that there were certain stereotypes that were to be found in every Jewish family and could be picked out at these occasions. 

I had the greatest sympathy for the host and hostess who had to draw up a table plan, because in most if not all Jewish families there was to be found a broigus. Auntie Sadie would not talk to Uncle Sid. Why? No-one could remember, least of all Auntie Sadie & Uncle Sid, so it was necessary to make sure they were seated as far apart as possible, where they sat and glared at each other throughout the evening.

Ballroom dancing was a must at these events, and there was always one couple who thought that they were at a Come Dancing competition. They were the only ones present, who could tango and foxtrot, and God help anyone else on the dance floor who got in their way. 

Then there was the desperate mother parading her daughter who, if Moses had seen her there would have been another Commandment. Hence the need to parade her. Surely, amongst the guests could be found a suitable husband, but often to no avail. 

It always amused me, after everyone had sat down to begin the meal, there arrived the wealthy couple of the family who would walk in, apologising profusely for their lateness, carrying a small wedding or bar mitzvah gift, which looked as if it had been picked up at a charity shop. Invariably they left early, pleading another engagement that they had to attend. In the short time that they were present, the family would fawn over them with great expectations. 

There was, of course, the middle-aged couple who would use the event as an excuse to attract the opposite sex, the wife wearing a dress that just about covered the essentials and men’s eyes wandering ravenously around the room. To complement his wife, the husband would be dressed in, what he believed to be, a with-it outfit, but in truth looked ridiculous. 

And what about the two elderly men who spent the entire evening discussing business? And the two elderly matrons trying to outdo each other as to how well their grandchildren were doing? It all helped to pass the time and was an interesting tapestry of Jewish society.

- Rabbi Michael Standfield

Religion School News

I am delighted to report that Mini-Ruach started on 9th September. This is our new parent and toddler group for children from birth to age 5. Grandparents also welcome! 

Future dates for Mini-Ruach are adversed in the weekly newsletter, and on the Mini-Ruach noctieboard in the Baron Harris room.

Thank you to everyone who has donated toys and equipment, so far, with a special thank you to Barbara and Gerry Ostermeyer. Ruach started on 10th September, and we were very pleased to welcome a new member of staff, Rachel Vogler, who will be teaching Kalanit (years 6-8).

The morning finished with an opportunity to practise our circus skills, with the help of an outside entertainer. Both students and staff enjoyed this, with tight rope walking one of the most popular experiences.

Interfaith Walk

On a sunny Sunday afternoon back in June I decided to go along to an Interfaith walk which had been organised by Brian Ball. All I knew was that along the walk we would be visiting a church, a mosque and a temple. It sounded interesting so with my mother and daughter in tow we packed a drink and an umbrella and headed off.

We started at Edmonton Methodist Church with an introduction from Brian and some refreshments. After a bit of mingling we entered the church to listen to Minister Alan Combes tell us about the church building. He explained that it didn’t look like a traditional church but that they had adapted the space to serve as a church for the congregation of 250 people. We sat on the lovely cushioned chairs and admired the soE carpet, balcony and music area for the children. We led into a discussion about children’s attendance (or lack of) at church – something we found to be a common problem across faiths.

We then began the short walk to the Mevlana Rumi Mosque which was just across the road. This was very exciting for me personally as I remembered coming to this building as a child when it was Edmonton Library. We were welcomed by Seval Gocke who began by saying how proud she was to be a female director of the mosque. We sat in a very grand common room and Seval told us about Ramadan (which was halfway through at that me) and invited us to special celebrations which were happening the following week. We removed our shoes and entered the prayer room which had a beautiful carpet. I was intrigued to see how the men and women were separated but surprised to learn that women could pray together with men albeit standing at the back. We listened to some prayers sung by one of the members.

Once our shoes were on we said goodbye and headed off to the Nagapooshani Ambaal Temple. On arrival we saw that the Temple is currently being rebuilt and we were taken to the temporary temple next door. The room was filled with statues which were introduced to us by Shanmuganathan Navaratnam (also known as Shan). He told us the names of each of the statues and ex-plained the animals associated with them.

It was overwhelming to see the amount of detail related to each one and their importance in the Hindu faith. We then went to see the build-ing site and the evolving new temple. How impressive! Each stone was shipped over from Sri Lanka and there were hundreds. I will definitely be returning to see the finished project which is expected to be ready next year.

The final stop on our walk was back to the start where we met Jagdish Aminaden from the Baha’i faith. He explained that they do not have a specific place to worship but rather they meet in halls or houses. Jagdish gave us a talk about the founder of Baha’i, Baha U’llah and the 3 main beliefs which are one God, one humankind and one religion. We then watched a video showing a holy place called Haifa in Israel where the ‘Shrine Of The Bab’ is found. The beautiful gardens surround the Shrine and this is also where the administration offices are based. It is definitely a place I would like to visit one day. I enjoyed the walk and the chance to find out more about the faiths. I learned that there are similarities and differences. It was good to speak to others along the way and share our experiences. I would like to thank Brain for organising and I look forward to the next interfaith event. Hopefully you will join me!

- Nathalie Muller

Kabbalat Torah 2016

This years Kabbalat Torah service was led by Naomi and Sarah. Over the last two years they have developed their jewish understanding and have now come to the end. They planned, wrote and led the Saturday service. 

Below is what they wrote about each other and their time in Religion School.

Naomi by Sarah

Throughout my me at religion school I have had a friend in Naomi. I remember when she first walked into the classroom and how shy she was. However, over me I have seen Naomi blossom into a motiviated young woman, who has strong morals and is dedicated to achieving her goals. One of Naomi’s main goals in life is becoming an architect, using her creative abilities and talent in art. Naomi’s Jewish journey is certainly unique, as she has independently built up a strong bond with Judaism.

Sarah by Naomi

Sarah is a dynamic character. Always on the go and never stopping to take a break. Throughout our years at religion school, first learning together as young children while giggling at the back of the classroom, to where we are now. Having completed our Judaism GCSE, I have learnt several things about Sarah. She is head-strong, highly opinionated and thoughtful, always up for a laugh but still there when you need a

friend to turn to. Although Sarah’s journey may be unclear at the moment, I am certain her creative outlook on life and strong character will take her far.

Our Israel Trip

Three years ago, when my sister Amy came back from her Israel tour, I went to pick her up from the airport and saw how she had grown and changed for the better. Three years later when it was my turn, the idea of going away with fifty-seven other people to a foreign country for three and a half weeks didn't really appeal to me; however, that would all change. 

There were a couple of things that I wanted to get out of tour. Ever since completing the Jewish studies GCSE course at SPS, where I was able to go deeper into the meaning of Judaism, I have been more interested in learning about other religions. Therefore, by going on tour I wanted to find my own Jewish identity, to gain a connection with Israel; as well as finding lifelong friends and to have the most amazing experience. 

Throughout the trip I saw some incredible sites, including the Western Wall, Masada, Mount Herzl and the Gaza Wall where I glued a prayer. One thing that surprised me the most was everywhere I looked there was an Israeli flag; hanging up on buildings, cranes and on the side of roads. It shocked me because it shows you how proud Israel is, which was so refreshing to see. Despite everything that they go through on a regular basis with bomb shelters around every corner and being attacked both physically and politically, Israel stands tall and proud; and that made me feel proud not only to be in Israel but also to be Jewish. Even when faced with a crisis Israel and its citizens find a way to carry on their lives as normal. All our worries are nothing compared to how brave they are. 

On a less serious note, all my worries about making friends were swiftly forgotten. I have made some lovely life-long friends and everybody was so kind, it was like meeting up with friends that you have known for years. Being stuck with more than 60 people every day didn't take that long to get use to as you always had someone around to keep you company; and there was never a shortage of things to do or laughs waiting to happen. 

I am so grateful to everyone that made my Israel tour the most amazing experience I have ever had. I had the most incredible time that I will never forget. Since being back from tour I am now considering taking a gap year in Israel to further develop my Jewish understanding. 

Charlotte Golding

My trip to Israel was an amazing experience that I will never forget. Everything about BBYO Israel tour was phenomenal, from visiting sites such as the Old City of Jerusalem and the Western Wall, to swimming in the Kinneret and hiking up Masada. When I visited the Old City, I felt such a strong connection to Judaism it made me really think about what it is to be Jewish and what I can do in my life to continue this connection. 

Getting to the top of Masada was so rewarding, when we reached the summit we sat together and watched the sunrise, which was beautiful. 

Not only were the educational aspects of the tour memorable, I know that the friends I have made will be lifelong friends. Having fifty-seven other teenagers to share the tour with was one of my favourite parts. My summer in Israel has changed me as a person and was an exceptional experience which I will remember for the rest of my life. 

Hannah Golding

Rabbinic Memories

In the early days of the Leo Baeck College there was no course for practical Rabbinics. For example, how to conduct a wedding, funeral or stone setting. 

So, when I was asked or expected to conduct a stone setting for a late congregant of the Settlement Synagogue, where I had been seconded as student Rabbi, I sought the advice from a senior fellow student on how to conduct it. Armed with this information and full of nerves, I appeared on the due date at Edmonton Cemetery in North London. It should be known, at this point, that I did not conduct the funeral of the late gentleman so I had no idea where he was buried in the cemetery. 

After the initial part of the service in the prayer hall, having delivered a suitable eulogy, I proceeded out of the hall with the one and only mourner, his son, followed by a trail of some hundred family and friends, to conclude the service at the graveside. I marched solemnly down the path, together with the son, doing a wonderful impression of the Pied Piper of Hamlin because, by this time, there was a trail of people following dutifully behind us. 

After about five minutes, which seemed an eternity, having turned right and left several times through the cemetery, I enquired of the mourner, as to where exactly the grave was. To my surprised he replied that he could not remember. By this time the trail of people stretched out around half the cemetery. It always seems that a stone setting is an opportunity for a social event to catch up with family and friends who haven’t seen each other since the last family event, therefore they were busy chatting and not noticing where they were being led. So, what to do? Back to the prayer hall and seek out the resident groundsman to enquire the whereabouts of the required grave. 

With that knowledge, off we went again, found the grave not fifty yards from the hall, and proceeded to conclude the service. Having paid my respects to close family, I proceeded back to the prayer hall, only to be waylaid by the inevitable ‘hochum’ of the family who enquired as to why we had walked all over the cemetery. Thankfully I had my wits about me and, not wishing to demonstrate my naivety, I told him that there was an old Jewish custom that if you had not attended the cemetery in the last thirty days you were required to walk the four corners of the grounds to show one’s respect. This seemed to satisfy him and off he went ………… and so did I! And, thus, another Jewish custom had been established. 

Rabbi Michael Standfield

Music at SPS

There is a range of different musical activities at SPS for all ages!

The Youth Singing Group
If you are 16+, love music and want to learn new songs then join the new SPS Singing Group this summer. 

We will be singing popular songs from the West End and Broadway musicals, films, and contemporary music. 

You do not need to read music or Hebrew and there are no auditions. Just come along and find out how much fun sining with others can be!

If you are interested please email idiot@singinginlondon.com



SPS Choir
Join the SPS choir to sing at Shabbat Services. Rehearsals include vocal coaching to develop your singing skills. Starting at 9:50-10:50 followed by the Shabbat Service.
The next Choir rehearsal begins on 10th September at 9:50am. 

The LJ Biennial 2016

Back at the start of the summer the Liberal Judaism Biennial Conference 2016 was held in Solihull. Nearly 300 Jews across the UK were there, possibly representing 40 different Liberal/ Progressive communities.

We started on a Friday evening with drinks and then a musical Kabbalat Shabbat service before dinner. This was a weekend where we didn't need to bring our own Siddur Lev Chadash as the service was projected onto two large screens, which reminded me of how we do our 'Shabbat Showtime' and Purim melodies. The service included tunes new to some, familiar to others, but everyone joined in and the beautiful sounds filled the room. Dinner was an opportunity to greet new people and start to become acquainted with characters you'd recognise all weekend long. The Jewish community being as it is, you were never far away from someone you knew through friends, family, colleagues, once, twice or three times removed!

For me the Shabbat morning service was key. My fellow Ba'alei Tefillah colleagues took the core of the main service, with satellite options running concurrently in adjoining rooms which depicted Shabbat observance over the millennia. My aforementioned colleagues and I were given our certificates of Graduation of the course by Rabbi Danny Rich and LJ Chair Simon Benscher at the end of the morning service.

The rest of the weekend programme then began in earnest. After a keynote discussion between author Cole Moreton and Rabbi David Goldberg where the key takeaway emerged that in the UK there are 12 million adults who believe in God but hold no religious affiliation at all. I.E. in the census they declared no religion, belong to no religious institution, but could be searching for a spiritual solution. 

We started our journey through the weekend's selection of workshops. There were to be four sessions across Saturday and Sunday with a choice of up to 13 subject choices each time. They ranged from discussions on Brexit, Israel, female Rabbis, to study on liturgy, Talmud, through to food, music and fashion.

The theme of the weekend was 'Thinking outside the book.' LJ is considering republishing our Siddur, and many workshops were looking on how we can influence the way the new Siddur is laid out, its content, the language  (not only translitera8on, and gender-equal, but actually considering how we should address the ‘eternal one’ - a whole session on itself that I attended was very enlightening), the imagery, the format (even if it should be left-right, or right- 

left) etc. The Saturday night dinner was followed by some humorous in-house entertainment, some video messages from previous students of the Leo Baeck College as it celebrates its 70th year graduating Rabbis. This included a message from our own Rabbi Yuval Keren, so he was with us, if not in person! We were then entertained by Jewish comedy-singer Daniel Cainer, whose rendition of ‘Bad Rabbi’ nearly brought the house down! 

Not to be forgotten, during the Saturday dinner the LJ Chair Awards were presented by the Rich/Benscher combination. These awards are given to hard-working long-standing members of the LJ communities and, as the title suggests, it is the Chair of each community that nominates the recipients. Unbeknown to her, our Jane Greenfield was a winner and she was delighted to accept the certificate.

Jane’s contribution to the organizing of this and previous Biennials was marked too at the closing ceremony where, with Josie Kinchen of Finchley Progressive Synagogue, she was presented with a gift.

The whole weekend seemed to pass in a flash. It was a shame that we were only 4 from SPS as there was so much going on. There was literally something for everyone, or hotel spa/gym facilities if you wanted to find some personal time too. Next year there is a single day – LJ’s Day of Celebration at Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue, 11th June – so hopefully a bigger SPS contingent will go. I for one will definitely be there and at the 2018 Biennial – please join me.

Religion School News

Last term ended with a celebration of our students’ work, with awards handed out by our Chairman, Bob Dulin. Sadly, we also had to say good-bye and thank you to some members of staff, three of whom are moving away to pursue their studies. 

We finished the morning by practicing our circus skills, with the help of an outside entertainer. Both students and staff enjoyed this, with the tight rope one of the most popular experiences. 

The new Ruach term starts on 10th September, when we will be welcoming back our students and also a new member of our teaching staff, Rachel Vogler, who will be teaching Kalanit (years 6-8). 
I am pleased to report that our students will continue to take part in the SPS Family Services during 2016-17. The September service will be on 24th September, when we hope to welcome parents and other members to the service, and to a Coffee Morning before the service. 

Finally, I am delighted to announce that we will be starting Mini-Ruach this autumn, a new playgroup for babies and toddlers, from birth to age five, attending with their parents or grandparents. We are currently appealing for donations of toys and equipment, so please do help us, if you can. Dates for Mini-Ruach will be advertised in the weekly newsletter, and on the Mini-Ruach noticeboard in the Baron Harris room. 

Gwendolen Burton (Ruach Head Teacher)

Religion School News

We have just launched our Buddy Scheme, which involves putting families in the congregation who have children the same age in touch with each other. We hope that when the children come along to SPS there will be familiar faces and the children will immediately feel at home in the community. Several families have been invited to take part in the Buddy Scheme.

We recently had a visit from LJY-Netzer, who spoke to parents and students about the youth movement and in particular Kadimah, the summer camp which will be running in August 2016. Some of our own teenagers will be taking part as youth leaders, and it's not too late to sign up for the camp.

This term we have had several successful Family Services, and a children Shavuot Service, which was followed by an Open Morning where visiting children were able to join in one of the classes and get to know the students and staff. 

Words from the Rabbi: Rabbinic Feminism then and now

The Jewish world took one big leap forward last month when a group of eight women were ordained as Rabbi's in Jerusalem. 

Perhaps you will think that there is nothing unusual about ordination of women Rabbis. The first woman to be ordained as a Rabbi was Regina Jonas in Germany in 1935. Regina, who was a student of Rabbi Dr Leo Baeck, refused to make do with a teaching degree and wanted to be formally recognised for her knowledge and skills. It took the courage of Rabbi Dr Max Dienemann to provide Regina with a full Rabbinic ordination. Another glass ceiling was the reluctance of the communities to employ a woman Rabbi but Regina eventually overcame this obstacle to. Like many other German Jews, Regina's property was confiscated by the Nazis and she was sent to Theresienstadt concentration camp in Czechoslovakia. In the camp Regina continued her Rabbinic work by supporting those who has mental crises and suicidal tendencies. In 1944, nine years after ordination, Rabbi Regina Jonas was murdered by the Nazis in Auschwitz.

Regina led the was to consequent ordination of women to the Rabbinate. The second woman Rabbi to be ordained, and the first in the US, was Rabi Sally Jane Priesand in 1972. The first British woman Rabbi to be ordained in the UK, three years later; was Rabbi Jacky Tabick. Rabbi Tabick received her ordina<on from the Leo Baeck College, a Rabbinic institute that carries the name of one of Rabbi Jonas’ teachers and was established by one of her colleagues and a refugee from Nazi Germany, Rabbi Werner van der Zyl.

81 years aAer the ordina<on of the first woman Rabbi, gender plays little role in the acceptance of Rabbinic students to progressive seminaries around the world.

Yet, in the Orthodox world progress has been slow and there has been strong resistance to the idea of women serving as Rabbis. Interestingly, even though she received her ordina<on from Liberal ins<tu<ons, Rabbi Regina Jonas defined herself as a tradi<onal Orthodox Jew. She felt that her choice of a career was directed by a Divine hand. She could not find any objec<on to women serving as Rabbis in Jewish texts. In her Rabbinic thesis she justfied the women, not by using Liberal claims but by focusing on Orthodox sources. The title of her thesis was ‘Can a Woman Be a Rabbi According to Halachic Sources?’ Based on Biblical, Talmudic, and rabbinical sources, her conclusion was that apart from prejudice, there was no Halachic obstacle to women ordinaton.

The Feminist Revolution has finally hit the Orthodox world this past month when eight women Rabbis received their semicha (Rabbinic ordina<on) from an Orthodox Rabbi. It was only in recent years that Orthodox women were even allowed to study Torah at a Rabbinic level. Yet, those who reached that stage had to make do with alternative titles such as ‘Halachic Consultant’ ‘Halachic Leader’ and even the very inappropriate <tle Rabbanit (‘the Rabbi’s wife’).

The Modern Orthodox Rabbi Daniel Landes who ordained the group of students, told them: “You will be acting in a post-modern environment... As Rabbis you must support the principle of respect for one another.”

The next great challenge for the nearly ordained is not dissimilar to that of Rabbi Regina Jonas. They will need to find communities who will endorse them as their spiritual leader. This will no doubt be an uphill struggle in a world where Rabbis are expected to wear a suit and grow a beard, and they will need to stand firm against vicious attacks from the ultra-conservative side of Orthodoxy. Yet, they cannot and should not become invisible and transparent.

It took Liberal and Reform Judaism nearly eight decades to remove the gender barrier when it comes to communal spiritual leadership. There are now a number of women Rabbis in senior posi<ons in this country. To name a few: Rabbi Alexandra Wright is the senior Rabbi of LJS, Rabbi Baroness Julia Neuberger is the senior Rabbi of West London Synagogue, Rabbi Laura Janner- Klausner is the Senior Rabbi at the Movement for Reform Judaism. Rabbi Jacky Tabick, the first woman Rabbi in the UK, is the convenor of the Reform Movement's Beit Din. 

This is a beautiful example of the progressive movement leading the way to the rest of the Jewish world. It would probably take a few more decades for the newly ordained Orthodox women Rabbis and their supporters to introduce feminism and egalitarianism to the Orthodox world. 

What's Going On?

What's going on between 4th - 10th July?

Monday        4th      7:30 p.m        Bridge

Monday        4th      7:30 p.m        Table Tennis



Tuesday       5th      8:00 p.m        Access to Judaism with Rabbi Yuval

Thursday      7th      10:00 a.m      Coffee and Learn with Rabbi Yuval

Friday           8th     8:15 p.m          Erev Shabbat Evening Service

Saturday      9th     9:30 a.m           Religion School



Saturday      9th     9:30 a.m           Coffee and Learn with Rabbi Yuval

Saturday      9th    10:00 a.m         Tots Service

Saturday      9th    11:00 a.m          Shabbat Morning Family Service

Welfare Tea

On the "hottest day of the year" - so far - we held our annual Welfare Tea Party. As the sun blazed outside our 65 VIP guests were in for a treat, a super variety of sandwiches, homemade cakes, fruit and chocolates and that all-important cup of tea. Once again the floor show was provided by the talented Alonim Israeli Dance Troupe who not only danced for us but danced with us! The ever entertaining and enthusiastic Simon Gilbert performed a host of well-known songs and we all had the opportunity to join a good old fashioned sing-along. 

A big thank you to the welfare group and the house committee who, along with their willing team of volunteers, made the afternoon a great success. 

Southgate Progressive Youth Club

SPY future dates;

26th June
11th September - Family Day everyone is welcome
20th November
11th December

SPY is for school years 5 and over. It is in the Schindler Hall, 6-8pm. 

It costs £3 and dinner is included.

please contact spy@sps.uk.com for more information

Leo Baeck Youth Orchestra Visit

Recently students from the Leo Baeck Youth Orchestra from Haifa, Israel visited Southgate Progressive Synagogue to perform. Below is their message to us;

                                    

We, the members of the Leo Baeck Education Centre Youth Orchestra, which to send our heartfelt thanks to the Jewish communities of London and Birmingham for hosting us so warmly and generously. We greatly enjoyed performing in all the communities and meeting the wonderful people who arrived to listen to us. Our delight at presenting our everyday lives and experiences in Israel through the music that we so love was even increased by our audience's enjoyment and familiarity with the pieces (and laughter from our jokes). 

We were deeply touched and contented to observe that music can connect people from all over the world, even in difficult, conflicted times such as these. The community members' interest and curiosity regarding our personal lives, voluntary work at school, and musical experiences, and their willingness to expose us to their own Jewish lives, showed us that we were Israeli teens truly have a supporting community of well-wishing people all over the world. Thank you for sharing Purim with us (it was hard being away from home on this special holiday), thank you for feeding us (we are always hungry) and simply - thank you for everything. 

We sincerely hope that relationships between Leo Baeck and the British Jewish communities, be they long-lived or just budding, will continue to flower, perhaps leading us to visit and entertain you once again. 

Neta Barlam and Eitan Gronich

.

What's going on?

What's going on between 30th - 5th June?

Monday        30th      7:30 p.m        Bridge

Monday        30th      7:30 p.m        Table Tennis

Friday           3rd     8:15 p.m          Erev Shabbat Evening Service

Saturday      4th     9:30 a.m           Religion School

Saturday      4th    10:00 a.m         Coffee and Learn with Rabbi Yuval

Saturday      4th    11:00 a.m          Shabbat Morning Family Service

Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut

The evening started, in the nicely decorated Schindler Hall, with the lighting of the Memorial candles, which was then followed by a very moving rendition of the Last Post.

After this the Yom Hazikaron service began, during which the Rabbi mentioned his especial sadness for the loss of those comrades he had personally known whilst serving in the Israeli Defence Force. 

The mood changed dramatically when the time came for the Yom Ha'atzmaut service, celebrating the establishment of the Jewish State in the land of Israel, which ended with a spirited singing of the Hatikva.

Rabbi Yuval gave an audio visual on the theme 'the Jews are coming' - liking at Israeli society through satire. This showed in a fascinating way how Israeli society viewed, in a humorous manner, the many problems that it had encountered. 

At the end of the presentation the House Committee produced a delicious Israeli style meal that was hugely enjoyed by all. 

Bingo Evening

On Tuesday 12th April we held a bingo evening!

It consisted of five different rounds and each round there were two prizes to be won; for a row and a line. During the break there were tea and cakes to enjoy and a raffle - there were lots of prizes to be won that evening!

There was a good turn out and the fundraising committee would like to thank everyone for coming!

We have fundraising events throughout the year so keep an eye out for our next one, we look forward to seeing you there!

Music Quiz

On Saturday 13th February SPS held a music quiz! 

The two hour quiz consisted of general music questions on almost all music genres, a round of audio snippets and a picture round. There were a variety of different genres and eras suitable for everyone! During the break a raffle was held where many great prizes were won.

We raised £1250 with £500 going to Papworth Hospital and the remaining money to SPS.

A big thank you to everybody who came along to support our Music Quiz – it was very well attended and we were entertained by our Quizmaster whilst we enjoyed a fish and chip supper.

What's going on?

What's going on between 8th - 14th February?

Monday        8th      7:30 p.m          Bridge

Monday        8th      7:30 p.m          Table Tennis

Tuesday        9th     8:00 p.m           Access to Judaism with Rabbi Yuval

Thursday      11th    10:00 a.m        Coffee and Learn with Rabbi Yuval

Friday           12th     8:15 p.m          Erev Shabbat Evening Service

Saturday      13th     9:30 a.m          Religion School

Saturday      13th    11:00 a.m          Shabbat Morning Family Service



Saturday      13th    7:00 p.m          Music Quiz and Supper