Shofar April 2013

16
April 2013 Shofar the magazine of finchley progressive synagogue שופרMemories & Visions - FPS at 60

description

Shofar April 2013 Edition

Transcript of Shofar April 2013

Page 1: Shofar April 2013

April 2013

Shofarthe magazine of finchley progressive synagogue

פר שו

Memories & Visions - FPS at 60

 

Page 2: Shofar April 2013

2

As I write, the snow is falling and it’s hard to believe

Spring is around the corner. Hopefully, by the time

you’re reading this it will be nice and warm, and we’ll

have fresh memories from lovely seders and our popular

outdoor Pesach service – ‘Crossing the Brook’- which

takes place on Pesach day 7 (Monday 1 April).

This Shofar is brimming with memories we hold

close, and hopes and plans for the future. We look

forward to our Civic service, when we celebrate our 60th anniversary with our

many guests. We’ll have memories from six decades to share, with a planned

exhibition of photos and articles. Yom HaShoah and our Czech scroll service

will remind us that memory is not an optional luxury but core central to

survival; the precious seed from which the future grows. Join us also for our Yom

Ha’atzmaut services on April 12/13.

Shofar also celebrates more recent memories from another successful Purim

Spiel and a fabulous Weekend Away. Shofar is taking a break in May, so wishing

you all a blooming Spring full of memories and visions!

From the Editorpat lehner

Join the Council to welcome our local MPs, the Mayor of Barnet and Councillors to a formal – yet musical – service where we will

mark our anniversary and dedicate ourselves to the future.

Please let the office know if you are attending as a Kiddush lunch will be provided.The Car Park will be reserved for guests and Blue badge holders. Please come on foot or by public transport.

We are trying to get the CPZ restrictions changed to enable our congregants to park in the nearby streets on a Saturday morning.

Civic Service saturday 20 april at 11.00am

Page 3: Shofar April 2013

3

rabbi rebecca qassim birk

One might expect a rabbi to be open to

sociable activities. Being part of community

is in my blood and I’ve been known to

shepherd our children, as if they were a small

congregation. But communal living? Weekends

away with communities can be fine, enjoyable

even, but our FPS weekend away planned and

led by Alex Kinchin Smith and Josie Kinchin and

their team was superb. If there was an option

for us to move in together as a community I

might take it. One evaluation form suggested;

‘Why stop at a weekend? Why not a week

away?’

Even I, who was looking forward to it, was

pleasantly surprised by the warmth, energy

and openness at the weekend and it’s a tribute

to our community that we foster it inside our

building and even when we are away from

it. In the Book of Exodus as the Mishkan, the

tabernacle, is being built God promises, If

the Israelites build me a mishkan I will dwell

amongst them. Not within it, but amongst

them. This has always struck me. It’s not the

building that is the sacred space. It’s the people

inside it. Ultimately a community is just that;

a group of people who pledge to work, live

(sometimes), eat, pray and learn together for

a shared purpose. One of our Vice Presidents

Sheila King Lassman once told me, “that is

what community is; people seeking connection

to each other. And that is what is most

meaningful to me”. That does not come with no

effort. We give of our time, energy and interest

to interact in that way , and the fruits can be

impressive.

So I echo Laura’s appreciation of all who

work so hard in this synagogue. Those of you

who channel the pleasure you receive right back

into the initiatives we offer. At a Membership

meeting at my home this week I was struck by

relatively new members enthusing about their

experience at FPS and wanting to share that

with others. I hope we continue to look after

each other, to see our role as a force for good

in the wider local community and be a place

for happy and positive memories for all of us

involved.

May the door of this synagogue be wide

enough to receive all who hunger for love,

all who are lonely for fellowship.

May the door of this synagogue be narrow

enough to shut out pettiness and pride, envy

and enmity.

May its threshold be no stumbling block to

young or straying feet.

May it be too high to admit complacency,

selfishness, and harshness.

May this synagogue be, for all who enter, the

doorway to a richer and more meaningful life.

The New Mahzor, Prayer Book Press, 1998.

From the Rabbi

Page 4: Shofar April 2013

There is so much

happening at FPS

and so many people

involved in making

things happen that

I wanted to use my

Shofar piece to say

a huge thank you to all volunteers. There have

been two major community events which were

incorporated into the sixtieth celebrations and

which you can see in this edition of Shofar.

Coming up we have the Civic Service, the

Founders Tea and the Concert for a Summer

Evening. Each one is organised and supported

by a team of volunteers as is so much that

we offer here. Alongside the special events,

volunteers enable regular activities to take

place and new task groups are evolving all the

time. It is an ideal way to become part of the

community, making connections with others,

laying the foundations for new friendships,

supporting those in need such as the Homeless

Shelter, providing role models for our young

people and sharing the fruits of ones labours.

We are currently reviewing our

communications: how to keep all our members

informed, share what’s happening and enable

you to get the information you need when

you want it. We also want our publications

and website to reach out to potential new

members and people who want to know about

Liberal Judaism in this neck of the woods. We

need to make the most of the communication

channels that are available to us and ensure

effort is evenly spread for print and online

delivery. Over the coming months a team will

be considering how to integrate Shofar, the

website, the calendar, the Shabbat flyer and the

weekly email. This has been on the to-do list for

a while but we are finally getting to grips with

it. If you would like to participate in this review

and are able to help in one of the areas please

let me know. We do not have unlimited funds

and, as a charity, it is important that we use

them to greatest effect. In May, you will receive

a newsletter for the month rather than Shofar

by email or in the post if you are not online. The

communications team will be pleased to receive

any views on what how you would like to see us

proceed.

Yom Ha’atzmaut – Israel is 60!

To celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut there will be an Israeli themed Kiddush/party immediately following the Erev Shabbat Service on Friday 12 April. Rikud will be

dancing and all are welcome and invited to contribute food with an Israeli theme. Why not come dressed in blue and white to add to the celebration.

4

laura lassman

From the Chair

Page 5: Shofar April 2013

5

     

Page 6: Shofar April 2013

6

60th Anniversary  

have had to raise £60,000 for their new home!

The next photo shows Monty Levy’s son

Dick Levy laying the stone for the extension

that houses most of the Ivriah classrooms.

I can’t think of a better way to illustrate

the ‘foundations’ of our synagogue – the

relationships of families and friends who come

together here over many years – and often

spanning generations.

building on strong foundations

These are just some of the enormous amount

of photos of the FPS archive. The newspaper

clipping is from the Finchley Press, April 19th

1962 and shows the laying of the foundation

stone of our synagogue by Monty Levy, then

synagogue president. At that time FPS is still

called the Finchley Jewish Liberal Congregation,

and the paper notes that the community will

founders teasunday 12 may 2013

We will be welcoming old friends,relatives of founder members and celebrating our origins

with an exhibition of memories

If you would like an invitation, please email [email protected]

or call Angela on 020 8446 4063

Page 7: Shofar April 2013

7

Finchley Progressive Synagogue 54 Hutton Grove, London N12 8DR email: [email protected]

FRANKLYN GELLNICK DEAN STAKER

CANTOR GERSHON SILINS melodies from Jewish prayer, life cycle and entertainment

Tickets £15 each; Concessions: £7.50Group booking: 10 tickets: £100

Includes refreshments

Page 8: Shofar April 2013

saturday 6 april

10.00am Reflective Breakfast with Rabbi

Rebecca and guests, “Memories of Survival”

followed by

11.00am Yom HaShoah and Czech Scroll service Our guest speaker will be Neil Pike from

Nottingham Progressive Synagogue and we will

honour our scrolls and our loved ones. This year

Sofer Rabbi Ron Berry has been attending to our

Czech Scrolls and will continue to work on them

over the coming months. Our own Diana King

will share her story of Kindertransport with the

congregation as well.

8

Beit Tefillahservices at fps

Monday 1 April Crossing the Brook

Outdoor Pesach service

Friday 5 April Kabbalat Shabbat service

Saturday 6 April 10.00am Reflective breakfast

11.00am Yom HaShoah

& Czech Scroll service

Friday 12 April Yom Ha’atzmaut Kabbalat Shabbat

Saturday 13 April Breakfast Shiur

& Shabbat morning service

Friday 19 April Shabbat Resouled

Saturday 20 April Shabbat Civic service

Friday 26 April Kabbalat Shabbat service

Saturday 27 April Shabbat morning service

services - april

fps breakfast shiur

Please note change of date:

Saturday 13 April – 8.45amSwimming in St Paul’s Cathedral / Alan EreiraThe top of St Paul’s Cathedral stands 67m above

sea level. It has been calculated that when

the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets finish

melting, that is exactly where the sea will be.

What else is going to happen? How will this

affect the Northern Line? And are we really

meant to take this seriously?

Page 9: Shofar April 2013

congratulations & mazal tov

Melanie Coleby & family on her Bat Mitzvah

Many members are celebrating important

life milestones by hosting and accepting a

mitzvah at a Shabbat service. If you have a

celebration you would like to share with the

community please contact the office.

our sincerest condolences

To the family of Tina Glass, long-time FPS

member.

And to Dan Luxon and family on the death

of his mother

We wish the families long life.

a warm welcome to new members

Melvyn Newman & CA Cranston

David & Janey Ching Lan Wayne

yahrzeit list

There is an FPS Yahrzeit list from which we

remind those who would like a Yahrzeit to be

announced, that the date is coming up.

If you do want to be reminded please provide

the office with: Name of the Honoree, Date of

Yahrzeit (Hebrew or secular depending which

date is to be observed), Name of Observer/s

winners of 50/50 february draw were:

1st Wika Dorosz £30

2nd Corinne Openheimer £20

3rd Joseph Hydes £15

winners of 50/50 march draw were:

1st Ann Pellham £30

2nd Asher Jacobsberg £20

3rd Jessica Lichtenstern £15

9

Beit Knessetwhat’s happening at fps

cafe thursday

Thursdays @12.45pmApril 4 | Lunch, poetry & prose readingApril 11 | Lunch & musical interludeApril 18 | Café Thursday marks Israel Independence DayApril 25 | Café Thursday goes Spanish – bring your castanets!£6, for details contact Nicky Marzell via the

synagogue office

yoga

Mondays @7.oopmTuesdays @7.30pm Contact Richard on 020 8349 9602

film club

Sunday 7 April @7.30pm, ‘Mr Hulot’s Holiday’. For details please see page 11.

people

book club

Wednesday 10 April @8.00pm. For details

please see page 11.

bridge group

Mondays @7.45 / £3, contact Gunter Lawson

on 020 8346 5208

rosh chodesh group

Celebration of the new moon by women

gathering for learning and spiritual exploration

(Over a glass of wine)

Rosh Chodesh Iyyar: Thursday 11 April - ‘Jewish women writers’ (two short stories will

be scanned and emailed to you in good time)

Rosh Chodesh Sivan: Thursday 9 May - ‘Can we have it all?’ Rosh Chodesh Tamuz: Monday 10 June - ‘Women and power’

Page 10: Shofar April 2013

10

pilates at fps

We have re-started a weekly Pilates class with

professional Pilates trainer Tali Swart. Tali is

a specialist of the lower back but covers all

aspects of Pilates and will tailor exercises to

suit each individual. The classes take place on

Thursday evening 6.30-7.15pm, before the Beit

Midrash discussion. The cost is £10 per session,

payable half-termly in advance, but this will go

down if more members join. If you would like

to join the class or have any queries, contact

Adrian Lister [email protected]

or 07966 222953 (evenings preferred).

cafe ivriah

Shabbat mornings, from 9.30amAn informal lively discussion over

coffee for Ivriah parents & others

Beit Midrashlearning at fps

adult study

Thursday evenings from 7:30pm – Adult studyApril 18 & 25 “Germany in the Thirties - Through the words of Rabbi Israel Mattuck”Report of one who left Germany (April 1933);

What a Year of Hitlerism has taught the Jews

and the World (April 1934); The moral crisis in

Europe (January 1936)

presented by Rabbi Danny Rich and others £5 donation/session

coming in may “The Moral Maze”, starting May 2

Hebrew / Delving into Judaism: A Course to Refresh and Illuminate Judaism

a museum visit: kitajJoin us for an outing to the Jewish Museum to

the exhibition of paintings by Jewish artist R.B.

Kitaj. Arranged under the auspices of Rabbi

Rebecca’s Wednesday Lunch and Learn sessions,

all are welcome to come along as together we

search out the artist’s personal expression of

ethnic Judaism.

Many will remember the enormously enjoyable

session with Sara Dibb at the National

Gallery—see the cover of the February issue of

Shofar—to study portraits of Jewish women by

famous artists. It is hoped that Sara Dibb will

again be able to lead this group and enhance

understanding and appreciation of the works in

the exhibition.

The event will take place on Wednesday, 8 May, at 10.30 am. The group will meet in the

lobby of the Jewish Museum (Camden Town).

Please let the office know if you are coming so

that we can make arrangements for a group

discounted entry of £6 for an adult or £5 for

concession. Otherwise the admission ticket

is £7.50 for adults or £6.50 for concessions.

Admission is free with Art Pass. Don’t miss this

exciting event!

Page 11: Shofar April 2013

Dear FPS.I was actually in town in late December (as an

avid Limmudnik), and while at conference, I was

so pleased to see Stanley Volk; we crossed paths

often at the late night kumsitz (singalongs).

I did get to enjoy the home hospitality of

Beverley and David Aarons, and went to Friday

night services at FPS, following Limmud. It was

a lovely service led by Student Rabbi Rene, and

I did manage to see a few familiar FPS faces at

the service. Unfortunately, I had to race out

after services, as I was expected in Muswell Hill

for dinner so I couldn’t socialize and shmooze

as much as I’d have liked. What I did get to see

and experience though, was the vibrancy of the

community, enjoying the music of Dean and

Beverley, and the general camaraderie. I also

was able to see some of the classrooms (proudly

shared by Josh Hamerton!) and am so pleased

to see such creativity continue.

As much as I miss London and the

communities in which I worked, I do have to

admit that I’m glad I’m back in the States.

I returned so that I could be closer to my

family, and the timing was good: my mom

was diagnosed with acute leukaemia in early

March. I live 3.5 hours away, so I was spending

weekends with her, whilst one of my sisters

(who lives an hour away from her) came in

several times a week to take her to doctor’s

appointments, etc. My youngest sister lives 8

hours away and comes up once a month for a

week. It’s been a unique (not recommended!)

bonding experience for us and I know it would

have been impossible for me to deal with it all if

continued on page 14

letter from america

11

Arts at FPS

The Film Club celebrates the 60th anniversary

of the founding of FPS with five outstanding

five star films from the year 1953---everyone

a masterpiece of cinema history and each

one different from the others. After ‘Roman

Holiday’in March we continue our season with

7 April | Mr Hulot’s Holiday with Jacque Tati.

Last year everyone was raving about the French

silent film, The Artist. It seems that all had

forgotten about the previous French silent film

of equal brilliance from 1953. Without saying a

word, Tati will have you going from one laugh

the screen on the grove

to another. And you don’t even need subtitles.

5 May | Lili with Leslie Caron and Mel Ferrer.

This charming film stars Leslie Caron as a

touchingly naïve French girl, whose emotional

relationship with a carnival puppeteer is

conducted through the medium of his puppets.

Caron was nominated for an Academy Award for

her brilliant performance and the film is listed

as one of the NY Times’ all-time greats.

book club

The Book Club Meetings are held in people’s

homes, 7.30pm on the second Wednesday of each month. Contact [email protected]

if you’d like to join.

Page 12: Shofar April 2013

12

Hothorpe Hall Weekendsharon michael

On the weekend of 1st March 2013, members

and friends of FPS retreated to Hothorpe Hall,

Leicestershire. Attendees covered young and the

less young. Children ranging from babes with

fresh memories of the Brit Milah to teenagers

who were glad to shake off their parents and

entertain each other. For me personally, the

weekend was an excellent opportunity to

reconnect with my Judaism, and to get to know

and spend time with members of FPS.

We started the weekend at Hothorpe

with a warm welcome from Josie, followed

by a Family Service, dinner and group

activities. On Shabbat, service was followed

by various workshops which were educational,

enlightening and fun. I even got the

opportunity to make a Challah Cover. The broad

range of activities, seminars and communal

events ensured everyone was catered for. From

book groups to introspective male and female

only events, all had the opportunity to explore

their beliefs and express their views on a range

of subjects from favourite meals to Jewish

literature. There was no pressure to attend and

the weekend catered for those who wished to

share, those who wanted to pray, and those

who just wanted to be.

The setting was perfect, the organisation

without fault and the effort from those who

organised all the activities was admirable and

appreciated.

Photos by David Pelham

Page 13: Shofar April 2013

Purim Spielmaureen lobatto

disappointing purim spiel?

No way!, anything but! - just a line from one of

the adapted songs in the show!. Imaginatively

written and directed by Philippa and James, it

was enormously enjoyed by the packed shul,

and by the players who ranged from 7 to 70

years old.

Time was bent between the biblical period

of the story of Purim and the founding of FPS in

1953. To bridge the time divide, a very realistic

and full sized ‘Dr. Who’ type Tardis was on

stage, allowing Esther, and Mordechai, to land

at Hutton Grove in the 20th century and get

the better of Haman and Ahazuarus, who had

followed them.

Apart from the humourous dialogue

and subtle Dickens references, the Spiel was

enhanced by some lovely singing by the cast of

songs influenced by the musicals of “Joseph and

His Many-coloured Coat”, “The Rocky Horror

Picture Show” and “Annie”, such as The Time

Warp, and Sara’s solo Tomorrow.

It had taken several weeks of rehearsal to

prime us all up for the day, but a good time was

had by one and all.

Photos by Tom Horna, see TomHorna.com

Page 14: Shofar April 2013

I’d been in London. So tho I have mixed feelings

about leaving London, it was the right thing to

do. My full-time work is interpreting for a 13

year old boy in school; he’s smart and witty, so

it is fun to work with him. I’ve returned to my

old shul (where I was Head Teacher 20 years

ago!), and am teaching Hebrew and Judaica, as

well as being one of the Trustees. I also run the

monthly pre-school/nursery for 2-5 year olds,

and I’m still telling stories with armadillos. The

collection is growing...I now have over 3000!!

I did bring a gift: it’s in the freezer and is

labelled for next year’s Sukkot celebrations.

(Please make sure it stands straight or it will

spill). I missed all of you at Sukkot, as nobody

here does Sukkah smoothies the way FPS does!!

I wish you all a good winter season; I see

that we have similar weather, as it snowed

quite a bit here yesterday, (enough to cancel

school!). I hope to see you all next year, and my

guest room is open to all and any of you. (I’m

an hour north of Boston, Massachusetts)

B’shalom,EJ

letter from america (cont. from page 11)

14

april ivriah dates

hebrew @ ivriah

Since September we have been using the

Rosenwasser Method to learn Hebrew at

Ivriah. We have great fun in our classes every

week. Kita Alef and Bet children love to learn

their letters and after the holidays they

practiced writing their letters and words using

playdough!

Joshua Hamerton

Friday 19 4.30-6.30Friday Ivriah first of termfollowed by Shabbat Resouled

Shabbat 209.30-12.3011.00

Shabbat Ivriah first of termKids Kehillah

Friday 26 4.30-6.30 Friday Ivriah

Shabbat 27 9.30-12.30 Shabbat Ivriah

Page 15: Shofar April 2013

IVRIAH

The students are learning about ‘Community’ and Ivriah proudly presents its first

and

Are invited to be guests of Ivriah and to tell their story on 6th July 2013 from 9.30 a.m onwards and to include

Shabbat B’Yachad No grandchildren in Ivriah?

Some children have no grandparents either So please come along as ‘step’ grandparents

For further information, please email our Head Teacher - Daniela Rotbande

on [email protected]

15

Page 16: Shofar April 2013

16

Contactsfps who’s who

finchley progressive synagogue

54 Hutton Grove N12 8DR

www.fps.org

020 8446 4063

Charity Number: 1071040

Rabbi: Rebecca Qassim Birk

[email protected] / 07939 227480

Emeritus Rabbi: Dr Frank Hellner

Synagogue Manager: Pauline Gusack

[email protected]

Community Manager: Angela Wharton

[email protected]

executive

Chair: Laura Lassman

[email protected] / 07957 545 569

Vice-Chair: Joan Shopper & David Aarons

01582 792 959

Joint Treasurers: Richard Kravetz & Martin Silk

020 8349 9602

Honorary Secretary: David Pelham

020 8445 8111

Board of Deputies Reps: Stanley Volk

& Janet Tresman

Life President: Clive Winston

President: Sheila King Lassman

synagogue committees & groups:

Beit Midrash (Education): Co-ordinated

by Laura Lassman. Working groups with

responsibility for Ivriah; Young families; Adult

Education; Youth Club

Beit Tefillah (Rites & Practices): Co-ordinated

by Joan Shopper. Working groups with

responsibility for Shabbat; Life Cycle; Festivals;

High Holydays

Beit Knesset (Community): Co-ordinated

by David Aarons. Working groups with

responsibility for Contact; Membership; New

members; Events

Operations: Co-ordinated by David Pelham

Working groups with responsibility for

Premises; Finance; Security.

If you would like to join any of these working

groups, please contact the relevant co-ordinator

shofar editor

Pat Lehner / [email protected] assistant Sarah Aldridge

FPS is a constituent of Liberal Judaism

21 Maple Street W1T 4BE

020 7580 1663

LJY Netzer (youth dept) 020 7631 0584

ashley pageinsurance brokers

Commerce House2a Litchfield Grove

London N3 2TN

Tel. 020 8349 5100

janet tresmanmediator & collaborative

family law solicitor

consultant now at hoffman-bokaei.co.uk

Lithos House, 307 Finchley Road

London NW3 6EH

Tel. 020 7433 2380 / [email protected]