July/August 2012Tammuz/Av/Elul 5772

Inside this month:Rabbi Pete discusses the plight of the Spanish “Conversos” in Rabbi’s Word on page 2Would your 5 - 12 year olds be interested in a TLSE Summer Week? Take a look at page 5 for more informationInformation on Admission To Jewish Schools September 2013 can be found on page 7Michael Shaw educates us on the link between the Paralympics and the Jewish People on page 13, whilst Sue Woolf remembers 15 years of Shabbat Walks

an artist’s impression of the new Kiddush Hall once it has been refurbished.

The “Hall at the Back”, the “Kiddush Hall”, or just “H3”Refurbishment Project Appeal

- find out more on page 18

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Jews resettled in this country in the sixteenth century. In Spain it was not so simple, and the Conversos continued to practise their Judaism in secret and passed their traditions from generation to generation.

With the passage of centuries, the reasons for observing these customs became diluted and confused, and many of the actual customs were lost. But still there were many people in Spain who had a vague memory of a family tradition or practice that connected them with Judaism. A grandmother’s insistence that it was forbidden to prepare a milk marinade for a piece of beef... A father’s story to his young son of how his grandmother would light candles on a Friday evening… A strange nine-branched

Monty Python may have turned the Spanish Inquisition into a joke, but for those who experienced it in the fifteenth century and beyond, it was anything but. Having expelled the Jews from Spain in 1492, the Catholic authorities then proceeded to seek out those whom they believed had professed to be adherents to Catholicism but continued to practice their Judaism in secret. These secret Jews were known as Conversos, though they were referred to by the authorities as Marranos, which means ’pigs’.

For many generations, these ‘secret Jews’ kept alive their Jewish practices, and with each successive generation, the reasons for observing these customs became less and less clear. Many of the Jews who left Spain found equal hostility in other countries, where Judaism continued to be practised in secret. The following account,

given by one Gaspar Lopes to the Milan Inquisition of 1540 indicates that there were secret Jews living in England in the sixteenth century:

‘When interrogated, Gaspar Lopes said that he knew Alves Lopes in London, in whose house he, the deponent, had lived for four or five days; and that he, Alves Lopes, holds a Synagogue in his house and lives in the Hebrew manner, though in secret; and that he, the deponent, saw these things and that in this Synagogue they went on one day only, the Sabbath; and that on this day there came to Alves’s house other false Christians to the number of about twenty…’

For the Jews who came to England, it soon became clear that pretending to be a Catholic was actually more dangerous that being a practising Jew, and so it was that

‘No-one expects the Spanish

Inquisition…’

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candelabra at the back of a shelf in a cupboard, hidden from view… A mother who tells her son of a recurring dream that she enters a synagogue barefoot…

These connections with Judaism are tenuous to say the least. Certainly they would be dismissed by any Orthodox Beit Din, should those individuals turn to that authority to have their Jewish status confirmed in a Spanish society that is now more open and tolerant of other religious faiths, including Judaism. Nor would these Jewish religious authorities be interested in scientific evidence based on DNA suggesting that as many as 25 per cent of Spanish men have some genetic connection to the Jews of the fifteenth century and beyond.

But what cannot be denied is that there are many people in Spain who carry a sense of a connection with Judaism, however tenuous that connection might be. Many of these Jews, so keen to have their Jewish status confirmed, have

fallen prey to maverick ‘rabbis’ who charge them an exorbitant sum to ‘convert’ them to Judaism. Others attach themselves to emerging progressive Jewish communities, enjoying the opportunity to further their knowledge of Judaism through education and to participate in religious services and celebrations.

And so it was my privilege to spend three days in Barcelona at the start of June, chairing the Beit Din convened by the European Region of the World Union for Progressive Judaism. We met and interviewed more than twenty-five individuals who told us of their wish to be regarded as Jewish and of their connection to the Jewish faith. Several of them had already been ‘converted’ by an earlier rather dubious process, so we effectively ‘confirmed’ their previous experience and, having assured ourselves that their commitment was and their knowledge of Judaism sufficient, granted them Jewish status according to the rules and regulations

of the World Union. In some cases, the level of knowledge demonstrated was extraordinary - I had a fascinating discussion with one of the candidates about the morality of Joshua’s conquest of Canaan!

All in all, it was a rewarding and uplifting experience. Sometimes, I think, we tend to take our Judaism for granted. We might do well to learn from the dedication and commitment in the face of so many challenges that has ensured that Judaism has continued to be practised in so many places where its observance is forbidden or at least made difficult. The prayer recited by our bar- and bat-mitzvah celebrants in front of the open ark says that these young people ‘..think of all those who, in past ages, have preserved the Jewish faith and declared their loyalty to it…’ I feel honoured to have been part of a process acknowledging that commitment in Spain, and to have made a contribution to it.

Rabbi Pete Tobias

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Religion SchoolThe school year comes to a close as we wind down the Religion School for the summer holidays. There will be just two meetings of the Religion School in July and then it will all start again in September! Many thanks to all the Religion School teachers who have worked so hard in the past year to help you learn Hebrew and about Liberal Judaism!

We meet on these dates in July:Sunday 1st 10.00 am – 12.15 pm Religion SchoolSunday 8th 10.00 am – 12.15 pm Religion SchoolAnd parents: please join us at 12.15 pm for that brilliant Religion School service to end the morning!

Bar-/Bat-Mitzvah ClassThe bar-/bat-mitzvah class will come to the end of Rabbi Pete’s book ’Never Mind the Bullocks’ and meets on these dates in July:Saturday 7th 9.30 – 10.45 amSaturday 14th 9.30 – 10.45 amThere are no bar-/bat-mitzvah classes in August

Kabbalat TorahThe KT Group has missed a few meetings owing to various outside influences, so we’re going to make up for it in July. And the best is about to come: the Almost Legendary KT Trip to Berlin takes place at the end of July! No meetings in August.Sunday 1st July: 12.45 – 2.15 pmSunday 8th July: 12.45 – 2.15 pmSunday 22nd July: 11.00am – 12.30 pmTuesday 24th July 4.30 am: Depart from shul to BerlinWednesday 25th July: 11.30pm:Return to shul from Berlin

Jewish East End WalkThe Jewish Museum is now taking bookings for our walk on Sunday 22nd July, starting at 11am and lasting about 2 hours, cost £15 per person. TLSE members are asked to make their own bookings and to let Tina Shaw know if you are coming so we can make arrangements for lunch afterwards.Places are limited so don’t leave it too late to make your booking, which can be done either by going on line or by telephoning the museum.

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Adult EducationBasic Judaism discussions continue to take place regularly. This month both classes meet on a Saturday. Although these classes are primarily intended for those converting to Judaism, other members are welcome to join the group, which meets after the service on the following dates:

July 2012:Saturday 7th: The Jewish festivals 1 - The SabbathSaturday 21st: The Jewish festivals 2—The Pilgrim festivals The class will follow the 11.00 am service, starting at around 12.45pm and ending at 1.45pm. Refreshments will be available.

Please note that those involved in the conversion programme are expected to attend the service as well as the class that follows it: attendance at services is an integral part of the conversion course. There are no meetings of the class in August; the next one is on September 1st.

Thursdays At TLSEThere will be one session for the group in July on Thursday 5th. This will be an opportunity to sample several ‘mini-lessons’ presented by Rabbi Pete and, on the basis of these, decide an outline curriculum for the next academic year which will start in September.

All are welcome: the timings of the sessions are as follows: Thursday 5th July: 11.00am - 12.30pm 7.45pm - 9.15pm

TLSE Summer Week?The shul is considering organising activities for children aged 5-12 for the last week of August. There will be sports, crafts, computer games and an educational theme, all overseen by qualified, CRB checked staff. If there is sufficient interest, the scheme will run from Tuesday 28th until Friday 31st August, from 9.00 am until 3.30 pm. If you are interested, please let Rebecca know by contacting her on 020 8953 8889 or at office@tlse.org.uk.A decision will be made in the first week of July– please let us know asap!

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Services ForJuly/August 2012

Happy Birthday!

Mazel Tov!

Benjamin HochenbergAmy Alabaster

Amber-Jade BernardMitchell BlytheJacob Cavendish

Alice ElmanBenjamin GoodIsabella GrantAnnabel Grays

Theo LewyKatie McAree

Alycia PannamanAlice Pollock

Oli RamTeo Ungar

Jack WingateElla Blythe

Imogen DistonMia Emmett

Paige HolmanSamuel Nathan

Alexander ShottsFreddie Skinner

Joshua Stevens-ShacharOliver Strange

Jonah Zur

Jacob Cavendish for his Bar-mitzvah on Saturday 14th July andJoshua Edon for his Bar-mitzvah on Saturday 25th August

Fri 6th July 6.30pm Kabbalat Shabbat supperSat 7th July 11.00am Shabbat morning service Num 24, 1-19; Midrashim on Mah TovuCouncil Rep: Richard Elman Theme: Synagogue

Fri 13th July 6.30pm Erev Shabbat serviceSat 14th July 11.00am Shabbat morning service Num 25, 1-18; Judges 7, 7-21Council Rep: Mike Walton Theme: Jewish Identity

Fri 20th July 8.00pm Erev Shabbat serviceSat 21st July 11.00am Shabbat morning service Num 27, 12-23; 1 Kings 16-30Council Rep: Mike Rebak Theme: Leadership

Fri 27th July 6.30pm Erev Shabbat serviceSat 28th July 10:00am Tots’ serviceSat 28th July 11.00am Shabbat morning service Num 31, 1-21; Isaiah 1, 10-17Council Rep: Debbie Ram Theme: Tish’ah b’av

Fri 3rd Aug 6.30pm Erev Shabbat serviceSat 4th Aug 11.00am Shabbat morning service Num 32, 1-32; Isaiah 40, 1-9Council Rep: Davina Bennett Theme: Consolation

Fri 10th Aug 6.30pm Erev Shabbat serviceSat 11th Aug 11.00am Shabbat morning service Num 33, 1-36; Ethiopian Journeyto land of IsraelCouncil Rep: Nick Belkin Theme: Jewish History

Fri 17th Aug 8.00pm Erev Shabbat serviceSat 18th Aug 11.00am Shabbat morning service Num 33, 37-56; Journeys RSGB Pilgrim Festivals MachzorCouncil Rep; Sue Woolf Theme: Loneliness

Fri 24th Aug 8.00pm Erev Shabbat serviceSat 25th Aug 10.00am Tots’ serviceSat 25th Aug 11.00am Shabbat morning service Num 34, 1-15; Joshua 1, 1-11Council Rep: Michael Reibscheid Theme: Land of Israel

Fri 31st Aug 6.30pm Erev Shabbat service

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Admission To Jewish Schools September 2013

Many parents of children hoping to go to certain Jewish schools in September 2013 have been asking about the Certificate of Religious Practice that some schools require. Details of these are on the websites for those particular schools; the role of TLSE in the process is to monitor your child(ren)’s attendance at services. In order to facilitate this, you can receive an attendance card from the synagogue office, which should be brought to all religious services. This will be signed and stamped by whoever if officiating the service and will serve as a record of attendance when the CRP forms are signed later in the year.

To find out more about the admissions policies of the various schools, click these links JCoSS, JFS, Yavneh College. If you’re reading the print version of the magazine, details of the schools’ policies are available on their respective websites—just google the name of the school along with admissions 2013 and you should get to the right place.

If you have any questions about admissions to these schools, please let me know. And I look forward to seeing you and your child(ren) at several services in the next few months!)

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Sun 1 Jul 9.15am D San

J Kaye

Sat 7 Jul 10.15am A Kossoff Sun 8 Jul 9.15am A Dove

P Mendelsohn J Posner

B Kramer R Cavendish

Sat 14 Jul 10.00am L Collis Sun 15 Jul 9.15am M Blake

J Collis P Cohen

M Reibscheid D Alpert

Sat 21 Jul 10.15am M Saunders

D Alexander

R Flaum

Sat 28 Jul 10.15am A Dove

M Grant

Sat 4 Aug 10.15am B Tuckman

M Woodcock

J Emanuel

Sat 11 Aug 10.15am M Walton

N Belikn

P Miller

Sat 18 Aug 10.15am M Gray

J Reese

M Ward

Sat 25 Aug 10.00am S Schusman

D Jackson

L Hirsch

The deadline for copy for the next issue is

Thursday 16th August

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Outstanding Wedding & Barmitzvah Photography

web: yzphotography.co.ukemail: info@yzphotography.co.uk

Tel: 0800 234 3290

WalksDate: Sat 7th July

Time: 2:00 for 2:15pm

Leader: Lisa & Leigh RenakMeet at : The Café in the Park,

The Aquadrome, Frogmore Lane, Rickmansworth, WD3 1NBMobile: Lisa 07956 319942,

Leigh 07958 502526

Date: Sat 11th AugustTime: 2:00 for 2:15pm

Leader: Anthony Scott-NormanMeet at: Oakmere Park

Pay & Display car park, High Road, Potters Bar.Mobile: 0796 200 3542

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Car Treasure Hunt

The date has now been fixed for Sunday 15th July at 1pm

so get your diaries out and make a note to keep it free.

Diary July/August 2012Sun 1 July 10:00 Religion School

Sun I July 12:45 KT Group

Tues 3 July 10:00 Pilates

Thurs 5 July 11:00 & 19:45 Adult Education

Fri 6 July 18:30 Kabbalat Shabbat supper

Sat 7 July 9:30 Bar/Bat-Mitzvah Class

Sat 7 July 11:00 Shabbat morning service

Sat 7 July 12:45 Adult Education

Sat 7 July 14:00 Shabbat afternoon walk

Sun 8 July 10:00 Religion school

Sun 8 July 12:45 KT Group

Tues 10 July 10:00 Pilates

Wed 11 July 20:00 Council meeting

Thurs 12 July 11:00 & 19:45 Adult Education

Fri 13 July 18:30 Erev Shabbat service

Sat 14 July 9:30 Bar/Bat-Mitzvah Class

Sat 14 July 11:00 Shabbat morning service & Bar-Mitzvah of Jacob Cavendish

Sun 15 July 13:00 Car treasure Hunt

Tues 17 July 10:00 Pilates

Fri 20 July 20:00 Erev Shabbat service

Sat 21 July 11:00 Shabbat morning service

Sat 21 July 12:45 Adult Education

Sun 22nd July 11:00 London walk

Sun 22 July 11:00 KT Group

Tues 24 July 10:00 Pilates

Tues 24/25 July KT Group visit to Berlin

Thurs 26 July 14:30 Golf Day

Fri 27 July 20:00 Erev Shabbat service

Sat 28 July 10:00 Tots’ Service

Sat 28 July 11:00 Shabbat morning service & birthday blessings

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Tues 31 July 13:00 Lunch Club

Fri 3 Aug 18:30 Erev Shabbat service

Sat 4 Aug 11:00 Shabbat morning service

Fri 10 Aug 18:30 Erev Shabbat service

Sat 5 Aug 11:00 Shabbat morning service

Fri 10 Aug 18.30 Erev Shabbat service

Sat 11 Aug 11:00 Shabbat morning service

Sat 11 Aug 14:00 Shabbat afternoon walk

Fri 17 Aug 20:00 Erev Shabbat service

Sat 18 Aug 11:00 Shabbat morning service

Fri 24 Aug 20:00 Erev Shabbat service

Sat 25 Aug 10:00 Tots’ service

Sat 25 Aug 11:00 Shabbat morning service & birthday blessings & Bar-Mitzvah of Joshua Edon

Tues 28 Aug 13:00 Lunch Club

Fri 31 Aug 18:30 Erev Shabbat service

Book ReviewThe Enemy of The Good by Michael Arditti.Those of you who enjoy a ‘meaty’ novel about contemporary issues will find this a good read. Published in 2009, it follows the life of a modern mixed faith family dealing with a number of social issues. Faith, or lack of it, childlessness and disability, terminal illness and gay relationships, come up against the world of Chassidic Jews in a family context which allows the reader to examine their own perspectives on these fundamental issues.A well written book by an author I had not previously come across. Ed

5th TLSE Golf DayVenue: Radlett Park Golf Club. Cost: £15 per person.

Date: Thursday 26th July; Tee off 2.28 or 3.20 –lunch and/or dinner optional but enjoyable extra.

Contact Dorothy Scott 077344 35439 dorobinns@sky.com

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Paying too much for Medical Insurance? We provide independent advice to obtain the most suitable policy for you at the most competitive premium.

Glen Sinclair

CAN YOU HELP?

We urgently require a

Musical Director

To prepare our voluntary choir for the

High Holy Day Services

Also a pianist/keyboard player & singersPlease contact: Rosita Rosenberg

020 8950 4848 or email: rositaros@aol.com

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The Paralympics and the JewsThe Paralympics 2012 are being advertised as the biggest and best yet with competitors from all around the world and with high expectations from team G.B., tickets are almost all sold out and there has been tremendous media coverage of paralympians both in the press and on the radio. What is the Jewish connection and why are these games so important to us? Quite simply if it weren’t for a Jew there would not be the Paralympic games nor would there be the current level of support for disabled athletes.

Dr Ludwig Guttmann was a German Jew recognized as an outstanding authority on neurosurgery. He believed that those with spinal injuries should not be left to die but encouraged to take part in sport as a means of gaining self-respect and greater fitness.

Forced to leave Germany in 1939 he settled in Oxford and continued with his research. In 1944 he was invited to found the National Spinal Injuries Unit at Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire. He believed that sport could play a vital part in rebuilding the strength and self-respect of the many service personal with spinal injuries referred to the clinic. By 1948 teams of wheel chair athletes were playing netball against local able-bodied teams and winning and the first games were held at the hospital in the summer of that year.

In 1960 the first international games for wheelchair athletes were held alongside the Rome Olympics and in 1972 the first official Paralympic games were held in Canada. From these small beginnings has come the Paralympic games of today and it is easy to forget that the Jewish connection to both the Olympic and Paralympic games is significant.

Michael Shaw

Shabbat WalksLast month marked the fifteenth anniversary of Shabbat afternoon walks started by Nancy Shavick in 1997.

Whilst some of the routes are fairly local – Elstree, Radlett and Shenley – we have been north to Ayot St Lawrence, east to Trent Park, south to Kenwood and Hampstead Heath and west to Chipperfield and Rickmansworth. Some walks are a gentle 3 miles, particularly in winter; whilst a few have been as long as 6 or 7 miles. We aim to walk for about 2 hours at a pace suitable for all, always a circular walk. Sometimes we go back for tea at a leader’s home or to a cafe. In the friendly, relaxed atmosphere there are opportunities to catch up on gossip with old friends and get to know new ones.

cont. pg 14

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Shavuot -Thank You

to our Young Members

It’s been a few weeks now since our Shavuot services but I must write a few words of appreciation to all those who took part in the Sunday morning service. This year the festival fell over a weekend so the traditional service & discussion took place on the Saturday evening. For the Sunday morning Rabbi Pete felt the Religion School & other youngsters should play their part so activities (cheese cake making!) took place at 10.00 to be followed by a service for the whole community at 11.00. However, although the shul was full of parents, grandparents & youngsters, I believe I was the only congregant present who did not have a connection with Religion School.

Now, I’ll be perfectly honest. If I were not Chair of Rites & Practices I’m nor sure I would have gone to the service either, especially as it was my 3rd in 2 days. But what a treat I would have missed! The choir, led by Georgia Dove, were full of

Leaders are drawn from the regulars, which gives everyone an opportunity to share a favourite walk or try out a new one. Whatever the weather, we still walk. Obviously in winter months the leader will try to pick a route which is less likely to have excessive mud. However some of us have vivid memories of summer walks in teeming rain and strong winds, contrasted by others in winter or early spring in bright sunshine through swathes of snowdrops. In my youth club days in Wimbledon the matzo ramble was inevitably accompanied by sleet or hail, but still managed to attract ever increasing numbers each year.

In the early days of the Shabbat walks we could often boast more than twenty walkers of all ages, including babies carried on backs and families with children. Several well behaved dogs have taken part over the years. Nowadays the walkers tend to come from an older age group though we’d love to see some younger ones join us for such a healthy activity. What better way for the kids to spend a Saturday afternoon than in the fresh air enjoying varied scenery and away from TV and video games! And it is free. You don’t need special equipment except for water proof shoes and jackets. For May’s walk many of us wore sun hats, in contrast to the woolly hats of earlier months. A few wear walking boots, but I’ve managed in trainers for at least 10 years. If you need a lift, don’t be shy about phoning Nancy or the leader of the day.

Thank you Nancy for both leading and organising leaders for all those enjoyable walks. Looking forward to the next fifteen years.

Sue Woolf

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Stewarding at TLSE for the High HolidaysYes it’s a scary thought but when you read your July/August Hakol it will only be a few weeks until the High Holidays are upon us. Last year I created an ad hoc stewarding rota for the inside of the building. This seemed to be well received and certainly was less disruptive for those in the sanctuary. Rights and Practices committee (R and P) have once again asked me to create a rota. I will be preparing this and sending it out, we have agreed that all parents whose children will have or have had a Bar /Bat Mitzvah will be invited to take a role in this rota. You will receive an e mail with an allotted time slot. We will need 4 people per slot throughout all the services. If you are not able to do your specified time please offer me another time you can do. We don’t ask our members to do much for their synagogue this is an ideal time to give something back to the community at this special time of year. So I am appealing to you to help me make this task as easy as possible.

Thank you in advance to all of you who will help make these HHD’s run as smooth as we can make them for the benefit of the worshippers in the Sanctuary. Shana Tova (seems a bit strange to say this as I write it on 1 June!!)

Penny BeralPenny@pennyberal.co.uk 01923 855367

verve, enthusiasm & movement and their obvious enjoyment was infectious. The readers of all ages were clear and confident. The service was interspersed with a story, read by Daniel Sheldon & Nellie Kirsh, of the feelings of a deaf brother & sister who stood with the multitude at the foot of Mount Sinai and could only feel what was happening around them.

May I implore our missing multitude to make the effort to come to shul the next time there is a similar service. The younger generation are the future of TLSE and would appreciate, and deserve, our support. You will also enjoy yourselves!

Victor Amswych

Answers to the Quiz Questions on the back page:

A1/ Winston Churchill; A2/ Ecuador; A3/ Spencer Perceval; A4/ Smoked haddock; A5/ The Thames

The Shavuot Cheesecakes on Parade

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A-B Barbara Merton 020 8953 1369C-F Leone Samson 07702 349350G-I Carol Hurst 020 8950 1862J-M Estelle Leigh 020 8954 9569N-Q Peter Merton 020 8953 1369R-S Rita Golding 020 8953 4439T-Z Judy Westley 01582 468100

Nicky Leigh 0778 875 1275

HertsHelp is a network of community organisations working together. They can help you find the practical support, guidance and information you need to get the most out of life. HertsHelp has one phone number and website address to help you find your way around the 100s of community groups in Herts who may be able to help.

HertsHelp can help you get the most out of life in the following areas: • Staying healthy and well • Feeling safe in your home and community • Getting involved in your community • Learning, training and staying in work • Keeping active • Help with money worries • Help to get out and about • Community groups • Relationships and families • Emotional support • Putting something back (giving time/volunteering)

They can help you or put you in touch with someone else who can. HertsHelp: 0300 123 4044www.hertsdirect.org/hertshelpinfo@hertshelp.net

Crockery on loanAre you having an event that requires extra crockery and cutlery?

Look no further as the synagogue has acquired crockery and cutlery, which we can lend to you for a small donation.Please contact Carol Hurst for more information on 020 8950 1862

Do You Need To Borrow A Wheelchair?

The Care and Welfare Committee have a lightweight wheelchair that is available for anyone who would like to borrow it. Contact Carol Hurst for further information

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At the end of every service Rabbi Pete invites all members of the synagogue and visitors to the service to Kiddush in the smaller hall - known by many simply as “H3”. This nickname dates back to when the sanctuary was actually two halls with sliding doors between them, and this was the 3rd hall.

The decor, ambiance and fixtures and fittings in the hall are now looking tired and unattractive, not particularly welcoming for visitors and members alike. Over the years different parts of the synagogue building have been refurbished and improved. Your Council have decided it is now the turn of “H3”.

The hall is used for a wide range of activities, including Kiddush, Chavurah meals, Religion School and youth activities, study sessions and private lets, and there are opportunities to increase its use for films and talks, social events and other activities. We are also confident that as a bright, modern, attractive hall it will encourage members and outsiders to hire it for parties, events and other meetings.

We want to be proud of the building; we believe passionately that the physical environment has a major impact on the activities that take place within it. By bringing “H3” up to date we are contributing to the greater well-being of the whole community and its activities. That is why we are appealing for your help.

Building Fund appeals are not new. Throughout its history the synagogue has benefitted from the generous and continuing contributions of members to building appeals (the original purchase in 1976, the main sanctuary in 1989, and the front foyer in 1998) and we are confident that you will support this new project equally generously. The time is now right to turn our sadly neglected “H3” into the modern, welcoming hall it rightly should be.

The refurbished hall will have:• Tongued and grooved wood panelling below the level of the dado rail – an attractive hard wearing painted surface which will stand the everyday knocks of frequent use.• New lighting which is versatile and highly energy efficient. This will allow us to change the atmosphere for different types of events.

The “Hall at the Back”, the “Kiddush Hall”, or just “H3”

Refurbishment Project Appeal

19Designed by Maximum Creative Design & Impactwww.maximum-cdi.com

Would all those involved in arranging functions, services or meetings please contact the Office on 020 8953 8889 or office@tlse.org.uk so that they can be scheduled in the Synagogue diary. This ensures that any physical set-ups in the Synagogue are arranged and that meetings do not conflict.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure that details printed in Hakol are correct no responsibility can be accepted for information misprinted or incorrectly given to the Editor. Please let the Editor know of any errors or corrections. The editor reserves the right to edit material submitted for publication.

• Lowered ceiling panels specifically designed to create a more intimate atmosphere without hiding the decorative features of the existing roof. The acoustics and heating efficiency of the hall will also be enhanced.• Modern door furniture, cupboard handles and electrical fittings in brushed steel.• Matching brushed steel magnetic strips to mount pictures and displays at a “child-friendly” height without damaging the decorations.• A full computer / DVD projection and sound system which can be used for films, education, guest speakers and computer games.• Roller blinds (electrically operated on the large window) to black-out the hall for use with the projection system.• Refurbished cupboards to give plenty of storage in a decor scheme which coordinates with the rest of the hall.• Attractive and comfortable stacking upholstered chairs which match those in the “Our Space” room upstairs.• A modern stylish decoration scheme which is still in keeping with the history of our Grade II listed building.

Our budget for the complete refurbishment of the hall and the adjacent lobby is £20,000. We already have nearly £5,000 from the High Holyday Appeal, the Quiz Supper and other fundraising. We are now raising the balance so the work can be done.

We are asking you to enter into the Olympic spirit of London 2012 for this appeal, and donate at the Gold, Silver or Bronze level. Your commitment to a monthly donation for four years of £30, £20 or £10 per month for four years means we can put the work in hand straight away, so that the congregation can benefit from this exciting new facility as quickly as possible.

Please complete the standing order by following this link – www.tlse.org.uk/H3appeal.pdf - or by contacting the office.

The photo on the front cover shows an artist’s impression of the new Kiddush Hall once it has been refurbished. Mike Beral

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LJ Inter Synagogue QuizWell we won and thank goodness we don’t have to host it again next year. Thanks to Stephen Monk for compiling the questions, Paula Esner and family for the lovely food, and the on-the-day helpers: Nick Belkin, Sue Woolf, Tess Elman and Monique & David Blake and to Richard Elman for organising.Congratulations to the team:

Mike Reibscheid, Sue Woolf (not in photo), Peter Ellinger, David Steinberg, Mike Rebak, Leone Samson, Rosita Rosenberg, & Anthony Scott NormanHonorary Life President of LJ, Geoffrey Davis, presented the trophy.

As you can see from the scoreboard at the halfway point TLSE started to creep away from the initial leaders and last year’s winners, Kingston.

Some interesting questions for Hakol readers to test themselves:Q1/ Which British Prime Minister upon retirement declined the title Duke of London?Q2/ From which country does the Panama hat originate?Q3/ Who was the target of assassin John Bellingham?Q4/ What is the main ingredient of Cullen Skink Soup?Q5/ What is the longest river running entirely within English borders?Answers on bottom of page 15

Richard Elman