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UK shechita supporters at odds with French rabbis over foie gras

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:42:38 +0100

Shechita UK has strenuously denied claims from the head of the Paris Rabbinical Court that Israel’s proposed ban on foie gras could lead to European countries outlawing shechita in retaliation.

The British-based group, founded in 2003 to promote awareness and tolerance of shechita, expressed their support for the bill while dismissing Rabbi Yirmiyahu Menachem Cohen’s assertion that it would “[provide] our enemies with a double-edged sword.”

A spokesman said: “Shechita UK’s position on foie gras … is very clear. We do not believe that a ban would have any impact whatsoever on the campaign to protect shechita. If anything the reverse is true.”

The group suggested that by prohibiting the trade and importation of foie gras, Israel would be sending out a message that Jews, and particularly those who practise shechita, value animals’ rights.

“The treatment of geese in the production of foie gras is of grave concern to Jews. It is a fundamental principle of k ashrut that animals must be unharmed and undamaged prior to slaughter and the production of foie gras is of course no exception to this.”

Alleged Nazi charged with murder of 16,000 Jews

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:46:37 +0100

László Csizsik-Csatáry, the alleged Nazi war criminal, has been charged today with participating in the murder of 15,700 Jews during the Holocaust.

Hungarian prosecutors have said the 98-year-old was the police commander in charge of the Kosice detention camp, where he assaulted Jews with a dog whip before sending all those interned to Auschwitz.

The prosecutor’s statement said: “With his actions, Laszlo Csatary ... deliberately provided help to the unlawful executions and torture committed against Jews deported to concentration camps ... from Kosice.”

Mr Csizsik-Csatáry, who topped the Simon Wiesenthal Centre’s list of wanted Nazi criminals before his arrest in Budapest last July, denies the allegations, stating that he simply intermediated between German and Hungarian officials.

The trial is expected to begin within three months.

Montreal’s Jewish mayor arrested on corruption charges

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:09:14 +0100

Montreal’s first-ever Jewish mayor has been arrested on 14 counts of corruption.

Michael Applebaum was taken away yesterday by UPAC, the police’s anti-corruption unit, to be charged with “conspiracy, fraud, breach of trust and corruption”, according to UPAC head Robert Lafreniere.

The charges relate to two real estate projects in Montreal’s Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough between 2006 and 2011, while Applebaum was mayor of the borough.

Applebaum was elected in November 2012 by city councillors to become Montreal’s 42nd Mayor after the previous incumbent, Gérald Tremblay, resigned in the light of corruption allegations.

Speaking just after he was voted into office, Applebaum insisted that targeting corruption was one of his top priorities: “We have to bring back pride and trust in elected officials to the city of Montreal. You have to be able to catch that collusion and corruption.”

Landau and Lebens impress for MAL

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:45:03 +0100

MAL played out an entertaining drawn game with their landlords, Old Camdenians, on Sunday.

Skipper Yoav Lebens won the toss and chose to field, and the Old Cams batters were soon under pressure at 7-3, with good catching in the slip cordon from Mark Landau and Jack Winton, followed up by Lebens hitting the stumps, giving the skipper the first three wickets.

Lebens and Chris Tomasewski kept the pressure on throughout their opening spells, with Michael Klinger and Neil Myeroff continuing the good work. Klinger claimed the fourth wicket as the batsman shouldered arms to one that nipped back and broke a bail.

Harry Gravett rebuilt sensibly with Fisher until Gravett was bowled by Ami Wymbourne for 49, anf Fisher fell in similar fashion for 13.

Junior Maccabiah player Winton picked up a wicket with his first ball for the club, bowling Jaffer for 6. Billy Gravett and Roger Gravett batted very sensibly and accelerated, with young Billy going through to 52*. Roger Gravett declared the innings closed on 194-7 from 47 overs.

Landau and Winton began the reply brightly, taking the score to 35 before Winton was caught and bowled for 7.

Simon Levy was LBW first ball, but Yoav Lebens and Landau steadied the ship and took the score to 63 before Lebens nicked Billy Gravett behind for 7.

Chris Tomasewski was aggressive from the outset as the 4th wicket pair added 74, both striking the ball well, and Landau going through to another half century. Tomasewski was bowled by Billy Gravett for 39, and Wymbourne bowled by Roger Gravett for 1.

Landau was eventually LBW to Billy Gravett for 66 (10x4, 1x6), and with wickets having tumbled it was down to the last pair to secure the draw. Neil Myeroff and Alan Levinson batted out more than six overs for the draw.

It was a tense finish to a game played in a great spirit.

Two out of two for London Maccabi Vale

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:18:19 +0100

London Maccabi Vale 1st made it two out of two in the Chess Valley League following a comfortable 80-run win over Finchley.

Scoring runs proved tricky on a green wicket, but openers Danny Caro and Jordan Urban laid solid foundations against a Finchley team who took to the field with only eight players in a match played on a poor surface in Woodside Park.

The wickets of Urban and Benjamin Lederman brought Adam Brand to the wicket and he added a quickfire 17 before departing caught and bowled to Ali.

Captain Neil Lederman was undone by the wicket and the evergreen Jon Galloway played on. Joseph Greenwall-Cohen joined Caro at the crease and the pair added valuable runs to take the team well past the 100-mark.

Caro's patient knock ended on 55 when he was stumped as LMV set Finchley 188 for victory.

A fiery spell with the new ball from Ben Lederman put Finchley on the back foot, with Adam Brand, Gideon Gale and Joseph Greenwall-Cohen among the wickets as LMV ran out worthy winners.

Watch Shimon Peres’s Presidential Conference LIVE

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:49:14 +0100

Facing Tomorrow, the fifth Israeli Presidential Conference, will run until Thursday in Jerusalem under the auspices of President Shimon Peres.

Streisand distressed by strictly Orthodox treatment of women

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:43:39 +0100

Barbra Streisand has spoken out against the treatment of Israeli women by strictly Orthodox Jews.

The singer, who was receiving an honorary doctorate at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, used her speech to voice concerns over what she regarded as recent incidents of sexism in the country.

"It's distressing to read about women in Israel being forced to sit in the back of the bus, or when we hear about ‘Women of the Wall’ having metal chairs hurled at them when they attempt to peacefully and legally pray, or women being banned from singing in public ceremonies.”

Mrs Streisand warned that, though “it’s not easy to fully grasp the dynamics of what happens in a foreign land”, and “solutions don’t come easy”, this wasn’t an excuse for inaction.

“To remain silent about these things is tantamount to accepting them. Human dignity means giving all people a voice.”

Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni drafted legislation in May to make official sexism illegal, declaring that: “Discrimination against women in public places, in public services, cannot be allowed.”

Mrs Streisand praised the Hebrew University for their work in making education available to both men and women.

“For the first time in the history of the HU, more women than men are graduating with a doctorate. That’s amazing. You understand the yearning for equal access to education. I wish the world was more like the hallways of Hebrew University.”

Making her first visit to Israel in 29 years, the Yentl actress is scheduled to sing at President Shimon Peres’ 90th birthday celebration and perform two concerts in Tel Aviv.

Marvellous Mayers sparkle for BECC

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:56:55 +0100

A good performance with bat and ball inspired Belmont & Edgware to a 29-run victory over Graces CC.

Belmont lost the toss and were asked to bat on a damp and slightly green deck. Beginning the innings in heavy drizzle, the two Mayers, Elliot and Phil, played themselves in before becoming increasingly expansive.

Indeed, the partnership began to look highly promising after Elliot took advantage of the short boundaries to hoist a full toss for a six.

However, a delay, caused by the ball becoming lost in dense vegetation surrounding the pitch, may have affected Elliot’s concentration and he was bowled shortly after play resumed, for a fine 32. Regardless, a strong platform had been laid.

No. 3 Michael Blasebalk was dismissed caught behind shortly after coming in, but the next batsman, Adam Jacobs, continued the good work with Phil Mayer. By the time Phil was out, for a well-crafted, 31, Belmont had reached 90-2 and were set for a sizeable total.

Things began to look more ominous for Grace’s when Simon Taylor strode in and immediately spanked two fours on the off side. It didn’t quite go to plan after this, however as Graces held their best bowlers back until the end of the innings, and bowled tightly at the death.

Belmont lost wickets as they attempted to accelerate, Jacobs sliced a widish delivery to point and Taylor was caught attempting to hit over the top. However, Nick McLeod did well to stablise the innings, playing one particularly brutal straight drive down the ground and Belmont closed with a very defendable 135.

The weather improved significantly after the tea break and Graces began their chase positively. David Kaplan was quickly introduced into the attack in order to break a stubborn opening partnership and duly obliged by bowling a miserly spell whilst picking up three wickets.

He was ably supported by Simon Taylor at the other end, with Taylor claiming two wickets, and he was well supported by some top-quality catching.

After Graces had been reduced to 60-4, Jacobs increased the pressure on Graces by snaffling two further wickets. However, this merely set the stage for yet another member of the Mayer brood, Greg, to make a telling contribution.

The youngster bowled with great discipline and was rewarded by removing the remaining three batsmen. This included Graces hard-hitting Aussie no. 10, who was clearly batting well below his proper position and who was superbly caught in the deep by Kaplan at cow corner as Graces were dismissed for 106.

A BECC spokesman told JC Sport: "This victory was particularly pleasing because of the strong contributions throughout the team. Both batsmen and bowlers were disciplined and our energy was good in the field.

"Hopefully this can continue throughout the season."

Liberals find their true voice in Brum

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:55:08 +0100

Some 250 Liberal Jews from across the country congregated at Birmingham Progressive Synagogue on Sunday for a day of celebration and learning.

The programme started with a concert of new and traditional liturgical music, featuring the choir from Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue and Birmingham’s cross-communal Kol Kinor singers. There was then a choice of 30 sessions on diverse subjects including parenthood, art and music.

Among the highlights were a session on mixed faith families led by Rabbi Aaron Goldstein and a challah-baking class with Rabbi Sandra Kviat.

Liberal Judaism provided free coaches from both north and south London to the venue. Movement chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich said: “We are proud to have brought such a varied and enriching programme to Birmingham.”

Organiser Rabbi Charley Baginsky added that the day had been “inspiring. The huge number of congregations and rabbis involved testifies to the sheer reach of our message.”

Norwood open to challenges

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:48:35 +0100

Thirty-two women aged from late-30s to 70-plus have completed Stanmore Synagogue’s first “Batmitzvah Two” programme, spearheaded by rebbetzen Aviva Landau.

Most of the participants in the comprehensive six-week course had felt a sense of loss at not having had a batmitzvah in their youth.

And after sessions on topics ranging from challah plaiting to kashrut, a graduation ceremony was held where four of the women shared their divrei Torah with Lady Sacks, who led a discussion on the course and on becoming batmitzvah. The celebrations continued at the subsequent Shabbat when the women received a special batmitzvah blessing from Stanmore senior rabbi Mendel Lew.

“Several women whose daughters and even granddaughters have enjoyed wonderful bnot mitzvot had told me their own coming of age education lacked in some way,” the rebbetzen said.

“So our programme was created to explain the true significance of many of the rituals that are part of everyday life, as well as to provoke interest in some lesser known mitzvot.”

Belated batmitzvah celebrations in Stanmore

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:40:16 +0100

Thirty-two women aged from late-30s to 70-plus have completed Stanmore Synagogue’s first “Batmitzvah Two” programme, spearheaded by rebbetzen Aviva Landau.

Most of the participants in the comprehensive six-week course had felt a sense of loss at not having had a batmitzvah in their youth.

“Several women whose daughters and even granddaughters have enjoyed wonderful bnot mitzvot had told me their own coming of age education lacked in some way,” the rebbetzen said.

“So our programme was created to explain the true significance of many of the rituals that are part of everyday life, as well as to provoke interest in some lesser known mitzvot.”

Cricket scoreboard: June 16

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:35:52 +0100

Here are the weekend cricket results.

CHESS VALLEY LEAGUE

London Maccabi Vale 1st XI 187 Danny Caro 55
Finchley 107
LMV won by 80 runs
SEE MATCH REPORT

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GREATER MANCHESTER AMATEUR LEAGUE

Salford Jewish 60 Elliot Koffman 37 Huddy Lieberman 5-5
Manchester CC 61-2
Manchester won by 8 wickets
SEE MATCH REPORT

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FRIENDLIES

Belmont & Edgware 135-7 Elliott Mayer 32 Philip Mayer 31
Graces CC 106 David Kaplan 3-12, Greg Mayer 3-22
BECC won by 29 runs
SEE MATCH REPORT

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Old Camdenians 194-7 Yoav Lebens 3-6
MAL 163-9 Mark Landau 66, Chris Tomasewski 39
Match drawn
SEE MATCH REPORT

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Bourne End 309-7
London Maccabi Vale 2nd X1 176-4 Mark Spanjar 69 not out, Nigel Rothband 50
LMVCC lost by 133 runs
SEE MATCH REPORT

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JC STAT ATTACK

Rantzen rates the league

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:31:09 +0100

Esther Rantzen congratulated the League of Jewish Women on its continuing welfare work at the league’s 70th anniversary tea, held at St John’s Wood Synagogue. Five women raised their hands when she asked: “How many people here today have been LJW members for longer than 50 years?”

The broadcaster also spoke about her work and family and her ChildLine charity — and her planned new charity, Silver Line, which will address issues concerning the elderly.

“I am getting a strange sort of deja vu,” she said. “Twenty-one years ago I was the keynote speaker at organisations talking about child abuse. Now I am being invited to speak about older people.”

ChildLine had helped more than 2.7 million children over the past 26 years. Silver Line would be an umbrella referral organisation offering a helpline and general information.

Asked about ageism, she said the swinging 60s had changed things. “Before the 60s elders had a respected place in society —my grandmother was definitely the matriarch of our family. The 60s saw the shift to the young.”

Landlords should not rely on letting agents

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:11:35 +0100

The property market needed a unique business offering landlords an alternative to doing it themselves or using letting agents — they both have drawbacks.

I owned one property and had a very easy tenant for four years. One day, I received a renewal fee from the agent and just thought, ‘why am I paying him eight per cent plus VAT?’.

I decided to set up The Happy Tenant Company for people like me because agents offer limited options.

It can depend on whether the agent is a big chain or a high-street shop, but they are often overwhelmed with work, understaffed and contract out their responsibilities to make a marginal profit.

The landlord just doesn’t get the property management service they have paid for.

They are not great for the tenant either because they are also stuffed with regulation fees and asked to fill out forms they don’t understand.

We offer an alternative. We specialise in managing the landlord’s responsibilities for a one-off fee.

It’s better than doing it yourself if you have a job and are a landlord. Let’s face it, everyone knows that 99 per cent of phone calls from tenants will be complaints — we deal with that and take away the hassle.

Landlords can save around 20 per cent of their annual income — we increase their revenue via their assetsby handholding the landlord through the process.

We just ask is the landlord to act like a mensch. If the boiler is broken, fix it.

If you have a happy tenant — then you have a happy landlord.

We are growing rapidly and now have around 350 tenants under the scheme and deal with half a billion pounds worth of property in London. The property market is very different outside of London so for now we’re focusing on the capital.

I’ve got two kids and still practice law in music and media. I use those negotiating skills to get the best deal for the landlord.

Campus chaplain gets BBC radio slot

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:00:07 +0100

University of Surrey Jewish chaplain Alexander Goldberg is joining BBC Surrey’s Sunday breakfast programme, which is broadcast from studios on the university campus. From this week, Mr Goldberg will discuss “religious and ethical issues and how they impact on our region”.

Presenter Emily Jeffery said: “I’m thrilled to have Alex as part of the team on a regular basis. The addition of some new regular voices is an exciting next step.” BBC Surrey broadcasts on 104 and 104.6FM and the programme can also be accessed online.

Fiddler on the high street

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 15:07:42 +0100

Miranda Robshaw did not lose hope when the cost of a summer tour to Israel with LJY-Netzer seemed beyond her. The enterprising 16-year-old took her violin to Wanstead High Street and busked. Playing a couple of hours each weekend for nearly three months, Miranda raised over £2,000 to fund her trip. “I was surprised by how much money I made.” When she struck up Hava Nagila, she found the donations rose

The heavenly Lord Sugar

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 15:06:15 +0100

In a Lords debate this week, Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks recalled the view of the Talmud that the first question a person is asked in heaven is whether they were honest in business.” It doesn’t say what happens if the answer is no,” he said, “but in my mind’s eye, I see an angelic figure like the noble Lord, Lord Sugar, with wings, saying ‘You’re fired’.

And they call it puppy love

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 15:04:14 +0100

Here’s another for the “only in America” file. Matchmaking group J Date are planning an event later this month in Los Angeles called “Must Love Dogs” where Jewish singles are asked to come with a four-legged friend and “find their pick of the litter”. You don’t have to bring a pet to the party but cynophobes are definitely not welcome.

Howl play for Radcliffe

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 15:00:09 +0100

After appearing nude on stage in Equus, Daniel Radcliffe has another role far removed from Harry Potter’s teenage wizardry: he is playing the gay beat poet, Alan Ginsberg, author of Howl and Kaddish, in the film Kill Your Darlings.

Embarking on the part was terrifying, he told the Guardian. “Allen Ginsberg: American, Jewish, working class. Daniel Radcliffe: English, Jewish by the way but not really, upper class. When you start from that, you think, ‘I can’t just be good in this film’… But I think a lot of people are going to see it and see me in a very different way afterwards.”

Vampires take a biblical turn

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 14:56:20 +0100

Jewish rock stars have rarely touched on Jewish themes in their music.

Bob Dylan alluded briefly to the binding of Isaac in Highway 61 Revisited.

The West coast band Spirit reworked Hinei Ma Tov in a track called Jewish, featuring a sublime piece of guitar from the late, great Randy California (aka Randy Craig Wolfe).

But one of the most explicitly Jewish songs has just appeared from New York group Vampire Weekend (below), fronted by Ezra Koenig. About the loss of religious belief, its title Ya Hey refers to God and its lyrics includes the refrain “Through the fire and through the flames/ You won’t even say your name”.