DEDICATED TO THE LOVE, INSPIRATION & GUIDANCE OF THE LUBAVITCHER REBBE

This issue has been dedicated in loving memory of

‫ר‘ נחום פסח בן שרה‬ ‫ומרת באשה חינא בת צביה ע“ה‬ And in the merit of their children ‫ שיחיו‬and families May they see success in everything This issue has been dedicated in loving memory of

‫ר‘ מנחם דובער ב“ר חיים שניאור זלמן ז“ל‬ ‫ומרת גיטא בת רייזל ע“ה‬ And in the merit of their children ‫ שיחיו‬and families May they see success in everything

Letter From The Rabbi Dear Friend, Please enjoy this complimentary copy of our Magazine, full of inspirational and timely content on the theme of Pesach, which I am sure you will thoroughly enjoy. Passover is the most ancient of all rituals in the Western world. It has been passed down in an unbroken chain of tradition for over 3300 years, that’s over 100 generations! That means that every one of our ancestors, without exception, sat at a Seder and shared the meaning, the mystery and magic of Passover. Each year again we ensure the next link in the chain. Sadly, there are many less fortunate members of our community who will not gather with others for the holiday. On Passover, and throughout the year, they struggle with serious challenges that are hard to overcome. They may be elderly or ill. They may be impoverished or homeless. They may be addicted or imprisoned and yet others are unaware of the beauty and meaning of the Holiday. But they are not forgotten. We will reach out to these people in need with an open hand, a kind smile, and a warm meal. We will strive to grow and expand in all areas of our educational activities, ensuring that every Jewish child is at a Seder. I hope you’ll support this effort to spread the freedom and joy of Passover and I pray that the message of the Exodus story -- that we can all cast off our bonds and escape our personal limitations -- gives you new strength and inspiration. May G-d bless you and your family with a Passover filled to overflowing good health and happiness! Sincerely, Rabbi Yisroel Cohen

DIRECTOR: Rabbi Y Cohen EDITOR: David Ben Yosef SECTION EDITORS: Chabad.org editorial staff, Doreen Wachmann, David Ben-Yosef DESIGN: [email protected] PHOTOGRAPHY: Lawrence Purcell, L’Chaim photo archives SUBSCRIBE: To subscribe for a free copy of The Holiday Times email: [email protected] ADVERTISE: To be part of The Holiday Times contact: [email protected] THE HOLIDAY TIMES: L’Chaim-Chabad Manchester Correspondence Office 42 Singleton Road, Salford, Manchester M7 4LN Tel: 0161.792.6335 WEBSITE: www.lchaim.org.uk © 2018 by L’Chaim-Chabad Lubavitch of Manchester, all rights reserved, including the right to reproduce any portion of The Holiday Times in any form, without prior written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passages. The content in this publication produced by Chabad.org, is copyrighted by the author and/or Chabad.org. If you enjoyed these articles, we encourage you to distribute it further, provided that you do not revise any part of it, and you include this note, credit the author, and link to www.chabad.org. If you wish to republish these articles in a periodical, book, or website, please email [email protected]

2

Passover 5778

MI TZ VAH TANK

A Passover message from the writings of The Lubavitcher Rebbe

By the Grace of G d 11th of Nissan, 5719 [April 19, 1959] Brooklyn, N.Y.

To my Brethren, Everywhere G-d bless you! Sholom u'Brocho:

Approaching the Festival of Matzos, the Season of Our Liberation, I send my prayerful blessing to my brethren everywhere that the festival instill into the daily life of every Jew and Jewess true and complete liberation from all anxiety and adversity, both material and spiritual, so as to rise to the inner meaning of Yetzias Mitzrayim [the Exodus from Egypt], the prelude to Receiving the Torah, and to fulfill the Divine promise: "When you will bring out the people from Mitzrayim you will serve G-d on this Mount (Sinai)." Matters connected with Torah and Mitzvos are, of course, infinite and eternal, as G-d Himself Who has ordained them; so are also their instructive teachings, which are valid for all times and places, and can and must be applied in daily life. Even more so in the case of such a comprehensive matter as the Yom Tov of Pesach, of Yetzias Mitzrayim, which we are enjoined to remember every day. One of the instructive messages of the Yom Tov of Pesach is that a Jew has the inner capacity and actual ability to transform himself, in a short time, from one extreme to the opposite. Our Holy Scriptures and Rabbinic sources describe in detail the bitterness of the enslavement in Egypt and the nadir of spiritual depravity to which the enslaved Jews had sunken in those days. Enslaved in a country from which even a single slave could not escape; completely in the power of a Pharaoh who bathed in the blood of Jewish children; in utmost destitution; broken in body and spirit by the meanest kind of forced labor - suddenly Pharaoh's power is broken; the entire people is liberated; the erstwhile slaves emerge from bondage as free men, bold and dignified "with an outstretched arm" and "with great wealth." Likewise is their spiritual liberation in a manner that bespeaks a complete transformation. After having sunk to the 49th degree of unholiness, to the point of pagan idolatry - they suddenly behold G-d revealed in His full Glory, and only a few weeks later they all stand at the foot of Mount Sinai on the highest level of holiness and prophecy, and G-d speaks to each one of them

individually, without any intermediary, not even that of Moshe Rabbeinu, and declares: "I am G-d, thy G-d!" The lesson is highly instructive: No matter what the status of the Jew is, individually or collectively; no matter how gloomy the position appears to be in the light of human appraisal, the Jew must remind himself every day of Yetzias Mitzrayim - and strive effectively towards complete liberation and freedom, in a bold manner ("with an outstretched arm") and to the fullest attainment ("with great wealth"): freedom from all shackles and obstacles in escape from his "Mitzrayim," in order to reach the height of "priestly kingdom and holy nationhood," through Receiving the Torah in all respects "as in the days of your liberation from Mitzrayim." There must be no pause and no hesitation on this road; there must be no resting on one's initial accomplishments; one must go on and on, higher and higher, until one apprehends and experiences the call: "I am G-d, thy G-d!" This message of Pesach is especially urgent and timely in our present time and age, when Jews as individuals and in groups have bestirred themselves to seek for a way of liberation from their spiritual bondage, and to set foot on the road of true freedom of the spirit; above all to completely free themselves from the fear of "What will the goy [nations] say?" The "goy [nations]" of every description, including the goyeshe prodding of misguided Jews, and the "goy" within one's self, the Yetzer Hora. To these, especially, Pesach calls: Do not stop; go further rise higher, "with an outstretched arm!" Your liberation will then be complete and certain, "with the young and the old, the sons and the daughters," and with great wealth. With blessing for a kosher and happy Pesach, and may the Prophetic promise, "as in the days of thy liberation from Egypt will I show him wonders," through our righteous Moshiach, be soon fulfilled in our own time.

Spring 2018

3

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4

Passover 5778

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L’chaim Chabad Lubavitch

Roundup Autumn/Winter 2017-18/5778

September / Elul-Tishrei

Budget

£48,000

reaching out to over

11,000 people

Highlight: Foodbank High Holidays distribution

October / Tishrei-Cheshvan

November / Cheshvan-Kislev

Budget

Budget

reaching out to over

reaching out to

£30,000

£12,000

11,000

3,000

people

people

Highlight: High Holidays Mitzvah campaign

Highlight: 'Great Debates' course held by JLI

December / Kislev-Tevet

January / Tevet-Shevat

Budget

Budget

reaching out to

reaching out to

£29,000

£12,000

8,500

3,000

people

people

Highlight: Chanukah campaign

Highlight: 'Art of communication' course held by JLI

February / Shevat-Adar

March / Adar-Nissan

Budget

Budget

reaching out to

reaching out to

£36,000

£22,000

3,000

7,000

people

people Highlight: Cteen NY trip

42 Singleton Rd, M7 4LN 0161 792 6335 www.lchaim.org.uk

Highlight: Purim campaign

Support L’Chaim Chabad Lubavitch! Mitzvah

CAMPAIGN

MI TZ VAH TANK

Spring 2018

5

WINTER 2017/2018 WITH L’CHAIM C

5

3

Holiday Sessions For Mums & Toddlers

Weekly Kids Clubs

3

3

Kosher Food Clubs Weekly

4

Parties and Trips

18

Weekly Classes

2

Special Lectures

O H

26

1

Events & Friday Night Meals

AHH MIITZZVVA M AN TA NK K T

Mitzvah Tank Mitzvah

CAMPAIGN

1,843

Shabbos Candle Kits Distributed 6

Passover 5778 5777

118

Mezuzot Checked

1

o G

M CHABAD LUBAVITCH in numbers

4

40

Schools

Seasonal Events & Programs

25

2,000 Children

100’s

Participants On A Trip To NYC

of Weekly Study Partners Almost

24

230

Old Age Homes

Elderly People Visited Weekly Mitzvah

AHH K K

CAMPAIGN

1,200

2,667

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1,000’s

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Spring 2018

7

SPOTLIGHT ON… THE PURIM CONTROL TOWER "A high building at an airport, from which air-traffic controllers organize the movements of incoming and outgoing aircraft by radioing their pilots" is the Encarta Dictionary definition given for Control Tower. But at L’Chaim Chabad Lubavitch, 'Control Tower' is affectionately used to dub the command center which is set up each Purim to coordinate the extensive activity that goes on during the 24 hours of Purim. Each Purim, L'chaim services thousands of people across the Northwest with visitations to houses, businesses, schools, hospitals, old age homes, lonely individuals, elderly & infirm, universities, small communities & prisons. Communal Parties & events are held for children, teens & families. Despite the challenging weather conditions and the difficulties encountered, this year L'Chaim “took” Purim to more people than ever before. The megillah was read 19 times every hour, on the hour at nearby Beis Menachem. And hundreds of traditional Purim gifts, mishloach manos, were handed out in care homes, hospitals, schools and private homes. “The operation, which involved all the students of Lubavitch Yeshiva and other volunteers from the community, ran like a well-oiled machine,” said 20-year-old bocher Sholom Glazman, who acted as Control Tower dispatcher.“We handled hundreds of calls on our special Purim hotline, sending boys to read the megillah wherever needed.” Glazman, whose parents run the Chabad center in Riga, Latvia added: “We received many calls from people who were housebound and couldn't go to shul to hear the megillah due to the weather. And there were at least a dozen calls from women who had recently given birth and were unable to leave their homes. In every case we arranged a megillah

8

Passover 5778

reading for them.” In all, 30 megillahs were used, many of them borrowed from members of the community. Every call for assistance was successfully answered by the Purim team, but sometimes it was a close-run thing. Sholom explained: “We received a call at 3pm requesting a megillah reading virtually right away. But all our readers were out 'on calls'. The thought of letting anyone down was unthinkable, so we called on one of our 'reserves' - a member of the community who saved the day.” Yeshiva student Shmuel Ben Sousan, 18, of Paris, France was one of the volunteers at the Purim House, ensuring that the telling of the Purim story every 60 minutes ran like clockwork. “The megillah was read hourly at Beis Menachem in Park Lane, Salford, from 8pm until 1am,” he said. “Then the next day we began at 7am, with the final reading at 5pm, plus some extra readings in between". Crowds came from all sections of the community from ultra-Orthodox to completely secular. “Many of the readings attracted 100 or more people,” said Shmuel. “In all, well over 1,600 heard the megillah there”. Rabbi Yisroel Cohen, director of L’Chaim Chabad Lubavitch commented "There wasn't a moment to relax as Purim day unfolded. There was an incredible team of volunteers ready to go wherever the Control Tower dispatcher sent them. It included attending school assemblies, family Purim parties, discussion groups with teenagers and dancing with old folk in care homes. We thank all volunteers and supporters for making this tremendous success possible”

Passover Your Comprehensive

Guide

Searching for Chametz

The Burning of Chametz

On Thursday night, March 29, we search our homes for any leftover Chametz. Before the search recite the following blessing:

Or, in translation:

On the morning before Passover, before the fifth hour, we burn all the chametz that was found during the search, and anything that was left over from breakfast and not stored with the chametz that will be sold to the non-Jew.

Blessed are You, L-rd our G d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by His commandments, and has commanded us concerning the removal of chametz.

After the chametz has been burnt in the fire, we recite the following declaration:

When you’ve completed the search, recite the "Kol Chamira" declaration, translated below, nullifying all unknown chametz and relinquishing it from your ownership.

All leaven or anything leavened which is in my possession, whether I have seen it or not, whether I have observed it or not, whether I have removed it or not, shall be considered nullified and ownerless as the dust of the earth.

Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-de-sha-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu Al Bee-ur Cho-metz.

All leaven or anything leavened which is in my possession, which I have neither seen nor removed, and about which I am unaware, shall be considered nullified and ownerless as the dust of the earth.

Spring 2018

9

Passover 2018 Holiday Schedule

Making an

Eruv Tavshilin On Thursday, April 5, an Eruv Tavshilin is set aside, so that we will be permitted to prepare for Shabbat (cooking as well as any other necessary preparations) on the Friday, April 6, although it is a holiday.This eruv consists of a challah or matzah, and a cooked food, such as meat, fish, or an unpeeled hard-boiled egg.

Thursday 29 March

Search for Chametz after nightfall.

Friday 30 March

Day before Passover Fast of first born Finish eating Chametz before 10:29am Burn Chametz before 11:51am 1st Seder night Light Candles at 7:25pm Recite blessings 1 & 3

Take the food items (it is a good idea to wrap them in aluminum foil, or another distinctive packaging, to easily keep them apart from the rest of the foods in your home), and give them to another person (if possible an individual who is a non-dependant), and say:

Shabbat 31 March

First day of Passover 2nd Seder night Light candles from an existing flame after 8:33pm Recite blessings 2 & 3

I hereby grant a share in this eruv to anyone who wishes to participate in it and to depend on it. The one holding the food raises it a handbreadth, and then returns it to the person making the eruv, who then recites the following:

Sunday 1 April

Second day of Passover Holiday ends at 8:35pm

Thursday 5 April

Baruch Atah Ado-noi Elo-hei-nu Meleh Ha-olam Asher Ki-de-sha-nu Be-mitz-vo-sav Ve-tzi-vanu Al Mitz-vat Eruv

Make Eruv Tavshilin Light candles at 7:36pm Recite blessing 2

Friday 6 April

Blessed are you, L-rd our G d, king of the universe, who has sanctified us with his commandments, and commanded us concerning the mitzvah of eruv.

Seventh day of Passover Light candles from an existing flame at 7:38pm Recite blessing 1

Through this [eruv] it shall be permissible for us to bake, cook, put away a dish [to preserve its heat], kindle a light, prepare, and do on the holiday all that is necessary for Shabbat — for us and for all the Israelites who dwell in this city.

Shabbat 7 April

Eighth day of Passover Passover ends at 8:47pm

Sunday 29 April

Pesach Sheini Second chances are always needed, take another bite of matzah.

The eruv is put away until Shabbat, when it is eaten. In many communities, it is customary to use the matzah at the Shabbat meal.

CANDLELIGHTING BLESSINGS:

1 Baruch Atah Ado-noi Elo-hei-nu Meleh Ha-olam Asher Ki-de-sha-nu

Be-mitz-vo-sav Ve-tzi-vanu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Shabbos Ve-shel Yom Tov.

2 Baruch Atah Ado-noi Elo-hei-nu Melech Haolam Asher Ki-deshanu Be-mitz-vo-sav Ve-tzi-vanu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Yom Tov.

3

Baruch Atah Ado-noi Elo-hei-nu Melech Ha-olam She-hehche-yahnu Ve-kiye-ma-nu Ve-hi-gi-ah-nu Liz-man Ha-zeh.

10

Passover 5778

“

My mother got the best end-of-life care possible at Heathlands Village.

“

That helps me deal with losing her. ™

Please support The Fed’s Pesach Appeal to ensure that any Jewish person who needs it, will receive the same wonderful hospice care that we gave Jenny at Heathlands Village.

TO DONATE CALL 0161 772 4800 OR VISIT WWW.THEFED.ORG.UK Registered charity no: 1117126

PASSOVER PREPARATION WIZARD Your Pre-Pesach Check list A month before Passover:  Begin learning about Passover and studying its laws.  Begin the housecleaning process. Methodically inspect and rid every part of your home of any traces of chametz. Be on the lookout for crumbs of all sorts, hidden stashes of crunchy chocolate, fermented drinks (nearly all are made with grain), etc. Make a list of all the rooms in your house, and cross off each one as you complete it.  Enforce the pre-Passover house rules: No food may leave the kitchen. After eating, clothes must be brushed off and hands thoroughly washed.  Set aside a special space or spaces to stash the chametz you will be selling for the duration of Passover (see next item). This can be a closet, a cabinet in the kitchen or a room in the basement, as long as it can be locked and inaccessible to you for all of Passover.  Arrange for the selling of your chametz. Fill out a form and bring it to your Rabbi, delegating to him the task of selling your chametz before Passover. (You can also sell your chametz online.)  Buy the Passover essentials: purchase your matzah and wine in advance, and store it in a place where it is absolutely safe from any contact with any chametz.

A few days before Passover:  Begin work on making your kitchen “Kosher for Passover.” Put away all utensils that have been used year round, and lock or seal those cabinets. Put away all non-kosher-for-Passover food, and seal those cabinets. Once your kitchen is completely clean, do the special procedure to kosher your kitchen and appliances for Passover. (Now that your kitchen is clean and all your non-kosher-forPassover food put away, you will only be able to prepare and eat kosher-for-Passover foods there. If you’re not ready to start eating only kosher-forPassover food yet, you can buy ready-prepared food and eat it outside of the house, or in a place that will be “sold” for the duration of Passover.)

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Passover 5778

 Take stock of your Passover inventory. Take out any special-for-Passover dishes or silver from where they are stored. Polish the silver. Make sure you have Haggadahs for the Seder.  Do your Passover shopping. Buy the Seder ingredients, plus general food for Passover. Store these in your newly cleaned refrigerator and cabinets—empty, of course, of any non-Passover food. You can now begin cooking for the holiday in your kosher-for-Passover kitchen.  Make sure that your holiday clothes and shoes are ready, ironed and polished. Treat yourself to something new—an outfit, shoes, or even just a tie.

Thursday Night, 29th March 2018 (24 hours before Passover):

 Do the ritual search for chametz. Take a candle, a spoon and a feather, and search the house for any remaining or forgotten chametz. See Holiday schedule page for the relevant blessings and text.

Friday Morning, 30th March 2018  If you are a firstborn son, or the father of a firstborn son under the age of bar mitzvah, participate in a siyum or other mitzvah feast, in order to be absolved of the “fast of the firstborn”.  The last time for eating chametz is approximately two hours before midday. Past this point, no chametz is eaten until after the festival. The final time for getting rid of chametz is approximately one hour before midday. See the Holiday schedule page for relevant times. (By this time, all cabinets and areas containing chametz that will be sold should be sealed.)  Burn any leftover chametz that is not being sold, including anything that was found Thursday night at the search for the chametz. Recite the “nullification statement”, renouncing all ownership of any chametz that may still remain in your possession. See Holiday schedule page for the relevant text.

You are now chametz-free, physically and spiritually - and free to fully enjoy the liberating experience of the Seder rituals and the eight-day Festival of Freedom.

Seder The

Wizard

Here are the

What Is a Seder? The Seder is a marathon feast that includes reading, drinking wine, telling stories, eating special foods and singing. It is held after nightfall on the first night of Passover and the second night (if you live outside of Israel), the anniversary of our nation’s miraculous exodus from Egyptian slavery more than 3,000 years ago. This year’s Seders will be on March 30 and 31, 2018.

What’s on the Menu? During the course of the evening you will have:

15 steps of the Seder, with a bit of explanation: Kadesh The Benediction

1

• Four cups of wine • Veggies dipped in saltwater • Flat, dry cracker-like bread called matzah • Bitter herbs, often horseradish (without additives) and romaine lettuce, dipped into charoset (a paste of nuts, apples, pears and wine). • A festive meal that may contain time-honoured favourites, like chicken soup and gefilte fish. Each item has its place in a 15-step choreographed combination of tastes, sounds, sensations and smells that have been with the Jewish people for millennia.

What Do We Use? • Ceremonial foods are all arranged on a platter, called a ka’arah or Seder plate. There may be one ka’arah for the entire Seder, or several. • The procedure is all laid out in a book called a Haggadah. Although the text is in Hebrew (with a sprinkling of Aramaic), it is perfectly acceptable to read the Haggadah in translation if you don’t understand Hebrew.

The Seder service begins with the recitation of kiddush, proclaiming the holiness of the holiday. This is said while holding a cup of wine, the first of the four cups we will drink (while reclining) throughout the Seder. With the Seder nights being on Friday and Saturday night, we will insert the additional wording for Shabbat on the first Seder night and for Havdalla on the second Seder night.

2 Urchatz - Washing We wash our hands in the usual, ritually prescribed manner, as is done before a meal, but without the customary blessing. The next step in the Seder, Karpas, requires dipping food into water. Jewish law specifies that certain wet foods be eaten with a utensil or that one’s hands be purified first by washing. On the eve of the Seder, we choose the less common (but more ideal) observance to arouse our children’s curiosity. Spring 2018 13

Karpas - The “Appetizer”

3 4

A small piece of vegetable (an onion or boiled potato in Chabad tradition) is dipped into salt water and eaten (after reciting the blessing over vegetables). Dipping the karpas in salt water (after having washed our hands) is part of a series of acts intended arouses the child’s curiosity. The Hebrew word karpas (parsley), when read backwards, alludes to the backbreaking labor performed by the 600,000 Jews in Egypt. (The last letter, samech, has the numerical equivalent of 60, representing 60 times 10,000, while the remaining three Hebrew letters spell perech, “hard work.”)

Yachatz Breaking The Matzah

The middle matzah on the Seder plate is broken in two. The smaller part of the middle matzah is returned to the Seder plate. This broken middle matzah, the “bread of poverty,” remains visible as we tell the story of Exodus (see step 5) and will be eaten shortly thereafter. The larger piece is put aside for later use as the afikoman (see step 12). This unusual action of breaking the matzah not only attracts the child’s attention once again, but also recalls G d’s splitting of the Sea of Reeds to allow the children of Israel to cross on dry land.

5 Maggid - The Haggadah At this point, the poor are invited to join the Seder. The Seder tray is moved aside, a second cup of wine is poured, and the child, who by now is bursting with curiosity, asks the time-honored question: “Mah nishtanah ha-lailah hazeh mikol ha-leilot? Why is this night different from all other nights?” Why only matzah? Why the dipping? Why the bitter herbs? Why are we relaxing and reclining as if we were kings? The child’s questioning triggers one of the most significant elements of Passover, which is the highlight of the Seder ceremony: reading the Haggadah, which tells the story of the Exodus from Egypt. The answer includes a brief review of history, a brief narrative of how Abraham rejected idolatry and entered a pact with G d, a description of the suffering imposed upon the Israelites, a listing of the plagues visited on the Egyptians, and an enumeration of the miracles performed by the Almighty to redeem His people. We conclude by thanking G d for the having set us free from Egypt and a prayer for the Final Redemption.

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Passover 5778 5776

6

Rachtzah—Washing Before the Meal After concluding the first part of the Haggadah by drinking the second cup of wine (while reclining), the hands are washed again, this time with the customary blessings, as is usually done before eating bread.

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Motzi Matzah We Eat The Matzah Taking hold of the three matzahs (with the broken one between the two whole ones), recite the customary blessing before bread. Then, letting the bottom matzah drop back onto the plate, and holding the top whole matzah with the broken middle one, recite the special blessing “al achilat matzah.” Then break a bit of the upper matzah and at least one ounce from the middle matzah (ideally an ounce from each), and eat the two pieces together while reclining.

Maror The Bitter Herbs Take at least one ounce of the bitter herbs. Dip it in the charoset, then shake the latter off and make the blessing “al achilat maror.” Eat without reclining.

10

Korech The Hillel Sandwich

In keeping with the practice of Hillel, the great Talmudic sage, a sandwich of matzah and maror is eaten. Break two pieces off the bottom matzah, which should be at least one ounce together. Again, take at least one ounce of bitter herbs and dip them in the charoset, which is shaken off. Place this between the two pieces of matzah, say “kein asah Hillel…,” and eat the sandwich while reclining.

Shulchan Orech The Feast

The holiday meal is now served. We begin the meal by eating the hard-boiled egg dipped into salt water. Traditionally associated with mourning, the egg reminds us that our meal lacks the sacrificial lamb. Note: The zeroa (the leg of lamb or chicken leg or neck on the Seder plate), is not eaten at the Seder. Spring 2018 15

12

Tzafun Out Of Hiding After the meal, the half-matzah that had been “hidden” and set aside for the afikoman (“dessert”) is taken out and eaten. It symbolizes the Paschal lamb, which our ancestors ate at the end of their Passover Seders. Everyone should eat at least 1½ ounces of matzah, reclining, before midnight. After eating the afikoman, we do not eat or drink anything except for the two remaining cups of wine.

13

Berach Blessings After the Meal

A third cup of wine is filled and Grace After Meals is recited. After the Grace, we recite the blessing over wine and drink the third cup while reclining.

14

Now we fill the cup of Elijah and our own cups with wine. We open the door and recite the passage inviting the Prophet Elijah, the harbinger of the coming of Moshiach, our righteous Messiah.

Hallel Songs of Praise

At this point, having recognized the Almighty and His unique guidance of the Jewish people, we go still further and sing His praises as L rd of the entire universe. After reciting the Hallel, we again recite the blessing over wine and drink the fourth cup, reclining.

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Passover 5778 5776

Nirtzah Acceptance Having carried out the Seder service properly, we are sure that it has been well received by the Almighty. We then say “Leshanah haba’ah b’Yerushalayim—Next year in Jerusalem.”

Overview Passover 2018

Thursday 29 March 13 Nissan

Did you remember to sell your chametz? Your local rabbi can help, or complete an online “Authorization for the Sale of Chametz” form. Search for the chametz after dark. Recite the blessing prior to the search, and the nullification of the chametz (Kol Chamira) following the search. See Holiday schedule for blessings and text.

The day before Passover

Friday 30 March 14 Nissan

Fast of the Firstborn. For a male firstborn to be exempt from fasting, he must participate in a meal marking the fulfillment of a mitzvah; such a meal is generally held in a synagogue after morning prayers on this day. Have you sold your chametz? Final call! Stop eating chametz before the end of the 4th hour of the day. Burn your remaining (unsold) chametz before the end of the 5th hour of the day. Light the Passover candles, reciting appropriate blessings. See the Holiday schedule for exact times, texts and candle lighting blessings.

First Seder The first night of Passover is referred to as leil shimurim - a night of guarding, based on Exodus 12:42.

1st day of Passover

Shabbat 31 March

Beginning with the Musaf Amidah, we recite Morid Hatal, the prayer for dew, and we omit the prayer for rain. This practice continues until Shemini Atzeret, the day after Sukkot.

15 Nissan

During Maariv evening prayers We count the 1st day of the Omer. The counting of the Omer is recited during each of the next 49 days, leading up to the holiday of Shavuot on the 50th day. After dark, light candles for the second day of Passover, using an existing flame, and recite the appropriate blessings. See the Holiday schedule for candle lighting times and blessings.

Festive lunch meal.

Second Seder Havdalah is incorporated into the Kiddush prayer. We look at the holiday candles for the blessing on fire and do not recite the blessing on spices.

2nd day of Passover

Sunday 1 April 16 Nissan

Monday 2 April 17 Nissan

Festive lunch meal. After nightfall, count the 2nd day of the Omer, and perform the havdalah ceremony, omitting the blessings on the spices and candle. See the Holiday schedule for exact time. Celebrate Passover’s intermediate days. Between now and the last two days of Passover, we may resume much (not all) of our regular workday activities; but, of course, we continue to eat Kosher for Passover foods exclusively. It is customary to drink a glass of wine each day, in celebration of the festival. During all of the intermediate days, “Yaaleh Veyavo” is inserted during all prayers and in the Grace After Meals.

3rd day of Passover 1st day of Chol Hamoed (intermediate days) The intermediate days are observed with limited work restrictions. After nightfall, count the 3rd day of the Omer.

Spring 2018 17

4th day of Passover

Tuesday 3 April

2nd day of Chol Hamoed (intermediate days) The intermediate days are observed with limited work restrictions. After nightfall, count the 4th day of the Omer.

18 Nissan

5th day of Passover

Wednesday 4 April 19 Nissan

3rd day of Chol Hamoed (intermediate days) The intermediate days are observed with limited work restrictions. After nightfall, count the 5th day of the Omer.

6th day of Passover 4th day of Chol Hamoed (intermediate days)

Thursday 5 April 20 Nissan

The Intermediate Days are observed with limited work restrictions. We prepare an eruv tavshilin so that we will be able to cook and prepare for Shabbat on Friday, as well as to be able to light Shabbat candles. See Holiday schedule page for blessings and instructions. Light candles for the 7th day of Passover, and recite the appropriate blessings. See the Holiday schedule for candle lighting times and blessings. After nightfall, count the 6th day of the Omer. Festive holiday meal, complete with the holiday kiddush. It is customary in many communities to remain awake all night, studying Torah, in commemoration of the great miracle of the splitting of the sea, which occurred on the 7th day of Passover.

7th day of Passover—Shevi’i Shel Pesach

Friday 6 April 21 Nissan

Festive lunch meal. Light candles for the 8th day of Passover, using an existing flame, and recite the appropriate blessings. See the Holiday schedule for candle lighting times and blessings. After nightfall, count the 7th day of the Omer. Festive holiday meal, complete with the holiday and Shabbat Kiddush.

Final Day of Passover - Acharon Shel Pesach

Shabbat 7 April 22 Nissan

Sunday 8 April 23 Nissan 18

Passover 5778

The Yizkor memorial service is recited following the Torah reading. Festive lunch meal. On this final day of Passover we strive for the highest level of freedom, and focus on the final redemption. Following the Baal Shem Tov’s custom, we end Passover with “Moshiach’s Feast”—a festive meal complete with matzah and four cups of wine, during which we celebrate the imminent arrival of Moshiach. The feast begins before sunset and continues until after nightfall. After nightfall, count the 8th day of the Omer. After nightfall, perform the havdalah ceremony. See the Holiday schedule for the exact time. Nightfall is the official end of Passover (see below for the exact time). Wait an hour to give the rabbi enough time to buy back your chametz before eating it.

The day following the holiday is known as Isru Chag. It is forbidden to fast on this day.

Spring 2018 19

EDUCATED HERE, EDUCATING THERE Yeshivas Lubavitch Manchester - where every student of today is looked at as a community of tomorrow Yeshivas Lubavitch Manchester, based at 62 Singleton Rd was founded in 5742- 1982, with the blessing and direction of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The establishment of this Yeshiva was carefully crafted in order to produce community leaders, its staff and curriculum were selected in order to achieve excellence. The Yeshiva’s humble beginnings were with 10 students and 2 staff members. Before long, the Yeshiva became a magnet for all sincere students looking for the best chance to achieve and has since attracted students from around the globe with the Yeshiva tripling its staff and taking on 6 student mentors on a yearly basis. The Yeshiva seeks to develop scholars thoroughly trained in higher Jewish learning. It prepares its students for positions as rabbis, teachers, communal leaders, as well as responsible, conscientious and intelligent lay membership in the community. By means of small classes, seminars and individual consultation, the student is guided towards the realization of his full potential as a scholar. The Yeshiva provides opportunities for original research and intensive advanced study and encourages the publication of such research. The Yeshiva’s success and influence, both, with its students and with the greater Jewish community is legendary. The Yeshivas alumni now proudly fill the roles of Rabbis and educators across the UK and around the globe. Here we bring a small peek at some of alumnus that fill educational positions across the globe, all of whom accredit their years spent studying in Yeshivas Lubavitch Manchester as a one of the key components in what has shaped their lives dedicated to Jewish education.

20 Passover 5778

By Dovid Margolin

Reykjavik, Iceland:

The Last European Capital Without a Rabbi Gets OnE Rabbi Avi and Mushky Feldman hope to ignite a Jewish fire under the Northern Lights

You can kayak from New York to Iceland in 1,317 hours. Or fly Icelandair in five. At least that’s the tagline Iceland’s main airline plastered all over the Big Apple a few years ago as part of an ad campaign to attract New Yorkers to the land of the Northern Lights. Along with most of the 2 million tourists who visit Iceland each year, Rabbi Avi and Mushky Feldman will be flying to the island country’s capital of Reykjavík later this year. But unlike the others, they and their two young daughters, Chana and Batsheva, are flying one-way in order to establish the Chabad-Lubavitch Jewish Center of Iceland. The Feldmans’ arrival will herald a new era for Iceland’s tiny Jewish community and fulfill a number of firsts for Iceland’s long but sparse Jewish history. The Chabad Jewish Center will be Iceland’s first institutional Jewish presence; Feldman will be the country’s first permanent rabbi; and aside from congregations formed by British and American troops during World War II, theirs will be the first synagogue in Iceland’s 1,000-plus years of history. Until now, Reykjavík also had the distinction of being the last major European capital without a synagogue or a rabbi. All this is not to say Iceland did not have a Jewish community until now. It did, and does, run for decades by volunteer Mike Levin, a Chicagoan who has lived in Iceland since 1986. Gathering for years on Jewish holidays and for various programs, they kept the flame of Jewish life alive a pilot light protected from the cold Nordic air. “We have always had a small group of Jews here,” Levin, who over the years has been identified by almost every news report on Jewish life in Iceland as the community’s “unofficial spokesman,” tells Chabad.org. He notes that “in the old days, we had a phone list, and we’d contact everyone who was interested in taking part and let them know. We did things for most major holidays, and at one point, we had a regular Shabbat service.”

Jewish chaplains, but it closed in 2006. Iceland’s Jews got a boost when Rabbi Berel Pewzner - then a rabbinical student and today co-director of Chabad of the Cayman Islands - initially reached out to Levin in 2011 and as part of Chabad’s Roving Rabbis program arranged the first public Passover seder there, drawing 50 people. Pewzner arranged High Holiday services later that year, and in response to the warm reception they received from the community, rabbinical students have come a few times a year ever since. Over the years, through holiday programs and regular home visits, the Roving Rabbis managed to connect with many individual Jews living throughout Iceland. Another resource Iceland’s Jews made use of was Chabad.org. The largest Jewish educational and inspirational website, Chabad.org provides thousands of articles, Jewish audio and video content, daily Torah classes, Shabbat candle-lighting times, “Ask the Rabbi” and access to primary Jewish texts—a resource regularly tapped into by millions of people around the world. It is very often a lifeline for isolated Jewish communities and individuals, Iceland being just one example. But talk always returned as to whether it would ever be feasible for a Chabad couple to set up shop. “By now, it’s kind of necessary,” says Levin of the Feldman’s impending arrival. “If someone puts their full-time concentration on [Jewish life in Iceland], they can do a lot of things here.” While there are around 100 Jews who have participated in community functions in one way or another, the year-round Jewish population, including university students and staff, is likely closer to

But running a Jewish community on a volunteer basis comes with difficulties. The United States military had a base in Iceland where Jewish personnel were serviced from time to time by Spring 2018 21

250. Along with the burgeoning tourist industry, which has exploded in the last decade and currently contributes to 10 percent of Iceland’s GDP, Feldman sees a bright future in Reykjavík. “We want to focus on the Jewish needs of everyone who lives, works or travels to Iceland,” states the rabbi. “Over the last decade we have been sending rabbinical students to Iceland as part of our effort to serve every Jew wherever they may be,” says Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, vice chairman of Merkos L’lnyonei Chinuch, the educational arm of the Chabad movement, and the person who oversees assistance for outlying Jewish communities. “We felt that now is the right time, and the Feldmans are the right couple, to establish a permanent presence to serve the Jews living in and visiting Iceland. With G d’s help, this monumental step will give every Jew in Iceland the opportunity to connect to their heritage.”

‘It’s a Special Place’ Not long after their marriage four years ago, the Feldmans began searching for a place to move as Chabad emissaries. Mushky was born and raised in Gothenburg, Sweden, where her parents, Rabbi Alexander and Leah Namdar, had been sent by the Rebbe - Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory - in 1991, founding the first Chabad outpost in Scandinavia. In the years since, two more Chabad centers have been opened in Sweden, as well as ones in Norway, Finland and Denmark (staffed by Mushky’s uncle and aunt). Motivated by the Rebbe’s call to connect Jews to their heritage wherever they may be, and with Mushky familiar with the Scandinavian climate and mindset, Iceland was on the Feldmans' radar. “At the time, it still didn’t seem like Iceland was ripe enough,” Rabbi Feldman tells Chabad.org. Meanwhile, the couple spent a year working with Jewish students in Berlin, Germany, which Mushky describes as “an amazing experience.” But when it came time for them to move on, Iceland seemed to have even further evolved. “On social media, I kept seeing people traveling to Iceland,” says Mushky. “It wasn’t scientific, but I told 22 Passover 5778

my husband that we should start looking at it more seriously.” Indeed, Iceland is one of - if not the - fastest-growing tourist destinations in the world. Aside from regular flights from many North American and European cities, there are three direct flights a week from Israel. Rabbi Feldman reached out to Pewzner’s younger brother, Rabbi Naftoli Hertz Pewzner, who had built on his brother’s work in Iceland, and for the past five years had been flying to the country to organize and run High Holiday services, Chanukah parties and Passover seders, staying in touch with local Jews via phone, Skype and email throughout the year. After extensively talking with the younger Pewzner, and doing some more research on their own, the Feldmans were on a flight to Reykjavík to celebrate Chanukah with the community and see the place firsthand. “It’s a magical place,” says Mushky Feldman. Having grown up in a region so similar (she says that although she speaks Swedish, and Icelandic is said to be Old Swedish, she still can’t make much out language-wise), Reykjavík reminded her of home. Situated just below the Arctic circle, sunrise and sunset vary in the extremes, meaning Shabbat can begin as early as 3:15 p.m. or as late as 11:30 p.m., and in the summer end at 1:30 a.m. (Sunday morning). Gothenburg, while lower, is not that much different in that respect. “Reykjavík is small, but it feels grand,” she adds. “It’s a capital city - you see that, and it’s very alive. You go to the center of town and there are people out enjoying themselves at all hours.” “It’s helpful for them that Mushky is from Sweden,” says Sigal Har-Meshi, a native of Ashkelon, Israel, who first visited Iceland in 1986 (“I got here by mistake; I was looking for something different”), and has lived there for the last 14 years. “Scandinavians are very nice people, but it’s good that she understands them so well.” Much has changed since Har-Meshi arrived, mostly driven by the tourism industry, which has spurred the opening of new restaurants and nightlife, and the construction of hotels. The uptick in activity doesn’t bother her.

“For me, it’s never too many tourists,” she says with a laugh. “There are more things to do; it’s more alive now.” As the number of travelers has grown, so has the commensurate number of Jews visiting. When they look for Jewish accommodations or kosher food, notes Har-Meshi, until now “we didn’t have a good answer.” Many items must be imported to Iceland - contributing to the country’s high cost of living - and Rabbi Feldman has already started looking at various options for importing kosher staples from the United States or the United Kingdom. In addition to the tourism, the local Jewish community has also grown over the years, if only slightly, and while her children are by now a bit older, Har-Meshi says she sees younger Jewish families who would benefit from having programs geared for kids. On their end, the Feldmans say they hope to start with regular Shabbat and holiday events, classes and a Hebrew school, and envision a Jewish preschool in the near future as well. “A preschool,” affirms Mushky, “is definitely something we hear a lot of young parents discussing and are excited about.”.

Books, Nature and Growing Judaism Iceland, says Levin, is a unique place to live. It’s a small country, but independent-minded and self-sufficient in many ways. With a population of 350,000 people, it boasts a Nobel laureate (Halldór Laxness was awarded a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1955) and produces more books in its own language per capita than any other country. It also offers the ability to be in the center of things and yet disconnected at the same time. “Every Sunday, we go walking on a mountain,” he says, something he couldn’t dream of doing in Chicago. “You don’t have to go far out of Reykjavík to see untouched, pristine nature. For seven to eight months of the year, you have the Northern

Lights. These are things that make you just look up and go ‘wow!’ You can’t experience that anywhere.” Dr. Patrick Sulam, who has lived in Iceland since 2001, agrees, adding that the Jewish experience in Iceland is singular as well. Born and raised in Montpellier, France, Sulam grew up in a homogenous Sephardic Jewish community, where most of the people he knew were Sephardic Jews of North African extraction. Iceland was the first place he ever tried latkes, and where he got “the feeling of the Diaspora reunited in a mosaic manner, which is very rich.” He appreciates what Chabad’s presence until now has brought, explaining that “it allowed me to see where I was in my Judaism. It gives me a frame of reference in a very non-invasive manner.” The prospect of having regular Shabbat services, classes and a permanent Jewish home, says Sulam, is “very exciting.” “We have families, children here, and this will help perpetuate the Jewish tradition,” he says. “I think it’s excellent for the local community and for the tourists. When people travel, they often get a new realization that even when you travel, you’re still a Jew.” Rabbi Feldman points out that Levin has already built an ark for the Torah scroll they hope to bring to Reykjavík. When asked if he finds it interesting to be a founding father of a Jewish community in Europe, Levin says that by living in Iceland, he has gotten to experience things others normally wouldn’t. As a professional chef, for a number of years he worked and cooked for the American ambassador, meeting and feeding ambassadors from China, Russia and other countries, and he’s met the president of Iceland. “It’s a part of the experience of living here.” As someone who grew up in a traditional Jewish environment, Sulam looks forward to being called up to the Torah by his Jewish name, Moshe, in Reykjavík, Iceland. “It’s a direction,” he observes. “We’re definitely going in the right direction.”

Both Rabbi’s Feldman & Hertz spent years as students in Manchester UK, at the Yeshivas Lubavitch Manchester. “They were both excellent students and always volunteered their time and energy to help our community” recalls Rabbi Cohen, “It is heartwarming and inspiring to witness our former students living up to the values we have tried to instill, serving the Jewish nation with such commitment and determination”. Spring 2018 23

How To Make a Wild, Wonderful Seder

By Tzvi Freeman

For most Jews today, the two main events of the Jewish calendar are Yom Kippur and Passover. Of those two, you might be surprised to hear that Passover wins hands-down. The 2013 Pew survey found that 70% of Jews took part in a Seder, while 53% say they fasted for all or part of Yom Kippur. So, if you're out to pull Jews in, don’t pass over Passover. Get the word out to your friends, extended family, acquaintances, Jewish-guy-youmet-at-the-bank, etc., that you’re making a wild and wonderful Seder, and they’re invited.

The actual Seder It’s late. They’re tired and hungry. You don’t want to skip anything, but you want everyone to stay engaged. That includes kids, teens, young adults, middle-aged adults, elderly, know-it-alls and the completely clueless, all of whom you’ve got packed into one room. If you want to keep everyone involved and attentive, you’ll have to do what every good storyteller does: Create suspense, sustain it, and don’t resolve it until much later. Here are two great strategies to do that:

Suspense Builder 1: Elijah the Prophet Right at the beginning of the Seder, announce that you’re anticipating a special guest. Provide periodic updates on his travel status. First he’s held up at customs (ethnic profiling issues), then he experiences cloud navigation difficulties, and finally his agent promises imminent appearance. Eventually, leak out that the guest is Elijah the prophet. You’ve already arranged for one of the great actors of your community to slip out right after birkat ha-mazon (the blessings after the meal), wrap a white sheet around himself and show up when you get to the part where you open the door. What does he do when he enters? He hands out boarding passes for the flight to Israel. Or he can act as the steward, welcoming you to Elijah Airlines and directing your attention to the exit rows, safety features, etc. On the second night, add surprise to the suspense: Make it seem that Elijah will be entering from the front door. Direct everyone’s attention in that direction. But then, banging is heard, and some strange person—not Elijah—comes in through the back door, or even a window. Maybe he’s looking for the Glee Club Bingo Event. Or maybe it’s just one of the guests who got locked out by accident. At which point Elijah can appear at the door, while no one was noticing. Another alternative: Just open the door and look out there. Get all the kids to call out, “Elijah, where are you?” And let’s all pray that this year the real Elijah turns up. 24 Passover 5778

Suspense Builder 2: Mystery Boxes Each table needs a black, mysterious-looking box, labeled: DANGER. DO NOT OPEN. Make announcements about not touching or moving those hazardous boxes. Then, at intervals throughout the Seder, elect representatives at each table to open the boxes and hold up the contents for everyone what’s inside—and explain what it has to do with the story of the Exodus.

Here’s what’s inside those boxes: • Straw Pharaoh made us get our own straw to make his bricks. (The pound shop sells great plastic stringy stuff, if you can’t get a hold of the real thing.)

• A brick Use a toy brick. Another memento from Egypt.

• Toy snake Demonstrate Moshe’s stick-to-snake trick.

• Plastic jewellery A chest of all the jewels we took out of Egypt, as compensation for all the work we did there: necklaces, crowns and bangles. All the kids love these (including the boys, strange as it may seem), and some adults might wear them, too.

• Reddened toothbrush Dip an old toothbrush in red paint or borscht for the plague of blood.

• Small plastic animals • Frogs Little plastic frogs, stuffed frogs and puppet frogs are always a hit for the kids. Demonstrate how the plague started with the first big frog that came out of the Nile. Better yet, if you’ve got a frog costume, you can act out the whole story.

• Herman the Flea Herman the Flea can be a lot of fun, and not just for the kids. He’s a little insect you keep in a matchbox, who does cool acrobatic tricks. Announce that later on, during the meal, he’ll be performing. For the show, Herman is so tiny that no one sees him, so he can jump from one of your hands to the next, and do all sorts of flips and wall-to-wall jumps before he lands back in your hand. Get everyone applauding for Herman. For one of his tricks, you can ask some kids to hold on to his shoes, hat and shirt. At the end, Herman gets lost and you find him in someone’s hair. (Choose a guest with good self-esteem for that part.)

Lions, tigers and bears for the plague of wild beasts; cows and sheep for the plague of pestilence that struck the livestock; and a giant grasshopper for the plague of locusts. Each plague in its own box.

• Jar of liquid soap This is ointment for the plague of boils.

• Hail Foam balls - can be found in any craft shop

• Flower headbands This is a great thing to do if you have a lot of kids at the Seder. They each wear a flower headband, somebody waters them, and they grow out of the ground like flowers. You explain that the Jews hid their children in the field, and when the Egyptians plowed the earth, the kids sprouted out of the ground like grass.

• Sunglasses Great for the plague of darkness. You’ll have kids and grownups all trying on the silly sunglasses the whole night.

If you’re making a large Seder on the second night as well, make sure to keep some of the boxes shut until then. Decide what you’ll use for each night. These boxes will help keep things moving and exciting. If you’ve got all this down pat, you’ll have a great Seder, and no one will want to leave. They’ll all stay afterwards for an all-night farbrengen, and fall asleep at the table. If you’re really good, they’ll never come back again. Because they’ll be making their own humongous Seder for all their friends and family. Spring 2018 25

No One e B d l u Sho n e t t o g r Fo By Doreen Wachmann

Correctional institutions can and should be much more than warehouses for criminals; simply locking up offenders removes the symptom of lawlessness without treating its causes. According the Lubavitcher Rebbe, successful rehabilitation results only from compelling positive change in an inmate's personal life. The Aleph Institute in US, founded in 1981 at the express direction of the Rebbe, encourages inmates to seek understanding about righting their wrongs. Visiting chaplains offer hope and inspiration for those behind bars – often forgotten by the rest of society – to realize that their lives can be turned around for good. As we approach Pesach – the holiday of freedom, we hear from Moshe Katz about his work as the Chaplain to HMP in the Northwest.

NY kids think MANY about kids what think they about would what likethey to do wouldJewish like tocommunity do Jewish and community the police.and the police. en they grow when up. they Religious growboys up. Religious might want boys to might want to He said: “Maybe Heit said: because “Maybe I have it because a good manner I have aof good manner of rabbis. Thebe less rabbis. religious The might less religious set theirmight sightsset their sights speaking to non-Jews speaking and to authorities non-Jews and thatauthorities I ended that I ended being a footballer, on beingaapop footballer, star or aeven pop Prime star or even Primeas liaison up acting up acting between as liaison all parties between concerned all parties concerned nister. But not Minister. many want But not to be many prison want chaplains. to be prisonto chaplains. make sure everyone to make sure was happy.” everyone was happy.”

t Moshe Katz But is one Moshe who Katz did,isas one hiswho father did,Rabbi as his father Rabbi Because of this Because aptitude of Mr this Katz aptitude was Mr asked Katz to was asked to ohom Katz,Avrohom a writer Katz, of books a writer on science of books and on science becomeand a police become chaplain. a police Soonchaplain. after a vacancy Soon after a vacancy gion, and head religion, of the and Gateshead head of the Jewish Gateshead Acade- Jewish Acadearose for a Jewish arose chaplain for a Jewish in HMP chaplain Manchester in HMP and Manchester and for Girls, was my the for Jewish Girls, was chaplain the Jewish to prisons chaplain in toother prisons in North West other prisons, North ranging West prisons, as far ranging afield asas far afield as North East.the North East. Cumbria and Cheshire. Cumbria He andhas Cheshire. held theHe position has held forthe position for

Katz, whoMris Katz, now who chaplain is now to North chaplain West to North West 12 years. 12 years. sons, told me: prisons, “My father told me: was“My a prison fatherchaplain was a prison chaplain He told me: “Under He told theme: Human “Under Rights the Human Act if someRights Act if someI always hadsoan I always interesthad in that an interest in my formative in that in myone formative only eats aone kosher only diet eatsoutside, a kosherthe diet prison outside, will the prison will ars. I saw my years. father I saw going my on father erevgoing yomtov on to erev accommodate yomtov to accommodate two kosher meals two kosher a day for meals him.a day for him. ke sure thatmake the prisoners sure that had the prisoners kosher food hadetc. kosher food etc. Those whom Those I confirm whom as Ipractising confirm as Jews practising are Jews are curiosity was Myaroused curiosityback wasthen.” aroused back then.” entitled to kosher entitled food.to kosher food.

Katz settled MrinKatz Manchester settled inafter Manchester marryingafter his marrying his say“Some “Some may that they maydon’t say that usually theykeep don’tkosher usually keep kosher ncunian wife Mancunian Rifka, nee wife Kahan, Rifka, having nee studied Kahan, having in studied in buton on outside, that outside, they want but that to make they awant big effort to make a big effort hivot in Gateshead yeshivotand in Gateshead Israel. and Israel. to get closer toto their get religion closer toand their bereligion introspective and beinintrospective in

sides his many Besides business his many interests, business Mr interests, Katz Mr Katz prison. If they are prison. genuine If they and areare genuine not doing and itare just not doing it just came very involved became very in the involved Manchester in theJewish Manchester Jewish to pull a fast one, to pull theyawill fastget one, kosher they will meals. get If kosher they meals. If they mmunity. He community. discoveredHe that discovered he possessed that he an possessed say that an from say nowthat on they from want now to on start they wearing want to start wearing itude for liaisoning aptitude for between liaisoning members between of the members of and the eattefillin tefillin kosher andand eatnot kosher orderand from notthe order from the 26 Passover 5778

canteen and Icanteen see thatand they I see are that genuine, they Iare willgenuine, I will on Rosh Hashanah on Rosh andHashanah a Purim Megillah, and a Purim as well Megillah, as w accommodate accommodate that.” that.” as challah and as grape challah juiceand every grape Shabbat. juice every Shabbat.

Mr Katz calls HMP Mr Katz Manchester calls HMP hisManchester “home prison”, his “home Mr prison”, Katz is very Mrgrateful Katz is to very Chabad grateful who to send Chabad in who send but he gets regular but he calls gets from regular all the calls prisons from under all the prisons under packages appropriate appropriate for packages Purim, Pesach for Purim, and Pesach a his care. his care. Chanucah. Chanucah.

He said: “Sometimes He said: someone “Sometimes claims someone to be Jewish claims toMr beKatz Jewish is not Mr allowed Katz istonot bring allowed religious to bring itemsreligious in items and wants to see anda wants rabbi. to I have see learnt a rabbi. with I have experilearnt with experihimself but has himself to arrange but has for to them arrange to befor sent them in to be sent ence how to tell ence thehow difference. to tell the In the difference. first year In Ithe because first yearofI security because concerns. of security concerns. would get suchwould calls. It get can such be calls. a bit intimidating It can be a bit atintimidating at Jewish prisoners, Jewish whoprisoners, are rarelywho housed are rarely on thehoused on t the beginning the untilbeginning I asked questions until I asked andquestions soon and soon same block, dosame not have block,communal do not have services communal but services b realised whether realised or notwhether they were or not Jewish. theyI learnt were Jewish. I learnt usually pray in usually their cells. pray in their cells. quickly the questions quickly Ithe could questions ask to find I could out.ask One to find out. One Katz said: Mr “ForKatz some said: people “For who somecome people into who come in of my favouriteofquestions my favourite is, `In questions which shul is, `In were whichMr shul were prison the most prison important the most thing important is that they thing have is that they ha you barmitzvahyou ‘?” barmitzvah ‘?” But, he said: “My But, role he as said: chaplain “My role is not as chaplain just about is not just about food. It is notfood. the be-all It is not andthe end-all. be-all So and many end-all. So many people want to people see me want because, to see for meinstance, because, afor instance, a relative isn’t well relative and they isn’twant well and moral they support. want moral support. “I will give pastoral “I willcare giveto pastoral all prisoners, care toall allhuman prisoners, all human beings. Non-Jews beings. see me Non-Jews as someone see mewho as someone works who works in a position in of aG-dliness, position aofman G-dliness, of theabook. man of the book. Muslim prisoners Muslim wantprisoners to speak want to me. toI speak have no to me. I have no problem speaking problem to any speaking type of Jew to any or person.” type of Jew or person.” He continued: He “I enjoy continued: helping“I Jews enjoyand helping all people Jews and all people and I enjoy working and I enjoy with authorities working with in the authorities police, in the police, courts and prison. courts It isand all about prison.education. It is all about I teach education. I teach them why we them perform whyour wecustoms performand our provide customs and provide insights into why insights we do into things why that we do might things seem that might seem strange, but they strange, accept butthem they as accept soonthem as they as soon as they understand. The understand. authoritiesThe areauthorities very co-operative. are very co-operative.

“I find the job thoroughly “I find the job engaging. thoroughly It puts engaging. me in a It puts me in a thetheir their tefillin nexttefillin day. For the another next day. person For another the person t unique position unique to help position wheretofew help others wherecan. few others can. most importantmost is kosher important food.isThere kosher arefood. different There are differe With every yearWith I gain every more year experience. I gain more experience.levels of need. levels Sometimes of need. when Sometimes there is awhen yarhzeit there is a yarhz

“Every time I go “Every to a time prison I go I invariably to a prison come I invariably out come they askout me to they sayask Kaddish me tofor saythem Kaddish or I for teach them or I tea having learnt something having learnt new. something I meet with new. different I meet with different them to say it or them to read to say theitHebrew. or to read It is the very Hebrew. satis- It is very sat people and getpeople to seeand a lotget of to interesting see a lot characof interesting characfying.” fying.” ters, how theyters, interact how and theywhat’s interact important and what’s to important to Mr Katz is called MrtoKatz the is prisons called when to theneeded. prisons when This needed. Th them.” them.” can vary fromcan week vary to from week,week fromtoone week, hour from a one hour

Mr Katz never asks Mr Katz whynever an offender asks why is in anprison. offender is in prison. week to up toweek 30. Sometimes to up to 30. heSometimes has long-term he has long-ter who need clients regular whovisits needand regular othervisits just occaand other just occ He says: “I don’t Heask says: what “I don’t theirask crime what was. their I only crime clients was. I only sional ones. sional ones. know if they happen know if to they be happen famous.toThey be famous. don’t They don’t usually tell me.usually I nevertell judge me.aIperson. never judge I’m there a person. to I’m there There aretodifferent Therecategories are different of prisons, categories accordof prisons, accor ensure that they ensure havethat what they they have need. what I could they need. I could ing to the security ing to level. the security level. easily find out easily the details, find out butthe I dodetails, not like but finding I do not like finding Mr Katz said: “Each Mr Katz prison said:has “Each its own prison sethas way itsofown set way out. It might prejudice out. It might the way prejudice I treat the them. way I feel I treat it them. I feelwith it things. dealing dealingThere with things. are different There security are different secur is my duty is toisassist my duty another is to assist Jew inanother need regardJew in need regardarrangements. arrangements. I retrain once aI year retrain ononce the various a year on the vario less of what they lesshave of what done. they I don’t havejudge.” done. I don’t judge.” security methods.” security methods.”

Besides providing Besides kosher providing food, the kosher prison food, authorithe prison Mr authoriKatz also Mr attends Katz multi-faith also attends meetings multi-faith withmeetings w ties will also make ties will available also make tefillin available and festival tefillin and festival other chaplainsother including chaplains imams. including imams. requirements like requirements arba minim like onarba Succot, minim a shofar on Succot, a shofar Spring 2018 27

At The Brink

In today’s turbulent times, we all face a sea of problems. Surging waves of global terrorism threaten the world’s stability and future. Riots, attacks and bombings in distant countries ripple and reverberate everywhere. In our shrinking world, they might as well be right across the street. We are no strangers to existential challenges. As we celebrate our Exodus from Egypt on Passover, we recall those frightening moments before G-d instructed Moses to raise his staff and split the sea. We were isolated, trapped and cornered by an armed enemy in hot pursuit from behind, a deadly desert on the sides, and a raging sea right ahead. Today, we are not waving a Divine staff. Indeed, Judaism teaches us not to rely on miracles, but to do everything physically possible to defend and protect ourself. Only when we do our share, does G-d do His part that we succeed in our efforts. Seaing is believing! The crossing of the Red Sea was a historic breakthrough, and Moses showed the way: The impossible and seemingly improbable can happen even when all seems impassable. The Red Sea crossing demonstrated that even a vast ocean will not stop us from continuing and going forward toward our Jewish destiny. In the awesome events leading up to the Six Day War, a French observer remarked, “It’s only natural for Israel to be saved by a miracle. It would surely be a miracle if Israel prevails in a natural way.” Even as political changes, harsh realities, predicaments and dilemmas close in on Israel and indeed, all of civilization, new avenues of salvation and strength open, with G-d’s help.

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The waters are not welcoming, but the Red Sea beckons, “Do not drown in despair, we will make way for you. Come forth, children of Israel! You are not just wandering willy-nilly in the Wilderness! You are being guided by Divine instruction toward Sinai, to receive the Torah, the ultimate goal and purpose of Creation. From there you will march on to the Promised Land.” Obstacles do not interrupt the journey, they are the Jewish journey, and we are here to prove it! The constant challenges are meant to strengthen our faith and resolve. As the plot thickens and gets more complicated by the day, let’s not lose sight of the vision beyond the current crises, and let us continue to look forward to the brighter future of Moshiach and the Final Redemption.

A Ray of Light By Yossy Goldman

There was thick darkness over the entire land of Egypt for three days. No man could see his brother, nor could any person even rise from his place for three days. And to the Children of Israel there was light in all their dwellings (Exodus 10:22-23). According to the commentaries, it was not merely an absence of light but a tangible fog that got worse with time. The first three days they could not see. The next three days they could not even move. But, miraculously, just down the road in the Jewish neighborhood of Goshen there was light! This verse, To the Children of Israel there was light in their dwellings, prompted the saintly Rabbi Israel of Ruzhin to offer the following beautiful homiletic interpretation. Every Jew is a ray of light. It only depends on his or her "dwellings." The environment in which Jew finds himself may sometimes cast a shadow over the spirituality and light he innately possesses. In no way, however, does this detract from the G-dly light inside every single Jew. Not every environment is conducive to the light. Sometimes a Jew may be negatively affected by his surroundings. But intrinsically, every Jew is a ray of light.

Do you believe in G-d? That's not enough. You have to believe in Jews too. Don't even be cynical about cynical Jews. I know it isn't always easy, even for those of us who, philosophically, identify with this concept. Often I have to argue with members of my Shul's daily minyan on this point. A fellow comes in to say Kaddish after losing a loved one, and the Shul regulars sometimes have their little private wagers: will he stay the course and recite Kaddish for the year or will he disappear after the initial mourning period? Some of the guys are cynical, admittedly from past experience. They quote the old Yiddish adage, "the malach hamoves (angel of death) feeds the synagogues." I often have to play the role not only of defender of the faith but of defender of the flock. Never give up on any Jew, I always tell them. Indeed, many a time we are pleasantly surprised when a Jew for whom the Shul experience was completely foreign goes on to become one of our committed regulars. I admit there are also times when I have to remind myself never to become cynical and to stand by my own ideological beliefs. One particular incident some years ago stands out in my mind. We were invited by friends to join them at home to watch a new drama-documentary on the Holocaust. It was a long production and we were quite a few people. We decided to have an interval. The break also gave us a chance to pray minchah (the afternoon prayers). Among the invitees was an uncle of our hostess, a well-known, successful diamond merchant also known to be an avowed atheist. I wasn't sure what to do about him. Should I offer him a siddur (prayer book) or not? Would he consider it a provocation and get upset? In my uncertainty, I decided to do nothing. Later, when I looked around he was nowhere to be seen. Sure enough, the next day his niece confirmed my suspicions. He was upset that he was not invited to join the prayers. "Am I not a Jew, too?" he asked her. He was justifiably hurt and I made special efforts in the weeks ahead to pacify him, assuring him that I truly believed he was as Jewish as I am. I learned an important lesson from that episode. Never write off a single Jew. Never be cynical of the cynics. Every Jew is a ray of light. All we need do is make the environment a little more conducive, and the inherent light will shine forth. Spring 2018 29

Support us YOUR MOMENT. YOUR LEGACY. YOUR COMMUNITY.

Remember us in your Will After taking care of loved ones, consider leaving a gift to L'chaim in your Will. This is your moment to hold hands across the generations. This is your moment to ensure a Jewish future that is spiritual and meaningful. This is your moment to leave a Jewish Legacy. Now it is your turn to lead us Forward. Whatever the amount, we're extremely grateful for any gift that is left to L'chaim, as it will help us to continue supporting the thousands of people in the North of England. Planned Giving to L'chaim builds Judaism where it is needed most, in your local community. From children programs, visiting the sick or comforting the poor, this is your moment to make a difference. Join with L'chaim through the loving act of Planned Giving by leading your community to a strong and vibrant future. This is your Moment. We don't expect you to update your Will right now - instead, we only ask that you consider making room for L'chaim in your Will. Should you have questions about leaving a gift to L'chaim in your Will, please contact us on 0161 792 6335 or email us [email protected] If you do include L'chaim in your Will you don't have to tell us, but we would be delighted if you chose to and we will treat any information you share with us in the strictest confidence.

L'Chaim has teamed up with Mr. Jeffery Gilbert from Aubrey Isaacson Legal Services, 0161 959 6000 a provider of Wills and other legal services, trusted for their strong ethical beliefs and socially responsible working. They can help you to decide which Will is right for you and help you to amend an existing Wills. Mr. Jeffery Gilbert from Aubrey Isaacson Legal Services 0161 959 6000, offers a free initial consultation over the phone, in person or a home visit and can advise you on making a Will. 30 Passover 5778

The Meaning of the Multiplied Plagues

By Yitzi Hurwitz

Why do we call this holiday Pesach? Think about the name for a moment. Pesach means “pass over,” appropriate because G-d passed over the Jewish homes when he punished Egypt with the plague of the death of the first-born. Now a name of a holiday should tell you what the holiday is about. Passover celebrates our freedom from Egyptian bondage. That is the main idea of the holiday. We should call it the Holiday of Redemption or perhaps the Holiday of Freedom. Passing over the Jewish homes is an important detail, but it’s just a detail. Why do we call the holiday Passover? It’s like calling Nordstrom the shoe store. In the Haggadah, there is a strange-seeming discussion right after we recount the 10 plagues. Three rabbis debate the extent of the plagues. Rabbi Yosi Hagelili proves that there were actually 60 plagues - 10 in Egypt and 50 at the splitting of the sea. He says that in Egypt, it said regarding the plagues, “this is the finger of G-d,” and at the sea it says “the hand.” Now, if a finger produces 10 plagues, then a hand can make 50, creating a total of 60. Rabbi Eliezer demonstrates that every plague consisted of four plagues, bringing the total to 240 (60x4=240). Rabbi Akiva holds that each plague consisted of five plagues bringing the total to 300 (60x5=250).

entrenched at all in the Egyptian culture, just superficially. Sixty plagues were enough to redeem them. Rabbi Eliezer said that the Jews were so entrenched that it affected the fourth of the five levels of the soul. Therefore, much more energy was needed to pull us out of the mire of Egypt. Hence they needed the 60 plagues time four. Rabbi Akiva taught that even the deepest part of the soul, the Yechidah, was affected, and so 300 plagues were needed. It was an amazing redemption. The Midrash tells us that the angels refused to take part in the redemption. They said: “What is the difference between the Egyptians and the Jews? They are both acting the same. Why should we redeem them?” You see there is a system that G-d put in the world called nature. But even the spiritual words have a nature that the angels follow. According to that spiritual nature, angels don’t go out and save Egyptian-acting Jews. They are not programmed to do that kind of thing. Hence comes the inner meaning of Passover: G-d “passed over” the system He put in place. He removed us from the natural system. We are a miracle. Our existence is a miracle. For this, we are grateful and call the holiday Passover.

Seem strange to have this discussion at the Seder? On top of that, what’s the difference how many? The result was the same. Obviously, there is something deeper happening here. The question the rabbis were discussing was how great is the feat of the redemption. How deeply were the Jews entrenched in the exile? How assimilated were they to the debased lifestyle of the Egyptians? Rabbi Yosi Hagelili said they weren’t too deeply Spring 2018 31

Why Oh Why By Dr. Schmooz

Why is it that on Passover night, it seems we don’t know to do anything right? We don't eat our meals the regular way, as one would do on any other day.

Dr. Schmooz is no relation to the similar sounding and trademarked Dr. Seuss. Adapted from Uncle Eli's Haggadah, to be published by No Starch Press

All other nights we’re apt to eat, all different sorts of bread or cereal treat. Anything from purple pizza that tastes like a pickle, crumbly crackers and pink pumpernickel; sassafras sandwich On all other nights and tiger on rye, you’d probably flip fifty falafels in pita, if anyone cared how fresh-fried, often you dip. with peanut-butter Some days I only dip and tangerine sauce one bloopity egg in a spread on each side teaspoon of vinegar up, down, - then across. mixed with nutmeg, And toasted whole-wheat bread Sometimes we take with taste of liver and ducks, more than ten thousand tails and crumpets and dumplings, of the Yakkity-birds and bagels with lox; that are hunted in Wales, and doughnuts with one hole and dip them in vats or doughnuts with four, full of Mumbegum juice. and cake with six layers Then we feed them to Harold, plus windows and doors. our six-legged moose. Oh, Why on all nights Or we don't dip at all! we eat all kinds of bread, We don't ask your advice. but tonight of all nights So why on this night do we munch matzah instead? do we dip twice? On all other nights Our mouths can devour On all other nights vegetables, green things, we can sit as we please, bushes and flowers, on our heads, on our elbows, lettuce that's leafy on our backs or our knees. and candy-striped spinach, Or hang by our toes fresh stalks of celery from the tail of a Glump, (Have more when you're finished!) or on top of a camel Cabbage that's flown with one or two humps. from far jungles of Maynome With our foot on the table, by a polka-dot bird our nose on the floor, who can't find his way home, one ear in the window daisies and roses and one out the door, and inside-out grass doing somersaults and artichoke hearts over greasy knishes that’s simply first class! or dancing a jig Sixty asparagus tips without breaking the dishes. served in glasses with anchovy sauce Please, Just one last question-plus sticky molasses-On all other nights But on Passover night we sit nicely when dining-you’d never consider So why on this night eating an herb must we all be reclining? that wasn't all bitter.

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