Yalla Issue 4 New Beginnings

H e r i t ag e

Morocco is a country of vibrant colour. The trip The medina is filled not just with shops, but numerous
provided the chance to share and celebrate Sephardi active craftsmen and merchants carrying out an array
culture in a positive way, in the company of Chazak, of trades – ranging from metalwork, tanning, dying,
who continues to do so much to enable all ages in the weaving, sewing to baking – following timeworn
community to appreciate the wealth and depth of traditions. It was like witnessing the “39 melachot” of
Sephardi heritage, always in a colourful and joyous way. the Mishna coming to life before one’s eyes. The main
Several members of the group were fluent in Arabic, building timber used in the architecture is cedar wood,
which made for some lovely exchanges with shopkeepers another connection to the Torah times. The previous
and hotel staff. day, we had visited the Jewish Cemetery of Fes, where
the tombstones are uniformly white-washed; and the
On the night of Lag b’Omer, we went on a journey two old Jewish quarter, including the Slat Al Fassiyine
hours each way from Fes to Ouazzane to pray at tomb Synagogue, which was recovered from having been
of the tzaddik, Rabbi Amran ben Diwan, where a huge used as boxing club after the Jewish community
coal fire is lit above his tomb. It is a special place of departed en masse for Israel.
pilgrimage second to Meron.
Morocco has become a very popular destination for
The most unforgettable visit was the old city or medina Jewish and Israeli groups, with six J-Roots tours alone
of Fes. Surrounded by hills, the typography of Fes bears from the UK this year. It is a safe destination and we
comparison to the Old City of Jerusalem, but over had security throughout. It was an experience I cannot
twice the size, its crenellated walls made from lime and recommend enough.
sand. Within the gates awaits a labyrinth of souks and
alleyways and mosques, totally free from car transport.

YALLA MAGAZINE 101

Diary

An honest account of the challenges
that come with living in a blended family...

Lianne Lasry

102 Y A L L A M A G A Z I N E

RE L A TIO N SHIPS

of a stepmom

Take Snow White’s stepmother, Cinderella’s stepmother, Boy, was I living in La-La Land!
Hansel and Gretel’s stepmother. Mix well. Serve
steaming and spewing over ice. That delightful character While we were dating, on the occasional evenings we
more or less describes how evil I felt just a few months spent with his son, I read my stepson-to-be Roald Dahl
into my step-mothering career. books and we chatted and joked. What they don’t warn
step-parents-to-be: this honeymoon phase doesn’t last.
My husband and I had a fairy tale dating scenario. We had only just begun.
After a lengthy friendship, it became apparent that he
was ‘the one’. We walked in the beautiful city where we Fast-forward past the big wedding and setting up house
lived, spoke on the phone until early hours and realised together. Pretty soon, step-mothering was a bit more
we were falling in love. He ticked almost all of my awkward than I had anticipated. We didn’t quite fit
‘required’ boxes for a life mate. I was sold. the scenario of happy families I had imagined for us.
In fact, it was getting more difficult by the day. All the
It took James a little while longer to be convinced. private time my husband and I had spent together while
He had always joked: “Why ruin a perfectly good we were dating instantly vanished after our wedding.
relationship with marriage?” He had the battle scars My stepson was used to a lot of freedom, not having set
of his own very unpleasant divorce to remind him not bedtimes, eating when and what he wanted, and having
to wed again in such a hurry. his dad all to himself.

He also had custody of his 10-year-old son, but They had always been a team. With my arrival, we
that wasn’t going to mar the perfect life I had didn’t quite regroup. After about a month, marital bliss
dreamed up. I was positive that his son would had worn off and I felt like a spare and unwelcome tyre.
only add to our relationship.

YALLA MAGAZINE 103

RE L A TIO N SHIPS

Added to this, shortly after our wedding, we moved

country, I was not able to continue my career in our new

country of residence, and we struggled with infertility. Around this time, I started to recognise that I did not

like who I became around my stepson. And while my

The next eight years would not sell any subscriptions for husband and I still loved each other, I felt our only

step-mothering. Very soon, my anger at how impotent option was for me to move away for the three years until

I felt about my life made raging PMT look like ice- my stepson finished high school, and then to try living

cream sundaes. In retrospect, I realise my husband together again.

had an impossible task. Trying to keep his son and I

happy while being pulled in different directions, as our I became adamant that if we had tried five years and

demands were polar opposites. things were not improving, we could not go on in the

same way.

He didn’t know exactly “What they don’t warn We spoke to a rabbi whose
what to do, so he did

nothing at all. step-parents-to-be: opinion we trusted. He

We had also moved to advised us to send my
stepson away from home

a small town, far away this honeymoon phase to boarding school. James
from family, friends and took this very badly. As

my stepson’s mother, doesn’t last. We had much as he did not want
who might have relieved to lose me for three years,

some of the pressure on only just begun.” he would not send his
our relationship. child away. I understood

him, but this was no longer

In this tiny community, nothing was left unsaid. about him; it had become impossible to live with myself

People were used to a level of openness about each in the current situation. No career prospects, no baby,

other’s lives that I was uncomfortable with. Strangers no private time with my husband and an increasing

felt they could give me advice on how to parent (seeing awareness that I did not like the way I was behaving.

as I had no experience of my own). They also took it

upon themselves to inform me of how James should We needed change.

be parenting.

Striving for a happy medium, my stepson went to live at

We started infertility treatments, and my relationship a friend’s home. He still came to us on a regular basis,

with my stepson went from difficult to impossible. but finally, I had the space and privacy I had craved.

Blending a hormonal teenager, and the highs and

crushing lows of several IVF cycles, did not improve Our next IVF cycle resulted in a healthy pregnancy

our relationship. and the birth of our first daughter.

104 Y A L L A M A G A Z I N E

My stepson, although still hurt by my actions, was
wonderful towards his new sister. Soon after her birth,
in an effort at reconciliation, we bought a home where
we would all have space and decided to try again.

I was optimistic. For about five minutes.

Our family’s battle wounds were still too raw. The change in our relationship was slow and hesitant.
The good times were uncomfortable because of It took me a while to realise that there was anything
our past, and the bad times were intolerable. We all different. There seemed to be a slow thaw between us.
tried, but as we still had many of the same issues, we I was able to look at him and not see the damage of
didn’t see much success. We were in the same place, our past. I started seeing a young, sensitive, intelligent
just with a stroppy teenager, a busy toddler and a person, a person whom I wanted to get to know. He
sleep-deprived stepmother. had blossomed at university, and done well. I was proud
of the person he had become.
My stepson joined the Israeli army at 18 and moved
away. Initially, I breathed a sigh of relief, as he planned We have moved on from that tentative beginning. It’s
to go to university in Israel after the military, and the not perfect, and I will always feel sad at what a mess I
probability of him returning to live at home was very made of step-mothering. It has also become clear to me
small. But his departure bothered me. I had failed at that my husband and I both played a part in letting that
something important, and I didn’t take this failure well. dysfunctional situation continue.

For the next few years, we saw each other infrequently. Recently, I read an article about why many fairy tales
My relationship with him felt strained and polite. have wicked stepmothers featured in them, but there
is never any reference to wicked step fathers. The
During this period, I spoke to a friend about how author spoke about society’s expectation that women
awful I felt about my disastrous years as a stepmother. are caring and nurturing, while not expecting the same
She suggested I write a letter to my stepson; if no behaviour from men. The article brought back those
reconciliation took place, I would have apologised memories of trying to succeed at step-mothering while
for my behaviour and explained to him how difficult feeling that my life was in free fall. But, when I shake off
those years had been. She was optimistic that this the past, I remember how far we have come from that
could help our relationship. I had no other ideas, so depressing time.
I wrote the letter.

My stepson is now married to a wonderful woman
and they are expecting their first baby. I’m also
breathing a sigh of relief that we won’t be using the
word ‘step-grandmother’.

Lianne Lasry is a nurse and midwife who qualified in South Africa,
Israel and the UK before settling with her husband in a Gibraltar.
She currently works locum midwifery positions in Israel, and lives in
Gibraltar (talk about an impossible commute). She has a lovely stepson,
a wonderful daughter-in-law and two incredible daughters.

Beautiful bathroomsDécor
What’s in for autumn?

Interior designer and It is time to leave the stark blank canvas behind and
decorator Mar i a bring colour and life back into the bathrooms in your
Ly g n o s gives us the home. Think rose gold taps, brass basins and copper.
lowdown on how to put Sheets of marble feature in vast amounts, and if marble
the bling back into your is not in your budget, do not fear. Porcelain tiles have
bathroom this autumn. expanded their designs and colours over recent years to
mimic the look of real marble.

If you don't have the vision, we do. We can create your dream bathroom.

C o n t a c t M L In t e r i o r s t o m ak e an a p p o i n t m e n t .

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Telephone: 020 7580-8603

Mobile: 07785 311380

P
I
N
K

The most popular colour for a bathroom in the 1960s has made a welcome
comeback. Would you believe it? The retro look has taken on a decidedly modern
twist. Blush-coloured retro tile flooring, marble porcelain tiled walls and a striped
wallpaper complete this look. Mixing materials such as rose gold and matt black will
give your bathroom that extra bit of pizazz.

YALLA MAGAZINE 107

B Décor

RASS
Brass is one of the most popular material trends to re-emerge this autumn. Shiny
taps, along with a matching shiny basin, will highlight this marble black surface and
the hexagonal shaped marble wall. To soften this look and to be the link that ties it
all together, add one of the many new botanical prints available this season.

108 Y A L L A M A G A Z I N E

Décor

Copper, the metal of the moment, is an innovative bathroom trend. Highlight the
copper with a bold wallpaper and a daring splash of colour. Teal walls, rustic wooden
floors and a raw concrete countertop will round out the overall industrial aesthetic of

COPPERthisbathroom.

LON -
DON .
AR T .
20 .

18

110 Y A L L A M A G A Z I N E

State of the art

D a n i e l L e v y speaks to Shira Druion about

life as a gallerist, the London art scene

and everything in between.

What ty p e o f art d o you
e x hibit ?
We exhibit contemporary art at the Daniel Raphael
Gallery. Exhibitions have ranged from showcasing
RDS student alumni artwork from India to large group
exhibitions with a particular theme that engage with
current events in London.

T e l l me about the Lon d on art
scene ?
Opportunities for art in London are ample, with an
abundance of exhibitions being curated daily. Most
recently, I attended Art Night, London’s largest arts
festival. It was the third edition, this time based on
Vauxhall, Nine Elms and South Bank. You can walk
along the river and pop in and out of dozens of art
events and installations.

As a gallerist, I can see a vast amount of artists
in London, and our gallery receives two or three
applications and CVs a day. In fact, this is the reason
for me becoming a gallerist. The original business plan
was built around a collection of studios (downstairs)
with a gallery on the ground floor. Within a week of
publishing that there was a new gallery in London,
I had received over 200 proposals from artists. It was
then that my service to the art community began –
organising exhibitions, PR, and marketing material
as a means to promote artists and to act as a platform
for them.

I s there room f or J e w ish
artists ?
I’d say that there is equal room for any artist of any
religion, it’s just about finding the right place to exhibit.
When it comes to Jewish exhibitions that have been
exhibited at the gallery, ‘Our Heritage’ by Victoria
Shasha is a big highlight from the past 12 months.

State of the art

The exhibition was a retrospective of works by Shasha, It can be fairly hit-and-miss, especially when trying
with the theme of market scenes, Judaica art and family- new things that friends and clients of the gallery are
oriented paintings. She is a very skilled painter and it not familiar with.
was a privilege to work with her and her family.
It’s a mentally and physically draining line of work
What cha l l enges are in v o l v e d and there are many more challenges, but for me,
these are the main ones. As I continue, I hope to be
in o p ening a ne w ga l l ery ? able to familiarise myself with them in the hope of
To be frank, my father and I have described it as trying overcoming them.
to push a broken-down car up a hill... and it’s raining.
Why’s that? Business rates are high – if you don’t have What are your f uture goa l s ?
a business, you may not be aware of what they are. I want my gallery to become multifunctional.
Essentially it’s a tax to the local council for owning That means café, events space, a fresh bakery –
a physical business (as opposed to an online business) a multi-business to create further streams of revenue.
and when that gets grouped with rent, utility bills and It’s an added experience as well, which would hopefully
payment for freelance work that can come under the be special for people coming to Daniel Raphael.
form of photography, PR, marketing, gallery assistants,
it’s a cost-heavy business and you have to sell a hell of I also want to be at my first Art Fair in 2019. The
a lot of art to survive. past two years have gone well and it’s time to move
forward. The next few months will be an attempt to
Secondly, small to medium-sized art galleries don’t confirm with artists I know, and build up a roster to take
attract many visitors on a day-to-day basis. More along with me.
galleries are closing than opening, so the gallery business
model has to adapt, which brings me back to my point What a d v ice d o you ha v e f or
about multifunctional galleries. These days, art galleries young artists ?
are as much an event space as a gallery itself. Most of There is such an abundance of artists in London,
our visitors are coming during the private events we and most likely wherever you’re based – don’t hesitate
hold, and if that’s the case, it means securing as many in asserting yourself. A gallerist is most probably being
events as possible. Work is not just 9am-5:30pm, inundated with artist proposals, so go the extra mile and
because an event then takes us from 6pm-9pm, approach the gallery with a proposal for an exhibition,
and to prepare and clean the gallery for the next including other artists you are happy to feature, or create
working day... 9, 10, 11pm… a relationship with the gallerists to remind them from
time to time who you are.
Next up, and this is a big one. Art is subjective. It’s
personal. For the majority of casual buyers, art is If you’re a young artist, go to art school and even
purchased for that X-factor. When they look at a piece follow that with an MA? From what I’ve seen, it’s
of work, in one way or another it holds up a mirror the refinement that you gain at art school that sets
of their own personal lives. There is a huge sense of you apart.
joy when it comes to helping find that for a client. But
everyone likes something different, and no one is the
same. We choose what we think is special and it’s then
up to the general public and the customers.

112 Y A L L A M A G A Z I N E

State of the art This business is a
constant reminder
art
to myself that
sometimes it’s the
long and not the

business.short game with a
new business, let
alone an

What ha v e been some o f the high l ights that you ha v e
e x p erience d so f ar ?

• Building up a gallery database of 1 000 people faster than expected.

• Taking over £15 000 worth of sales in the space of two weeks.

• One evening in March of 2018, I had a meeting in Spitalfields. I left work around 5:30pm and, with lots to do
for the following day, told my assistant to stay at the gallery to finish off. That evening we made £10 000 worth
of sales with an important new client. You never know who’s going to show up or what’s going to happen.

State of the art
114 Y A L L A M A G A Z I N E

An Let me share with you the following:
extract
“The last few days have been action-packed setting up our
from exhibition. Last night, we opened a solo exhibition, having
my sold two pieces prior, with another one reserved. At the
‘Private View’, we sold a small piece and, to top it all off, the
gall e r y following morning we made a great sale with a new client.
diary
“Pieces are selling and we can’t leave them in prime
position in the gallery, so we set about moving paintings
because the following evening (tonight) we are preparing
for another event with [anonymous company].

“It’s now 23:30 and I’m finally back home. What an exhausting
day. Haven’t sat down since 9am, constantly hosting the guests.
The event itself was a great success, with sponsorship from various
additional companies to the speeches to the overall feedback! On
the flip side, we didn’t sell a thing. I question sometimes how one
does actually measure success when everything goes right apart
from the sales. Mentally drained, having put months of work into
something without any guaranteed reward... this business is a
constant reminder to myself that sometimes it’s the long and not
the short game with a new business, let alone an art business!”

Daniel Levy is of British Swiss His main passions are: Art – “It’s hard to find a member side in my life. Take, for example,
nationality. He graduated with a of my family who isn’t an artist. last year’s trip to Colombia. We
BA in French and Spanish from Athletics – “My great grandfather They’ve been involved in the art ventured quite off the beaten
the University of Bristol in 2016, won a bronze medal in the 1928 world for a long time. Together path to the Western Chocó
and after one year, founded Amsterdam Olympics. Other with modern languages, it was Jungle and lived for a week in a
Daniel Raphael Gallery. members of the family have since one of my preferred classes at cabin by the sea. At the end of
been keen runners and so am school.” the day, it’s about bringing all of
I. Sprinting and going on runs these personal traits together
is one of my favourite activities Adventure – “My father and so that they shine though at the
outdoors.” mother have been the driving Gallery - youthful energy, bold
force behind the adventurous behaviour and originality.”

The
evolution of
the London
kosher food
scene…

S h i ra D r u i o n

H i p an d h a p p e n i ng

K osher

goes

s w anky

A new dawn has risen as the London food scene gathers momentum fast and furiously,
with the opening of the some glamorous new restaurants, including Tish (in Belsize
Park), Delicatessen (in Hampstead), Zest (in West Hampstead and in Bevis Marks
Synagogue), and One Ashbourne (in Temple Fortune). No longer is kosher dining
for the Parisians or for Jews in New York and Israel. It has landed in London
and it is on trend!
Having grown up religious, kosher food has always been my only option, so for the
kosher kids (as I like to call us), these extraordinary new eateries on the London circuit
are cause for celebration! I absolutely relished the experience of dining at Tish and
Delicatessen, and highly recommend them for a night out!

YALLA MAGAZINE 117

Rosslyn Hill is smack in the buzz of things and exactly Starters included hummus with confit lamb and
where a kosher eatery was needed. For many years, crackling, and Lambshuka – lamb, herbs, preserved
kosher haunts have lived on the North West London side lemon, tahini and nuts. They were succulent and
of the woods, mostly in Golders Green and beyond. But arrived as most generous portions. I relished the
Delicatessen has moved the boundary closer to central flavoursome dishes, and when our mains of steak and
London, ensuring on-trend kosher dining is available to a burger filled with chutzpah arrived, I turned to those
the many who don’t want to cross the pond! around and me and laughed at the extraordinary
portion, which I landed up taking home.
Ottolenghi trained executive chef Or Golan has taken
the market by storm with his creative food station that Dessert was simply sublime, with a custard-phyllo
has become a firm favourite with kosher foodies across extravaganza, presented in a flower pot that was so
London. The Delicatessen menu is crafted as a culinary freshly prepared, every mouthful was a pure delight.
journey that travels from subtle, delicate flavours to bold, As if this was not enough of a treat, a traditional
colourful bites, with dishes that are designed for sharing Malabli dish, creamy and smothered in a berry sauce,
and plates served at the centre of the table, emblematic arrived too. This was heavenly!
of the Middle Eastern way of dining.

The space is filled with an exciting energy and pulsates
with Mediterranean edge. The service is excellent,
with manager Alex a sound force behind the brand.
The presentation of every dish was exceptional, and
the couple sitting next to us remarked that they were
blown away by the fact that it was on par with any
other restaurant in London. It is indeed heart-warming
to watch as the restaurant attracts a really interesting
clientele who may otherwise elect to frequent places that
are not kosher certified. Delicatessen is one of those that
has raised the bar for the kosher community.

Delicatessen is certainly
top of the list and highly

recommended! Five stars!

Inspired by owner David S Levin’s passion for
exceptional kosher cooking, Tish is the fulfilment of
his lifelong dream to create a beautiful setting where
people can make the most of quality time with friends
and family, while enjoying superb cuisine.

Tish was a gastronomic odyssey. The entire experience Dishes included starters of my personal preference of
was everything fine dining should encompass, including tuna tartare, which was divine, as well as pearl barley
chic, contemporary décor with a whimsical element and butternut risotto – a creative delicacy. Mains were
that reverberates with timeless glamour. We experienced jam-packed with taste and included roast lamb, duck
superb service from friendly and engaging staff. with cranberry sauce and the most perfectly cooked
The hostess, Gabriella, was incredibly helpful, and the steak that could easily have been shared by two, not
managing staff and our Italian waiter, Marco, so lovely. to mention the truffle chips that ticked every box!
The portion sizes were just right, which leaves patrons
The sumptuous menu offered us heavenly dishes, satiated but not stuffed.
accompanied by a fabulous cocktails menu. I sipped on
a Clementine mojito and a Belsize spritz, which were as Dessert blew the lights out, with a parev banana ice-
naughty and fresh as cocktails should be! cream that tasted like it had been prepared with double-
thick cream. Then we tucked into a delectable dark
chocolate and passion fruit fondant and a selection
of sorbets that were simply awesome. My personal
favourite was the ginger, lime and lemon flavour.

What is most impressive is the diverse crowd it has
attracted from all over London, and it is delightful to see
so many Jews supporting the kosher restaurant industry.

I highly recommend Tish
and wish the restaurant
the best of luck!

Iraqi Cuisine

t o w ar m y o u r h o m e

Shira Druion

Recipes

The history of Jews in Iraq can be traced back to the Recipes range from refreshing salads to hearty stuffed
Babylonian Exile in 586BCE. After Nebuchadnezzar, vegetable and meat dishes, wholesome dumplings,
King of Babylon (part of modern-day Iraq), destroyed fish and rice dishes, and all accompanied with tales of
Judah and the First Temple in Jerusalem, he decided to friendship, loyalty, persecution, escape, exile, and – of
put an end to the Jewish state once and for all, capturing course – celebration. Iraqi Jewish dishes are aromatic,
the most influential citizens and bringing them back to using spices such as cumin and paprika, but they are not
Babylon, leaving only the poorest citizens behind. As a hot and have a Persian influence.
result, the Jewish community in Babylonia flourished
and even became more magnificent than that of ancient Sophia Baruch and her mother, Farida Tahan, of
Palestine. In time, Babylon would become the focus of Iraqi origin, have shared four delightful recipes with
Judaism for more than a thousand years. us, including one for Tabyeet. The Jewish-Iraqi tabyeet,
or tbeet, is a Shabbat overnight dish of chicken stuffed
Babylonia, which today constitutes Iraq, became the and covered with rice, and it has its roots in medieval
seat of Jewish learning and wisdom. Great academies Baghdad as well. Tabyeet, meaning “keeping overnight”,
of Jewish learning were founded by the great rabbis who was baked in a tanour oven, so the dish was known to
would eventually be the first to write down the Mishna some as tanouri, or tanouriya. Overnight cooked dishes
(Jewish Oral Law), and its commentary, the Talmud. known by this name were found in medieval cookbooks,
“so the tradition was there and was adapted by the Jews
When the Jews fled Iraq for Israel, they could not take for its convenience”. The older tanouriya dishes included
their material possessions with them but instead took grains and sometimes meat, and were cooked first over
with them their heritage and culture in the form a rich fire and only then put in the oven for the night. Much
cuisine. Iraqi socio-political history impacted the Jewish like we do today with the tabyeet.
community and has been influenced by Mongolian,
Turkish, and Indian influences. Jewish-Iraqi cuisine is a Enjoy these sensational delights, including the special
special blend – and has never before been documented. Rosh Hashanah recipe!
Dishes sing with signature flavour from an ancient land
and resonate with a culinary heritage of memoirs passed
on from the generations gone by.

YALLA MAGAZINE 121

Salona

parev dish

S a l ona
A dish suited for lunch or dinner parties, or just for a
tasty, different meal at home. This is a parev dish that you
can serve with white rice.

Recipes

P r epa r at i o n t i m e : Cooking time:
4 5 m i n u te s 4 5 - 6 0 m i n u te s

INGR E DI E N T S • 1 tsp red hot pepper powder or 1 long hot
pepper, chopped finely (with seeds removed)
• 4 pieces of white fish, about 750 grams
(I use haddock) • 2 large red peppers
• 2 large green peppers
• 2 Tbsp flour • 2 large Tbsp tomato purée
• 4 large onions • Juice of 2 lemons
• 4 large tomatoes • 2 Tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp black pepper • 1 bunch coriander
• 2 tsp salt • 1 cup oil (vegetable oil)
• 1 tsp turmeric • 1 cup water
• 4 cloves garlic

INS T RUC T IONS

1. Slice onions, tomatoes and peppers in rings. Heat up oil in a pan and fry onions (keeping them in their ring shape),
and add black pepper and turmeric. Once fried, leave aside.

2. Next, add salt and pepper to the fish, then bread the fish in the flour. Add garlic (not chopped) to the pan, and fry
the fish on both sides. Then put the fish aside.

3. Mix together a large glass of tomato purée, the lemon juice, the sugar and around 3/4 of a cup of water.
(You can make the sauce sweeter or more sour to your liking).

4. Get a deep glass dish to start putting everything together. First start by putting the prepared tomato sauce,
sprinkle down the fried garlic, then spread half of the fried onions, then place the four pieces of the fried fish.
On top of that, add the rest of the fried onion.

5. Now, add the sliced tomatoes and peppers (kept as rings) and place on the top of the dish.

6. Last, chop the bunch of coriander and sprinkle it on top.

7. Cover it with foil and place it in a pre-heated 200°C oven.

YALLA MAGAZINE 123

Mechbouz b’tamer

IR A Q I D A TE COOKIES

M echbouz b ’ tamer
Serving one large tray (around 50) of Iraqi date cookies.
Mechbouz is a very old traditional Iraqi delicacy. People
serve it on many different occasions. It’s ideal with a nice
cup of tea.

Recipes

P r epa r at i o n t i m e : Cooking time:
9 0 m i n u te s 2 0 m i n u te s

INGR E DI E N T S • 1 pack kosher margarine
• 3 Tbsp oil
• 3 large cups of strong white flour • 1 pack date paste, about 500 grams
• 2 tsp baking powder • 1 egg
• 1 Tbsp yeast • 1 cup sesame seeds
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 1 cup lukewarm water
• 1 tsp salt

INS T RUC T IONS

1. Mix flour, baking powder, only 1/2 of the water (1/2 cup), salt, all margarine, and 2 Tbsp of oil together.

2. Mix yeast and sugar together in a cup and add the other 1/2 cup of water. Mix well together and cover to let the
yeast rise.

3. Now mix step 1 and step 2 together by hand. You should now have a soft, light dough. Place it on a dish and
cover it with cling film and leave it to rise only for 20 minutes. We want to keep the dough nice and soft.

Fi l l ing :

1. Add oil to soften the date paste, then roll it into small balls (should be small and fit inside the palm of your hand).

2. For the dough, roll sections of it into rope shapes, and cut off about 2.5cm worth of dough needed for each
date ball. Once you have done that, flatten out the dough, place a date ball within it, and cover it completely
with the dough. Now it should be pressed down to a cookie-shape; this can be done either by hand or by using
a rolling pin.

3. Take a baking tray with baking sheet on it. Place the cookies next to each other and take a fork to make pricks
on the top. Take an egg and add a bit of water and mix it together to brush it on the cookies. After this is done,
you sprinkle the sesame seeds on top of the egg. Pre-heat the oven at 200°C and place the tray down to the
lowest position in the oven. Bake it for around 15 minutes.

4. Take it out of the oven and place it on a beautiful dish. Serve it with a nice cup of tea. If you want to enjoy it
more, then you have to prepare ‘brews Iraqi tea’ – the best combination!

YALLA MAGAZINE 125

Kubba Shwander

K ubba S h w an d er
This is a popular Iraqi Jewish dish, commonly served
with white rice, and will make an authentic Jewish
addition to Rosh Hashanah. It is a winner with
everyone, especially kids!

T i p : You can put more sugar to make it sweeter or
more lemon juice to make it more sour, according to
your preference.

Recipes

P r epa r at i o n t i m e : Cooking time:
4 5 m i n u te s , pl u s f r ee z i n g 2 0 - 2 5 m i n u te s

S E RV E S :
08

INGR E DI E N T S

For the kubba (dough): For the f i l l ing : Cooking the kubba :
Ste p 1 St ep 2 Step 4
• 1 large cup of basmati rice • 2 large onions • 4 glasses water
• 200g of (no fat) mince beef • Bunch parsley • 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp salt • 1 1/2 tsp salt • 2 Tbsp any vegetable oil
• 3 Tbsp water • 1 tsp black pepper • Juice of 2 lemons
• 300g mince beef, again, • 2 tbsp sugar
• 1/3 cup water
preferably the healthy mince • 2-3 packs cooked beetroot

INS T RUC T IONS

1. Making the dough: in a food processor, put the rice, mince beef, salt, black pepper and water and mix. Now you
have the dough for the kubba. Once this dough is prepared, put it in a dish and cover it with cling film, and then
put it in the fridge for around an hour.

2. For the filling, put 300g of mince meat, chopped onions, parsley cut very fine, salt and pepper all into a frying
pan. When cooked, your filling for the kubba is ready. Wait for the filling to cool. You CANNOT start preparing the
kubba until the filling has cooled down.

3. Once both the dough and filling have cooled, you can begin to construct the kubba. Pull off small pieces of the
dough and place the kubba filling into the centre. Then make it into shapes of small balls. Cover the filling with the
dough. Before cooking, the kubbas should be frozen in order to maintain their shape when cooking.

4. For the cooking, get a medium-sized cooking pan and add the glasses of water, salt, and oil and bring it to the
boil. Once this is boiling, you can slowly add the frozen kubba. You can place as many kubbas as long as they are
beneath the water.

5. When the kubba is almost cooked, you should chop the beetroot into fine round circles, and add it to the pan.
Cover the pan and cook everything for 20 minutes. PS: make sure not to overcook this, or the kubba will
break apart (as they will become soggy). Once it is cooked firmly, switch off the hob. When everything is done,
take a glass and put in the lemon juice, sugar and water and stir it all together. You can add this to the kubba dish
to give it a sweet-and-sour flavour.

YALLA MAGAZINE 127

Tabit

C H ICKEN C H O L E N T

T A BI T

Tabit is one of the most
popular Jewish Iraqi

dishes. It is mainly served
on Shabbat and is the

equivalent to cholent among
the Ashkenazim. It is
also made for chaggim
and dinner parties.

Every Iraqi Jew loves it...

Tip:
Taste the tabit and add more spices to your own
liking. Once the tabit is ready, it is ready to serve.
You can flip it over onto a large dish, or spoon it
out onto a large dish.

Recipes

P r epa r at i o n t i m e : Cooking time:
4 5 m i n u te s 2 H OURS
S E RV E S :
INGR E DI E N T S 10

Filling of the chicken: For the tabit:
• 1 chicken roaster(about 4 pounds) • 2 litres water
• 1/4 cup basmati rice • 2 tins peeled tomatoes
• 1 tsp salt • 3 full Tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tsp white pepper • 1 Tbsp salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground cardamom • 1 Tbsp white pepper
• 1tsp ground allspice • 1 Tbsp freshly ground cardamom
• 1tsp cinnamon • 1 Tbsp all spices
• 1 Tbsp oil • 1 Tbsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup oil
• 2 and 1/2 cups basmati rice

INS T RUC T IONS

You will also need one onion (chopped) when frying the chicken on the pan. At the very end, you will need
crushed up rose tea to put on top of the tabit.

Pre p aring the f i l l ing o f the chicken :

1. Wash the chicken and rice thoroughly. Start by putting all the ingredients of the filling inside the chicken. Once
you have done that, take a large saucepan (13-inch width, 5-inch depth) and put it on the hob. Add the 2 Tbsp
oil, the chopped onion and add the chicken with some salt and pepper, and start frying the chicken. This will
take a couple of minutes. Now you will start making the tabit.

2. Once fried on the outside ( just to make the outer side of the chicken brown, not to cook the chicken) you add
the water, peeled tomatoes, tomato purée and the rest of the spices for the sauce, but not the rice. The water
should level over the chicken. You should bring this to a boil. This can take a good half an hour. Now, you
should lower the heat for about 10-15 minutes, and add the rice to the dish around the chicken, spreading it out
to all the space around the chicken.

3. Next, cover the pan and leave it to cook for a good 20 minutes on low heat. Now you should switch off the hob,
take off the pot cover, cover the tabit with rose tea and then cover the entire pan with foil. Put this into the oven
at 160°C for 90 minutes. If you see that the rice has absorbed the water, slowly add more water.

A w a f i , “ ‫ ”ىفاوع‬i n A r a b i c , m e a n s “ e a t i t w i t h g o o d h e a l t h ! ”

The Jew ish Time Machine with J oey and Jasmine

The miraculous story of how Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi’s
mother fulfilled the mitzvah of brit milah during the

yalladimtime of the Romans.

Yalladim “It was very cruel of the Romans to do this
to the Jewish people, and even worse, they
By Shira Druion insisted on checking to see if the Jews had
broken the law by giving their children a
Joey awoke to find he was lying sprawled out brit milah. Luckily, Hashem had made sure
on the cold metal floor of the time machine. that Rebbe’s mother was on good terms
Jasmine was sleeping, strapped into her with the Roman governor’s wife, who had
seatbelt. Joey looked around, disorientated. also had a baby boy. Yehuda, who had a
Where are we? he wondered. brit milah, was given to the wife of the
governor, while the Roman baby, who of
“Rebbe,” he heard a voice call. As he peered course was uncircumcised, was held by the
out of the window, he saw a tall man with a Jewish mother, completely fooling the evil
feather and an inkpot in his hand, sitting and Romans when they came and accused her of
writing at a small wooden table. The Rebbe circumcising her son. They even managed to
turned to the young boy. I think the time trick the evil governor himself.
machine has landed in the house of the very
great and holy Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, thought “Later, that Roman child grew up to become
Joey, remembering that this great Torah the famous Marcus Aurelius, a kind and
Sage, known as ‘Rebbe’, had been responsible compassionate ruler, and he and the Rebbe
for writing down the Oral Torah. became close friends. He even helped the
Jewish people to keep the mitzvot in peace!”
“Wake up Jasmine! You won’t believe
it, but this is the incredible rabbi “What an amazing story,”
who is responsible for all of us being
able to learn and understand the Jasmine exclaimed!
Torah today. It’s him, it’s him!”
“Rebbe’s mother must have been a very brave
Joey recounted to Jasmine the stories he and courageous woman. She had so much
had learned at school that week about faith in Hashem, in the way that she risked
Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi. He told her that at the her own life in order for her son to have a brit
time of his birth, a Roman law was in place milah. And, sure as could be, he grew into a
forbidding the Jewish people from fulfilling very holy and wonderful Sage who changed
the mitzvah of brit milah (circumcision). the future of the Jewish people!”

Just as Jasmine and Joey were admiring the
scene, the time machine began to wobble
and, like a flash of lightning, it delivered the
Cohen twins safely back into their warm and
cosy beds at 103 Mulberry Lane!

YALLA MAGAZINE 131



Yalladim

Create a Rosh Hashanah card

Hey YALLADIM!

Rosh Hashanah cards are so much fun to make
and will give you a chance to your use your
artistic talents! But, most importantly, your
mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, safta, sabba,
bobbi or zaide will be so excited to receive a

special card in the post or placed by their seat
at the yom tov table.

There are so many different designs you
could use to make a creative card that will

warm their hearts for Rosh Hashanah.
Be an art pro and make use of paints, crayons,
markers, glitter, cut up fruit dipped in paint to
make stamps, beads, sequins or dried flowers –
to make them a card they will treasure forever!

I know you can do it! Be the Rosh Hashanah
apple dipped in sweet, yummy honey!

Love, Shira X

Homework
A ne w year , a ne w w ay

The golden rules for parents -
Rachel Vecht

mat ersEducation

When I was a child, at the start of each new school discussing homework, and most importantly, putting
year my father used to say that a new class and new it all into practice on a daily basis with my own four
exercise books were just like a fresh blanket of snow. I children at home.
could choose whether to make neat footsteps or a very
messy path that would turn into slush! I am sure many Very few children have the maturity and motivation to
parents and children at the start of a new academic year rush home after a whole day at school and say: “Oooh,
(especially if they are starting a new school) have high I can’t wait to sit down and do my homework!” Parents
hopes and good intentions to make a really positive start. need to consistently guide their children to establish
productive homework habits. However, homework is
This is also the perfect time to sit down with your for children, not parents!
child and, together, establish very clear rules around
homework. If you are consistent, it will eventually More important than the actual content, homework
become a habit or routine, and resistance will reduce. teaches children some very important life skills and
values, such as: motivation, problem-solving, self-
Homework is certainly a topic I have thought a lot reliance, perseverance and time management. These
about! I spent eight years handing out homework as are tools they will use long after they have left school.
a class teacher, the past 17 years as a parent educator

YALLA MAGAZINE 135

Education

T o p ti p s

• Agree with your child on a clear homework
timetable, stating exactly when, where and how
long homework should take. This should be written

down and placed where everyone can see it.

• If they have no homework, ensure they read daily.

• Set a time limit for each task (use a kitchen timer).

• Build in active breaks, if necessary, and divide
longer projects into manageable chunks.

• Eliminate distractions, particularly younger • Natural consequences if homework is not
siblings, and any form of screen, if not required completed in the allotted time, like missing
for the homework. a break and completing it in school.

• Homework happens before anything fun. • Remain calm and try not to blame, criticise,
lecture, nag, repeat or remind.
• It’s usually better to tackle the hardest subject
first, so they don’t feel demoralised and frustrated. • Model a passion for learning and show an
interest in what they are doing.
• Descriptively praise and encourage every tiny step
in the right direction. For example: “You got all your • Understand the school homework policy, monitor
homework out without having to be reminded. That homework and check it is completed and handed in.
shows real maturity.”
• Work as a team with the school.
• Reflectively listen to how they are feeling. For
example: “I understand that you would much
rather play on your iPad than do your homework.”
(Of course, this doesn’t mean they can, but it helps
them feel heard and understood).

• Rewards for completing homework, such as
screen time or an extra story.

136 Y A L L A M A G A Z I N E

Education Education

T hree ste p a p p roach
to com p l eting home w ork
in d e p en d ent ly

1 . Chat through the homework with the child. Ask leading questions to guide them
and ensure they understand what they need to do and how to do it. Ask, don’t tell.

2 . Child has a go at doing the homework alone. Ignore any delaying tactics and do not
engage with him/her during this time.

3. Review the homework. Parent and child find three good things about it to
descriptively praise and then each mention two things that could be improved.
Don’t correct all the homework. Teachers need to get a real sense of what a child is
able to do independently.

Rachel Vecht www.educatingmatters.co.uk

‘Educating Matters’ deliver seminars/Webinars to parents in the workplace and schools
on a wide range of education and parenting-related topics. Rachel also delivers a
10-week ‘Positive Parenting and Family Skills’ course to groups of parents in homes
around North London and offers one-on-one telephone support to parents across the UK.

Q&A

WI T H

Dear RachelRACHEL VECHT
I WAS HOPING YOU COULD PLEASE
SHARE SOME TIPS ON HOW TO MANAGE
GROUP DYNAMICS IN OUR YEAR
GROUP. THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY
50 GIRLS IN OUR YEAR AND THINGS
ARE NOT ALWAYS PEACEFUL BETWEEN
US. CAN YOU PLEASE SHARE SOME
TIPS ON HOW TO NURTURE HEALTHY
AND HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIPS?
AND ALSO SHARE SOME INSIGHT AS
TO WHETHER OR NOT HIGH SCHOOL
RELATIONSHIPS HAVE ANY BEARING
LATER ON IN LIFE?

Teen expression

As a former teacher with
three daughters, I know
exactly what you are
talking about! Having
attended an all-girls school
myself, I also remember
how very complicated girl
cliques could be, with each
girl unconsciously playing
a role. I fear these issues
are magnified even more by
social media: the number
of ‘likes’ you get for reassurance that you fit in, look good, have the right friends,
attend the cool events. Also throw in constantly comparing, FOMO, etc.

My advice to navigate these friendships would be:

• Friendships should be defined by being open, kind, • If you see someone else being mistreated in
supportive, trustworthy and caring not through person or on social media, stand up for them.
power or social status. True friends are those
with whom you feel unconditionally accepted, • Help others feel included and welcome, rather
understood and sometimes challenged if you are than making yourself feel superior.
doing something wrong.
• Always be open and communicative, especially
• Don’t be exclusively tied to one group of girls. if a friend has upset you. Don’t let things fester.
• Always have the confidence to stand up for what When you approach the person, try to do it
respectfully, without anger or blame – just explain
you believe in; your peer group will ultimately the situation and how you feel about it.
respect you more.
• Don’t sacrifice your own personal boundaries just • Be prepared to apologise and accept apologies –
to please others. always listen, even when it’s not easy to hear.
• Try not to get drawn into drama and idle gossip.
Technology massively increases the power and • Find a trusted adult you can talk to for advice if
damage of gossip. you are ever unsure how to manage a situation.
• It is more important to be true to yourself than to Identify when things have got out of hand and
just fit in. Don’t focus too much on having the right do something about it.
look (clothes, hair).

YALLA MAGAZINE 139

“Admittedly, none of this
advice is easy to follow
and it may feel lonely at

times. The only person
you can control
is yourself."

I recently read a fascinating book called: Popular: luck!
Why being liked is the secret to success, by Mitch
Prinstein. Popularity impacts enormously on your
overall self-esteem and long-term happiness. However,
there is more than one type of popularity. It is not
referring to ‘status’ where someone is well-known,
widely emulated and able to bend others to his/her will,
but rather ‘likeability’ a person we are close to, a person
we trust and who we feel happy spending time with.

Prinstein quite rightly states that “choosing
likeability is not always an easy option in a
world so obsessed with status… but doing so

Goodopens the door to a far happier life”.
www.educatingmatters.co.uk 'Parents are a
Rachel Vecht trained as a primary school teacher at the Institute of Education and child's first and most
taught in both the state and private sector. She has also worked as a university mentor
and lecturer to student teachers. Over the past 17 years (in addition to becoming a important teacher'
mother to four children), she has written and delivered 'Educating Matters' seminars/
webinars to tens of thousands of working parents in the corporate and public sector and
in schools. She also privately runs a 10-week Positive Parenting Course covering more
general parenting issues, and offers one-on-one consultations to parents across the UK.

DRAMATIX SPEECH + DRAMA CLASSES
AUTUMN TERM 2018!

Dramatix welcomes you back for another fantastic term!

IMPROVISATION
CHARACTERISATION
MIME AND MOVEMENT
PUBLIC SPEAKING / COMMUNICATION SKILLS
CONFIDENCE BUILDING

! Join in the fun and euphoria that speech and drama have to o er.
Classes promote self expression, build self esteem and encourage
the students to explore their imagination.
Speech and Drama develops students’ talents, communication,
vocal and dramatic skills.

03 October to 19 December

For more information: Location: Wednesdays:

Call or email Shira: London Jewish YEARS 1, 2 & 3: 5:00 - 5:45pm
[email protected] Family Centre YEARS 4, 5 & 6: 5:50 - 6:50pm
07587 400 516 YEARS 7 & 8: 6:45 - 7:30pm
GIRLS ONLY

SukkotYOUNG DINNER

with
PCROhFaFzEaSIkONALS

Great food,
L’chaims & Friends!

Sunday 23rd Sept
7:45pm @ Chazak
Tickets @ chazak.org.uk

For more details please contact
Shira: [email protected]

Jewish Futures Trust

TEE N S

Cha z a k tee n a g e r
r ea c he s n e w he i g ht s

fundraisingin charity
St John’s Wood teenager,

Aaron Breslauer, has

raised about £3 600 for

Chazak, through a series of

mountain climbs in the Alps.

B y S h i ra D r u i o n In addition to the Frison-Roche, Aaron climbed the
Arête des Papillon, the Arete des Cosmiques and various
Immanuel College year 10 student Aaron Breslauer other climbs with a high grade of difficulty in the French
recently climbed several classic famous routes in the and Swiss Alps during the same week. He funded the
French Alps near Chamonix, France, and in the Swiss trip using money from his bar mitzvah. “While the
Alps. His most epic route, Frison-Roche, is a high-grade climbs were very challenging, it was exciting to conquer
difficult climbing classic, on the cliff face of Brévent cliff, my first major summits, “said Aaron. “The thought that
Mont Blanc, overlooking the Chamonix Valley. people are going to benefit from my efforts really added
to my sense of achievement.”
Fourteen-year-old Aaron is following in the footsteps of
his father, Keith Breslauer, former chairman of the St With a nachas filled smile, Keith said: “Chazak
John’s Wood Synagogue, himself a keen alpinist who has is a great organisation in building a sense of
been involved in many feats for good causes, including
fundraising for Jewish charities and The Royal Marines community and friendship within the
Charity. “I’m immensely proud of my son, context of the Jewish community for
who has been able to accomplish a major
challenge in a very difficult set of climbs Aaron and his friends. We hope it
and has, at the same time, supported grows from strength to strength.”
a charitable cause and promoted his
Jewish faith with pride.”

E l o ra Or m o n d e

Daniel ChaiSmallmiracles
a w a l king mirac l e

a miraculous story of life takes the london jewish
community by storm.

Daniel Chai HaLevi Ben Sara is my brother. Maybe you’ve prayed for him, perhaps you
are still praying for him, but it’s possible you’ve never even heard of him. On 6 July this
year he drowned in a swimming pool in Ibiza. So let’s talk about new beginnings…

It was Friday night around our Shabbos table, 11 guests had sat down to chicken soup
as the phone began to ring and ring and ring… My husband and I locked eyes across
the table and within an instant, I knew something was dreadfully wrong. Like so many
of you, we tend to use our landline only to contact and be contacted by our immediate
families. Given that my husband’s family all live within walking distance and mine do
not, I felt concerned and terribly uneasy. My parents were in Miami at the time and
I have no immediate family in NW4. Something was amiss. The incessant ringing
eventually stopped. The meal resumed… and I forgot all about it.

YALLA MAGAZINE 145

Somewhere before dessert came a knock at the door and We later discovered that he was under water for six
in walked my eldest brother, his face a ghostly white. minutes. Within three minutes of submersion, most
With what must have taken a monumental amount of people are unconscious, and within five minutes, the
strength, he drew me aside to tell me they had found brain begins to suffer from lack of oxygen. It was a
our younger brother face down in a swimming pool, week later when we finally gained access to the CCTV
that he was on life support, that they didn’t expect him footage, and learned of the pure, irrefutable Divine
to survive the night. I will spare you the details of the providence that followed.
single worst night and subsequent day of my life and fast
forward to after Shabbos. The doctors had somehow Daniel Chai had sat under the unrelenting heat of
managed to drain the fluid from his lungs. He was alive the Mediterranean sun since that morning. He hadn’t
but in a critical state. He was on life support, hooked up eaten a thing, but he had drunk a couple of G+Ts by
to a plethora of machines, wires, and tubes, and lying the poolside with his friend. They were enjoying the
in a coma. My siblings had flown out at 3am Shabbos sunshine into the early evening before his friend had left
morning, and my husband and I followed the next day. to the beach, and all but one single person other than
Nobody should ever have to witness someone they love my brother remained outside. She happened to be an
in such a state. I have no words to adequately express English nurse, but she had been completely oblivious
the anguish and the pain, or the desperation. Lo Aleinu, to the 26-year-old guy in the pool, who had passed out
may none of you know. and drowned a few metres away from her sunbed. Until
something made her look and she spotted him and ran
Thus began the waiting. The longest 10 days of our to get help to pull him out.
lives. Medicine can only go so far and the doctors could
not tell us much. Would he ever regain consciousness? The nurse is married to a doctor who had returned
Breathe alone? Open his eyes? Would there be brain to the pool by this point, and the doctor pronounced
damage? Would he be paralysed? Were they even sure him dead at the scene. He was cold and blue and he
he would survive those critical first 48 hours? Our advised his wife that there was no point in attempting
questions loomed over us like a black cloud threatening resuscitation. Against his better judgment, she tried.
to destroy everything beautiful. They had no sure It was 10 minutes of CPR when they found a pulse,
answers. They just didn’t know. So we sat with him and at which point he was rushed into an ambulance and
prayed. We talked to him and held his limp hands, kissed headed for the nearest hospital. He went into cardiac
his head, sang to him and cried. Because, what else arrest in the ambulance and the paramedics managed to
was there to do? We had many unanswered questions revive him yet again. On reaching the ICU, he suffered
pertaining to what on earth had happened to our strong, a second heart attack and his life was saved a third time,
kind, handsome boy. at which point they put him onto life support.

The hotel where the accident had happened refused to The rest of the story consists of a blur of days into
release the CCTV footage for social security reasons; nights and tears into numbness. My parents and sister
his friend who he had been holidaying with had gone didn’t leave his side for three long weeks; I was torn
to pick up their rental car from the beach. He had been between his bed-side and leaving to fly home to be with
alone when it happened, and we knew so little about the my babies, who obviously still needed their mother. I
circumstances that had left him virtually dead. flew out twice to visit, and when I was home, my day job
became organising tehillim. Life was somehow still going
on, and each day I waited with bated breath on the end
of a phone for the doctor’s report and any progress.

146 Y A L L A M A G A Z I N E

Some days there was none, but I celebrated when his Putting pen to paper for the first time since my brother’s
eyes started to flicker and remember the moment he accident in order to share with you the greatest open
woke up, intubated but aware of my parents’ presence; miracle of my life, feels entirely surreal. I hope I have
and how I cried with an overwhelming gratitude beyond conveyed to you the enormity of what my family
anything I have ever experienced. He was not expected has experienced and how Hashem is so obviously
to live, and with each bit of progress, the doctors were orchestrating the finely tuned details of our lives.
amazed. They referred to him as milagro, Spanish for So often, we do not see Hashem, or understand the
‘miracle’, and would come to look at him in disbelief. workings of the crazy world around us. We stumble and
Gradually, he regained consciousness and his organs search and feel as small as we truly are in this frequently
started to work, and the tubes came out, one by one. overwhelming experience we call life.
He was eventually flown via air ambulance to a London
hospital, where the specialists could give my parents
more information, in plain English.

“They referred to him The most humbling part of our real life nightmare
was the support of the Jewish community. I have never
as milagro, Spanish for felt such a sense of achdus or belonging, and I am
immeasurably proud to be a part of such a wonderful
‘miracle’, and would community. I refer both to the wider community of Jews
around the world and to my personal community at
come to look at him home in London. I moved here five years ago; my family
is traditional and I am a relatively new face and name
in disbelief.” to Hendon. Yet, the love and care I received throughout
the most turbulent time of my life will nourish me
A truly Divine and magnificent aspect of the miracle forever. There was never a time I picked up my phone
involves the nurse who saved his life. The hotel provided without someone having messaged asking after him, or
my parents with an email address for her, and after after me. Support seems too futile a word to express all
emailing back and forth, she came to visit my parents that I felt. So I am continually compelled to thank each
and Daniel Chai at home in Manchester. She works as a one of you for feeling my anguish and distress and for
nurse at The Children’s Hospital, in Sheffield, as a chief praying with me. For organising tehillim, shiurim, challah
resuscitation officer. What are the chances that the only bakes. For taking his name to kevarim and rebbeim far
person by the pool, other than my brother, was a nurse, and wide. For getting brachos for his refuah, for lighting
let alone one who lectures in resuscitation? I have never Shabbos candles early and lighting an extra one for him.
felt the hand of Hashem with such an intense certainty For crying with me and for feeding my family while I
in my life and know that I am changed forever. Daniel was away. For sending in food and toys erev Shabbos,
Chai has defied all odds; today he is walking, talking, and for not expecting a single thing in return. How can
laughing, remembering and recovering daily. Twenty- I repay such kindnesses in a lifetime even? I am filled
six years ago my parents gave him the Hebrew name with infinite gratitude to you and to Hashem. For giving
Daniel Chai; the name ‘Chai’, means ‘life’. They could Daniel Chai a new beginning.
never have known how accurate or befitting such a
name would be. His name is his reality, destined for life.

YALLA MAGAZINE 147

[email protected] WWW . C H A Z A K . O R G . U K