Yalla Issue 2

Kelly Kahn is a registered therapeutic reflexologist
qualifying in 1998. She has extensive experience
in the field having helped hundreds of patients
over the years as well as supervised the training
of other Reflexologists. She is qualified in a range
of holistic healing modalities and has studied
nutrition which she incorporates into her treatment
sessions. She practices in Golders Green and can
be contacted on:
07921840398
or [email protected]

95

MORDECHAI
H AY E H U D I

The Righteous Acouple of years ago I got a phone
amongst the call from the head of the Jewish
society of the Haberdashers Aske
Nations School for boys inviting me to come
and speak at the Jewish assembly
- RABBI honouring the 70th year since the end of the Shoah.
I felt very honoured to speak at such a special event,
MOSHE LEVY especially knowing there would be many guests as well
as the Head Master of the school.

The topic given to me was – ‘The Righteous among
the Nations. I told the few hundred in attendance
how when I was in Poland, I had had the privilege of
meeting four different women who had received the
medal of The Righteous Among the Nations and how
each one had been incredible.

One of the ladies recounted how after hiding a Jewish
girl for a year and a half, the Nazi’s decided that
another Polish family now needed to live in the house
with them. They thought it would be impossible to keep
her hidden with these people living in the room next
door. How would they get her food? How would she
use the rest room? Unbelievably, they somehow able to
manage for another full year until the liberation.

When I first met these righteous women I thought to
myself that if I had been faced with that situation, I
would not have hesitated to do the right thing and risk
my life to help save another person’s life. But, after some
real refection I had to be honest with myself. I would like
to think that I would be willing to risk my life. But would I
risk the life of my wife and children?

If they were rounding up people of other religions or of
another race, if they were taking away all the Chinese

96 YALLA MAGAZINE

“He risked his life, the life of his family, and the
life of all the Jews.”

or Muslims or African Americans, would I really risk the had abandoned them, that they were no longer the
life of my wife and children to save them? I truly don’t chosen people. They were demoralized, depressed,
know and am so thankful we live in a day and age and to add insult to injury the monarchy then switched
where we don’t have to encounter the challenge of from Iraq to Persia and for the second time in sixty
such harrowing life decisions. When we listen to these years the Jews had to live under a new regime.
real life stories, it motivates us to take the time to
do some soul searching, thinking and to stand face The new king Achashverosh, whom many historians
to face with our morals, beliefs and values and ask believe was king Xerxes I, invited all the people to
ourselves if we just talk the talk or if we really walk the his inauguration party at the palace. One of the main
walk. Jewish Rabbis by the name of Mordechai, (who was
exiled from Israel, over fifty years prior to this) told
On Purim, we hear one of the first stories of a Righteous all Jews not to go to the party. But, they articulated
among the Nations. When you ask anyone who the clearly to him that he was ‘old - school’ ,and while in
heroes of the story of Purim are, you will get the same Israel his ideology worked, in this new country he had
answer from everyone. Of course, the two main heroes to ‘get with the times’ and change.
are Mordechai and Esther. But, you need to put
yourself in the shoes of the average Jew in Persia two You need to play the politics game they played
thousand five hundred years ago. with him which manipulated him to allow them to
go to the party. Shortly thereafter the king decided
The Jews had been living in Israel for almost a that everyone must bow down to his right hand man
thousand years. They had been witness to the ground Haman. Mordechai was the only one who refused
shattering miracles day in and day out, at the biggest and would not do it. They begged and pleaded with
tourist attraction in the world, our holy Temple the Beit him to stop being so extreme and to do what the
Hamikdash. They did not know what it meant to live king had decreed. All the other Rabbis were bowing,
among people who were not Jewish. They had never but Mordechai would not listen. Subsequently, a
had the temptation of eating non-kosher food or the decree was made announcing all Jews were to be
challenge of intermarriage. killed. Public enemy number one was not Haman
but rather Mordechai. Everyone hated Mordechai,
During the reign of King David and King Solomon calling him an extreme, irrational fanatic who would
the Jews were so rich that silver was found in the now be responsible for getting millions of Jews killed.
streets, so it had no special value. The prophets They questioned how he could be called a Rabbi
warned them that Hashem was upset that they were when he was in fact a ruthless murderer.
serving idols and going against His word and that
they needed to repent or be exiled, but it was to no We all know how the story ends and how Mordechai
avail. The Jews were massacred and exiled mostly to was praised for being firm and for standing up for his
Babylonia. The people were convinced that Hashem beliefs. He risked his life, the life of his family, and the life

YALLA MAGAZINE 97

of all the Jews. No matter what people said and no with your spouse, time to eat out with the family, and
matter what logic dictated he was unwavering in his time to give back to the community.
commitment. He was the first of the Righteous among
the Nation, risking it all for the sake of his commitment In today’s day and age being Righteous among the
to his morals and beliefs. We could never make a Nations does not mean risking your life but giving
decision for a whole nation as we are nowhere near life. Be proactive: stand up for your beliefs and
the level of a Mordechai, a prophet who was one of do something about them. Take action. We often
the men of the Great Assembly. We can however stop don’t realise our strength until we are faced with a
and think: what are my ethics and morals? What would monumental challenge. If we just stopped and asked
I be willing to risk my life for? ourselves what is it that I can do that no one else
is doing? How can I change even one person’s life
I once heard a rabbi say “ask yourself what you would and make sure they are really living. If we tap into our
be willing to die for and go out and live for it”. If you strength and decide to do something revolutionary
would risk everything for family or for the community, or even something we perceive as small, we are
then stop what you have been doing till now and following in the footsteps of Mordechai in his pursuit
make sure you are living for your family and for your of true righteousness.
community. Put time into your schedule to go away

“We often don’t
realize our strength
until we are faced
with a monumental
challenge.”

Wishes the community a
Chag Purim Sameach

YALLA MAGAZINE 99

The Indefatigable
Pursuit for Happiness

“Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” is a well-known

phrase in the United States Declaration of Independence.

The phrase gives three examples of the unalienable rights

which the Declaration proclaims all human beings have been

endowed by their Creator. Seemingly, the Founding Fathers’

THE choice of wording in ‘pursuit of happiness’ is indicative of their
UNIQUE
acknowledgement that man can only have a right to pursue
HM AE RP RP II MN EE NS TS
happiness but perhaps not attain it.
of Adar
1
- RABBI
DANIEL KADA Our Hachamim teach that during the month of Adar one

should not only pursue happiness but also achieve it. The

famous Talmudic maxim ‘mi’shenicnas Adar marbim b’simcha ’,

when the Jewish month of Adar commences we increase our

happiness, calls upon us to enter into a progressively happier

state during the month of Adar.

There are many tunes and melodies ttoo tthhiiss ssaayyiinngg,, bbuutt dwoheast
idt oaecstuiat lalycmtueaallny?mHeoawn?dHoowwedmoakweeomuarskeelvoesurhsealpvepsiehradpupriniegr
Addurainrg? IAs dhapr?pIisnehasspnpoint eassnanotutraal sntatueraolf smtaintde wohf icmhinodnwehisch

100 YALLA MAGAZINE

one is either in or out of? I have seen some authorities from Haman. 3
who venture to say that in order to fulfill this instruction,
one should progressively drink a little more wine On a superficial level, the entire Purim story could be
understood as a narrative of a natural occurrence
2 of events. On a deeper level, it was G-d behind the
entire course of events.
throughout the month! I would like to offer a different
approach. By the time we reach Purim we need to be in the
correct frame of mind to commemorate the hidden
Some time ago, I saw a clip about a young married miracles of Purim. In order to do this, we first need
American lady who lost her hearing at a young age. to commemorate and be joyful about the ‘hidden’
After extensive medical treatment she was blessed to miracles of nature, the day to day gifts that we enjoy.
have her hearing restored at a later age. Being a
mother of a young seven-year-old boy she had never Our task for the month of Adar is to contemplate
actually heard her son speak to her. and meditate on all the gifts G-d has blessed us with,
and then on Purim we can also truly appreciate the
The clip shows her reaction meeting her son for the hidden miracles that G-d performed for us. The more
first time after her successful operation which restored one reflects on his blessings the happier a person he
her ability to hear. A simple three words “I love you” becomes.
from the young boy to his mother invoked a cry of
happiness from his mother: “I can hear you, I can hear As one wise individual once remarked: ‘“Happiness
you”! Her joy and ecstasy at being able to hear her is lies in our own backyard, but it’s probably well
son was emotional to watch and it made me wonder, hidden by crabgrass.”
why are we not jumping for joy every day when we
hear our spouse and children communicating with us?

Sound waves and the ability to hear is an amazing Rabbi Daniel Kada is currently the rabbi of Wembley
wonder of creation which we should appreciate Sephardic Synagogue and registrar of the Spanish
regularly. It is for this reason that each morning we and Portuguese Sephardic Beth Din.
recite a series of blessings to thank G-d for the basic
skills we have, in order to instill within ourselves an Rabbi Kada studied for over 7 years in Yeshivot in
appreciation and gratitude for the many different both England and Israel, including the Kollel of former
faculties we have. When we appreciate the gifts G-d Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu Z’L
has bestowed on us and nature, we become happier where he obtained his rabbinical ordination. He is
and more content people. currently studying towards a Dayanut qualification
through the Eretz Hemdah Institute of Jerusalem.
Adar is a joyful month which commemorates the
salvation that our nation experienced from the hands Rabbi Kada enjoys learning, debating and most
of our foes. One who analyses the Megillah will t1hBianbgylosniiann Tlaiflemu..d Ta’anit 29a
discover that although G-d’s name is not mentioned
once in the entire book, His presence is constantly 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8VV7oxvQ_g
there. From a concealed space, G-d conducted the
entire series of events culminating with our deliverance 3 For this reason, in Hebrew, the words ‘teva’ (nature) and ‘litboa’ (to sink) share the same
root. Sometimes we forget and ‘sink’ in day-to-day nature.

YALLA MAGAZINE 101

Believe it or not, our children
need us. We need to give them
time – I don’t know how much
time each child needs, but I do
know that if you turn your phone
off when you are spending that
time with your child, it will count
double!

Dr Leslie Solomon shares his
expertise to help parents manage the sniffles

- DR LESLIE SOLOMON

102 YALLA MAGAZINE

THE WINTER
WO E S

& HOW TO S OLVE THEM

Rabbi Dr Leslie Solomon is an A & E reasonable bed times, and make a mobile phone
doctor, a mohel and a Rabbi. Busy. In (other devices included) curfew.
his spare time, he gives a (very!) early
morning Gemara shiur in Ner Yisrael 2
and the Time 4 Mishna Chabura in
Toras Chaim in the evenings. He lives in Hendon with
his wonderful wife Shanni and their six children.

1 My baby gets sick during the rainy winter season, how
can I prevent this?
My five year old daughter constantly gets sick during
the winter months, how can I strengthen her immune A healthy child needs a healthy parent - Life throws
system? us many challenges, and we spend a lot of time and
energy juggling and prioritising the various demands
Eat, Rest and Play - The key elements of a child’s well- on our time.
being are diet, sleep and exercise. We know about
childhood obesity, and the effect it has on a child’s I heard a story of a child who asked his father how
physical and psychological health. You may want to much he earns an hour, and then offered the father
introduce good eating habits - make sure your child that amount of money to spend an hour with him!
has a good breakfast, make water the drink of choice Believe it or not, our children need us. We need to
in your family, don’t have too many grazing snacks give them time – I don’t know how much time each
available at home – try cutting up vegetables and child needs, but I do know that if you turn your phone
keeping them in the fridge as your grazing snack! off when you are spending that time with your child, it
will count double!
Allow your child to get a good night’s sleep: make
And now for my rant for you nursing mothers. Your
baby needs many things: milk, sleep, warmth and other
things, but what he needs more than anything else is
you. If you feel that you are becoming unwell due

YALLA MAGAZINE 103

“The key elements of to lack of sleep, over-nursing, not eating properly, or
a child’s well-being if you feel that you are failing because you are not
are diet, sleep and living up to the expectations of your health visitor, your
family or yourself – then please reach out for help. You
exercise.” will hopefully be helped by being reminded that you
are doing a great job, and that a few simple changes
- DR LESLIE can make life seem very different. Can you get some
protected sleep, can you feed your child differently
SOLOMON and can someone help you with some of the household
chores.

A good night’s sleep can sometimes make all the
difference!

3

Is the vaccination of children recommended?

Vaccinations and medicines – So here’s my
understanding from a religious perspective (that’s the
only one I have). Although there may seem to be an
obvious cause and effect when it comes to taking
medicines, some people will respond well to certain
treatments, and some people won’t. Ultimately, as
doctors and parents who prescribe or give treatments
to our patients or children, we have to be aware that
whether any treatment works is up to Hashem.

Our duty is merely to give or receive the treatment that
is normally given to cure the condition, and to pray
to Hashem that it works for us. So, for any questions
regarding vaccination yes or no, or medication yes or
no, my answer will always be – do what is normally done
in the society in which you belong, and with Hashem’s
help you and your family will enjoy many, many healthy
winters - and summers!

104 YALLA MAGAZINE

PARENTING A Chazak family Programme.
COURSE
TUESDAYS
STARTING
20TH FEB

A new unique 4 part series offering professional, experienced insights to help you understand and relate better
to your teenagers. Including a variety of approaches. Speakers include Rabbi Shlomo Farhi, Mrs Rachel Vecht
and Rabbi Yitsy David.

WWW.CHAZAK.ORG.UK

DAILY
TEFILLA

Chazak Podcats with R’Ari Bensousan. Sign up now for a short daily boost to make
your prayer more meaningful and relatable.

YALLA MAGAZINE 105

www.CHAZAK.org.uk

Bat-Sheva Netzer has worked
as a diet consultant for 15
years in the Jewish and now
wider community.
Her area of expertise is mainly
weight loss and nutrition.
Over the years she has
successfully helped hundreds
of people lose and maintain
their weight loss. She provides
ongoing support and meets
with her clients weekly providing
them with a calorie controlled
plan personally tailored to
each client to help make their
goals achievable.

106 YALLA MAGAZINE

SHABBAT
CALORIE S!

How to create a calorie
friendly Shabbat

- B AT S H E VA N E T Z E R

Shabbat calories DO count!
Our food intake over Shabbat can really
affect one’s ability to lose weight or maintain a
healthy weight.

Countless times I’ve seen clients who will stick to
the diet all week, but lose control over Shabbat and end
up undoing all their hard work and in some cases even
gaining just from an uncontrolled 25 hours.

As I always like to put a positive spin on things, I will share
how Shabbat doesn’t need to be the ‘break’ of the diet,
but rather the ‘make’ of the diet.

First thing to remember is that on Shabbat you will be
eating more than any other day of the week, if you’re on a
calorie controlled diet.

The easiest way to get through Shabbat without gaining
(too much) weight and not feeling too deprived is by
watching the Carbohydrates (Challah, kugel, potatoes,
rice, cakes) and by having fruit based desserts.

Starting off with Kiddush, grape juice is higher in calorie
than wine, but alcohol still has more calories per gram than
Carbohydrates or Protein.

When I tell my clients they can have 1 piece of Challah at
each meal, the first question always is ‘how big can it be?!’
My answer always is ‘as small as possible and no larger

107

than a slice of bread’ and No it doesn’t have to Veg. Therefore one can still have a few course meal

be wholemeal, if you’re already having the Challah, which is more than they would have during the week

enjoy it! and the damage will be minimal.

Very often after the Chagim my clients may say to me, Drinks
that they weren’t that careful with quantities of food
at the meals but they were very careful with Challah Pure fruit juices are full of sugar and calories. In fact
quantities...in those cases the damage is never that the calories in a glass of pure orange juice can often
bad. Matzo would be a great alternative saving you be higher than a glass of Coca Cola.
half the amount of calories. I think it’s a case of ‘start
as you mean to go on’ as well as saving hundreds of Diet drinks such as Coke Zero etc. have no sugar and
calories. negligible calories, whilst it has added chemicals and
sweeteners I don’t feel like it’s too damaging to have
In order not to feel too deprived and to still enjoy occasionally or as a Shabbat treat.
the eating element on Shabbat, eat soup (make it in
advance so that you can skim the fat) and Proteins Sugar free squash can also be an alternative if
(fish, chicken, meat) without restrictions and Salads/ something other than water is required.

“one can still have a few course meal...”

- B AT S H E VA N E T Z E R

108 YALLA MAGAZINE

Salads The true secret to ensure any Shabbat weight gain
doesn’t have a lasting effect on the week, is that
Salads are an obvious healthy side dish. Low calorie when Shabbat is out, you don’t continue to eat the
dressings can be made using ingredients such as leftovers e.g. kugel, cholent.
vinegar, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, soya sauce,
mustard, sweeteners. Do not weigh yourself on a Motza Shabbat as it will
only put you off, and it’s not a true reading...wait till
Oil, mayonnaise and honey/sugars should not be Monday morning.
added liberally.
By eating more over Shabbat (hopefully just the
Nuts and dried fruits would also add many unnecessary protein) I have found it can actually boost your
calories to a healthy dish. metabolism, so to get the benefit from that boost,
make sure Motza Shabbat (eat a light protein based
Vegetable side meal e.g. eggs or fish) and Sundays are your best
dishes days of the week. No easy task as, you’ve ‘stretched’
your stomach/mind over Shabbat, and there is less
Vegetable side dishes are a great addition to the routine on a Sunday. That’s where true willpower has
Shabbat meal, grilling or roasting a combination of to come in, but knowing those days are key, should
your favourite veg e.g. Red onion, butternut, swede, help you stay focused.
carrots, beetroot with spray oil and herbs for a
delicious root vegetable mix. Key Points to
maintaining weight
Or roasting softer veg such as mushrooms courgettes over Shabbat
peppers and onions.
• Watch alcohol intake
Using chopped tomatoes or passata in a side dish
e.g. for courgettes or green beans is another great • One slice of challah per meal
choice as is making a Lecso with tomatoes peppers
and onions etc. • Enjoy Fish (avoiding fatty dips), skimmed of fat
Soup (avoid lokshen, knaidels), Chicken (no skins),
Roasted cauliflower with red onion and garlic Meat, Salads and Veg
sprinkled with sea salt and cumin is another favourite.
• Avoid snacking at Kiddushim and calorific desserts
Desserts

It’s best to stick to a fruit based dessert, such as fresh Any Q’s or feedback can be sent to:
fruit or compote made from sweet fruits so no extra [email protected]
added sugar is needed. Avoid all cakes, a scoop of Bat-Sheva Netzer dip cert itec Diet & Nutrition
ice cream or sorbet wouldn’t be too damaging.

When attending a Kiddush, go in, say Mazel Tov.....
and come out!

YALLA MAGAZINE 109

Shira Druion interviews
Charlotte Posner

My parents encouraged me
to be very creative. I started
painting in my bedroom at the
tender age of 10 and I painted
a blue tree with purple hearts
on the back of my door.

110 YALLA MAGAZINE

A MAGNIFICENT
M AV E R I C K

Artist Charlotte Posner revolutionising
the world of art and fashion

1: What motivated you to become an artist? Lol. (I actually just remembered this now and can’t
believe they let me!)
From a very young age, I always wanted to be an
artist. My parents encouraged me to be very creative. I used to go to weekend art classes and was always
I started painting in my bedroom at the tender age making things. I loved and still love gardening and
of 10 and I painted a blue tree with purple hearts on am not scared of getting my hands dirty. I relished in
the back of my door. the activity of holding frogs, had pet newts, tadpoles,
and baby frogs which were smaller than a little finger
I also used to paint parts of the house. I remember my nail from the pond in our bedrooms.
parents coming back from a weekend away to find
the chimney breast which was red brick now cream. Looking back, I think this freedom in my youth led me

to be a creative. Art was my favourite subject
at school although I wasn’t the best at it. I used
to work extremely hard and really enjoyed it. My
art teacher Mr Jepson was a huge inspiration
and told me I had it in me to become an artist.
That stuck with me and always will (For all those
teachers out there, I am proof of the effects of
the powerful words of teachers.)

2: What do you love most about being an
artist?

111

“Being an artist is not the
easiest job in the world.”

Being an artist is not the easiest job in the world. I to break away from my part time jobs. I think it’s hard
guess it’s the same as any freelance job. You have when you go freelance and everyone else around
to be very motivated, dedicated and committed to you is in a 9-to-5 and you’re on your own with the few
your work. I work extremely hard. My work and life flow artists who are doing what you do. I used to call them
into one another but when you enjoy what you do, to reassure me that I was doing the right thing, but I
every day is a holiday! The thing I love most about totally believe that if you want to achieve something
being an artist is that I have the freedom to create or do something there is no time like the present and
my own vision and through physically making artwork you need to just go out and do it. This applies to all
I can share the gift of art with others. I used to just of life. It is scary to jump off the platform into the cold
define myself as an artist and painter but I wanted to water but once you’ve done it it’s not so bad and
be more open minded and merge into different fields you can go ahead and swim!
and be able to play a creative role in the world of
jewellery, accessories, Street Art to set design. 5: What is this news of you collaborating with
Louis Vuitton? Please tell me about it and are
3: What has been your biggest achievement to there any other designers with whom you are
date? collaborating?

My biggest achievement to date has probably been I believe that you have to go and open doors for
my latest project which includes working directly with yourself and should not continue banging on the
global designer, Andrew Martin to produce super ones that keep shutting in your face. I’m very much of
graphic which is going to be plastered all over the attitude that one should go out there and get
London. We have just finished the store in Walton what you want. I had a meeting in Bond Street with an
Street. My family have an Interior Design company art dealer and I was carrying all of my artwork with me.
and when I was younger Andrew Martin was one of I walked past the Louis Vuitton shop and thought I’d
my real inspirations, so for me to work with him and place a piece of my artwork on the side to photograph
the team has been absolutely fantastic and ground it for my social media campaign. Whilst I was there, I
breaking. gifted the print to the manager of the store and left
my business card. Three weeks later, I received an
4: What fears have you overcome in order to get email asking for me to come in for interview to discuss
to where you are today? the idea of potential collaboration. I went for the
interview and had to do a few drawings and tasks for
I’ve worked and achieved everything I’ve done them which were then approved by the head office in
on my own without any financial backing. This has Paris. Now we are collaborating, Louis Vuitton and I .
been possible through working extremely hard and
by getting lucky. But, I believe you create your own 6: Is there a space for young artists today and
luck. My biggest fear was being unable to express what do you think they need to do to get there?
myself through my work and that I wouldn’t be able

112 YALLA MAGAZINE

I believe you don’t have to only be in academia to “The Artistic space is
do well and that there is plenty of space for young
artist to come through and do their thing. Artists slip one in which you can
into the gaps in society and there is a lot of work express yourself in so
there for them there. The Artistic space is one in which many ways without
you can express yourself in so many ways without
being judged. There certainly are jobs for artists and being judged.
creatives!
- CHARLOTTE
7: What made you choose to design women in all
forms of dress? POSNER

When I left university, I was painting all sorts of subject ”
matter and experimented with different styles. One
style to another looked totally different, so much so
that you would think they were being painted by
different artists.

Up until 3 years ago I worked many part time jobs
one of which was working for Vivian Westwood and I
noticed there was a specific style to her work, it was
its own brand. I realised I needed to become my own
brand, to do the same thing over and over to keep
it consistent, but with innovation to keep it fresh and
exciting.

I then created my first pop doll which is an ice cream
girls. I uploaded it to social media and the response
was remarkable and from that I was commissioned to
do a condiments puddle and from then on I started
doing pop dolls collaborating with different brands
and then Tweeting about them on Twitter. The brands
were very responsive and loved what I was doing
which showed me that everything you need is around
you and you just need to going get it.

From then on I decided to stick to one thing and one
thing only to be recognised for it. My women represent

YALLA MAGAZINE 113

“I would thoroughly encourage anybody who
wants to do something and has the passion

to do it to take baby steps.”

humanity in all shapes, forms, sizes and subjects to show that inherently we are all different but all the same.
8: How have you merged business and art to create a career for yourself?
Tweeting about them on Twitter! The brands were very responsive and loved what I was doing. This showed me
that everything you need around you just need to go and get it. From then on I decided to stick to one thing and
one thing only to be recognised for something. My women represent humanity in all shapes and forms sizes subject
to show that we are all different but all the same.
I was never a business woman, I just wanted to paint. But now I am both!!
My business has grown dramatically. It started off with my creating original artworks from my studio and working
from my sister’s bedroom. Now I have a large office and a team. Slowly but surely I started to make prints, push my
website (www.charlotteposner.com) then more merchandise. I feel like each step was a learning curve and slowly it
started to grow.

114 YALLA MAGAZINE

“you can always make time.”

I have to think about what the customer wants, as well as
what I want to produce and then meet in the middle. I’ve
learned a lot along the way and am still learning every
day which has asked of me to become a lot stronger as a
woman. The last six months have been a real turning point
for me as I feel my work is really making inroads which has
allowed me to feel more content in myself. I am really proud
of my brand.
Social media has been a huge help especially in how it has
enabled me to get my product out to a wider audience.
I like my work to speak for myself and I’d rather have my
artwork on a Magazine front cover than a photograph of
me.
I would thoroughly encourage anybody who wants to do
something and has the passion to do it to take baby steps.
The problem with the world today is that people don’t have
time, or they say they don’t have time, but you can always
make time. The best way to start is take an evening out of
your week, instead of watching TV, going for dinner or drinks
and use the time to create whatever it is you are wanting
to create, where it be writing or art. There are also so many
courses out there which is a great way to get into art.
What is in future for Charlotte Posner?
My future plans are to own an art Academy one day and
to eventually turn it into a global brand. If anyone would
like advice about the creative world, feel free to email me
at [email protected]
Love Charlotte!

115

THE
PERSIAN

PA L AT E

116 YALLA MAGAZINE

The Persian Palette
Jews have lived in the Middle East for
over 1,000 years and are renowned for
their ability to create flavoursome dishes
that continue to be firm favourites on the
tables of Sephardim the world over. The Persian Palette is
tuned into the exotic and fragrant spices like cardamom,
cinnamon, coriander, cumin, saffron, sumac and turmeric all
of which make this cuisine so delicious.

Signature recipes include rice pilaffs with fresh herbs and
dried fruits, mostly vegetarian dishes accented with nuts
and fruits, and slowly simmered soups and stews. Iraqi Jewish
food is inspired by the soups, rice, and dumplings (kubbeh)
of their Muslim neighbours and is often spiced with za’atar,
oregano and thyme. Persian Jewish food developed in
much the same way. Its distinct cuisine favours onions over
garlic, and fresh herbs over hot chilies and spice.

Enjoy these delectable recipes and create tasty treats for
your family and perhaps if you’re feeling tradition inspired,
the Persian Purim feast!

YALLA MAGAZINE 117

CHICKEN
SA L A D
BY MIRI SHALOM

* HEA LTHY EAT Ingredients
ING * Strips of chicken breast
118 Roasted vegetables (courgette/sweet
potato/red peppers/butternut squash/red

onions
1 advocado
Baby spinach leaves
Flaked almonds or seeds

Poppy Seed Dressing
1/4 cup Apple cider vinegar

3-4 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp grainy mustard

1/4 cup olive oil
1 tbsp poppy seeds

YALLA MAGAZINE

*

POWER BALLS *
EATING
HEALTHY

Ingredients
100g ground almonds
3tbsp coconut oil
1 tbsp almond butter
1 tbsp maple syrup/date honey
Pinch of sea salt
3-4 dates chopped

Method

BY MIRI SHALOM Mix together into balls, coat
with seeds of your choice
(e.g. linseed/sesame seed/
desiccated coconut

YALLA MAGAZINE 119

Cooking Time: 1 hour 30 minutes. SHOLEH
Chill Time: 1-2 hours

BY
NAZIE RANDEL

Today I’m sharing a special recipe for Sholeh Sholeh Zard is a delicious old fashioned dessert
Zard that has been handed down by my that is very delicate and light in texture, mild in
mum’s family for several generations. The name sweetness and it gets its golden colour from
describes the texture and colour of this Persian saffron. This traditional Persian dessert is usually
Saffron Rice Pudding. Sholeh mean a soft served garnished with designs made with ground
pudding-like texture and Zard means yellow. cinnamon and slivered pistachios or almonds.
This popular Persian dessert is made from all
sorts of occasions in Iran including Purim.

120 YALLA MAGAZINE

ZARD

Ingredients Quarter cup rosewater
1 cup Jasmine rice Quarter tsp ground saffron
1 cup thinly sliced almond nuts
6 cups boiling water Garnish
2 cups granulated sugar Ground cinnamon
2.5 cups extra boiling water Slivered or chopped unsalted
(to be added later) pistachio and/or almond nuts

Method

Add the rice to a deep non-stick Continue cooking for 5 more minutes,

saucepan. Wash the rice in cold water or until Sholeh Zard thickens. Stir

a couple of times; drain and add fresh frequently to prevent sticking. Remove

water each time. Drain as much of the from the heat and ladle the Sholeh

water as possible, then add 6 cups Zard into your preferred serving dish.

of boiling water and 1 cup of thinly Cool the Sholeh Zard in room
sliced almond nuts to the rice. Bring it temperature then refrigerate to chill
to another boil over medium heat, stir completely for 1-2 hours before
once. Reduce the heat to just above serving.
the low marking. Do not cover the rice

and allow it to simmer with a low boil When ready to serve, garnish the top

for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Do Not Stir with ground cinnamon and slivered

during this time. At this point most of pistachios or almonds. Enjoy this all-

the water will cook off, and the rice will time favourite traditional fragrant

be sticky and super tender. Add 2.5 Saffron Rice Pudding called Sholeh

cups of boiling water, 2 cups sugar, Zard!

quarter cup rosewater, and quarter

teaspoon ground saffron, stir to blend.

Increase the heat to medium low. Stir

several times until it starts boiliYnAgL.LA MAGAZINE 121

BYCHIFFON CAKE
M I M I KE L AT Y

Ingredients
8 eggs separated

2 cups sugar
1 lemon juice and rind

1 cup orange juice
¾ cup oil

2 ½ cups self-raising flour
2 tsp baking powder

122 YALLA MAGAZINE

Method

Pre heat oven to 160c

Whisk egg whites till stiff, add one cup of the
sugar gradually.

In a separate bowl mix all other ingredients:
one cup sugar, 8 egg yolks, lemon juice and
rind, orange juice, oil, flour and baking powder.

Then carefully fold in whites.

Preferably use a Chiffon tin to bake in, or a tin
with high sides as cake should rise.

Bake for one hour.

In my experience by far the most popular
cake..Enjoy !!

YALLA MAGAZINE 123

124 YALLA MAGAZINE

Sending the Wine on Time parchment) that was on the table and wrote something on it. He
Hacham Yizhak’s concern for others drove him to go to then wished him success in Arabic, followed by the blessing of
great lengths to assist his fellow Jews in need. Once, before “yevarechecha Hashem veyishmarecha…”
Pesah, Hacham Yizhak was notified that the Jews of Iran were
in very short supply of kosher wine; and due to the expense The boy was then given a kameiyah (amulet) along with a
and bureaucratic delays involved in bringing wine across the paper containing instructions. Twice a day for ten days, he was
border, they had little chance to obtain an adequate supply to dip the kameiyah in water and then drink the water. After ten
in time for the holidays. The rabbi was distressed over the days, he was to roll it up from left to right, wrap it in plastic,
prospect of Jews being unable to recite kiddush or drink the sew it in a cloth, and attach it to a string. He was told to wear it,
four cups of wine at the seder. So he devised a plan and set it but was not told for how long.
into action. Hacham Yizhak approached an Iranian government
official who held him in high regard and would often come The boy returned to the United States and underwent the
to request a blessing from him. He told the official that he necessary chemotherapy treatments, making a full recovery.
wanted to make a gesture to the Jews of Iran. Hacham Yizhak He recounted that after his meeting with Hacham Yizhak,
explained that he had special bottles of wine that he “blessed” he and his father consulted with Hacham David Abuhatzera
and then distributed to other Jews. If the Iranian Jews could of Nahariya. “He told us that he was skeptical about most
receive the blessed wine, it would lift their spirits. The rabbi kameiyot – except those from Rabbi Kaduri, especially if he
thus requested from the Iranian government official to arrange had written it himself. He said that I must wear the kameiyah
for the shipment of this wine from Israel to Iran. as a zechut [source of merit] for me. I resolved to wear it every
day since.”
The government official relished the opportunity to show
off his official authority and power. Within a short time, and Several years later, the boy, who was by then a young man,
without bureaucratic delays, a shipment of wine arrived in Iran was driving, when he blacked out and crashed into a utility
and was distributed among Jewish families in time for Pesah. pole. “Baruch Hashem I walked away unscathed,” he later
recalled, “but I immediately realized that I had forgotten to put
Food for the Journey Ahead on the kameiyah that day.”
Hacham Yaakov Hillel, shelita, presently the Rosh Yeshivah
of Yeshivat Hevrat Ahavat Shalom, once recalled a conversation Today, that young man has a beautiful family and spends his
he had with Hacham Yizhak. time learning in a kollel.2

“Five years ago,” he said, “Rabbi Kaduri gave me an Mystical Knowledge
envelope filled with shekels and dollars. The shekels were for There was a school in Jerusalem that was frequently victimized
Hacham Yizhak’s yeshivah, and he called the dollars ‘sedah by theft. The problem grew progressively worse and spiraled
laderech – food for the journey ahead.’ He explained, ‘When out of control. It became clear that one of the students was
I go up to heaven, I want some merit to accompany me.’ He committing the thefts, but the principal could not find the culprit.
wanted the money to be distributed to charity after he left this Finally, he decided to ask Hacham Yizhak for help.
world, so that the extra mitzvot would bring him merit.
“Write down the names of all the students in the school on
“He needs extra?! Imagine – such a great talmid hacham, pieces of paper,” the rabbi instructed. “Take every individual
and he is concerned that he does not yet have enough merits to name, crumple it up, and bring all the papers to me.”
accompany him to Heaven!”
The next day, the principal gave a little bag filled with all the
By the time Hacham Yizhak passed away, Rav Hillel had students’ names to the Hacham. Rabbi Kaduri then took a bowl
accumulated approximately 50 such envelopes from the of water and spilled out all the pieces of paper into the bowl. He
Hacham, containing cash totaling some $100,000! Each recited a certain verse under his breath three times, and all the
envelope had a handwritten note inside stating, “This money papers floated to the top of the water, except one, which sank to
is from Hacham Yizhak Kaduri, to be distributed as sedah the bottom.
laderech.”
Rabbi Kaduri told the principal, “Put your hand in the water
The Merit of His Kameiyah and take that paper out; it will tell you which student is causing
Once, a father traveled to Israel with his son to meet with all the mischief in the school.” When the principal returned to
Hacham Yizhak. Three weeks earlier, the boy had undergone the school, he investigated the matter and caught the thief red-
surgery to remove a brain tumor and the doctors were still handed.
unsure of his chances for recovery. It was not easy for the father
to arrange a meeting with the renowned sage, but, desperately Hacham Yizhak left this world on 29 Tevet, 5766/2006, at the
seeking Hacham Yishak’s blessing, he expended great efforts age of 111. The yom hilula of the fifth year since his passing will
and eventually succeeded. be on January 5, 2011.

They arrived for their scheduled appointment, and only the The eulogies at his funeral described him as a man who needed
boy was allowed in to see the rabbi. He handed Rabbi Kaduri very little for himself, yet never hesitated to pray that others
the note his father wrote describing his ordeal. After reading the should have everything they desired. May his memory serve as
paper, Rabbi Kaduri reached over to a pile of kelafim (sheets of an inspiration to our generation.

Yehuda Azoulay is the author of A Legacy of Leaders, a
groundbreaking English series containing biographies and
stories of Sephardic hachamim. More information and articles
can be found on his website at www.Sephardiclegacy.com

2 This story was personally told to the author by the subject, who today learns in kollel in Lakewood.

YALLA MAGAZINE SHEVAT 5771 JANUARY 2101215 23

REVEALING
THE SECRET
BEHIND
OZNEI HAMAN
- D AV E G O R D O N

Each year, we read Megillat Esther – the story of Purim –
recalling how the Jewish queen of Shushan intervened to
foil Haman’s scheme, and saved the Jews in 127 provinces.
But what may surprise many is that the Megillah isn’t the only
record of the heroes and villains of the Purim story.

Various ancient Greek and Semitic writings, tombs, and
archaeological inscriptions all attest to information about
Esther, Haman, and Achashverosh that, until recently, have
remained relatively unknown. The new information gleaned
from these sources sheds light on who the characters from
the Purim story were and what they did.

For example, recent discoveries have revealed just how
Haman determined his “lots.” Also they provide additional
historical background on Achashverosh, and give us insight
into the politics behind the ancient tomb where Esther and
Mordechai are believed to be buried.

One investigator, award-winning documentarian Simcha
Jacobovici, explained that Haman didn’t just want to
murder the Jews of his 127 Persian provinces. He wanted
to show that his god was superior to the G-d of Israel by
rolling dice to determine the date upon which to act.

Jacobovici, 63, was born in Canada and now lives in Israel.
He has dedicated his life to dig deeper into Jewish history.

The pur in Purim loosely translates to dice, and is commonly

126 YALLA MAGAZINE

“The pur in Purim loosely
translates to dice...”

– but erroneously – described as “throwing lots,” Haman’s hat, or his ears, as most people have

Jacobovici asserts. believed,” Jacobovici insists.

The British Museum displays a Royal Game of Ur board
adorned with precious stones, dating to the time of
Joseph, hailing from an Afghanistan princesses’ tomb.
Also displayed in the British Museum is an Assyrian
palace gate that contains the game etched into it
by bored guards from the eighth-century BCE.

Other boards, decorated with pictures of fighting
beasts, have been excavated recently. The “pawns,”
or pieces used in the game, were made of various
animals’ knuckle bones.

Until recently, the rules of play were a mystery. Dr.

“If he wanted to go out and get the Jews,” Jacobovici Irving Finkel, curator at the British Museum, decoded
asks, “why didn’t he just go out and get ’em? Why’d a second century BCE Babylonian cuneiform tablet
he have to do it at a certain time, on a date next which describes this race-to-the-finish-line game.

month, and give everyone a heads up? That’s when I According to the carving, the 20-square board

realized he was trying to show that fate was stronger contained 12 zodiac squares and was thought to

than the G-d of the Jews.” foretell players’ good or bad fortune (this is where

Haman used a dice game, the Royal Game of Ur. It Haman comes in). Various renditions of the game
is a board game from Mesopotamia (southern Iraq) have been found across the Middle East, India, and
which was discovered by archaeologist Sir Leonard the Mediterranean area, going back five thousand
Woolley in a grave in the city of Ur in the 1920s. years. Archaeologists believe that the game was
popular amongst traders, soldiers and missionaries.

As evidenced by the five ancient games thus far
found, the dice used in the game are dissimilar to Today, the Royal Game of Ur can be bought online.
today’s six-sided dice; the dice in the Game of Ur are “I not only touched the game, but I brought it home
pyramid-shaped. “Exactly like the triangle cookies we and played it with my kids. We didn’t just celebrate
still make on Purim, Hamantashen. It’s not representing Purim, but we played Haman’s game – and beat him
YALLA MAGaAt hZiIsNoEwn game,” says Jacobovici.
127

The Tomb of Mordechai and Esther street to provide easy access. This bridge made it
possible for people to avoid navigating a narrow dirt
In the Kurdish region of Iran, about 200 miles west alleyway in order to enter. Gabbay built a partial-
of Tehran, lies a tomb that has been the destination underground synagogue there, with a Star of David
for countless Jewish pilgrimages and celebrations, skylight. After the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Gabbay
perhaps going back two millennia. fled to Los Angeles.

Esther and Mordechai are said to be buried in a According to media reports, in 2011 Iranian authorities
shrine in Hamedan, formerly known as Ecbatana, and removed the site from the National Heritage List.
before that, Shushan. In that shrine Hebrew writing still Additionally, a sign denoting the site’s significance
adorns the walls. was taken down. These moves were sparked by the
threats of over 200 students who sought to destroy
Texts have been discovered which were written by the site. At that time the state’s news media, Fars,
various explorers, dating back to the twelfth century. In reported that the story of Purim was really about
these texts explorers recorded their experiences while 75,000 ancient Persians who were the victims of a
visiting Shushan, as well as illustrations and descriptions. Jewish-led massacre, dubbed a “holocaust.”
Many of those recollections discuss pieces of paper
written in Hebrew, which were left near the tombs. This Meanwhile, another tradition holds that Esther and
is similar to a custom we know today whereby people Mordechai were buried outside the village of Baram,
tuck notes in between the stones of the Western Wall. near Tzfat, Israel. The tomb is located in Baram
National Park. In the early thirteenth century, Rabbi
It is believed that Iranians in centuries of old used the Menachem Ha-Hevroni wrote that he visited the site.
tomb as the next-best and nearest holiest place to Additionally, just after Israel’s War of Independence
Jerusalem. During those times travel to Jerusalem was when the area was liberated, it’s said that some Jews
prohibitively expensive, was very labour-intensive, and ventured to the tomb to read the Megillah there.
was exceedingly time consuming. Jewish tombstones in
the proximity attest to how important people felt the Who was Achashverosh?
site was.
The Persian emperor who assumed the throne at
The shrine area today is different – at least in age 36 after his father Darius died in 486 BCE, was
appearance. In an effort to make it more accessible known by various names in different regions. In Hebrew
and aesthetic, the houses that surrounded it were and Babylonian he was known as Achashverosh, an
bought and demolished in the early 1970s, in a attempt to pronounce the Persian “Khshayarsha.”
goodwill gesture by the Iranian Jewish Society to
honour 2,500 years of Iranian monarchy. In Greece, where his father’s military had been
defeated in the Battle of Marathon, he became
Architect Yassi (Elias) Gabbay was commissioned to known as Xerxes.
renovate the area, building a bridge on the main

128 YALLA MAGAZINE

“Achashverosh earned a murderous reputation
for cruelly killing off various family members...”

Historical writers of the era – Herodotus, Diodorus empire-wide roadways for couriers, which were later
Siculus, Quintus Curtius Rufus, and Plutarch – tended to appropriated by the Romans. These couriers and the
use another name altogether, Shahanshah, meaning roadways they travelled are said to be the harbinger
“king of kings.” of the modern postal system.

In one of his first acts as emperor, Achashverosh’s army Unfortunately, these costly vanity projects, on top
chief, Mardonius, pressured him to renew the fight of the cost of tremendous military losses, meant
against Greece, to avenge Darius’ losses. According increasingly higher taxes for Achashverosh’s subjects.
to Herodotus, the Persian army corralled more than High taxes placed an unbearable burden on the
two million soldiers, the largest military force up to that citizens, which produced an economic ripple effect,
point in history. Incredibly, it consisted of Egyptians, said to lead to the eventual crumbling of his empire.
Babylonians, Assyrians, and Israelites.
The story of Purim, however, wasn’t Achashverosh’s
Initially, the Persian army succeeded, particularly in only run-in with the Jewish people.
thenow-famous Battle of Thermopylae. Even recently,
bestselling films and books have recalled these In the book of Ezra (chapter 4), Achashverosh
battles of heroism and strategic importance. However, received a letter signed by a few royal associates
after being defeated at Plataea, the Persian army (“enemies of the Judah and Benjamin,” many scholars
lost critical supplies from destroyed ships. After Platea, also say “Samaritans”), stating that some Jews had
Achashverosh refrained from further military conquests. returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple.

Back in Shushan, Achashverosh earned a murderous Achashverosh was warned that if the Jews settled in
reputation for cruelly killing off various family members Jerusalem, he’d lose tax money. Furthermore, he was
(including a son and a brother) in fits of jealousy, and warned, the Jews might be led to revolt against him,
for viciously killing others he perceived as traitors. His as they had revolted against other kings in the past.
focus turned to the building ostentatious architecture, Achashverosh then sent men to stop the building “by
mostly created to honour … himself! He funded these force.”
lavish projects with exorbitant sums from the national
treasury. Over time, Achashverosh’s conquests amassed him
treasures. Among these, may be the sacred vessels
After the Greek war, Achashverosh dedicated his time from the Temple, as alluded to in the “riches” in the
and resources to concluding construction projects Book of Esther, chapter 1. Though he took great pains
that had been initiated by his father and grandfather, to hide the Temple vessels, Achashverosh’s successor,
including the palace and gate of Susa (mentioned Cyrus, discovered these treasures. Cyrus eventually
in Megillat Esther, “Sha’ar Hamelech,” the king’s gate, returned them to the Jews to use as they wished for the
where Mordechai sat). Other of Achashverosh’s rebuilding of the Temple. The book of Isaiah alludes
projects included a grandiose palace, the Hall of to Cyrus giving away these “treasures of darkness.”
a Hundred Columns at Persepolis, and extensive

YALLA MAGAZINE 129

“May Hashem destroy
our enemies...”

Conclusion battles. He ordered political assassinations and
government-sponsored architectural vanity projects.
In summary, we can say with some certainty that the He held precious items of the Temple, and held back
popular Purim pastry “Ozney-Haman” (translated: its rebuilding.
Haman’s ears) had nothing to do with Haman’s ears or
the three-pointed hat he wore. Actually, these pastries Achashverosh was killed at age fifty-seven, the victim
most probably allude to the shape of the pyramid of a political assassination by his royal bodyguard.
dice used by Haman to determine the fortune of
the Jewish people. Hats and ears, after all, have little We learn in the Purim story and in Achashverosh’s
connection to the Purim story. life as well, the message of Hashgacha Pratit, Divine
providence, for the Jewish people. Although Hashem
Similarly, the Haman-taschen (Yiddish for Haman’s works with Hester Panim, literally, with His face hidden,
pouch or pocket – alluding to bribery) could have we know that He is the one pulling the strings. In
just as easily been Haman-tash– in Hebrew meaning today’s modern Persia, Iran, a new Achashverosh-type
“to weaken,” or “Haman-weakened.” regime rules. We pray that the Jews of today, who face
destruction at the hands of Iranian leaders, will, like
Other scholars believe that during the Renaissance the Jews of Achashverosh’s time, be ultimately saved.
the German word “mohn,” meaning poppy seed, is May Hashem destroy our enemies, prevent potential
intentionally hidden in “ha-mohn-taschen.” In fact, a catastrophe, and allow us to celebrate victory for
popular cookie in Germany during that era was the generations to come.
mohntash– or literally, poppy seed pocket.
Credit: “Reprinted with permission from Community
On that topic, since Achashverosh’s palace only Magazine, the most widely circulated Sephardic
hadnon-kosher food, Esther – who kept her identity monthly in the world”.
hidden – ate only fruit, seeds, and legumes. This
provides us with another appropriate explanation why
we use poppy seeds in hamantashen. The seeds, like
Esther’s identity, are covered in dough – or “hidden,”
as the word “Esther” means in Hebrew.

And finally, as we read above, there is much more to
Achashverosh than the sliver of time represented in
Megillat Esther.

Having ruled for a little more than two decades, he
was at the centre of wins and losses of Greek military

130 YALLA MAGAZINE

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132 YALLA MAGAZINE

CHAZAK

IN A FLASH

Our Yalla Magazine has been so well
received, but we are aware that the
many who pick up our magazine to read
the great content are not fully aware of
what we at Chazak do and the vision we
have for the organisation. In light of this, please feel free to
read and familiarise yourself with our many programs so that
you can plug in and enrich your family with our plethora of
activities we have on offer for all ages and stages of the
community.
These photo’s were taken at our fun Challah Bake and Chinese
Auction, some of the many exciting events that we run.

133

Kids educational and fun – filled. Educators for these
programs include, Rabbi Moshe levy, Rabbi Yitsy
We at Chazak believe that kids are the future David, Rabbi Doron Birnbaum, Sam Hass, Ephy Broder
and therefore, we concentrate on familiarising our and Abi Korc. We have enjoyed a tremendous amount
community with authentic Sephardic traditions and of feedback from both parents and teenagers who
ensuring that that process is exciting, fun and positive. feel that Chazak is playing a pivotal role in helping
We are also focused on bringing the many diverse to shape teens view on Judaism. One of the highlights
groups of children from our community together of the teen calendar is Rabbi Yitsy David’s Israel trip
through programs which include, Avot U’banim which in Year 12.
takes places every Motzei Shabbat at Chazak and
the annual Chinese Auction among the many others
that ensure that all participants gain an understanding
of how their particular Sephardic heritage fits into the
wider Sephardic community as a whole.

Teens

Chazak invests enormous energy into the teens within
our community which include teens of both Sephardim
and Ashkenazim from schools across London, both
Jewish and non-Jewish including, Immanuel College,
Hasmonean Girls and Boys, JFS, Yavneh, Haberdashers
Boys and Girls, City of London and UCS to name a
few.

The Programs run are consistent and take the form
of Lunch &Learns within the schools and after school
programming at the Chazak centre which are social,

134 YALLA MAGAZINE

“Please stay in touch with
us as we go forward
into our new chapter!”

Young Professionals We have also expanded our activities to now include
weekly shiurim for all ages at the Chazak centre. Our
The young professional department at Chazak has first series, Legacy of Leaders was a grand success
grown steadily over the last year to incorporate more and brought a wonderful and passionate group of
programs that appeal to a wide demographic who people through our doors.
hail from the UK, Europe, America, Israel and South
Africa. Courses cater to both singles and marrieds There are also many monthly Women’s shiurim given
by the Chazak team and tens of smaller groups in the
Rabbi Shlomo Farhi has been instrumental in this and city on a weekly basis.
has a strong following in both the Central London,
The City and North West London. Activities include Shabbat UK and Shabbat Chazak have become the
monthly and weekly shiurim with niche groups of highlights of the Chazak calendar, bringing hundreds
focused young professionals, trips and Shabbat and of people together for meals and classes, not to
Yom Tov programming. mention the challah Bake which attracted close to a
thousand women.

Community We are looking very forward to Shabbat Chazak
2018 which will take place April in the City and in
Chazak seeks to strengthen and invigorate the entire North West London in May.
community as a whole. This was evident over the High
holy Days with the countless shiurim given by Rabbi Please stay in touch with us as we go forward
Shlomo Farhi, Rabbi Yitsy David and Rabbi Moshe into our new chapter!
Levy across twenty different synagogues.

23
135

GIFT
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GIFT touches the lives of over
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education programmes.

GIFT activities:

• Helping Hand & Tutoring Help
• Schools’ Initiatives
• Shabbat Walk -
Hospital & Care Home Visits
• GIFT It Forward/ GIFT your Simcha
• B’nei Mitzvah Parties
• Food Collections, Packathons &

Deliveries

For more information, to volunteer or donate, please call GIFT
on (020) 8457 4429 email [email protected] or visit www.jgift.org

96 Golders Green Road London 137
NW11 8HB

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Only £599*

138 YALLA MAGAZINE Inspiring Jewish Journeys

*Cost £599 if booked before the 19th February 2018

YALLA MAGAZINE 139

September 8th - Young Professionals Friday night in city 23rd - community shiur & Seudat Shelishit HGS with R’
9th - Shabbat Chazak pre Rosh Hashanah afternoon- Farhi
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Edgware
10th - WMA Sephardi Shabbaton 23rd - Shiur & Sheudat Shilishit, Anshie Shalom with R’
12 10th-11th - Chazak inspiration abroad - Panama Levy
3456789 11th - Art night with artist Victoria Shasha
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14th-17th - Chazak inspiration abroad - Mexico 24th - Tzom Gedalya shiur Adani Shul Finchley
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 16th - midnight melava Malka and Selichot
24 25 26 27 28 29 30 21st - Rosh Hashanah -Explanatory service in Od Yosef Hai 28th - University Men’s pre Yom Kippur night of inspiration
23rd - Shabbat Shuva derasha
October 29th – Kal Nidrie speech Ohel David

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 30th - Yom Kippur- Explanatory service in S and P,
Explanatory service in OD Yosef Hai
1 234567
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 8th – Ematz reunion Sukkot BBQ CHA
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 20th – University Friday night dinner in Chazak Centre
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 24th – YP event in city Events C
29 30 31 26th - Shabbat UK Challah bake
27th - Shabbat UK communal Friday night prayers 57
November 27th – Shabbat UK – Young Professionals Friday night
dinner KE
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 28th- Shabbat UK teens minyan and lunch
29th – Children’s Mega jump youth outing Communit
1 234 Sixth Form
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 3rd-6th – YPs Poland trip Uni / Youn
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 3rd- 4th - Year 12 Shabbaton in centre Youth
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 4th - Communal Avot Ubanim Trips
26 27 28 29 30 10th – Friday night for Yavneh students Internation
17th – Friday night for Immanuel students Classes
December 12th-19th – Chazak inspiration abroad
- Panama/Miami
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 19th - Kids Chinese Auction

12 24th - INTERNATIONAL
3456789 FRIDAY NIGHT IN CITY
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 6th–11th JFS Poland trip
24 25 26 27 28 29 30 13th – YPs Chanukah party in the city
31 14th – YPs Chanukah party in Chazak Centre

January 15th - YOUNG COUPLES CHANUKAH
FRIDAY NIGHT - CHAZAK CENTRE
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
16th - Chanukah teens minyan and lunch
1 23456 17th – Kids Chanukah on ice
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 20th - Teens Chanukah Party
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 12th – Poland Reunion
28 29 30 31 13th - Sixth Form Minyan
14th – Teens FIFA tourney
February 19th – Friday Night 100
19th- Sixth Form Friday night for Yavneh college students
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 20th - YP Melava Malka

1 23 21st- 25th- SEPHARDI HERITAGE WEEK
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 26th – Shabbat Chazak winter: dessert and classes- NW
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 28th - Kids bowling
12405 26 27 28 28th- 31st- Chazak inspiration abroad

2nd - Shabbat Chazak winter : dessert and classes- Edgware
9th - Bar mitzvah programme Shabbaton in centre
11th- 15th - Israel yeshiva trip
16th-18th – Teens International Shabbaton
18th – Children’s Pre Purim Game show
23rd Pre Purim Friday night- Chazak Centre

25th – MEGA DAY OF SPEAKERS

28th – Purim Party 100

YALLA MAGAZINE

1st – Purim party Chazak Centre 16th- 17th – Shabbaton for students of Immanuel college March
2nd–3rd university Shabbaton away 18th – Mashalla fair
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
4th-11th – COMMUNITY POLAND TRIP 23rd-25th - Tough Mudder Shabbaton
30th – 8th – international Inspiration abroad- Pesach 1 23
9th -11th – Teens Shabbaton away 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
16th – Shabbat 100 in city 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
AZAK 13th -14th – year 11 Shabbaton for students of JFS 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
18th - Yom Ha’atzmaut community event
Calendar April
19th – Yom Ha’atmaut young professional event in city
778 20th – 21st – Shabbat Chazak Edgware SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
22nd- 25th - community Morocco trip
EY 1 234567
27th – 28th – Shabbat Chazak in Wood and Vale 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
ty 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
m/Teens 29th - YOM IYUN 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
ng Professionals 29 30
1st- Chazak Ladies Luncheon
2nd - Teens Lag baomer bonfire May
7th – Bank holiday Shesh Besh Tourney
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
11th - YP Friday night NW4
12th - Shabbat Chazak Kinloss 1 2345
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
15th – charidy day 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
18th – Shabbat 100 in city 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
19th – Shavuot dinner and all night learning 27 28 29 30 31
20th – YPs Shavuot BBQ
21st – University Shavuot BBQ June

24th -28th - YP MOROCCO TRIP SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

27th -28th – Euro Disney trip 12
3456789
8th – SA young professional braai 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
9th – Shabbat Chazak summer NWL- classes and seudat shilishit 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
10th - Bat mitzvah programme graduation
10th – Summer YPs party July

17th - Bar mitzvah programme graduation SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
17th – 20th – university Spain trip
1 234567
20th – 24th – WORLD CUP TRIP TO RUSSIA 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
24th – community football tourney 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
25th- 29th – young professional’s social action trip 29 30 31
30th – Shabbat Chazak summer: classes and seudat shilishit Edgware

nal Inspiration 7th - Shabbat Chazak summer: classes and seudat
shilishit in the wood and vale

12th – charity poker tournament
13th – Shabbat 200 in city

15th – teens football tourney
24th -26th – year 10 Devon trip

1st -12th - Israel year 12 trip August
6th -20th – Ematz Israel summer trip
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
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* itinerary and dates subject to change

YALLBYA

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142 YALLA MAGAZINE