Author: Glen Berd

An interesting review of the BBC Documentary from a London based Barmitzvah planner. Full disclosure Before I share my own reflections, you ought to know that I had some involvement in the show. In the closing hours of 2023, I got a message from one of my b'mitzvah families asking if it would be okay to give my number to a TV producer who wanted to film their child's simcha for BBC One. The producer turned out to be award-winning documentary filmmaker, Rosemary Baker, best known by some of you (or your kids!) for Channel 4's Untold: The Truth About Spiking, Gogglebox: How to Make It on OnlyFans, and The Times Critics' Choice  Unreal! With TikTok and YouTube star Olivia Neill on BBC. She is now producer director for the renowned and prolific True Vision Productions, and you're bound to've seen any number of 100s of programmes they've made for the likes of the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Sky. I went in to the first of...

An interview with Jonathan Pollard (son-in-law of our member, Stephen Abrahams).  Jonathan spent 30 years in prison in America, accused of being an Israeli spy. He is now in a very happy place. released in late 2020, and living in Israel with his new wife, Stephen's daughter and 7 children.    Click the link below to hear his story. A number of weeks ago I had the opportunity to interview Yehonatan Pollard. We tackle many behind the scenes issues about Israel and America. Yehonatan has an extremely unique perspective due to his knowledge and experience. It is an interview that you do not want to miss. https://youtu.be/SLje7rUWYs4...

The war of attrition in Gaza has undoubtedly led to the degrading of Hamas but is unlikely, as many military commentators have observed, to completely destroy this terrorist organisation either in frustrating its capacity to launch attacks and/or reduce its political potency; so should Israel, or rather Netanyahu, review his strategy in the light of failure to secure the release of hostages and in persuading the Hamas leadership to enter into meaningful negotiations to bring about a ceasefire?  The short answer is an emphatic yes! There are many options to be considered and none is ideal but the only way this devastating war can be brought to an end is by some radical thinking. I believe it is a forlorn hope that as long as the IDF remain in Gaza, trying to eliminate Hamas’ operation centres, then this increases the chances of getting the hostages home; all that has happened to date is Hamas and its allied terrorist groups have “played...

Peter Beyfus kindly sent the following : Belated Chag Purim Sameach I attach a poem, written in the immediate wake of the UN resolution and the abstention of the USA, rather than an article because I wanted to capture the duplicity of Israel’s so-called friends. Best wishes Peter   Am Yisrael Chai Israel’s Maccabean spirit will not wane, No matter what erstwhile friends may say; Who play political games without a shred of shame, To applause from those who pressure allies to betray. A country founded on grief and lost generations, Striving to create a land of prosperity and justice; Where there was nothing but dust and repression. She faces an enemy who to appease is to invite malice, But one day will have to fight to their disgrace; A struggle greater than a local war, Against forces that would enslave the world; And then what will the temporal powers roar? “Little Israel beleaguered, insightful but we forsook!” Peter Beyfus...

"PADDINGTON BEAR" author Michael Bond, based his beloved character on Jewish Children who were Refugees in war-torn Europe (WWII). The Paddington Bear story goes as follows: The Brown family finds a bear from “Darkest Peru” sitting on a suitcase at London’s Paddington train station. He has a note hanging around his neck that says “Please look after this bear.” The family takes him in and he embarks on a series of entertaining adventures... "Despite being a magnet for trouble, the specific expression Paddington brings to mind is 'keep calm and carry on.' He is cheerful, adaptable and hardworking, and although he frequently gets it wrong, he always 'tries so hard to get things right'." Bond’s first Paddington book was published in 1958, by the name "A Bear Called Paddington". Over two dozen books about the foundling Bear followed, and have sold over 35 million copies around the world since then. Paddington has become one of the most beloved British fictional characters. In a 2014 interview with The Telegraph,...

A new edition of Jewish Heritage in Britain and Ireland celebrates the undiscovered heritage of Anglo-Jewry. First published in 2006, it remains the only comprehensive guide to historic synagogues and sites in the British Isles. Included are many of England’s splendid synagogues; from Bradford Synagogue built in Islamic revival style to Brighton’s opulent Middle Street Synagogue hidden behind a modest granite façade. 1. Bevis Marks Synagogue, London Bevis Marks Synagogue This hidden gem in the City of London is Britain’s oldest synagogue, opened in 1701. Designed by master builder Joseph Avis, the style was influenced both by Wren City churches and the Portuguese Great Synagogue of Amsterdam, the parent congregation of the English Sephardim. 2. Princes Road Synagogue, Liverpool Interior of Princes Road, Liverpool The most lavish High Victorian Oriental synagogue in England, older sister of London’s New West End and designed by the same architect, George Audsley. It opened in 1874 and is Grade I Listed despite losing its turrets in the 1960s. Its gorgeous mint...

Elkie Brooks was born Elaine Bookbinder in Broughton Park, Salford, the daughter of Marjorie Violet (née Newton) and Kalmon Charles Bookbinder. She was raised in Prestwich. She attended North Salford Secondary Modern School, Her older brother is Anthony Bookbinder (born 28 May 1943), who went by the stage name of Tony Mansfield, and was drummer for Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas, on their run of 1960s hit records. According to Brooks, her unofficial debut was a gig at a club called the "La Ronde" on Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester, when she was 13 years old. She first sang professionally at the age of 15, and her first record, a cover of Etta James's "Something's Got a Hold on Me", was released on Decca in 1964. Brooks spent most of the 1960s on Britain's cabaret scene, a period of her life that she did not particularly enjoy.[8] In the mid 1960s she supported the Beatles in their Christmas show in London, then,...

Day 137 - my open letter to HRH Prince William From : Deborah Nathan Dear Prince William, I want to start by saying that I am writing to you as an admirer. I am a long term supporter of the British Royal family in general and of you and the Princess of Wales in particular. I am sorry that your family members have been going through a rough time recently and wish both the King and the Princess of Wales speedy and complete recoveries. You and the Princess of Wales seem to be such thoughtful, intelligent and caring people (and wonderful parents) and I am sure that you took advice and thought long and hard before making your statement today about the situation in Gaza. It is unusual for the Royal Family to involve themselves in political matters so I understand you must be deeply concerned by the situation to have made this statement at all. I do hope it isn't used to cause...