Ukraine will Rise Again !

By Glen Berd2 Comments
The following was sent to me by one of our local community : Margaret Fingerhut was a bridesmaid to my first wedding, and became a concert pianist of some renown.  The video is very high quality, beautifully made. The email was forwarded to me by my first wife, who is Margaret's cousin.... Born in London of Ukrainian and Polish ancestry, Margaret Fingerhut has a distinguished career which has taken her all over the world. Described by Gramophone as a pianist of “consummate skill and thrilling conviction”, she is particularly known for her innovative recital programmes in which she explores the highways and byways of the piano repertoire. As a concerto soloist she has appeared with the London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the London Mozart Players, in major venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall and the Barbican. She is often heard on...
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A New Babylonian Captivity

By Glen BerdNo Comments
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Peter John Beyfus is an historian, published author, poet, and a person who prides himself on “thinking outside the box”.  have written many essays on Jewish themes, published in various journals, including ‘Wessex Jewish News’ and ‘Westminster Quarterly’, the magazine of Westminster Synagogue, London. A New Babylonian Captivity Likud leader, Binyamim Netanyahu, would be wise to heed the warnings of history. In forming a coalition with acknowledged extremist elements he runs the real risk of alienating many Israeli and Diaspora Jews. The price of another term in power may prove too high, even for a political acrobat and survivor like Netanyahu. Israel has reached a critical point in its short history and rather than put in jeopardy its good relations with Western democracies it should see how dangerous the present proposed lurch to the far Right is for its future well being. Whether Netanyahu and his supporters like it or not, Diaspora Jewry, particularly influential Jews in the USA, cannot be...
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Jerusalem – Let’s Rock !

By Glen BerdNo Comments
400 Musicians Turned This Israeli Classic Into a Rock Anthem and We’re Obsessed By Lior Zaltzman When you think of the Israeli classic “Jerusalem of Gold” or “Yerushalayim Shel Zahav,” you probably don’t really think of rock and roll. But the song — which, at over a half-century old, remains one of the most popular Israeli tunes ever written — recently got an exciting rock cover. And that cover was recorded by over 400 singers and musicians. If you don’t know “Jerusalem of Gold,” the song was written and composed by Naomi Shemer, one of the most popular Israeli songwriters. It was commissioned in 1967 by Jerusalem mayor Teddy Koleck and popularized by Israeli singer Shuli Natan. Three weeks after its release, the Six Day War broke out. The song itself mentions a Jerusalem divided by walls — which separated the part of the city that was under Jordan’s jurisdiction at the time from the part under Israeli rule. But after the war, the city was...
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Tribute to Holocaust Survivor, Cantor Ernest Levy OBE

By Glen BerdNo Comments
This is footage from a tribute concert put together by Rabbi Danny Bergson, held in honour of Cantor Ernest Levy OBE. that took place at the prestigious Glasgow Royal Concert Hall together with the Shabbaton Choir and other musicians in 2011. Ernest Levy was a holocaust survivor who after the war settled in Scotland. Originally from Bratislava he spent 48 years in Glasgow where he became a leading figure in the Scottish Jewish community. He was Cantor at the Giffnock and Newlands Synagogue for 40 years. His voice had a unique quality and ability to move you. He spoke out about his experiences throughout his life, knowing that his testimony would help future generations remember this terrible time in history. For these efforts Ernest was made an O.B.E in 2002. See below the video to read Cantor Ernest Levy's story https://youtu.be/z74UCAL3MDg Tributes have been paid to Rabbi Ernest Levy, who was one of the few survivors of the notorious Belsen camp. Mr Levy moved...
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Interfaith Shabbat

By Glen BerdNo Comments
On 17th December 2022, we hosted an Interfaith Shabbat and were delighted to be joined by esteemed visitors including Mark Menzies MP, The Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Fylde Representatives of the Muslim Advisory Council of Lancashire Mosques, Members from the Catholic Church of St. Mary's in Leyland, Catholic Reverend Deacon of St.Anne's, Vicar of St Anne's Parish Church of England, C of E Retired High School Teacher /HMD volunteer Hindu Representatives Chief Inspector for Fylde and Blackpool, Police Liaison Offer for our shul, Preston Faith Forum Lead Chaplain from Spiritual Care Dept of Lancs teaching hospitals. Unfortunately some people were unable to attend due to the very cold and icy conditions on the UK's coldest day of the year ! Following the service, all guests and visitors were invited to a Special Kiddush and an opportunity to talk to members of our congregation. We hope all feel this was an inspiring and important inclusive event. Stephen : Thanks Rabbi Bergson and all those involved in making the interfaith shabbat a very special occasion for the...
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Oh What a Party It Was !

By Glen Berd1 Comment
December 2022 and the music rang out for Chanukah ! The Ladies Circle slaved over hot stoves all morning, and were delighted that the huge turnout invited to our Chanukah Party all gave 4 stars to the 3 course hot supper. After the Rabbi lit the first candle and all present had belted out Moat Tzur - we were treated to a musical concert by the guitars of the Dynamic Duo of Rabbi Danny and Mike Frankel. We had the added surprise and privilege of a guest appearance by the famous saxophonist, Wes Frankel, who gave us a cameo performance of a medley on clarinet - our gain was London's loss ! (Fiddler on the Roof melodies never sounded so good !) Michelle : As always just want to thank you and the ladies for all your hard work. Everyone really enjoyed themselves and the new St Anne's residents had a great time too and hopefully will get more involved in shul activities. See you tomorrow at...
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Shalom Fruma Sarah !

By Glen BerdNo Comments
Shalom Fruma Sarah Ruth Madoc the actress who immortalised Lazar Wolf's wife in the film Fiddler on the Roof dies. To actress who will forever be Fruma Sarah to Fiddler on the Roof fans died on Friday December 9 after a fall. Ruth Madoc, 79 who  became a household name playing “chief yellowcoat” Gladys Pugh in BBC sitcom Hi-de-Hi! was due to appear in  Aladdin in Torquay, but passed away in hospital following surgery for the fall she had earlier in the week. Ruth Madoc made her screen debut in Fiddler after spotting an advert for a soprano in The Stage newspaper, but it was her willingness to be suspended 15ft in a harness over a graveyard as Lazar Wolf’s dead wife that the film’s director Norman Jewison loved about her. Ruth as Hi-De-Hi’s Gladys “Today, a performance like that by an unknown would lead to more work, but I disappeared into oblivion,” she said when she appeared on Jewish News’ 50th anniversary celebration  for Fiddler in April 2021. “At the audition, there were...
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