“Some trouble, some eloquence, and some money.”

By Glen BerdNo Comments
Ida and Louise Cook were unmarried sisters in their mid thirties who lived with their parents. One wrote romance novels for Mills and Boon and the other commuted from their sleepy London suburb to work as a secretary for the civil service. They wore home made clothes and shared a love of opera. They loved opera so much, they would go to Germany for the weekend just to see the opera there. In the 1930’s. No one paid attention to them crossing the border, a couple of dowdy women in their homemade clothes, nor on the return trip with their furs and jewels. What Ida and Louise were doing, in addition to going to their beloved opera, was collecting valuables from would be refugees to help them in their new lives. The sisters would find people who would vouch for the refugees, find people willing to home them, assemble papers for them, and even rented an apartment as a temporary space...
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The BBQ Comes up Trumps Again !

By Glen Berd1 Comment
The weather dominated the anticipation of the Rabbi's Annual Summer BBQ during this abysmal summer. Surely August will be a safe bet for some sun? Shhh. A little bird said that Rabbi Danny even had a word with the Boss in the hope of influencing the outcome. Well, in the event, despite prior weeks forecasting rain - there was a brief respite just for the duration.......... Hmm, was that a result of the little word ? We'll never know  - and I couldn't possibly comment. So, although cloudy and rather cool, the dry day meant it went like a walk in the park. The food prepared by chef Robert and sous chef Steven was worthy of at least a half Michelin star.   The salads by Rebbetzen Anna and the Ladies Circle were naturally brilliant (Biased? Moi?).  But full kudos go to Jon's security team of heavies who policed the gate with a professionalism we were surprised by but delighted to discover. The guests? Well, needless...
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The Day Leeds Came to Town

By Glen BerdNo Comments
In what passes as summer this year, the middle of July has been cloudy, wet and cold. Then ... Surely a miracle - the sun shone, the clouds disappeared and the temperature climbed to 21c.  Leeds has come to town ! On 17th July, St. Anne's Shul were delighted to host the Leeds Friendship Group for afternoon tea, after their day trip to Lytham and St. Annes. Old friends met up after years.  Huge thanks to Keith Warner and Irene Collins for allowing our community to join you. Our new president, Ian Glass, said a few words of welcome, and extended a warm invitation to any visitors who'd like to join our merry band of new immigrant retirees ! ...
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Jewish Middle Aged Dating

By Glen BerdNo Comments
[Pinched from Andrea Samuels] Just read this hilarious post on Twitter by Matthew Feinberg (@thewebbie).   Too good not to share… Jewish Middle Aged Dating Ah, being a single middle-aged Jewish man and trying to understand Jewish women, now that's a tale as old as The Torah. So there I am, minding my own business, trying to navigate this minefield called dating. I swear, trying to understand a Jewish woman is like trying to read the Talmud without a commentary. You think you get it, but then she hits you with something and you’re back to square one, like a dreidel that never lands on the side you want. Take my mother, for instance. She says, "Why don't you move to New York City or Boca to meet a nice Jewish girl?" I say, "Ma, I do meet them! But then I meet them, and suddenly I'm trapped in an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm." One date I went on, she spent the entire time talking about...
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The Future May Not Be Rosy, But Red

By Glen Berd1 Comment
The Future May Not Be Rosy, But Red By Peter Beyfus Sir Keir Starmer’s landslide victory on the 5th of July may have been greeted by many as welcome news, but by others with a sense of trepidation. The turnout in the British 2024 General Election was not anything to be complacent about: just 60% of the electorate bothered to cast their votes; and Labour enjoyed a meagre 34% of the votes but enjoyed a handsome reward of 412 seats. One may take issue with the first past the post system of electing governments, levelling the charge it does not represent a true democracy, but there is little prospect of it changing to PR, when both main parties favour the current method of election that guarantees success for one or the other. But more important than debates about whether first past the post or PR is the fairer system, what does a Labour Government hold for the Jewish community of Britain? The short...
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It’s The Summer BBQ !!

By Glen BerdNo Comments
The Rabbi's Annual BBQ is almost upon us ! SUNDAY 4TH AUGUST at 2.30pm CLICK HERE  ...for more details of venue and to book (required for catering purposes) Donation : £15 per person  Prepayment : Cheques payable to St. Anne's Hebrew Congregation, and post to 38 Orchard Road, St Annes FY8 PJ or BACS payments to Sort Code : 77-26-06. Account No. 42653460 Fancy a foretaste? When Rabbi Danny's not davening, preaching or pastoral visiting - he's an OK BBQ'er  :-)  ...
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14th August 2024 – 2.30pm. Note the Date

By Glen BerdNo Comments
The League of Jewish Women - Fylde Group - is holding their Annual Afternoon Tea ! Men and Women are welcome - music provided by The Dave Gloan Duo and Afternoon Tea is provided by the ladies of the St.Anne's Synagogue Social Circle. As well as the entertainment and (optional) dancing, there'll be a Quiz and a Grand Raffle with all proceeds going to Magen David Adom. Early booking is recommended - the League events get booked up fast and early :-)  ...
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THANKS FOR THE CLOTHING FOR DISPLACED FAMILIES

By Glen BerdNo Comments
From: "Tony Frais (Tiscali)" <afrais@tiscali.co.uk> Date: 16 June 2024 at 19:21:42 BST To: office@shulbythesea.co.uk Subject: THANKS FOR THE CLOTHING FOR DISPLACED FAMILIES Reply-To: "Tony Frais (Tiscali)" <afrais@tiscali.co.uk>  Dear Congregation, I am writing in awe and amazement at the generous Chessed from your Shool Community in sending clothes for the Displaced Families in Israel. Our hearts break at the suffering there. I will endeavour to despatch the men's , women's  and children's clothing through a network of like-minded travellers as soon as is possible. I call this the camel train. I will begin with myself  as I am travelling to Heathrow for my El Al flight tomorrow to Eretz. From the bottom of my heart toda raba Am Yisrael Hi I visited your beautiful  Shool last summer Helen Frais ...
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