December 1996 - Chanukah 5756

Contents

• Forthcoming WHAM Events
• Klezmer & Cocktails
• Oxford Weekend Away, September 1996
• Life as a journey towards light
• Recipe Corner
• Security Rota
• AnagWHAM corner:

Forthcoming WHAM Events

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KLEZMER & COCKTAILS UNDER THE ARCHES

Sunday 8th December at 8.30 pm (doors open 8 pm)
Venue: The Garage, No 2 Maygrove Road, London NW6
Tickets in advance (Contact: Aviva Goldschmidt) UKP6.50 (Members/Students/Unemployed)
& UKP8.50 (non-members), or at the door (supplement of UKP2 per person)

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Oxford Weekend Away, September 1996

Regents College? Does anyone know where that is? I was sure that someone was mixing up the venue with the cricket match? But no, Charles assured me, we were going to stay in Regents College Oxford for our first WHAM away weekend. So, on a lovely warm Friday afternoon, laden up with a dozen freshly baked challas (did they smell good!), food, children, bicycles and a dog we headed out in the rush-hour traffic to Oxford.

By the time we had worked out the correct exit to take off the motorway and made our way through the late afternoon traffic into Oxford we were all a bit weary. However after quickly unpacking and settling in the babysitter, we perked up and a cheerful group made its way to the L'Chaim Society premises in time to welcome in the Shabbat and with a minyan for a Friday night service. Lionel was heard to exclaim that for once the minyan was waiting for him rather than he waiting for a minyan!

Although Rabbi and Mrs Boteach were not in Oxford they had ensured a warm welcome. The L'Chaim premises were available to us and supper was ready and waiting. Our guest speaker failed to show, but never mind. We were going to have a fun weekend without any upsets. A poor Oxford lecturer who had simply come along for a Friday night service was cajoled, with the help of a little sweet talking and a lot of whiskey, to be our impromptu speaker. I don't know what the absent speaker had planned to say but Robert came up trumps and was very interesting to listen to.

After a comfortable night in student rooms at the college, which felt just like being at camp, we woke to the boisterous noises of the children who had declined to sleep in. Bleary eyed, we sent the men off to start the Shabbat morning service at the L'Chaim centre. Our Shabbat lunch speakers were Peter and Harriet Getzels. They were responsible for the recently shown television programme on Shmuley Boteach. After answering initial questions on the making of the programme, we had a lively discussion on Jewish programmes and the portrayal of Jews in the media.

We were blessed with wonderful weather all weekend. After the obligatory Shabbat afternoon shloff, the more energetic weekenders, led by our blue-badge guide, Tony Metzer, embarked on a walking tour of the Oxford sites. This was followed by seudah on the college lawns.

After Shabbat, some families sadly had to leave, but the rest of us made our way to what we were assured was the best pub in the area. The Trout proved to be a tranquil, pretty place on the river where we could drink a toast to a lovely weekend. We put together a makeshift supper at L'Chaim while we waited for Rabbi Boteach to arrive from London to conduct the Selichot service. This was followed by a team quiz. A few excelled at answering the questions set by Rabbi Boteach while some of us simply gave up and dozed off.

After an "eggie" breakfast over Sunday newspapers, we began packing. This required everyone's skills and expertise . As it was St Giles' day, the main road in Oxford was closed off and navigation skills to get cars from L'Chaim back to Regents College and out of Oxford were much in need. The next skill was required when we realised that Lucy had gone off cycling and the key left with Charles did not open their room. There was no caretaker on site either. If you ever find yourself in a similar predicament Simon Bruckheimer is your man (nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more!!!)

At last we were ready to move on to our next destination - Blenheim Palace. But not before we had to find Andrew's car which he had trustingly left in one of the Park and Rides outside Oxford. Fortunately for him - and the insurance company - it was still there and we made our way to meet Lucy and Jackie who had energetically cycled ahead to Blenheim. After a tour around the house and a delicious cream tea, a weary but happy group made their way back to London.

Thank you to Charles for his efficient organisation and to everyone: adults, children and Moshe, for contributing to a wonderful weekend. It was an outstanding success and the atmosphere was magic. Even those who had bravely come knowing no-one, felt wholly part of the group by the end of the weekend. For those of you who missed out, look out for the next one. It really is worth joining in.

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Life as a journey towards light

The Talmud records the famous dispute concerning how to light the Chanukah candles.

According to the School of Shammai, we should kindle eight lights on the first night of Chanukah, seven on the second, and so on downward, until we are left with the last night of the festival with just one solitary light.

The School of Hillel disagreed. They maintained that one candle should be lit on the first night of Chanukah, two on the second, and so on upwards, until the Chanukiya burns brightly on the last night of Chanukah with all eight lights.

Of course, the halacha is according to the opinion of the School of Hillel. And so we add one candle each night of Chanukah.

In one of my first talks in WHAM, on the last Rosh Hashannah but one, my theme was "one step at a time". We should take on one new mitzvah at a time, constantly, but gradually, seeking to achieve greater heights in Jewish knowledge and commitment. Chanukah embodies this message more beautifully than any other festival. We kindle one light, then another, then yet another, until the whole Chanukiya beams out glorious, radiant brightness on the last night of Chanukah.

So Chanukah, like life, is a journey towards greater light. One light at a time, one step at a time, until brightness surrounds us and we come as close as we can to fulfilling the unique potential that each of us possesses. If we can make the effort, G-d promises to smooth the path.

Chanukah Sameach.

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Recipe Corner

Debra's Halva Ice Cream

Editor's note: Debra is leaving WHAM this year to live in Israel. We wish her every success in her move.

Ingredients

• 300 ml whipping cream
• 3 eggs
• 50g sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 1 slab Halva

NOTE: Use raw eggs with caution when entertaining pregnant women, small children, elderly relatives and those with pre-existing illness.

Method

1. BOWL 1: Whip the cream until it stiffens to soft peaks.
2. BOWL 2: Separate the eggs (yolks in this bowl, whites in Bowl 3), and beat the yolks in this bowl. Crumble Halva into fine pieces and mix well into yolk mixture.
3. BOWL 3: Place whites in this bowl; beat until mixture stands up in soft peaks. Add sugar and continue beating until stiff.
4. Fold contents of Bowl 2 (yolk mixture) into contents of Bowl 1 (cream). Then fold in contents of Bowl 3 (whiteS) with a metal spoon.
5. Freeze overnight. Take out of freezer about 20 minutes before serving to allow to soften slightly.

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Security Rota

Please make a note of your dates NOW.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your slot is filled. If you cannot make your allotted time, then please arrange a swap. If you cannot do that, please phone me with sufficient time to do something about it.

IF YOU DO NOT DO SECURITY NOW, BUT WOULD BE WILLING TO DO IT ON AN OCCASIONAL BASIS, PLEASE RING ME TOO.

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AnagWHAM corner:

Here's another anagram of a WHAM member's name that should baffle you all:

SMALL CAR IS A CONE

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This page is © 1997 West Hampstead Alternative Minyan, all rights reserved. The WHAM News logo is © 1996 Geoffrey Charin. This Edition of WHAM News - the alternative: was edited by Aviva Goldschmidt and HTML-ised by Andrew Hougie. Further work by Andrew Hougie can be found at his Home Page.
Last revision: 23 March, 1997.
http://www.wham.org.uk/circular/news1296.htm

Validated by Hal's HTML Validator to HTML Level 2.0 with Netscape Extensions on 23 March, 1996

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