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DON’T WAIT FOR TO GIVE
Is it even worth Dollar-A-Day? I'm sure there are plenty of other people supporting TorahAnytime
Wait... if we all assume 'someone else' will give, then no one is actually giving! I have to step up.
MORE THAN LINES ON A MAP.
CST records second-highest annual antisemitic incidents
BY DAVID SAFFER
Te Community Security Trust recorded 3,700 anti-Jewish hate incidents in the UK in 2025.
In CST’s detailed report the most serious incident in the second-highest annual total ever was the terror attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Manchester on Yom Kippur.
people were also seriously injured.
Te attack triggered the highest daily total with 40 logged incidents, and 40 the following day. Over half directly referenced or celebrated the atrocity.
CST’s An-
TorahAnytime at 20: How a Small Website Became a Global Torah Revolution
SHABBAT: BEGINS ENDS
London 16:57 18:01
Manchester 16:57
Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby died in the frst fatal incident since CST began recording cases in 1984. On a day that shook the Jewish community to its core three
tisemitic Incidents Report 2025 showed that October was the worst month for anti-Jewish hate. A smaller spike came in December following the Bondi Beach terror attack that saw 15 fatalities.
Continued on page 4 PARASHAT MISHPATIM | SHEKALIM
In 2006, TorahAnytime launched into a world that barely understood what online video even meant. YouTube was in its infancy, smartphones were not yet part of daily life, and the idea that people would one day listen to Torah classes on demand from anywhere in the world felt almost unrealistic. Back then, if you missed a shiur, you missed it. If you wanted to review something or share it with your family at the Shabbos table, you relied on memory or handwritten notes. TorahAnytime was created to solve that problem by giving people direct access to Torah whenever and wherever they needed it.
Continued on page 12
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Tere were over 200 antisemitic incidents every month with an average of 308 cases. CST have historically only recorded more incidents on fve occasions.
Chief Executive Mark Gardner said two years of “intense anti-Jewish hatred” had culminated in the Jihadi terror attack at Heaton Park.
“Te attack triggered even more antisemitism, showing the depths of extremism faced by Jews and all our British society,” he noted. “CST are more determined to keep protecting our community.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood vowed to stand up to the “scourge of antisemitism”.
“We are providing record funding for security at synagogues, Jewish schools and community centres,” Mahmood noted. “I will go further to strengthen police powers so they can crack down on intimidating protests.”
against anyone who harasses or intimidates British Jews, or calls for violence such as Jihad or Intifada.
“We can’t have hatred and extremism pouring out on our streets,” he explained.
“It is morally wrong that Jewish residents here in the UK no longer feel safe.”
on targeted communities,” he noted. “We will continue to commit resources to protect our Jewish communities and bring perpetrators to justice.”
Tere were four incidents of ‘extreme violence’ and 170 cases of ‘antisemitic assault’ while ‘damage and desecration of
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp gave a stark warning to antisemites.
“Anyone espousing extremist views or who expresses support for terrorism, or racial or religious hatred of any kind, including antisemitism, who is not a British citizen should be removed from this country,” he said.
Philp called on Mahmood and the police to use the “full force of the law”
Te government’s Independent Advisor on Antisemitism, Lord Mann, said that anti-Jewish racism was present in every corner of society.
Chief Constable Mark Hobrough, National Policing Lead for Hate Crime, described the levels of antisemitic hate crime as “unacceptably high”.
“Te impact of terror attacks and the continued levels of fear and exposure to hostility have a deep and corrosive efect
Jewish property’ incidents rose by 38% to a record 217 cases.
Most incidents involved ‘abusive behaviour’ with 3,086 cases recorded, 83% of all antisemitic incidents in 2025. Over half (53%) referenced Israel, Palestine, Hamas or the ongoing war, 48% showed anti-Zionist motivation alongside anti-Jewish language or targeting. Tere were 32 incidents where the phrase ‘Death to the IDF’ was used, all occurred after punk-rap
group Bob Vylan used the phrase at the Glastonbury Festival. Tere were no reported examples prior to that event. Nazi and Holocaust-related imagery featured in 27% of all incidents.
CST recorded 1,541 online antisemitic incidents, the highest annual total, and 42% of all incidents.
Seventy percent of incidents were linked to the Middle East. Tis fgure, worryingly, only represents a fraction of antisemitic content online.
Tere was a 23% fall in anti-Jewish hate incidents in the school sector and a 41% decrease in university-related antisemitic incidents. Tere were 227 incidents afecting synagogues.
CST recorded 36 antisemitic incidents linked to professional football, 14 to West Midlands Police’s decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending a match against Aston Villa.
Geographically, Greater London and Greater Manchester accounted for 61% of all incidents.
CST observed a broader national spread. Antisemitic incidents were recorded in every police region. Te highest numbers were in Leeds (89), Borehamwood & Elstree in Hertfordshire (61), Birmingham (58), Brighton & Hove (52) and Liverpool (43).
CST dealt with over 6,700 reports during the year. Tis included 3,001 incidents that did not meet the antisemitic threshold but required assessment, follow-up, security or police engagement.
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Police make arrests during Herzog Aussie solidarity trip
BY ADAM MOSES
President Isaac Herzog called on Australian Jewry to stand up to antisemitism and be proud of their Jewish and Zionist identity during a fve-day solidarity trip.
Violent protests took place during the high-profle visit. Police charged nine people after making 27 arrests outside Sydney’s Town Hall and local areas on Monday night. Ten ofcers were assaulted.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was “devastated” by the scenes but defended his invitation to Herzog, who was aware
Pro-Palestinian groups objected to his visit.
Herzog addressed the incident at Moriah College, Sydney, where he was greeted by hundreds of Jewish school pupils before a Q&A session with high school students.
“I know that the demonstrators and protesters who are cursing us, saying the biggest lies and afrmations against our nation, do not want to hear this, but I believe that the silent majority of Australians defnitely want to hear and move back on track,” he said.
New South Wales introduced laws
regarding protests and hate speech following the Bondi Beach terror attack in December.
NSW Police estimated 6,000 protesters, organisers claimed the number was 50,000.
Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said ofcers demonstrated “remarkable restraint”, NSW Premier Chris Minns told Channel 9’s Today programme authorities were in an “impossible situation”.
Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna told reporters that police, who were “signifcantly outnumbered” by protesters acting in a “violent and ofensive manner”, were “threatened, jostled and assaulted” during “rolling fghts”.
Herzog, accompanied by First Lady Michal, spoke to students about antisemitism in Australia, the aftermath of Bondi Beach, Israel-Australia relations and contribution of Australian Jewry to Israel.
Regarding antisemitism, he noted: “We never expected this to happen in Australia. My recommendation to all of us collectively is to stand up, look them in the eye and don’t be afraid. We are not going to budge. We are proud of our Jewish and Zionist identity. We are proud of Israel and we insist on moving forward together.”
On Israel-Australia relations, he observed: “Te contribution of Australia to Israel’s founding and the homecoming of the Jews to their
ancient homeland is enormous. Ever since, Israel has been a bipartisan issue in your politics. Clearly, something bad has happened in the last generation, and it has become deep-seated, and it has to be met.
“With the current government, we have had our ups and downs. We had many arguments about how they view Israeli policy, not understanding at times that we are defending ourselves in one of our most difcult moments against jihadi Islamist extremism and the Iranian empire of evil which threatens the world. We see ourselves as defending and protecting the free world. We were heavily criticised at times and yet we have an open and frank dialogue. My efort in this visit is to bring relations back on track, try to bring Israel into the focus of being a bipartisan issue.”
Herzog said the Australian Jewish community had made a huge impact in Israel.
Israel’s president attended numerous events including a Bondi Chabad Memorial Service led by Rabbi Yehoram Ulman with Albanese.
Herzog, World Zionist Organisation Yaakov Hagoel, and Jewish Agency Chairman Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog met with bereaved families of the Bondi attack.
Herzog told guests: “We memorialise their ideals and dreams. Tis is how we remember, in Sydney and in Jerusalem. Te terrorists sought to instil fear in the Jewish people, we respond with renewed
Moriah College pupils welcome President Isaac and Michal Herzog
PHOTO: GPO
1 HOUR AFTER SHABBAT
Jewish pride. Tey sought to divide people with religious hate, we respond with solidarity between all people of moral conscience, of all faiths.”
Addressing Albanese, he noted: “What we saw in Bondi, the blood-curdling act of blind hatred, hatred of Jews, hatred of Australian values, simply has no place in this country, or anywhere. My experience has taught me that this battle requires broad, serious measures and I commend the legislation and initiatives you have taken. Te test will be their full implementation and outcome.”
Victims’ families, survivors and thousands of members of the Sydney Jewish community attended a memorial at Bondi Beach.
Herzog, in a powerful address, said the physical and emotional scars were part of the two nations.
in Australia and around the world. In the wake of the horror at Bondi Beach, we have come here to show you that we are with you.”
Herzog and First Lady Michal began the ofcial visit at Bondi Beach where they laid a wreath and two stones from Jerusalem to remain in memory of the 15 victims.
Noting Jews had become targets in Australia, he said: “Te hatred that triggered the shooting at Bondi is the very same, age-old, plague of antisemitism endured by our parents and grandparents. It began long before October 7, generations before even the State of Israel. Somehow, the October 7 massacre emboldened closet antisemites
He told guests: “In the face of evil, we saw the very best of humanity. Here on Bondi, surfboards became trenches and stretchers, as extraordinary ordinary people ran into the danger and saved innocent lives. And in the aftermath of the attack, the people of Australia stood together in grief and solidarity with the Jewish community.”
Herzog called on leaders across all sectors of society to speak out consistently against antisemitism.
He visited Jewish communities across Australia and met politicians across the political spectrum.
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President Herzog and Rabbi Yehoram Ulman PHOTO: GPO
Bibi meets Trump for seventh time at White House
BY DAVID SAFFER
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has held talks with President Donald Trump at the White House this week.
Top of the agenda are Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, as well as its proxy groups.
Tis is Netanyahu’s seventh trip to meet Trump since his election.
Netanyahu told reporters that Israel had an “extraordinary relationship” with the United States that was “unprecedented in our history” before boarding the
‘Wing of Zion’ plane to Washington. Outlining the latest round of crucial talks, Netanyahu said he would discuss a range of issues.
“Gaza, the region, but of course, frst and foremost, the negotiations with Iran,” he noted. “I will present to the President our outlook regarding the principles of these negotiations, the essential principles which, in my opinion, are important not only to Israel, but to everyone around the world who wants peace and security in the Middle East.”
According to Channel 12, Netanyahu was expected to brief Trump on Israel’s intelligence regarding Iran. Te assessment is the same as the one he discussed with special envoy Steve Witkof in Israel last week.
Iran has voiced concern about Netanyahu’s visit to the White House. However, Trump told Israeli media that Netanyahu “wants a good deal” with Iran and that nuclear talks were progrssing well.
“Last time they didn’t believe I would do it,” Trump told Channel 12 regarding US strikes last June on Iran’s nuclear sites.
“Tey overplayed their hand,” he added. “Negotiations are very diferent. We can make a great deal with Iran.”
Questioned further, Trump continued: “Either we will make a deal (with Iran) or we will have to do something very tough like last time… We have an
armada that is heading there and another one might be going.”
Shin Bet removed freelance Israeli-Russian journalist Nick Kolyohin from Netanyahu’s fight before take-of for “security reasons”.
Te Prime Minister’s Ofce said in a statement that security authorities did not approve Kolyohin, who writes for media outlets globally, for “security reasons that cannot be detailed at this time”.
Shin Bet added: “Te service is tasked, among other things, with securing the Prime Minister. Within this framework, decisions are made to reduce risk to the Prime Minister and to information in his vicinity. By their nature, it is not possible to address the reasons underlying individual decisions.”
Bicom reported that Netanyahu was not expected in Washington until mid-February when Trump launches his Board of Peace.
Recent talks in Muscat, Oman, have not resulted in an agreement but dialogue will continue.
Te talks were the frst between US and Iranian ofcials since the hostilities last June.
According to reports the White House has pulled back from an imminent strike that could result in the collapse of the Iranian regime.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has not made public appearances in recent weeks.
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Continued from page 1
At frst, it was simple: a website where you could listen to Torah classes from speakers any time you wanted. But something unexpected happened. People didn’t just listen — they depended on it. Fathers listened in the car on the way to work. Students reviewed shiurim late at night. Families played classes at home. Slowly, TorahAnytime stopped being just a website and became part of daily Jewish life. Over the next twenty years, that small project grew into something extraordinary. Today, TorahAnytime is no longer one platform but an entire Torah ecosystem. Tere are mobile apps, a global phone hotline, Daily Dose for quick daily inspiration, TorahAnytime Shorts for people who only have a few minutes, HerTorahAnytime for women, RebbeAnytime for elementary-grade yeshiva students, JewishAnytime for those new to Judaism, and a rapidly growing world of children’s programming called StoryAnytime, which includes Parsha News, Chofetz Chaim Time Travelers, Izzy Inspired, and much more. TorahAnytime has become a place where every kind of Jew — young and old, beginner and advanced — can fnd Torah that fts their life.
thousands of new people chose to add TorahAnytime into their lives in just one year. But success at that scale carries enormous costs. Every shiur that is recorded, every minute that is streamed, every hotline call that is answered requires servers, storage, bandwidth, software developers, editors, technicians, and staf. TorahAnytime now runs with more than twenty full-time employees, over ffty volunteers, and hundreds of cameras flming shiurim around the world with over 1,500 new classes added weekly. Te more people learn and the more classes get posted, the more it costs to keep everything running.
Even as the organization continues to grow, TorahAnytime is pushing forward with new projects designed to make Torah even more accessible. One of the most exciting soon-to-bereleased projects is the TorahAnytime Pocket. It’s a brand-new device built from scratch that does not look or function like a smartphone. It contains over 450,000 TorahAnytime classes in a completely safe and locked-down format. Parents can give it to their children, yeshiva students can carry it with them, and anyone can learn Torah anywhere without worrying about online risks. TorahAnytime will be selling this device at an extremely discounted price, with no monthly subscription, because the goal is not proft — it is to get Torah into as many hands as possible.
before. You can ask for a specifc story from a specifc speaker or request shiurim on a very narrow topic, and TATi will not only fnd the classes but even play the exact moment in the shiur where it appears. For example, someone could ask, “Find the shiur where Rabbi Paysach Krohn tells a story where he lost his cell phone in an airport,” or, “Why was Yaakov allowed to take the birthright from Eisav.”
In seconds, TATi would pull up the exact shiurim and the exact moments where those topics are discussed.
In the midst of all this growth and innovation, TorahAnytime also demonstrated just how deeply it has become part of people’s lives.
Te growth has been dramatic. In 2024, TorahAnytime served about 1.2 million users. In 2025, that number rose to 1.6 million users. Tat means hundreds of
Another major breakthrough in the works is TATi, TorahAnyTime intelligence. With hundreds of thousands of classes, fnding the exact shiur, divrei Torah, or story you want can be difcult. TATi changes all that. It allows users to search Torah in a way that was never possible
infrastructure. Te heart of that campaign is the Dollar-a-Day program. For just $31 a month, people can become real partners in keeping TorahAnytime alive and expanding — and in launching new projects that bring Torah to millions.
Hundreds of individuals whose lives had been shaped by TorahAnytime came together for a once-in-a-lifetime Shabbos. Te sold-out TorahAnytime Shabbaton was flled with people who had learned, been inspired, and grown through TorahAnytime over the years, and it featured over 20 of TorahAnytime’s top speakers. Powerful concerts added to the energy and inspiration of the weekend. For many attendees, it was the frst time they met in person the very voices they had been learning from for years.
With all this momentum, TorahAnytime is now in the middle of a major campaign that runs until February 16, 2026. Te goal is simple but urgent: to make sure TorahAnytime can keep growing without being held back by the rising costs of technology and
Te campaign is also ofering something deeply meaningful and personal. When someone makes a donation — preferably as part of the Dollar-a-Day program — they can choose to give on a specifc speaker’s team page and leave a heartfelt message or dedication for that speaker to see. For so many listeners, TorahAnytime’s speakers have been there in their hardest moments, their happiest moments, and their everyday moments of growth. Yet most users never have the chance to reach out and say “thank you” directly. Tis is a unique and beautiful opportunity to do just that — to make a donation in the speaker’s honor and share a message that lets them feel how much their Torah has meant to real people, in real lives.
Te campaign is happening right now, and every contribution makes a diference. You can support this vital mission by donating at Charidy.com/ TAT or by calling 718-540-5722 to donate by phone. By stepping forward today, you’re becoming a partner in spreading the most Torah in world history, touching countless neshamot, and helping build a brighter future for Klal Yisrael. Tere truly is no greater zchus than that.
Political Judgement, Public Trust and the Burden of Leadership
BY JONATHAN METLISS
We have been saturated in the media over the last week or so with details of the relationships between the sacked British Ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, with the paedophile Jefrey Epstein, as well as the ensuing ructions in the Labour Party and the calls for the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, to resign.
Quite simply, the Prime Minister should be resigning, having made an inappropriate appointment that was greeted with howls of derision at the time. Clearly, he knew full well what he was doing and was fully aware of the relationship between Mandelson and Epstein, as well as Mandelson’s history of previous resignations from government. Te man was tarnished, and this was a total misjudgement by Starmer. Te cover-up is so obvious as to be embarrassing. Te expression, “You lie down with dogs, you get feas,” comes to mind.
It should also be remembered that the Labour Party has a history of sleaze and corruption, and one recalls the “cash for honours” scandal in the later years of the Blair administration.
In reality, notwithstanding his proclaimed links to Israel and the Jewish community, Starmer has been no reliable friend of Israel. Tis is evidenced by, in no particular order of priority, the curtailment of certain arms licences; support for the indictment of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant by the International Criminal Court; failing to suppress pro-Palestinian marches that have included expressions of support for Hamas; and, lastly, the recognition of a Palestinian state, described by some as a “reward” for Hamas terror.
He and his colleagues have, in practice, turned a blind eye to the massive growth in antisemitism and antisemitic incidents in this country, notwithstanding attacks on the Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester and incidents at Bondi Beach. One should also not forget that Starmer was the right-hand man of
Jeremy Corbyn, who was widely accused of antisemitism, for over four years.
Te banning of Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from the match against Aston Villa was, it is argued, an example of blatant antisemitism, bowing to pressure from elements within the local Muslim and pro-Palestinian communities. Te pro-Palestinian marches have also been described as incitements to racial hatred. More and more antisemitic incidents are occurring regularly across various sectors, including universities and the NHS. It should also be remembered that anti-Israel rhetoric can act as a cloak for, and can provoke, antisemitism.
So yes, Mr Starmer, you have been having a difcult time, but the decent and
proper course would be to step aside. In any event, the Jewish community and its leaders must remain vigilant and continue to stand up robustly for their interests, whoever is Prime Minister and whatever government is in power.
Jonathan Metliss Chairman , Action Against Discrimination
Record Hate and a Community Under Atack
BY DR DAVE RICH MBE
Antisemitism in Britain is often discussed in statistics. But behind every number is a person, a family, a community. CST’s Antisemitic Incidents Report 2025, recorded 3,700 antisemitic incidents across the UK. Tis is the second highest annual total ever recorded.
Te defning event of the year was the fatal terrorist attack on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation on Yom Kippur. It was the frst fatal antisemitic terror attack on British soil since CST began recording incidents in 1984. Two congregants, Melvin Cravitz z”l and Adrian Daulby z”l, were murdered and three others were seriously injured, leaving an entire community traumatised.
Tis was not just an act of terrorism. It was an attack on Jewish belonging itself.
Te impact was immediate. In the two days following the attack, CST recorded 80 antisemitic incidents: 40 on the day itself and another 40 the next day, the
worst daily totals of the year. More than half were direct responses to the killings including online abuse celebrating the murders, and hostile messages sent to Jewish institutions.
Once again, the pattern was clear. When Jews are harmed, a minority of people do not recoil. Tey rejoice.
Te Heaton Park attack reshaped the national picture. October 2025 became the worst month for antisemitism, with 463 incidents.
Tis is a 65% rise on September and one of the highest monthly totals CST has ever recorded. But this was not an isolated spike. Antisemitism has remained consistently elevated since the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023. In 2025, for the frst time on record, every single month exceeded 200 incidents. Tat is double the average monthly
level before October 2023. What we are seeing is not a temporary surge, but a sustained environment of hostility. What is driving this? Te report is clear. More than half of all incidents, 53% referenced Israel, Gaza, Hamas or the wider Middle East confict. Time and again, discourse about events thousands of miles away is weaponised against British Jews. Nearly half of incidents (48%) combined explicitly anti-Zionist motivation with anti-Jewish language, showing how political hostility increasingly collapses into outright prejudice.
Culture plays a role too. One striking example was the sudden appearance of the phrase “Death to the IDF” in 32 antisemitic incidents, all occurring after the punk-rap group Bob Vylan used it on
stage at Glastonbury. Before that moment, CST had never logged the phrase in an antisemitic context, showing how confict, culture and hatred remain dangerously intertwined.
Trough grief, fear and rising hostility, one thing remains consistent: the resilience of the Jewish community. British Jews have remained present, visible and proud, even as antisemitism has become louder and more brazen.
CST will continue to stand with every Jewish person, family and institution, protecting, supporting and strengthening our community through whatever comes next.
If you see or experience antisemitism, report it. Visit www.cst.org.uk. In an emergency, call the police and then CST’s 24-hour emergency number: 0800 032 3263
Dr Dave Rich is Director of Policy at CST, having joined CST’s predecessor organisation in 1994, and is one of this country’s leading authorities on antisemitism and political extremism.
Teaching Assistants Explore Routes into Qualified Teacher Status at Local Conference
Around 25 Teaching Assistants and unqualifed teachers attended a conference this week focused on exploring routes into Qualifed Teacher Status and long-term career progression within the education sector.
Te event was led by Jonny Atkins, Head of Initial Teacher Training, and welcomed Margaret Luchman, Teacher Training Advisor at the Department for Education, as a special guest speaker. Together, they provided guidance and an interactive activity to start to explore the range of training pathways and support structures available to Teaching Assistants for those considering a move to gain Qualifed Teacher Status (QTS).
Speaking at the event, Jonny Atkins emphasised the importance of recognising the contribution of Teaching Assistants and unqualifed teachers within schools:
“Teaching Assistants play a crucial role in supporting pupils, teachers and school communities. It’s vital that everyone involved in education feels appreciated, supported and valued, and that
there are clear, accessible opportunities for those who wish to progress into teaching.”
Margaret Luchman, highlighted the role of collaboration and access in supporting new entrants to the profession:
“Strong networks, partnerships and diverse spaces are essential in helping people understand the routes into teaching and the progression opportunities available to them. Events like this enable individuals to ask questions, build confdence and see how a career in teaching can develop over time.”
Tis conference forms part of ongoing eforts to support those already working in education to develop their skills and progress professionally, strengthening the future workforce and ensuring schools continue to beneft from experienced, motivated staf
For more information about conferences and professional development at LSJS, please visit www. lsjs.ac.uk or email lsjsadmin@lsjs. ac.uk.
Science Art Workshops
Emily Ben-Ze’ev BEd (Hons) NPQH 35 years teaching experience in primary schools emily.adventuresinwonderland@gmail.com 07960 610 278
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Bold Innovation: Why Meeting Young Jews Where They Are Maters More Than Ever
BY DEBRA SOBEL
For the past four years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as a trustee of Jewish Futures. It’s a role that has given me a front-row seat to both the promise and the precarity of Jewish life in the UK today. If there is one truth that has become impossible to ignore, it is this: ensuring vibrant Jewish futures demands that we meet young Jews where they’re at - not only physically, but intellectually and emotionally too.
Today’s landscape is complex. Young Jews are coming of age at a time of heightened visibility, pressure and contradiction. Tey are stepping into a wider world that asks questions about identity, belonging and values, often loudly and certainly not always kindly. Post–October 7th, post–the Manchester attack, post–Bondi, the terrain has shifted. Pride and fear coexist. Confdence is fragile. Silence can feel safer than standing out. And yet, silence is not an option.
Recently, I went on a road trip across the UK, visiting university campuses and seeing frst-hand the extraordinary work Aish, part of the Jewish Futures family
of organisations, is doing with students. What I witnessed was deeply moving. Campus couples are creating spaces of warmth, substance and safety - places where students can feel a sense of belonging, have fun and form authentic relationships. For many, it is quite literally a home away from home.
Tis is about connection with purpose.
Trough my work with purpose-led organisations, I’ve seen time and again that people don’t commit to causes, communities or identities unless they understand why they matter - and unless that purpose feels real in their own lives.
It is about enabling informed choices, fostering pride without pressure and allowing young Jews to explore what Jewish life and support of Israel means for them — on their terms and at their own pace.
Tis, to me, is what bold innovation - the theme of Aish’s 2026 fundraising campaign - truly means. It is not innovation for its own sake, but innovation anchored in clarity of intent and purpose: taking something timeless and fnding fresh, relevant and human ways to bring it to life.
It is not about abandoning what has worked. Judaism has endured for 3,500 years because it is both ancient and alive.
Bold innovation is about holding fast to that inheritance and deeply remarkable story, while constantly fnding new ways to bring it to life for the next generation. It is about creativity alongside continuity. Meeting young Jews where they are today means understanding that identity is not formed in a vacuum. It is shaped by social media feeds, campus debates, global events and personal experiences. It means recognising that meaningful connection must speak to the heart as much as the mind. Tat learning must feel relevant. Tat community must feel safe. Tat Judaism must feel lived, not just taught.
Crucially, bold innovation is also about how we develop our Jewish identity and pride. It is about standing tall and saying: we will not shrink back or be defned by antisemitism. We will not allow fear to narrow Jewish life. We will shine bolder and brighter - with confdence and conviction.
Te stakes are real. Te jeopardy of not being bold or innovative is a generation that feels disconnected, unsupported, or uncertain about their place in the ongoing Jewish story. And that is a risk we cannot aford to take.
Bold innovation ensures that young
Jews can see themselves as part of something enduring - a living story that stretches backwards and forwards through time. A story that shapes not only their own lives, but the lives of their future families and children too.
Every young Jew deserves to live a Jewish life with authenticity and pride. To be able to say, clearly and confdently: I am Jewish.
Tis February 22-23, Aish UK’s Bold Innovation match-funding campaign invites the community to invest in vibrant Jewish futures. Because bold innovation isn’t just a theme - it’s a commitment to meeting the next generation where they’re at, with courage, creativity and connection. Te future of Jewish life will not be secured by standing still. It will be built by meeting this moment boldly and innovatively, together.
To learn more about Aish UK’s Bold Innovation campaign and support vibrant Jewish futures, visit aish.org. uk/donate
Debra Sobel is a Trustee of Jewish Futures and the Founder and Lead Consultant of Te Purpose Hub
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Planting Literal Seeds of Kindness
BY SHIRA JOSEPH
I recently went shopping with a friend and reached for a set of plastic lunch containers. She stopped me midaisle, genuinely shocked, and told me she only buys glass now.
I felt caught out. She was right. I am not great with recycling. I use disposables more than I should, usually because they make life a bit easier.
As an Orthodox Jew, there are already so many laws and details to keep that when it comes to priorities, I often justify convenience by telling myself I am just trying to manage mitzvot properly. Kashrut, Shabbat, Yom Tov logistics, family life. Something has to give, and too often it is environmental responsibility. Which is probably why a muddy feld in Hertfordshire, on a freezing Tu B’Shvat morning, ended up having far more impact on me than I expected. Te whole thing began quite innocently. A family friend, James from CPRE Hertfordshire, approached me about forming a partnership with GIFT and suggested a hedgerow planting on a farm for Tu B’Shvat. Hedgerows, he explained, support wildlife and protect the land in ways most of us never really notice. I remember thinking, cool, why not. I didn’t expect many people to sign up. And if I am completely honest, I assumed that even if they did, I would probably end up with a very reasonable
excuse not to go myself.
Instead, families signed up and the event sold out quickly. Before I knew it, there I was, standing in a muddy farm in the cold and rain helping to plant hedgerows (or at least pretending to plant, whilst taking pictures).
Te farm owner mentioned excitedly that since they began planting hedgerows, he had already seen starlings return last summer. He said it in a way that suggested I should be very excited. I am not entirely sure why starlings are something to be excited about, but I trusted that they were. And I liked the idea that, in some small way, we were contributing to something that made the land feel alive again.
our festivals are so tied into the land cycle that it makes sense for this connection to have a real impact on our lives.
Tis was not my frst experience of farming. After October 7th, I travelled to Israel with groups to help on farms. We planted coriander and harvested lemons, supporting farmers who desperately needed help. Tose moments were impactful and important, but I realise now that my focus then was primarily on the people, the farmers, their livelihoods, and the sense of solidarity.
What I had not expected was how much Tu B’Shvat itself would frame the experience.
Te farmer explained that although the ground looks dormant, everything beneath the surface is already starting to wake up. Tat is why planting now is optimal. Suddenly, Tu B’Shvat made sense to me not as an arbitrary date to eat fruit, but as a recognition of hidden beginnings and a turning point beneath the surface.
As Jews, there are so many mitzvot connected to the land and to farming and
Planting hedgerows felt diferent. It was less about helping people and more about giving to the land itself, supporting wildlife and strengthening greenery. A form of Chessed without a human recipient.
Trough GIFT, I am used to thinking about giving in very human terms, helping those who need it. Tis experience widened that lens. Everyone left the feld not just cold and muddy, but with a genuine desire to do more for the environment, as if something quiet had shifted inside as well as outside.
What struck me most was the impact it made on the children. Children want immediacy. Press a button and something happens. Yet here they were, planting hedgerows that will take three to fve
years to properly establish themselves. Tey were invited back to come and see what they had planted in the future, and I found myself picturing that moment, teenagers returning to a feld and seeing growth they helped begin years earlier.
At that moment I thought of the story in the Gemara of Honi HaMe’agel, who questioned a man planting a carob tree that would only bear fruit decades later. Just as others planted for me, the man explained, so I plant for those who will come after me. Tis is a genuine act of investment in the future.
Perhaps the most telling moment came later that evening. As I tidied up after supper, I found myself taking a little more care than usual, pausing to think about what could, and should, be recycled. Nothing dramatic, just a diferent level of attention.
Sometimes giving is not about immediate results. Sometimes it is about planting, trusting, and walking away knowing that beneath the surface, something important is already beginning to grow.
Shira is extremely passionate about Jewish Education and has previously held roles in Hasmonean High School and St Johns Wood Synagogue. Shira has been working for GIFT Charity for 11 years in various positions and is currently the programme director responsible for overseeing a lot of the projects and activities in order to engage the community in acts of giving.
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Branching Out: Connecting Israel and the UK Through Education
As Britain’s oldest Israel charity, JNF UK has spent more than 120 years helping to build, strengthen and sustain life in Israel. While much of its work focuses on supporting communities in Israel’s remote and frontier regions, JNF UK believes that nurturing a meaningful connection to Israel here in the UK is just as vital.
Tat connection was brought to life last week as JNF UK delivered high-energy,
informal education sessions in UK Jewish schools to mark Tu B’Shvat. Te team of experienced Shlichim from JNF KKL Israel together with staf from JNF UK visited Rosh Pinah, Yavneh, Nancy Reuben, Sacks Morasha and Te Independent Jewish Day School.
Trough interactive games, storytelling and hands-on activities, pupils explored Israel’s geography, towns and cities, and natural resources, developing a shared sense of heritage in an engaging and age-appropriate way.
“Tese sessions really captured our pupils’ imagination,” said Deborah Mitchell, Head of Jewish Studies at Rosh Pinah Primary School. “Tey created a genuine sense of connection to Israel - not just as
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a place on a map, but as a country of huge contrasts with a society shaped by its people, values and community. It was joyful, meaningful and incredibly impactful for our children.”
Te Tu B’Shvat activities form part of JNF UK’s wider educational work, which includes school resources, regular magazines, sponsorship of the Etgar Israel Quiz, and the JNF UK Fellowship Programme - all designed to deepen young people’s understanding of Israel and inspire the leaders of tomorrow.
Elan Gorji, CEO of JNF UK, said:
“Our work is about connection - creating a living bridge between the communities we build here in the UK and the people and places of Israel. Education plays a crucial role in making that connection real, relevant and lasting.”
Be Seen in Green: Turning Learning into Action
Building on the Tu B’Shvat celebrations, schools in London and Manchester also took part in JNF UK’s Be Seen in Green initiative. Pupils were encouraged to wear green and donate £1, helping to translate learning and engagement into meaningful action.
more than lines on a map,” said Elan Gorji.
“Tey are living communities built on resilience, connection and leadership. With the support of schools and generous donors, we are helping these commu-
nities regain their strength - not just by rebuilding homes, but by restoring the social fabric and supportive environments that allow families and young people to truly thrive.”
Te initiative coincides with JNF UK’s newly launched Green Sunday Appeal, which this year focuses on supporting pioneering communities living along Israel’s borders - places where daily life, community and opportunity are still being rebuilt.
“Te border regions of Israel are far
JNF UK extends its heartfelt thanks to all the schools, pupils and supporters who took part - helping to bring renewed strength, stability and hope to families living in Israel’s most remote regions, while strengthening the bond between young people in the UK and Israel’s future.
rabbi burman@bwkollel org
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A new home in Carmay-HaNadiv
For many British Jews considering a move to Israel, the biggest question is where to live. With prices rising sharply in many popular areas, families are increasingly looking for communities that ofer value, strong infrastructure and a realistic starting point for life in Israel. Carmay-HaNadiv is quietly becoming a place worth serious attention, ofering reasonably priced apartments, excellent transport links and a central location within 32 miles of Tel Aviv and 35 miles of Jerusalem.
Carmay-HaNadiv is a happy and lively neighbourhood made up of a wide range of families who genuinely enjoy living
together. Tere is a real sense of harmony and community, the kind that is increasingly hard to fnd. Many residents are professionals working in education and hi tech; those who want to balance career accessibility with a warm and supportive community life. Its location allows easy access to major employment centres, while still feeling calm, green and family focused.
For those considering Aliyah, Carmay-HaNadiv ofers an excellent soft landing. Te community includes both Olim and Israeli families, creating a natural mix that helps newcomers settle quickly while still integrating fully into
Israeli life. Tis is strengthened by the involvement of Shivat Zion, a not-for-proft organisation, who help families navigate and actively support those making Aliyah to the area, long before they even arrive. Shivat Zion are on hand to help families arrange everything they need to make Aliyah, from the very beginning of each family’s Aliyah journey, ofering guidance, structure and full support during what can be an overwhelming transition.
Carmay-HaNadiv has a unique ofering, as it is still a relatively new community but the communal infrastructure is well developed with families being particularly drawn to the range of educational options. Tere are various institutions, youth movements and activities, allowing children and teenagers to thrive socially and academically close to home. Carmay-HaNadiv also has its own library, banks and even a country club, ensuring families fnd everything they might want on their doorsteps. Te neighbourhood itself borders the farmland of Be’er Tuviya and
Kfar Warburg and is close to the Azrikam forest, a rare preserved natural space ideal for bike rides, picnics and relaxed family outings.
Carmay-HaNadiv has also been built to green construction standards, creating a healthy and comfortable living environment while reducing running and maintenance costs through energy and water saving principles. With a new phase of building about to begin, buyers now have the opportunity to purchase early and design a home that truly suits their needs, something that is increasingly rare in an area located in such good proximity to key city centres across Israel.
If you are looking for afordability, community and a place to build a future, Carmay-HaNadiv is well worth seeing for yourself. Come and experience it frst-hand.
People of Holiness Wekly Dvar Torah FROM ERETZ YISRAEL
BY RABBI DANNY MIRVIS
“And people of holiness (anshei kodesh) you shall be to me…” (Shemot 22:30).
In the middle of this week’s list of civil ordinances, Hashem commands us to be holy people. Focusing on the term “people of holiness”, it is taught in the name of the Kotzker Rebbe that Hashem is saying, “Angels I have in sufcient quantity – I am looking for human beings who will be holy people.”
Hashem does not only want us to be holy – He wants us to be holy people. In light of the Kotzker Rebbe’s comments, my Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Yehuda Amital zt”l highlighted the order of the words “anshei kodesh” (people of holiness), explaining that we should frst be decent people and only afterwards worry about being holy.
Tis is the main theme of this week’s parasha, which we read sandwiched between two accounts of the events at Har Sinai. At the beginning of the parasha, Rashi comments on the signifcance of
the location of these laws:
“Just as the previous ones were from Sinai, so too these are from Sinai” (Rashi, Shemot 21:1).
From the fact that the laws of Mishpatim were given at the same time and at the same place as the Ten Commandments, the important message emerges that somebody who does not keep the monetary or civil laws of Parashat Mishpatim does not fully believe in “I am Hashem your G-d.” We cannot claim to be religious Jews if we do not treat our workers well, if we show negligence towards other people or their possessions, abuse our positions of power, act with violence or corruption, accept bribes or transgress any of the other laws of Parashat Mishpatim.
Te guidelines in this week’s parasha teach us how to be “anashim” – decent human beings. Without being “anashim” we cannot truly be “kedoshim.” Without being “bnei Adam” (human beings) we cannot claim to be “bnei Torah” (Torah Jews).
Along these lines, Rav Amital zt”l
“Tere has been a tendency in recent years to idealize great rabbis, to the point of total disregard of their human feelings and weaknesses. Te Torah presents the opposite approach: Every person has a human side, which must not be denied. Even the prophets had doubts and difculties. Te Torah recognizes that man lives in this world and has no expectation that he behave as if he were living in an ideal and unreal universe.”
We cannot ignore our human side and must never forget the human side of Torah, mitzvot and the service of Hashem. Parashat Mishpatim goes handin-hand with the Ten Commandments, as is
ected in Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya’s teaching:
“If there is no Torah, there is no ‘derech eretz.’ If there is no ‘derech eretz’ there is no Torah” (Avot 3:17).
Rabbi Danny Mirvis is CEO of World Mizrachi, and Rabbi of Ohel Moshe Synagogue in Herzliya Pituach. He will be coming to the UK for the Mizrachi UK Weekend of Inspiration on Shabbat 1 May. He is a member of the Mizrachi Speakers Bureau (www.mizrachi.org/ speakers).
WHAT3WORDS/// Not My Problem?
BY RABBI NAFTALI SCHIFF
Isnt it remarkable that the very frst question man asks of G-d is as fundamental and straightforward as - “Am I my Brothers keeper?”
Tis itself is a response to G-d’s simple question - where’s your Brother? Cain’s chilling reply reverberates through the entire history of world civilisation -
?
“Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Bereishit 4:9)
Tis is a breathtaking moment.
Te frst human attempt to evade responsibility.
Te frst articulation of: Not my problem.
And in many ways, the entire Torah is G-d’s response.
Yes.
You are!
Tis week’s Torah portion, Mishpatim, begins with a single letter that quietly changes everything:
“And these are the laws…”
Tat opening ו the vav is known as ו
רוביחה, the letter of connection.
Rashi notes that it links directly back to last week’s revelation at Sinai. Meaning: Sinai cannot remain an experience in the heavens.
It must become a way of life on earth. Without that vav, Yiddishkeit can become a private retreat confned to the “church pews,” ; an academic, esoteric, religeous and other worldly, lofty pursuit, but one that is woefully detached from the world.
But Torah is not that.
Torah is the building of a society, a people, a world.
A covenant of responsibility, for all. Over the past two years, we have witnessed something extraordinary.
A Jew is taken hostage in Gaza, and Jews as widespread as London, Los Angeles, Melbourne and Manchester begin reciting prayers.
Families are attacked in Kibbutz Be’eri, and something awakens in Jews worldwide who have never even visited Israel. Some journalists call it “peoplehood.”
Tey describe it as emotional, even inexplicable.
But I want to suggest something deeper: Tis is not merely sentiment or nostalgia.
It is covenant. It is meaning. It is purpose.
It is our shared raison d’être. It is embedded in the spiritual DNA of the Jewish People.
It comes from the mission we received only last week:
We are not simply a people that survives.
We are a people charged with meaning. With responsibility.
With a role to play.
And that role begins not out there, but in here, with one another.
As Rabbi Sacks z”l noted so powerfully, much of Bereishit is, in essence, the story of failed brotherhood, of siblings who cannot live with one another, until Sinai introduces a new way- one of a covenants brit of mutual responsibility.
Te Talmud states this with utter clarity:
“All Israel are guarantors for one another.”(Shevuot 39a)
Not cheerleaders
Not spectators.
Rather - guarantors in spirit and in deed for one another.
Our shared responsibility stems from our shared purpose.
If this peoplehood remains only a
Jews today.”
“Naftali … may I ask you something honestly?”
“Always!”
“Am I… my brother’s keeper?”
“Bob, do you know where that question comes from?”
He shakes his head.
Well, “It’s from Cain, after killing his brother.”
“Oh.”
“ I may be wrong here but that question, is the frst attempt in human history to step away from responsibility. And I think that the Torah spends the rest of its pages teaching us the opposite.”
“I didn’t mean it cynically. I suppose what I mean is… I’ve done my part. My children are grown up. Tankfully they married Jewish. I feel grateful. Perhaps
warm, fuzzy or merely nostalgic feeling, it will not pass on.
Feelings are fragile.
A mission, a meaning, a raison d’être, that can be taught.
And that brings me to a meeting I had just this week, one that I often have. A dialogue that in some ways makes me sad; in others- privileged to be in a position to listen, to discuss, to share, to explain as well as I can the key principle of Jewish responsibility.
Let’s call my friend David.
David is a good guy.
Successful, thoughtful, community-minded.
We sit down together. He knows that part of my responsibility is to raise funds. He let me over the threshold- that’s a start!
“Rabbi Schif,” he says, “I want you to know how much I admire what you do. Aish seems to be everywhere - schools, campuses, young professionals. It’s remarkable.”
“Tank you, David,” I reply. “We are trying, with G-d’s help, to reach young Jews at a time of enormous challenge. We’re active in over twenty schools, twenty university campuses, and numerous communities across the country. Te need is growing rapidly due to the increased alienation encountered by so many young
conficting things. Some people tell me: ‘Aish isn’t “frum” or mainstream enough. We support our own institutions.’”
“Yup” I say. “And others, from a very diferent place on the communal spectrum say: ‘If Aish is so engaging of young people, it must be pushy and aggressive in it’s approach, otherwise why on earth would young people choose more Jewish identity at this challenging and alienating time?! So you see David- it’s extremely challenging!”
“Yes, It’s pretty confusing.”
“It is,” I agree. “But perhaps it points to something important.”
He looks at me.
“To those who worry we are not “ frum”enough I ask- who will be a committed Jew tomorrow if we do not reach the Jews today - those who are drifting away entirely? Who will care them if not you?”
“And to those who suspect we are somehow overly coercive,I say- for over 30 years we have simply ofered young Jews warmth, depth, meaning, joy and belonging, not pressure.”
We are not selling slogans. We are ofering connection.
Te vav between Sinai and life.
“You know Naftali I suppose I thought… it wasn’t really my problem anymore.”
And here is the truth.
Dear David, it was never only your problem. Assimilation, apathy, alienation is not just your problem. It’s also not just my problem because I’m a Rabbi!
In fact shouldering responsibility is not a problem. It is our privilege.
Judaism does not exist merely so we can enjoy chicken soup together, or sing Hatikvah on Masada or feel emotional at Vehi She’amda at the Seder.
someone else should carry this now.” I nod.
“I understand that feeling David. Truly. But may I ask you something?”
“When the hostages were taken… did you feel it?”
“Yes. Very much.”
“Did you fnd yourself saying Tehillim, praying along with Jews everywhere at every possible occasion- thinking of them, speaking about them?”
“Yes.”
“And were they your children?”
“No.”
“Your relatives?”
“No.”
“So why did it touch you so deeply?”
“Because… they are ours. Because in some way we are all family”
Exactly.
“Tat,” I say, “is not random. Tat is our brit, our deeply embedded covenant.”
“But Naftali, there are so many needs. I’m already overstretched and committed. Doesn’t the community already support Aish? You have such broad appeal. Surely many others are giving.”
“Look, we engaged over 6,000 young Jews in the UK last year. And I wish that were the case,” I reply. “But often, the broader the work, the more people assume it is covered by someone else.”
“And to be honest,” he adds, “I hear
Jewish survival has purpose.
It culminates in being a light unto the nations.
But frst, we must strengthen our own. We must educate our own.
We must reach our own.
Early on a man questioned- “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
G-d answers across the ages-with a resounding- Yes
Shabbat Shalom
///What3Words is a geocoding system.
In this column, Rabbi Schif refects upon 3 key words each week, relating to issues of the day.
All feedback is welcome. Nschif@ jfutures.org
Rabbi Schif is the Founder and CEO of the Family of Jewish Futures educational organisations
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FamilyMishpatimFun
We now have been given the Torah and its time to learn how to keep it! This weeks Sidra contains no less than 53 FIFTY THREE Mitzvot! Many of them are about the laws of how to be careful with other people’s feelings and possessions. Also, in the olden days, many people owned animals that could cause damage to things, so the laws of this are taught too. How about if you dig a pit and a donkey falls in to it? Or start a
garden fre which burns your neighbour’s haystack? When do you need to pay and when not? What about lending moneycan you lend someone 50p and ask for 55p back? No! That’s interest (very interesting!) And, if your friend asks you to look after her lawnmower, you need to make sure it stays safe and certainly if you borrow a man’s hairbrush (or private airplane) you need to make sure you are super careful with it... There
Word Search
is so much Torah to learn... and many thousands of Torah students spend years learning these Mitzvot all day long... We are told not to cook, (eat or beneft from) milk and meat together, and how best to keep the Mitzvot around the Yamim Tovim. If some one stole in the olden days and had no money to pay back, we don’t send him to jail, we send him to a nice Jewish home as a slave where he is treated with respect and
dignity and thereby recovers from his stealing habits... At the end of the Sidra, Moshe goes up the mountain where he stays for 40 days and nights and learns all the Torah the Jewish people will ever learn! And he prepares to come down the mountain to give it to them, but wait few weeks for what happens in the end...
Tangram Challenge!
Using all the shapes, can you make the shape on the right?
Word Wheel
The goal of a word wheel puzzle is to create as many words possible with the letters in the word wheel. Each word must contain at least three letters. You can only use each letter once and every word must have the letter in the centre of the wheel.
Last edition’s words
Here are some words you may have found from last week – you may have found more!
R D O N E I U S F
cloven cloves coeval covens loaves navels novels sloven vocals alcoves coevals volcano volcanoes
Jokes
Q: Why couldn’t the pirate play cards?
A: Because he was sitting on the deck!
Q: Why can’t your nose be 12 inches long?
A: Because then it would a foot!
Q: What do you call an underwater spy?
A: James pond!
Q: When does a doctor get angry?
A: When he runs out of patients!.
Riddles
1. What goes up and down but does not move?
2. Where can you fnd cities, towns, shops and streets but no people?
3. What gets wetter as it dries?
