K–news

Adorable

Anaelle is

set to win

hearts

page 3

KiSharon'S 2013 aPPEal For SPEcial occaSionShEndon mP droPS in

See our

gorgeous new

greetings

cards

page 4

Kisharon

initiatives win

praise from a

special visitor

page 2

FabulouS Family

The Greens

helped

Kisharon

raise £750k

page 6

Parshas nitzavim-vayelech

august 30, 2013

24 Elul 5773

Shana Tova!

To all our ‘agents of hope’…Kisharon’s annual inset day was held onWednesday. The majority of our servicesclosed in the morning to allow staff a chanceto come together from all seven sites tocelebrate the successes and learn from thechallenges of the year that has just passed.

There was much to celebrate. 5773witnessed continued growth for KisharonDay School, a National ProfessionalQualification for Headship forHeadteacher Sora Kopfstein, and a Goodto Outstanding Ofsted inspection. In ouradult service, burgeoning numbers of

young adults have gained independencethrough travel training and have securedpaid employment. Another excitinginitiative has been our work withJobcentrePlus which has fundedindividuals to attend the Asher LoftusBusiness Centre, and to undertakeKisharon’s cycle maintenance coursewhich in turn has led to employment. Asimilar graphic design course is now to beoffered through the Print Shop.

The year’s final coup was the appointmentof three experienced and talented

professionals who have come on board toform an exciting and dynamic seniorleadership team for Kisharon. The insetday gave them a platform to share theirvision and plans for 5774.

The timing of the inset day so close to RoshHashonah provided impetus for reflection.It made me realise the extent of energyand effort invested every day by so manyin improving the lives of the people who

rely on Kisharon. We have much to bethankful for. In particular, I would like tothank our staff team who work withempathy and drive to bring out the best inthe children and adults we support; ourtrustees, who make the weight of theKisharon responsibility seem light, andwho shoulder it with generosity and pride.To quote our outgoing Chief Rabbi, LordSacks, you are all ‘agents of hope in aworld when others despair’.

Finally, it remains for me to thank you, oursupporters and donors, who have enabledus to make the impossible possible in 5773.I wish you all a Kesiva V’Chasimah Tovah.

BeV’s BULLeTIn

by dr beverleyJacobsonKisharonchief Executive

K–news

2 Kisharon Head Office: 54 Parson Street, London, NW4 1TP � T: 020 8203 2233 � Helpline: 0844 496 4636

The opportunities available atKisharon for adults with learningdifficulties impressed HendonMP Matthew Offord on a visit tothe Asher Loftus BusinessCentre.

He toured Bus Stop Bikes and thePrint Shop and chatted to staff. Hesaid: “I really admire whatKisharon does. Not only does thecharity provide employmentopportunities and training but theyare running a viable andsustainable business too. This is afantastic model of a social

enterprise that gives people withlearning difficulties a real sense oftheir own value.”

Joe Coogan, Kisharon’s Director ofOperations said: “Matthew Offordwas really pleased when I told himthat not only will the business centrebreak even, but we have anambitious target for profits next year.”

Kisharon initiativeswin praise from MP

abovE: mP matthew offord with richard Franklin,director of Fundraising and communications and,right, yaakov leon lEFT: Shoshana Waldman, matthew offord mP andEsther Schloss at the Print Shop

Phot

os: S

ue r

ifkin

A new year marks a new beginning for adult services

Kisharon is moving its Stamford Hill base to Yad VoezerCommunity Centre in September to improve the provision ofday opportunities for Jewish adults with learning difficultiesand disabilities. Visitors at an informal open day for parentsand carers yesterday, (Thursday) saw a multi-sensory room, atherapy kitchen and a virtual (computerised) fish tank in thereception!

Both organisations are committed to helping people withlearning disabilities to maximise their independence and make ameaningful contribution to the local community through work

and volunteering opportunities. Mrs Zelda Landau, ChiefExecutive of Yad Voezer added, “We are delighted to work closelywith Kisharon and look forward to developing additionalservices together in the future. This new collaboration is a fittingstart to Rosh Hashanah and we look forward to welcomingpeople coming to our centre for the first time to benefit from awide range of activities and programmes.”

� Our cover shows Kisharon Chief Executive Dr BevJacobson and Mrs Zelda Landau, Chief Executive of Yad Voezerat Yad Voezer Community Centre Photos: John Rifkin

chaim boruchSharer and

KisharonSupportWorker

Shmuli Jacobsbake honeycakes at theyad voezer

communitycentre

�

K–news

3Kisharon Head Office: 54 Parson Street, London, NW4 1TP � T: 020 8203 2233 � Helpline: 0844 496 4636

In her 30th week of pregnancy,doctors recommended that SharonSilberstein abort her brain-damagedchild. And when the baby girl wasborn, Sharon was told that her lifewouldn’t be worth living.

Today, Anaelle, three, who has cerebralpalsy and severe brain damage, attendsTuffkid Nursery. She does not walk or talkbut loves having fun with other childrenand her support workers.

This is the poignant and moving story onKisharon’s Rosh Hashonah appealletters this year. Kisharon is hoping toraise more than £50,000 from the appeal.

Sharon, of Edgware, who is married toJoel, says that Kisharon proved the

doctors wrong. She said: “Carers andteachers provide exceptional one-to-one care for each and every child.Anaelle is constantly learning newskills. I only have to see her smile toknow that Tuffkid is the best place forher. Kisharon has turned our livesaround.

“Initially I felt self-conscious about beingfeatured, but I know that it is the right thingto do. I was compelled to write about theincredible work that Kisharon doesbecause the community’s support will givemy daughter, and hundreds of otherchildren, the chance to reach theirpotential and lead fulfilling lives. Apaediatrician once said that Anaelle wouldbe lucky to survive into her early teens, sofor us every New Year is a blessing.”

Elianne Vogel is delighted tohave started her first job. She isworking at W. Lettings andManagement in Hampstead,taking two buses to get there.Her Support Worker, GeraldineFrankel, accompanies Elianneon the journey and back again,staying with her at work. Shesaid: “Staff leave Elianne ahuge pile of shredding forWednesday mornings whenshe goes in. She has only juststarted, but once she gets intothe routine she will beextremely fast. Elianne isthrilled to have a job and lovesearning money!”

Lara Domjan has become Kisharon’s new VolunteerCoordinator. Formerly with the Jewish internationaldevelopment organisation Tzedek, Lara has amaster’s degree in international development and adegree in education, specialising in special needs.

� Francine Haagman is on maternity leave.

Anaelleheads ourappeal

Do you have an hour to spare every

week to befriend one of the people

Kisharon supports? The time can be

spent doing something you enjoy like

baking, walking, cycling, reading or

playing a game. This is a great

opportunity for anyone over 16, a pair

of friends or an individual.

Kisharon is also offering an internship

in its busy volunteering department.

The individual, who will work as a

volunteer coordinator assistant, will

gain valuable experience and insight

into the charity sector. Kisharon is

looking for a commitment of three to

six months, twice a week and the

intern will need good organisational

and IT skills.

An event coordinator to help plan

Mitzvah Day is needed too. This is an

opportunity to get involved in a major

project, the hours are flexible and the

work can be done from home.

Interested in any of these

opportunities? Why not come to our

next coffee morning on October 2

from 10-11am? For more information

call Lara on 020 3393 0152 or email

volunteer@kisharon.org.uk

new job thrillfor elianne

A Kisharon welcome to Lara

Great openingsfor volunteers

rosh hashonah – the day of JudgementAs we approach the all-important Day of Judgement and the Dayof Atonement, Rosh Hashonah and Yom Kippur respectively, theTorah teaches us that the whole world is judged on Rosh Hashonahnot just the Jewish people. Whether we will live, have peace, success,etc is all decided by G-d over this period.

In the book of Bereishis, Genesis, we learn about mankind’s firstever sin and H-shem’s response. What was the sin? The serpentencouraged Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, then she gave some toAdam and he ate it. H-shem’s response was to demand “Ayeka?”,

“Where are you?” Why should the Creator of the Universe askman such a question? Of course He knew where they were andwhat they had done. H-shem gave mankind (two people at thattime) one commandment and they failed. What is G-d teaching ushere by asking “Ayeka?”

The answer is as follows. Man is created good – we are all goodpeople. The causing or provoking factor that causes most of us todo bad things is not down to us per se, but rather a result ofexternal influences on us. “Everyone else is doing something

by yaakov Kramerhead of limmudei

Kodesh

ThE JEWiSh PErSPEcTivE

K–news

4 Kisharon Head Office: 54 Parson Street, London, NW4 1TP � T: 020 8203 2233 � Helpline: 0844 496 4636

Raising funds on tricycle made for two

p

R

w

A remarkable fundraising initiative bytwo of Chief Executive Dr BevJacobson’s daughters will provide aboost for Kisharon’s helpline. Thehelpline which was launched last yearhas proved to be a highly neededservice and talks are in the pipeline toincrease its reach by transforming it intoa national service in collaboration withother learning disability charities.

Talya, 19, and Gemma, 11, are cycling200 miles, the distance from their hometo Manchester, on a tandem trike withthe aim of raising in excess of £20,000in sponsorship. The ride began at thestart of the summer with daily two hour,10-mile trips near their home. They areset to complete the final few miles inManchester by the start of school term.

Talya, who has cerebral palsy, epilepsy,

a severe visual impairment and learningdifficulties, planned to enrol at theJewish residential Langdon College inManchester. But, frustrated by their localauthority’s original reluctance to agreethe placement, the two sisters took onthe ride partly to show the authority thatthis was what Talya really wanted, andalso to raise money in Gemma’sbatmitzvah year to help other childrenwith disabilities here and abroad.

In addition to the Kisharon helpline,some of the money raised will bedonated to Afrika Tikkun which helpschildren with disabilities inimpoverished communities in SouthAfrica .

To donate visithttp://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TalyaGemmaJacobson

SupportWorker

benjySopel and

chaimdovid

�

wrong or perverse, so I’ve got to do it too. It looks so cool.Everyone else must be having such a good time. I don’twant to miss out.”

The Yetzer Horo, the evil inclination in a person, can belikened to the most expert salesman we are ever going toexperience in our lives – set up by H-shem Himself! Howdid we let that Yetzer Horo trick us into believing that ahostile pursuit was worth it? How did we fall for the falsesale? This is what H-shem is asking every single one of uson Rosh Hashonah.

The serpent in our own lives can be anyone – a bad friend,

the media or our own evil inclination. The more we do awrong thing, the more it becomes routine, the less it feelswrong. This effect on a person can cause them to lose theiridentity. They are no longer the real ‘them’; they are a slaveto the serpent. Hence, H-shem asks mankind “Ayeka?”Where are YOU? The real you. Where do you stand in youryidishkeit? By what principles do you stand?

When we eventually meet our Maker, we cannot blame ourpersonal situations (which G-d Himself gives us) as anexcuse. ‘My parents were divorced’, ‘I had a disadvantagedbackground’, ‘I was ugly’ or ‘I had a disability’.

Our task during this auspicious time is to reflect on and toadmit our sins, verbally, to G-d. H-shem is crying out for usto return to Him. The Rambam states that even a personwho has sinned all his life – broke Shabbos, ate pork, etc –can do this mitzvo of repentance, even on the day of hisdeath, and in the World to Come he will not be reminded ofhis evil deeds.

May we all take time to be introspective and resolved toimprove ourselves, one small step at a time. May H-shemreward our efforts of spiritual growth by inscribing us in thebook of life and shower us with peace, good health and success.

K–news

5Kisharon Head Office: 54 Parson Street, London, NW4 1TP � T: 020 8203 2233 � Helpline: 0844 496 4636

Five Hanna SchwalbeHome residents had aHighland fling with a five-day break in Scotland.

The group, accompaniedby five staff, flew toGlasgow for a packedschedule of sightseeing inthe country famed for kilts,bagpipes and the veryfinest whiskies.

Meals were provided byRabbi Chaim Jacobs andhis wife Sora, who run akosher restaurant in the city.

“We saw some verybeautiful buildings, touredmuseums and had apicnic on the banks of theClyde,” said HannaSchwalbe Home ManagerPetrona Johnson. “We hada lovely time.”

Thistle do nicelyfor a great break

Kisharon has carved out a new niche as the name behindsome of the trendiest greetings cards on the high street afterredesigning its entire range.

Many are the popular, small, square shape and new greetings have been added, including ‘Thank you teacher’. A bereavementcard is part of the collection for the first time.

The new cards are available in the shops now for just £1.30 each.Breathing new life into the Kisharon selection was the work ofKisharon Graphic Designer Sarai Cross.

all creditto thetrendy newcardS

Paris, one of the most beautiful cities in theworld, was Chaim Dovid Rotenberg’ssummer holiday destination this year.Chaim Dovid, who lives at The Drive inGolders Green, said: “We left London atlunch time for a two-hour Eurostar trainjourney.

“That evening I visited the Montparnasse

Tower, where there was an amazing view fromthe top and you could see the lights of Paris.”

On his trip, Chaim Dovid packed in visits tothe Arc de Triomphe, The Louvre, where hesaw the Mona Lisa, and he climbed to thetop of the Eiffel Tower. “It took a very longtime but it was worth it, as it is a famousworld site. I really enjoyed visiting Paris

and seeing everything,” added ChaimDovid, who was accompanied on the trip bySupport Worker Benjy Sopel.

Robert Speker, Supported Living Manager(Men’s Units) said: “It was wonderful thatChaim Dovid chose where he wanted to goon holiday, and helped to plan his activitiesfor the trip.”

A Parisian adventure for Chaim Dovid

K–news

6 Kisharon Head Office: 54 Parson Street, London, NW4 1TP � T: 020 8203 2233 � Helpline: 0844 496 4636

Mothers, sisters, daughters and friends raised £25k inKisharon’s second Moonlight Walk last month. More than 60participants, starting from Alexandra Palace, walked eitherthe 10 km or 20 km route through Hampstead and GoldersGreen, with a stop off at Kisharon Day School. Youngest

walkers were ten-year-olds Jessica Yefet and Mayan Zucker,daughter of Kisharon’s Human Resources Manager LeeZucker. Head of Fundraising Adele Busse, who completed the20km loop, said: “When you reach the finishing line there isa huge sense of achievement.”

Silverware at six United Synagogue shuls isgleaming and ready for the Yamim Noraim,thanks to Kisharon adults.

Simcha Ballon, Abish Leifer, Bezy Gluck andMoishe Goldblatt worked hard polishing thesilver at Mill Hill shul. Other shuls thatbenefitted are Finchley, Belmont,Brondesbury Park, St John’s Wood andWoodside Park. The pre-Rosh Hashonahsilver cleaning programme, organised byKisharon and US Chesed, has been runningsince 2010. The work is overseen bysilverware consultant Ray Temple.

Joseph Lavi, Kisharon Support Worker said:“Polishing the silver in local synagoguesrepresents precisely what Kisharon standsfor. It provides the people we support withan opportunity to have an active rolewithin the community. They take a greatdeal of satisfaction from the knowledgethat they have made a productivecontribution.”

October 29 2012 was especiallymemorable for Daniel Green. Itwas his birthday, and the day hewas asked: “Will you and yourwife Sharon chair Kisharon’sGala Dinner committee?”

The Hendon couple thought longand hard. Sharon said: “If we weregoing to do it, we wanted to do itproperly. We knew it would take upa great deal of time so we thoughtcarefully before we decided.”

Taking up the challenge was thestart of a hectic eight months,culminating in a fabulous eveningat the Park Plaza WestminsterBridge Hotel in June that raised anincredible £750,000. Sharon said:“We have been to Kisharon’s

annual dinners before and raisedfunds but had never taken on sucha big project. There was a greatdeal to do, especially towards theend, but it was all worthwhile.Kisharon is such a special,wonderful cause. We had a tour ofKisharon before the dinner. Itmade us even more determinedthat everything should go well.”

Sharon’s high point was hearingthe explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes.“He spoke brilliantly, and everyonewanted to hear more.”

Would Sharon and Daniel do it allover again, next year? Sharonsaid: “We have been asked, but wehave a barmitzvah next year,closely followed by a batmitzvah,so we’re not 100 per cent sure yet.”

There’s the rub...

moishe Goldblatt

a proud bezy Gluck

Moonlight walkers step out to raise £25k

Sharon anddaniel Greenwith their fourchildren Sam,adina, avi andSara leah

Sisters cammy,seven, and five-

year-old lexicleared out theirunwanted books

during the summerholidays and soldthem all outside

their home, raising£18.90 forKisharon.

Fabulous fundraisersDaniel and sharon ensured

Gala Dinner was huge success