On Wednesday 12th January, nearly 60 Year 7 boys were rewarded for attending the D.A.Y.S morning minyan every day for the whole Autumn Term.
They went to Flip Out, Brent Cross to enjoy a jolly morning of bouncing and jumping, accompanied by Rabbi Fachler (the D.A.Y.S co-ordinator) and the Minyan Monitors from the upper years. All the boys, both young (and young-at-heart) had a fun-filled and well deserved reward for their commitment to davenning.
Young Women of Hasmonean High School for Girls Save Memory of Polish Shtetl
Written by Ariella Garren
Six months ago, dozens of young women at Hasmonean High School for Girls organised themselves to translate the memorial book of the town of Parysow, Poland from Yiddish into English.
Over a thousand such books have been written, memorializing the life of Europe’s Jewry prior to the Holocaust, and documenting their tragic fate, but almost all were written in local Yiddish dialects. Due to the ever-changing nature of Yiddish as a language, a few decades later even native Yiddish speakers have a hard time understanding these books.
Year 12 student Ariella Garren found one of these books while researching her translation of the memoirs of a Holocaust survivor, Abraham Gutrejman, and her schoolmates volunteered to help her translate the memorial book of Mr Gutrejman’s hometown.
Using their knowledge of Hebrew and of Judaism, online tools, and with the help of elderly Yiddish speakers in our community, these young women have immortalized the memory of the town, now available at cost on Amazon as “The Parysow Yizkor Book: Life and Death of a Shtetl,” volume one of two. They have also compiled a glossary of difficult-to-translate Yiddishisms to help future generations of translators.
Students in the United States have volunteered to join the movement for the next translation in the series.
Hasmonean High School would like to express its pride in these young women who have, at such a young age, already contributed something of enduring value to the world.
The young women, themselves, hope that by raising awareness of the brutal potential of the human race, their efforts may help avoid future genocides.
The recent Girls’ School football match against St James Catholic School started off like a table tennis match: 1-0 to them, then an equaliser, followed by 2:1 to Hasmo. Another equaliser from SJC, another goal from Hasmo and SJC equalised again!
The intensity increased and SJC started mastering their substitutions. Our Year 7 team of Tsofia N, Racheli L, Bracha D, Adina Y and Michal BW played without any substitutes. This was a real challenge for the team, but they rose admirably to that challenge. The PE Fitness SOW paid off and girls showed good muscular endurance, cardiovascular fitness and skilful ball control in defeating their rivals.
It was an absolute pleasure watching the Year 7 girls play their first fixture representing Hasmonean- especially winning 6-5 against a school who are in 2019 Barnet Football league.
Well done girls!
This December, Hasmonean Girls pulled off their very own miracle of Page Street. Not Covid, not a burst water main, nor even a newt in Miss Trunchbull’s knickers could stop this sensational production of Matilda from being staged.
From the superb casting to the exciting ensemble and the phenomenal dancers- everything about this evening’s performance said loud and clear: ‘The Hasmo Show is back!’
The story of Matilda is a simple one, a tale of a young girl who finds her voice in the world with the help of her friends and her teachers. Dinah B shone as Matilda, with stellar support from Yehudit G as the charming Miss Honey, Sara B as the villainous Miss Trunchbull and Shoshi E, Shani J and Lily D as the rather revolting Wormwoods.
The two dances: School Song and Revolting Children deserve a special mention: after all, what is a Hasmo Show without the verve and vigour of the dance- can we have more next year please?
Thank you to everyone who made it possible to get this show on the road: Mrs Brice, Mrs Davis, Mrs Algranati; all the site team, the security staff, the administration team, and every single member of the Sixth Form involved in every single aspect of the production. You did yourselves and the school proud.
Matilda is not just about the performance, it is about the Achdus which is created amongst our girls, as well as the kindness and resilience they learn along the way. The show raises funds for the Poland trip, in order to ensure that no girl is left behind on this formative experience.
Kol HaKavod to all of you.
The indefatigable Mrs Abecasis created a wonderful programme for Multi-Faith Day.
Mr Marcus and Mrs Katz delivered a slick Multi-Faith Day where the students were able to hear from our own magnificent speakers: Mrs Brice, Mr Heddle, Mr Sidhu, Mr Khan, and Mrs Shah about their faiths.
All our teachers spoke eloquently about Christianity, Sikhism, Islam and Hinduism, enabling our students to understand more about the wide world of faith that surrounds us. They all found the similarities and differences fascinating, as well as learning that there is far more that unites us than divides us.
What a week – 2 matches, 2 year groups, 2 HUGE wins.
On Thursday 2nd December, our Year 10 football team travelled to St James Catholic High School in Colindale. St James didn’t make it easy for the boys, but by half time Mendy L had scored an awesome shot flying past the goalkeeper. Assisted by Eli M and Osher K, Mendy L scored another goal in the second half. St James did manage to score a goal, but a final goal for Hasmonean came from Elai N who took possession of the ball 30 yards out and took a low but powerful shot. The shot went through the goalkeeper’s legs and into the net. Final score: 3-1 to Hasmonean.
The second game of the week was with the Year 9 Boys on Monday 6th December vs Bishop Douglas School in East Finchley. After a very back and forth match, Hasmonean won 4-2 with goals coming from Benji H (assisted by Uriel I-S), David B (assisted by Ben A), and two penalties from Benji H. This was a very tough game, in very hard conditions, but the Hasmo Boys worked as a team and came off victorious.
Year 10 are into the 3rd Barnet Cup and Year 9 are in the semi-finals! LET’S GO!!!!!!!!
The word ‘Kesher’ comes from the Hebrew word, Lehitkasher – to make a connection, and that is exactly the purpose of the school Kesher programme. Each Year 7 student has been assigned a student in Year 12 to make a connection with. Each Kesher is there to support “their” Year 7 with the transition into secondary school; to provide guidance and help with any questions they might have.
Our Year 12’s created a reception line to welcome the Year 7’s as they arrived from their lessons into the school hall. Immediately, a buzz of excited conversations began, and it was wonderful to see the students make instant bonds.
This special Hasmonean tradition has led to lifelong friendships throughout our community, and we are delighted to continue it.
The hall was transformed with Chanukah decorations, disco lights and fairy lights heralding the Festival of Light.
On Monday the Sixth Form had a panel session on the meaning and messages behind internal beauty and inner confidence. This featured Miss Gelley and Mrs Naylor, as well as guest speakers, Atara Feld and Danielle Benardout. Mrs Hamer summed up the messages of the session and connected internal beauty to Chanukah. Each Sixth Former was given a complementary gift to inspire the students.
Tuesday, lesson 3, saw Year 10 immerse themselves in ‘’colour war.’’ They were split into two teams: the Maccabim and the Greeks. The tasks included: Chanukah dress-up, a dance off, art competition, songs, and more. They were judged by their esteemed staff, including Miss Gelley, Mrs Jacobson and Mrs MacNeill.
And of course…doughnuts were sold at lunch!
For lesson 6, Year 11 students were paired with Year 7 girls for an inspiring learning programme led by our very own Rabbi Bennett. The students were then split up into groups for a unique H.I.P.E adapted dreidel game followed by a Chanukah trivia quiz. At the end of the day, the activity was repeated with Years 8 and 9.
Wednesday was Chanukah carnival day: Years 10-13 had the hall for lesson 6 and Years 7-9 followed them. The carnival included an incredible Chanukah themed programme with activities ranging from glitter face paint, doughnut decorating, ‘Pan N Ice Cream’, electric car racing, and a fire show amongst others.
Thank you to all the HIPE team for creating such an imaginative and inspirational three days of events, and to all the staff for ensuring that the girls were in the right place at the right time!
2021 is the 100th anniversary of the first wreath laying by the Jewish Veterans at The Cenotaph. This year it has been especially important after eighteen months of the Covid Pandemic to come together as a Jewish community, representing Jews from across the UK.
The anniversary reminds us of the sacrifice and courage of all those who have fought for our country so we could have “our tomorrow.” “From the fields of Flanders in the First World War, to the deserts of Africa in the Second and the mountains of Afghanistan today,” as the Royal British Legion said in their tribute, Jewish men and women have “continually sacrificed for our nation and for the protection of the people of Britain.”
We Remember Them (a Jewish prayer)
At the beginning of the year and when it ends
We remember them.
As long as we live, they too will live;
For they are now a part of us,
As we remember them
At the Parade, young and old were marching, whether from schools, youth organisations, shuls or veterans. Jews from across the UK came to The Cenotaph, uniting in the Jewish contributions and sacrifices made for our country.
The Loyal prayer was recited as well as Tehillim 23 and Kaddish, both talking of peace and our belief in the strength of G-d. “Though I walk through a valley of deepest darkness, I fear no harm, for You are with me” is a particularly poignant reminder of the self-sacrifice of those who have served in all Britain’s conflicts, yet still “gave their today so we could have our tomorrow.” We also recited the prayer for the safety of the British Armed Forces, a reminder that we wish all servicemen should never have to witness what our veterans gave their lives to fight.
Sir Lloyd Dorfman CBE, Reviewing Officer laid the wreath in memory of all Jewish personnel who died in the service of the crown. Mike Bluestone, AJEX National Chairman, laid the wreath in memory of those in the Allied Forces who died in the Two World Wars. President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Marie van der Zyl, laid the wreath in memory of the Board of Deputies who served in both World Wars. Mr Arthur Lawson MBE laid the wreath in honour of the 100th anniversary of the first wreath laying at the cenotaph by Jewish veterans of World War One. Rabbi Dweck laid the wreath in honour of all Jewish chaplains who have served in the HM forces. L/H Abi Sondack laid the wreath for the Armed Forces Jewish community in memory of the Jewish men and women who have died since World War Two. Lt Col Colin Shieff laid the wreath remembering those who served in the First Gulf War. Lt Gen Richard Nugee laid the wreath in honour of all our allies who stood by us since the start of the 20th century. Mrs Barbara Kober laid the wreath in memory of all Jewish women who served in the ATS, the WAAF, the Wrens, the Land Army, air transport, air factories and in nursing services. Sgt Ethan Fox, JLGB, laid the wreath in memory of members of the JLGB, Jewish youth clubs, Jewish Scouts and girl guides, and Jewish schools who died in service. Poppy posies made by students representing schools, cadets and youth groups were also laid.
A two minute silence was held, as on Armistice Day, to honour all those, in whichever service and war, served and died for our country. We recited Adon Olam as a unifying aspect between those from all backgrounds, schools and shuls to remember our connection to G-d and our unity when we come together, as well as civic unity under our Queen, whom we wished a long and good life.
It was an honour for me personally to be able to march with veterans and the Jewish community and to remember those who gave their lives for us. We will remember them.
By Leah W
Monday evening saw the dazzling Grand Final for the Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge at the Cambridge Theatre.
Fifteen students from different schools in London and Essex were carefully selected by a panel of expert judges to share their inspirational speeches.
Natan B-W, Year 11, achieved a place to represent Hasmonean Boys’ School with his powerful and highly topical speech: ‘Is Big Tech a Force for Good’. Natan delivered a calm, collected performance that won over the hearts and minds of all in attendance. Natan was supported by family, teachers and fellow Year 11 students, who raised the roof with their pride in his performance.
Well done, Natan, your confidence and positivity is an example for us all!
