New A-Gender: Between the Rock of Gibraltar and the Rock of Israel
Ilana Epstein reflects on the recent trip to Gibraltar led by Valerie Mirvis, who is the Chief Rabbi's wife
Ilana is head of project development at the United Synagogue’s Living & Learning Department and rebbetzen st Cockfosters and North Southgate
REBBETZENS FROM across the Commonwealth were last week brought together for an intensive, 36-hour leadership training programme in Gibraltar that focused on the complementary but crucial communal role we play in contrast to that of our husbands – no less important, but with its own set of unique challenges. The programme was devised by Valerie Mirvis, wife of Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, together with Rachel Shababo, director of the Chief Rabbi’s Centre for Rabbinic Excellence.
After spending a few hours exploring this old English colony, the highlight of our trip awaited.
We were charmed by the articulate and multi-talented Levy Attias, who spoke with sensitivity about interfaith dialogue and the work he has been doing for decades in bridging the gap between the diverse faiths in Gibraltar.
We were also introduced to Alice Mascarenhas, deputy editor of the Gibraltar Chronicle, and Puisne Judge Karen Prescott of the Gibraltarian Supreme Court, two inspirational professional women, who sat together with Valerie to discuss the challenges leadership affords.
They spoke of responsibility, bravery and determination – qualities that our rebbetzens have in spades – but it was imperative that we hear it directly from women who, through struggles of their own, held fast to their values.
We were then joined at dinner by 180 of the community’s women. Considering that the Jewish community of “Gib” numbers just 600 strong, including the men and children, it would be fair and humbling to say that the entire cohort of Jewish Gibraltarian women dined with us.
Our next session was a perfect example of Valerie’s expertise in managing change. Some of the rebbetzens were dispatched into the primary school and the girls’ high school to teach the students, to run a training session for the Judaic studies educators. The success of the Torah study was only rivalled by the magnificence of the interior of the synagogue. We also visited the Shaarei Shamayim Synagogue, which was built in 1740.
Chana, the mother of the prophet Samuel, is the first person we know of who prayed to God silently, though her lips formed the words. She is the first one to call God “Tzur Yisrael”, the Rock of Israel. The Jews of Gibraltar tell of a legend that the peninsula of Gibraltar, was once attached to the Land of Israel and with the shift of land masses it attached itself to the edge of Spain. Its inherent connection to the land of our forefathers makes it a safe haven for the Jews who call it home.
These people who, like their ancestors, live among their close friends and family, surrounded by nature’s hard elements; rock, wind and ocean, feel the warm embrace of the prayer to the Rock of Israel – God – who lives within their midst.
• Ilana is head of project development at the United Synagogue’s Living & Learning Department and rebbetzen at Cockfosters and North Southgate
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
