Saturday, February 10, 2007

Gerald Rothman: a lamed-vavnik

The following appeared in the February edition of the New London Synagogue newsletter:

Written all over our history - A Yom Limmud for Ester Gluck z”l

The untimely death of New London member Ester Gluck last September understandably left all who knew her and her mother, Angela, in a state of shock. Very quickly, however, the desire arose amongst Angela’s and Ester’s many friends to “do something” to recognise and commemorate such a precious life. Ester’s life expressed itself largely through her love of Judaism, her support of those disadvantaged in society, especially refugees and asylum seekers, and her involvement with interfaith dialogue. It seemed, therefore, an obvious decision to hold a Yom Limmud (a study day) in Ester’s memory on Jewish responsibilities towards refugees. Angela and her many friends, particularly colleagues and students at the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School, threw themselves into the preparations for the day, which took place during Chanukah at the London Jewish Cultural Centre in Hampstead.

Over a hundred people, Jews and non-Jews, of several nationalities turned up to spend time both studying and listening to those whose experiences were so important to Ester. The day started with an introduction from representatives of the Refugee Council, who explained the nature of their work and introduced five young asylum seekers (from places such as Cameroon, Uganda and Kenya), who spoke in simple terms about their personal stories and the significance of their new lives in Britain.

The participants then broke into groups to study texts both modern and ancient, seeking to learn what Jewish history could teach us about our responsibilities to refugees.The combination of Torah texts dealing with our obligations to the “ger” (stranger or resident alien) and modern texts dealing with the Jewish experience of both being refugees during the Shoah and also witnessing refugees from places such as Vietnam and Sudan made a powerful impression on those present.

After a lunch break, the groups reconvened to study texts from Torah, Talmud and commentaries dealing with our responsibilities towards strangers, hospitality to travellers, the worth of human beings and open and closed societies, which formed a fitting backdrop to the final session of the day.

Following an introduction from a representative of the London Detainees’ Support Group (LDSG), who outlined the work undertaken by the organization – work in which Ester herself had been closely involved – the participants listened to two former detainees (now granted refuge in the Britain) talking of their experiences. One spoke so eloquently and movingly of his hardships and of how he had been helped by Ester, her compassion and her sympathy, that there were few completely dry eyes in the hall when he finished.

One of the few Jewish volunteers involved with the LDSG told the gathering of his experiences and related them to his Jewish identity in a way that could not fail to make an impact on his listeners, at which point the proceeding were closed with a prayer and the lighting of the Chanukiah. The hope had been expressed that the day’s study would leave the participants a little more knowledgeable and caring and, in some way, better Jews than when they had arrived. I believe that that hope was realised, and that the day was a fitting tribute to the love and respect felt for Ester and Angela. Anyone who is interested to learn more about Ester and why those who knew her considered her to be such a very special young lady is referred to the website set up by her friends: http://www.esterthepurpleprincess.blogspot.com/

For me, she will remain one of the lamed-vavniks. May her memory be for a blessing.

Gerald Rothman


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The Minyan Chadash has decided to honour the memory
of Ester by presenting a Torah Mantle, Ark Curtain and
Bimah cover for the new Ark and Bimah in the Hall.

It will be made in purple, Ester’s favourite colour, and
an appeal is being launched to cover the costs.

If you would like to contribute please use the reply
form enclosed with this Newsletter or simply send a
cheque (payable to NLS) to the office clearly marked
that the donation is for the Ester Gluck appeal.

Any surplus will be given to the foundation for child
refugees (likely to be called 'The Separated Child') that
friends of Ester's are establishing in her memory.