Readers’ Letters: ‘Met should be able to ban hate rallies’

Met should be able to ban hate rallies

Dear Sir

I have lived on the North Cricklewood-Golders Green border since 1999. It’s one of the most cosmopolitan areas in north-west London, has a diverse mix of backgrounds, art, culture, food, literature and also has superb transport links. From Likya, the finest Turkish restaurant to Carmelli’s – the best place to get a bagel after a night out, Golders Green is one of the most unique and vibrant places in London.

The far right march that was scheduled to take place last weekend did not represent the views of the people who live, work and are part of Golders Green’s DNA. It
was complete farce and did not connect with what Golders Green is about.

When my local bank manager said he would have to close the bank early on a Saturday to avoid any trouble, I questioned why he was going to close. He rightly said: “I don’t want any of my customers to be caught up in any violence or have any contact with those thugs.”

I have never seen or experienced any indifference or prejudice among the communities in Golders Green. We are warm, affectionate and law-abiding citizens. My Jewish brothers and sisters are lovely people. I have many Jewish friends, but I don’t label them and say: “You are my Jewish friends” and, vice versa, my friends don’t say: “You are our token black friend.” Our friendship is based on their personality, generosity and what they are all about.

I think that extends to what everyone does in Golders Green.

I assume the far right protesters are disgruntled about their situation in life and have no one else to blame. Therefore their intention to hijack a peaceful community and ethnic group in their eyes is the logical solution.

To hold the march on the Sabbath was beyond disrespectful. The Met should be given powers to ban these types of marches on the spot and I’m glad they finally acted. I respect and endorse free speech, but this is far from free speech.

It was an intended carve-up for a bunch of racists to splat their unorthodox views to a bunch of law-abiding innocent people – not just Jews but people from all walks of life.

Regardless of our ethnicity, race, sexuality, class or social background, we have the opportunity to succeed and make a difference, so those who failed or are unable to get a peg up in life should not blame any ethnic group for their failure. Anything can be achieved in

Britain. The sky’s the limit.

We have the opportunity and chance to fulfil those dreams and aspirations make those dreams. To blame Jewish wealth and success is a lazy argument and just bloody ignorant in my book.

I am glad the police moved the march and common sense prevailed.

Edward Adoo
By email

Recalling Hendon Shul’s founders

Dear Sir

Your feature on Hendon’s Raleigh Close Synagogue reminded me that it was, quite literally, founded by my wife’s grandparents, Leah and Herman Berman.
Moving ‘out’ to Hendon – in the countryside in the 1920s – Herman decided that a shul was needed closer than Golders Green. Rounding up a few local Jews and advertising in the local paper that a minyan was to be held at 17 Alderton Crescent, the first services were held at their house, with the hall cupboard as the Ark.

Leah, whom I recorded in the 1970s, recalled services for two years before numbers got too big.

She made two white mantels for the scroll, which Herman embroidered with gold braid ‘Magen Davids’.

We have in our possession his Chatan Torah certificate for services to the community, which we loaned for their exhibition celebrating the synagogue’s 50th anniversary. Their names are, I believe, still on a doorway to the synagogue.

Barry Hyman
Bushey Heath

No such thing as kosher eggs

Dear Sir

I read the letter from Isaac Cohen (Jewish News, 11 June) about eggs past their sell-by date and the difference between kosher and non-kosher eggs.
As a child during the war, I remember that as there was a shortage of practically everything, my father kept his own chickens.
We had a breed called Black and White Sussex (that being the colouring of their feathers) and they laid eggs with white shells.
We also had Rhode Island Reds (with
red feathers) and they laid brown eggs. There was never any question of whether one breed was more kosher than the other.
The only time an egg was not for human consumption was if it was fertilised and, if there is no cockerel around, this is highly unlikely to be the case.
The fertilised eggs were kept by the
egg farmers to produce yet more chickens, so, no matter how frum you are, you
don’t need to worry about the colour of the shell.

Renee Gilbert
Edgware