Welcome

Welcome to JFS School's official Blog. This is our third year of the blog and represents a chance for our new team of intrepid student journalists to write what's on their minds. The Autumn term’s blog theme focuses on “Inspiration” - so stay tuned for some fantastic creative writing.


Thursday 17 January 2013

INSPIRATION: Why JFS has inspired me - [Fairy Tale Genre]

Once upon a time there was a little princess called Ilana who lived in the wonderful land of Woodside Park. At the age of two she joined her royal primary school and for the next nine years, she enjoyed a peaceful, quiet royal life.
Then everything changed, at the very special age of eleven, Princess Ilana had to leave her royal primary school and join a brand new, magnificent royal high school by the name of JFS. It was humongous!  There were older princes and princesses everywhere as well as elegant teachers wafting around the never ending corridors. Ilana wasn’t used to this though, so with the help of the beautiful and helpful Royal Peer Buddies, Ilana met SO MANY new princesses and did extremely well in her princess studies.
After a couple of weeks into her new school, Princess Ilana saw that there were lots of extra things to do as well as lessons. There were sport clubs, dance clubs, extra learning clubs, and more, but the one that really caught Princess Ilana’s attention was the Royal Student Journalist club. Princess Ilana had ALWAYS dreamt of being a journalist – the fame, the fortune and the writing! So Princess Ilana tried extra hard in her Literature lessons and sure enough her lovely Literature teachers chose HER to be a Royal Student Journalist!
Princess Ilana is now trying really hard in her new school career and wishes that when she grows up she will be a proper Royal Journalist.

INSPIRATION: An Ode to Tennis


I picked up my racket at the age of four,
Little did I know it would mean so much more,
Watching Wimbledon was the key to my start,
From then on my racket and I would never ever part,
When I was younger I wanted success and fame,
But now I just want to play my game,
I still enjoy playing competitions and matches,
But sometimes I do end up with bruises and scratches!
Sometimes my aim is not so great,
And sometimes I accidently treat people as my bait!
So when the balls come flying over the net they’re mine,
And I think it will be for a very long time.

INSPIRATION: Family Tree Project


A couple of months ago I was asked to do a Family Tree Project. We were told to find three interesting stories about our relatives and produce a family tree. I found it really inspiring when finding out about my Great Grandpa Miklos – a survivor from a death march. Along with him I also wrote two other stories – one  about my aunty setting up her own netball business and another about my grandma who was just a little child when her house in Liverpool got bombed twice during  World War Two.
After interviewing and writing up these stories I felt I could take messages from them to help me in my life. First my Great Grandpa who showed that even in the toughest of times, giving up should never be an option, and if you put your mind to something you can succeed. Next, my Grandma who now is an amazing person and always positive, I learnt from her that you have to leave behind the bad things and look in the future, be optimistic because you never know what hurdles may lie in front of you. Finally on to my aunty, she taught me that there is no point spending your life doing something you don’t enjoy and you should take risks because you need to make mistakes to learn and grow in life. Life isn’t about taking the easy options always and going with the flow, it is about stepping out of the box, being who you want to be, taking chances you want to take and fighting for what you believe in. With these four steps in mind I am now ready to make my step in the world.
I hope one day I will have my own inspirational story to tell but for now I am trying to achieve great things, small but meaningful. Starting off with the Yoni Jesner Award where I have to do twenty hours of charity work; this enables me to find out about how others live and hopefully I will get an insight into even more incredible stories.

INSPIRATION: Olympics


Over the summer JFS students had a unique and once in a lifetime opportunity to visit the Olympics and Paralympics with school. Many of the student’s applications for tickets had been denied but JFS gave us the opportunity to visit the Olympics. I found the trip Inspiring as I have always liked sport but it made me want to push that Limit even more, could I ever become an Olympian?
Not only this, but I have been privileged to hear talks from Paralympic athletes including an 800m gold medal winner! We were given the opportunities to have a question and answer session with them, listen to them speak and even see their medals.
Overall, although the Olympics and Paralympics have now left London I believe they have hit their target and left a lasting legacy upon the whole country. School helped this to happen for me and many JFS Students, myself included are grateful for this.

INSPIRATION: My inspirational teacher


Ever since the end of Year 9, I have been turning over something my mother said to me in my head.

‘Not everyone has a truly inspirational teacher during their schooling career; you were very lucky to have him.’

She was talking about Mr. Gibbons- former teacher of English and Classics at JFS- my Muse.

When speaking to a number of my former English classmates, one particular student articulated that ‘his casual yet eager attitude seemed to pump incentive and motivation in the class. Our mutual respect created a calm atmosphere- a learning atmosphere. His perseverance and willingness made it easy to latch on to his ideas.’

There is no way that one can disagree with this statement: as well as mastering the English and Classics curriculum, Mr. Gibbons’ teaching style was that of a small category which enables students, to use a well-loved University phrase,  to ‘widen their horizons,’ and take their understanding of literature and life to the next level. 

In fact, when it came to studying short stories, Mr. Gibbons guided my class through some of the greatest texts ever written, such as Nikolai Gogol’s “The Overcoat,” as well as encouraging a wider reading of Franz Kafka’s “Metamorphosis” and “The Necklace” by Guy De Maupassant- I still have slideshows on this text!

But he didn’t only teach his students, and maybe more importantly, he inspired us. ‘He gave us his philosophical views; which gave me a new way of thinking about life,’ explained a separately enthusiastic former classmate of mine.

Furthermore, it was the great Mr. Gibbons himself who pushed for Classics to be taught to a group of JFS students as part of an early GCSE course, in the hope of later exposing all students to the history of Western Civilisation.

This proved to be a major success; during the course, which was taught by himself and Mr. Davies (of the History Department), myself and a small group of other students studied the Persian Wars, a famous Ancient Greek play named “Medea” by Euripides,’ along with Ancient Greek Drama and Homer’s epic poem “The Odyssey.”

Yet there is more!

At the end of the Year 9 English syllabus, Mr. Gibbons also taught philosophy, explaining  the basic arguments of philosophers like Plato, Socrates and Aristotle, Hegel, Herschel and Nietzsche.

As Aristotle famously observed ‘humans by nature desire knowledge.’

Mr. Gibbons didn’t just have a genuine thirst for knowledge; he brought out that thirst in students and teachers alike.

One very sad day, however, JFS learnt that Mr. Gibbons would be leaving England for Egypt.

 I realised that, though mine (and many other students’) Muse would be leaving us physically; he will be forever in our minds.

As I embark on the ‘advent’rous journy’  of reading John Milton’s epic poem “Paradise Lost”, I realise that Mr. Gibbons’ influence on our lives will never be forgotten.

We owe great gratitude to you, Mr. Gibbons.

INSPIRATION: 'A Taste of Israel'


I will never forget my first visit to Israel in June 2012.  I was very excited, nervous and uncertain. At last I would experience how it feels to have a place where you belong, a place that is intended for you and your people. Would it live up to my expectations? Would I feel the instant connection?
I was not disappointed. I felt a sense of belonging, a sense of heritage stretching back thousands of years.
Shabbat at the Kotel was an experience that will stay in my heart forever. I was a tiny part of the combined prayers offered up by thousands of Jews every Friday night at the Kotel. The atmosphere was incredible as we joined in unity to sing the Shema. Jerusalem was buzzing with the Shabbat feeling at this deeply spiritual place. I pressed my hands against the cold, softened stone like so many Jews before me. It was an unforgettable moment and it was really special to join with so many Jews in such a religious place to herald in Shabbat.
Before my visit to Yad Vashem, I had mixed feelings about how I would cope. I didn’t know whether it would be historical or emotional. As a matter of fact, it was both. The scale and horror of the Holocaust was brought home through the simple, yet powerful display of thousands of shoes that once were worn by our ancestors in Auschwitz. This really shocked and upset me because I could build an image of the different people who may have owned the shoes. The room that affected me the most was a room dedicated especially to the 1.5 million children who died in the Holocaust. When I stepped in, I was surrounded by mirrors. Five candles in the centre were reflected millions of times to represent these young, innocent, Jewish lives lost. I realised then how lucky I was to have my whole life ahead of me, when these childrens’ were snatched from them.
The museum was beautifully laid out. You began very deep underground, and as you progressed through the museum, you continued to walk upwards until the very end, where you step out onto the balcony and you could see Jerusalem stretched out before you. It was as if I was making Aliyah – going up to the Holy Land. 
Every morning, it was wonderful to sing Modeh Ani in Israel. This prayer is all about thanking Hashem for waking us up in the morning and returning our souls to our bodies. There is the idea that we wake up blind, deaf, and unable to walk, and Hashem gives us all of these things as a gift, and that is why we say Modeh Ani. One thing I want to take out of my first visit to Israel is to say Modeh Ani every morning, because I never want to take anything for granted ever again.

INSPIRATION: My first day...


My alarm went off in my ear, the horrible screeching sound that wakes me up every morning. I rolled over and stared at the clock in horror. It was 6:45! Why was I up so early? But then I remembered.  I was in secondary school now! I wasn’t still at my primary school when I could wake up at 8:00 every day and only have to be at school at 8:50. No, this was JFS, where I have to wake up at 6:45 and have to be at school at 8:30. This thought was in a way depressing, that I have to be so tired all morning, however it was also a pleasant thought. It meant I was growing up. I couldn’t just relax the whole morning, I had to be prompt and early, I was becoming more of an individual.

As I put on my blazer and tightened my tie, I admired all the smart things I was wearing. It was very satisfying to look in the mirror and look smart. With a tie and a white shirt, it made me feel proud to be older. I quickly ran downstairs and picked up my heavy bag. I was so used to carrying my light primary school bag with not a book in it.

The next thing I knew, I was boarding the bus. This made me feel really independent. I was getting on my own onto the bus, with no one to tell me what was right and what was wrong. I was on my own, free to make decisions myself. When primary school ended, I felt like I was ready to move on. Now I felt that it was great to be in secondary school, and you feel so proud.

I arrived at school and got off the bus. As I walked into the entrance I was awe-struck by the building’s immensity. Compared to my little old school, with one floor and about half the size of one block, it was like an elephant, with my old school being a mouse. Still, now, many months in, it’s nice to having this conversation with my friends from my old school:
“How many students does your school have?” I ask.
“Around 500,” comes the response, “why, how many does your school have?”
“Over 2000.” I say as they stare at me as if I’m crazy.

After roll-call, my first lesson is Science. I walk up the staircase and through several corridors before finally arriving. Whilst I strolled through the crowd of people rushing to their lessons I thought about all the things I’d done that day, and how they all made me feel independent. So did this. I admired the way we have to go to lessons on our own and walk through the gigantic school to get to lessons.

The next few hours flew by and after I’d walked to lunch, I chose my meal (which is more than I did at my primary school; I had packed lunch) and handed my lunch card to the member of staff.  A lunch card! It makes me feel like it’s a credit card and I’m an adult!

The second half of the day went by and I got back on the bus and it eventually arrived at my stop. I felt something glowing in my heart as I opened the front door of my house. I was independent.
I was inspired.

INSPIRATION: The Paralympics


During the time I have spent at JFS, many things have inspired me; wrapping gifts in Club 12 for less fortunate children, Sports Day and more.  However, when I was given the challenge of writing about something that inspired me there was one thing that really stood out.

In the summer holidays, the day before school started, JFS took a group of students including myself to the Paralympic Athletics in the Olympic Stadium.  We watched many Paralympic athletes racing and competing, pushing themselves physically to the limit. 

As I watched with a few of my friends and cheered the various competitors on, I felt so inspired.  I have been in crutches quite a few times and have even been in a wheelchair once due to a rare condition in my legs.  Usually, it has only lasted for up to two months and I was back on my feet again, as though nothing had ever happened.  However, many of the athletes I watched on that day were demobilised permanently, and will always be viewed as different from everyone else. 

Many people, if faced with disability, would shrink and hide away, scared of the reactions of the outside world.  However, these athletes have made the most of their disabilities, and have made their countries, and themselves, proud.  If I were to be faced with a lifelong disability, I would be distraught.  These athletes may have felt that way at first, but in a way, they have used their disabilities to their advantage and have turned their situations around.

Great Britain did exceptionally well, winning medal after medal. The courage, determination, camaraderie, and overall excellence shown by every athlete revealed how well they each represented the Paralympic values that continue to inspire me.  As an avid spectator caught up in the national euphoria, I felt motivated by such amazing athletes to work as hard as I can to achieve great things in life.  Everyone is different and everyone has different life experiences.  This was shown by these athletes, who were, and are, in difficult situations, but have overcome adversity and seen success.

At JFS, we are taught that no matter who you are or what you've been through, you can always do your best and make yourself proud, as these athletes have done. In Physical Education, we are taught to do the best we can and to be proud of our achievements in sports. JFS has created a real legacy from the Olympics and Paralympics – to Inspire a Generation.

JFS has given me the opportunity to witness the sheer skill and determination shown by athletes, for which I am extremely grateful. I have always preferred the Paralympics to the Olympics; it proves that everyone can achieve great things if that is what they desire. The trick is to have the initial motivation.

INSPIRATION: Movember


I know what you’re thinking but no, this is not a spelling mistake. I have been inspired by the charity event Movember. Every November, men sign up to grow a moustache for a month to raise money for men’s health, particularly prostate and testicular cancer. The charity was created in Australia when a group of men, seeing all of the support for women’s health, launched a campaign for men’s.
At the JFS, a number of teachers including Mr Broe, Mr O’Brien, Mr Monks, Mr Van Schalkwyk and Mr Co are participating. Mr Broe’s moustache, named Fernando has already raised £130, and if it reaches a total between all the participants then Mr Broe will continue to grow it until the end of term. It apparently looks hilarious.
Once registered at movember.com each participant must begin the 1st of Movember with a clean shaven face. For the entire month he must grow and groom a moustache. There is to be no joining of the mo to the sideburns (that’s considered a beard), there’s to be no joining of the handlebars to the chin (that’s considered a goatee) and each Mo Bro must conduct himself like a true gentleman.
Between them they hope to raise £1000. Please donate and help them to achieve their goals.
For more information go to http://uk.movember.com/about/.


INSPIRATION: 'Inspire'



INSPIRATION: Charity

I have always been impressed by how English schools, primary and secondary alike put so much effort into finding ways to help the community. Whether it is fundraising, walking or running a marathon, going to an old people’s home, or helping those in need, there is always a way.
When I got to JFS, it was clear that this school was the same, if not better, when it came to getting involved in a charity.
There is so much poverty in the world and all impoverished people can hope for is a roof over their heads and some food on their plates. Every time JFS does something to help, we are giving desperate people hope for the future. When you know that you have made someone happy, an individual who is constantly sad and disappointed, this is one of the greatest gifts. The most amazing thing about it, is that this mitzvah is easy to do because people in need stay so humble and kind-hearted, that even the smallest gift can make them happy. This brings me to the following story:
“My parents were arriving home from a charity dinner when they saw a woman, hiding from the cold, between the main doors and the entrance to the building. When we asked why she was here, she replied “I hope you don’t mind, I must have gotten confused about the time and I arrived too late to get into the shelter.” After hearing this, my parents could not think for one minute that this was a coincidence. They had just been to a dinner where they had heard so many different stories about poor people, and here they were, finding themselves in front of a woman in the exact same situation. My parents went upstairs and my mother decided to give her tea and biscuits, as well as a blanket. My father went down to give her these things and also gave her some money. The lady continuously thanked my parents even though what they gave her was very small compared to everything she must have lost. The next morning, although my parents had told her to keep what they had given her; they found that she had left the cup and folded the blanket.”
When I heard this story, I realised that if little gifts like those could make a poor woman happier, then what could a big gift do? It could change a person’s life. This is exactly what JFS does. But being such a big school, means JFS does not change one person’s life, it changes many.
Being Jewish, giving tzedakah is one of the mitzvot we have to do. Yet, once you get to JFS, you realise that whatever the school does to help, is not done because it’s an obligation. It’s done out of kindness and out of hope that they are able to inspire students to give and take part. They do this in a fun way that makes students want to do the mitzvah. That in itself is a good deed. To take the time to do the mitzvah yourself is already amazing, but to be able to encourage and convince other people to the mitzvah, that is truly inspiring.

INSPIRATION: Prospective Parents Evening


The first time I saw JFS, I was in year five, about nine years old. From what I can remember, it was very big and I was terribly scared. How was I supposed to find my way around, or even remember any of the classes I had to go to in such a huge school? This was one of the many questions that I faced.

My family and I had come to have a look at the school at Prospective Parents Evening. I couldn’t believe how many students had stayed behind at school to help out. Their attitudes not only made the evening enjoyable but also helped with my decision about which school to choose. Each department had different activities to show the prospective students and it wasn’t what I thought it would be – just looking around different classrooms and getting incredibly bored!

The memory obviously never left me because this year I decided that I really wanted to help with Prospective Parents Evening. After school, we were provided with some food and then sent straight off to help out with our chosen department. I volunteered to go to the Science department, mainly because I love performing practical demonstrations and watching people’s reactions to explosions and chemical experiments.

While I was helping out, I saw lots of people I knew and I was answering questions that they had about the school. It definitely reminded me of when I was in their position a few years ago. Overall, it was such a great experience and I would easily recommend other students to help at PPE in future years.

INSPIRATION: Prospective Parents Evening


Last month, I was privileged enough to help at the 2012 Prospective Parents Evening. Although I am new to JFS and probably one of the youngest people attending the school, I seem to know quite a lot about it (mainly from my older sister in the sixth form).  This proved to be a major help as the school already felt so familiar.

About five weeks before the event Mr Boxer, my English teacher, asked for some volunteers to help out at the PPE. I was chosen and was invited to read out some English work on ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’, my favourite book that I read over the summer – a summer which anticipated the daunting year ahead.

It was inspiring that everyone from Year 8 upwards knew their way around the extraordinary maze of JFS so confidently, and it was reassuring to know that in a few short months I could join these experts!

I had forty-five minutes of free time so my friends and I, with permission from a teacher, decided to orientate ourselves around the school for fun. It was quite confusing as a specific route had been designed for the tours, but in the end we found our way to Food Technology, where rumour had it that they were giving out free snacks - always a winner!

We went to the Sports department, where electrical boat races were being held. We decided to compete – I came third out of six. We then did cup stacking, which was most definitely not my forte!

Five o’clock came thus heralding our time to shine. Being the first to show a presentation, I was a little nervous. However, it all went perfectly and although not all of the parents and Year 6 turned up to watch, those who did, looked like they enjoyed it.

Prospective Parents Evening was indeed a memorable event, and the chance to play role in showcasing the school in all its glory is something that I will not forget in a long time.       

INSPIRATION: Tour Guiding in JFS

When asked to take parents of year five and six students who intended to apply to JFS, on a tour around the school campus, I was initially anxious. What if they didn’t like me? What is I inexplicably lost my around the school or could not answer their questions? However, this was fortunately not the case and I thoroughly enjoyed weaving my way through the halls and sharing my knowledge with the future year sevens. Watching the potential new students inspired me to reflect upon my own experiences throughout my time in JFS.
Since joining the school, I have attempted to take advantage of the incredible opportunities that are presented to JFS pupils. Whilst these include fantastic residential trips, such as a taste of Israel (ATOI) and outstanding outings to the theatre, the opportunities, that I relish the most are the ones that students receive on a day to day basis. The chance to converse with a wide variety of people ; the ability to be taught in great learning environment in which students are dedicated to achieving their goals and teachers are committed to helping them do so. These are the things I cherish the most about JFS.
Talking to the prospective pupils lead me to consider the future of JFS, think of its rich history and the long journey that the school has taken to get to where it currently is. From its beginning in 1732, JFS has adapted and advanced to deal with the situation in Britain of the moment. Through the influx of Jewish immigrants in the 19th century and the Blitz in WW2, JFS continued due to relocation and progression of its policies that reflected the developments of the British Jewish community. Talking with the new students lead me to recognise that they will  be fortunate enough to have the opportunity to shape the future of the school and leave their own mark upon it.

 

INSPIRATION: Y12 Poland Trip

I didn’t really know what to expect from Poland. I was unsure of how I’d feel entering a concentration camp and I found it hard to comprehend what had taken place. I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t crying whilst standing in a cattle cart or even in a mass grave. I was more in shock and disbelief. Shabbat, although near the end of the trip, changed everything for me. This is the point at which the entire group came together; this was the point at which I felt inspired.

On Friday night Rabbi Hirsch gave a speech titled: ‘Where was G-d during the holocaust’. His answer: he doesn’t know. However, he stressed that although the reason may be unknown, there is always a reason for everything. The main message I took from his was that people find unknown strength during times of suffering or hardship, strength that often leads to positive outcomes. This message is summed up beautifully in a poem written by an anonymous poet: ‘I asked for strength and God gave me difficulties to make me strong. I asked for wisdom and God gave me problems to solve. I asked for courage and God gave me dangers to overcome. I received nothing I wanted and I received everything I needed’. Although the persecution of over 7 million Jews destroyed the Jewish nation in a way that will never be forgotten, it also resulted in not only the land of Israel, but also something that will unite the Jewish people forever.

After visiting a museum and listening to the personal stories that everyone in the group had to share, I thought back to the crematorium we had been to the previous day and I couldn’t believe how real everything seemed to be. At this point in the trip many people cried for the first time. It was not when we were in the gas chambers, or when we were standing in the camps that people felt overwhelmed with emotion, but rather after hearing stories that made the horrors of what we had seen appear so real.

The last place in Auschwitz that we visited was the Latrines. This was the place that I felt the most connected to. We heard that for many, this was the only place that people from different ends of the camp could meet. We heard a story about two sisters who would meet in the Latrines every Friday night to celebrate Shabbat together in the only way that they could. They would sing Jewish songs together and everyone else would join in. At this point the rest of the group started singing Jewish songs and I felt overwhelmed with emotion. It made me think of my sister, the rest of my family and every person that had been involved in the holocaust.

This very moment in the trip made me realise how lucky I was to be able to walk out of this prison with family, friends, school and a home to return to. It was also obvious at that point that if I was standing in that exact place 70 years ago I may never have walked back out. I’m not entirely sure what one message I will take back with me, and I can’t isolate one moment to be the most inspiring. Nevertheless, I know that I will not feel guilty about being happy and laughing, even when visiting Poland, as the ultimate way to show the Nazi’s they’ve failed is to live life to its fullest, for all those who never really lived at all.

INSPIRATION: 'Inspiration'

Inspiration.
How to define such a word?
What inspires a person?
It can come from a saying like:
“Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes”
-Gandhi
“Sometimes the questions are complicated but the answers are simple”
-Dr. Seuss
It can come from a person you admire like an actor, prime minister or anyone at all.
It can come from someone’s attitude or perspective on life like looking at life as an adventure where you explore new areas of life each day.
It can come from a job someone does that sounds like something you would love to do and achieve through hard work.
That’s how I was inspired by Katie.
Katie came in from Sky News and talked about her job in journalism and whilst beforehand I thought there was only one type of journalism which was writing or reporting for newspapers which I already knew I wasn’t interested in because I, personally, hate the way paparazzi sometimes change the story just to sell papers whilst it can ruin the celebrity’s life. However, Katie talked to us about journalism on TV and how it has to be 100% accurate, how they don’t over exaggerate anything and how she has to write the news stories during the day. Even though her job sounded intense it looked really fun and rewarding and not because she gets to play around with the massive touch screens though that’s probably fun as well. Katie explained the choices she has to make whilst the show is on air and how it can be very difficult to choose whether to stop the show to announce breaking news or whether to put it on the yellow ticker tape banner. That may have put people off becoming a producer however I think that every job will have its harder aspects and even though Katie’s job sounded hard and intense it also sounded enjoyable as you work as a team and the finished result is always incredible.
Overall, Katie showed me that there isn’t the one type of journalism and that if I tried hard and worked diligently like her, I could get into TV journalism which I find much more appealing then writing for newspapers.

INSPIRATION: A Taste of Israel

A Taste of Israel
When I think of ATOI, the first words that come into my head are ‘inspirational’ and ‘incredible’; it has honestly been the best experience of my life so far.
I’ll start off by saying that I have a huge fear of planes, and was nervous about going on holiday to a foreign country without my parents for the first time. Luckily, all those feelings soon started to fade away after our first group meeting, about a month before we went. Those meetings helped us to get to know the rest of the group and know what to expect; my group were amazing and there wasn’t one person who I didn’t get along with.
Once we had arrived in Israel, we met our madrichim, who were great and made our trip not only enjoyable, but also educational. I learnt so much more than I ever could have imagined in just 2 weeks. We always had something to do, whether it was wading through a river on a water hike or going shopping in one of the many markets we went to.
ATOI inspired me in many ways, firstly, to try to make every Shabbat that little more special and secondly, that if I put my mind to it, I can do anything I want. I’ve conquered my fear of planes, and done things that I never could have imagined doing, such as walking through a pitch-black water tunnel and seeing the sunrise from the top of Massada. I’ve made new friends that I would not have necessarily made, and I feel much more connected to Israel than ever before.
Everything we did was such a special experience, from waiting at the airport to board our plane, to visiting the Kotel - I loved every minute. What better way to experience Israel for the first time?

INSPIRATION: Getting Up


Getting Up Becomes Worth It In The End

Throughout darkened mornings, I stumble blind. 
While the wind whispers dread, as though to make
Vulgar satire of my feet which ache,
With each step. Forever slaved to daily grind,
I watch the red monsters, and stand confined
Inside their stomachs, fully wide awake.
The doors open; air whips round like a snake,
And I race into school leaving behind,
All my anxiety, fear and regret,
As I stride into the classroom so filled
With knowledge of our mysterious life.
Taught things of old, knowing I won’t forget
The wisdom of many. I am greatly thrilled
For the chance to learn; it’s worth all the strife.




INSPIRATION: Y13 Odessa Trip

WHEN TIKVA OPENED ITS ARMS TO 10 JFS STUDENTS

With the tag line ‘giving donations means giving the orphans hope to have a future’ the charity Tikva Odessa is acknowledged worldwide as a having the ability “to literally save a child’s life”. With the cold sub-zero and fingertips freezing, 9 year 13 students had to consciously remind themselves this was not a school trip for them. Instead, it was for the 180 orphans they were soon to meet. What imprint these students were going to have on their lives was in their bitter hands.

After being accompanied by a slice of Tikva Odessa’s outstanding trustees, Golders Green finest Ruth and Sydney Faber, the JFS students began their trip around Odessa: seeing both the devastation of the country after the fall of The USSR and contrastingly the amazing works of this charity. They set the tone for the trip after greeting us with a heartfelt welcome stating “We are your grandparents for the trip- as we are for the 180 other orphans here at Tikva”.

The upbeat and high impact trip was symbolic of Tikva’s grand achievements since being born” in 1993 due to “the reality of the amount of Jewish homeless children in Odessa” ,meant that Rabbi Baksht (founder of Tikva) had “no other choice” but to help those who were less fortunate than himself. The modest yet outstanding ethos that all the students acknowledged when visiting Tikva’s site, gave thought to the replicated parental role this charity formed in the education, finance, and social welfare departments of a child’s life.

When Ukraine was left corrupt after the Communist era, Tikva’s Jewish orphans had fallen through the cracks in Ukrainian society.

The difference between the 10 JFS students and the 180 orphans was slim: One different decision somewhere down the ancestral tracks now wedged a massive difference in their lives today. The trip was an attempt to destroy this wedge of difference and to reconnect Jewish children around the world. Maya Benson, year 13 JFS student commented that “After we visited all three orphanages, the infants and separate boys and girls home, I felt a sense of accomplishment that I had formed, hopefully, a lasting relationship with many of the Jewish children”. Lily Hassel, another JFS student excitedly interrupted “Yes, but we didn’t just visit the orphanages. Tikva’s help stems further than just providing a home for these underprivileged children. It’s everything Jewish in Odessa”.

The JFS coach travelled from top to toe of Odessa, visiting the orphanages, synagogues, university, and community shops all under the mighty reign of Tikva. “But,” Abel Leaman commented when asked ‘Which of the children’s home did you most connect with’, “I think what helped me connect with each home was after seeing the horrifying living standards and the drunken mother that a particular infant was rescued from. Seeing his background connected everything back to the reason why we all went on the trip in the first place. To raise awareness.”

Leaving behind both bundles of gifts collected from donations, to the endless amount of friendships formed, the JFS students all concluded that if one phrase were to optimise the trip, it would be: ‘To the future, of us as members of the Tikva family’.

INSPIRATION: JS Lesson about Noach

Js lesson about Noach
Jewish Studies on a Monday morning,
Early in the morning so none of us bright and cheery,
What are we doing today?
In groups we were told to make,
Songs, roll plays or poems all about Noach and the ark,
How did you do yours?
Song no way poem not at all,
Tomorrow there will definitely not be something like this,
Updating our creative work every one second,
Down to the dusty chalkboard acting like mad,
In each group it was like trees of knowledge growing around you,
Everybody performs in the best of ways having a laugh along the way,
Sitting down and calming down the bell rings.

INSPIRATION: Sports Leaders

Sports Leaders – an excellent opportunity to get involved with young people

Being a sports enthusiast myself, I believe that it’s vital for young people to be active and get involved with sports. Not only are there physical benefits but there are mental and social benefits too. Sports Leaders is an avenue that you can go down if you do enjoy sports and want to learn more about running courses, competitions and training days for younger children. Here’s how it’s inspired me:

Be more active – as soon as I began my course, I wanted to, and felt obliged to become more active. It’s inspired me to work harder in order to achieve and accomplish certain goals and has also impacted my schoolwork. I feel much more determined and ready to complete tasks that I would once have procrastinated over and dreaded doing.

Be more organised – being a Sports Leader means taking a role that requires a lot of responsibility and punctuality. It’s vital that you’re organised and prepared for sessions. These qualities can be carried through to other aspects of life too. There are always other benefits that you don’t realise to begin with.

Become more open – obviously when you apply to be a Sports Leader you know that you’re going to need to be approachable, be able to cope socially with a number of people and also have patience, especially with younger students. The sessions that we take part in teach us ways in which we can successfully carry out our own sessions whilst developing our own personal skills simultaneously.

Adapt better - sometimes we are faced with challenges where we must adapt to overcome them. This is very similar for a situation that you could face as a Sports Leader. For example, adapting to a change of environment, a change in equipment or a change in numbers. It’s important that we do not stress and become worried and consequently make the participants feel uncomfortable.

And finally,

Become a leader – this is a key element in being a Sports Leader. Being a role model to the children and being superior in responsibility, it is extremely important that you know how to lead an exercise, deal with misbehaving children/disciplining them whilst at the same time laying out clear instructions and working within your set age boundary. Furthermore, you need to be able to make decisions on issues that you face keep everyone happy.

Ultimately, the Sports Leaders programme has inspired me to develop my social skills and teach me valuable lessons that will suit me well in future. Hopefully I’ll be able to apply these skills when needed and look back and say how Sports Leaders inspired me.

INSPIRATION: How I was inspired by the Olympics


How I was inspired by...the olympics
As a self-confessed cynic,  I generally don’t buy into things with the words “brings people together”  or “inspires” in them. But if there’s anything I’ve learned in my fourteen short years on this earth, the only force stronger than gravity is peer pressure. Everyone was doing Olympics-this, Olympics-that, and quite frankly, it was rather annoying. However,  I determined that when so many people were involved, they must be on to something, and one saturday night I gave in to my family. It was, of course the “super saturday” when Mo Farah did his country proud, putting Britain on the map for long-distance running for the the first time in decades.
After watching this, suffice to say, I was inspired by such a display of sporting prowess and self-discipline. I then began to think: If they can do it, why not me? After all, Mo Farah, and many of the athletes who were to become icons, came from disadvantaged backgrounds. Born in Somalia, he was forced to leave for Britain aged only eight, leaving behind all his friends and much of his family. I imagine he would have found  it acutely difficult at first; an immigrant in a new country, speaking no English and having absolutely nothing in common with the other children, who would have seemed so at home. But he found his niche on the track, discovering solace in the next-foot-forward rhythm of long distance running.
The more I read, the more I was persuaded to get out there and do something different. One day, I put on my running shoes (A Chanukah present meant for someone with more self-discipline) and jogged out the door. Admittedly, I only made it down to the local park before getting out of breath and walking home, but that wasn’t the point. The routine had been established, and I was slowly but surely working my way out of the chthonic depths of procrastination.
Fast forward six months, and I’m running the 10k race at the Maccabi fun run. I’m nervous, and although it’s not a race, I’ve been training for this for a while. Not wanting to lose face in front of self-confessed “experts” who would’ve been professional athletes, but, y’know, priorities. To the surprise of many (most of all myself) I finish the race in a semi-respectable time of about an hour (still more than double Farah’s 26 minutes, but I wan’t exactly at the Olympics)
The sense of relief was incredible, as was the knowledge that through doing something that was actually fun, I had raised money for charity. What’s more, it gave me a greater insight into how sport can be used to change people’s lives for the better, make them stop arguing, and, for once, gather together in support of the nation’s finest sportsmen and women.
So next time people get excited about The Olympics, I’ll gladly join them, safe in the knowledge that sport can be a force for good.