Thursday, 22 May 2008

Live Links to Meron - Lag B'omer




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Virgin Train £1 to/from London NEW Bookings available up to: 30 JUNE 2008

Virgin Train £1 to/from London NEW Bookings available up to: 30 JUNE 2008

Virgin Train £1 to/from London NEW Bookings available up to: 30 JUNE 2008

Afraid its only valid to & from London & Manchester.Bookings available up to: 30 JUNE 2008.Not many seats but from a £1 well worth it.

http://www.mobitix.thetrainline.com/vt/advancePurchase.aspx

IF YOU GET ONE LET US KNOW PLEASE.

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Tuesday, 6 May 2008

One postal worker a day is caught stealing from mail

thisislondon.co.uk - the entertainment guide  

One postal worker a day is caught stealing from mail

Last updated at 00:22am on 06.05.08

Adam Crozier

Under pressure: Post Office chief executive Adam Crozier

More than 1,300 Royal Mail employees have been caught stealing from the post in the last four years.

Postal workers are being prosecuted and sacked at the rate of more than one for every working day.

However, experts believe the true scale of the problem could be much greater.

Royal Mail is bombarded with complaints from customers who have not received deliveries they are expecting, from valuable mail order goods to birthday cards containing cash.

The organisation has repeatedly come under fire for failing to offer full compensation for items which are stolen, lost or damaged.

Following a Freedom of Information request, the Post Office revealed that 1,321 employees have been caught stealing since 2004.

Howard Webber, the chief executive of consumer group Postwatch, said: "It is shocking that on average one Royal Mail employee per day is being prosecuted or cautioned for theft.

"Postwatch has urged Royal Mail to publish these statistics regularly, so that we can all see whether the security of our mail is improving.

"It is in customers' interest that this is now done."

There are concerns that Royal Mail's reliance on temporary contract staff, particularly around Christmas, means the system is more vulnerable to theft.

The editor of the postal industry website, Hellmail, Steve Lawson, said: "Any cases of internal theft are enormously damaging and it may be that there is some correlation with cost-saving measures such as hiring of temporary staff or the trend towards replacing full-time staff with part-time.

 

Post office

"These statistics - including how much lost mail is the result of dishonest postal workers - should be more readily available if the 'slimming down' of our postal service is to have any credibility.

"Clearly delivery offices are stretched as Royal Mail tries to reduce operating costs.

"But there is a difference between running efficiently and allowing the reliability and integrity of mail delivery to fall apart at the seams."

Royal Mail pays out more than £1million a month in compensation to customers over failures in its services, including huge claims for stolen, lost and damaged items.

In the past, Postwatch has accused Royal Mail of 'cheating' customers by failing to pay proper compensation.

The organisation received complaints and compensation claims for some 651,582 lost items in the 2006/07 financial year, yet paid out on only 311,005.

The figures will make worrying reading for the Royal Mail's chief executive, Adam Crozier.

A spokesman from the company said: "Royal Mail takes the problem of theft extremely seriously and has a zero tolerance approach to dishonesty.

"This approach is shared by the overwhelming majorityof our people who are honest and hardworking and take great pride in getting mail safely to 27million addresses across the UK every working day.

"To put these figures in context, Royal Mail Group employs nearly 185,000 people in the UK."

He added: "The overwhelming majority of all letters posted arrive safely at the correct destination but we remain vigilant to any risk to the operation - including any threat from criminals outside of Royal Mail who target postmen and women to steal the mail they are carrying.

"When it comes to the very small fraction of mail that is stolen, the majority is taken by people outside of Royal Mail.

"It remains the case that the huge majority of our people are scrupulously honest and take huge care over the mail entrusted to them."

The number of staff prosecuted or cautioned each year is falling but it is difficult to know whether theft is becoming less common or whether Royal Mail does not have the resources to tackle it.

Those postmen and women who are caught stealing from the post have often carried out thousands of individual thefts.

For example, Nicholas Fryer was jailed for two years in 2004 after taking 130,000 letters and parcels over a five-year period and stashing them in his house and shed.

Prosecutors said the 31-year-old opened the packages he thought contained items of value.

The following year Lisa Harvey, 31, of Plymouth, was charged with stealing 100,000 pieces of mail.

The load was so huge it had to be taken away by a seven-ton truck.



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Thursday, 17 April 2008

Practical Guide for this year pesach

The following Halachos should not be used as a Psak Halacha - but just as a guide.
Please consult with your Rov as to what one should do: THURSDAY 17th April [12th Nissan]
 
 
Fast for Bechorim [or take part in a Siyum Mesechta].

Mayim Shelonu Before sunset for the baking of matzos next day.

THURSDAY Evening 17th April [13th Nissan]

BEDIKAS CHOMETZ
1)The search for Chometz takes place tonight and as in other years the Brocho is made prior to the search. After the search Kol Chamiro is said.

2)All rooms must be searched – including those where Chometz meals will be eaten on Shabbos.

3)After Bedikas Chometz store Chometz in a safe secure place.

4)One should prepare only the exact amount of Chometz required. For Shabbos meals - Lechem Mishneh and an amount of 'kebeitzah' per person per meal.

SELLING CHOMETZ: As every year, preferably before Bedikas Chometz or time for burning the Chometz.

FRIDAY 18th April [13th Nissan]

SHACHRIS: Say Mizmor Lesoydoh and Lamnatzeyach Ya'ancho.

BURNING OF CHOMETZ: One should burn the Chometz at the same time as in other years. Kol Chamiro is not said at this time – only the Yehi Rotzon.

KASHERING: Permitted all day Friday.

HAIRCUT: Lechovod Yom Tov one should cut their hair and nails [permitted all day].

WORK: Permitted all day. 

BAKING MATZOS: After Chatzos as in other years. There is no need to say "Pirurin Yehei Hefker".

SEDER AND YOM TOV PREPARATIONS

1)Prepare everything required for the Seder, eg, chairs, tables, the Kaaros, goblets and Matzos – as on Shabbos one may not prepare for Yom Tov.

2)Check the Morror [lettuce]. If not done, do it on Motzoei Shabbos (1st night Yom Yov). If a bug is found remove it by cutting off that part of the leaf (as bug is considered Muktzeh). The lettuce should not be soaked in water for 24 hours or in salt water for even a shorter period.

3)Grate the Chrayn [horseradish] before Shabbos and cover it so it doesn't lose its sharpness. If one forgot, he may do this on Motzoei Shabbos with a 'shinui' eg,  grate directly on to a napkin or the table (but not on to a 'keili').

4)Roast the Zeroa bone. If one forgot, he can do it on Motzoei Shabbos but must eat it on Sunday. [Similarly the 2nd day Yom Tov.]

5)Prepare Charoyses. If forgotten, do it on Motzoei Shabbos with a 'shinui' eg, pour the wine in first.

6)Prepare salt-water. If forgotten it may be done on Motzoei Shabbos with a 'shinui' eg, put salt in first. Salt should be less than 2/3 of the total quantity.

7)Persons with dentures, fillings, plates and braces should kasher these before Shabbos.

8)One should 'Metaher' himself - by bathing and 'tovelling' in a Mikva in honour of Yom Tov.

FRIDAY evening 18th April [14th Nissan]

MEALS AREA
1)Eat in a room where it is easy to clean up and sweep the floor   after meals [ie, uncarpeted etc.]. The chairs used should have a smooth surface with no cracks and holes from where crumbs are difficult to remove.

2)One should light at least 2 candles in the area where Kiddush is said [it needn't be on the table]. If one plans to move the table on Shabbos then when lighting candles there must be a 'dovor hetter' on it [eg Challos].

3)If eating and drinking in the garden cover the area with plastic to ensure that drinks are not spilled on the grass.

SHABBOS MEALS

1)The Minhag is to prepare Pesachdig food cooked in Pesachdig keilim.

2)One should use plastic and paper cutlery, plates and tablecloths – except for the Kiddush cup.

3)Eat a "Shiur" of Challah at the place where Kiddush was made [ "Kiddush Bemokom Seudeh"].

4)One may eat the rest of the meal and Bentch [without eating any further challah] in a different area – as long as he can see the place where Kiddush was said.  Otherwise (at least the Baalebos) should return to that area for Bentching.

5)Extreme care should be taken that crumbs are not scattered during the meal. This is especially important with children. It is advisable that only those children who have reached 'chinuch' age should be given challah – and then only the minimum shiur.

6)The persons serving the meal – prepared in Pesach keilim, should brush off all crumbs from themself before contact with Pesach dishes.

7)The challah should be eaten on a napkin, which, after the meal should be flushed down the toilet. NOTE: Do not flush large amounts of Chometz down the toilet at once, because this can lead to a stuffed toilet - FILLED WITH CHOMETZ!

8)A piece of challah [in a plastic bag – if eating Pesachdig] should be on the table until after Bentchen.

9)Persons with dentures, fillings, plates and braces should not eat hot or sharp food with Chometz in their mouth.

10)Do not eat Chometz that is hotter than 'yad soledes bo'.

11)Wearers of braces should only eat the soft centre part of challah – dipped into liquid and immediately brush with a SOFT toothbrush using minimal water - so as not to cause 'sechiteh' or blood from the gums.

SHABBOS 19th April [14th Nissan]

SHACHRIS: Davened early to enable completing the meals before Sof Zman Achilas Chometz.

MEAL: Divided in two to fulfil Shalosh-Seudos. It is advisable to separate them with Divrei Torah or a short walk.

FOLLOWING THE MEAL

1)Remove tablecloths, plates and cutlery that have chometz attached. Dispose in a place of Hefker.(Remember not to place Chometz in the street where it can be carrying on Shabbos!)  Do not place in your own garbage bin – even if it is on the street. Leftover challah should be crumbed and thrown in the toilet. Sweep room where chometz was consumed.

2)Brush teeth with a SOFT toothbrush using minimal water so as not to cause 'sechiteh' or blood from the gums. It is advisable to brush teeth thoroughly before Shabbos. This should ensure that the gums will not bleed when brushing on Shabbos.

3)Persons with dentures, fillings, plates and braces should refrain from eating hot Chometz - and consult with your Rov what should be done.

4)Check clothes, pockets, cuffs, Shtreimel, beard etc for crumbs.

5)Say "Kol Chamiro" before the Zman Biur Chometz.

AFTERNOON

1)Mincha – followed by saying the Hagodo [Avodim Hoyinu].

2)Eat fruit or a 'tavshil' [eg ptato kugel] to be yotzeh Shalosh-Seudos according to the poskim who hold that it must take place after Chatzos.

YOM TOV PREPARATIONS

1)It is forbidden to prepare on Shabbos for Yom Tov. Eg, those eating at their parents may not bring over anything for the Seder.

2)When taking a rest Shabbos afternoon one should not say that he/she is doing it to be fresh and awake at night.

MOTZOEI SHABBOS  19th  April  [1st night Yom Tov, 15th Nissan]

HAVDOLO: Women who wish to do any work before the Seder should first say "Boruch Hamavdil Bein Kodesh leKodesh". If she has davened Maariv and said "Vatoydi'enu" she need not do so.

ונזכה לאכול שם מן הפסחים ומן הזבחים

 
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Thursday, 6 March 2008

Hatzola Evening TONIGHT

Monday, 3 March 2008

HALF PRICE - Young Persons Railcard - Until 16 March 2008



 

LONDON SCHOOL FALLS DOWN LEAGUE TABLES AFTER PUPILS BOYCOTT 'ANTI-SEMITIC' SHAKESPEARE





http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/std/siteimages/til-header/eros.gifthisislondon.co.uk - the entertainment guidefrom the Evening Standard

London, Monday 03.03.08

School falls down league tables after pupils boycott 'anti-Semitic' Shakespeare

Last updated at 01:37am on 02.03.08

 

Shakespeare

Boycott: Pupils refused to take a Shakespeare test because they were offended by his play The Merchant of Venice which has been branded anti-semitic

A leading Jewish school which let pupils boycott a Shakespeare test because they claimed he was anti-Semitic has slumped down the league tables.

Nine teenagers from a 45-strong group refused to sit the Key Stage Three Shakespeare test last May because they were offended by The Merchant of Venice.

As a result the school lost its place as top performer for progress in English and was sent tumbling down the league tables.

The girls made the protest after studying the Jewish character Shylock, who demands a pound of flesh from a debtor in The Merchant of Venice.

This is despite the fact that the national curriculum test for 14-year-olds centred on a different Shakespeare play, The Tempest.

Those pupils at Yesodey Hatorah Senior Girls' School in Stamford Hill, North London, who refused to do the Shakespeare scored zero, even though they sat reading and writing tests which were also part of the exam.

Under National Assessment Agency rules, any pupil failing to write his or her name for any one of the tests will score nothing overall. Those zeros dragged down results for the 235-pupil school.

Last year, it was the top performer in England on the "value added" measure - the progress made by pupils between the ages of 11 and 14.

 

Jewish school

Protest: Nine teenagers out of a 45-strong group at the Yesodey Hatorah Senior Girls' School would not sit the Key Stage Three Shakespeare test last May

But in tables published this week, it finished 274th. With more than 3,000 secondary schools represented in Key Stage Three league tables in the country, the result is still high but no longer outstanding.

The proportion of the school's pupils gaining at least Level Five - the standard expected of their age - in the subject also fell from 81 to 72 per cent.

This meant the school, which entered the state sector two years ago, plunged 349 places in the Key Stage Three rankings, based on raw scores.

Rabbi Abraham Pinter, the principal, said the girls had reached their view with the help of their parents.

 

"There was a perception that Shakespeare was anti-Semitic," he said. "We felt that we needed to respect those children's views.

"We did nothing to discourage them. We teach our pupils to have pride in what they believe in. If you do believe in something strongly, there can be consequences. But sometimes it's worth paying the consequences."

Rabbi Pinter said girls have protested about the Bard in previous years by refusing to answer Shakespeare questions in GCSE papers. Some, however, have still managed to go on to achieve As.

He insisted he was not disappointed that the school has fallen down the league tables. "We have never looked at them as a goal on its own. Good results are just a by-product of what we do."

Rabbi Pinter added: "When I look at Shakespeare I don't look at him as anti-Semitic. There are much better candidates for that position unfortunately."

The Merchant of Venice has long provoked controversy, though some argue that it can be interpreted as a plea for tolerance.

But Simon Gibbons, of the National Association for the Teaching of English, told the Times Educational Supplement: "I do not believe The Merchant of Venice is anti-Semitic.

"But it is noble of the school to take the view that the individual pupils' views are more important than its league table position."

 

 



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