A club, a mall and a very long warm-up
Anger over ‘Jewish test’ for youth club
An Orthodox-run youth club has been threatened with possible eviction from its Radlett premises unless it withdraws a questionnaire into members’ Jewish status. The club, catering for 13- to 16-year-olds and based at the Stanley House Country Club, has distributed the questionnaire to all who attend. Members whose families do not belong to the United Synagogue are asked to “indicate where your parents were married.” Rabbi Yitzchok Schochet, said a child who was not halachically Jewish would not be admitted to the club.
Scholar backs Auschwitz shopping centre
An Oxford Jewish scholar has defended controversial plans, to build a shopping centre outside Auschwitz. The Polish government urged developers to halt construction earlier this year after protests from Jewish and other groups. But Oxford University anthropologist Dr Jonathan Webber — the only Anglo-Jewish member of the 30- strong International Auschwitz Council — described the criticism as “unproductive and uninformed.” Dr Webber said it would be an improvement both on aesthetic and practical grounds.
Madar out in cold after 105 minute warm up
French international striker Mickael Madar was left pondering what might have been this week, after one of the longest ever warm-ups failed to materialise in a Euro’ 96 semi-final appearance. France, unbeaten for two years before the English-hosted tournament, had struggled to score throughout the championships. But with first choice striker Christophe Dugarry out injured and Patrice Loko firing blanks, the stage look set for Madar to finally make an impact against the Czech republic. French coach Aime Jacquet, had Madar warming up for the best part of 105 minutes. However, it was not to be for the squad’s fourth French striker. As the goalless match went into extra-time and then a penalty shoot-out, won by the Czechs, he remained consigned to the sidelines. But as they say in France: C’est le football!