November/December 2019
VOL. XLVI No. 6
Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
www.liberaljudaism.org
ljtoday
Keeping our communities safe Is politics leaving you depressed?
Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Danny Rich with CST chief executive David Delew
LIBERAL JUDAISM’S senior rabbi, Rabbi Danny Rich, and director of strategy and partnerships, Rabbi Charley Baginsky, met the senior management of the Community Security Trust (CST) to further enhance trust, understanding and mutual cooperation in this time of heightened security concerns. Liberal Judaism already has an excellent relationship with the CST, with many members volunteering as security officers. One discussion at the meeting was how to ensure greater participation, as well as greater visibility of Liberal Jews in the CST’s publicity and training.
Charley said: “Building Liberal Judaism’s relationships with our key partners, like CST, is a priority. “CST provides security advice and training for Jewish communal organisations, schools and synagogues, protecting all British Jews from antisemitism and related threats. “Regular meetings help us understand each other’s cultures and the context within which we work - and maintain an open and direct line of communication.” The CST secures around 650 Jewish buildings and 1,000 events every year. To find out more, visit www.cst.org.uk
LIBERAL JUDAISM is offering members a FREE one day community organising training course, thanks to funding from the NLPS Trust for Progressive Judaism. The course takes place in London on Sunday 10 November with some travel subsidies available. It is ideal for anyone left feeling depressed by today’s politics and who wants to bring about change. This is a course for those people who want their synagogues and communities to be both vibrant and powerful - not ones where people sit back and expect their leadership to “do Jewish” for them. It is for those who are motivated, or who can see other members of their communities motivated, by the Jewish principle of tikkun olam – that it is our responsibility to partner with God in repairing the world. It is for those who maybe have already been involved in projects, such as night shelters and drop-in centres, that many synagogues run and who now want to think about how to do and be more of a force for good in the local community. It is for those who want to go beyond good intentions and make an impact. To register for your place please email Charlotte on c.fischer@citizensuk.org
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News
November/December 2019
A fierce but friendly debate Donate and
support LJ
LIBERAL JUDAISM seeks to be an active force for good in the lives of families and communities - and the home for everyone’s Jewish story. But we can’t do it without your help. Donations can be made online, by cheque or over the phone. Any amount donated brings us closer to our goals and help us continue the great work we do. Options include: Patrick Moriarty, Dr Keith Kahn-Harris, Jeremy Rodell, Dr Helena Miller and Rabbi Pete Tobias
PANELLISTS and audience members clashed over faith schools in a fiery but good-natured debate in the latest of Liberal Judaism’s Hot Potatoes events. Chaired by sociologist and author Dr Keith Kahn-Harris, the evening saw a frank exchange of views from experts on all sides of the argument. Jeremy Rodell, the dialogue officer for Humanists UK, praised the importance of events such as Hot Potatoes which allow a multiplicity of views to be aired in a respectful manner. Jeremy described recent comments from Orthodox Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis about humanism being “ever-more combative in the way in which it regards faith communities” as being misinformed. He then spoke in a personal capacity, pointing out that while he doesn’t feel faith schools have a negative impact on pupils, he feels they do have a negative impact on society as a whole. He also argued that faith-based discrimination means pupils in faith schools are denied the experience of working alongside those who are different. Dr Helena Miller – who was recently responsible for the most extensive survey of Jewish schooling in the country – introduced her research, which found that faith schools are, in fact, not insular. • LIBERAL JUDAISM’S AGM unanimously elected Paul Silver-Myer as the movement’s new treasurer and former LJY-Netzer movement worker Hannah Stephenson as national officer with the youth portfolio. Paul succeeds Rosie Ward, who has stepped down. Liberal Judaism chair Simon Benscher said: “I’d like to thank Rosie for all of her hard work and diligence and welcome Paul and Hannah as two outstanding additions who will add so much to our Board of National Officers.”
Helena also revealed some other interesting statistics that showed faith school students are more likely to vote and take part in social action. The Liberal Synagogue Elstree’s Rabbi Pete Tobias, a long-term opponent of faith schools, spoke from his experience as a congregational rabbi. He worries that many people only attend places of worship in order to win a place at a faith school. He also noted that our cheders and religion schools have suffered due to faith school pupils no longer attending. The final panellist was JCoSS head Patrick Moriarty. He admitted that if Britain started an education system from scratch we probably wouldn’t have faith schools, but explained they do wonderful work as the success of JCoSS has shown. Questions from the audience included how faith schools fit into the current social landscape - where teenagers interact with people all around the world online - and whether they mean that Jews will never mix with non-Jews. Guests also shared their own familial and congregational experiences. • The next Liberal Judaism Hot Potatoes event will be on Thursday 12 December on the topic of Dignity In Dying. Register at www.liberaljudaism.org/hot-potatoes • ARE you excited about social justice? Then you may want to sign up for our new Liberal Judaism social justice email. This goes out every 4-8 weeks with updates, opportunities and news from the world of Jewish social justice. To be added to the email, simply contact social.justice@liberaljudaism.org • A REMINDER that Liberal Judaism is offering a £50 subsidy for young Liberal Jews (aged 18-30) registering for this year’s Limmud Festival as a Yad or in
• Making a one-off contribution. • Committing to giving a regular contribution or becoming a Patron. • Leaving a legacy in your will. To support Liberal Judaism please visit www.liberaljudaism.org/fundraising
Strictly speaking ROB RINDER – star of Strictly Come Dancing and Judge Rinder – spoke at a cross-communal gathering hosted by Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue. Rob spoke of his Jewish inheritance from his family and why he is a proud Progressive Jew, stating: “Being Jewish is not about what you don’t do - it’s about what you bring.” The synagogue’s Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah (pictured with the star) said: “An eloquent and captivating speaker, Rob Rinder made us laugh and he made us think. Apart from his obvious talents, he is also a brilliant LGBT Progressive Jewish role model.” any other volunteering role. Please contact Yszi on yszi@liberaljudaism.org for details. • THANKS to all the readers who gave wonderful feedback on the article about Overdose Awareness Day in the last issue of lj today. In response to queries, we’d like to point out that the article was written by Peter Phillips of West Central Liberal Synagogue and not the Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue member of the same name.
News
November/December 2019
LJ Today Page 3
Stories from South London Liberal
Photos of Desmond Marks (top left), Gunner Jack Goldstone (second left) and Betty Parr and Joan Rich (bottom left) have been discovered in the South London Liberal Synagogue archive. Rabbi Nathan Godleman shows off the community’s lovingly restored banner (right)
By Rabbi Nathan Godleman CELEBRATING 90 years of Liberal Judaism in Streatham, at South London Liberal Synagogue (SLLS), two stories stand out. One is of Desmond Marks, a young man of 25, in training for the Liberal ministry, sent to India as an officer cadet, and dying on active service in June 1943. “And death is a low mist which cannot blot the brightness it may veil,” as his headstone has it. The library at SLLS is named in memory of Desmond Marks, whose photograph hangs on its wall. As secretary of the Ner Tamid youth group, he lit the Eternal Light at the
Prentis Road consecration service in May 1939. May his light yet shine. The second story is of a banner, proclaiming from above the ark: “Worship the Eternal One in joy.” Embroidered Hebrew letters on gold silk, it predates our home of 80 years, pinned to the curtains of a nearby hall for services, as recorded by Sidney Rich in the first history of the synagogue. ‘Lily Montagu’s banner’, as it was known in the Rich family (she was president of SLLS from 1929 to 1963). Yet the banner’s ‘regular removals’ had not come to an end, as rebuilding in the late 1970s saw it consigned to a disused stairwell to slowly deteriorate.
FOLLOWING a well attended Rosh Hashanah morning service, Liberal Judaism president Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein led the stalwarts of the Edinburgh Liberal Community to the picturesque Water of Leith for tashlich. Here they cast their crumbs of challah/sins into the swiftly flowing river. It was one of the many ways our Liberal communities around Europe marked this year’s High Holy Days.
Now rediscovered, lovingly restored and formally reinstated by 90-year-old member Rene Raphael at a joyous 90th anniversary service - it is our banner once again. Two further photos were discovered in the SLLS archive recently. The first is of former synagogue administrator Betty Parr and her friend Joan Rich, the aunt of Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, Rabbi Danny Rich. The second is of Gunner Jack Goldstone, another leading member of the Ner Tamid youth group, killed in action in Libya in 1942. The past is past. Nevertheless, it is the soil in which we are rooted and from which we grow.
RABBI ALEX WRIGHT, the senior rabbi of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, has been hailed by the Evening Standard as one of the most influential people in London. Alex was the only rabbi or Jewish leader in the Faith section of the newspaper’s Progress 1000 countdown, which celebrates those who have done outstanding work to benefit the capital. The Evening Standard wrote of Alex: “This trailblazer was the first female senior rabbi in England. She is a campaigning feminist and a significant figure within British Liberal Judaism.”
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Comment
November/December 2019
‘I can’t think of a time when society has been in such turmoil’ Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein on how our festivals and stories provide hope in a time of anxiety and gloom AS WE enter the new Jewish year, there are many big questions troubling us about the months ahead. Will our country be in or out of the European Union, who will be our Prime Minister and what will the slogans on the protestors’ placards read? Who will be Prime Minister of Israel? One thing is for sure: climate change will be hot on the agenda (no pun intended) and this is surely the greatest problem challenging us at this moment. In my lifetime, I can’t think of a time when society has been in such turmoil.
I have no doubt that, in synagogues worldwide, the sermons over the Tishri festivals have commented on these disturbing trends. I suspect nobody could predict where Brexit will end or the aftereffects of the decisions made - but many will have foreseen a gloomy outcome. Hopefully Chanukkah will bring us some hope. It reminds us that it looked inevitable that the Syrian-Greeks would succeed in eradicating Jewish religion and culture in Judea. However a small group of protesters not only reversed the trend but established Jewish independence in the land. We mark, this year, the 30th anniversary of the end of Communist rule in Europe. The Berlin Wall was breached on the evening of 9 November 1989 – a curious reversal of German history on the night that marked Kristallnacht in 1938. Freedom came quickly to other former Communist countries; for instance the Velvet Revolution in Prague later that month.
We watched these events with rejoicing. Like the Chanukkah story, light spread to extinguish decades of darkness. At a time of anxiety and gloom for many reasons, we need festivals and stories to give us hope and also to encourage us to play our part in seeking a better, calmer, safer world. You might recall the words of the French writer Edmond Fleg: “I am a Jew because in all places where there are tears and suffering the Jew weeps... I am a Jew because in every age when the cry of despair is heard the Jew hopes.” As well as seeking to give hope, Fleg lived out his beliefs in the need to serve humanity. He was an active Zionist and volunteered for the French army in the First World War receiving the Croix de Guerre and later Legion d’Honneur. Fleg was a member of the Liberal Synagogue in Paris. • Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein is president of Liberal Judaism
A book that is comforting and hopeful Being Jewish Today: Confronting the Real Issues by Rabbi Professor Tony Bayfield (ISBN: 9781472962089) REVIEWED by Rabbi Igor Zinkov WHAT does it mean to be Jewish in this post-modern age, this time of great uncertainty? Rabbi Professor Tony Bayfield’s new book is a brave and honest work which articulates an answer to this question. I was fortunate to be one of his students at Leo Baeck College. The course was called ‘personal theology’ and its name highlights the underlying principle behind this book’s approach to Jewish modern theology – one’s personal story intertwined with Jewish tradition and its intellectual heritage. On the one hand the book is structured around fundamental themes in Jewish
theology – Identity, Peoplehood, Halakha, Covenant, Ethics, God, Suffering and Life Beyond Death. On the other hand, it is a deeply personal story, revealing its author’s spiritual and intellectual journey. Rabbi Bayfield put his own personal (hi)story in line with the (hi)story of Jewish people. It seems integral with his approach – beginning with your own life and putting it in a wider cultural and intellectual context. An intriguing feature of the book is the author’s conversations with God. Some of the book’s chapters include remarks and questions to God and sometimes you can even read God’s responses and rhetorical questions back to the author. Although the explanatory note at the end of the first chapter tells us “don’t worry, this is just a rhetorical device”, it still makes this book a unique compendium of modern Jewish struggles, journeys and the story of the search of modern and relevant Jewish theology.
The book also serves as a collection of Jewish intellectual heritage, where the author manages to integrate classical rabbinic sources – Mishnah, Midrash and Talmud – with modern Jewish thinkers and writers. Bayfield demonstrates the interconnectedness of the Jewish heritage through space and time and concludes that: the poetry is bound up with the prose, the aggadah with the halakhah, and each is dependent on the other – such is the nature of Judaism.” I find the composition of this book comforting and hopeful. Although it is mostly about struggle, anger, wrestling with God, with death and the absence of God in human life, it ends with a message of reassurance. Sharing an image of the perfect and unachievable End of Days, it concludes: “Can we be sure of its realisation? No. Are we compelled to hope – and act on that hope? Yes.’ Perhaps this is what it means Being Jewish Today.
Comment
November/December 2019
Broken bonds: The children being denied their grandparents
LJ Today Page 5
New hope on Parkinson’s By Rick Lay
This historical and unjustified legislation aims to limit vexatious applications which, in reality, have never been an issue for the courts. The process is also stressful, time-consuming and expensive for grandparents to pursue. In France and other countries, grandchildren have the right to know their grandparents, which should also be the case worldwide. Lorraine Bushell, who organised and chaired this parliamentary meeting, highlighted the importance of grandparents in providing a second layer of family warmth and support, continuity and unconditional love to their grandchildren. Dame Esther Rantzen, a long-standing ambassador for the cause, stressed the issue is a matter of the grandchild’s rights to an extended family life. The chair of the American group Alienated Grandparents Anonymous (AGA) highlighted the realities of alienation that affects children, parents and grandparents; a human tragedy akin to grief without closure. Dr Carol Golly then outlined findings from her recently completed doctoral research work ‘Grandparents cut off from grandchildren: an exploratory study’. This is the first research of its kind to evaluate societal impact of such alienation. It showed that grandparents experience “complicated grief”, which is similar to post-traumatic stress disorder. If you have been affected by this issue and need to speak to someone there are grandparent support groups across the UK. Lorraine Bushell runs the London group and can be contacted via hendongrandparents@gmail.com
PARKINSON’S DISEASE now affects one in 37 people around the world, meaning that most extended families will be affected by this life-changing condition. But did you know that there is a type of Parkinson’s which is prevalent in the Jewish population? One that groundbreaking medical research might finally be able to help. The Cure Parkinson’s Trust, together with its Patron Robert Voss CBE, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire and a member of Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue, will be hosting a coffee morning where there will be an opportunity to hear about, and be part of, new research of significant importance to the Jewish community. The event will take place from 11am on 24 November at The Grove, Hertfordshire, WD3 4TG. There is no charge to attend and coffee, pastries and other refreshments will be served. All food and drink will be kosher. Spaces are limited so please RSVP to ella@cureparkinsons.org.uk to secure your spot. A presentation will be given by Professor Anthony Schapira, head of neurological science at the UCL Institute of Neurology. Professor Schapira will be talking about his ground-breaking work at the Royal Free Hospital, where his team have been identifying and testing potential new treatments both pre-clinically and clinically to target this particular type of Parkinson’s. In particular, he will speak about his research into Ambroxol, a drug that has shown early promise in being able to help reduce the build-up of alpha-synuclein (a big sticky protein that is one of the causes of Parkinson’s). If this can be achieved it would be a pivotal breakthrough. As Professor Schapira commented: “Our early findings are encouraging, and we now need the help of the Jewish community to support and join in with the next stages of this potentially groundbreaking research. With your help, we can work together to try and develop a treatment that could slow or even stop the progression of Parkinson’s.” For further information about the work of The Cure Parkinson’s Trust please go to www.cureparkinsons.org.uk
• Anne Fishman is a member of East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue
• Rick Lay is director of marketing & fundraising for The Cure Parkinson’s Trust
Esther Rantzen with Lorraine Bushell at Parliament, picture courtesy of the Daily Express
By Anne Fishman AN Action Day about grandchildren estranged from their grandparents, held in the House of Commons, called for greater recognition of this life-impacting issue and to ensure legislation safeguards the rights of grandchildren to have a relationship with their grandparents - regardless of the children’s parental situation. This issue constitutes a global epidemic and is considered by leading international experts in the field to be a severe form of child and elder abuse. The dynamics of families being torn apart, often as a result of acrimonious family breakdown or other toxic family events, results in heartbreaking tragedy in the lives of grandchildren and grandparents who lose an important, loving and valuable relationship together. It is estimated that, in the UK, more than a million grandchildren are denied contact with their grandparents. Dame Esther Rantzen, Nigel Huddleston MP and Dr Matthew Offord MP, together with experts in family law and researchers in the field of family psychology, spoke at the event, which was attended by many MPs and Peers. They told of the detrimental effects of such estrangements and the potentially serious lifelong consequences affecting both grandchildren and grandparents. In the UK, the law states that grandparents, where an ongoing relationship cannot be agreed with the parents or carers of the child, are able to apply to a court for a Child Arrangements Order. However, a grandparent first requires permission, or ‘leave’, from the court before they can apply for this order as they are not automatically entitled to apply for it.
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Communities
November/December 2019
Serving Birmingham’s needs with distinction
Frank Maxwell and Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi
By Joe Seager MEMBERS of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue (BPS) have shown their utmost gratitude to Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi for 25 years of dedicated service. She received warm praise for setting high standards of leadership and for raising the shul’s level of engagement and influence within its own region and on a wider scale. Frank Maxwell, president of BPS, paid warm tribute to Margaret’s qualities of leadership and guidance - telling how she has worked with members to build a strong and firmly united community.
Frank praised Margaret for her significant role in giving BPS a more prominent interest in wider community affairs, including close ties formed with other faith groups and the tangible support members provide for refugees. These and other examples of caring for the most vulnerable members of society have made Margaret a well-regarded figure in all parts of the community. Frank presented Margaret with a hand-engraved bowl to acknowledge the members’ appreciation of all her work. The special 25th anniversary Shabbat service was attended by many members. Corinne Oppenheimer, a former president of BPS, and Sheila Conroy, another community stalwart, travelled from London for the occasion. Margaret drew on the Torah reading that day for the inspiration she said it gave her to build a community that was open to everyone regardless of their status or ability. In partnership with members, she believed work had been done to create that at BPS. There had been many changes in her time as rabbi but the synagogue remained true to its core beliefs including a firm commitment to Liberal Jewish values, caring for each other and reaching out to the world beyond. She recalled members of BPS who gave her valuable support when she became the rabbi and thought especially of her father, Rabbi Harry Jacobi, who had always been her inspiration and guide.
Margaret also spoke of the help and support she has received at all times from her husband, David, and their children Yoni and Tali. Finally, she thanked the many members who have given their time and expertise to serve BPS in numerous helpful ways. She told them: “As your rabbi I have tried to work in partnership with you and be at your side so that we could go forward together with a shared vision. I could not have done what I have over the years without each one of you”. MEMBERS of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue (BPS), including Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi, appeared on the BBC Radio 4 programme ‘The Syrians and the Kindertransport’ in which new and old refugees in the city met and compared experiences. In the programme two Jews who escaped the Nazis as children – 98-year-old Ruth and 88-year-old Lia – met two Muslim refugees in their 30s, Louai and Murad, who had to flee their homes in Syria due to war. Despite being of different generations, faiths and backgrounds, the foursome quickly realised how much they had in common. Louai is now a bus driver in Birmingham, on the bus route Ruth uses to travel to BPS every week.
Wedded bliss By Rabbi Pete Tobias IN JUNE, 85-yearold Jack Kossoff walked to The Liberal Synagogue Elstree (TLSE) from the home that he shares with his wife of 61 years, Mina. He explained that his wife really wanted to be married under a chuppah. Just one problem: she wasn’t Jewish, even though she’d lived a Jewish life for over 70 of her 90 years. A quickly organised Beit Din at TLSE confirmed Mina’s status and they were married on a September Sunday morning with the children of the religion school present. The children decorated the chuppah and made cards and cakes for the happy couple!
Communities
November/December 2019
LJ Today Page 7
Elstree is the shul that rocked
The Friday Night Rock Service band before their gig at The Liberal Synagogue Elstree (above) and founder member Simon Cooper (below)
THE AMPS were turned up to 11 as The Liberal Synagogue Elstree (TLSE) welcomed Simon Cooper’s Friday Night Rock Service. The special service – which featured all the regular psalms backed by an eightpiece rock band with full lights and sound production – honoured founder member Simon, who died in 2016 aged 33. Rockin’ Rabbi Pete Tobias told his congregation: “Even when those who we knew and loved have left us, they always leave something to remember them by. I can’t think of a better legacy for Simon than this band being here right now. To have a legacy as moving, thoughtful and joyful as the one we have just experienced is truly special.”
Simon was born with a blocked bowel and diagnosed with cystic fibrosis shortly after birth. He underwent life-saving transplants in 1999 and 2012, during which time he began to create rocked up versions of traditional Jewish prayers. Whilst unable to work after the 2012 op, he spent time developing the idea of a fully rocking synagogue service with friends and fellow musicians. And so it was that in April 2013 more than 200 people filled Southgate Progressive Synagogue for the first ever Friday Night Rock Service. It developed and spread from there. Simon was always the driving force, but tragically developed a form of lung cancer from which he died in July 2016.
Although the Friday Night Rock Service will never be the same without him, the other members gave TLSE congregants a Friday night the way that Simon felt it should be - a service that can be enjoyed by everyone including those who don’t regularly go to synagogue. To book the Friday Night Rock Service, email fridaynightrockservice@gmail.com
Israeli and Palestinian peace activists at Kingston
AROUND 100 people came to an event at Kingston Liberal Synagogue (KLS) to hear two peace activists – one Israeli and one Palestinian – speak about their hopes for reconciliation. Co-hosted with St Mary’s Church, the talk was attended by the Mayor of Elmbridge, Mary Sheldon.
Israeli Michal Katoshevsky and Palestinian Ruba Huleihel (pictured with Kingston’s Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel) were speaking at Invest in Peace, a joint initiative between the Board of Deputies of British Jews and Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. The project invites Christians and Jews to support IsraeliPalestinian peace building. It is the first of its kind at a national level. Both speakers talked about their family backgrounds, their childhoods in Israel/ Palestine, and how they each came to be peace activists. They answered questions on topics such as a two-state solution and what the UK can do to help.
Board of Deputies vice president Edwin Shuker said: “We are proud to have initiated an Invest in Peace programme which presents challenging dialogues to packed and highly engaged meetings. This is about helping to export peace, rather than importing conflict.” The Revd Peter Colwell, deputy general secretary of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, said: “With so much violence, hatred and suspicion in the world, there is a critical need for different faith groups to come together. Our message to extremists on all sides is simple: You will not divide us. This project delivers that message loud and clear.”
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In Memory
November/December 2019
‘He lived a full, active and varied life’ Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah on long-term Brighton minister Rabbi Charles Wallach
Rabbi Charles David Wallach was born in Johannesburg in February 1950, the first child of Ida and Heinz. Charles’s sister Ruth was born when he was four years old. Sadly, Ruth died of cancer in 2018. Heinz Wallach was a German refugee, who fled to South Africa with his parents in 1938. Ida’s story was similar to Anne Frank’s; except of course she survived the war in Holland being hidden in various places by the Dutch underground. In 1945, she too left for South Africa with her sister and soon after met and married Heinz. Charles had a happy childhood in South Africa although the consequences of the Holocaust meant that he didn’t have any ‘extended family’. And so, the circle of German Jewish immigrants in Johannesburg became his ‘surrogate’ aunts and uncles. Following his barmitzvah Charles began to help the disabled rabbi of his Reform synagogue, Temple Shalom. As early as 14, he decided that he too wanted to become a rabbi. Charles’ school days at King Edward VII State High School were followed by Habonim and then a BA degree in Hebrew and International Politics at Wits University. After graduating, he came to England to study to be a rabbi at the Leo Baeck College in London. Charles was ordained in 1975 along with Britain’s first woman rabbi, Jackie Tabick. Charles returned to Johannesburg for two years to be one of the rabbis serving the six Reform synagogues there.
He then came to England once more, in 1977, to take up his first position here as rabbi of Liberal Judaism’s Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue (BHPS). He served the community for more than 10 years, between 1977 and 1988, and he and Marilyn were married at the shul in 1979. During his tenure at BHPS, Charles and Marilyn shared a passion for doing all that they could to develop Jewish life. Very active in the Brighton branch of the Campaign for Soviet Jewry, in 1986, they went on a mission to the then USSR to help the Refusniks who wished to emigrate to Israel. Charles was also a keen member of the Brighton and Hove JIA Committee. In 1983, the couple adopted their two daughters, Maxine and Beverley. Maxine now lives in London and has six children, Chana, Chaim, Ben, Avi, Lillie and Ollie. Beverley lives in Miami, Florida, with her husband, David, and has three children, Joshua, Eli-Moshe and Ilana. Recently, Charles and Marilyn became great-grandparents. Charles was delighted that the new arrival in the family was named Hayley Anne Ruth for his beloved sister, whose passing he mourned acutely. In 1987, the young family relocated to Perth, Western Australia, where Charles was rabbi of Temple David Progressive Synagogue for seven years. Deeply committed to Israel, they then decided to make Aliyah and settled in Jerusalem. Charles led conversion classes at two Jerusalem shuls and became part-time rabbi of a small Reform community in Nahariya. Meanwhile, both he and Marilyn taught English to Israelis at various government ministries including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Charles also completed the Tour Guide course. Charles never got the chance to become a tour guide in Israel. In 2000, he was urgently called back to South Africa to step in as rabbi of Bet Menorah in Pretoria when the congregation unexpectedly parted company with their own rabbi. Intended only to be a temporary position, Charles stayed there for two years before becoming rabbi of Johannesburg’s Beit Emanuel Progressive Synagogue - the senior
Reform congregation in South Africa – for five years. Charles also became executive director of the South African Union for Progressive Judaism and was very active in the South African Zionist Federation. Charles and Marilyn’s next stop was a return to England where Maxine was living with her six children. Charles became rabbi of Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue from 2007 to 2011. Back on the south coast, and hugely committed to interfaith engagement, Charles was involved in a range of activities including for the South East England Faiths Forum. Following his retirement in 2011, Charles continued to work as a rabbi: sitting on the Reform Beit Din in London; conducting weddings abroad; and from 2009 volunteering at Jewish Care’s Hyman Fine House in Brighton, where his contributions included leading Shabbat and festival services. He also became an NHS Mental Health Chaplain. More recently, Charles was appointed as the ‘foster’ rabbi of a small Reform congregation in Darlington. Meanwhile, he and Marilyn also continued to enjoy spending time with their family, through making regular trips to London and Florida. Nevertheless, ever dedicated to his rabbinic vocation, Charles always managed to mix business with pleasure by teaching and taking services at Beverley’s congregation in Miami whenever they visited. Charles packed an awful lot into his 69 years and, in particular, into the 44 years since his ordination. “Not one to relax”, Marilyn told me that, blessedly for Charles, despite his illness, “he managed to do all the things that were important to him in the last two weeks of his life”. He went up to take Shabbat services in Darlington in August and, the following week, he led the Shabbat morning service at Hyman Fine House. On the day before he died, feeling extremely unwell, Charles nevertheless took a taxi to visit a person with mental health issues whom he had been supporting for several years. Charles lived a full, active and varied life leaving his loved ones with many special memories. Marilyn summed up her husband with these words: “A very dedicated and learned Rabbi, who will be sadly missed by his family, friends and ex-congregants around the world.” • Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah is rabbi at Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue
In Memory
November/December 2019
LJ Today Page 9
‘A man of generosity, warmth and bonhomie’ Judith King pays tribute to the much-loved former LJS president Willie Kessler
IMPOSING of stature, bushy-browed, twinkly-eyed and with a winning smile, Willie Kessler was a man of open-hearted generosity, warmth and bonhomie – a man of great appetite both literally and metaphorically. He was a much loved and highly respected former council member, vice chair and president of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS), former chair of Leo Baeck College and a vice president of Liberal Judaism. Willie dedicated himself to his key roles: as Kessler family patriarch, devoted husband to Jo, loving father to his four sons and their partners, as well as doting grandfather and great-grandfather; as head of a highly successful family business for which he worked tirelessly for 77 years; and as a loyal member of our LJS community,
taking his official duties seriously and always with integrity and humanity. He was an enabler, investing especially in young people, giving freely of his time, and offering encouragement, wise counsel, and opportunities so they could fulfil their potential. Born in Vienna in 1927, Willie was the son of Leopold and Cecily Kessler, and was deeply attached to his younger sister, Adele. Their father spent six months of each year in England, where Willie’s grandfather, mindful of the rainy climate, had cannily set up a business in umbrella handles. It was this UK business which made it possible for the family to escape from Vienna in 1938. Willie attended the local grammar school but, at 15 and at the behest of his somewhat overbearing father, he went to work for the family business. The going was often tough, especially in the early years. But with his business acumen and an ongoing openness to new technologies (it was difficult to prise Willie away from his latest gadget), combined with a deep interest in each individual who worked for him, Willie was able to grow the business into the flourishing enterprise it remains today, commanding great loyalty from his staff.
It was in 1948 that Willie met his future wife Jo, both having enrolled at evening classes at the LSE. Theirs was to be an enduring partnership of mutual love and respect. They married at the LJS in 1952 and over a period of 10 years they had four sons, George, Charles, James and Edward. From the early days of their marriage, Jo and Willie became involved in the LJS, Willie as chair of the Younger Members’ Organisation (YMO), as a council member, treasurer and then as a highly active president of the LJS, nurturing many deeply valued friendships along the way. In 1996 they instigated the Kessler Cup, awarded to a young staff member of the Rimon Religion School who showed dedication and initiative beyond the call of duty – indeed the very attributes Willie himself demonstrated throughout his long life. Willie’s commitment to Progressive Jewish life was taken to a new level when he became chairman of Leo Baeck College, where he was held in high esteem for his inspiring leadership. The life of a retiree was not one for Willie. He lived by the maxim that the more you put into life, the more you get out of it – a philosophy which served him and all who knew him so well. • Judith King is editor of LJS News for which this tribute was originally written
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Health
November/December 2019
The test that is positive no matter the result Sarah Bright on why genetic screenings are so vital for our Jewish community
Jnetics project coordinator Sarah Bright
A COUPLE of years ago I graduated from the University of Birmingham - a university with an extremely high Jewish student population - having previously been a student at JFS, the biggest Jewish school in Europe, and spending most of my summers on Jewish camps and tours. Despite going through these institutions and community experiences, I had never come across the issue of Jewish Genetic Disorders (JGDs). In my early 20s, I saw a job advertised for the charity Jnetics and was shocked to find out about these conditions. I also learned about carrier screening – a service that is so valuable to young Jewish adults like me but that, until then, I had been totally unaware of. I now work as the project coordinator for Jnetics and am responsible for ensuring that anyone Jewish who plans to have children understands the importance of screening and how it can be accessed in the UK. Whilst I’d vaguely heard of Tay-Sachs disease, working with Jnetics has taught me that a whole range of disorders are more common amongst Jewish people relative to the general population. These conditions vary in severity, however many are severely disabling and lifeshortening, and a few are tragically fatal in infancy. Why is screening essential? Every Ashkenazi Jew has a one in five chance of being a carrier of at least one of nine severe recessive disorders included in the Jnetics screening.
These are Tay-Sachs Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Familial Dysautonomia, Canavan Disease, Glycogen Storage Disorder (type 1a), Bloom syndrome, Fanconi Anaemia (C), Niemann-Pick Disease (type A) and Mucolipidosis type IV. With recessive disorders, a carrier does not develop the condition but if their partner carries the same disorder, as a ‘carrier couple’, they have a 25% chance with every pregnancy of having a child affected with the disease. Affected children are usually born to families with no known family history of the disease. These disorders are all severely debilitating, lack effective treatment and most result in shortened lifespan. Fortunately though, there are several options for carrier couples to avoid having an affected child but, to know these, they must be aware of their carrier status first, which is why screening is crucial. The best time to screen for these conditions is before starting a family, giving ‘carrier couples’ the greatest number of reproductive options available to have a healthy child. It is quick and easy and, with Jnetics, saliva samples are used for screening – so no blood or needles are necessary! What about mixed faith families?
Where is screening available? As the only cross-communal screening provider for Jewish genetic disorders in the UK, Jnetics provides various services to ensure that screening is accessible to all who need it. In 2017, the charity launched ‘GENEius’ - www.geneius.org - a vital education and screening programme that focuses on Year 12 students in Jewish schools and Jewish university students. For adults in the community who plan to start or extend their family, Jnetics funds a bi-monthly clinic in partnership with the NHS. The clinic is based at Barnet Hospital and also offers a virtual clinic for those outside of London, facilitating screening by post and phone to make it accessible nationwide. The test is currently subsidised too with the actual cost of £250 reduced to £190 for clinic participants and offered free for school and university students, thanks to generous community support. So far, Jnetics has screened more than 2,300 people... but more needs to be done. Jnetics is aiming for screening to become standard practice for anyone planning to start or extend their family.
Whilst we may refer to them as ‘Jewish’ genetic disorders, these conditions also exist in the general population - but with a lower carrier frequency. As such, someone of Ashkenazi ancestry who is planning to have children with a partner of mixed or no GENEius is an education and screening programme focusing on students Jewish heritage may be diluting their risk of passing on a disease, but Please spread the word and help us they certainly do not remove it. ensure that all couples in our community Screening is still important for them are equipped with the knowledge to and it is also relevant for their children manage their risk of having a child with a in the future as, according to NHS heart-breaking genetic disorder. recommendations, anyone with an For more information or to book an Ashkenazi grandparent is at sufficient appointment please email SB@jnetics.org increased risk to need a screening. or visit www.jnetics.org/screening
Youth
November/December 2019
LJ Today Page 11
LJY-Netzer is Liberal Judaism’s Zionist youth movement. It gives young people the opportunity to develop a strong Progressive Jewish identity, make lasting friendships and have loads of fun
Meet your new movement workers WE have a brand new set of movement workers for 5780 and they can’t wait for another incredible year ahead. Here they introduce themselves, their passions and their goals for LJY-Netzer: Name: Fran Kurlansky Age: 24 Community: South London Liberal Synagogue I am passionate about: Judaism. I love engaging in text study and my favourite festival is Pesach - the story of freedom. I really enjoy art - everything from painting to collecting postcards from art galleries. I also love reading - my favourite writer is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - feminism, food and women’s football. First LJY-Netzer memory: Lying under the stars at Cottesmore on Kadimah 2009 and feeling very, very happy! Key LJY-Netzer moment so far: On Kayitz Perach I ran a session after a visit to a concentration camp, which involved reading out an article. Having one of the participants say that the experience had changed their relationship with Judaism forever will always be a key memory. What Liberal Judaism means to me: Liberal Judaism means creating a space for everyone to formulate their own Jewish story and find their place in our ancient tradition. It means spirituality, text study and accepting and loving our world’s most vulnerable. Goals for the coming year: To help LJY to become more confident in engaging in Jewish text and for individuals to find their own spirituality. I also want to continue to have large numbers of participants on our Shnat Netzer gap year programme in Israel (this year we have eight) in order to help us to create well educated and engaged leaders.
New LJY-Netzer movement workers Fran, Jacob and Rosa at this year’s Machaneh Kadimah
Name: Rosa Slater Age: 22 Community: I grew up at Southgate Progressive Synagogue and now attend Finchley Progressive Synagogue I am passionate about: Many things. I love talking to people about veganism, feminism and other philosophical issues. I enjoy reading, cooking and listening to Beyoncé and Florence and the Machine. First LJY-Netzer memory: Playing ‘Parliament’ on Tourientation and being very confused as to what was going on! Key LJY-Netzer moment so far: Running a Lion King themed Kabbalat Shabbat service on Israel Tour at sunset. What Liberal Judaism means to me: Inclusivity and individuality whilst celebrating our common heritage and traditions. It means constantly adapting our Judaism to suit the needs of our time. Goals for the coming year: To engage our members in our LJY community throughout the year by having regular contact about their wants and expectations of our movement. I hope to organise and inspire our members to engage in social action campaigns.
Name: Jacob Swirsky Age: 22 Community: Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue I am passionate about: Educating and empowering young people. After movement work, I am considering a career in teaching. As the maps in my room convey, I am also interested in geography. First LJY-Netzer memory: Adam Francies running a session at my synagogue about what our perfect world would look like. I think mine had a beach. Key LJY-Netzer moment so far: Whenever a whole room of people are singing loudly together on Shabbat it always makes me stop and appreciate how wonderful our movement is. What Liberal Judaism means to me: Until I was involved in LJY, Liberal Judaism meant my synagogue - an island detached from my everyday life of school and friends that gave me unique experiences and connections. Goals for the coming year: I hope to make LJY more continuously involved with our Liberal communities.
Contact LJY-Netzer: Fran Kurlansky (f.kurlansky@liberaljudaism.org), Rosa Slater (r.slater@liberaljudaism.org) and Jacob Swirsky (j.swirsky@liberaljudaism.org); Director of Youth - Rebecca Fetterman (r.fetterman@liberaljudaism.org)
Page 12 LJ Today
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November/December 2019