January/February 2016 VOL. XLIII No. 1
Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
www.liberaljudaism.org
ljtoday
Happy birthday Harry
O
NE OF Liberal Judaism’s most beloved, and senior, rabbis celebrated his 90th birthday with special services and kiddushim held at communities all over the UK. Rabbi Harry Jacobi was joined by friends, family and Liberal Judaism members at events at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, Woodford Liberal Synagogue, Birmingham Progressive Synagogue, Southgate Progressive Synagogue, Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue and South Bucks Jewish Community. Harry, who was born as Heinz Martin Hirschberg in October 1925, and grew up in Auerbach, Germany, twice fled the Nazis to become one of Britain’s most respected and inspiring religious leaders.
The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS) service was taken by two of Harry’s children, Rabbis Dr Margaret and Richard Jacobi, along with LJS senior rabbi, Rabbi Alexandra Wright. Harry gave the sermon. Others in attendance included Simon Benscher and Rabbi Danny Rich, the chair and senior rabbi of Liberal Judaism, Rabbi Rachel Benjamin and Rabbi Dr David Goldberg. At the end of the service, Harry was visibly moved as his young granddaughter Tali presented him with a Festschrift written in his honour. The book, reviewed on page 10 of this issue of lj today, was edited by Rabbi Danny Rich and features contributions from leading Progressive Jewish rabbis and thinkers. Another granddaughter, Abigail, wrote the biography that opens the book. During the LJS kiddush, representatives from the European Union for Progressive Judaism honoured Harry and announced that a new fund had been set up in his name to send a child to summer camp in Haifa each year. Harry said: “I am overwhelmed with gratitude. It is just wonderful what everyone has done for me. I think about Esther, Chapter 9, Verse 22: Miyagon lesimcha u’me-evel leyom tov - thanking God that I have gone from sorrow to joy and from mourning to a Rabbis Dr Margaret, Harry and Richard Jacobi celebrate at the LJS holiday.”
Mitzvah Day Award for NPLS
NORTHWOOD & PINNER LIBERAL SYNAGOGUE (NPLS) won this year’s Mitzvah Day Award for Interfaith Partnership of the Year. The trophy was presented to Rabbi Aaron Goldstein and volunteer Marsha Myers, by Mitzvah Day founder Laura Marks and interfaith chair Daniela Pears (pictured above). It was given in recognition of the synagogue’s incredible work acting as a hub for local faith communities to donate materials to refugees, which were delivered through the Wycombe Islamic Society. The judging panel – which included Daniela, Luciana Berger MP and Jewish News editor Richard Ferrer – especially praised the ‘Refugees are Welcome’ Mitzvah Day event at NPLS, which saw an entire day of collections and talks in conjunction with human rights charity René Cassin. Speakers included Thiru, a member of the Freed Voices group who has recently been through the British detention system, and Fritz Lustig, a 96 year old German Jew who was interned in the UK during the Second World War. • See all the amazing Liberal Judaism Mitzvah Day pictures on pages 6-7.
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Events
January/February 2016
Away from home: conferences and Kallah Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein on three key events shaping LJ and offering plenty of fun and food THE NEXT YEAR will see two important conferences held in the UK – that of the European Union for Progressive Judaism (EUPJ) in April in London and then the Liberal Judaism Biennial Weekend in Solihull in July. Both are opportunities to meet Jews from a range of communities in this country and Europe, learn new ideas and, above all, get that injection of enthusiasm on offer when we meet residentially for a few days. Then there is the social interaction that, frankly, is often more important than the actual programme. I hope to see you at one or both of these – so please do register now. The details of the Liberal Judaism Biennial are directly below this article. For more on the EUPJ event, go to www.tinyurl.com/eupj2016
As I write this, I have just arrived at another annual residential – Liberal Judaism’s Rabbinic Kallah (pictured right). By the way, the name Kallah has nothing to do with the Hebrew word for a bride, but goes back to the rabbinic gatherings instituted in Babylon in the third century. It is said that they often lasted for two months with thousands of rabbis in attendance. This modern Kallah – alas only 20 of us meeting for three days – sees discussions around aspects of prayer and the Liberal liturgy; further preparation to considering a new siddur. No doubt the ancient Babylonian gatherings also had their social aspects, as will our Kallah and forthcoming conferences. I recall one Kallah, decades ago, held at a monastery in Shropshire. My car broke down on the way up and when I arrived, in the late afternoon, it was already dark. The monastery was sited in a former baronial mansion and I entered to find my colleagues seated around a blazing fire
And, in case you are still deciding whether or not to attend, we wanted to share with you two musings – one from a seasoned Biennial attendee, the other from a first timer: Tony Sacker I can’t remember when I attended my first Biennial, but it was around 1984. I haven’t missed one since! Some ask, what’s the attraction? I answer that there are many. The Biennial Weekend is a chance to catch up with old friends, to study, to have fun, to learn something new, to relax, to listen to world-renowned speakers, musicians and artists, to become exhausted and to be part of the wider LJ family. I was there when Siddur Lev Chadash was launched in the early 1990s and this year’s delegates will now get to be part of the initial thinking of what a new Liberal Jewish siddur may look like. With the theme ‘Thinking Outside the Book’, and tracks on music, social action and spirituality to name but a few, this year’s conference is shaping up to be one of the best yet.
LJ Today Page 3
Highlights from Rabbi Leah’s autumn diary Rabbi Leah Jordan reports on her student and young adult work around the UK
in a huge hall. It seemed impressive, but I soon realised that only the two nearest the fire kept warm, everyone else froze, but all seemed happy. Then came dinner and, I do not exaggerate, it consisted of one poached egg on half a piece of toast. We protested but the monks said we had eaten our main meal (which I missed) at lunch time. Well this was not acceptable to a bunch of rabbis and so the late Rabbi Lawrence Rigal was sent off, on his scooter, to find a fish and chip shop returning with some life-saving food. This year we are once more at Charney Manor in Oxfordshire. The only problem is that there is too much good food on offer. It’s not easy being a Liberal rabbi!
Why we love the Liberal Judaism Biennial LIBERAL JUDAISM’S Biennial Weekend, the biggest event in our movement’s calendar, will take place from July 1-3 in the West Midlands, but TODAY is the best time to book your place. We are pleased to announce that our Early Bird Prices are even LOWER than before - just £250 for adults, £60 for students and children aged 5-16 and £40 for those under 5. These offers will end on February 29, when prices will go up to £310 for adults, £100 for children aged 5-16 and £60 for those under 5. Student tickets will remain at £60. The rate is per person and includes accommodation, all meals and materials. Delegates will also receive complimentary access to the health club, swimming pool and spa at the St Johns Hotel, which is hosting our conference. You can book at www.tinyurl.com/ bien2016 or by calling Aaron at Liberal Judaism’s head office on 020 7631 9830. We can also offer 15 communities the chance to send a first time Biennial attendee, with an interest in service or music leadership, for the bargain price of £50. Please nominate your candidate, by emailing c.baginsky@liberaljudaism.org
Chaplaincy
January/February 2016
Whether this will be your first Biennial, or you’re a regular like me, I promise you will leave this open and welcoming event with a buzz and sense of pride.
September 30: Lunch & Learn, Leeds Kicking off the first week of university term time, 20 students and I packed into the Leeds JSoc sukkah for two hours to read about, and debate, Jewish thinking on the meaning of Jerusalem and Zion. Students from across the spectrum attended: from LJY-Netzer members, whom I know well from two summers as welfare officer on Kadimah summer camp, through to an ex-Haredi young woman. The LJY student leaders then accompanied me back to the station, as I continued to hear about life on campus.
October 30-31: Shabbat, Durham
October 3: Sukkot Resettlement Action, Norwich Along with my student and young adult work, I am the rabbi of the thriving Norwich Liberal Jewish Community (NLJC) in Norfolk, with upwards of 50 members, where I also liaise with the small University of East Anglia JSoc and its students. As part of a campaign of similar actions led by other Liberal communities around the country, I am so proud to say that NLJC gathered more than 130 people, including at least 20 students from the UEA, together for a Sukkot service in our community-built sukkah where a multi-faith Sanctuary Norfolk delegation asked Norfolk County Council to finally commit to welcoming 50 Syrian refugee families to Norfolk. The momentum created by the event is such that this should soon be a reality.
Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, Rabbi Danny Rich (pictured above - centre), and I visited Durham University together for the last Shabbat in October. On the Friday evening, we hosted a Middle Eastern themed dinner for the JSoc, a regular group of around 20. On Saturday, I hosted a bagel Lunch & Learn with a dozen students and presented them with a Shabbat kit - which include siddurim booklets, study packs, candles and candle holders, a mini bottle of kiddush wine, challah recipe and yeast packet, Havdalah spice bag, candle and blessings and even a £50 food voucher for Shabbat dinner. November 5: Songs of Praise, London
October 23: Egalitarian Minyan, London
Shaya Goldstein Having attended my first Biennial in 2014, along with my family, I was very excited to hear that the date for the next one has been set for July 1-3, 2016. At the last event, I got to make new friends from Liberal synagogues in different parts of the country. Every morning we had breakfast together, talking about the fun activities and interesting sessions that were coming up. Last time, my favourite icebreaker was throwing a ball around the group to get to know each other’s names, personalities and favourite ice cream. We saw our families at meal times but otherwise had our own space, including our own bedtime stories. We even got to keep the Hebrew story books. In our free time we went swimming with our friends or could spend time as a family. I hope that other families will come to the Biennial to share this experience.
One of the most exciting things that the Montagu Centre plays host to is the fortnightly London Students Egalitarian Minyan, a home for Progressive Jewish students from all of London’s universities who want an alternative to the Orthodoxled services at London JSocs. I join them for at least one service a month throughout the year, bringing our brand new Liberal Judaism Shabbat kits (pictured above), annual Chanukkah packs, divrei Torah and pastoral support.
In an early Mitzvah Day project at JW3, filmed for Songs of Praise during Interfaith Week, I was part of a Jewish/ Christian team making food to go to the homeless shelter at King’s Cross Methodist Church. LSE’s Christian chaplain and one of my London chaplaincy counterparts, Reverend Dr James Walters, as well as Christian and Jewish students, were on hand to help make traditional Jewish strudel and Christmas mince pies (pictured above). Interfaith work is an important part of being a student chaplain on Britain’s multicultural campuses, especially as JSocs interact with the larger religious bodies on campus.
November 5 and 19: Takum Progressivi, London
Takum Progressivi, a Liberal and Reform Judaism Alliance fortnightly dinner, social action and study group for young adults (pictured above) has relaunched for its second year. It is hosted by me and my husband, Rabbi Benji Stanley, who is the Movement for Reform Judaism’s young adult development rabbi. The participants chose the topic of ‘migrants, asylum seekers and borders’ as their key interest. I led the first session on treatment and views of the Other in the Torah, while we were lucky to be joined by Rabbi Danny Rich for the next dinner. Danny discussed both the Jewish and policy aspects of refugee resettlement campaigning, before taking questions. November 20-21: Egalitarian Minyan, Cambridge As part of LJ Students’ support of Progressive Jewish life on campuses, we annually fund a small budget for Cambridge Egalitarian Minyan, a Progressive Jewish society for students. I was invited by their coordinator, a Liberal Jewish Synagogue member, to teach and spend Shabbat with them. As I keep finding with my campus visits, the students are so happy to have a chaplain visit, especially a young, Liberal one. November 27-28: Union of Jewish Students (UJS) Training Summit, Carnforth For perhaps the first time ever, the UJS invited two chaplains to its yearly Training Summit for incoming JSoc committees all the across the country – and one of them was a Liberal rabbi. For every Orthodox service over the Shabbat, we had between 15 and 25 Progressive students praying in our ‘Egal’ service next door, including the chief executive of the UJS, David Brown, and the UJS national president, Hannah Brady. The UJS also themed much of their Training Summit around inclusivity, which included discussion and learning about the denominations in Judaism, as well as Keshet UK coming in to speak about LGBT inclusivity.
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Communities
January/February 2016
Babies, birthdays and batmitzvahs
News
January/February 2016
Spectacular diversity showcase Farewell Yael Surat-Shaan Knan on the Ritual Reconstructed event
Liberal rabbis discuss Queering Theology and a new play previews, pictures by Mary Humphrey
Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue welcomed 14 children in a communal baby blessing. As well as members whose children may have had a personal blessing, the annual event lets grandparents celebrate with family who may be members of other shuls or none
Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish Community welcomed Trish Bluett to the Jewish faith with the community’s first ever adult batmitzvah ceremony. GLJC also used, for the firs time, the old and valuable Scrolls that are on loan from the Cheltenham Hebrew Community
Woodford Liberal Synagogue celebrated a combined 178th birthday for Rabbi Harry Jacobi and WLS life president Peter Benscher. Peter was accompanied by wife Betty and four generations of his family (pictured above) – including Liberal Judaism chair Simon
The growing community of Tikvah Chadasha in Brentwood, Essex, celebrated a treble batmitzvah for three women who had missed out earlier in life. Community chair Amanda Burke was the first to be called to the Torah, followed by Joanna Slaney and Kata Roberts
Czech mates BPS birthday
LJS quiz triumph
TWENTY-FIVE members of Nottingham Liberal Synagogue (NLS), including Rabbi Tanya Sakhnovich, made their 10th trip to the Czech Republic to visit the town that NLS is linked to via a Torah scroll Slavkov, formerly known as Austerlitz. The highlight of the visit was meeting the town’s only pre-war surviving Jewish resident, Ruth Matiovska.
A TEAM from The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS) won this year’s annual LJ Quiz, in one of the closest ever results. The host side (pictured above) finished just one point ahead of three runners-up, with Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue, Finchley Progressive Synagogue and Kingston Liberal Synagogue all tying in second place.
BIRMINGHAM PROGRESSIVE SYNAGOGUE (BPS) was full to capacity for a Shabbat kiddush to celebrate the 80th birthday of president Frank Maxwell. Chair Val Harrison said: “We thank Frank for all that he does and value the full part he plays as president.”
LJ Today Page 5
THE CULMINATION of a year-long research project, Ritual Reconstructed, saw rabbis, artists, film-makers and playwrights participate in an interactive bricolage “happening” of ritual objects, photographs, poetry, drama, storytelling and rabbinic dialogue. Taking place at JW3, the event explored faith rituals which combine both Jewish and LGBTQI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning & intersex) identities. The afternoon kicked off with a walkthrough photographic exhibition by Mary Humphrey – who came to the project as a “curious Catholic”. Her colourful and evocative photographs show people, ritual objects, and lifecycle events through a queer Jewish lens. Another highlight saw Tom RossWilliams performing a scene from emerging playwright Stephen Laughton’s Run, about a rebellious 17 year old gay Jewish Orthodox boy in love.
The event’s grand finale was the world premiere screening of the Ritual Reconstructed mini documentary series on Jewish LGBTQI rituals in the UK. Rabbi Danny Rich, senior rabbi of Liberal Judaism – who alongside Rabbis Mark Solomon, Elli Tikvah Sarah and Janet Darley took part in a round-table discussion on Queering Theology – stressed: “This what the Liberal Jewish movement is all about: giving a voice and increasing visibility. We hope the outcomes of Ritual Reconstructed will pave the way for more such initiatives.” Ritual Reconstructed is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council through the Connected Communities stream and consists of a collaborative partnership between Buckinghamshire New University, the University of Portsmouth, the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations at Coventry University and Liberal Judaism. Find out more at www.ritualreconstructed.com
LIBERAL JUDAISM’S head office said goodbye to one of the movement’s most popular staff members this month, as Yael Shotts left to take up a position at Radlett Reform Synagogue. Yael joined Liberal Judaism eight years ago, working first as Rabbi Danny Rich’s PA before becoming services manager. Danny, the senior rabbi of Liberal Judaism, said: “Yael was someone who could do it all - from leading on and managing Liberal Judaism’s major events to looking after The Board of National Officers to writing songs for our staff parties. We will all really miss her.” • TWO LANDMARK Liberal Judaism LGBTQI events are set for early 2016. The Twilight People touring exhibition - a pioneering diversity project exploring the ‘hidden history’ of transgender people of faith - runs from February 5 until March 5 at the Islington Museum. Get the full details from www.twilightpeople.com Through a Queer Lens: Portraits of LGBT Jews, an exhibition by fine art photographer Ajamu, will be hosted by the Jewish Museum London from February 11 until April 17. For more, visit www.jewishmuseum.org.uk/LGBTQ-Jews
Are you a Jew Coming together to remember by choice? By Jeromé Freedman AUTHOR Chava Fleming is planning to publish an e-book on the stories of those who are ‘Jews by choice’, either through a formal process of conversion or rediscovery of their Jewish roots. Chava told lj today: “The purpose of collecting personal stories is to assist others in their search to find out more information about conversion to Judaism. People now look initially to the internet for help, long before any approach is made to a rabbi or a Jewish community. This will be the first free international electronic book available to all.” If you have a story to share, please email flemingthewriter@gmail.com to find out more about the project. All emails are treated in strictest confidence and stories will be published anonymously.
THE ANNUAL AJEX Remembrance Ceremony and Parade at the Cenotaph in Whitehall on November 15 was conducted by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Rabbi Major Reuben Livingstone, principal Jewish chaplain to HM Forces and, yet again, by Rabbi Harry Jacobi of Liberal Judaism and formerly also a chaplain to HM Forces. The Reviewing Officer was Field Marshal Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank. The many UK AJEX branches in the parade were headed by a small but significant group from France that received a loud and considerable accolade from all the spectators, to demonstrate their warm support in the light of the terrorist atrocities in Paris.
The number of WWII veterans inevitably diminishes each year but there were many second, and even third, generation family members amongst the marchers proudly wearing, on the left breast, the medals and awards of those no longer with us. As was the arrangement at the national memorial event on the previous Sunday, to reduce the duration of wreath laying, the majority of the wreaths were laid in twos and threes but there was still a total of 14, commemorating both World Wars and also the Shoah. As always, it was a very moving occasion and, perhaps, especially so on hearing Rabbi Harry Jacobi intoning the El malei rachamim (prayer for the soul) as he has done for a number of years.
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January/February 2016
January/February 2016
LJ Today Page 7
Mitzvah Day 2015 in pictures
Bet Tikvah Synagogue invited elderly members of the community for lunch and a talk on the history of Jews in the East End of London
Rabbi Danny Rich and the Liberal Judaism staff team helped prepare lunch for 70 people at a nearby church’s soup kitchen
Nottingham Liberal Synagogue spent the day at Salaam Shalom Kitchen – a Muslim/Jewish project helping local people in need
Woodford Liberal Synagogue did some gardening at Haven House Children’s Hospice, as well collecting for Jason Lee House
Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community did gardening at Tiphereth, which provides services for people with learning disabilities
The Mosaic Community collected clothes, packed gift boxes and donated saliva in order to be added to the Stem Cell Register
South London Liberal Synagogue volunteered at Nightingale House, a residential, nursing and dementia care home for Jewish people
Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation put on a Mitzvah Day challah bake, with all the bread going to a city centre food bank
The Liberal Jewish Synagogue collected and wrapped presents for refugee children alongside members of three other faiths
Anne Szewczyk and Wessex Liberal Jewish Community collected four car loads of goods for the Salvation Army’s refugee appeal
York Liberal Jewish Community spent Mitzvah Day collecting for York’s Food Bank and Carecent charities outside Sainsbury’s
Stevenage Liberal Synagogue gave a wonderful afternoon tea for the disabled residents of the Leonard Cheshire Home in Hitchin
Beit Klal Yisrael supported four charities by helping pack and deliver 80 care packages to vulnerable older people in Notting Hill
Kingston Liberal Synagogue and Kingston Interfaith Friends tidied up the garden of Welcare House, which supports local parents
Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue organised a sponsored walk, with members of all ages walking 3.5 miles in aid of refugees
Oxford Jewish Congregation knitted hats and bodysuits for premature babies, as well as making cards for children in hospital
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News Comment
January/February 2016
Standing up for you A Liberal input Gillian Merron on the work of the Board of Deputies IF THE Board of Deputies of British Jews did not exist, we would have to invent it. As the voice of UK Jewry since our establishment in 1760, we are the only body that is democratically elected and based on cross-communal grassroots representation. As such, we are the first port of call for Government, media and others who seek to understand the community’s interests and concerns. We pride ourselves on our representative and democratic structures. There is no single Jewish view, but we seek to represent as much of a consensus as possible. It is one thing being representative and another to be effective. We use the resources at our disposal to achieve a huge amount in diverse areas. To give just a few examples, these currently include contributing to pan-European efforts to confront extremism, supporting the Muslim/Jewish women’s social action network Nisa-Nashim, educational work and backing Jewish Women’s Aid’s campaign to counter domestic abuse. This is just the tip of a large iceberg. Our work extends into communities big and small and we rely on you to provide us with representation and to tell us what we need to be doing. One example of this came recently in Nottingham, where the Liberal community came together with the Hebrew Congregation and the Board to successfully counter moves on Nottingham Council to institute an Israel boycott policy. This kind of action is happening up and down the country. IN NOVEMBER, Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, Rabbi Danny Rich, joined hundreds of people of all faiths, and none, coming together at a Citizens UK vigil to condemn the attacks in Paris and show support for the people there. Danny offered the following prayer: Our thoughts and prayers go to the families and friends of those who were brutally murdered in Paris. They, like so many others around the globe, are the victims of what sometimes appears to be on-going evil acts of terror.
As a former member of Liberal Judaism’s Council, I am delighted to address Liberal Judaism members and communities around the country on what the Board does. I was gratified to hear the account of a woman who attended a recent talk I gave. She wrote: “What I did not expect was to be so thoroughly impressed by what the Board of Deputies is up to. I freely admitted on the day that I have been one of those who withhold their Board of Deputies contribution, on the grounds that in my view it was an irrelevant talking shop for boring old men. But I was struck by the depth and breadth of activity and I am now much more inclined to make my contribution.” So how are we funded? Well, like others, we fundraise and receive donations, but by far our most important income stream is from the ‘communal contribution’. This year it will be £30 per household, which is a £5 increase over 2015 – the first rise for 10 years. We, the community, have to pay for our voice, but the great news is that it doesn’t cost very much. The contribution we ask for comes down to 57p per household per week. It is usual for communities to include the ‘communal contribution’ on its invoice. If you cannot find it on yours, just let your community know or contact me. Liberal Judaism has long been an important constituent part of the Board and we would like to see even more of you. In a historic act, my own small yet thriving Liberal community in Lincolnshire recently voted to join the Board, paying their dues and taking part. The more this happens, the stronger and more representative we will be.
• Gillian Merron is chief executive of the Board of Deputies. She can be contacted by emailing gillian.merron@bod.org.uk We express our solidarity with the residents of Paris and the citizens of France for whom this is the second outrage in 2015. It is an attack on the freedoms and ethical way of life - at the heart of Jewish teaching - by which Jews in every country would seek to live. We commend the efforts of all of those in public service who tend the wounded, comfort the bereaved, protect the vulnerable and work to pursue the perpetrators. We call upon Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus and those of all faiths,
By Gabriel Webber
FOR THE FIRST time in history, both of Liberal Judaism’s representatives on the Board of Deputies have been elected to sit on its executive committee. Stuart MacDonald is the treasurer, and I’ve just been voted into one of four ‘backbench’ places at the top table. This is an important step in our movement’s ability to contribute to what is the single democratic ‘Parliament of the Jews’. The need for us to contribute to the Board is partly about solidarity. We are part of what has been called ‘a community of communities’, and while we differ on many issues, we can still defend each other’s right to their own way of life. So while Liberals may not care about whether their employers would let them take off two days for Rosh Hashanah, we support Orthodox Jews’ freedom to do just that, and stand with the Board in its work for freedom of religion. Just as important is the fact that, in Anglo-Jewry, the president of the Board is our spokesperson to the non-Jewish world. Sometimes we disagree with a line that is taken. But if we have no standing in the Board, we won’t be able to influence the message that is sent out. As a Liberal Jew I want to see a Board that focuses not purely on the defensive – protecting Israel, targeting antisemitism – but also on positivity: social action, youth, interfaith work. We can bring about change, but only by joining forces and contributing and committing fully. As Gillian writes beside me, the Board relies on a ‘communal contribution’ from Jewish households, via their synagogues, to operate. It does good work and deserves funding. The standing of the Liberal movement depends on us showing commitment, not just by sending people like me and Stuart to meetings, but by offering practical support for the organisation’s work. and none, to endorse the values of pluralism and democracy which require respect for the rule of law and the rejection of terror. Acts of terror: ‘Not in Our Name’. Eternal God, as we appreciate the world is a partnership between You and humanity so do we call for the unity of all people of compassion and decency to fulfil the vision expressed in the metaphorical hope of the Biblical Hebrew Prophet, Micah (4:4): “And each shall sit under their vine and fig tree, and none shall make them afraid.”
Comment
January/February 2016
LJ Today Page 9
‘Our father, inspiration and guide’ Who wants to be a lay leader? Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi continues Harry’s life story LIBERAL JUDAISM’S Ba’alei Tefillah lay leadership programme goes from strength to strength with each new cohort. Regular days of learning include sessions on all aspects of liturgy, service leading, divrei Torah writing and even how to lift the Scrolls for Hagba. There’s also a residential weekend of study, practice and bonding at a beautiful retreat centre in the countryside. But how do the participants feel on the course and what do they get out of it? Below, two of the current Ba’alei Tefillah class explain how they are getting on: Richard Allen Greene (Finchley Progressive Synagogue) Several things worried me before I started Ba’alei Tefillah. Was my Hebrew up to it? How much homework would there be? Would my congregation be disappointed to see me on the bimah instead of our popular rabbi? But what scared me more than anything was the idea of reading directly from the Torah. The last time I did that was at my barmitzvah. I’m not going to say exactly when that was, but Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister. Since I started in January, I’ve done all those things that frightened me surrounded by an engaged and inspiring array of Liberal Jews from all over the country, and led by a supportive group of rabbis and former students. The course has given me a chance to delve more deeply into Judaism, taught me things about myself and our traditions, and given me a new group of friends. I’m glad I didn’t let my worries keep me from signing up. Joel Drouet (Norwich Liberal Jewish Community) I have been on the Ba’alei Tefillah course for the past year and have found it a rewarding experience. I have enjoyed the opportunity to meet and work with fellow Liberal Jews from all over the UK, studying and discussing the rich tradition and meaning of Jewish liturgy and its role in the modern Jewish communities. The material is presented in modules for study and reflection. We learn about the essential elements of the Jewish prayer service, the sequence and flow of the service, and ways in which we can serve our communities as informed and engaged members. It’s also a lot of fun!
Harry Jacobi (centre) at his induction at Southgate Progressive Synagogue in 1961
IN THE LAST edition of lj today, my brother Rabbi Richard Jacobi wrote about the first 15 years of the life of our father, Rabbi Harry Jacobi. This article seeks to cover the next 75. Whilst not as fraught with danger, they have certainly been equally eventful. After fleeing from Nazi Europe as a teenager, my father eventually arrived safely in Manchester. There, he found a home in a hostel for Jewish refugees, where he edited the hostel newspaper, became an apprentice motor mechanic and discovered a lifetime love of classical music through Hallé Orchestra concerts. Today, he still treasures friendships with other boys from the hostel. As soon as he could, Harry joined the Jewish Brigade. He served officially as an interpreter, but also ended up helping the Haganah (the forerunner to the Israel Defense Forces). Later, he joined his uncle briefly in his textile business but it wasn’t for him. Harry was considering making aliyah, when he attended the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) Conference in London in 1949. There, he heard Leo Baeck’s presidential address, calling for help in rebuilding Jewish life, and he decided instead to become a rabbi. With the support of Lily Montagu, one of the founders of Liberal Judaism, Harry became a lay reader in Aberdeen, where he was able to start his Hebrew studies. Harry’s stay in Aberdeen was to change his life in another way. He decided to correspond through a WUPJ scheme with a young woman from Bombay called Rose Solomon. When she came to London for the wedding of a friend, Harry proposed and Rose flew back the following year to marry him. Nine months later I arrived, to be followed by Richard and our brother David. Rose was to be my father’s constant support for the next 50 years.
Harry and Rose settled in London, where he became first lay reader and then – following his ordination as a reverend in 1961 – minister of Southgate Progressive Synagogue (SPS). Under his leadership, SPS grew to a membership of 800 with a large cheder and a range of youth groups, which still thrive today. Despite his congregational work and three children, Harry made time to complete his rabbinic dissertation and attained the title rabbi in 1971. In 1975, he was invited to move to Wembley Liberal Synagogue (now Mosaic Liberal Synagogue), where he was again an innovative rabbi whose pastoral support is remembered with great appreciation. By 1982, with all three children having left home, the possibility came of returning to continental Europe – which needed German-speaking rabbis. Harry moved to Zurich, developing a new congregation at a very exciting time. Among other achievements, he worked on a new German Progressive siddur and developed links with the other Swiss congregations. He also worked with colleagues throughout continental Europe, via the European Union for Progressive Judaism (EUPJ), with whom he still retains a strong involvement. In 1989, nearing retirement age, Harry took his first ever sabbatical – spending a happy few months in Israel with Rose. But, like for many in our movement, ‘retirement’ did not mean stopping work. Immediately on their return to Britain, Harry came back to his ‘spiritual home’ of Liberal Judaism. He took on the parttime pulpit of South Bucks, where he is now an emeritus rabbi, as he is also of SPS. He also became chair of Liberal Judaism’s Rabbinic Board (now Beit Din). Ten years ago, at the age of 80, my father felt it was time to step down from the Beit Din – but the last decade has seen him as busy as ever. He enjoys his role as a vice president of Liberal Judaism and attends both Rabbinic Conference and LJ Council meetings regularly. He is also an honorary president of Jewish Child’s Day, representing Liberal Judaism. In between, he plays Scrabble and bridge with the many friends he has made in our movement over the last 60 years. My father has faced the loss of his beloved Rose and the illness of our brother David with fortitude and continues to love life and look forward to the future. For Richard and me, he remains our inspiration and guide.
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Books
January/February 2016
Youth
January/February 2016
Honouring a beloved rabbi A worthy tribute
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
WOMEN RABBIS IN THE PULPIT –
RESPONDING TO THE CALL: A LIFE OF LIBERAL JEWISH A COLLECTION OF SERMONS COMMITMENT edited by Rabbi Danny Rich ISBN: 9780988053939 ISBN: 9780993445804 Reviewed by LUCIAN J HUDSON Reviewed by LOUISE FREEDMAN THE FESTSCHRIFT is a clever literary invention: a joyous and erudite way of honouring a person’s life and work. Rather like Progressive Judaism itself, it gives rise to self-definition within a tradition, revealing truths about the person being honoured, the author of the essay and the chosen object of study. It also invites readers to reflect on their own experience of the subject. My earliest memory of Rabbi Harry Jacobi was going before the Rabbinic Board (now Beit Din) for my conversion to Liberal Judaism 10 years ago. Harry said the least of all the panel members, yet his quiet, friendly attention touched me, making me feel welcome and valued. In a subtle but effective way, Harry challenges the usual expectations of leadership. His type of leadership is measured by the degree to which others are inspired by him and follow him. Two of his children, Richard and Margaret, followed him into the rabbinate. Richard’s thought-provoking essay on the value and purpose of prayer throws light on his father’s spiritual routine, as well making the vital link with Progressive Judaism’s post-war leadership. Richard writes of his father: “Since that moment when he heard Rabbi Leo Baeck’s presidential address to the 1949 World Union Conference, he committed himself to Progressive – and especially Liberal – Judaism. The touchstone for him throughout all this time has been his commitment to personal and communal prayer.” This book reflects how much Harry has been an influence for good in so many lives, despite or because of the trials and tribulations that his generation lived through over the past century. One cannot read this volume of essays and not feel inspired by Harry’s halo effect. However long one has known him for, Harry leaves his mark. Rabbi Rachel Benjamin describe him as “a role model… facing life’s challenges and looking them in the face, but never losing one’s faith, motivation and positivity.” Rabbi Andrew Goldstein, Liberal Judaism’s president, is inspired to write about the leading Czech Rabbi Dr Richard Feder, whose life and achievements remind him of Harry’s. Andrew writes: “Like Harry, he faced difficulties in his youth, but persevered and became a rabbi; like Harry he suffered in the Shoah;
like Harry he spent 70 years devoted to serving the Jewish people and he was an active congregational rabbi.” This tribute to Harry - wonderfully compiled and edited by Rabbi Danny Rich - is a tribute to an exceptional generation. Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi says that her father’s generation built up a more equal country after the war where, for a brief period, homelessness was rare. The book not only addresses the past, but also the present and future. Rabbi Sybil Sheridan asks what makes a Jew, while Rabbi Frank Hellner makes a powerful case against binary concepts of Jewish identity, writing: “Today, neither patrilineality nor matrilineality is sufficient to embrace the complexities and realities of modern life. Both are relics of the past.” Frank argues that we need now to move on to a concept of ‘bilineality’ which recognises that a child born to a Jewish parent, irrespective of whether that parent is a man or woman, has a presumptive Jewish status which can be confirmed if raised, educated and is identified as a Jew. Rabbi Dr David Goldberg adopts a political perspective on the evolution of British Progressive Judaism. He notes that the scars from the failed merger negotiations involving Reform and Liberal Judaism “took a long time to heal and soured perceptions of each other’s motives for years to come” but adds that “now, 30 years later, under fresh rabbinic and lay leadership... another LJ–MRJ rapprochement is being attempted.” My favourite essay is the one by Rabbi Dr Charles Middleburgh, in which he sets out why Jeremiah is the prophet who speaks to his innermost soul. Jeremiah as a figure is close to a rabbi’s heart, as Charles says: “No other biblical figure presents so powerfully the price we all pay in the infinitely complex task of giving leadership to the Jewish people. No other biblical figure better than Jeremiah reflects the pain, distress and deep depression that many communal leaders can encounter.” This collection is a testament to the character and spirit of one of our most respected and loved rabbis.
• Copies of this Festschrift are available by calling Liberal Judaism on 020 7286 5181. Lucian J Hudson is deputy chair of Liberal Judaism.
EDITED BY Rabbis Dr Barbara Borts and Elli Tikvah Sarah, with a foreword by Rabbi Sally J Priesand, Women Rabbis in the Pulpit - A Collection of Sermons, marks the 80th anniversary of the ordination of the first woman rabbi, Rabbi Regina Jonas, and the 40th anniversary of the ordination of Rabbi Dr Jackie Tabick, the first woman in Britain and Europe ordained as a Rabbi after the Shoah. With contributions from 46 Progressive women rabbis in the UK, Europe, North America and Australia, this landmark publication captures the words of women rabbis in the pulpit through their diverse sermons and brings their voices to a wider audience. Reviewing this book has been a pleasure. It was almost impossible to put down – not only because the time allowed for review was so short – but because the content was so engaging and of a high standard. I expected to read of angels but not of necessarily spiders! The content entertained, educated, moved and amused. The sermons are arranged into sections: Living a Jewish Life; Being Human; God and Spirituality; Responses and Responsibility to the World; Feminism and Gender; Life and Loss. Of the 55 women rabbis who have been ordained under the auspices of Leo Baeck College (LBC), more than 40 have offered a chosen sermon and it was good to ‘listen’ to so many varied and personal thoughts, which also had the ability both to move and inspire. The introductions to each chapter in many cases gave a glimpse into the background and personality of the writer. There are also tributes in memory of Rabbi Sheila Shulman and Rabbi Erlene Wahlhaus. At the end of the book is a list of all women rabbis ordained by LBC. This book is a worthy tribute to celebrate Rabbis Regina Jonas and Dr Jackie Tabick. I recommend you to read ‘their diverse sermons’ and to become one of the ‘wider audience’.
• This book is available in print for £9.99 and digital PDF download for £5.99 from Kulmus via www.lulu.com
LJ Today Page 11
Sign up for the summer of a lifetime
LJY-NETZER is proud to launch Israel Tour 2016, our youth movement’s annual trip that sends around 40 young people, who have just finished their GCSEs, to Israel for a month to explore the country, Zionism and their Jewish identity. LJY-Netzer Israel Tour is an amazing opportunity to spend the summer of a lifetime in Israel, discovering the land from top to bottom. In 2016, it will take place from July 10 – August 3. Whether or not you’ve been before, Israel Tour is the chance to discover a fascinating country and develop your understanding of Israel and Judaism.
And whether this will be your first LJYNetzer event, or your 20th, you will be welcomed with open arms. This trip will give you the chance to explore the desert, kayak down the Jordan river, experience modern Israeli culture in Tel Aviv and discover a special spirituality in Jerusalem. LJY-Netzer Israel Tour is unique in the amazing inclusive community we create. Our Liberal and egalitarian values underpin everything we do and are a prominent part of our programme, from the meaningful and spiritual t’fillot (prayers) we run to the way in which we
educate on and look at the politics and history of the state of Israel. LJY-Netzer Israel Tour truly does offer something for everyone. Not only will you discover more about yourself and bond as a group, you will have the opportunity to develop your leadership skills and meet loads of new people. Generations of 16 year olds across the UK have gone on LJY-Netzer Israel Tour and said it was the most amazing summer of their lives. To find out more, or to book a place for yourself or your child, please contact us using the details at the bottom of this page.
Comment: Climate change is a Jewish issue By Sam Alston SOME YOUNG PEOPLE go to Paris for romance, others to see the sites – yet more to taste exquisite French food and drink. As lj today went to press, a delegation from LJY-Netzer were heading across the Channel, but for a very different reason. We have joined the call for action on climate change alongside other Jewish youth groups, including RSY-Netzer, NOAM, FZY and the UJS, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference. It is the continuation of a process that began in 1992, the year before I was born. That was when the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was negotiated at the ‘Earth Summit’ in Rio
de Janeiro. That became the 1997 Kyoto protocol – the only global agreement on climate change – which was ratified and brought into effect in 2005. However, there are problems with Kyoto, among them the fact the USA and Australia never joined and China and India did not have to make emissions cuts. A successor deal then broke down – literally in tears – in 2009. A 2015 summit in New York was more successful and has put the world’s countries into the stages of final negotiations – which will hopefully be concluded in Paris. All that is well and good, but well may you ask why, as Jews, you are going over there? Surely climate change is a universal problem, not one specific to our religious grouping?
I would argue that some of the most important commandments are those which outline our responsibility to our fellow human beings. One of the first things we find out in Genesis is our responsibility to improve and protect the world. Some people show their Judaism by the way they pray or the food they eat, but for LJY-Netzer, a very important part of our Judaism is how we treat others and the better world we want to leave for our children. There is a strong ethical idea in Jewish law that God has made us the stewards of the land. It’s with this in mind that we are in Paris.
Sam Alston is a movement worker for LJY-Netzer
Contact the LJY-Netzer team: Anna Craven (annac@liberaljudaism.org), Sam Alston (sam@liberaljudaism.org) and Tom Francies (tom@liberaljudaism.org); office telephone 020 7631 0584
January/February 2016
Page 12 LJ Today
Liberal Judaism congregations Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue T: 0845 869 7105 E: bedsps@liberaljudaism.org W: bedfordshire-ps.org.uk
Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community T: 0131 777 8024 E: info@eljc.org W: eljc.org
Beit Klal Yisrael (Notting Hill) E: bkymailing@gmail.com W: bky.org.uk
Finchley Progressive Synagogue T: 020 8446 4063 E: fps@liberaljudaism.org W: fps.org
Manchester Liberal Jewish Community T: 0161 796 6210 E: mljc@liberaljudaism.org W: mljc.org.uk
Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish Community T: 01242 609 311 E: shalom@gljc.org.uk W: gljc.org.uk
Mosaic Liberal Synagogue (Harrow) T: 020 8864 5323 E: office@mosaicliberal.org.uk W: mosaicliberal.org.uk
Herefordshire Jewish Community T: 01594 530 721 E: hjc@liberaljudaism.org W: herefordshirejc.org
Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue T: 01923 822 592 E: npls@liberaljudaism.org W: npls.org.uk
Kehillah North London T: 020 7403 3779 E: knl@liberaljudaism.org W: nlpjc.org.uk
Norwich Liberal Jewish Community E: nljc@liberaljudaism.org W: norwichljc.org.uk
Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation E: bwpjc@bwpjc.org W: bwpjc.org
Kent Liberal Jewish Community T: 07952 242 432 E: enquiries@kljc.org.uk W: www.kljc.org.uk
Nottingham Liberal Synagogue T: 0115 962 4761 E: nls@liberaljudaism.org
Crouch End Chavurah E: info@crouchendchavurah.co.uk W: crouchendchavurah.co.uk
Kingston Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8398 7400 E: kls@liberaljudaism.org W: klsonline.org
Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community T: 020 7631 9822 E: info@pljc.org.uk W: pljc.org.uk
Bet Tikvah Synagogue (Barkingside) T: 020 8554 9682 E: bttkv@liberaljudaism.org W: bettikvah.blogspot.co.uk Birmingham Progressive Synagogue T: 0121 634 3888 E: bps@liberaljudaism.org W: bpsjudaism.com Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue T: 01273 737 223 E: info@bhps-online.org W: bhps-online.org
Crawley Jewish Community T: 01293 534 294 Dublin Jewish Progressive Congregation E: djpc@liberaljudaism.org W: djpcireland.com Ealing Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8997 0528 E: els@liberaljudaism.org W: ealingliberalsynagogue.org.uk Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community T: 01323 725 650 E: eljc@liberaljudaism.org W: eljc.org.uk
Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation T: 0116 271 5584 E: lpjc@liberaljudaism.org W: lpjc.org.uk The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (St John’s Wood) T: 020 7286 5181 E: ljs@liberaljudaism.org W: ljs.org The Liberal Synagogue Elstree T: 020 8953 8889 E: tlse@liberaljudaism.org W: tlse.org.uk
The Montagu Centre 21 Maple Street London, W1T 4BE T: 020 7580 1663 E: montagu@liberaljudaism.org W: liberaljudaism.org
Liberal Judaism is the dynamic, cutting edge of modern Judaism. It reverences Jewish tradition, seeking to preserve the values of the past, while giving them contemporary force. Charity Number: 1151090
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Lincolnshire Jewish Community T: 01427 628 958 E: ljc@liberaljudaism.org W: lincolnshirejc.co.uk
W: nottinghamliberalsynagogue.com
Reading Liberal Jewish Community T: 0118 942 8022 E: readingliberaljewishcommunity@ gmail.com W: www.readingljc.org.uk
Shenfield & Brentwood Synagogue T: 01277 888 610 E: tikvahchadasha@gmail.com W: roshtikvah.com South Bucks Jewish Community T: 0845 644 2370 E: sbjc@liberaljudaism.org W: sbjc.org.uk
South London Liberal Synagogue (Streatham) T: 020 8769 4787 E: slls@liberaljudaism.org W: southlondon.org Southgate Progressive Synagogue T: 020 8886 0977 E: sps@liberaljudaism.org W: sps.uk.com Stevenage Liberal Synagogue T: 01438 300 222 E: stevenageliberalsynagogue@gmail.com W: stevenageliberalsynagogue.org.uk Suffolk Liberal Jewish Community (Ipswich) T:01473 250 797 E: sjc@liberaljudaism.org Wessex Liberal Jewish Community (Bournemouth) T: 01202 757 590 E: info@wessexliberaljudaism.org.uk W: wessexliberaljudaism.org.uk West Central Liberal Synagogue (Central London) T: 020 7636 7627 E: wcls@liberaljudaism.org W: wcls.org.uk Woodford Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8989 7619 E: info@woodfordliberal.org.uk W: woodfordliberal.org.uk York Liberal Jewish Community T: 07922 683 787 E: york@liberaljudaism.org W: jewsinyork.org.uk Developing communities and affiliated congregations Beit Ha’Chidush (Amsterdam) T: 00 31 23 524 7204 E: bhc.informatie@gmail.com W: beithachidush.nl Oxford Jewish Congregation T: 01865 515 584 E: progressive@ojc-online.org W: ojc-online.org
President Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein Chair Simon Benscher Deputy Chair Lucian J Hudson Vice Chair Jackie Richards Treasurer Rosie Ward Israel and the Diaspora Tamara Schmidt Communications Ed Herman Social Justice Amelia Viney Youth and Education Robin Moss Music and IT Graham Carpenter National Officers Dr Howard Cohen, David Hockman and Ruth Seager Vice Presidents Monique Blake, Henry Cohn, Nigel Cole, Geoffrey Davis, Lord Fink, Jeromé Freedman, Louise Freedman, Rabbi Dr David Goldberg, Sharon Goldstein, Rabbi Harry Jacobi, Willie Kessler, David Lipman, Corinne Oppenheimer, David Pelham, David Pick, Rosita Rosenberg, Tony Sacker, Harold Sanderson, Joan Shopper, Beverley Taylor and Clive Winston Co-Chairs of Rabbinic Conference Rabbis Richard Jacobi and Alexandra Wright Senior Rabbi and C hief Executive Rabbi Danny Rich Student & Young Adult Chaplain Rabbi Leah Jordan Education Rabbi Sandra Kviat Music Cantor Gershon Silins Interfaith Rabbi Mark Solomon Operations Director Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer Archivist Alison Turner Director of Youth Becca Fetterman LJY-Netzer Sam Alston, Anna Craven and Tom Francies