July/August 2016 VOL. XLIII No. 3
Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
www.liberaljudaism.org
ljtoday
A lifetime of Liberal Judaism Welcome to
By Rabbi Danny Rich
I
AM as proud to be the senior rabbi and chief executive of Liberal Judaism today, as I was on my appointment more than 11 years ago. Coming from a Liberal Jewish family, I sought to make a contribution to a movement which, I still believe, offers so much to its adherents and has the potential to make a great contribution to the wellbeing of society. Liberal Judaism has, in my view, two great attributes: its principles combined with a pragmatic way of treating members and others who encounter it, whether at a local community level or in a national context.
This edition of lj today includes a four page central pull-out taking the reader through the stages of life, from the usual joy of birth to the frequent sadness of death. Human beings seem to desire to mark significant stages on that great journey, and these pages offer specific Liberal Jewish ways including circumcision and the welcoming of a child into the community, education at all ages including bar/batmitzvah and Kabbalat Torah, relationships including marriage, and death including funeral, burial, cremation and the woodland alternative. In any or all of these, Liberal Judaism’s rabbis and communities operate within a number of principles: egalitarianism, justice and compassion over rules, care regardless of status and the desire to assist with, rather than tell the details of, the preparation for a lifecycle event. If you have participated in a spiritual, meaningful and thoughtful Liberal Judaism celebration, or other type of moment, why not share it with your family, friends, neighbours and others so that they too may enjoy the gift and jewel of Liberal Judaism?
the Biennial By Rabbi Charley Baginsky MANY Liberal Judaism members will be reading this issue of lj today just prior to, or at, the Biennial Weekend. If you are with us in the Midlands for Liberal Judaism’s biggest event of the year, then welcome. We can’t wait for you to be part of a conference that urges everyone to ‘think outside the book’ and about the many different ways we engage with our Judaism and our communities. You will get to pray, learn and debate with Liberal Jewish rabbis, leaders and members, as well as hearing from speakers and scholars from outside our movement including writer and broadcaster Cole Moreton, Guardian journalist Jessica Elgot, Imam Sayed Ali Razawi and Rabbi Dr Dalia Marx. Those who can’t attend can still follow the conference on the Liberal Judaism Twitter and Facebook pages, with videos posted regularly on YouTube too. Go to www.liberaljudaism.org for the details.
KINGSTON LIBERAL SYNAGOGUE’S Sue Warner won a bronze medal in the 50m backstroke at the Invictus Games in Orlando, USA. Sue, who has a passion for swimming, also placed well in the breaststroke and front crawl events. She said: “I can’t believe it, everyone was cheering so loudly and I had to pinch myself that it was for me. I’m so happy and it is a moment to cherish.” The Invictus Games are a multi-sport event, created by Prince Harry, in which wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel and veterans take part. Sue sustained multiple fractures in an accident during service in 2009, Sue swimming and with Prince Harry (inset), pictures by Roger Keller and Julian Warner following a 36-year Royal Navy career.