March/April 2014 VOL. XLI No. 2
Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
www.liberaljudaism.org
ljtoday
Stars align for Biennial Weekend
Fania Oz-Salzberger and Rabbi Jonah Pesner will deliver speeches and sessions at the Biennial, while Rachel Mars will provide entertainment
By Rabbi Charley Baginsky
A
N ALL-STAR line-up of speakers has been announced for this year’s Liberal Judaism Biennial Weekend. More than 200 people have already signed up to be part of the event – which takes place from May 9-11 in Reading – and many of them will be attending a Biennial for the first time. We’re also expecting lots more reservations in the run-up to this creative and inspiring weekend. You can find booking details on page 3 or by visiting www.liberaljudaism.org As chair of the organising committee, I’m often asked what people can expect. This is how I respond: As well as an electric atmosphere, like-minded Liberal Jews from all over the UK and full use of a luxury hotel with golf course and spa, the most exciting thing is the incredible array of talent we have from both within our movement and beyond. Almost every Liberal Jewish rabbi will be at the Biennial, leading sessions and looking forward to discussing not only the roots of Liberal Judaism, but the potential they believe we have to create a relevant and inspirational future together.
Our movement’s lay leadership will be strongly represented – by LJ chairman Lucian J Hudson and his fantastic team of national officers – demonstrating the creative partnership so clearly present in Liberal Judaism. We will also be joined by leaders from Reform Judaism. Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein, the new president of our movement, will be delivering the Shabbat morning sermon, while chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich will be speaking on Friday evening. National officer Robin Moss – who works as Israel engagement educator for UJIA – will be providing sessions on Israel, the present and the future. We are also proud to welcome two guests from outside Liberal Judaism. Rabbi Jonah Pesner – the senior vice president of our American sister movement the Union for Reform Judaism – is coming over from the States. Not only is he an excellent speaker but he has a wealth of experience to share, as the founder of Just Communities, on how congregations can be transformative institutions for their members and the world around them. He will deliver the keynote speech on Saturday afternoon.
Fania Oz-Salzberger, the acclaimed historian and daughter of Amos Oz, will be joining us to run sessions on her new book written with her father, Jews and Words, and on cultural Judaism as the future path for a vibrant Judaism. No conference would be complete without evening entertainment and this year we are excited to announce that comedienne Rachel Mars, of Edinburgh Festival and JW3 fame, will be joining us. Her unique brand of comedy is both funny and thought-provoking. She will be followed by friend of Liberal Judaism Daniel Cainer, who will also be running sessions over the course of the Biennial. This is just a taste of the phenomenal line up we have arranged for the 2014 Biennial Weekend. The excitement that it can generate on paper is but a fraction of the reality that being part of it will create. So what are you waiting for, confirm your place today! • Keep up to date with all the latest Biennial Weekend information by following @LJBiennial2014 on Twitter. For the full schedule of events and details of how to book your place, turn to page 3.
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News
Youth and young adults • APPLICATIONS for Machaneh Aviv, LJY-Netzer’s spring camp, are now open. For all those in school years 3-10, Aviv offers six days and five nights of non-stop fun, as part of a warm, inclusive community of other Liberal Jews your age. Young people from all over the country are set to descend on the beautiful surroundings of Cottesmore School for this unmissable event. For those who have never been before, a typical day on Aviv will see you playing the craziest games, heading to the art room, nipping for a swim, singing and praying in some awesome ma’amadim (creative services), chilling during free time and then finishing the day with an amazing fun evening activity. Aviv takes places from April 8-13, with an all-inclusive cost of only £355, plus a discount if you bring a friend. Book at www.ljy-netzer.org for the best spring break of your life. For more news from LJY-Netzer, Liberal Judaism’s youth movement, turn to page 11. • ARE YOU in your 20s or 30s and looking for a modern taste of Jewish culture, thought and tradition? LJ Routes offers a communal space for connecting to our shared identity. We get together for Shabbat and festivals, events and schmoozing, and now for our Purim Getaway. Taking place from March 14-16 (Purim weekend) at YHA Lee Valley, just 25 minutes from London, the trip will give us the chance to celebrate Shabbat and Purim together with singing, learning and partying. The Purim Getaway costs just £75, including room, meals, activities and use of the nearby outdoor lakeside centre. For more information or to book your place, contact Rabbi Leah Jordan on leah@liberaljudaism.org • A NEW programme is launching on Sunday April 6 for young people aged 16-21 who identify as Jewish and are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning their sexuality/ gender. The group will put on social events, residential weekends and discussions. Contact Sam Latke on sam@jglg.org.uk or via Facebook private message for more details.
March/April 2014
Hundreds gather for Rainbow exhibition
By David Walsh Pictures by Blanka Horakova PETER TATCHELL and Daniel Cainer were among hundreds of guests at the launch of the Rainbow Jews exhibition at the London School of Economics (LSE). The historic event took place on February 6 and showcased the UK’s first ever LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Jewish oral history project. More than 300 people attended the reception at the LSE’s Atrium Gallery, viewing an exhibition which explores a range of Jewish and LGBT identities through a truly diverse collection of voices including ultra-Orthodox lesbians, bisexual rabbis, gay Holocaust survivors and transgender activists. Celebrated human rights activist Peter Tatchell was among the guest speakers at the event, which was compered by Rabbi Danny Rich, the chief executive of Liberal Judaism. Highlights included the entire auditorium singing Happy Birthday for Rabbi Lionel Blue, who was unfortunately unable to attend, as well as musical performances by the Tav Rishon choir and comedy bard Daniel Cainer, who performed a song composed especially for the occasion. Rainbow Jews project manager Surat Knan said: “This used to be a hidden history. But today we’ve got several groups, we’ve got support systems and now we’ve got an archive. Most importantly, we’re a part of the LGBT community, we’re part of the Jewish community and we’re a part of British society. We’ve certainly come a long way.”
Peter Tatchell, pictured below with Surat, added: “Jewish LGBT people are part of the proud spectrum of LGBT life. The contribution that they make is often not sufficiently acknowledged within the Jewish community. It has been very encouraging to see the way in which Liberal and Reform Judaism members, communities and leaders have embraced LGBT equality and supported the right of same-sex couples to marry.”
The opening ceremony also featured the premiere of a series of oral history documentaries produced by the University of Portsmouth. The Rainbow Jews exhibition will run at the LSE throughout February on weekdays from 10am-8pm. It features a variety of innovative activities including an LGBT History Soho tour with a Jewish twist. Resources will also be made available both online, in partnering archives, and as part of a travelling exhibition. Rainbow Jews is supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund and hosted by Liberal Judaism.
Biennial
March/April 2014
Open the door to a whole new street
By Simon Frais, Jane Greenfield and Sam Grant ANYONE who has been to a Liberal Judaism Biennial Weekend before will know it’s an opportunity for communities to engage with each other, share ideas and create new and lasting relationships. But what is new for 2014? The first thing is that we’ve moved to a new venue – Wokefield Park in Reading, pictured above – meaning fresh ideas and more opportunities than ever before to meet and schmooze with other communities. Following on from last year’s successful Day of Celebration, a key concept will be to allow congregations to develop their thinking and programming through discussions with others. The focus for this will be the central hub of Rehov Biennial (Biennial Street). This will be a street of opportunity, unlike anything you have seen before. Running through the hotel, it will be lined with an art exhibition, bookshops, judaica shops and a recharge zone – for you and your electronic gadgets. Want a cup of tea or coffee? Come to
the Rehov! Have half an hour between sessions? Come to the Rehov! Want to find out where everybody is relaxing? Come to the Rehov! And just like the end of all good streets there is a comfortable place to have a beer or cold refreshment. Indicative of our attempts to allow communities to share ideas and showcase the best of their achievements and programming, we have given each congregation a door. These doors will line Rehov Biennial, providing the springboard for discussions about what it means to be a Liberal Jewish community – now, in the past and, of course, as we move forward. The doors will be representative of the values each community stands for and symbolic of how each community wants others to think of them. Furthermore, they are the chance for you to grab ideas that might be transferable to your home congregation as well as to chat with the people who created them. The Rehov is a special part of the Biennial. Be sure to embrace it and don’t miss this exciting and important opportunity for yourself and for your community.
Biennial booking details NOW YOU have read all about Liberal Judaism’s flagship event, the Biennial Weekend, book your place on our website www.liberaljudaism.org The booking rate is £310 per adult, £100 for children aged 5-16 and £50 for under 5s. This includes two nights’ full board accommodation – with access to the spa, pool and golf course – and all programme materials. LJY-Netzer is running a parallel event for those aged 8-16, there is a programme for 5-8 yearolds and a professionally staffed crèche for under 5s. For members who can’t make the whole weekend, a day pass is £75 and
includes meals, refreshments and materials. If you book both days with no accommodation, then the cost is £140. Those who wish to stay on and relax after the event can take advantage of a great rate of £65 single occupancy and £80 double occupancy for dinner, bed and breakfast on the Sunday night. Participants may pay for this event in instalments, as long as full payment is received by Friday April 25. Some financial assistance is available for those who have concerns about the cost. For further information on the Biennial Weekend, please contact Yael Shotts on y.shotts@liberaljudaism.org
LJ Today Page 3
The programme FRIDAY MAY 9 16.00 – Arrive and registration 16.45 – Shabbat morning service music rehearsal 17.30 – Meet New People session 18.15 – Friday night service 19.15 – Shabbat dinner, including welcome from Rabbi Danny Rich 21.00 – Shabbat Oneg (fun evening activity run by the LJY-Netzer staff) 22.15 – Late night session options SATURDAY MAY 10 7.30 – Morning run (optional) 7.30–9.15 – Breakfast / study with and meet the student rabbis 9.30 – Shabbat morning services 10.50 – Ba’alei Tefillah graduation 11.00 – Kiddush 11.30 – Rabbi Jonah Pesner speech 12.50 – Launch of the Liberal Judaism Resource Bank and the Philosophy of Cooperation 13.00–15.00 – Free time and/or a chance to network, meet LJ staff and take part in events on Rehov Biennial 15.30 – Workshop Session 1: Sessions examining Liberal Judaism’s Radical Roots 17.15 – Workshop Session 2: Sessions examining how different communities/individuals are responding to the current challenges and opportunities that face us 19.00 – Drinks reception 19.30 – Dinner, Divrei Torah from the rabbis and the Chairman’s Awards 21.30 – Entertainment from comedienne Rachel Mars, with guest appearance from Daniel Cainer 23.00 – Late night options SUNDAY MAY 11 7.30 – Morning yoga (optional) 7.30–9.00 – Breakfast 9.10 – Morning service options 10.00 – Workshop Session 3: The first of two sets of workshops examining the future responses of Liberal Judaism 11.15 – Tea and coffee break 12.00 – Workshop Session 4 13.15 – Lunch 14.30 – Sunday Take Away: What We Are Taking Home - an interactive study session on how we can take the Biennial back into our communities 15.30 – Closing ceremony Although the Biennial Weekend ends at 16.00, we will then be showing the final games of the Premier League season on big screens in the bar
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News
March/April 2014
Assisted dying A diverse Limmud Fee-ling good FIVE Liberal rabbis have written articles for a new book called Assisted Dying Rabbinic Responses. The book - which is available to Liberal Judaism members for a discounted price of £5 plus p&p – deals with a number of pressing questions on whether those who are terminally ill and suffering greatly should be allowed to end their life under medical supervision. The book’s release is being accompanied by a public debate at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St John’s Wood Road, London, NW8 7HA on Thursday April 24 at 7.30pm with Rabbis Shulamit Ambalu, Janet Burden, Jonathan Romain and Alexandra Wright taking different views on the subject. To purchase a copy of the book or find out more on the debate please contact admin@maidenheadsynagogue.org.uk • RABBI BARONESS JULIA NEUBERGER will be hosting a Dying Matters seminar on Wednesday March 5 at 7.30pm at Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue, 18-24 Oaklands Gate, Northwood, HA6 3AA. The evening aims to help attendees find the language to speak of death as a meaningful part of life.
By Ashley Marks
By Rabbi Leah Jordan MORE THAN a dozen Liberal Judaism rabbis and staff members attended this year’s Limmud, running sessions that represented the movement’s diversity. Highlights included LJY-Netzer movement worker Graham Carpenter co-leading a rocking camp-fire singalong, Rainbow Jews project manager Surat Knan sitting on a cross-communal panel discussion entitled What’s News for Queer Jews?, Rabbi Aaron Goldstein debating whether shul still matters and Rabbi Shulamit Ambalu taking daily Talmud study sessions. Liberal Judaism chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich presented a number of sessions, including one on Liberal Judaism and the Chief Rabbinate: Past, Present and Future, pictured above.
HAVING RECENTLY taken up the role of treasurer at Bet Tikvah Synagogue, when I heard that there was to be a Sunday Seminar on the topic of Fees and Feasibility, it went straight into my diary. It seems I wasn’t the only one as there was an excellent turnout on the day, with representatives of communities from the length and breadth of the country. Following an opening introduction by Rabbi Danny Rich, the day was split into three sessions. Rabbi Anna Gerrard led the first two, expertly covering topics from how members perceive their fees to ensuring long-term financial stability. The third and final session took the form of a panel discussion fronted by Liberal Judaism chairman Lucian J Hudson, where experienced community leaders explained their approach in responding to members who say they cannot afford their synagogue fees. A great deal of time and effort had clearly gone into preparing the sessions and I came away feeling that it had been a very worthwhile day full of great new ideas I can share with my community.
News
March/April 2014
LJ Today Page 5
New leaders to graduate at Biennial THE THIRD Ba’alei Tefillah cohort is nearing the end of its learning journey, with a graduation for those members completing Liberal Judaism’s service leadership programme set to take place at the Biennial Weekend in May. If you would like to lead services in your community and are considering joining the fourth Ba’alei Tefillah cohort – see the advert to the right for full details – then we thought these comments from those set to graduate would help you decide: I have really enjoyed the Ba’alei Tefillah programme and the opportunities it has given me to learn about Judaism and to become more involved in Liberal Judaism. I found the whole course very empowering. I was able to make progress at my own pace, but within a supportive framework. Now that I can read Torah myself, I am teaching barmitzvah students this year for the first time. Gwendolen Burton Being part of this year’s programme has helped me explore Jewish life and opened up new Jewish learning. I’ve got to meet lovely people from all over the UK and I will be keeping in touch with my fellow BT travellers and look forward to sharing future experiences. Ricky Hogg The belief of my sponsors and mentors in my capacity and the course itself has given me a gift. Leading services gives me the motivation to stretch myself in areas that I enjoy and find personally enriching. I was pleasantly surprised at the breadth and depth of personal challenge, study and research - giving me additional tools and perspectives to bring to the role. Pam Millard
News and notes • CONGRATULATIONS to Dr AnnaMaria Rollin of Kingston Liberal Synagogue, who has received an MBE for services to anaesthesia. • WESSEX LIBERAL JEWISH COMMUNITY held its first ever baby blessing in December, as Rabbi Alan Mann welcomed baby George Keenan to the community. • GEOFFREY BEN-NATHAN, president of Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue, has appeared twice on the Islamic Sahar TV station - talking about both immigration and the Gaza blockade. The station is broadcast to Muslims in Europe, Asia and elsewhere. • FAMILIES came from far afield for the Tu Bishvat celebrations at Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation. A highlight was making walnut pyramids, showing how individuals working together can build something beautiful, but pull one out and everything falls down.
Israel should ‘value dissent’ LIBERAL JUDAISM has submitted an uncompromising response to the Israeli Government’s consultation on the future relationship between Israel and the Diaspora. The project, being led by justice minister Tzipi Livni on behalf of the Israeli Government, aims to gauge Diaspora opinion in order to inform the drawing up of a formal constitutional framework that commits Israel to operating as a Jewish and democratic state. In its paper submitted to this consultation process, Liberal Judaism argues that: “Israel’s founders recognised the value of the dissenting voice, challenging accepted ‘wisdoms’ and conventional practice, as a spur to innovation and development. To seek to limit dissent, therefore, to those that choose to make their homes in the land of Israel, is to miss an opportunity to strengthen the State.” The paper says that the Israel which Liberal Jews support must “play a positive role in the world, sharing the prophetic vision and reflecting Liberal Jewish values.” “Our Israel is open to all, promotes equality, acts morally and ethically and
is committed to social action,” it adds, arguing that this is the clear intention of Israel’s founders as embodied in the Declaration of Independence. Liberal Judaism’s submission explicitly supports a two-state solution and a Palestinian state, also proposing a “permissive approach to Jewish and non-Jewish immigration” and suggesting that the Israeli Government encourages inward investment in Israel’s non-Jewish communities by the Diaspora, as “a counterweight to the inequality which has been the accidental result of Diaspora investment in Israel’s Jewish community.” The entire British Jewish community’s views were consolidated by the Jewish Leadership Council at an invitation-only cross-community meeting on Sunday February 9. Liberal Judaism chairman Lucian J Hudson represented the movement at the meeting. Gillian Merron – a member of Liberal Judaism’s Board of National Officers and vice president of the Jewish Leadership Council – was also in attendance. • To read Liberal Judaism’s submission in full go to www.liberaljudaism.org
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Communities
March/April 2014
Celebrating 90 years
Living in Bedford
BET TIKVAH SYNAGOGUE in Barkingside has been a hive of celebration this year, after founder and honorary life president Joe Swinburne turned 90. Below, in an exclusive interview with lj today, Joe reflects on a half century of service to Liberal Judaism: What are your earliest memories of Liberal Judaism? I joined North London Progressive Synagogue (NLPS), aged 35, in 1958, mainly because of its proximity to home and an unhappy experience with my membership of Egerton Road United Synagogue. I actually joined NLPS between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, with absolutely no knowledge of Progressive Judaism. My first experience of a Liberal service was therefore a big shock - men and women sitting together and prayers in English. At long last, I had found a service where I could understand what was going on. Reverend Herbert Richer made an immediate positive impact on me and he, more than anything or anyone, made the Progressive approach to Judaism important to me. When and how did you start becoming actively involved in the movement? Involvement in NLPS affairs came quickly. I began to chair the functions committee and was then marriage secretary for many years. Later I was approached by Rosita Rosenberg to become a member of the development committee for the Union of Liberal and Progressive Synagogues (ULPS), the previous name for Liberal Judaism. What were your highlights at North London Progressive Synagogue? NLPS in the late 1950s and 1960s was a very successful and busy synagogue. Its retention of many traditions of Judaism was popular and Herbert Richer established himself as a much-respected and loved minister. Weddings abounded and I have a very strong memory of the Sunday afternoon when we had five of them! Inside the synagogue, the comings and goings of the parties bordered on the hectic - outside, the police were called to deal with a traffic problem. How did the community that would become Bet Tikvah come about? In the mid 1970s, NLPS in Stamford Hill had something like 100 families living in the Ilford area. Therefore the idea was prompted to establish a group there. Larry Peters, Harold Miller and I took on that responsibility.
BEDFORDSHIRE PROGRESSIVE SYNAGOGUE member and magazine editor Susanne Combe invited the Jewish Way of Life Exhibition (JWoLE) to visit the school where she works. The exhibition ran for two weeks and received rave reviews from all who attended. The exhibition – run by The Board of Deputies of British Jews – has travelled around the UK for more than 35 years, teaching non-Jewish school children about the basics of the Jewish faith.
The light of Torah shines on Joe Swinburne, on the occasion of his 90th birthday. The ark doors followed Joe from NLPS to Barkingside
What happened next? After five years of meeting as a satellite community in Barnardo’s church hall, the ULPS pressed for a break to independence and Barkingside Progressive Synagogue came into being. An old primary school was converted from a near wreck to a purposeful synagogue by dedicated members and the rest is history. The name of the community would later change to Bet Tikvah. The initial work and involvement deserve more than this brief summary and I will never forget all those amazing individuals who gave so selflessly of their time and efforts. What have been the high points of your time at Bet Tikvah? High points are many - certainly the first High Holy Days services. The first wedding, the first barmitzvah and the civic service also come quickly to mind. Truthfully, for a very long time, every event was a highlight for me. I was, and still am, so proud of what our community has created. Finally, what are your hopes for the future? The key thing is that our future at Bet Tikvah is assured, thanks to our dedicated and much-respected Rabbi David Hulbert and a continuing stream of committed and involved members.
In the footsteps of Lily Montagu By Ruth Selo INAUGURATING the first Saturday afternoon service at Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community (ELJC), chair Suzanne Paginton said: “We are following in the footsteps of one of the founders of the Liberal movement, Lily Montagu, who held services on Saturday afternoons in the West End of London so that female shop workers could attend.” The Shabbat service, ably led by first year rabbinic student Nathan Godleman, was followed by a huge tea, Havdalah and a study session. It was a rewarding way to spend a Saturday afternoon, with mundane tasks out of the way, providing time to concentrate on preparing spiritually for the coming week. ELJC was founded in 2001. Services are held on Friday nights, and there are now plans to add a 3pm Saturday afternoon service once a month. For further details see www.eljc.org.uk IF YOU ARE a same-sex Jewish couple planning to get married under a Liberal chuppah, please get in touch with Liberal Judaism’s PR Officer, Alex Ben-Yehuda, on alexandra@liberaljudaism.org A number of media outlets, including the BBC and The Times, have expressed an interest in speaking to the first Jewish couple to get married once the law changes.
Communities
March/April 2014
Survivors speak at Brighton & Hove
Back to the beginning Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein talks about his career and implores us to reach out to Orthodox Jews
By Ruth Selo HANS LEVY, a member of Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue, pictured above, spoke about his journey from Nazi Germany to Britain as a Kindertransport child at Brighton & Hove City Council’s Holocaust Memorial Day event in January. Guests at the event included children from a local primary school, who were captivated by Hans’ story. Earlier the pupils had read pieces about the different groups affected by Nazi persecution in the 1930s and 40s. Hans, who came to the UK with his life-long friend Rabbi Harry Jacobi, visits schools to talk directly to the children about his experiences. Professor Ladislaus Löb, the event’s other speaker, survived five months in Bergen-Belsen as a boy, before he and his father were among the 1,700 Hungarian Jews saved by Rudolf (Rezsö) Kastner who arranged a train to Switzerland for their escape.
TLSE remembers
THIS YEAR’S Holocaust Memorial service at The Liberal Synagogue Elstree (TLSE) was led by the Kabbalat Torah group. The second largest ever TLSE Kabbalat Torah class, pictured above with Rabbi Pete Tobias, took a packed congregation through an experimental service, focussing on the Kindertransport. Several moving accounts of children who arrived in the UK in 1938/39 were interwoven with the traditional Shabbat prayers, and accompanied by readings in memory of those who suffered and perished.
LJ Today Page 7
NORTHWOOD & PINNER LIBERAL SYNAGOGUE (NPLS) has just started celebrations for its 50th anniversary. My association with the congregation goes back 49 years and figures like that make me really think “where has all the time gone?” Recently I featured in two short news items in the Jewish Chronicle and each time, after my name, the age in brackets made me five years older than I am. Who needs that; time flies by as it is! Reminiscing on the early years at NPLS made me also think again about the three rabbis who influenced my decision to go Leo Baeck College, and to ponder the different training of my predecessors. In my childhood at Birmingham Liberal Synagogue the minister was Reverend Bernard Hooker. Bernard had been ordained at the Orthodox Jews College, but he became a very liberal rabbi. Not because he occasionally wore a dogcollar, for other Jews College graduates also wore this Christian ministerial emblem, but because he was truly a disciple of the founding Liberal rabbi – Dr Israel Mattuck. Mattuck had also come from a strictly Orthodox background, but you only have to look at the prayerbooks he edited to see how liberal he was. Yet despite the revolutionary, almost completely English, services at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, Dr Mattuck convinced many Orthodox Jews to join. The same applied in Birmingham. Several of the founders were members of significant Orthodox families in the city, who had been persuaded that Liberal Judaism was the form of Judaism that best suited their beliefs and lifestyle. I recently came across the story of Bernard’s brother - the Reverend Sol Hooker, also a Jews College graduate and, like Bernard, a chaplain in the Second World War. Sol was a minister at Harrow United Synagogue before he volunteered for military service. Sadly he died in India. I noted that his obituary in the Jewish Chronicle ended: “After the war, Rev Hooker had intended joining the Liberal Synagogue.” But for his untimely death we might have had two Reverend Hookers serving our movement.
I must find time to research the history of the rabbi who really set me on a rabbinic career path. Rabbi Dr Philip Rosenberg had been born in Lithuania and escaped as a young man, making his way to South Africa. There he served an Orthodox synagogue before moving to Sydney, Australia, again as an Orthodox rabbi. After Bernard Hooker left Birmingham for Wembley Liberal, Phillip took over the role and, in the short time he was there, made significant changes to the form of service (more traditional), its music and the general atmosphere (more heimish). At the time, I recall, we were most impressed by the fact that the rabbi’s son was a Springbok and played regularly for the famed South African rugby team. After his wife’s death, Philip moved back to South Africa; I believe to an Orthodox synagogue. I would value hearing from anyone who could provide more information about the Rosenbergs.
Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein at his ordination
Finally I must pay tribute to Rabbi Dr Sidney Brichto, who was responsible for fixing me up with the job at Northwood & Pinner and, along with Bernard Hooker, inaugurating the congregation where I have spent the rest of my life. Sidney, though ordained by the American Reform Hebrew Union College, also came from an intensely Orthodox background. His father was a shochet and Sidney beautifully describes his upbringing in his book Ritual Slaughterer - Growing Up Jewish in America. I’m not sure of my conclusion, except that all three of these rabbis came from an Orthodox background and joined Liberal Judaism because they were convinced by its beliefs. They went on to influence not just me, but a generation. Perhaps it’s time for us to reach out again and seek disaffected Orthodox Jews. I am convinced that a majority of their lifestyles and beliefs accord with ours so let’s go out and make them members of a Liberal Synagogue.
Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein is president of Liberal Judaism
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Comment
March/April 2014
What does the Board of Deputies do for me? Laura Marks on how the Board supports Progressive Jews and our communities ONE OF the questions I am most commonly asked, in my role as senior vice president for the Board of Deputies of British Jews, is “what do you do for Progressive Jews?” People see a ‘communal levy’ to the Board as part of their synagogue fees and want to know what this actually pays for. In particular, they ask how the Board supports Liberal communities and enquire if we’re only focused on Orthodox needs. So, with that in mind, I thought I should explain what the Board DOES and why it matters. The Board is a representative body with nearly 300 elected members and a staff team. It has five basic priorities. It educates public institutions, to help them understand Jewish communal interests and represent Jewish interests to them. It defends Jews from discrimination and persecution in the practice of Jewish life. It supports the activities of other communal organisations. It brings the community together to campaign on a range of issues, from social action to education to defence of Israel. Finally, it increases understanding of the Jewish way of life across British society, especially through interfaith work. Let me give some examples. Recently, the Board helped to get the political arm of Hezbollah outlawed and intervened on campuses to confront real cases of hate speech. To enhance our relationship with government, we worked with MPs to set up an APPG (All-Party Parliamentary Group) on British Jews, which effectively helps us to reach a large number of politicians and talk to them on key issues. We need our community to be connected to MPs, peers, MEPs and councillors all over the nation. We also work closely with the Jewish Leadership Council.
Last year the Board set up Community Judaism, a project supported by the Community Chest, to reach out to the several hundred smaller communities in the UK - providing them with information and access to resources. While an astonishing 75 per cent of Jews live in London, Manchester or Leeds, there are small communities all over the country, including several new vibrant Liberal ones, who are looking to be connected to the mainstream.
Another project relating to our national community is the release of annual statistics, which provide the only data on numbers of Jewish births, marriages and deaths, key for planning provision of welfare, school and social services. It was through this work that we established that four in 10 current births are Charedi. This discovery shows that, over the next 20 years, our community might change radically, thus requiring a total rethink about resources and relationships.
To improve understanding of Jewish life is an essential part of the Board’s remit. We know that ignorance breeds prejudice and negative stereotypes. With RE teaching patchy, our job is to ensure that wider society, as well as other faith groups, understand at least basic Judaism. We have a hands-on travelling exhibit, JWoLE, which enables thousands of people to learn a little about our rituals and beliefs. Finally, as Jews, we are compelled to engage with the big issues of our day and our Grow-Tatzmiach programme last year resulted in four new projects all focused on alleviating hunger here and abroad. The community doesn’t always agree. On same sex marriage, there was a wide range of views. The Board’s role was to collate the opinions for government and to make it clear that a solution for the Jews had to include flexibility. It did. We need you and your community to continue our work this year. With the European elections around the corner, the Board has produced a European Manifesto for all candidates addressing issues close to the hearts of the Jewish community. In addition we are setting up more local groups supporting Israel and linking with the Jewish Leadership Council to encourage more women into leadership positions. We need your support through advocacy, engagement with our campaigns and, honestly, the communal levy. Please contact me directly on laura.marks@bod.org.uk to find out more. This is a collective effort and it is, genuinely, All aBoard!
Laura Marks is senior vice president of the Board of Deputies
Leading rabbi tells The Story of the Jews RABBI DR DAVID J GOLDBERG OBE has taken on one of his toughest assignments yet in his new book The Story of the Jews, covering more than 4,000 years of history in his usual entertaining and informative way. David – rabbi emeritus of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue – delivers not just a comprehensive written history of our people, but pictures, illustrations and the inclusion of facsimile documents covering everything from medieval Jewish marriage contracts to Einstein’s handwritten Theory of Relativity.
In the book’s introduction, David writes: “If this re-telling of the Jewish story can claim any originality, it is in tracing the shared beginnings yet diverse experiences of the different Jewries East and West while always trying to place them in the wider context of world history. “The numerically tiny and geographically scattered Jewish people have rarely been in charge of their own destiny, apart from brief periods of independence in their own land. For the most part, they have always had
to adapt as a minority to larger events swirling around them. “It is extreme solipsism to regard Jewish history as absorbingly important only in and of itself, and too many Jewish histories fall into that trap. That is why the memorabilia¸ illustrations and facsimiles chosen to augment this book acknowledge historically significant non-Jewish personalities as well as famous Jewish ones.” The Story of the Jews is available now from all good retailers. There will be a full review in the next issue of lj today.
Comment
March/April 2014
Learning from the past, preparing for the future LIBERAL JUDAISM’s Learning Network is proud to introduce From Yesterday, For Tomorrow (FYFT) – an exciting new charity we are working with to determine how best to teach difficult subjects in our communities. Below, Ben Freeman – the founder and director of FYFT – discusses his goal to educate students both emotionally and socially in order to combat prejudice:
Rabbi Pete’s quick quiz Here are some anagrams for Purim and Pesach. Can you unscramble them? PURIM: The King, the Queen, her uncle and the bad guy’s ears… AURAS HUES, HE REST, I ROME CAD, A MAN SENT ACHE PESACH: The ten plagues are here, in five pairs. Where a plague has more than one word, it is reduced to the most significant word (e.g. cattle). THIN SLOB FRIAR, BLOCS SOLD OUT, RIFLE COGS, BLESS SOD IN ARK, AT BEST CASTLE
From Yesterday, For Tomorrow founder Ben
Pete Tobias is rabbi at The Liberal Synagogue Elstree
With Pesach coming up, I am reminded of the clear links between the story of the Exodus from Egypt and the work of FYFT. A focal point of our work is about the responsibility to combat prejudice, a Jewish concept rooted in both our liturgy and collective historical experiences. When we learn about the Exodus during the Passover seder, we are mindful of the ultimate lesson from our experience: “You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Exodus 22:20). FYFT aims to extend this teaching by actively educating future generations. We believe passionately that education is the most powerful tool in order to prevent continued human rights violations around the world. I hope many of you will join us on March 30 to find out more.
Dates for your diary
FYFT and LJ will be collaborating at the next Learning Network seminar - Teaching Tricky Topics: How Do We Teach About Sensitive Issues? - on Sunday March 30 from 11am-4pm at the Montagu Centre. For more details on this event, contact Rabbi Sandra Kviat on 020 7631 9826 or s.kviat@liberaljudaism.org
May 9-11 Liberal Judaism Biennial Weekend Wokefield Park, Reading y.shotts@liberaljudaism.org
March 14 – March 16 Routes Purim Getaway YHA Lee Valley leah@liberaljudaism.org March 23 Sunday Seminar – Power to the People The Montagu Centre, London, W1T 4BE a.jacobi@liberaljudaism.org March 30 Learning Network – Teaching Tricky Topics
The Montagu Centre, London, W1T 4BE s.kviat@liberaljudaism.org April 8-13 LJY-Netzer Machaneh Aviv Cottesmore School, West Sussex tom@liberaljudaism.org
Quiz answers: Purim: Ahasuerus, Esther, Mordecai, Hamantaschen Pesach: Firstborn & Hail , Locusts & Boils, Frogs & Lice, Darkness & Blood, Cattle & Beasts
FYFT is dedicated to creating units of emotional educational resources for use in schools, as part of the peaceful fight against prejudice. It was born in March 2012, when I travelled to Eastern Europe in order to film a documentary about the human cost of the Holocaust. My own emotional journey reinforced my view that I had to help current and future generations learn from this tragedy. When I returned home, the idea of FYFT began forming more clearly in my mind. My background is in hadracha (youth leadership) – I was the UJIA Scotland youth worker for five years – so I decided to create informal, creative and innovative lesson plans for teachers to use when educating about the Holocaust. It took almost a year for me and FYFT’s deputy director Janine Bothwell, an incredibly talented friend with a background in literature, to complete the documentary and the lesson plans, while also building a website and registering as a charitable organisation. In addition to creating educational resources, we also work directly with young people through workshops. At the moment, we have 57 schools registered for FYFT’s ‘Lessons of the Holocaust’ unit, workshops booked from February to June and even a school tour in Novi, Michigan.
LJ Today Page 9
Stern discussion Award for Ilana Teachers wanted LIBERAL JUDAISM will once more be taking part in the Oxford Literary Festival, when movement chairman Lucian J Hudson interviews best-selling writer Patrick Bishop about his new book. Entitled The Reckoning: How the Killing of One Man Changed the Fate of the Promised Land, the book recounts the wartime killing of Avraham Stern, leader of militant Zionist group the Stern Gang. The event will take place on Sunday March 30 at midday. For more details, please visit www.oxfordliteraryfestival.org
BIRMINGHAM PROGRESSIVE SYNAGOGUE’S Ilana Davis has been named as a Role Model of the Year at the Young People’s Achievement Awards. Nineteen-year-old Ilana won the highly sought-after award for her work with the shul. She said: “I am very pleased, because this award recognises everything we do to keep our synagogue as a thriving centre of activity for all members. I now hope that working with World ORT on its Future Leadership Programme will give me a role in the wider community.”
WOODFORD LIBERAL SYNAGOGUE is looking for inspiring, hard working, fun and enthusiastic teachers for its growing cheder. With more than 30 students on the books, Woodford prides itself on having confident, capable and caring children and teachers. If you have a desire to work with children, impart knowledge and become a member of this wonderful team, then please email headteacher Josh Newham on headteacher@woodfordliberal.org.uk to organise a visit.
Page 10 LJ Today
Outreach
March/April 2014
Outreach Team Bulletin Board I WAS delighted to be invited to teach one of my Outreach sessions at Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation’s residential Shabbaton, pictured below. Members of BWPJC were brilliant at putting together a very entertaining performance of ‘South West Side Story’, triggering a lively discussion about assimilation, intermarriage, conversion and heritage. The session was a great mix of fun and serious discussion.
I TOOK services at Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community. This was my first visit to this lovely congregation, who hold their prayers close to Peterborough train station. I brought some familiar music to the service as well as some new melodies and encouraged everyone to sing whether they knew the tunes or not – and believe me they did! PLJC is a welcoming community and I was warmly greeted by everyone I saw.
I WAS very lucky to be involved with the LJS Shabbaton about Israel. The event saw a full programme for adults, with fascinating speakers, and I worked with Debi Penhey to provide the younger members with an equally stimulating range of activities. One highlight was an immersive ‘shuk’ experience, where youth could haggle for delicacies at the market, pictured below, bake pitta bread, go on an archaeological dig or create artwork.
Rabbi Anna a.gerrard@liberaljudaism.org
Cantor Gershon g.silins@liberaljudaism.org
Sam s.grant@ liberaljudaism.org
I VISITED Wessex Liberal Jewish Community for a jam-packed Shabbat weekend. Members had just attended a cross-communal tree planting to celebrate Tu Bishvat on the Thursday. On Friday several of us studied the Shabbat prayers, before putting our learning immediately into practice with a service and warm pot luck dinner. Saturday morning saw cheder, before the whole community joined for a Shabbat service, Kiddush and nosh.
ON the first Shabbat of February, I visited the Liberal community in Bedfordshire. On joining this small but engaged group, who meet in a village hall, I could sense a real feeling of community. There was a feeling of kedusha (sacredness), both throughout the service, which was led by an experienced musically minded lay leader, and at the final blessing where everyone faced each other and blessed the community together.
Rabbi Leah l.jordan@ liberaljudaism.org
Rabbi Sandra s.kviat@liberaljudaism.org
ONE particularly busy Shabbat saw me spend the morning speaking to the congregation, led by Rabbi Frank Dabba Smith, at Harrow & Wembley in the building that belongs to the Middlesex New (Reform) Synagogue. A rush across town and I was soon preaching at the afternoon service of the West Central shul, located inside the headquarters of Liberal Judaism. Who says successful communities need to own their own buildings? Rabbi Danny d.rich@ liberaljudaism.org
Youth
March/April 2014
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
Liberal youth make big decisions Dan Squire reviews a busy, successful and ambitious LJY-Netzer Veidah event LJY-NETZER’S annual decision-making forum, Veidah, is always very busy, but this year’s event was truly manic. Acting on a resolution from last year, it was necessary to either reaffirm or discard every motion passed at Veidah between 1992 and 2010. These ranged from the sensible – participants being asked to bring nonperishable goods to events in order to donate to food banks – to the downright unfeasible, such as the movement setting up a stall each year at the Glastonbury Festival to sell merchandise. But even with all of that to sift through, we still found time to break new ground on several fronts. Discussions on our commitment to inclusion resulted in several important decisions. Application forms for events will be re-written to be more inclusive for participants who don’t identify with conventional gender categories, LJYNetzer will formally describe itself as a feminist movement and educate members on the implications of that decision and all leaders will take part in sessions to instruct them on how to deal appropriately with LGBT issues. These are all big decisions for the movement and an effort to create as welcoming an atmosphere as possible for everyone. Several new events were approved including activity days, an annual parent feedback evening, a ‘Shnat Experience’ weekend for those interested in taking a gap year in Israel and increased activity around Mitzvah day. The High Holy Days picnic, which was trialled last September, is now to be installed as a permanent annual event. There was also a decision to run some exciting new programmes at the Machaneh Kadimah summer camp, including a half-day communal living showcase and more swap-sessions for leaders across year groups.
Veidah saw LJY members discuss the living wage (top), spirituality (left) and ideology (right)
LJY-Netzer members selected a new Theme, Charity and Social Action Partner of the Year for 2014 – with all three decisions showing a shift towards bigger and more ambitious projects than in previous years. This year’s chosen good cause is Barnardo’s, one of the largest charities LJY-Netzer has ever supported. The Theme of the Year will be ‘Ani ve’ata neshaneh et ha’olam!’ (‘You and I shall change the world’) and will focus on members of LJY-Netzer getting to grips with some of the big political issues of the day and showing how we have the
power to enact social change. Finally, the Social Action Partner chosen was an unconventional one – the movement will be raising awareness of mental health issues and we will be doing this in collaboration with (but not limited to) the Time To Change programme. Many of these challenges are new for LJY-Netzer, some of the motions passed are huge undertakings but all are very exciting and we can’t wait to get started. • For details on LJY-Netzer camps, Israel/Europe Tours and the very special Biennial Bonanza visit www.ljy-netzer.org
Contact the LJY-Netzer team: Graham Carpenter (graham@liberaljudaism.org), Tom Francies (tom@ liberaljudaism.org) and Bethany Stone (bethany@liberaljudaism.org); office telephone 020 7631 0584
Page 12 LJ Today
March/April 2014
Liberal Judaism congregations Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue T: 01234 218 387 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
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: bhps@liberaljudaism.org W: brightonandhoveprosynagogue.org.uk Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation E: bwpjc@bwpjc.org W: bwpjc.org Crouch End Chavurah E: info@crouchendchavurah.co.uk W: crouchendchavurah.co.uk Crawley Jewish Community T: 01293 534 294 Dublin Jewish Progressive Congregation E: djpc@liberaljudaism.org W: djpcireland.com
Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish Community T: 01242 609 311 E: shalom@gljc.org.uk W: gljc.org.uk Harrow and Wembley Progressive Synagogue T: 020 8864 5323 E: hwps@liberaljudaism.org W: hwps.org Herefordshire Jewish Community T: 01594 530 721 E: hjc@liberaljudaism.org W: herefordshirejc.org Kehillah North London T: 020 7403 3779 E: knl@liberaljudaism.org W: nlpjc.org.uk Kent Liberal Jewish Community T: 07952 242432 E: kljc@liberaljudaism.org W: tinyurl.com/kentljc Kingston Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8398 7400 E: kls@liberaljudaism.org W: klsonline.org
Ealing Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8997 0528 E: els@liberaljudaism.org W: ealingliberalsynagogue.org.uk
Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation T: 0116 271 5584 E: lpjc@liberaljudaism.org W: lpjc.org.uk
Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community T: 01323 725 650 E: eljc@liberaljudaism.org W: eljc.org.uk
The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (St John’s Wood) T: 020 7286 5181 E: ljs@liberaljudaism.org W: ljs.org
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
lj today is edited by Simon Rothstein Send your news to ljtoday@liberaljudaism.org Printed by Precision Printing. www.precisionprinting.co.uk
The Liberal Synagogue Elstree T: 020 8953 8889 E: tlse@liberaljudaism.org W: tlse.org.uk
South Bucks Jewish Community T: 0845 644 2370 E: sbjc@liberaljudaism.org W: sbjc.org.uk
Lincolnshire Jewish Community T: 01427 628 958 E: ljc@liberaljudaism.org W: lincolnshirejc.co.uk
South London Liberal Synagogue (Streatham) T: 020 8769 4787 E: slls@liberaljudaism.org W: southlondon.org
Manchester Liberal Jewish Community T: 08432 084 441 E: mljc@liberaljudaism.org W: mljc.org.uk North Herts Liberal Jewish Community (Stevenage) T: 01438 300 222 E: northhertsljc@gmail.com W: northhertsljc.org Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue T: 01923 822 592 E: npls@liberaljudaism.org W: npls.org.uk Norwich Liberal Jewish Community E: nljc@liberaljudaism.org W: pjcea.org.uk Nottingham Progressive Jewish Congregation T: 0115 962 4761 E: npjc@liberaljudaism.org W: npjc.org.uk Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community T: 020 7631 9822 E: pljc@liberaljudaism.org W: pljc.org.uk Reading Liberal Jewish Community T: 0118 942 8022 E: rljc@liberaljudaism.org Shenfield & Brentwood Synagogue T: 01277 888 610 E: tikvahchadasha@gmail.com W: roshtikvah.com
Southgate Progressive Synagogue T: 020 8886 0977 E: sps@liberaljudaism.org W: sps.uk.com 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 Associated congregations Beit Ha’Chidush (Amsterdam) T: 00 31 23 524 7204 E: bhc.informatie@gmail.com W: beithachidush.nl Oxford Jewish Congregation T: 01865 514 356 W: ojc-online.org Developing communities The Liberal Jewish Community of Weymouth, Portland and West Dorset E: wpwd@liberaljudaism.org Suffolk Liberal Jewish Community (Ipswich) T:01473 250 797 E: sjc@liberaljudaism.org
President Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein Chairman Lucian J Hudson Vice Chairs Simon Benscher and Jackie Richards Finance David Pelham Israel and the Diaspora Tamara Schmidt Communications Ed Herman Social Justice Amelia Viney Youth and Education Robin Moss National Officers Dr Howard Cohen, Rosie Comb, David Hockman, Gillian Merron and Ruth Seager Vice Presidents Monique Blake, Henry Cohn, Nigel Cole, Geoffrey Davis, Lord Stanley Fink, Jeromé Freedman, Louise Freedman, Rabbi Dr David Goldberg, Sharon Goldstein, Rabbi Harry Jacobi, Jeremy Jessel, Willie Kessler, David Lipman, Corinne Oppenheimer, David Pick, Rosita Rosenberg, Tony Sacker, Harold Sanderson, Joan Shopper, Beverley Taylor and Clive Winston Chair of Rabbinic Conference Rabbi Charley Baginsky Chief Executive Rabbi Danny Rich Outreach Director Rabbi Anna Gerrard Communities Youth Coordinator Sam Grant Outreach Coordinator Abigail Jacobi Student & Young Adult Chaplain Rabbi Leah Jordan Education Rabbi Sandra Kviat Music Cantor Gershon Silins Interfaith Rabbi Mark Solomon Operations Director Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer PR Alexandra Ben-Yehuda Archivist Alison Turner LJY-Netzer Movement Workers Graham Carpenter, Tom Francies and Bethany Stone