LJ Today November/December 2011

November/December 2011

VOL. XXXVIII No. 6

Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism

www.liberaljudaism.org

ljtoday

‘A truly progressive stance’ L

IBERAL JUDAISM is at the forefront of efforts to persuade the British Government to introduce same-sex marriage, winning praise from across the political spectrum.

Rabbis and members have been involved in activities around the country, including teaming up with other likeminded religions and speaking at the first ever Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Human Rights Summit in Cardiff. Liberal Judaism’s representative at the Summit, Su Rathgeber Knan, was part of a panel discussion that also included Christian campaigner Reverend Sharon Ferguson and well-known human rights activist Peter Tatchell.

Conference organiser Federico Podeschi said: “Liberal Judaism offered a truly progressive stance on equal marriage which was ‘exemplar’ and should be a model for other religious strands on how to tackle the issue of same-sex unions.”

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Su Rathgeber Knan (centre) shared our message of equality with others at the LGBT Summit

Peter Tatchell added: “Liberal Judaism is a beacon of support for LGBT human rights. Its commitment to marriage equality marks it out as a humanitarian and religious trailblazer. I look forward to the day when the government eventually ends the ban on religious same-sex marriages and Liberal Judaism will be free, at last, to conduct them. Just as many Jewish people have opposed homophobia, I urge my LGBT friends to take a stand against antisemitism and all other prejudice and hatred.”

In Scotland, Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community’s Rabbi Mark Solomon joined the Scottish Youth Parliament and other religious figureheads – including those from the Unitarians, Quakers, Metropolitan Community Church, Pagan Federation, Episcopal Church and Buddhist Community – to make the case further. The move was covered by more than 100 global media organisations such as the BBC, Times newspaper, Huffington Post, Press Association and Pink News.

The Coalition Government is currently undertaking a consultation on same-sex marriage. At present, gay couples may hold a civil ceremony but these cannot take place in religious premises or be legally referred to as a marriage.

Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, co-chair of Liberal Judaism’s Rabbinic Conference, explained our movement’s commitment to full marriage equality. Rabbi Aaron stated: “We see this as an extension of our belief that all are equal and created b’tselem Elohim - in the image of God. “Our rabbis have long acknowledged that modern ethical, psychological and scientific insight demands a change in traditional attitudes to same-sex relationships and have welcomed lesbians and gay men as members of our congregations, as teachers and as rabbis.

“So let us rejoice in the love and commitment of a same-sex couple in one seamless and meaningful occasion, enshrined in the law of this country and celebrated in the presence of God.”

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News

November/December 2011

Biennial will be a journey to remember Rabbi Pete Tobias gives his guide to what’s in store at the 2012 Biennial Weekend IT’S HARD not to avoid the cliché of asking why the 2012 Biennial Weekend is going to be different from all other Biennials – because this one really is going to be different.

Our faith, the ancient religion that is now Judaism, has been on a journey since Abraham was first told to leave his home almost 4,000 years ago. Our Liberal version of it has been around for just a fraction of that time, but has made an extraordinary contribution to our heritage in just over a century. For many of us, it has been the Judaism within which we have grown up and have always known; for others it was and is a refreshing reappraisal of the traditional Judaism of our past. Whatever our origins, Liberal Judaism has spoken to us and we have felt its wisdom, its insight and its promise reverberating in our hearts.

What about Liberal Judaism’s origins?

Where did it come from? On what historical moments, ancient teachings and religious discoveries was it based?

On its 4,000 year journey, Judaism has always progressed. If that were not the case, we would still be offering animal sacrifice or, at least, still yearning to do so. Our Liberal movement is at the cutting edge of our ancient faith;

it seeks to take Judaism ever further along its journey to understand the will of God, to practise it in our lives and our communities and to make it real in our world.

But, in order to make this journey, we need to have a sense of what has brought us to where we currently are. So much of what makes up our Jewish life, belief and practice is rooted in our ancient past.

Do we understand the processes that brought our ancient faith to the world? Or what measures were taken to ensure its survival at critical moments of our people’s history? How much do we owe to the generations of sages and teachers, prophets and philosophers, poets and liturgists who contributed to the religion we seek to embrace in our lives?

In order to progress, we need to know what we are progressing from as well as what we are progressing to. Or, as the late Debbie Friedman put it: “I cannot have a future until I embrace my past.”

Come to the 2012 Liberal Judaism Biennial Weekend and embrace your past in order that you can be part of the journey we are making towards Liberal Judaism’s – and your own – future. It will be a journey to remember.

Book your place The Liberal Judaism 2012 Biennial Weekend programme starts at 7pm on Friday April 20 and finishes at 4pm on Sunday April 22. It takes place at Tortworth Court, Bristol, a 4* hotel boasting a health club, pool and spa.

During the main sessions, a supervised crèche will be provided for children under three and a full fun and educational programme for those between four and eight. LJY-Netzer activities will be run for children between eight and 16-years-old.

We have been able to freeze the 2010 early bird rate of £295 per person for those who book before January 31. This price includes two nights’ full board accommodation and all materials. The price for children under five sharing with their parents is £50, and £80 for those over five.

If you cannot make the whole weekend, why not join us on either Saturday or Sunday for £99 per day.

Lunch and dinner are included in this price, but not accommodation.

When booking your place, there is an option to pay by instalments. Some financial assistance is available for those who would like to attend but are concerned about the cost.

For further information contact Yael on y.shotts@liberaljudaism.org or go to www.liberaljudaism.org/biennial

Serving the Eternal One with gladness

By Rabbi Richard Jacobi THE INSCRIPTION over the West Central Liberal Synagogue ark, which makes up the headline of this piece, suited the mood at the Ba’alei Tefillah induction, as 17 students from 13 congregations embarked on Liberal Judaism’s training course for lay service leaders.

Here are some of their early impressions, beginning with Brighton’s Betty Skolnick: “Our aim at the first meeting was to get to know each other and to find out what we had gotten ourselves in for. We were all very anxious but the encouraging, warm, but serious manner of Rabbis Richard Jacobi and Sandra Kviat, and last year’s graduate

Hana Schlesinger, confirmed that it will be a stimulating and enjoyable year.”

Stephen Herman, of Northwood and Pinner, added: “Liberal Judaism had clearly learned from the previous class what was likely to worry candidates the most – time, effort, support, public performance – and dealt with all these up front. The collective security and

solidarity produced, transformed a disparate set of congregants into a supportive group of committed learners.”

Manchester’s Phyllis Alden, embarking on the course alongside husband Len, said: “As a severely sight-impaired person, this programme involves the additional challenge of reading Hebrew, something I thought I’d never be able to do. However, it’s amazing how motivating taking part in this programme has proved to be. We are getting real pleasure from studying Hebrew and learning about the liturgy. In addition, I’ve amazed myself, and Len, by reading - yes I do mean reading - the Torah blessings on Rosh Hashanah morning and chanting as the caller for the shofar.”

Interview

November/December 2011

LJ Today Page 3

Harry celebrates a golden anniversary What positions have your held within ULPS/Liberal Judaism?

I served on the ULPS Council, became the principal of the Evening Institute and represented the movement on the Leo Baeck College Council and the European Board of the WUPJ. For three years, I edited the Liberal Jewish Monthly, a forerunner to lj today. By the way, all of this was unpaid! I was also most gratified when elected as one of Liberal Judaism’s vice presidents.

THIS DECEMBER will mark a special moment for one of the most respected and popular people in the history of the Liberal Jewish movement, as Rabbi Harry Jacobi celebrates the 50th anniversary of his ordination. Harry, who was born in Germany and came to London from Holland after twice escaping the Nazis, served Southgate Progressive Synagogue for 19 years. He has also served Harrow and Wembley Progressive Synagogue, South Bucks Jewish Community and spent eight years as a rabbi in Zurich. Harry, now a vice president of Liberal Judaism, tells his remarkable story below: Can you tell us a bit about your childhood in Germany?

When the Nazis came to power in 1933, I was seven-years-old and living with my mother – my parents having divorced two years earlier – in a town of 25,000 where we were the only Jews. I was harassed and discriminated against by both teachers and pupils. One pupil befriended and protected me; I was delighted when we resumed contact after reunification in 1989. As I was refused admission to the local grammar school, we returned to Berlin to stay with my grandparents.

We lived in constant fear. My barmitzvah in October 1938 was the last in the great Friedenstempel Synagogue. A few weeks later Kristallnacht took place and the Nazis destroyed 191 synagogues, 7,500 Jewish owned shops and sent 10,000 Jewish men, including my father, to a concentration camp. On his release, three weeks later, he looked like a man of 70, even though he was only 55.

How did you escape?

After Kristallnacht all the Jews were desperate to escape from the Nazi terror.

Every country on earth, except Shanghai, would only grant entry to Jewish refugees with prior guarantees or affidavits, which only a few were fortunate enough to obtain. Therefore millions, including my own relations, perished in the camps and the gas chambers. I had an uncle in Amsterdam who gave a guarantee to the Dutch, so that I could escape in February 1939, aged 13. The farewell from my parents at the railway station was heartbreaking, for they must have known that they would never see me again. When Hitler invaded Holland in May 1940 I was saved in the last hour before capitulation by a brave non-Jewish woman, who rescued many victims of the Nazis and whose heroism was subsequently honoured at Yad Vashem.

When did you decide to become a rabbi?

The defining moment was the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) Conference here in London in 1949, which I attended as a youth delegate.

Having no family here and imbued with Zionist idealism, I had intended to go on Aliyah. It was Leo Baeck’s moving presidential address and the loving care and encouragement of Lily Montagu that made me change my mind, deciding to stay in England to help the cause of Liberal Judaism.

Can you describe your rabbinic training?

When we lived in Berlin, I was fortunate enough to be enrolled in the Zionist Theodor Herzl Schule, where fellow pupils included John Rayner and Albert Friedlander. However, with a total of just six years formal education in Germany, I had a long struggle ahead. In Britain, I spent three years in Aberdeen studying and serving the congregation as a lay minister. In 1955, I got a scholarship from the Israel Mattuck Memorial Fund and came back to London. I obtained a BA in Hebrew, German and Dutch, received private tuition and was ordained as a reverend by the Union of Liberal and Progressive Synagogues (ULPS) – the previous name for Liberal Judaism – on December 16 1961. The following day I was inducted as minister for Southgate.

During this time, I also met and married my wife Rose and had the first two of our three children. Hating the title of ‘reverend’, I studied for several more years and finally became a ‘rabbi’ in 1971.

What were the highlights of your time at Southgate Progressive Synagogue?

The congregation increased from 200 to 800 and, through my encouragement, became much more traditional. I helped found local branches of the Council of Christians & Jews and B’nai B’rith.

Two of your and Rose’s children are now rabbis – what advice do you give them?

And with lots of grandchildren, can you see a third generation of Jacobi rabbis?

I am, of course, immensely proud that our two eldest children, Margaret and Richard, also decided to become rabbis – currently serving in Birmingham and Woodford. I did not need to give them any encouragement, let alone any advice. I can visualise a third generation of Jacobi Liberal rabbis, but am unlikely to witness it here on this earth.

Harry’s ordination certificate signed by John Rayner, Lily Montagu and Sidney Brichto

What is the main change you have seen in Liberal Judaism in the last 50 years?

Previously, few Liberal Jewish congregants wore headcovering or a tallit. Now the majority, including many women, will wear these. When I was ordained services were conducted mainly in English, whereas traditional Hebrew prayers have now become familiar.

How do you think Liberal Judaism will develop over the next 50 years?

I am confident that Liberal Judaism will not only survive but become much more accepted, influential and beneficial for Anglo-Jewry in the future.

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Communities

November/December 2011

Tamsin shines in Finchley Macca among

By Sheila King Lassman

world. For example, who knew that it cost £10,000 to “work on” an actor’s face, and TEN YEARS AGO Finchley Progressive even her “veiny” hands, so that the she Synagogue (FPS) inaugurated the Rose is seen unblemished on the screen? We Segal Lecture series in commemoration were also surprised to find out that in The of our late president, who had given so Archers, in which Tamsin plays Debbie much not only to our community but Aldridge, actors are not given their also to Liberal Judaism. Rose and her scripts until shortly before recording and husband Jeffrey were dedicated to the that someone who is to be written out of theatre, so it was inevitable that our the series would not know that until three lectures would be delivered by those weeks before the event. involved with the Tamsin, who is stage. To date not Jewish, was guest speakers then asked about have included her wonderful Nicholas Hytner, performance as Henry Goodman, the mother of Ronald Harwood, Anne Frank and Janet Suzman and her portrayal of Maureen Lipman. the north-west This year we London Jewish were fortunate mum in Friday to host Tamsin Night Dinner. She Greig - one of the replied that she Tamsin Greig with LJ chief executive Rabbi Danny approached both few actors who is Rich and Rabbi Rebecca Qassim Birk of FPS always working, parts by trying whether on stage, to become the screen or radio. character she was playing, to fill their Tamsin was interviewed by Russ Kane, shoes with total authenticity. a highly experienced broadcaster and a It was a terrific evening. Tamsin member of FPS. They quickly built up a was serious and funny, and Russ is to rapport and there was much laughter as be congratulated for his stamina and well as some serious comment. professionalism; it was the end of his twin Tamsin is delightful and, to quote Russ, sons’ barmitzvah weekend and he had “very unactressy”. She lifted the barrier come directly from their party to conduct between the make-believe and the real the interview.

• LIBERAL JUDAISM announces a new programme of monthly Jewish events for people in their 20s and 30s, kicking off with a Chanukkah party in London on Thursday December 22. More about this exciting new venture, called Routes, will appear in the next edition of lj today.

Please email routes@liberaljudaism.org for details about the Chanukkah party.

• THE COMMUNITY at Southgate Progressive Synagogue are celebrating 40 years of their youth club, SPY, with a number of special events including an afternoon tea, a disco and a service.

• BARONESS JULIA NEUBERGER will be launching her new book, Is That All There Is?, at South London Liberal Synagogue (SLLS) on Wednesday November 23 at 7pm. The book, which is dedicated to SLLS members “past and present”, won a glowing review in lj today. Everyone is welcome to attend.

• MEMBERS of Liberal Judaism can get specially discounted rates when hiring rooms at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS), including the beautiful main Sanctuary that can hold up to 900 people for concerts and lectures. The LJS Montefiore Hall, which holds up to 150 people, is ideal for special occasions with a warm and welcoming foyer for pre-dinner drinks, and a light and airy opening on to the Sukkah-terrace. There are also smaller rooms such as the Assembly Hall and the Mattuck Room, which can seat 20. To find out more, please get in touch with Irene Levin on i.levin@ljs.org or 020 7432 1298.

• DO YOU HAVE any recollections of Rabbi Israel Mattuck? If so, then you may be able to help Pam Fox, who is writing a book about Liberal Judaism’s famous first rabbi. Please contact Pam on either pamfox@virginmedia.com or 020 8908 9173.

guests at LJS

Nancy Shevell and Sir Paul McCartney at shul

MUSIC legend Sir Paul McCartney joined his new wife Nancy Shevell and more than 1,200 others for High Holy Days services at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS) this year.

Highlights at the LJS during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur included the farewell sermon of Rabbi David Wilfond – who is returning to the Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem – and the shofar blowing of 13-year-old Jan Ruiz Daum.

Liberal Judaism chairman and LJS member Lucian J Hudson said: “The Liberal Jewish Synagogue once again excelled itself with meticulously planned and executed services. So much energy goes into the arrangements behind the scenes, as well as on the day. It is a joy that these special days went so well in the centenary year of the community.”

• See how other congregations observed Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot with our picture special on pages 6 and 7.

• THE RABBINIC BOARD – the panel of rabbis who interview an applicant for conversation and recommend their acceptance into Judaism – has changed its name and is now called the Beit Din of Liberal Judaism. Rabbi Andrew Goldstein, who chairs the body, explained: “Over the years the Rabbinic Board made the certificates it issued more traditional in their wording and by the use of Hebrew. At the same time, within our movement, Hebrew replaced English in our nomenclature. With this in mind, the Rabbinic Conference felt it was time to use Beit Din instead of Rabbinic Board. The change of name also brings us into line with our sister Progressive movements in Europe.”

• BRIGHTON AND HOVE PROGRESSIVE SYNAGOGUE can now be found on both Twitter and Facebook. Simply follow @BHPS2011 on Twitter or search for the synagogue’s name on Facebook.

Chairman’s Actions

November/December 2011

LJ Today Page 5

Leadership and strategic alliances Lucian J Hudson offers a vision for the future of Liberal Judaism and the alliances we should form ONE CANNOT go through the High Holy Days period without reflecting on leadership. For me, there are four different types of leaders. The first are those who lead from the front, such as Eve, often Moses, Lenin, Churchill and Mrs Thatcher. Then there are those who lead from behind, including Adam and John Major, and those who lead from the centre, with examples being Barak – the military commander in the Book of Judges – Clement Attlee and Obama on a good day. The fourth is a blend, the best of whom were King Solomon and Abraham Lincoln. There is arguably also a fifth: the Snake in Genesis, a brilliant example of timely and far-reaching troublemaking.

I like best Lincoln, whose leadership was decisive and radically cut short. He was also capable of the deepest, yet most practical, wisdom. It was Lincoln who said: “I care not much for a man’s religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.” He also stated: “I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends.”

As we head into 2012, Liberal Judaism requires the third type of leadership, and sometimes the fourth. Consensus works for our movement most of the time, but not all of the time – so we should not be afraid to have the more difficult arguments, and take the harder path.

The recent discussion at Council on the future of rabbinic remuneration confirmed that it was impossible to lead from the front, complacent to lead from behind and about right to lead from the centre. As long as power lies with autonomous communities, it would be counter-productive to impose or push solutions that are not acceptable to many congregations. Yet not to set one’s sights on what it would take to develop the movement as a whole would be a missed opportunity. So the working party of lay leaders and rabbis that we are setting up could make quite a difference.

As a result of September’s Council, we have another opportunity to find an affordable solution that puts value on this, and future, generations of rabbis.

I commend our vice chairman, Simon Benscher, for holding out for a better framework than we were able to present.

Many, if not most, of our communities will resist a further redistribution of resources when they already contribute to a national movement. But Liberal Jews must think hard about how such a change would develop Liberal Judaism and its future rabbinate, and not just their immediate community.

Going into next year’s Liberal Judaism Biennial Weekend, I propose three strategic alliances where our movement, under the leadership of chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich, should be at the helm.

The first strategic alliance is with Reform Judaism. Our task should be to go beyond the old question, “to merge or not to merge?”, and instead focus on what it would take to create a Progressive Federation of Liberal and Reform Communities, where each synagogue retains its distinctive identity (Liberal or

Latest from Liberal Judaism...

• Liberal Judaism’s Rabbinic Conference held a ‘thank you’ party for outgoing chairman Rabbi Pete Tobias. Rabbi Pete was presented with a radio cake baked by new co-chair Rabbi Shulamit Ambalu, pictured left. Rabbi Pete is a regular presenter on BBC Radio 2’s Pause For Thought programme.

• Amelia Viney has been appointed as Liberal Judaism’s social justice consultant. Amelia recently returned from a year’s internship at the Religious Action Centre in Washington and will work on national advocacy projects. She can be contacted on amelia@liberaljudaism.org

Reform) yet is part of a joint endeavour reflecting common Liberal, Reform and Progressive values. Branded effectively, with two top communicators in the leadership position – Danny Rich and the Reform movement’s chief executive Ben Rich – the Progressive community should turn the centre of gravity away from speculation about the Chief Rabbi’s successor and, instead, make visible and compelling the breadth and depth which is British Judaism, reflecting the different ways Jews live, and could live, their faith.

The second strategic alliance is with the rest of British Jewry. Together we should be more outward and forwardlooking. The task for all of us – not just of the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council, two bodies we should improve and not moan about – is to put Judaism first. Let us grow a vibrant and flourishing Jewish community, and support the growth of both modern orthodoxy and Progressive Judaism.

The final strategic alliance is to make sure religion is not a barrier to social progress, based on universal values.

We start from a position of empathy and curiosity. The God of the 21st Century cares more for the evolution of the human species and custodianship of the planet than whether we fight our corner against non-believers or a secular society. We need to continue to make common cause with those who challenge injustice, prejudice and superstition. The test is to bring out the future in what is present, building on what we have learnt from the past.

Lucian J Hudson is the chairman of Liberal Judaism. You can contact him on l.hudson@liberaljudaism.org

Bristol & West Progressive Jewish Congregation We are a dynamic Congregation looking for a

Part-time Rabbi

(60-80% subject to negotiation) For further details and an application pack please email: karen@looseleigh.plus.com

Page 6 LJ Today

November/December 2011

Around the communitie

Children of all ages, including blower Oscar Levy (pictured), tested out the shofar at Finchley Progressive Synagogue’s Shabbat morning cheder in the run up to this year’s Rosh Hashanah

The South Bucks Jewish Community cheder held a very special session just after Rosh Hashanah, taking part in a range of activities that included hearing teacher James Davies blow the shofar

Members of the Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community, led by Rabbi Mark Solomon, went to the Water of Leith for Tashlich, where the local swans were very appreciative of all the breadcrumbs

Thirty-five people gathered for Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue’s Tashlich service on the beach. After sharing poems, reflections and songs, they threw their breadcrumbs into the sea

Woodford Liberal Synagogue held packed tots’ services on both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, with the babies and toddlers taking part in prayers, songs, games and plenty of arts and crafts

Bradley Bishop helps build The Liberal Synagogue Elstree’s Sukkah while his mum and sister serve refreshments to the other workers.

To complete the family’s contribution, dad was on security duty

November/December 2011

LJ Today Page 7

es - High Holy Days 5772

The children at Kingston Liberal Synagogue decorated fish to go in a collage of the belly of Jonah’s whale. On each fish they wrote selicha (sorry) for something they did during the last year

Lincolnshire Jewish Community member Jodi, the daughter of Gillian Renaud, gets ready for the High Holy Days by practising her shofar blowing in advance of the Rosh Hashanah service

The Crouch End Chavurah gathered at Kenwood House to toss away their sins in the pond. More than 50 people enjoyed the last few hours of sunshine and a short explanation from Rabbi Sandra Kviat

Members of the South London Liberal Synagogue volunteer choir take part in one of their many High Holy Days rehearsals. For the first time ever, the choir provided all the music for the services

Birmingham Progressive Synagogue members of all generations attended this year’s Sukkah building – bagging fruit, hanging greenery and writing Sukkot thoughts and messages on leaves

The Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue shofar blowers for 5772 - Carole Kettle, Matthew Bennett, Sigi Gordon, Andrew Hodes and Neville Price - give a combined demonstration of their talents

Page 8 LJ Today

News

Baeck to the future

November/December 2011

Daytimers go to Babylon

Rabbi Dr Deborah Kahn-Harris writes on realising the potential of Leo Baeck College and how you can help

By Lina Fajerman that will enable our faculty to teach with LEO BAECK COLLEGE (LBC), Europe’s everything that modern technology has leading centre for the training of to offer.

Progressive Jewish rabbis and teachers Beyond these immediate needs, of which I am principal, is a remarkable we are looking at ways to improve institution. Born in the aftermath of our recruitment. People consider the the Shoah, LBC was a testament to rabbinate at many points in their lives, hope: hope that a future would exist for and the journey can sometimes take European Jewry; hope that communities would grow from the ashes of the Second years or even decades. We need to be with potential candidates during that World War; hope that Anglo-Jewry would be the right place to plant the foundations journey, helping to nurture those dreams.

And, perhaps most crucially, we will for this renewal.

From the outset the notion of running a need talented, dynamic lecturers to teach those students. Right now LBC’s full-time full-time post-graduate training college for British and European rabbis in London faculty is tiny. We need to increase the number of permanent part-time faculty was ambitious. Over successive decades, members, not just to teach but to inspire that ambition has not diminished. Leo both our students and the wider world of Baeck College transformed itself from Progressive Jewry in the UK and Europe. an informal training school into a fully We also have a substantial plan to accredited and respected institution of higher education, teaching not only rabbis secure the long-term accreditation and validation of all our degree awarding but educators as well. programmes.

Today Leo Baeck We even hope College sits at a to expand the crossroads, ready courses we to forge ahead. But offer – a BA in there are questions Jewish Education, to answer before high-level Jewish we can choose our studies courses path. What kind of for lay people institution do we and, potentially, want to be moving cantorial training. forward? What kind Watch this space of institution do our LBC students René Pfertzel & Julia Grishchenko for more details to communities and come. other stakeholders But, as always, none of this work need us to be? What are the opportunities comes for free. While the support we and what are the challenges? receive from Liberal Judaism is hugely Over the past year, LBC’s Board of valued, our single greatest challenge Governors has undertaken a strategic remains fundraising. Without greater review of the College. We brought in all investment in Leo Baeck College, all of of our stakeholders, consulting widely about the diverse aspects of the College’s the energy and excitement that is now centred on our vision will falter. work. We have now begun looking at the Even relatively modest amounts help. results of the review and developing our For less than £10 a month (£100 a year), strategy for the coming years based on you can become a Friend of Leo Baeck firm foundations.

College. For a more substantial donation But that is all in the abstract. What are – £1,000 annually – you can become a our concrete plans? Several key matters Silver Patron. For £50,000 a year for five require urgent attention. The state of the years, you can sponsor a new faculty College’s physical premises has become member. critical in some places – ceilings that If you’d like more information, please need replacing and temporary walls that do contact the College on 020 8349 5600 must come down. Not exciting sounding or visit www.lbc.ac.uk. I invite you all to perhaps, but vital to creating a space in be a part of our future, joining with us on which students can study and learn to the journey ahead. the best of their abilities. Next, we need to update our IT facilities in keeping with other academic institutions. We need Rabbi Dr Deborah Kahn-Harris is a computing suite in every classroom principal of Leo Baeck College

A DOZEN intrepid explorers came to the Montagu Centre last month to put themselves in the position of Jeremiah and the residents of ancient Jerusalem, just as the Babylonians were at the walls and the besieged city was about to fall.

Their mission: to collect and save as much precious information about their Jewish identity and history as possible. If they failed then Judaism, like so many of the local religious practices of the time, would disappear. The Jews would be assimilated into the dominant Babylonian culture and nothing would remain of our history or beliefs. This was the serious theme of our Daytimers’ session.

Under the direction of Rabbi Pete Tobias, we were taken on an emotional journey as we played roles in a board game that Rabbi Pete had invented.

We shared our bread or starved in the beleaguered city. We tried desperately, via the roll of a dice, to find our way to the Temple, the royal court or the prison holding Jeremiah. As we travelled, we collected vital pieces of information that would become part of the Torah that we know today. Our final goal was to escape through the Siloam tunnel and take all that precious knowledge with us. When the walls of Jerusalem finally fell, and the game was over, we collected our information ready for the next step.

After lunch, refreshed in body as well as spirit, we undertook the process of making sense of the huge range of fragments we had collected. Rabbi Pete led the process of organising and arranging them on a large panel. We all shared our views of where particular information should be located and could see how at least two versions of events in the Torah were interwoven. We wondered to what extent we were stepping in the footsteps of the exiled leaders of Judah in Babylon, who may well have been faced with similar dilemmas.

In half a day, we had gained a small insight into the vision of Jeremiah and his enduring legacy. We were all very grateful to Rabbi Pete for the hard work involved in running this very successful event.

• The next Daytimers’ event is a visit to 18 Stafford Terrace on Tuesday November 29 at 11am. For a cost of £6, those attending will get a tour of a truly unique museum, which offers a chance to see a fully preserved Victorian family dwelling. To book email a.wakely@liberaljudaism.org

Charity

November/December 2011

LJ Today Page 9

Connecting communities Ann Etkind on how to twin your Jewish congregation with one in Eastern Europe THERE ARE more than 20 Liberal and Reform congregations in the UK who have a twinning partnership with one of the communities in the Former Soviet Union (FSU). Are you part of this network?

The organisation I am part of, Exodus 2000, has been working with Progressive communities in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine for over 20 years now, and we are still amazed by the enthusiasm and dedication we continue to see there. After the fall of Communism, when the ban on religious organisations was lifted, Jews in these countries began slowly to uncover their roots and connections to Judaism.

Today there are thriving Progressive Jewish communities in many towns – and our members in the UK are helping to support them in a variety of ways.

Over the years we have built up contacts with the six Progressive rabbis there – and yes, there are only six of them covering all of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine – as well as with the committed lay leaders and chairmen of many of the new congregations. In these communities, the parents are learning about Judaism together with their children, rediscovering a religion that had become almost lost and forgotten, but which is now studied and practiced with renewed enthusiasm.

Connecting communities in the UK with those in these Eastern Europe is a main element of our work. This is why we have decided to change our name from Exodus 2000 – reflecting our original aim of striving to allow Jews to leave the former Soviet Union – to Community Connections, which describes more accurately what we actually do now.

The current emphasis is on partnerships, connecting communities

The progressive Jewish community in Minsk, Belarus, at the dedication of their new centre

together so both can benefit. As longer established communities, we are able to show them how our services and congregations are organised. They can inspire us, showing how much they value and work for their communities when we sometimes take ours for granted. Many UK congregations also choose to send funding or materials for specific projects – this makes a real difference, and even small donations can mean much in FSU countries.

Our members have made many successful small group visits to their twinned communities – meeting the congregations there, celebrating Shabbat together and realising how much we all have in common. As twinnings develop, personal friendships are made, the language barrier is crossed and visitors return home with a wish to continue and strengthen the link.

We work closely with our colleagues at the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) and are hoping to widen our links further. For example we are looking forward to working with ORT (see below), as both our organisations’ aims include striving to improve educational opportunities in these same communities.

Our Annual Networking Meeting will be taking place on the afternoon of Sunday November 13 in London – please contact us if you would like to come along and hear more about our work. Finally, if your congregation would like to set up a twinning then we would love to help you form a link – so please do email us at exodus2000@eupj.org

Ann Etkind is the Exodus 2000 national co-ordinator. For more on the charity go to www.eupj.org/exodus-2000.html

Rebuilding through education

By Dr Noga Zivan ORT, the world’s largest Jewish vocational and skills education charity, came back to the Former Soviet Union (FSU) shortly after the fall of Communism in 1991. Since then, it has worked to rebuild and strengthen Jewish communities across the region by providing education and training to their members, as well as classes in Jewish traditions and history.

The charity, which is nondenominational and non-political, currently runs more than 50 educational projects across the FSU, including 18 schools and 16 centres for unemployed and underemployed women. Every year, almost 27,000 students in the region benefit from ORT’s combination of excellent secular and Jewish education.

British ORT is working with Exodus 2000 to raise awareness of the challenges facing Jewish communities in many

areas in the Former Soviet Union through twinning, community engagement and education.

If you would like an ORT teacher to come and speak at your community, or if you wish to visit an ORT school during a mission to the FSU, please get in touch with sarah.abda@britishort.org and we will be happy to facilitate.

Dr Noga Zivan is the director of fundraising for British ORT

Page 10 LJ Today

November/December 2011

Spotlight on Dublin Can you tell us a little about yourselves?

The Dublin Jewish Progressive Congregation, also known as Knesset Orach Chayim, is the only non-Orthodox synagogue in Ireland. We are constantly attracting new members and welcoming overseas visitors, some of whom are very surprised to discover that there really are Irish Jews!

How was the congregation formed?

Liberal Judaism has been in Ireland for 65 years. It all started when Larry Elyan, a Jewish Cork-born civil servant living in Dublin, became unhappy with aspects of Orthodox Judaism. After extensive enquiries and correspondence with Lily Montagu, president of ULPS, a public meeting was held on January 15 1946 at which Rabbi Dr Israel Mattuck spoke about Liberal Judaism. A congregation was established under the presidency of Dr Bethel Solomons, with Larry Elyan as chairman and a council of founding members. Then Rabbi Dr Rudi Brasch came to launch us on our religious path.

Where were early services held?

Erev Shabbat was always held in the home of a member, and the first High Holy Days services took place in the Friends’ Meeting House with a cantor from London; a mixed choir from the membership; Kol Nidre played on the cello by a congregant; and organ accompaniment from a renowned Irish composer. The following year saw the induction of our first permanent minister, Rabbi Jakob Kokotek.

What happened next?

The enthusiasm of the congregation ensured religion classes were set up, Sifrei Torah generously donated and a permanent choir formed. The vibrant youth club, Kadimah, was a huge success – attracting members from other synagogues and providing varied activities for the teenagers.

What about today’s youth?

Our vibrant cheder participates in Mitzvah Day and last year sent Chanukkah parcels to needy children in Haifa.

Where do you hold services?

Our first synagogue was a Victorian house in its own grounds. A new synagogue building was consecrated in July 1953 and remained unaltered until the fine new extension was completed in 1992.

Rabbi Danny Rich, Rabbi Dr Michael Shire, Rabbi Dr Charles Middleburgh, Rabbi Marcia Plumb and Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein at the Congregation’s 60th anniversary celebrations

Synagogue members enjoy Israeli dancing, and Ireland’s President Mary McAleese pays a visit

Do you have a rabbi?

While we have not had a permanent resident rabbi for a long time - Rabbi Dr Charles Middleburgh has flown in from London twice a month for the past nine years - we have always been fortunate to have members willing and able to conduct services. Among those who earned their ‘service stripes’ over the past 65 years are current president Hilary Abrahamson, Joan and John Finkel, and more recently Malcolm Lewis, Jenni Harrison and Janice Epstein. The lay leaders provide a variety of voices and choice of services, and we owe them our thanks. Hopefully they will continue to lead services while we search for a new minister, following Rabbi Middleburgh’s recent retirement from the synagogue.

Have you had any special visitors?

Down the years we have been privileged to welcome many learned and widely respected rabbis. There are too many to recall individually, but outstanding in memory are Rabbis Leo Baeck, John Rayner, Gunther Plaut, Israel Mattuck and a most popular young student rabbi, David Goldberg, who ensured attendances at cheder by collecting and driving many of the pupils himself. High

Holy Days services have invariably been conducted by visiting rabbis, including 17 successive years by Rabbi Alan Mann.

This year we welcomed back Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein. In addition we have been honoured by two official visits from Mary McAleese, President of Ireland, and have had the pleasure of welcoming all five of Israel’s resident Ambassadors.

How about renowned members?

The entire Irish Jewish Community is very small but, out of all proportion to our size, over the years our congregation has proudly numbered a master of The Rotunda Hospital, a president of the Irish Stock Exchange and, currently, Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Today our congregation has three serving members on the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland, an important development in maintaining rapport between the Orthodox and Liberal communities, and many of our congregants are active on numerous Zionist and charitable committees.

How do I find out more?

Our website www.djpcireland.com is currently under construction, so please email us on djpc@liberaljudaism.org

Youth

November/December 2011

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

Ten things we learned in 5771

A tour of two halves

By Anna Posner

Hands up if you love LJY-Netzer! One of many creative explanations of the Torah on camp

AT THE start of a new year, it’s always important to reflect on the 12 months that have just gone by. So we asked the LJY-Netzer team to reveal the 10 key things they discovered in 5771: 1. Giving young people the opportunity to influence and change things will leave you inspired and impressed by their response. Youth empowerment is the ONLY way forward.

2. Putting a bunch of eight to 15-yearolds together on a summer camp for two weeks can lead to some of the best moments of your life and create enduring friendships.

3. We should spend more time looking at our original Jewish texts and sources.

Sometimes we focus too much on ‘Liberal’, and not enough on ‘Judaism’.

4. Roller skating is really fun.

5. Debbie Friedman’s words, tunes and melodies will leave a lasting legacy in our youth movement and beyond. The impact that she has had on Progressive Judaism, on a global scale, cannot be underestimated.

6. Having a website is integral to any modern organisation – check ours out at www.ljy-netzer.org 7. Young people are capable of understanding nuances and shades of grey. Showing that the conflicts in Israel are not as simple as “good versus bad” is not something that should be shied away from when educating. In fact, it is the best way to build a proper understanding and positive relationship with Israel.

8. LJY-Netzer wants to get more young Liberal Jews involved with our activities on a more regular basis. That means more people on national events and more people involved in community youth activities. So, if you’re in school year three and upwards… GO GO GO! Our contact details are at the bottom of this page so please get in touch.

9. Having a Rabbinic Team in the Montagu Centre, Liberal Judaism’s London head office, is great. Learning on tap – who could ask for more?

10. LJY-Netzer is a unique and incredible youth movement – Liberal Judaism is lucky to have it.

THIS SUMMER, seven of LJY-Netzer’s Bogrim (graduates) embarked on an inspirational tour of Israel. Guided by Dana Friedman – Liberal Judaism’s departing shlicha – we journeyed by car and foot all around the north of the country. In doing so, we discovered the differences between the lives of the citizens in northern Israel to those living in the more populated areas in the centre, such as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

The first part of the tour involved visiting a multitude of different places, from Arab villages to Druze communities, to hear and experience a diverse range of opinions. It was an exciting time to be in Israel as its citizens - following the lead of their neighbours - realised their power to fight injustice and join together in protest against the ever-increasing cost of living.

Part two of our epic northern tiyul (trip) was a two-day hike from the Mediterranean to the Kinneret. The first day we snaked through valleys, trekking across the feet of towering mountains until we arrived at our campsite. We were woken in the morning by the sweet natural sounds of car alarms then rolled up our packs, filled up our water bottles and headed into the woods for the final stretch of our cross-country(ish) trek Finally we reached the Kinneret and enjoyed a refreshing, and long awaited, late night swim. We dined on what was described by one of our number as the most authentic and tastiest shakshuka he’d ever tried, lay down our sleeping bags and called it a night.

Over the seven days we had learnt and laughed, worked and walked and came away with a greater understanding of the complexities of life in the north of Israel.

Contact the LJY-Netzer team: Adam (a.francies@liberaljudaism.org), Sam G (s.grant@liberaljudaism.org), Sam C (s.cohen@liberaljudaism.org) and Anna (a.posner@liberaljudaism.org) or telephone 020 7631 0584

Page 12 LJ Today

November/December 2011

Rabbi Pete’s quick quiz

Liberal Judaism congregations

Chairman Lucian J Hudson Vice Chairs Simon Benscher and Jackie Richards Treasurer David Pelham Social Action and Disability Leon Charikar Israel and the Diaspora Daniel Needlestone Vice Presidents and Honorary Vice Presidents David Amstell, Monique Blake, Dr Howard Cohen, Henry Cohn, Nigel Cole, Geoffrey Davis, Stanley Fink, Jeromé Freedman, Louise Freedman, Rabbi Dr David Goldberg, Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein, 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 Chairs of Rabbinic Conference Rabbi Aaron Goldstein and Rabbi Shulamit Ambalu Chief Executive Rabbi Danny Rich University Chaplain Rabbi Ariel Friedlander Education Rabbi Sandra Kviat Outreach Rabbi Anna Gerrard Music Cantor Gershon Silins Operations Director Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer PR Sophie Stern Interfaith Rabbi Mark Solomon Shlicha Adva Sapir LJY-Netzer Sam Cohen, Sam Grant, Anna Posner and Adam Francies (Student Worker)

lj today is edited by Simon Rothstein The deadline for the next edition is November 25.

Please email your news to ljtoday@liberaljudaism.org Printed by Precision Printing. www.precisionprinting.co.uk

Associated congregations

Beit Ha’Chidush Postbus 14613, 1001 LC Amsterdam, Netherlands, 00 31 23 524 7204; bhc.informatie@gmail.com; www.beithachidush.nl Oxford Liberal Jewish Services: 01865 515584 or 01865 765197; www.ojc-online.org Wessex Liberal Jewish Group (Bournemouth) info@wessexliberaljudaism.org.uk; 01202 757084

How much do you know about Shabbat?

1. According to the Mishnah, how many different types of work are we supposed to avoid doing on Shabbat?

2. On what activity in the wilderness did the rabbis of the Mishnah base their decision?

3. Which of the Ten Commandments refers to Shabbat?

4. The Ten Commandments appear twice in the Torah (Exodus 20:2-13; Deuteronomy 5:6-17). What is unusual about the opening word of the Shabbat commandment in these two versions of the Ten Commandments?

5. Which well-known Shabbat song makes reference to this?

6. What is the traditional explanation for having two loaves (challot) on the eve of Shabbat?

Pete Tobias is rabbi at The Liberal Synagogue Elstree

Sidney’s bridge magic South is the declarer in 4 Spades. West leads the King of Hearts. There appear, at first sight, to be five inescapable losers – three in Clubs and two in Diamonds – making you go down by two. But, with the advantage of seeing all four hands, can you work out how South can make his contract?

Developing communities

North Herts Liberal Jewish Community (based in Stevenage) 01438 300 222; nhljc@ liberaljudaism.org; www.northhertsljc.org The Suffolk Liberal Jewish Community (based in Ipswich) 01473 250797; sjc@liberaljudaism.org

Make a date ...........

November 23 (Wednesday) Julia Neuberger book launch at South London Liberal Synagogue, 7pm for 7.30pm.

November 29 (Tuesday) Daytimers’ museum visit to 18 Stafford Terrace, London, W8 7BH. December 10 (Saturday) Sleepout at Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue to support World Jewish Relief.

December 22 (Thursday) Routes Chanukkah Party, central London.

2012 March 14 (Wednesday) - March 21 (Wednesday) LJ & BPS trip to Israel and Jordan.

April 20 (Friday) - April 22 (Sunday) Liberal Judaism’s 2012 Biennial Weekend at Tortworth Court Hotel in the Cotswolds.

For more information on any of these events please email montagu@liberaljudaism.org Liberal Judaism is the dynamic, cutting edge of modern Judaism. It reverences Jewish tradition, seeking to preserve the values of the Judaism of the past while giving them contemporary force.

Registered charity number 236590.

Sidney Barrat is bridge teacher at Woodford Liberal Synagogue

Quiz answers: 1. 39 2. The building of the sanctuary (Exodus 31:35-38) 3. The fourth 4. In Exodus it is zachor (remember), whereas in Deuteronomy it is shamor (observe) 5. L’cha Dodi 6. To remind us of the two portions of manna that were collected on the sixth day (Exodus 16:5)

The Montagu Centre 21 Maple Street London, W1T 4BE Tel: 020 7580 1663 Fax: 020 7631 9838

The Liberal Synagogue Elstree Elstree High Street, Elstree, Herts WD6 3BY; 020 8953 8889; tlse@liberaljudaism.org; www.tlse.org.uk Lincolnshire Jewish Community 01427 628958; ljc@liberaljudaism.org Manchester Liberal Jewish Community 08432 084441; mljc@liberaljudaism.org; www.mljc.org.uk North London Progressive Jewish Community 020 7403 3779; nlpjc@liberaljudaism.org; www.nlpjc.org.uk Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue Oaklands Gate, Northwood, Middx HA6 3AA; 01923 822592, npls@liberaljudaism.org; www.npls.org.uk Nottingham Progressive Jewish Congregation Lloyd Street, Sherwood NG5 4BP; 0115 9624761; npjc@liberaljudaism.org; www.npjc.org.uk Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community Enquiries: 020 7631 9822 The Progressive Jewish Community of East Anglia (based in Norwich); www.pjcea.org.uk Reading Liberal Jewish Community 0118 942 8022; rljc@liberaljudaism.org; www.rljc.org Shenfield, Brentwood & Districts Synagogue 01277 888610; info@roshtikvah.com; www.roshtikvah.com South Bucks Jewish Community PO Box 826, Amersham, HP6 9GA; 0845 644 2370; sbjc@liberaljudaism.org; www.sbjc.org.uk South London Liberal Synagogue PO Box 14475, London SW16 1ZW; 020 8769 4787; slls@liberaljudaism.org; www.southlondon.org Southgate Progressive Synagogue 75 Chase Road, London N14 4QY; 020 8886 0977; sps@liberaljudaism.org; www.sps.uk.com West Central Liberal Synagogue 21 Maple Street, London W1T 4BE; 020 7636 7627; wcls@liberaljudaism.org; www.wcls.org.uk Woodford Liberal Synagogue Marlborough Road, George Lane, London E18 1AR; 020 8989 7619; wps@liberaljudaism.org; www.woodfordliberal.org.uk

Bridge answer: Ruff in dummy with the two of Spades and, here is the key play, discard the Ace of Diamonds from hand. Draw trumps by finessing through the King and then play the Ace of Clubs. West now only holds Hearts. Play the three of Hearts and discard the two of Diamonds from dummy. West has to play a Heart – so discard a Diamond from dummy and a Club from hand. Again West has to play a Heart – and again discard as above. West again has to play a Heart – now ruff in dummy and discard a Club from hand.

It now gets a little complicated, depending on whether East discards a Club or a Diamond on the last trick. If East discards a Diamond then cash the Ace of Diamonds, ruff a club, ruff a Diamond and cash the last winning Diamond.

If East discards a Club then Ruff a Club, cash the Ace of Diamonds, ruff a Club, ruff a Diamond and then cash the last winning Club.

Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue (Rodef Shalom) 01234 218387; bedsps@liberaljudaism. org; www.bedfordshire-ps.org.uk Beit Klal Yisrael c/o The Montagu Centre, 21 Maple Street, London W1T 4BE; 07505 477459, bky@liberaljudaism.org; www.bky.org.uk Bet Tikvah Synagogue 129 Perrymans Farm Road, Ilford, Essex IG2 7LX; 020 8554 9682; bttkv@liberaljudaism.org; www.bettikvah.org.uk Birmingham Progressive Synagogue 1 Roseland Way, Birmingham B15 1HD; 0121 634 3888; bps@liberaljudaism.org; www.bpsjudaism.com Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove BN3 1FF; 01273 737223; bhps@liberaljudaism.org; www.brightonandhoveprosynagogue.org.uk Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation 43-45 Bannerman Road, Easton, Bristol BS5 0RR bwpjc@liberaljudaism.org; www.bwpjc.org Crouch End Liberal Jewish Chavurah info@crouchendchavurah.co.uk; www.crouchendchavurah.co.uk Crawley Jewish Community 01293 534294 Dublin Jewish Progressive Congregation PO Box 3059, Dublin 6, 00 3531 2856241; djpc@liberaljudaism.org Ealing Liberal Synagogue Lynton Avenue, Drayton Green, W13 0EB; 020 8997 0528; els@liberaljudaism. org; www.ealingliberalsynagogue.org.uk Eastbourne Progressive Jewish Congregation 01323 725650; fax: 01323 417645 epjc@liberaljudaism.org; www.epjcong.org.uk Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community 0131 777 8024; info@eljc.org; www.eljc.org Finchley Progressive Synagogue Hutton Grove, N12 8DR; 020 8446 4063; fps@liberaljudaism.org; www.fps.org Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish Community Enquiries: 01242 609311 or 01242 231877; shalom@gljc.org.uk; www. gljc.org.uk Harrow and Wembley Progressive Synagogue 39 Bessborough Road, Harrow HA1 3BS; 020 8864 5323; hwps@liberaljudaism.org; www.hwps.org Herefordshire Jewish Community 01594 530721; hjc@liberaljudaism.org; www.herefordshirejc.org Kent Liberal Jewish Community 07952 242432; kljc@liberaljudaism.org; http://tinyurl.com/kentljc Kingston Liberal Synagogue Rushett Road, Long Ditton, Surbiton, Surrey; KT7 0UX; 020 8398 7400; kls@liberaljudaism.org; www.klsonline.org Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation The Synagogue, 24 Avenue Road, LE2 3EA; lpjc@liberaljudaism.org The Liberal Jewish Synagogue 28 St John’s Wood Road, London NW8 7HA; 020 7286 5181; ljs@liberaljudaism.org; www.ljs.org