September/October 2012 VOL. XXXIX No. 5
Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
www.liberaljudaism.org
ljtoday
A new team for the New Year By Rabbi Anna Gerrard
It is for this reason that we have created an Outreach Team for 5773 that I will lead as Liberal Judaism’s new N THE front page of our website, outreach director, and will act as central we introduce ourselves to the resource for the whole movement. world by saying “Liberal Judaism This new group draws on the existing is the dynamic, cutting edge of modern Rabbinic Team of Rabbi Ariel Friedlander, Judaism.” It is a bold statement, but what Rabbi Sandra Kviat and Cantor Gershon does it mean in practice? Looking back Silins, and brings in our Israeli shlicha over 5772, we can be proud of many ways Adva Sapir, Sam Grant as community we have lived up to this claim – both as youth coordinator and a national movement Student Rabbi Benji and as 37 independent, Stanley, who joins as unique and vibrant our student and young Liberal Jewish adult coordinator. communities. Crucially, this new In fact, there are structure will allow so many ways in us to open the lines which we are being of communication the cutting edge of and address the modern Judaism that ways in which the it is difficult to define movement can that edge at any one support communities, moment or in any one communities can place; and that is what support the movement makes it dynamic! But and communities can there is another secret support each other. to our dynamism and To this end, I would that is the special like to visit all 37 and interconnected Liberal communities relationship between in the coming months the movement and the The Outreach Team includes (left to right) Sam Grant, Rabbi Anna Gerrard, Rabbi to have open and frank communities. Sandra Kviat, Rabbi Danny Rich, Cantor Gershon Silins and Rabbi Ariel Friedlander discussions about One of my favourite how we can better Midrashim is not fulfil our potential particularly politically Putting aside royal orchards, fruit together, standing before our maker correct, but presents a great model for theft and disabled guards, what can this as one unit, knowing that we are taking working together that transcends its Midrash teach us about our movement? joint responsibility for being the dynamic, awkward analogy. A king has an orchard cutting edge of modern Judaism. of fine fruit trees and employs two guards Every one of our communities, each of our Rabbis and every Montagu Centre Looking forward to this opportunity, I to protect it, one blind and one lame, employee has so many talents, insights wish us all a collaborative, innovative and thinking that neither will be capable of and nuanced ways to be that cutting edge fruitful New Year. stealing his produce. The guards work of modern Judaism. Perhaps the only out that they can have their fill of fruit thing we need to do better is to join the Rabbi Anna Gerrard is Liberal Judaism’s if the lame one sits on the blind one’s dots; combine body and soul, so to speak. outreach director shoulders but when the king accuses
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them of theft, each claims innocence based on their disability. The king is wise to their game and declares that he will punish them as one unit. We are told the story represents the way that God will judge us, our body and our soul, as one unit. It serves as a reminder that we are responsible for all of our actions, be they physical, emotional or spiritual.
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News
September/October 2012
LBC goes from strength to strength Two new Liberal rabbis but it’s In late June, a faculty delegation from By Rabbi Dr Charles H the College went to the University of Middleburgh farewell to Hillel Winchester for a series of demanding THE LAST 12 months have seen many exciting changes at Leo Baeck College (LBC), Europe’s leading centre for the training of Progressive Jewish rabbis and teachers. The first year under the principalship of Rabbi Dr Deborah Kahn-Harris ended on July 1 with the annual ordination service. Held at the West London Synagogue, a large congregation saw Rabbis Andrea Zanardo, Peter Radvanski and Lea Mühlstein ordained. During the course of the academic year 2011-2012, Rabbi Kahn-Harris and I visited Israel to meet academic representatives in Jerusalem, Haifa and Tel Aviv as part of our re-evaluation and restructuring of the Israel component of the rabbinic training programme. The major project, however, on which all parts of the College have been deeply engaged, was the validation by the University of Winchester of six new awards: a BA and MA in Jewish Education; graduate diplomas in Hebrew and Jewish Studies 1 & 2; a postgraduate diploma in Hebrew and Jewish Studies; and an MA in Applied Rabbinic Theology. Following requests from several generations of rabbinic students, we have striven to enhance the synergy between the academic and vocational elements in LBC’s courses, so as to inform text studies with practical applications and challenging pastoral scenarios with classic texts.
academic meetings. At the end of the two-day process, the validation panel unanimously agreed to recommend Leo Baeck College for validation and issued four commendations. We shall now join the university’s Institute of Theological Partnership, which contains a few Christian Theological Colleges. This is a highly significant step forward which will deepen and broaden the opportunities for LBC faculty to engage with scholars in similar fields and to gain knowledge, to which they may not previously have had access. Most important of all is that we shall now, once again, be able to award degrees and to open the education courses and the first three awards of the rabbinic programme to any interested lay person who wishes to engage in study at an undergraduate (level 6), or postgraduate (level 7), level and develop their skills and knowledge in Hebrew and Jewish Studies. As a new academic year is set to begin, the College looks forward to welcoming six new rabbinic students, five from the UK – two of whom, Naomi Goldman and Hannah Kingston, are members of Liberal communities – and one from Spain, Haim Casas, the first Spanishborn Jew to train for the rabbinate since 1492, so as to work in Spain.
Rabbi Dr Charles H Middleburgh is director of Jewish Studies and a senior lecturer at Leo Baeck College
Pelhams at the Palace DAVID AND ANN PELHAM, pictured left, represented Liberal Judaism at The Queen’s Royal Garden Party. The couple were among 6,000 invited guests at Buckingham Palace and mingled with members of the armed forces, the clergy, foreign embassies, voluntary bodies and, of course, the Royal Family. David said: “As soon as the invitation arrived there was the vexed question ‘to hat or not to hat’. I said I wouldn’t be wearing a kippah and then realised it was a lady’s question. You will have to judge for yourself how good the hat looked. Now we need a simcha for Ann’s outfit to have another outing.”
By Rabbi Danny Rich BY THE TIME of the High Holy Days, two new Liberal rabbis will have taken up their pulpits and one will have left our shores. Hillel Athias Robles, who has served Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue for more than four years, will cross the Atlantic to begin PhD studies at Columbia University. Hillel grew up in Costa Rica before being ordained (twice!) as an Orthodox rabbi in both Jerusalem and London. He worked in Amsterdam, and then with the Spanish and Portuguese Congregation of England, before his personal realisation that he was a Liberal Jew. Hillel has made an important contribution to Liberal Judaism’s Rabbinic Conference, where his scholarship and gentleness have been much appreciated. He has also worked as the European Union for Progressive Judaism’s rabbi to Spain. Yuval Keren has been appointed to Southgate Progressive Synagogue – Liberal Judaism’s third largest constituent with some 800 members. A Sabra and former soldier in the Israeli Defence Forces, Yuval was a kibbutznik with expertise in dairy management before arriving in England in 1993. Studying at both the University of the West of England and Leo Baeck College, he was ordained in 2009 and began his rabbinic career at Hendon Reform Synagogue. On taking up his post at Southgate, Yuval observed: “My main aim as a rabbi is the provision of spiritual leadership for my community through the promotion of Jewish wisdom and learning, support for community members and applying the principles and values of Progressive Judaism.” Last, but by no means least, is the appointment of Monique Mayer to the Bristol & West Progressive Jewish Congregation. Raised in California, Monique taught science at a Jewish day school in Austin, Texas. On the day Monique met Rabbi Dr Michael Shire to discuss entry to the Leo Baeck College, she also met her future husband, Nigel, son of Joan and John Finkel. Monique lives in Wales and, following ordination in 2009, she created a music curriculum for LBC and wrote the course materials for Liberal Judaism’s successful Ba’alei Tefillah programme. Monique declared: “I am deeply honoured to be working with such a vibrant and diverse community.”
News
September/October 2012
Liberal Judaism ready for action after 2012 AGM LIBERAL JUDAISM’S Council unanimously voted to set up four key action groups at this year’s AGM, following a recommendation from its Board of National Officers. Chairman Lucian J Hudson hailed the move as one that will enable change. Lucian, who has served three years in his role, was re-elected unopposed and unanimously at the AGM, which was held on Tuesday July 3 and presided over by former chairman Jeromé Freedman. Liberal Judaism’s two vice chairs, Simon Benscher and Jackie Richards, are also continuing in their roles, with Simon re-elected this year and Jackie in 2011. The AGM also saw the election and appointment of a group of new officers. Rosie Comb, David Hockman, Gillian Merron, Ruth Seager and Tamara Schmidt were all elected at the meeting. Ed Herman was appointed to lead the new PR and Communications Action Group, with Howard Cohen appointed to head up a Strategy and Governance Action Group and Amelia Viney appointed to create a Social Justice Action Group. David Pelham was appointed to set up and run a Finance Action Group. The AGM also paid tribute to Leon Chariker, who has stepped down as Liberal Judaism’s officer for social action and disability. Speaking after the event, Lucian said: “Liberal Judaism is about inspiring change and taking action. So I am thrilled that our Council has agreed unanimously to the creation of four action groups, and re-elected for another three years its chairman and vice chair.”
News and notes • SAVE THE DATE: The Liberal Judaism Day of Celebration 2013 will take place on Sunday June 9. We’ll have full details of the event in the next issue of lj today. • CONGRATULATIONS to Hannah Solts on her 100th birthday. Hannah is the oldest member of Bet Tikvah Synagogue in Barkingside. She and her husband were originally very active members of North London Progressive Synagogue. • KINGSTON LIBERAL SYNAGOGUE are organising a week-long visit to Prague and Budapest in April 2013. All Liberal Jews are invited to join the trip. Contact jen@osorio40.plus.com for details.
LJ Today Page 3
A meeting of minds
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama says ‘shalom’ to Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein PROMINENT Liberal Jews were among those meeting the Dalai Lama at Westminster Abbey in June, as the Tibetan spiritual leader visited the UK. Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein, Rabbi Shulamit Ambalu, Gillian Merron, Rabbi Mark Solomon and Joan and Howard Shopper all attended the ‘Moment of
Prayer and Reflection in the Presence of the Dalai Lama’. Andrew said: “The Dalai Lama gave a charming address to the leaders and representatives of many faiths. He said that if religious leaders and religions cannot live peaceably together, how can we hope to bring peace to the world.”
Join us for the High Holy Days LIBERAL JUDAISM invites everyone to attend High Holy Days services this year, even if you’re far away from home. Any member of a Liberal, Reform or other Progressive community, either in the UK or abroad, is welcome to take part in Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services at their nearest Liberal congregation. The offer is open, and reciprocal, throughout the World Union for Progressive Judaism and sees visitors admitted free of charge on production of a ticket, or equivalent, for High Holy Days services at their home community. Those wishing to take up this offer MUST contact their chosen congregation in advance for security reasons. Contact details can be found on the back page of this issue of lj today. Liberal Judaism has also widened this arrangement so that any Jewish student in the UK and Ireland can attend a High Holy Days service free of charge, even if they are not a member of a Progressive synagogue. Presentation of a NUS card, or other form of student photo ID, will be required on the day and, again, the chosen community must be contacted in advance for security purposes.
To prepare yourself for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, pick up a copy of High & Holy Days, edited by Rabbis Dr Andrew Goldstein and Dr Charles H Middleburgh. Priced at £12, this anthology of poems, prayers and readings can be purchased via amazon.co.uk or directly from Liberal Judaism by calling 020 7580 1663.
Annual Memorial Services 2012 Sunday September 9 10:00 Pound Lane, Willesden officiated by Rabbi Alexandra Wright 11:00 Edgwarebury Cemetery officiated by Rabbi Aaron Goldstein 13:00 Western Cemetery, Cheshunt officiated by Cantor Gershon Silins 15:00 Golders Green Crematorium officiated by Rabbi Stephen Katz
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Olympics
September/October 2012
Games showed Britain at its best Our Olympians Rabbi Richard Jacobi on London in 2011 and 2012 One commentator on the fires in I BEGAN to write this article on the Croydon said that London had not burned first anniversary of the death of Mark like that since the Blitz, only this was Duggan, a 29-year-old father of four, in definitely not anyone’s ‘finest hour’. Tottenham, which sparked off rioting, This year we are seeing, and many of us damage and burglary across the country. are contributing to, Britain at its best. It was also the ‘six-pack’ night, when The Games are being very well run, not six Olympic gold medals were won by perfectly, because everyone is human Team GB and the Games of the Thirtieth and this is a truly massive undertaking. Olympiad really caught fire. The phrase caught fire in that sentence is so positive, The British spectators are supportive not only of home favourites and superstars, while the real fires of August 2011 were so awful. The images of flaming buildings but also of everyone who has worked so hard and for so long to qualify and to will forever be etched on my memory. What accounts for the extreme contrast compete in the Olympics. Our sense of what is sporting and what is not has been between 2011 and 2012? My proximity to endorsed… remember the badminton the riots in Enfield, combined with my disqualifications! time spent as a chaplain in the Athletes’ There is a genuine human frailty and Village during the Games, has led me to fallibility, alongside a human peak of ponder and explore this with colleagues endeavour and and friends. achievement, that Hosting an is reminding us of Olympic Games what we ought to is an expensive really value. Too riot prevention much of what we strategy, and experience – from we cannot do politicians and this very often in ‘celebrities’ alike history. However, – is superficial, the cost of the instant or sham. riots themselves The back story is not to be Jessica Ennis, one of Team GB’s gold medallists of all athletes is underestimated. one of extremely A total of hard work and dedication, which matches more than 1,800 years in prison will be and maximises skill and talent. To gain a served by those already found guilty of place on an Olympic or Paralympic team, offences, and there are further court an athlete has to be exceedingly good. cases pending. Home Offices figures put Every single one of them deserves our the average cost per prisoner in 2010respect and applause. 11 at £37,163. That means the prison During September, when Tishri starts costs alone are nearing £70million! We and we enter the Ten Days of Repentance, can add further sums, such as probation there are no medals for teshuvah. and insurance costs, and that’s before we move to the non-financial aspects – Each and every one of us can achieve the impact on society, the effect on the atonement if we combine a willingness to police, worsening community relations work at it with a desire to achieve a new and so on. personal best. Now contrast this with East London, We saw the evil inclination (yetzer hara) and the whole country, in August 2012. in the ascendancy in August 2011, and the Games Makers – who are all volunteers good inclination (yetzer tov) come to the from the UK and abroad – speak of the fore during this summer. As we prepare friendliness yielded by the uniform. to enter 5773, we – each and every person Travellers on the London Underground reading this article and everyone we are actually talking to each other, encounter – can help. interested in the roles people are playing By taking small steps and with one and the experiences others are having, good deed leading to another (mitzvah smiling and laughing together. One told goreret mitzvah), we can ensure that me yesterday that he was on a Central August 2013 will also be a triumph of the Line service when the driver announced yetzer tov. that the first British gold medal had been won by Heather Stanning and Helen Richard Jacobi is rabbi at Woodford Glover, and the carriage erupted in Liberal Synagogue and a chaplain in the spontaneous cheering. Athletes’ Village at London 2012
MANY LIBERAL JEWS took part in the London 2012 Olympic Games, as torchbearers, volunteers or supporters. Thousands of people came out to cheer on 100-yearold Diana Gould, a member of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, as she carried the Olympic flame. Diana, pictured above, made history as the oldest of the 8,000 torchbearers.
Woodford Liberal Synagogue was heavily involved in the Games with member Leah Simmons, above, leading out the team from Ecuador.
The Jacobi, Gabbay and Wall families from Birmingham Progressive Synagogue, above, went to see the Olympic flame and then celebrated with a bagel breakfast!
Others inspired by the Torch Relay included Lincolnshire Jewish Community’s Jodi Renaud, above, and Finchley Progressive’s Ruben, Dora and Rafael Qassim, below.
Chairman’s Actions
September/October 2012
LJ Today Page 5
The future of Liberal Judaism Lucian J Hudson on the paradox of Progressive Judaism in the UK and how it lets us flourish WHEN I was at school, we had an inspiring teacher whose handwriting was distinctive yet sometimes unreadable. When he wrote on the blackboard, the letter “d” would look like an “s”. He introduced our class to the concept of “paradox”, but to this day I can only remember how we reacted in mirth at the sight of “paraSox”. For me, paradox has always meant “pair of socks”. The question of why the UK has two Progressive Jewish movements – Liberal Judaism (LJ) and the Movement for Reform Judaism (MRJ) – never quite goes away. It is a paradox because both movements recognise that there is “not much” difference between them. But “not much” is “enough” to keep us on different, yet often parallel, tracks. Because LJ and MRJ hold Biennials in the same year, and within months of each other, each invites the other’s leadership to attend. For the past two Biennials, we have used this as an opportunity to explore the similarities and differences between us. Last year, on these pages, I floated the idea that the choice is not just between merger and carrying on as we are, but also exploring federation, where each community keeps its distinctive identity within a combined national framework. While it is possible to collaborate on specific areas, there is no groundswell for closer union. LJ and MRJ already pull together on training our future rabbis. The Leo Baeck College is living testament to the fact that what we have in common far exceeds what differentiates us. But the differences matter. The challenge is to ensure that the differences are for the right reason.
• STOP PRESS: 130 copies of Machzor Ruach Chadashah, the Liberal Judaism High Holy Days prayer book, have arrived in Mumbai for use by the Liberal congregation there. Thanks are due to all members of Liberal Judaism who contributed towards the cost of the books and to Joel Witte, who organised
I would like both movements to achieve a Copernican Revolution and not justify the present in relation to the past, but in relation to the future. We have to be clear where being part of one thing – Progressive Judaism – is important, and where being apart – two movements – is equally important. I do not see this as inconsistent, but the appropriate response to what it is to be a Progressive Jew. The challenge of the 21st Century is not a forced simplicity, but working with complexity. This means collaborating and yes, where appropriate, competing. The key test is if LJ and MRJ did not exist, would we create them both? My provocative answer, at this point, is an emphatic yes. If I took a strategic view of what it would take for Progressive Judaism to flourish, I would invent two separate movements and welcome the creative tension. I know what Liberal Judaism brings, or could bring, to the mix – and this is too valuable to lose. At our best, we reveal an independence of spirit and a radical take on society as we find it. This is not party political, but it is political. Power relations should matter to a Liberal Jew. Whatever ideological battles we win, we move to the next one.
Rabbi Danny Rich calls us “constructive irritants”. Rabbi Pete Tobias emphasises the importance that we attach to the Prophets. Rabbi Charley Baginsky says that Liberal Judaism was founded out of a combination of ideology and pragmatism. I take from my conversations with Charley that we face a pre-identity crisis, where we need to articulate our authentic and original voice more clearly. Our very size makes it easier for us to sharpen our impact and, when it comes to fresh ideas, to lead from the front. I think that this is much more difficult for MRJ to do. The future is hybrid, even more than we can now possibly imagine. I sincerely hope that when the next Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations is appointed, the mainstream British media will wake up to the diversity and plurality of Judaism’s evolution and recognise that to be a Jew is to exercise choice. The Ancient Greeks said that character is destiny. Let us be true to our character, and fulfil our destiny – and make something of our paradox.
• Lucian J Hudson is chairman of Liberal Judaism. You can contact Lucian by emailing l.hudson@liberaljudaism.org
Liberal Judaism chairman Lucian J Hudson with his Reform counterpart Jenny Pizer (centre), flanked by Liberal Judaism officer Gillian Merron (left) and EUPJ chair Miriam Kramer (right)
their transportation. Full details will follow in the next edition of lj today. Fundraising for Mumbai is still in progress, so if you want to help please send a cheque (made out to Liberal Judaism) to Rabbi Andrew Goldstein at 10 Hallowell Road, Northwood, HA6 1DW, or to the Montagu Centre.
• LIBERAL, Masorti and Reform Judaism have announced plans for their first ever joint appointment. All three organisations will contribute to the employment of a community organiser, whose job will involve working with the Jewish community nationally and with diverse institutions locally in Barnet.
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Communities
September/October 2012
Two Czech commemorations Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein on a moving memorial service and visit to Kolin
Czech Scrolls at Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue’s service on the anniversary of the deportation of Czech Jews. Picture by Phil Stone
ON SATURDAY JUNE 9, there was a large gathering at Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue (NPLS) for a service to mark the 70th anniversary of the deportation of Czech Jews to Terezin and other Nazi concentration camps, all but a handful sent to their deaths. The service included representatives from nine Liberal, six Reform and two Orthodox congregations, all having in common a Czech Memorial Torah Scroll on loan from the Westminster Synagogue. Twelve of the congregations brought their Czech Scrolls with them and this made a moving sight as they were paraded into the synagogue and displayed on the Bimah throughout the service. Four of the Czech Scrolls were read from in the Torah service by Jeromé Freedman (South London Liberal Synagogue), Rabbi Michael Hilton (Kol Chai Reform), Rabbi Richard Jacobi (Woodford Liberal Synagogue) and I. Rabbi Ariel Friedlander read the haftarah and Michael Heppner gave a fascinating address in which he debunked the theory that it was the Nazis who set up the Prague Jewish Museum and so collected the scrolls and a vast collection of other Judaica. Instead, he told how it was brave curators who somehow got permission, as the Jews were being deported in 1942, to collect and save their history. After lunch the visitors joined NPLS members in a seminar, sharing the projects they have undertaken to keep alive the memory of the Jewish communities from the towns whence came their Czech Memorial scrolls.
The day concluded with two musical items. Twenty adults told part of the story of the Kolin Jewish community, Northwood’s ‘Torah town’, through the songs from Stones of Kolin, written by Judy Herman. Perhaps the highlight of the day was a performance, by the NPLS cheder, of Brundibar, the children’s opera performed in Terezin. A new English version was composed by Judy Herman and Ruth Colin arranged the music. A few days later, 19 NPLS members set out for Kolin. They were joined by Paul Sinclair (from Kent Liberal Jewish Community) and representatives from four American Reform synagogues, each one with a Kolin Scroll. We met to dedicate a plaque in the school building where, in June 1942, the Jews of the Kolin region were incarcerated before being transported to Terezin. We expected to have to teach the present day pupils about the significance of us being there, but discovered that the school had been researching the events and undertaking projects on the Kolin Jewish community that was devastated in the Holocaust. After the dedication of the plaque, many pupils from the school – none of them Jewish as there are no longer Jews in Kolin – walked with our party and followed the route taken to an out of town railway station from which the Jews had been deported. The children lit candles and we said Kaddish before moving on to the Jewish cemetery where we again said prayers at the large memorial on which is inscribed the 480 names of the Jews of Kolin who perished in the Holocaust.
We held Shabbat services in the historic Kolin synagogue (dedicated in 1696), where the town museum has installed three exhibitions telling the history of the lost Jewish community. It was rewarding to see that it is now the local non-Jews who have taken on the responsibility of keeping alive the memory of the former Jewish community of their town. Some members of the group then travelled on to Bratislava, in Slovakia, for the opening of a new Jewish Museum housed in the gallery of the Orthodox synagogue. I was privileged to fix the mezuzah together with Rabbi Baruch Myers, the Bratislava Orthodox rabbi. This latest tour to Czech and Slovak Republics was a very satisfying one. It showed how the work done by NPLS, Liberal Judaism and many others over a number of decades was bearing fruit in the ever-increasing interest within the Czech and Slovak Republics, and all over the world, in preserving the memory and heritage of the Jews deported from their homes 70 years ago, most of them never to return.
Rabbis Baruch Myers and Andrew Goldstein
Communities
September/October 2012
LJ Today Page 7
Celebrating LGBT Pride at SLLS Peter Phillips on a special Friday night and the ongoing fight for LGBT equality THIS YEAR marks 43 years since the Stonewall riots in New York led to the birth of the modern LGBT rights movement. On June 27 1969, the NYPD raided the gay bar Stonewall. This raid wasn’t new; the New York gay community was used to being harassed and sometimes arrested at LGBT venues on a weekly basis. But this time, fed up of police brutality, the patrons at the Stonewall Inn resisted, igniting the process that led to the development of the World LGBT Pride movement. Now, 43 years later, the legal prohibition of homosexual activities has been removed in most countries and homosexuality has long since been removed from the book of mental disorders. Almost-equal rights for same-gender couples have been gained in many places in the world and laws have been passed that grant equality in the workplace and community. But there is still lots to do. Just being an LGBT person is a criminal act in more than 50 countries and, shockingly, is punishable by death in seven. Liberal Judaism has been at the forefront of efforts for LGBT equality in the UK and our rabbis and members are currently actively engaged in the efforts for marriage equality – meeting prominent politicians and campaigning alongside like-minded religions.
Members of SLLS celebrated LGBT Pride 2012 in a freedom flag-decorated sanctuary
On Friday July 6, members and friends of South London Liberal Synagogue (SLLS) came together to celebrate LGBT Pride. We were one of many Liberal communities celebrating and did so with a dedicated service, followed by a Chavurah supper. Rabbi Janet Darley led the service in a freedom flag-decorated sanctuary, with a specially prepared liturgy featuring additional prayers, readings and songs. Her sermon – entitled ‘Why does a straight Rabbi care about Pride?’ – was a powerful one, as she narrated the progress, and the setbacks, of the past decades and outlined why the struggle for LGBT equality is a Jewish struggle.
Janet said: “How could Pride not be important? After all we are talking about human rights. If we are not homeless, should we not care about the plight of the homeless? As Rabbi Elyse Goldstein points out: ‘We Jews have had to reclaim our self-worth time and time again. We too have been closeted, shut out, trying to pass, expected to assimilate and fit in, advised to tone it down, change our style, be like everyone else. Our very existence has been a thorn in many sides.’” Everyone then sat down for the Chavurah supper, which even included freedom flag cupcakes made by one of our shul members. A good start to a great LGBT Pride!
Klezmer and comedy as North London turns 10
MORE THAN 100 members and friends of the North London Progressive Jewish Community (NLPJC) celebrated its 10th anniversary with a special service and tea party, featuring comedy from David Schneider and music from the NLPJC’s own Klezmer band. The community also used the occasion to announce their new Hebrew name of ‘Kehillah North London’.
The event was attended by Jeremy Corbyn, MP for Islington North, Liberal Judaism vice president Rabbi Harry Jacobi and Rabbi Dr Deborah Kahn-Harris, principal of Leo Baeck College. Rabbi Richard Jacobi gave congratulations on behalf of Liberal Judaism’s chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich and its Rabbinic Conference.
David Schneider, pictured above, summed up the day, saying: “The thing I have always loved about the community, ever since I was involved in setting it up 10 years ago, is its inclusivity. Everyone is welcome and welcomed. There is a sense of the community being comfortable with itself and open to others, a willingness to change and grow together.”
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Comment
September/October 2012
‘An unholy alliance of confusion and hostility’ Natasha Roth on the dangers faced by African asylum seekers arriving in Israel THERE ARE certain sensations and sharp realisations which punch their way through the veneer of normality in former war zones. The quiet may be punctured by the crunch of broken glass underfoot as you walk past a hollow window, or your frame of vision jolted by the sudden understanding that those black dots marking every building and tree are bullet-holes. There is another quality, though, which lies outside the five senses and yet is no less discernible. It is the residue and detritus of sudden departure; the displaced air of desperate escape. The atmosphere is heavy with the former demolition of everyday reality, and its replacement with a new reality of destruction. And what of the escapees, and those who continue running, their homes still not safe to return to? I recently made aliyah and have been working with the African Refugee Development Center in Tel Aviv. In Israel, we witness the frequent arrival of asylum seekers who have fled death, despotism and persecution. Citizens of Eritrea, Sudan and other African conflict zones, having staggered through the Sinai, enter the country with their futures already dismantled, their lives already in disrepair. That they are arriving in a state which has ratified the UN Refugee Convention may provide some suggestion that their hopes will be spared from further decay. In reality, however, the hopelessness continues once they get to Israel, from immediate incarceration on crossing the border to subsequent entrapment in Israel’s bureaucracy for dealing with asylum seekers, marred as it is by an unholy alliance of confusion and hostility. For the reality is that those arriving in Israel from Africa have to claw their way through a dense undergrowth of inequality, apathy and racism. The government has ushered asylum seekers into a new conflict: a war of attrition which is geared solely at dissolving their desire to seek refuge here.
• You can read lots more comment articles by logging on to the Liberal Judaism website, including a piece by Nigel Bowness on whether we are ready to meet the challenges posed by the ‘age of austerity’.
A nursery for the children of asylum seekers in south Tel Aviv after a Molotov cocktail attack
Their life stories are re-packaged and distributed into politically expedient compartments, ones which scoop out any suggestion of suffering and replace it with selfish opportunism. Members of the Knesset spin new garments in which to clothe asylum seekers, proclaiming them everything from “labour migrants” to a “cancer in our body”, their hastilyassembled lexicon spanning everything from doublespeak to insults redolent of the most nauseating of labels applied to Jews. As in a relay team, the media takes the baton from the government and then passes it on to the public. The very real and direct consequence of this incitement is that those who have
escaped persecution in their country of origin are once again picking their way through shards of broken glass, this time because their shop, house, car or even nursery windows have been shattered by members of a population which has been whipped into a frenzy. And thus, Israel’s dereliction of duty continues. From outright hostility to silent acquiescence, we forget about being strangers in Egypt and we disinherit our ethical DNA. So slowly, but surely, our moral heritage is falling into dilapidation, just like the lives of those who have turned to us in their time of need.
Natasha Roth is a congregant at West Central Liberal Synagogue
The African Refugee Development Center was founded in 2004 by an Ethiopian refugee in Israel. The organisation provides asylum application assistance, humanitarian aid, education, psychosocial support and help with community projects, among other initiatives. Through maintaining close ties with other human rights NGOs in Israel, and frequent communication with the Israeli government, the ARDC plays a critical role in mediating between asylum seekers and the institutions they are beholden to. Find out more at www.ardc-israel.org
Nigel writes: “The more people that feel they have a stake in their community, the stronger it becomes. Building supportive communities is also about ‘capacity building’ for the future of authentic Progressive Judaism.”
Go to www.liberaljudaism.org and you’ll also find a ‘Thought for the Week’ column - an inspired commentary on the Torah portion by one of our Liberal rabbis - as well as news stories, pictures and even a virtual lj today.
September/October 2012
LJ Today Page 9
An American adventure By Pam Fox
Pam Fox and Rabbi Danny Rich research the Mattuck family history at a US cemetery
IN MAY of this year, Rabbi Danny Rich and I took a two-week trip to America to gather information for our biography on Rabbi Dr Israel Mattuck. The trip exceeded our wildest expectations in terms of the information we were able to obtain, as we visited many places that played an important part in the life story of Liberal Judaism’s first rabbi. Our itinerary included visits to Hebrew Union College (HUC), where Mattuck trained as a rabbi; Lincoln, Nebraska, where for two years he held a pulpit before being ordained; Cambridge, Massachusetts, where Mattuck attended Harvard; Worcester, Massachusetts, where he lived between seven and 18; and finally New York, where Mattuck held his first pulpit after ordination and where his family lived from 1913. During our trip, we met up with Arthur Mattuck, Israel Mattuck’s nephew and a mathematics professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Jill Mattuck Tarule, Israel Mattuck’s granddaughter who lives near Burlington, Vermont. In Cincinnati, with the help of the American Jewish Archives (AJA), we discovered a treasure trove of correspondence, including a collection of letters which Mattuck wrote to a close school friend over the 10 year period between his leaving Worcester and coming to England. These letters describe, in wonderful detail, Mattuck’s transition from orthodoxy to radical Reform Judaism. While we were there, we also had the opportunity to meet up with former Liberal Judaism staff members Rabbi Elana Sondel, who is now the Hillel chaplain to the University of Cincinnati, and Student Rabbi Jordan Helfman, who will be ordained next July.
Leaving Cincinnati, we then made a long and complicated journey to Nebraska to visit the community that Mattuck once served, and that still includes a number of his relatives. One Nebraska congregant had delved into the papers in his loft and uncovered the synagogue board minute book for the time that Mattuck was there. I quickly recorded some fascinating references, including information on how he met his wife, while Danny participated in the Shabbat morning service and led a shiur. After our flying visit to Lincoln, we travelled to Boston. We were thrilled to find that Rabbi Professor Marc Saperstein had managed to obtain readership passes for us to access the archives at Harvard, affording us rich information on Mattuck’s time there including the financial hardships he faced. Our visits to the Worcester Historical Museum and public library were less productive, although we did find one very interesting document on the activities of Mattuck’s father. During our stay in Boston, Arthur Mattuck gave us access to his archive of family photos. After this stage of our trip, Danny and I went our separate ways for a few days. I took a Megabus to Burlington to stay with Jill Mattuck Tarule, while Danny was able to meet up with a third former Liberal Judaism staff member, Joel Mosbacher. Joel is now a rabbi, serving a community in New York where Danny gave a sermon on ‘Lily Montagu and her contribution to the founding of Liberal Judaism’. I had expected to spend a hectic few days with Jill absorbing the contents of the family archive she keeps. I was therefore quite staggered when she invited me to take away any of the papers which were of interest to me! Not having to review the archive materials meant that I was able to spend a great deal of time with Jill hearing her personal reminiscences of her grandfather and stories on the wider Mattuck family. Reunited for the close of our journey, Danny and I spent the final day in New York visiting the Mattuck family home in Brooklyn and graves in a cemetery in Long Island. Our complicated bus trip to the cemetery was well worth it – the wording on the gravestone of Mattuck’s mother provided confirmation of a vague reference that I had previously found to Mattuck’s grandfather having been a famous rabbi in Lithuania. We therefore ended our trip on a real high and since our return I have been absorbing these rich American materials and discoveries into the biography.
Remembering Joan Rich By Rabbi Janet Darley JOAN RICH was born in October 1919, one of the four children of Julius and Alice Rich. She was preceded in death by her brother John and her sister Marie. Joan’s death on June 26 left a gap in the lives of her surviving sister Rachel, generations of nieces and nephews and in the community she served. Joan was committed to Liberal Judaism and to South London Liberal Synagogue (SLLS). As the daughter of a founding member she was involved in the early meetings and discussions, but she chose a high level of involvement as an adult. Beginning as an officer of the famous youth group Ner Tamid, in 1955 Joan joined the SLLS Council, becoming its honorary secretary in 1958, a post which she held well into the 1970s. From 19821986 she served as chair and in 1986 became a vice president, holding the post of senior vice president until her death. Committed to Judaism’s ethical teachings and to its role in the greater world, Joan was also a pioneer in interfaith work. There are few papers and records of the synagogue that do not mention her. Fortunately for us, Joan kept copies of everything. The legacy of the past was important to her and she was a stickler for correct detail. Not only was she the memory chip of SLLS, but she was a gifted teller of that history and of others. For many years, Joan was one half of Joan and Betty, a partnership sustaining both themselves and SLLS. With Joan’s insistence on detail and Betty’s desire to just get on with what needed doing, they were a complementary team. Joan had a fine mind and an indomitable spirit. She valued her independence and her ability to lead an active and involved life. All who knew her were glad that she was able to keep that independence as long as she did. May her memory always be a blessing.
The above is an extract from the hesped (eulogy) given by Rabbi Janet Darley • LIBERAL JUDAISM is also mourning the loss of Bernard Besbrode and George Barrie Rigal. Bernard was the chairman of Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation from 1996-99 and a powerful advocate for the Jewish community. George was a long-standing and dedicated member of the London Society of Jews and Christians and brother of the late Rabbi Lawrence Rigal.
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September/October 2012
Spotlight on LJY-Netzer AFTER spending the last few years highlighting all the wonderful communities which make up Liberal Judaism, this Spotlight page now turns its focus onto the organisations and groups which are part of our movement – starting with LJY-Netzer. Can you tell us about the history of Liberal Jewish youth movements? In its original form, our youth movement was a network of synagogue youth clubs brought together under the banner of the ULPS (Union of Liberal and Progressive Synagogues), the previous name for Liberal Judaism. They formed the FLPJYG (Federation of Liberal and Progressive Jewish Youth Groups) in 1947. Throughout the 1960s and 70s regular central weekends were held, culminating in the first major youth conference in 1972. Now, 40 years later, the summer programme for young Liberal Jews is more action-packed than ever. Kadimah summer camp, Israel Tour, Kayitz Europe Tour and SOS-I internships in Israel will provide education, entertainment and life-changing experiences for participants aged 7-23. When was LJY-Netzer formed? FLPJYG became ULPSNYC in the 70s. Then in 1993, Veidah, our annual decision-making conference, voted to join Netzer, an international Reform Zionist youth movement. Being part of Netzer links us together with Progressive Jews all over the globe. In 2002, ULPSNYCNetzer made a revolutionary change. Until this point the responsibility of
Liberal youth swim at Kadimah in the 1980s
Today’s LJY-Netzer teenagers visit Memento Park in Budapest on Kayitz Europe Tour running camps fell on adults from the ULPS, but in 2002 the members of ULPSNYC-Netzer decided to run the camps themselves so it could truly be a movement for the youth, by the youth. In 2004 we had to change our name as ULPS no longer existed and LJY-Netzer (Liberal Jewish Youth – Noar Zioni Reformi) was decided on at Veidah. How many members does LJY-Netzer have at present? We have an active and committed membership of more than 350 young people, with 220 of them taking part in this summer’s varied activities. How is LJY-Netzer run? This year, LJY-Netzer has three movement workers and a shlicha (Israel emissary). The three movement workers split their roles by the age groups we have - Sam Cohen with plagim (years 3-6), Anna Posner with nechalim and yamim (years 7-8 and 9-10) and Robin Cooke with galim (years 11-13). All postschool age activities are split equally. Adva Sapir, our shlicha, helps out with all things Israeli – joining us on organising Shnat, Israel Tour and SOS-I internships, as well as providing excellent Israel education on events throughout the year. What events do you put on in the UK? LJY-Netzer really is an all-year round movement. We run camps, activity weekends, sleepovers, conferences, seminars, days of learning, social action activities, cheder take-overs and even a sponsored hike. So you never need to wonder what to do with your school holidays, we’ve planned them for you!
What tours and trips abroad do you offer each year? In the summer holidays we have an amazing month in Israel for anyone who has finished year 11. This year we also organised 10 internships in Israel for our bogrim (graduates) in workplaces that fitted into our Progressive Zionist ideology. They went to the IRAC (Israel Religious Action Centre), the ARDC (African Refugee Development Centre), Rabbis for Human Rights, Ayalim and a summer camp in Karmiel. But it isn’t all about Israel. For anyone who has finished year 12 we offer a two week Europe Tour exploring Progressive Jewish history in London, Prague, Budapest and Berlin. Do you have contact with other Jewish youth movements around the world? We are lucky enough to be part of Netzer, connecting us to like-minded Progressive Jewish organisations in countries all over the world including Germany, France, Australia, America, South Africa, Spain, Russia and Panama. How do I find out more? Make sure you always check out the page opposite in lj today, which has all the latest LJY-Netzer news and pictures. If that is not enough, then never fear as there are many ways to get in touch. Go to our website www.ljy-netzer.org for updates, weekly articles, a calendar of events, songs, videos and much more. You can also add us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, email or call the team using the details on the next page, or even pop by the Montagu Centre and say hello. We look forward to hearing from you all very soon.
Youth
September/October 2012
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
A breathtaking experience Ben Leibowitz on his gap year with Shnat Netzer
Sending out an SOS-I By Lizzie Jones
I AM currently hunched over in a dark corner of a shoebox office, salaried by an evil multi-billion dollar conglomerate and surrounded by sweating, suited men who periodically wave spreadsheets at me. As they bellow instructions and abuse in my unfortunate direction, I cannot help but think back to my Shabbats this past year. A heady mix of weekends spent tanning on the sparkling sands of Tel Aviv beach, hiking through the Galilee, playing guitar in the wilderness and heat of the Negev or simply being intoxicated by Jerusalem. I have spent the year on Shnat Netzer, a gap year programme which brings together Progressive Jewish students from all corners of the globe – Britain, Spain, Germany, USA, South Africa and Australia – and offers them the best 12 months of their lives. There were 29 of us this year, many of our group pictured above and right, and we couldn’t have asked for a better time. The eight British ‘Shnatties’ among us spent the first four months working, living and breathing Kibbutz Lotan – a small, socialist Kibbutz in the heart of the Arava which still feels like home and changed us profoundly as people.
We then went up to Jerusalem, splitting between Etgar and Machon, but all learning and living our Judaism and Zionism, volunteering, improving our Hebrew and experiencing Israel in full. If you are ever looking to explore your Judaism, live in the most fascinating country in the world, experience a new way of life, learn, challenge yourself and laugh more than you ever have, Shnat Netzer is where you belong.
HAVING a chance to be a part of LJYNetzer’s SOS-I programme of internships in Israel was a unique experience, allowing us to see the country from a completely different perspective. In pairs, we have been taking part in internships with various worthwhile organisations around Israel and I think we have all learnt something different that we can take back with us to the UK. Clare Rich and I have been lucky enough to work with the IRAC (Israeli Religious Action Centre) for the past three weeks alongside a truly amazing team of people, who work to accomplish so many incredible things. The IRAC have recently campaigned for the passing of a law stating that on buses, women have the right to sit wherever they choose without being harassed. Unfortunately on some bus lines, the law is not being enforced. Our job has been to travel on these particular routes and document the reactions we get for choosing to sit at the front. It has been really interesting observing the Haradi community’s response to this law and we’ve encountered a real mix of people, some friendly, some not so friendly. Clare and I have travelled through areas of Israel, which are very rarely visited or explored by non-orthodox Jews. Yet although we have both felt incredibly unwelcome wherever we go, we have had a unique chance to gain an insight into the lives of this vast orthodox community. This programme has taught me so much and I feel lucky to have been a part of it. Upon leaving Israel, it is still the beautiful country I have always thought it to be. Yet I have become so much more aware of the problems and complexities that come with the splendour of this land.
Contact the LJY-Netzer team: Robin Cooke (r.cooke@liberaljudaism.org), Sam Cohen (s.cohen@liberaljudaism.org) and Anna Posner (a.posner@liberaljudaism.org); telephone 020 7631 0584 or email office@ljynetzer.org
Page 12 LJ Today
September/October 2012
Liberal Judaism congregations
The Montagu Centre 21 Maple Street London, W1T 4BE Tel: 020 7580 1663 Fax: 020 7631 9838
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 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, 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 Outreach Director Rabbi Anna Gerrard University Chaplain Rabbi Ariel Friedlander Education Rabbi Sandra Kviat Music Cantor Gershon Silins Interfaith Rabbi Mark Solomon Operations Director Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer PR Alexandra Ben-Yehuda Shlicha Adva Sapir Community Youth Coordinator Sam Grant Student Coordinator Benji Stanley LJY-Netzer Sam Cohen, Robin Cooke and Anna Posner
lj today is edited by Simon Rothstein The deadline for the next edition is October 1. Please email your news to ljtoday@liberaljudaism.org Printed by Precision Printing. www.precisionprinting.co.uk
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 www.pjcea.org.uk; enquiries@pjcea.org.uk Reading Liberal Jewish Community 0118 942 8022; rljc@liberaljudaism.org; www.rljc.org Shenfield, Brentwood & Districts Synagogue (Tikvah Chadasha) 01277 888610; tikvahchadasha@gmail.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 Wessex Liberal Jewish Group (Bournemouth) info@wessexliberaljudaism.org.uk; 01202 757084 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, London, E18 1AR; 020 8989 7619; info@ woodfordliberal.org.uk; www.woodfordliberal.org.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
Developing communities
North Herts Liberal Jewish Community (based in Stevenage) 01438 300 222; northhertsljc@gmail.com; www.northhertsljc.org The Suffolk Liberal Jewish Community (based in Ipswich) 01473 250797; sjc@liberaljudaism.org
Make a date ........... September 1 (Saturday) A Festival of Song at Southgate Progressive Synagogue, London, N14 4QY, 7pm.
Rabbi Pete’s quick quiz Can you find the words below in this special New Year’s word search game?
ROSH HASHANAH MACHZOR YOM KIPPUR TEKIYAH SHOFAR SHEVARIM HONEY TERUAH APPLE KOL NIDRE HAPPY FAST NEW ISAIAH YEAR JONAH Now go to www.liberaljudaism.org to see the completed puzzle
Sidney’s bridge magic The contract is 7 Hearts by South and West leads the Jack of Clubs. At first sight this looks simple, as you appear to have no losers in any suit. But just try it! Do you draw trumps immediately – you certainly can’t make those Diamonds before drawing trumps – or do you set up the Clubs first, in which case you lose trump control as you cross ruff? So, can you, with the benefit of seeing all the hands, make this contract?
September 9 (Sunday) Annual Memorial Services, see page 3 for details. October 4 (Thursday) Leo Baeck College ‘lunch and learn’ led by Rabbi Danny Rich at The Montagu Centre, 12.45-2pm. November 18 (Sunday) Mitzvah Day 2012. 2013 April 21 (Tuesday) - April 28 (Tuesday) Kingston Liberal Synagogue trip to Prague and Budapest, see page 3 for details. June 9 (Sunday) Liberal Judaism’s Day of Celebration 2013. 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.
Bridge answer: On the opening hand you discard a Diamond from dummy, not a low Spade! Winning in hand with the Ace of Clubs, lead a trump to dummy and play the low Spade, ruffed in hand. Another trump is led to dummy and the Queen of Spades is ruffed in hand. A third trump is lead to dummy and the last trump is played – discarding the Ace of Diamonds. Then discard the Kind of Diamonds on the Ace of Spades – and, with trumps drawn, all the remaining Diamonds can be run.
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; bettikvah.blogspot.com 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, www.djpcireland.com; 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