January/February 2007
VOL. XXXIV No. 1
ljtoday
Movement elects a new president Baroness Neuberger DBE was voted, by acclamation, president of Liberal Judaism at its general meeting in December. Nigel Cole, chairman, told Council members that the movement’s constitution allowed it to recommend ‘persons of distinction’ for the office of president. He went on to list Baroness Neuberger’s many achievements before the vote took place; it was followed by warm applause. Baroness Neuberger said: ‘The appointment is a great honour and provides the opportunity for me to build on my long-standing relationship with the movement. Liberal Judaism maintains a strong commitment to social justice and interfaith dialogue, both of which I regard as vital in modern British and Irish society.’ A social reformer and prolific broadcaster, Baroness Neuberger is the Liberal Democrat spokesperson on health. Expressing his delight, Rabbi Danny Rich said: ‘This appointment will add
Liberal Jews presented to the Queen
Baroness Neuberger, a former rabbi of South London Liberal Synagogue, was elected in December
immeasurably to our efforts to promote the values and inclusive nature of Liberal Judaism.’ Following her training at Leo Baeck College, Rabbi Julia Neuberger, a Semitics graduate of Newnham College, Cambridge, served as rabbi of South London Liberal Synagogue from 1977 to 1989. She subsequently pursued a career in public health policy, stepping down in 2004 after seven years at the King’s Fund, and was created a life peer in the same year. Warm welcome in Dublin, page 5
Website goes live
Busy start to 5767
LJY-Netzer has a wonderful new website all to itself, created by and for the youth of Liberal Judaism. As well as listing future activities, the site, www.ljynetzer.org, has photo galleries and hosts chat rooms for the different age groups. Zachary Becker, 14, a veteran of LJY-Netzer’s Kadimah and Spring camps, designed the site. The member of Nottingham Progressive Jewish Congregation, who is considering a career in web design, said he wanted to give something back to the movement.
Since Rosh Hashanah, chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich has led High Holy Day services at Edinburgh and Sukkot celebrations in Ipswich, and spoken in Northwood at the launch of LJY-Netzer’s siddur, at Bet Tikvah’s silver jubilee service and at East Anglia ’s civic service. He has preached in Eastbourne, Finchley and Kingston, and has taught at North London and in Brighton. He addressed meetings at Leicester, South London and The LJS as well as visiting Dublin and Lincoln.
Some 20 representatives of Liberal Judaism were among 500 prominent or influential Jews who attended a reception at St James’s Palace to mark the 350th anniversary of the Jewish community in Britain. One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of gifts to the royal couple: the Queen was given a Chanukkiah and the Duke of Edinburgh was given a kiddush cup. The Queen’s gift, just a few weeks before Chanukkah, turned out to be particularly appropriate. For as Nigel Cole, chairman of Liberal Judaism, was presenting Paula Scott, of the Nottingham Progressive congregation, to the Queen, the lights suddenly went out, plunging the room into darkness. The Queen was heard to exclaim: ‘Oh, that’s never happened before.’ Nigel said: ‘A million policemen suddenly appeared and surrounded the Queen.’ She continued to chat in the darkness of the packed Queen Anne room until the electricity was restored, about 30 seconds later. As well as four members of Liberal Judaism staff, representatives of Liberal synagogues attended. Robert Hurst, the chairman of Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation, said: ‘It was great fun to go to St James’s Palace and interesting to meet lots of other Jewish people. We talked to people from Cornwall and Plymouth and other smaller communities.’ Nigel described the reception as an elegant and friendly evening, adding: ‘It was good for the Jews to be there and to be recognised.’ Defending liberal faith, page 9