July/August 2020 VOL. XLVII No. 4
Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
www.liberaljudaism.org
ljtoday
Liberal Judaism appoints interim directors LIBERAL JUDAISM has appointed Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer and Rabbi Charley Baginsky as joint interim directors until the end of March 2021. Shelley, formerly director of operations, has overall responsibility for the movement’s finances and operations. Charley, previously director of strategy and partnerships, is responsible for external affairs including all communal relationships, strategic development partnerships and fundraising. They have taken over from Rabbi Danny Rich, who stepped down as the professional head of Liberal Judaism earlier this year after 15 years in the role. Charley – who has previously served congregations including Kingston Liberal Synagogue and South Bucks Jewish Community – said: “Liberal Judaism and the values it aspires to have always been at the centre of my Judaism. It is a privilege to be able to lead Liberal Judaism in this interim period; especially alongside my colleague and friend.”
Shelley added: “I am delighted to be taking on this role alongside Charley, who is brilliant and inspiring. We are both looking forward to working in partnership with the wonderfully dedicated staff team of Liberal Judaism and the Board of National Officers to ensure that Liberal Judaism continues Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer and Rabbi Charley Baginsky to be an organisation of which we can all be proud.” The appointment has been welcomed Liberal Judaism will continue to thrive throughout our movement. and succeed over the coming months.” Speaking on behalf of Liberal Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, chair of the Judaism’s Board of National Officers, Conference of Liberal Rabbis and acting chair Ruth Seager said: “The Cantors, added: “In uncertain times we current management arrangements are fortunate to have those within Liberal have steered Liberal Judaism safely Judaism who provide skilful continuity, through a very challenging period organisationally and strategically. I am including a brilliant Biennial Weekend. very pleased to be working with Charley, The confidence and capability shown Shelley and the Board of National by Charley and Shelley will ensure that Officers as we move forward.”
A RECORD-BREAKING 1,500 registered delegates attended Liberal Judaism’s Biennial At Home. Among the many highlights was the keynote conversation between Matthew Gould – CEO of NHSX and former British Ambassador to Israel – and Lord (Daniel) Finkelstein, associate editor of The Times. Their chat centred on the weekend’s theme of Collaboratory and how it works in different settings from Government to newspapers to rock bands. Read more about the Biennial on pages 2-3.
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News
July/August 2020
Our record-breaking Biennial Where do we
go from here?
Rabbi Aaron Goldstein gave a powerful speech, while Dame Dave Lynn provided the cabaret
LIBERAL JUDAISM’S rabbis and leadership outlined plans to make our movement’s prophetic voice even stronger in the years ahead, during a hugely successful Biennial Weekend. With five times as many people taking part as can fit into the regular venue of a hotel, the Biennial at Home saw 1,500 delegates, 70 speakers and more than 30 hours of live online streaming. Liberal Judaism’s acting chair Ruth Seager, interim director Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Aaron Goldstein – the chair of the Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors – laid out the key areas in which we must continue to change, adapt and “do even better”. Aaron talked about the need to give volume to the Liberal Jewish voice in the area of social justice and action. He said: “No person, community or movement can change everything in the world. But we can decide what we are going to change and give voice to make that happen. Liberal Judaism has been very successful in its campaigns for equal marriage and bringing more Syrian refugees to the UK. Now we need to do more.” In her address, which can be read on the right, Ruth spoke of her personal vision for Liberal Judaism to have boundaries that are more porous. Charley then outlined how the Biennial Weekend’s theme of Collaboratory can be carried into the future. She said: “The collaboration of ideas is wonderful and can be transformative but, as many of our guests reminded us, we now need to take the first step forward. If this Biennial can teach us anything, it’s the power Liberal Judaism has to bring Jewish connection into people’s lives. Together we can take those steps to help build a fairer and more meaningful world.”
The Biennial featured 12 sessions which explored the many facets of collaboration. There were also multiple study workshops, lunch and learns, a challah bake, quizzes and an evening of entertainment and cabaret with Dame Dave Lynn, one of the few British Jewish drag queens. A traditional Friday night service gave the first chance for members and friends of Liberal Judaism to experience Erev Shabbat from our new draft Siddur. The following day, Rabbis Rebecca Birk, Rachel Benjamin, Igor Zinkov and René Pfertzel united to lead a Shabbat morning service showing the depth and variety of Liberal Judaism in prayer. Saturday’s Havdalah, following in the great Biennial Weekend tradition, was led by youth movement LJY-Netzer with plenty of singing, joy and kef (fun). The Biennial also gave Liberal Jews the chance to say goodbye to former chief executive and senior rabbi, Rabbi Danny Rich, and chair Simon Benscher. Both stepped down earlier this year. Rabbis Charley Baginsky, Pete Tobias and Andrew Goldstein led a special thank you to Simon, while Rabbi Ofek Meir – head and managing director of Israel’s Leo Baeck Education Center – presented a ‘This Is Your Life’ for Danny. Both included tributes from around the world. Danny then spoke of his achievements and learnings over 15 years as Liberal Judaism’s professional head, as well as offering his own vision for the future. Summing up the event, Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel - who chaired the organising committee - said: “It was wonderful seeing so many people putting their Liberal Judaism into action and showing that even online our passion, values and partnerships are stronger than ever.”
By Ruth Seager THE very fact that the Biennial At Home has happened is an achievement which cannot be overstated. It’s not the same as all being together under one roof, but being online made the event so much more accessible. Many more members and friends - 1,500 at the final count - registered to take part and being online allowed people to join us from Israel, Canada and South Africa. We managed to increase our reach and our voice. Beyond the Biennial, we have seen attendance at weekly services and meetings grow due to the move online. The opportunity to share is now limitless, and so we all have much more choice. This will impact upon Liberal Judaism’s future provision and we must give this some proper thought and planning. Moving further into the future, and this is a personal vision, I would like Liberal Judaism to have boundaries that are more porous. Particularly here, I am thinking of those I describe as non-Jewish members of Jewish families. I’d love never to hear another apology for not being Jewish. Finally, it’s important to say that while the Biennial was provided for free, it wasn’t free to create. Any donations - which can be made via www.totalgiving.co.uk/donate/ liberal-judaism-ulps - would enable us to continue to provide this same high quality of services and content. • This is an edited extract from the Biennial address given by Liberal Judaism acting chair Ruth Seager.
Biennial
July/August 2020
LJ Today Page 3
Lily’s Legacy lives on through exhibition
Lily’s Legacy project manager Shaan Knan, video producer Mike Beral and core volunteer Sue Temple during their Biennial Weekend session
ONE of the most notable parts of the Biennial Weekend was the launch of the online exhibition Lily’s Legacy: Voices and Visions of Liberal Judaism. Between sessions, delegates were able to explore podcasts, video testimonials and other digital heritage materials telling the incredible story of the past, present and future of Liberal Judaism and, above all, the people within it. The Biennial at Home also included a panel discussion entitled The Making of the Lily’s Legacy Exhibition, featuring project manager Shaan Knan, exhibition curator Rabbi Dr Miri Lawrence, video producer Mike Beral and core volunteer Sue Temple. It was moderated by Rabbi Charley Baginsky. Speaking about her role as curator and the changes brought about by the coronavirus crisis, Miri said: “With the onset of lockdown one way to conduct our few remaining interviews was via Zoom. This added a new dimension and resonance to the project, as we listened to communities talk about the importance of their congregations and the invaluable ways Liberal Judaism was supporting them. It became clear that this time would be a historic moment in itself that we had almost unconsciously captured. She added: “For me the significance of the exhibition is manifold. It has enabled the voices of a diverse group of people to be heard, united by their experience of finding a home within Liberal Judaism. It is about community, heritage, inclusion and social justice. Although its starting point is a celebration of a pioneering woman, Lily Montagu, it is the story of more than 115 years of remarkable people who have striven to ensure that Judaism is relevant and welcoming.”
The exhibition was created from stories and materials collected for the project Lily’s Legacy: The Radical History and Heritage of Liberal Judaism in Britain. The project examines how our movement embodies the vision of its founders – Lily Montagu, Claude Montefiore and Rabbi Dr Israel Mattuck. It collects the stories and memorabilia of Liberal Jews from all walks of life – from those involved in setting up communities many decades ago to people who have only recently found a home for their Jewish story within Liberal Judaism. Mike, who produced more than 100 inspiring video clips for the exhibition, said: “When I retired 18 months ago I knew I wanted to develop my hobby in video filming and editing, especially for charities. So when the Lily’s Legacy project started, I volunteered and quickly became part of the core team. “We initially recorded oral histories and then started to complement them with shorter video reflections and anecdotes. “This took me on a fascinating trip around a number of Liberal Judaism communities. Quite unprompted, people told me their stories – how they came to Liberal Judaism, the welcome they received at their community, the impact their Liberal Judaism has had on their lives and those of their families, and how they see the movement’s future. “Having pictures as well as voices gives these personal reflections extra depth; there is a real feeling of engagement, of ‘being there’. “In the last two months of the project, as the pandemic struck, we moved the final interviews to video conferencing, but it is just a different technology – the essence remains the same.”
Sue was another Lily’s Legacy core volunteer. She added: “What a gift it has been to be welcomed into people’s lives – just for an hour or so – and to listen to their stories; some extraordinary, some emotional, some uplifting but every single one, in its way, engaging and fascinating.” Two of the most notable recordings made by Lily’s Legacy are a tribute to the late Rabbi Harry Jacobi and a series of podcasts produced together with social broadcaster Lucia Scazzocchio. Another key voice recorded by the project is that of Vanda Renton, a longstanding member of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue. Vanda said: “I just enjoy being a Liberal Jew. I don’t like labels. But if anybody asks me, ‘Are you Jewish?’ I will say with pride, ‘I’m a Liberal Jew and it has enhanced my life enormously’.” Lily’s Legacy is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and follows other groundbreaking Liberal Judaism projects including Rainbow Jews and Twilight People. Like those projects, it is managed and run by Shaan Knan. Shaan said: “Lily’s Legacy has been an amazing journey on so many levels and – echoing this year’s Biennial Weekend theme – was a true collaboration. We’ve got an amazing team and there was an incredible amount of skills sharing and volunteers from all walks of life contributing in so many different ways to make this all happen.” “There’s still a lot to do, in terms of outputs such as education resources and archive creation, and I invite everyone to join us in the next project phase now.” • To view the exhibition and get involved in the next project phase, please visit www.lilyslegacyproject.com
July/August 2020
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Can prophetic leadership be collaborative? Lucian J Hudson writes the final article in his series looking at leadership in a polarised age LIBERAL JUDAISM has always been a movement where its collective strength has been drawn from groups acting together as well as individuals within groups providing leadership in their own right. The term ‘collaborative’ might be more prevalent now but the need to work with, and through, others has been with us since time immemorial. We struggle to find in Torah and other sacred writings formal descriptions of ‘collaboration’, although we can cite many examples of tactical alliances. Much more is focused on leaders and their relationship with God, and with their people or their struggles with opponents. But if Judaism is seen in its totality, the most important story that is told is humanity’s relationship with God and our relationship with one another. That emphasis on our mutual interdependence speaks to what collaboration is essentially about. The word ‘synagogue’ comes from the Classical Greek and means ‘coming together’. What our increasing use of digital technology has shown is that we can be more, rather than less, connected - even though many of us do miss and lose something fundamentally human in not having more contact in person. In the post-modern world Liberal Judaism has grown in relevance and distinctiveness. Uncertainty and ambiguity work to our advantage.
If the huge interest shown at our recent During this lockdown, the American Biennial Weekend is any indication, Reform rabbi Stephen Fuchs brought a Liberal Judaism has grown in confidence. very apt Talmudic text to my attention. To build on that, we need to make Rabbi Akiva had 12,000 disciples who common cause with partners. The ‘what’ died during the period between Passover and the ‘how’ are equally important. and Shavuot due to a plague, “because As well as struggling to emerge they did not treat one another with from COVID-19, we in the West are respect”. The world was desolate of Torah witnessing rising tension between a until Rabbi Akiva taught new students. He longing for radical change and a return cautioned them: “The previous disciples to some semblance of normality. A faith died because they begrudged one another that is inspired by tradition, receptive the knowledge of Torah. See to it that you to contemporary realities and which do not act like them.” In response they speaks to the underrepresented and filled the land with knowledge of Torah. marginalised is right for our time. Rabbi Fuchs’ interpretation is that when The recent protests and riots in the we share what we know, and learn from US demonstrate that warnings about one another with open minds and hearts, deepening wisdom multiplies. inequality and a What often lack of a voice gets in the way of need to be collaboration is heeded. jealousy and anger. As Liberal One of Rabbi Fuchs’ Jews, we favourite quotations should is from Psalm 37, appreciate verse 8: “Let go of what is so aptly anger and forsake captured in the jealousy.” 23rd of Liberal In many respects, Judaism’s this protracted Affirmations: coronavirus crisis “Judaism has turned the has never world upside down Lucian on the Collaboratory panel at the Biennial stood still... and inside out. its history is Some of that is a history of continuity and change. We regrettably disruptive, but some is rightly affirm the dynamic, developing character challenging and potentially positive. We of our Jewish religious tradition.” need to keep in balance what might need In the paradoxical words of one of to change, and what we should try to the characters in Lampedusa’s novel protect and try not to lose. The Leopard, for things to stay the A collaborative approach will enable same, things will have to change. us to fulfil a prophetic vision and carry What prophetic leadership offers is a people with us. heightened sense of possibility. If we make the right choices, we can improve • Lucian J Hudson is a vice president the world. The ethical imperative and past chair of Liberal Judaism. He transforms our existence. specialises in strategic communications.
Young and passionate? Liberal Judaism needs you! By Graham Carpenter and Hannah Stephenson AT the start of June, we wrote to the young adults of Liberal Judaism advocating that they apply to join the movement’s Board of National Officers. While that deadline has passed for this year, we are still urging people to consider this for 2021, as well as signing up for the various committees that help make Liberal Judaism run.
For many young people, the Board and structure of Liberal Judaism can seem conceptually very far away. But while we may look like a formal movement where young people are way down the pecking order, this has never been the case. The addition of young and passionate voices is seen as valuable, useful, representative and important. The benefits to Liberal Judaism are obvious - from new skills and ideas to lived experiences around modern Jewish
identity - but there is also a lot to be gained for the individual. It looks great on a CV and will provide valuable experience on good governance, budgeting, decision making and strategy. If you’d like to know more, just email us on g.carpenter@liberaljudaism.org or h.stephenson@liberaljudaism.org • Graham Carpenter and Hannah Stephenson are members of the Board of National Officers for Liberal Judaism.
Comment
July/August 2020
LJ Today Page 5
‘Our challenge is to continue to be a radical and open form of Judaism’ Rabbi Charley Baginsky looks at the opportunities ahead for Liberal Judaism THIS IS without question a difficult time for everyone but I am optimistic about the future of Liberal Judaism, our communities and our values. As you will have read earlier in this issue, Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer and I have the privilege of becoming the new interim directors of Liberal Judaism. Whereas most, when taking over the running of an organisation, have some time to settle in to a new role, one of the first tasks Shelley and I had to carry out was closing our head office and moving all operations into our staff’s homes. Our next was to transfer our flagship event, the Biennial Weekend, from a hotel to Zoom, Facebook and YouTube, while giving 1,500 delegates the same quality of sessions, unified vision and experience of being together for three days. The most difficult thing, without question, has been seeing the high levels of bereavement. Not only have too many people lost someone close, but being unable to be with a loved one and offer comfort in their last hours has added to the depth of sorrow. Within Liberal Judaism, for many, we have relied on the creativity and sensitivity of our rabbis in making meaningful ceremonies when people could not physically attend funerals and shivas.
There are also those in our community who have been physically alone during lockdown, and others whose vulnerabilities have been additionally exposed during this period. In society at large, we cannot ignore that COVID-19 has reinforced the deep divisions of inequality and made us conscious of larger rifts which we haven’t yet even been able to touch. I note this because it would be wrong to focus on what Shelley and I see as the opportunities this period has presented, without acknowledging that these sit within a context that has been, for many, desperate and sorrowful. With that in mind, I remain proud of Liberal Judaism’s response to the coronavirus. Our communities have found new and innovative ways to practise their Judaism, while members have also faced outwards to help some of the most vulnerable in society through social action. Internally, we have seen engagement with the movement and with our constituent communities at an alltime high. As they signed up for the Biennial, we asked people what congregation they belonged to. The number one choice selected was “I’m not currently a member of a Liberal community”.
Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein’s lockdown escapades...
Next I was due to be in Kolín - our Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue (NPLS) Czech Torah town - to open an exhibition on its last rabbi, Richard Feder, and give a talk at the exciting new Liberal community in Prague being developed by newly qualified Rabbi David Maxa. I still delivered a talk, but again it was to be via Zoom. Sadly David’s ordination at the Abraham Geiger Kolleg in Berlin had to be postponed too. Hopefully all of this can happen next year instead. Zoom has been a saviour. It enabled me to deliver services and sermons at NPLS, to renew my links with our Dublin community, lead prayers at Mosaic Liberal Jewish Community and take part in sessions at the brilliant Liberal Judaism Biennial Weekend, as well as having the honour of leading the tribute to Simon Benscher on his retirement as chair of Liberal Judaism.
IT WAS a shock to be declared by the Government as “elderly and vulnerable” as lockdown began. Until then I believed I was just middle-aged. The first week of being at home seemed like the beginning of a holiday, with time for the garden and many other projects I had been putting off for years. But then reality crept in and, though I am meant to be retired, I was soon almost as busy as ever - even though several trips abroad were cancelled. I was due to go to Bratislava to give my annual lecture to a Jewish/ Catholic initiative, but the lockdown had started. Instead of a 45 minute talk on ‘Dysfunctional Families in the Book of Genesis’, I gave a much shorter lecture by Zoom on ‘Ten Plagues Plus One’, linking COVID-19 to Pesach.
This presents an opportunity. Research has long told us that there is a significant number of people who indentify as Jews, but not as members of a specific denomination. That is only growing. Liberal Judaism is continuing to realise our potential of providing a dynamic alternative for people who need a home for their Jewish story. We are uniquely placed to open our doors and allow people to explore new ways to express and relate to their Jewish identities. We are working on developing creative ways for people to affiliate, both to the movement and to congregations, by developing pathways for them that cater to their interests but also that allow them to feel the deep sense of belonging that comes with being a Liberal Jew. The challenge, as we go forward, is to continue to be a radical and open form of Judaism, which is constantly developing in relevant and responsive ways, while at the same time preserving the central values and traditions of our Judaism. But, perhaps most importantly, we must ensure that Liberal Judaism remains that prophetic voice - an active force for good in the lives of Jewish individuals, families and communities while equally striving for a fairer society for all, from the cradle to the grave.
I have been sad not to be at these things in person, but there are some advantages during Zoom-time whether this be enjoying a cup of coffee or glancing up from time to time at my garden outside and the clear blue sky. There is also the excitement at seeing the large number of people from all over the world joining NPLS and other Liberal services and events. For the moment it is on with the battle to get the money back for cancelled flights, but also the feeling that I have done my bit to preserve the environment by saving the pollution my flights would have brought. I hope that after the pandemic I can keep my resolution to fly less; maybe when I am able to return to Prague it will be by train… and I look forward to that long journey. • Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein is president of Liberal Judaism.
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Social Action
July/August 2020
An Iftar to help those in need
RABBI REBECCA BIRK of Finchley Progressive Synagogue (pictured above right) joined with other faith leaders for a special event to help those in need towards the end of Ramadan. Rebecca teamed up with Mother Carol Barrett Ford and Imam Muhammed Bodrul Haque for the Iftar For All at Queen’s Crescent Community Centre (QCCA) in Camden - where they handed out free hot takeaway meals. It was a special moment for the QCCA’s Iftar For All project, which ran throughout the Muslim holy month. It was interrupted in the first week when a man ran into the centre with gunshot wounds. Staff were able to stem the bleeding and the Iftar carried on the next day. QCCA’s CEO Foyezur Miah said: “Having three faith leaders come together was an important reminder of the unity, love and peace that there is in every community.
“We are proud that this event brought all people and all faiths together.” Rebecca added: “Handing out meals two days before the end of Ramadan was a powerful collaborative experience and I was delighted to connect with Mother Carol, Imam Bodrul and everyone who makes QCCA such a vital hub for community support.” Demand for QCCA’s Iftar For All was so high that the charity is continuing it beyond Ramadan, now renamed Supper For All. More than two thirds of people who take the meals are non-Muslim and 20% are homeless. The Centre is raising money with a Go Fund Me page at www. gofundme.com/f/supper-for-all-at-qcca Finchley Progressive Synagogue usually runs its own Iftar for its surrounding community, which includes several Syrian refugee families, but lockdown prevented this from happening.
Supporting World Jewish Relief’s COVID-19 appeal WORLD JEWISH RELIEF (WJR) has launched an emergency appeal to help tackle COVID-19 globally on behalf of the UK Jewish community. Supporting the most vulnerable, the appeal is helping both those within the Jewish community and those beyond the community. In Eastern Europe, WJR is delivering critical homecare, food, PPE and medical assistance to older Jewish people across Ukraine and Moldova. They are also providing food packages and social assistance to Jewish individuals who have lost their jobs and have no income.
In the overcrowded refugee camps in Bangladesh, the WJR team are providing essential hygiene items such as soap, masks, handwashing kits and sanitation support to Rohingya refugees, as well as support to cyclone victims in Mozambique and those living in poverty in Haiti. Liberal Judaism interim director Rabbi Charley Baginsky said: “Liberal Judaism fully supports this vital appeal to get aid and support to some of the world’s most vulnerable people in this time of crisis.” To support the appeal, please visit www.worldjewishrelief.org/covid19
We cannot be silent
LIBERAL JEWS of all ages and from all communities have stood shoulder to shoulder with the Black Lives Matter movement – using our voices and our actions to shine a spotlight on racism in the UK and join the global outpouring of anger after the murder of George Floyd in America. Those who felt able to have been joining physical demonstrations, while others have taken part in online campaigns. Services, sermons and seminars have been dedicated to learning about the experiences of black Jews and the black community in the UK and beyond. Liberal Judaism is carrying out a review of our own representation: including in education, online visual materials, on committees and at conferences. Interim director Rabbi Charley Baginsky is speaking to black Jews and Jews of colour in our communities as part of this process. Many Liberal Jews, including Student Rabbi Daisy Bogod and LJYNetzer member Mia Bogod (pictured above), were part of a Jewish protest designed to show solidarity and spark conversations and action towards race-related social justice. Mia said: “Our Judaism demands that we are actively anti-racist, and gives us a responsibility to take action in every way that we are able to. As Leviticus says, ‘Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbour’.” Daisy added: “The Talmud teaches us that if you have the ability to protest against the sins of your household, city or even the world, and fail to do so, then you are held accountable for their sins too. “Being a silent bystander is not enough in the fight for racial justice; merely saying you are against racism, without actively fighting both its interpersonal and institutional manifestations, is not enough.”
News
July/August 2020
LJ Today Page 7
Meet our student chaplain NLPS Trust STUDENT RABBI Anna Posner is returning to Liberal Judaism as the new Progressive Judaism student chaplain. Anna - a former LJY-Netzer movement worker who will graduate from Leo Baeck College this summer - will support Jewish students and build the presence and vibrancy of Progressive Jewish life on campuses throughout the country. She will work with Progressive synagogues and their members, as well as all those from 16-22 in the LJY-Netzer and RSY-Netzer youth movements. In addition, Anna been appointed as the new rabbi of Beit Klal Yisrael (BKY), the London community that prides itself on recognising the true diversity of
Ba’alei Tefillah goes online By Alexandra Simonon THE SIXTH cohort of Liberal Judaism’s Ba’alei Tefillah lay leading course started with a bang back in March. On that day, 16 candidates from 15 communities and five countries, along with their three tutors, gathered at the Montagu Centre for a day of learning. We had all heard of coronavirus by then - everyone had to wash their hands and not shake anyone else’s. At the end of an inspiring day we said our goodbyes and agreed to meet again in May. You can guess what happened next: soon after that we were all in lockdown. We had to adapt by holding our next learning day on Zoom (or as one participant renamed it: ‘Jew-m’). Because of this, we also chose to tweak the programme of the day and focus on the challenges faced by service leaders in the current situation. One of our sessions was a debate on the theme ‘Zoom services: a blessing or a curse?’. This was followed by the sharing of ideas on the future of service leading and Jewish communal life. The range of opinions and the creativity shown were wonderful. We also held a beautiful and truly pan-European shacharit service, with participants from England, Scotland, Sweden, Denmark and Belgium. Our next day of sharing and learning will be on 12 July. We are still working out the plans, but will all definitely be there! If you or someone in your community wants to become a service leader, email me on a.simonon@liberaljudaism.org
the contemporary Jewish experience. She will also support one other Liberal Judaism community. Anna said: “I can’t wait to begin making connections with students all over the country and help facilitate community building on campuses, as well as working with students to navigate the new (but temporary) challenges that come with being limited to online spaces. “I am also excited to continue working with BKY. I thoroughly enjoyed my student placement there and can’t wait to see where our partnership takes us.” • We will have a full interview with Anna in the next issue of lj today.
THE NLPS Trust for Progressive Judaism is holding its next meeting in September 2020. The Trust funds large and small projects, examples of which can be seen on its website at www.nlpstrust.org.uk The Trust welcomes applications from Liberal Judaism congregations from across the UK and Europe, including developing and affiliated communities. To apply, email admin@nlpstrust.org.uk (deadline - 7 August 2020).
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Communities
July/August 2020
Rabbi Leah Jordan joins Kehillah North London RABBI LEAH JORDAN is the new spiritual leader of Kehillah North London. The congregation started life as North London Progressive Jewish Community in 2002 and was built and led for 15 years by Rabbi Shulamit Ambalu. It has also been served by Cantor Tamara Wolfson and, during two interim periods, by Rabbi Danny Rich. Leah hit the ground running, having collaborated with the community in coßleading Kehillah’s Tikkun Leyl Shavuot – complete with Torah study, creativity, meditation and music – before her formal contract even began. During her first official Shabbat morning service, held online, Leah laid out her commitment to justice with a heartfelt and uncompromising sermon in response to Black Lives Matter. She has also begun working with members to turn their big visions into concrete plans for growing and strengthening the community.
Chair Robin Samson said: “This couldn’t be a better fit. Rabbi Leah has a passion for Torah learning, social change, pushing the boundaries of community Judaism, offering a warm welcome to everyone and having those who have been previously marginalised at the centre of the community. That makes her the perfect person to be setting out with us on this next leg of our journey. We are very lucky to have her.” Leah served for a number of years as Liberal Judaism’s student and young adult chaplain and the rabbi of Norwich Liberal Jewish Community. She left the UK to study in Jerusalem in 2018. Leah is also a founding member of Na’amod: British Jews Against Occupation. She said: “Every community and rabbi pairing is a shidduch - a complex matchmaking between personalities, history and vision for the future - and this feels like the start of an especially fitting and fruitful match.”
South London’s Diego raises £1,000 on synagogue cycle
Say cheese
DIEGO GIRALDO CASAS of South London Liberal Synagogue (SLLS) raised more than £1,000 by cycling to 12 Liberal communities in Greater London in the period of just one week. In total, Diego covered more than 200 miles to raise the money, which will be used to renew the fabric of the Edwardian SLLS building and make it more accessible. A data scientist, who came to the UK from Peru, Diego has been at SLLS for two years. During this time he has overhauled the community’s website and enabled the transition to online services during the current period. Diego’s routine involved riding from his home in Streatham to two or three synagogues each day and back again.
He told lj today: “I really enjoyed visiting all these wonderful communities. I want to give a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to the campaign there was no greater feeling than seeing the notifications on my phone of new donations coming through while I was riding. They literally pushed me up hills and gave me the strength to carry on. We can now all say together… we did it!” It’s still possible to sponsor Diego at www.gofundme.com/f/synagogue-cycleone-week-on-two-wheels
Diego’s destinations 1 - Beit Klal Yisrael 2 - The Liberal Jewish Synagogue 3 - West Central Liberal Synagogue 4 - Ealing Liberal Synagogue 5 - Mosaic Liberal Synagogue 6 - The Liberal Synagogue Elstree 7 - Finchley Progressive Synagogue 8 - East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue 9 - Southgate Progressive Synagogue 10 - Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue 11 - Kingston Liberal Synagogue 12 - South London Liberal Synagogue
NOTTINGHAM LIBERAL SYNAGOGUE members, including Solly Worth (above) and Leah and Gemma Barker (below), took part in the community’s Shavuot cheesecake competition - sharing recipes on YouTube for others to make and rate.
Communities
July/August 2020
LJ Today Page 9
Celebrating at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue Judith King shares reports from LJS News on two wonderful communal events
RABBI ALEXANDRA WRIGHT led a moving Shabbat service to mark the official welcome of Rabbi Igor Zinkov (pictured) to The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS). During a morning filled with beautiful music, and framed with pieces by Russian composers, Igor’s reading of the Torah portion from Numbers offered reflection on how we must be active in making the world a better place and not passive recipients of our fate. His sermon referenced texts by three giants of Liberal Judaism – Lily Montagu, Israel Mattuck and Claude Montefiore – and how they influenced him with their pursuit of justice, truth and peace.
Igor conveyed how privileged he felt to be part of the LJS, paying tribute to his colleagues, teachers and students, and showing gratitude for their support. The service being online, family and friends from around the world were able to Zoom in for this special occasion. Those taking part in the service included Rabbi Dr Charles Middleburgh, from whom Igor had received his rabbinic ordination last July, Student Rabbi Deborah Blausten, and Igor’s brother Konstantin, sister-in-law Yulia and nephew Platon - all currently in Israel. There was also a wonderful surprise for us all: Rabbi Golan Ben-Chorin, Evgeni Dobin, Rabbi Naama DafniKellen and Rabbi Thomas Salamon each contributed to the service from their distant homes. They were all glowing in their praise of Igor. The LJS’s Rabbis Alexandra Wright and Elana Dellal, along with chair Sue Head, then each spoke warmly of Igor’s intellect, humour, warmth, creativity, rabbinic wisdom and technical prowess. Elana’s final blessing brought to a close a very special induction service, which was both heartfelt and uplifting.
HAVING noticed all the pets making an appearance during Zoom Kiddushim, The Liberal Jewish Synagogue’s rabbis came up with the idea of having a service with a focus on our furry and feathery friends. Special ‘guest speaker’ Zusya melted our hearts. In his younger days, Zusya would be taken to the North London Hospice where Rabbi Indigo Raphael worked as a chaplain. Zusya was aware of the importance of his contribution to this work and loved all the cuddles. Karen Newman read a compelling extract from Jonathan Wittenberg’s book Things My Dog Has Taught Me About Being a Better Human. Rabbi Alexandra Wright’s Pets’ Blessing acknowledged all God’s creations. She gave thanks to our animal companions for their insights and understanding, and for their furriness and friendship. We then celebrated our many and various pets, as well as cuddly toy animals, in a glorious Pets’ Kiddush.
Zusya with Rabbi Indigo and Ruthie Raphael
Author Hava takes a new Road
MEMBERS of Crouch End Chavurah teamed up with Citizens UK to cook and deliver 70 hot meals to the children still studying at The Willow Primary School during lockdown.
HAVA FLEMING – a member of the Liberal Jewish communities in York and Zurich – has written her fourth book, Road to Jedburgh. Hava told lj today: “The title speaks of the journeys and quests undertaken by my characters on the road to Jedburgh, a town in the Borders between Scotland and England in the 13th century.” “While developing ideas for this novel, I wanted to find a way to tell two separate stories. On the one hand, there was the story of the effect of terror and prejudice by those in power on a whole society. On the other, there was a story to be told of the effect of personal tyranny and madness on a single family.
“For the first, I imagined life in York, England, in the time of Clifford’s Tower, in 1190; and a scant one hundred years later, King Edward’s Edict of Expulsion of the Jews from the entire realm of England in 1290. Apart from actual historical persons and catalogued events, the entire story is fiction. “For the second, I thank my cousin, Neville Kerr. His research led him to ponder the cause of the feud between the two branches of Kerrs and why they built a castle with a defence stairwell favouring left-handed sword play.” Road to Jedburgh is available as an eBook or printed work and may be found by searching on Google or Amazon.
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News
July/August 2020
From Liberal Judaism to Leo Baeck
Biographies BRYAN DIAMOND, the former honorary archivist of Liberal Judaism and The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, has written entries in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (ODNB) for three key figures in the history of Liberal Judaism: • Israel Abrahams (1858–1925), Jewish scholar and historian who played a leading role in the formation, thinking and growth of early Liberal Judaism.
Rafe Thurstance at his Ba’alei Tefillah graduation with former LJ chair Simon Benscher
LIBERAL JUDAISM staff member Rafe Thurstance is leaving the Montagu Centre to train for the rabbinate at Leo Baeck College (LBC). Rafe – who has held many roles within Liberal Judaism’s head office – is one of three new students starting at LBC. Unaware of his Jewish heritage until an unexpected conversation with his grandmother in his mid-teens, Rafe then started on a new journey - one which will now see him embark on a five-year course at the pre-eminent institution of Progressive Jewish scholarship. Rafe has two undergraduate degrees, two masters degrees and is currently in the middle of a part-time doctorate exploring ways in which individuals and communities engage with ritual and ceremony despite the variance of theological beliefs in Jewish tradition. Rafe is cheder head and bnei mitzvah tutor at Ealing Liberal Synagogue, and a member of both Beit Klal Yisrael and
Copenhagen’s Shir Hatzafon. In 2019, he graduated Liberal Judaism’s Ba’alei Tefillah lay leadership course. Rafe said: “For the past two and a half years, I have had the absolute pleasure of working with so many of Liberal Judaism’s communities and members in so many ways: from organising funerals and arranging for the delivery of haggadot; to teaching you face-to-face; and more latterly as the PA to Rabbi Danny Rich and then the Liberal Judaism senior management team. “Leaving the Montagu Centre and starting at Leo Baeck College is in equal parts sad and exciting. I’m really looking forward to engaging with Liberal Judaism from a completely different position.” Joining Rafe in the new LBC intake are Hannah Marije Altorf - a keen educator and active member of Finchley Reform Synagogue - and Yael Tischler, a Kohenet (Hebrew Priestess), ritual-weaver, Jewish educator and song leader.
• Rabbi Leslie Isidore Edgar (1905–1984), former senior rabbi of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue who served the LJS in various rabbinic roles from 1931 to 1984. • Leonard Nathaniel GoldsmidMontefiore (1889–1961), Jewish communal leader who co-founded the Wiener Library for the Study of the Holocaust and Genocide. Bryan is currently writing a book on the life of Liberal Judaism founder, and Leonard’s father, Claude Montefiore.
Commandments AN ONLINE Tikkunei Leyl Shavuot saw Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue and The Liberal Jewish Synagogue alternate services for the entire Liberal community, with NPLS organising for 10 of the smallest congregations to read the Ten Commandments. It turned into 11 as Suffolk were so keen they did it twice.
Obituary: Remembering Stuart Goodman In the last issue of lj today, there was a delightful article about Stuart Goodman’s new book One Saturday in 82 on Broadway Market. Tragically, Stuart died just two weeks after publication from COVID-19. Stuart would be one of the first people you met as you walked into Norwich Liberal Jewish Community (NLJC). His unforgettable and unmissable kippah made a statement, as eloquent as any opinion he offered to share... and there were many of those. His luxuriant beard invariably framed a smile and his abiding sense of humour was legendary.
Stuart had a clearly defined sense of duty; he was loyal to his family, to his friends and to his beliefs. I have seldom met anyone quite as values driven. His beliefs and social conscience were unwavering and, although some may have disagreed with his views and his way of expressing them, everyone knew where he stood and respected his position. His untimely passing underlined the rich contribution he made to our world and to our society. He was a top-notch photographer, both professionally on Fleet Street and informally as the official NLJC snapper. His love of music was a constant throughout his life – he was an accomplished jazz trumpeter, playing with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. He was always full of anecdotes, surprises and wonderful stories.
The ill-health that dogged Stuart towards the end of his life did not dim his commitment to, and endeavour on behalf of, NLJC and Liberal Judaism. Above all, Stuart was a wonderful father and husband. In his daughter Jo’s words, a “very special and very loved person”. Jo took the photograph that accompanies this tribute and the family have set up the website www. stuartgoodman.co.uk in Stuart’s honour. Our deepest condolences are with his wife Annie, daughter Jo, son Adam and everyone who knew and loved Stuart. If our legacy is measured by the friends who cherish our memory and the traces and echoes we leave behind, then Stuart was a very rich man. • This tribute was written by Peter Whear, chair of NLJC.
Youth
July/August 2020
LJ Today Page 11
LJY-Netzer is Liberal Judaism’s Progressive Zionist youth movement. It gives young people the chance to develop a strong Jewish identity, make lasting friendships and have loads of fun
Volunteering is great but what comes next? Jacob Swirsky writes about his experiences volunteering during the coronavirus crisis and makes a powerful call to action for us all to fight poverty: I HAVE been volunteering at Alexandra Palace, through Haringey Council, packing boxes and bags of ambient food to be sent out around the borough. The team at Ally Pally has approximately 15 people, with a makeshift rota ensuring there are enough of us there each day. We all get along and chat away as we put our respective items into the bag or box as it makes its way down the metal conveyor belt. Some are either furloughed or redundant workers and others are retirees. On each side of the conveyor belt sit four tables which act as a station for each person. The tables at the start are used for the heavier and larger items such as milk, cereal and tins. Further down the line is stock or soup, leaflets, and recently crisps and chocolate. We judge our daily performance on the final tally of crates that have built up around us over the past few hours. Deliveries and forklifts maintain the towers of produce around the conveyor belt. However, as the food is donated, neither the deliveries nor the items they bring are entirely consistent. If something runs out, we can’t wait until the next delivery so have to pack without it and hope it can arrive in time to be put in at the last minute. After weeks of packing, it has become easy to see the food just in terms of the packing process. We are happy to see a new type of tomato sauce which fits better in the box or excited to beat our personal best packing times. It can be easy to disconnect from the sole purpose of our job here. Indeed I have yet to even outline who this food goes to. The council sends these bags out as monthly deliveries to those who have become unable to afford food. Those shielding are able to get packages from the central government.
I am privileged enough that my only obstacle to getting food is whether they have it on the shelf of Morrison’s on my way home from volunteering, not whether I can afford it. The bags we pack go to desperate people and many volunteers and council workers are working tirelessly to help give them support. However, I cannot help wondering what will happen a few months from now. When will Alexandra Palace stop being used to pack and deliver food to those that need it and start hosting concerts and selling overpriced beer again? Foodbanks have seen usage rise by as much as 4,000% in a decade, but I wonder if this uptake in volunteering and support will continue post-coronavirus. When I talk to people about volunteering they tell me I am doing a great job for a worthy cause, but I am not ready to give myself a pat on the back. Zooming out from the 300-400 bags we pack a day at Ally Pally, I fear for the millions in the UK who live in poverty and will no doubt suffer further in any upcoming recession. Austerity kills, poverty kills. Many of us are lucky to live without the anguish of not being able to afford food. But what of those who aren’t? Social action is important but, if we truly care about those suffering, we also need political action to end the shameful levels of poverty that have grown in the sixth largest economy in the world.
LJY in COVID-19 By Martha Slater THE CORONAVIRUS has disrupted everyone’s lives in so many ways, and that has not excluded our youth movement. With tours and camps being cancelled, and the Shnatties coming home early from Israel, we have had to try and make the best of our situation and continue to keep the movement alive through education and community building. This has come with benefits which we would never have experienced before. These include being able to be more accessible to children who have never been on an LJY-Netzer event and collaborating with our Netzer Olami siblings around the world. It has also been such a comfort to have ‘Mishpacha time’, an idea the movement workers set up for the bogrimot (over 18s) where we are in assigned groups and meet weekly to catch up and play games. Online prayer has also given us a sense of community and hope for when we are able to be together again. Until that time comes, we are taking comfort in being able to spend time with each other online. We are always continuing to work and evolve our movement and are hopeful it won’t be too long until we can physically be together once more.
Jess’s challah THE Liberal Judaism Biennial At Home started with LJY-Netzer member Jess Baker’s vegan challah bake. You can get the recipe by searching on the Liberal Judaism website.
July/August 2020
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Liberal Judaism congregations Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue T: 0845 869 7105 E: info@bedsps.org.uk W: bedfordshire-ps.org.uk
Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community T: 0131 777 8024 E: info@eljc.org W: eljc.org
Beit Klal Yisrael (London) E: bkymailing@gmail.com W: bky.org.uk
Finchley Progressive Synagogue T: 020 8446 4063 E: fps@liberaljudaism.org W: fps.org
Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue T: 01923 822 592 E: npls@liberaljudaism.org W: npls.org.uk
Kehillah North London T: 07706 354 602 E: info@kehillah.org.uk W: kehillah.org.uk
Norwich Liberal Jewish Community E: nljc@liberaljudaism.org W: norwichljc.org.uk
Kent Liberal Jewish Community T: 07952 242 432 E: enquiries@kljc.org.uk W: kljc.org.uk
Nottingham Liberal Synagogue T: 0115 962 4761 E: nls@liberaljudaism.org
Kingston Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8398 7400 E: kls@liberaljudaism.org W: klsonline.org
Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community T: 07561 331 390 E: info@pljc.org.uk W: pljc.org.uk
Birmingham Progressive Synagogue T: 0121 634 3888 E: bps@liberaljudaism.org W: bpsjudaism.com Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue T: 01273 737 223 E: info@bhps-online.org W: bhps-online.org Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation T: 0117 403 3456 E: bwpjc@bwpjc.org W: bwpjc.org Crawley Jewish Community T: 01293 534 294 Crouch End Chavurah E: info@crouchendchavurah.co.uk W: crouchendchavurah.co.uk Dublin Progressive Congregation E: djpc@liberaljudaism.org W: djpcireland.com
Ealing Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8997 0528 E: admin@ealingliberalsynagogue.org.uk W: ealingliberalsynagogue.org.uk East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue T: 0208 989 7619 E: eastlondonandessexliberal@gmail.com W: eastlondonandessexliberal synagogue.org Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community T: 07497 401 280 E: eljc.contact@gmail.com W: eljc.org.uk
Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation T: 0116 271 5584 E: chair@lpjc.org.uk W: lpjc.org.uk The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (St John’s Wood) T: 020 7286 5181 E: ljs@ljs.org W: ljs.org
Mosaic Liberal (Harrow) T: 020 8864 5323 E: office@mosaicliberal.org.uk W: mosaicliberal.org.uk
W: nottinghamliberalsynagogue.com
Reading Liberal Jewish Community T: 0118 942 8022 E: readingliberaljewishcommunity@ gmail.com
W: readingljc.org.uk Shir Hatzafon (Copenhagen) E: shir@shirhatzafon.dk W: shirhatzafon.dk
The Liberal Synagogue Elstree T: 020 8953 8889 E: office@tlse.org.uk W: tlse.org.uk
South Bucks Jewish Community T: 0845 644 2370 E: info@sbjc.org.uk W: sbjc.org.uk
Lincolnshire Jewish Community T: 01427 628 958 E: ljc@liberaljudaism.org W: lincolnshirejc.co.uk
Southgate Progressive Synagogue T: 020 8886 0977 E: sps@liberaljudaism.org W: sps.uk.com
Manchester Liberal Jewish Community T: 0161 796 6210 E: mljc@liberaljudaism.org W: mljc.org.uk
The Montagu Centre 21 Maple Street London, W1T 4BE T: 020 7580 1663 E: montagu@liberaljudaism.org W: liberaljudaism.org
Liberal Judaism is the dynamic, cutting edge of modern Judaism. It reverences Jewish tradition, seeking to preserve the values of the past, while giving them contemporary force. Charity Number: 1151090
lj today is edited by Simon Rothstein s.rothstein@liberaljudaism.org Printed by Precision Printing. www.precisionprinting.co.uk
South London Liberal Synagogue (Streatham) T: 020 8769 4787 E: slls@liberaljudaism.org W: southlondon.org
Stevenage Liberal Synagogue T: 01438 300 222 E: stevenageliberalsynagogue@gmail.com W: stevenageliberalsynagogue.org.uk Suffolk Liberal Jewish Community (Ipswich) T:01473 250 797 E: sljc@liberaljudaism.org Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community (Gloucestershire and Herefordshire) T: 07900 612 058 E: info@3cljc.org.uk W: 3cljc.org.uk Tikvah Chadasha Synagogue (Shenfield) T: 01277 888 610 E: tikvahchadasha@gmail.com W: tikvahchadasha.com Wessex Liberal Jewish Community (Bournemouth) T: 01202 757 590 E: info@wessexliberaljudaism.org.uk W: wessexliberaljudaism.org.uk West Central Liberal Synagogue T: 020 7636 7627 E: office@wcls.org.uk W: wcls.org.uk York Liberal Jewish Community T: 0300 102 0062 E: info@jewsinyork.org.uk W: jewsinyork.org.uk Developing and affiliated Beit Ha’Chidush (Amsterdam) T: +31 23 524 7204 E: bhc.informatie@gmail.com W: beithachidush.nl Lancashire & Cumbria Liberal Jewish Community T: 0777 531 0944 W: northwestjews.org Oxford Jewish Congregation T: 01865 515 584 E: connections@ojc-online.org W: ojc-online.org
President Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein Acting Chair Ruth Seager Vice Chair Karen Newman Treasurer Paul Silver-Myer Secretary Amanda McFeeters Israel and the Diaspora Graham Carpenter Strategy Robin Moss Social Justice Jane Drapkin Youth Hannah Stephenson National Officer Ros Clayton Vice Presidents Simon Benscher, Monique Blake, Lord Fink, Jeromé Freedman, Louise Freedman, Sharon Goldstein, Lucian Hudson, David Lipman, Corinne Oppenheimer, David Pick, Rabbi Danny Rich, Rosita Rosenberg, Tony Sacker, Joan Shopper, Phil Stone, Beverley Taylor and Ken Teacher Chair of The Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors Rabbi Aaron Goldstein Interim Directors Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer Director of Administration Alexandra Simonon Director of Youth Becca Fetterman (furlough) Fundraising and Events Thomas Rich Interfaith Rabbi Mark Solomon Archivist Alison Turner PA to Senior Management Team and Communities Coordinator Rafe Thurstance Finance Janet Manderson Reception Ben Combe PR and Social Media Simon Rothstein LJY-Netzer Fran Kurlansky (furlough), Rosa Slater and Jacob Swirsky (furlough)