July/August 2012 VOL. XXXIX No. 4
Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
www.liberaljudaism.org
ljtoday
The Biennial was just the start... By Rabbi Pete Tobias
T
HE Liberal Judaism 2012 Biennial Weekend was a huge success with 261 people in attendance, representing 36 different Progressive synagogues and organisations. It was an opportunity to look back at critical moments in Judaism’s rich and varied history and explore the contributions made by different individuals and groups. But the Biennial was just the start. We must now continue to explore, challenge and develop in order to move Liberal Judaism forwards. The future requires a constant re-evaluation of which elements of our Judaism can bring meaning and purpose to the lives of Jews in the 21st Century and which, while fascinating from a historical perspective, are best left in the past. We must contemplate our relationship with Judaism’s extraordinary history and consider our contribution to carry our religion to its next stage. That was the challenge set by the Biennial - and by Liberal Judaism. We need always to move forwards, taking with us those elements of our heritage that can help us to preserve, shape and transmit our wonderful Judaism. We need to give it a new vitality, in a form that will work in our often baffling, sometimes frightening and seemingly godless 21st Century. Liberal Judaism will dedicate its efforts to bringing a dynamic, vibrant, creative and meaningful Judaism to our members. We will do this by creating a new approach to Judaism, to God and to belief – or lack of it. We will work on a new prayer book. We will encourage members of Liberal communities to study their heritage, embrace its contradictions and its challenges and find a place in it with which they feel comfortable.
Rabbis Pete Tobias and Shulamit Ambalu light the Shabbat candles to start the 2012 Biennial
Reni Chapman receives a Chairman’s Award for 60 years of service, as toddlers enjoy play time
We will also visit congregations, offering to study and discuss how to shape a Judaism that is worthy and worthwhile, that acknowledges its past and offers hope for its future. This is not an overnight process. It will involve consultation with Liberal Judaism’s communities and members at every stage. A one-day event for all Liberal Jews next spring will be the first such milestone on this journey; the Biennial Weekend in 2014 an opportunity to carry it further.
In addition to these national events, there will be activities occurring regularly in individual communities, where discussions about the future of our congregations, our Jewish heritage and our belief in God can take place. Watch out for your chance to become part of the debate about the future of Liberal Judaism in the months and years ahead.
• Thank you to Rabbi Ariel Friedlander, Phyllis Alden, Bryan Diamond and all who provided Biennial photos for this issue.