LJ Today July/August 2007

July/August 2007

VOL. XXXIV No. 4

ljtoday

Liberals show their fighting spirit Inter-synagogue quiz

Football tournament

Sixteen teams each brought their own brand of friendly competitiveness to this year’s Liberal Judaism intersynagogue quiz, hosted by Harrow & Wembley, last year’s winners.

At the event, in May, Harrow and Northwood’s hold on the trophy was broken when the Liberal Jewish Synagogue emerged victorious after 10 hard-fought rounds. Harrow alternated with Northwood & Pinner as champions for the previous five years.

Quizmaster Alan Hunt, of Harrow, provided plenty of challenges for those taking part with rounds including acronyms, music, poetry, religion and women. Liberal Jews, it seems, are better versed in world religions and (classical) music than in poetry, with the best results scored in the religion round. This performance was not hindered, presumably, by the presence of a number of rabbis, including Mark Solomon on the winning LJS team.

Southgate, who had not entered the quiz for many years, did best by far in the marathon round, in which team members had to match famous people – and a few racehorses – to the year of their death; Southgate scored 18½ out of 25.

The hosts, Harrow, came second, seven points behind the LJS, with third-place NLPJC (North London Progressive Jewish Community) trailing by nine points. Lincoln and Kent joined forces in what they hoped would be an unbeatable combination, and although their team lacked a

A big group of enthusiastic parents cheered on the touchlines as their 12- to 14-year-olds took part in a Liberal Judaism inter-synagogue football tournament on Sunday 3 June.

There was brilliant sunshine for the five-a-side tournament, held at Powerleague Barnet, in north London, and every team won at least one match.

Southgate Progressive Synagogue were well represented and their players comprised most of the winning team, who have been promised a trophy in due course.

The tournament was organised by Josh Lassman-Watts, youth outreach fieldworker, who says it was ‘a really great day’, adding: ‘I’m hoping it will become an annual fixture.’

The LJS team: (from back left) Peter Fidler, Martin Salter, Richard Schmidt, Geoffrey Davis (presenter of the trophy), Sue Bolsom, Jeanne Myers, Joan Salter, Mark Solomon and Janet Ramsey Photo by Pat Zatz

rabbi, they did have possibly the next best thing – Lincoln MP and synagogue member Gillian Merron. Despite a spirited performance, the Lincoln/Kent team finished 12th.

Many contestants commented on what a terrific opportunity the quiz provides to meet up with friends and acquaintances. Geoffrey Davis, who founded the quiz 32 years ago on his retirement as chairman of the movement, competed on the Reading team. He presented the trophy to the team from the LJS, which now has the honour of hosting next year’s competition.  Around 70 contestants took part in a quiz night at the fast-growing North London Progressive Jewish Community, hosted by the acclaimed actor and comedian David Schneider.

The event was held to raise funds for the shul.

Letters, page 10

Students examined As this autumn’s freshers prepare to leave home, and often their home synagogue, LJ Today looks at what Liberal Judaism offers to university students, and what it’s like being a Jew on campus. Plus, Noa Marom updates us on campus life in Israel.

If you’re going to university this autumn, or know someone who is, contact fieldworker Jake Welford so he can let you know what’s on near you: j.welford@liberaljudaism.org.

Students in focus, pages 6-7

News; Around the Communities, p2-3 • Education, p4 • Obituaries, p8 • Spotlight on West Central, p9

July/August 2007

Radio Salaam Shalom wins international acclaim Peter Brill reports on a Muslim–Jewish station based in Bristol On 1 February this year, a special dialogue between Jews and Muslims opened up. The launch of Radio Salaam Shalom heralded a new voice not just for the local communities in Bristol, but also nationally and globally.

Dramatic and overstated? Possibly, but since the internet-based station went live, the media in Britain and across the world have been talking about it; writers, broadcasters and listeners from America, eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia have contacted the Salaam Shalom team.

The project sprang from a number of interfaith meetings of Muslim and Jewish students organised by Bristol’s university chaplaincy, led by the chaplaincy rabbi, Natan Levy, along with Rabbi Francis ‘Ron’ Berry and Michael Romain from Bristol’s Progressive synagogue, and Amer Salman and Farooq Siddique from the Bristol Muslim Cultural Society. From

the energy and enthusiasm generated by the meetings, the idea emerged of channelling them into a radio station.

Funding came from the government’s Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund, with support from Government Office for the South West.

Nearly 18 months after the first meeting, and with the help of volunteers from both the Progressive and Hebrew congregations, the station went live, with six hours of new programming every day and an eclectic range of Jewish and Musliminfluenced music for the remaining 18 hours on www.salaamshalom.org.uk.

Rabbi Ron, as he is known on air, said the project was aimed at helping Jews and Muslims to build understanding and mutual respect. ‘We think that when people work together creatively, technically and socially their negative preconceptions will be dispelled. We can

thus steer people away from extremism.’

Rabbi Ron and his wife, Kathy, are just two of the voices heard on the station, which includes Israelis broadcasting alongside Asian Muslims; two brothers aged 11 and 12 running a show; music ranging from klezmer to hip-hop and from Arabic drumming to Jewish folk; serious discussion on the arts, politics and, of course, everybody’s favourite topic: food.

The most gratifying and often-used phrases around the studio are ‘I didn’t know that’ and ‘You know, we do that too!’

Funding is now being sought to secure the station’s future. It is hoped that live programming will be stretched to 12 hours a day, and an ambitious outreach campaign is planned.

Peter Brill, a member of Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation, is chairman of Radio Salaam Shalom

Biennial Weekend

Rabbi meets Romanian royals

The next Liberal Judaism Biennial Weekend will be held on 4-6 April 2008.

We are returning to the Tortworth Court Hotel near Bristol, venue for the very successful 2004 weekend. A parallel LJYNetzer weekend will also be running.

Details of the programme and of the special rates being offered for younger families will be published in September.

The 2006 weekend was rated the best ever by those who attended and we aim to beat that record in 2008!

Mike and Penny Beral (penny@pennyberal.co.uk)

On arrival in Bucharest, the party of 30 on an NPLS Goldstein Tour of Romania went straight to the Elizabeth Palace for a reception by the Romanian royal family; a gathering not in honour of Liberal Jewry, but because it was Monarchy Day, marking the establishment of the monarchy in the country in the 19th century.

The reception was arranged by Stanley Fink, who, as well as being the chairman of Liberal Judaism’s Council of Patrons,

is a supporter of Princess Margarita of Romania’s charity for the poor of that country.

The tourists enjoyed many exceptional experiences, including a Liberal Erev Shabbat service, held in a wooden synagogue said to have been visited by the Baal Shem Tov, in Piatra-Neamt. The following morning’s service was held in a field being tilled by horse-drawn ploughs.

Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein

Liberal rabbis march for Darfur Rabbis Janet Burden, right, and Rebecca Birk represented Liberal Judaism at a Rally for Darfur outside Downing Street in April. A coalition of Jewish charities is leading a Jewish Community campaign calling for an urgent response to the humanitarian crisis in the Sudanese region.

Rabbi Birk said: ‘It was good to be at the march, with my children squashed into the pushchair, and in the spirit of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel I hoped its wheels were praying.

‘The egg timer we were all given for

the minute’s silence was a reminder of our need to persuade the powers that be to take action and offer protection. I feel we have a particular responsibility as Jews to help to speak and teach about the situation.’  At Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue’s stand at ‘Celebration! 2007’, a Watford event centred on the town’s diverse faiths and cultures, Mustapha, a Darfuri asylum seeker, spoke about his experiences and how people can help Darfuris by lobbying their local MPs and media.

Book launch draws big crowd the rabbi’s new book, Liberal Judaism: A Judaism for the 21st Century.

Rabbi Tobias, a regular guest on Jones’s Good Morning Sunday show on Radio 2, recalled how the book might never have been written if a broken Achilles tendon hadn’t provided the need for him to stay still for long enough to pen the first draft. The book, which began as an updating of Judaism for Today by Rabbis Rayner and Hooker, became a Radio 2 colleagues Aled Jones, left, and Pete Tobias at the launch more extensive project as the Affirmations of Liberal Members of the Edinburgh, Brighton and Judaism, which create its structure, Herefordshire communities were among came to be redrafted and reordered. those who heard broadcaster Aled Jones To order Liberal Judaism: A Judaism engage in quickfire repartee with Pete for the 21st Century, send a cheque for Tobias on the topics of reading, religion £9.99 to the Montagu Centre, payable to and the meaning of life at the launch of Liberal Judaism.

Bail Circle success £20,000 cheque

Action for disabled Liberal Judaism is setting up a Disability Action Group, with honorary officer Roz Bott taking on the new portfolio. Please contact r.bott@liberaljudaism.org if you would like to get involved.

European Region The Biennial Conference of the European Region of the World Union for Progressive Judaism will be held from 13 to 16 March, 2008, in Vienna. Details from: lindakann@europeanregion.org.

LJ Today Page 3

July/August 2007

Jonathan Levene

Page 2 LJ Today

King Michael and Queen Anne of Romania with Rabbi Andrew and Mrs Sharon Goldstein, who is holding a siddur, which she later presented to their Royal Highnesses Photo: Richard Conradi

North London Progressive Jewish Community is involved in a bail circle, which seeks volunteers to ‘stand surety’ for immigration detainees, who are held for long periods, often months.

Michael Ellman, a former NLPJC secretary, recently stood bail for Irina, a Ukrainian asylum seeker, and she was subsequently released from Yarl’s Wood detention centre, Bedfordshire. Most immigration detainees seeking bail have committed no crime and are simply detained during the asylum application process. The synagogue hopes more people can get back to their families and communities as a result of its efforts.

During its successful Israel Weekend, Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue handed a £20,000 cheque to Aharon Pulver, who received it on behalf of the Leo Baeck Education Centre, Haifa. The gift was part of the £60,000 raised by NPLS in its Yom Kippur appeal.

The weekend, coinciding with Yom HaAtzmaut, included dancing, an opera recital, wine tasting and plenty of food.  NPLS members Sidney Moss and Ruth Weyl were among four people of the Hillingdon branch of the Council of Christians and Jews to receive special awards during a ceremony at Lambeth Palace in central London.

Around the Communities Finchley The new-style Friday night service created by Rabbi Neil Janes is proving hugely popular. Shabbat Resouled is a musical, spiritual welcoming treat on the third Friday of the month. http://shabbatresouled.org.

Manchester Ruben Baron was probably the first ever barmitzvah in Todmorden, Lancashire, when he read his portion in May. Ruben began his Jewish education two years ago with the foundation of the Manchester Liberal Jewish Community.

Leicester Jeffrey Kaufman, chairman of the Leicester Progressive congregation, has been appointed mayor of Oadby and Wigston. He is the first person in the local council to have been elected mayor for a second time.

Rabbi Stephen Howard, of Southgate, recited grace at the inaugural dinner in May and is to act as chaplain.

Bet Tikvah Bet Tikvah Synagogue held a special Shabbat service on 9 June to consecrate its new ark. The community also has a new satellite group in Brentwood – set up by the synagogue’s chairman, Janice Feldman – which holds monthly services led by Rabbi David Hulbert.

Dublin Following a formal service for Yom HaShoah in Dublin’s Progressive synagogue, a large congregation was held spellbound and deeply moved by guest speaker Tommy Reichental, father of one of the members. Tommy was a Slovakian child in 1939 who was sent to Bergen-Belsen. He began to talk about his experiences three years ago, when his grandson asked him to give a talk at his school. Since then he has been travelling around the country speaking two or three times a week, making his audience aware of the horrors of the Holocaust.

Woodford The synagogue formerly known as Woodford Progressive is now Woodford Liberal Synagogue.

Harrow & Wembley Harry Jacobi, a former rabbi of Harrow, the Mayor of Brent and representatives from Brent Multi-Faith Forum were among congregants at a Civic Service to mark the shul’s 60th anniversary in June.

July/August 2007

Page 4 LJ Today

Student rabbi Yuval Keren relates the influence Liberal Judaism has had on his life

From Ashkelon to Eastbourne In the three years since I began studying to be a rabbi, I have enjoyed working with a number of Liberal communities, small and large, in England. But I had a soft spot for the Liberal Judaism movement long before I joined Leo Baeck College: after all, it was through its youth department that I met my wifeto-be, Clare. She was in Israel on the ULPSNYC gap-year programme and we met when she visited Kibbutz Yahel, where I was working as a dairy manager.

I was born in Ashkelon, lived in Kibbutz Regavim and served for three years in the Golani Brigade, an infantry unit of the Israeli army. Moving to Britain in 1993, my journey here with Liberal Judaism began when I joined the Bristol community while studying systems analysis at the University of the West of England. My years as a member of that community had a huge impact on my spiritual development and future direction: Rabbi Hadassah Davies was my first rabbinic mentor and a great source of inspiration, and members of the Bristol community were the first

people to suggest that I consider the rabbinate as a career. I have recently accepted several invitations to visit Bristol and lead services and am delighted to see the community going from strength to strength.

For the past academic year I have been apprenticed to Rabbi Andrew Goldstein, at Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue. One of the highlights has been conducting a Kabbalat Shabbat service for the nursery children and guiding them through their first steps with Hebrew and Judaism. I have learned a great deal about spiritual leadership and community support from Rabbi Goldstein and am grateful for the opportunity of working with a large, thriving and friendly community.

During the High Holy Days, Leo Baeck rabbinic students are sent to Liberal and Reform communities in Britain, Europe and sometimes further afield. For the past two years I have led services at Nottingham Progressive Jewish Congregation, where I have had the most wonderful spiritual experiences. Outside

the synagogue, the community has also shown me great hospitality.

I have led the first ever Saturday morning service at Eastbourne Progressive congregation and led a wellattended communal Seder there. For two years I also led the communal Seder in Hereford, where I was warmly welcomed.

During Shabbat Lech Lecha, I visited Bet Tikvah Synagogue in Barkingside, where I helped with the service, read from the Torah and talked about the college. After the service my family and I were invited to examine the two bee colonies in Rabbi David Hulbert’s garden, and enjoyed their honey.

I have helped to lead services at South Bucks, Kingston and West Central synagogues, taught at Reading and Finchley and taken part in a service at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue. In each case the contact with congregants and visitors has been very valuable.

Although I am loving my time as a student, I look forward to being able to serve the Progressive Jewish community as a fully fledged rabbi.

Words that shake to the core FOR THE LIBRARY

Watching for the Morning: Selected Sermons Sheila Shulman, published by Beit Klal Yisrael, £7.99, ISBN: 978-0-9556183-0-7

Three years ago a new synagogue joined Liberal Judaism: Beit Klal Yisrael. It isn’t all that new. I was one of its first members in the year of its foundation, 1990, and that seems like a long time ago... Yet I would not claim to be a ‘founder member’. The honour of founder belongs above all to Rabbi Sheila Shulman, the community’s spiritual leader for these past 17 years, and to a small nucleus of women who shared her vision of an open, inclusive community of klal Yisrael – the whole house of Israel.

Initially, for a decade and a half in fact, the synagogue chose to be part of the Reform movement. A couple of years ago it chose to become part of Liberal Judaism. Its statement of ‘who we are’, however, remains the same, specifically highlighting sections of the Jewish population who have known (and still know) marginalisation and exclusion.

Lesbians and gay men head the list,

which also includes ‘women who want to work out an independent and challenging relationship to Judaism as women’, people who do not feel ‘formally religious’, Jews who have non-Jewish partners, patrilineal Jews and single people.

Rabbi Shulman, who retires this summer, remains the embodiment of the woman who every day works out her independent and challenging relationship to Judaism. Fortunately, many of us have been enabled to share in that process, above all through her sermons. In the current issue of the synagogue newsletter, a long-standing member, Sam Tabak, reflects on the way he came to BKY in 1994: ‘I had heard of Sheila from other people but hadn’t met her yet. In my mind’s eye, this lesbian rabbi from New York would be in her twenties, freckled with masses of bright red curly hair. Those who know Sheila know that she is nothing like the image I

had of her in my mind. They will know that she gives a powerful and heartfelt sermon. At Yom Kippur her drash shook me to the core, and has done so consistently in the years that followed.’

Like Sam, I started hearing those powerful, hearfelt sermons many years ago. On the other hand, as a congregational rabbi myself, I now have to give my own sermons, so I no longer have the privilege of listening to Sheila on our Great and Terrible Days, our yamim noraim, when the praying community waits in hope and awe, yearning to encounter wisdom, a searching vision of life, sweeping over us, changing us.

Sheila has never failed us. She has always set, through her words, an unattainable yet intimately inspiring example; a unique accomplishment. As I read Watching for the Morning, a collection of those extraordinary texts, I, too, was once again shaken to the core.

James Baaden

LJ Today Page 5

July/August 2007

Together we achieve so much more Danny Rich The concept of Liberal Judaism is made solid by the day-to-day and week-byweek services, classes, pastoral visits and much more which rabbis and individual lay Liberal Jewish men and women provide to existing and potential members of Liberal communities. Such activities are best provided where they are needed – locally.

In contrast there are services and activities that are best provided, by reason of scale, logistics or availability of finance, on a collective basis. The maintenance of a facility for the training of rabbis (the Leo Baeck College), the provision of cemeteries and the cost of their purchase, the production of prayerbooks, Haggadot and information about Liberal Judaism, the supervision of conversions and marriages, the organisation of a summer camp, an Israel Trip and national get-togethers for young people, and the articulation of a

national voice are most effectively provided through a single, centralised democratically answerable body – Liberal Judaism.

The sharing of ideas and practical responses to common problems, the creation of like-minded communities and the raising of funds through the Council of Patrons for noncongregational work, including efforts for students on campus and a generation of young adults who are missing from local congregations, are further areas of endeavour where Liberal Judaism as a central organisation takes the lead and is demonstrating success.

The relationship between Liberal Judaism at the Montagu Centre and its constituent congregations ought, therefore, to be one of mutual benefit, and when it is not perceived as such it is often because there has been a failure to appreciate what each other does and to communicate that clearly.

There is, understandably, a visceral sense that if Liberal Judaism, based at

Education news ..... from Judy Thwaites Launch of our religion school curriculum When I conducted the Liberal Judaism education survey in late 2005 I found that many communities wanted practical help with curriculum development, readymade lesson packs and online and distance-learning resources. They also wanted information on teaching about Israel and Progressive Judaism.

We are aware that many religion school head teachers give huge amounts of time, often voluntarily, and juggle family and work commitments to help in our communities. We want to support these teachers, and support their staff, particularly young teachers who have talent and enthusiasm but are new to teaching. We are, therefore, delighted to announce a dynamic initiative: A Liberal Judaism religion school curriculum called Journeys Through Jewish Life.

We have almost completed the first year of a flexible three-year programme for pupils aged 6-8 year and 9-12 in Liberal Judaism religion schools. The first Journey will be available electronically by mid-August, for teaching from September 2007 to March 2008, and will be called Heroes and

Heroines from the Tanach. The next Journey/unit will be Israel Counts, to be taught in the Shavuot Term 2008. There will be six units all together, covering two terms over three years.

We hope to provide 23 clear lesson plans each year, available on CD and/or online, with resources and suitable website addresses for developing the topic further. The 23 lessons will allow spare weeks in religion school timetables for other community activities, revision, festival teaching and half terms.

We are building into the programme room for ongoing evaluation, adaptation and development by each community that uses it: we hope that, by working together, we can add to and improve the curriculum.

A thrilling bonus is that, as a result of a generous grant from the North London Trust for Progressive Judaism and the Liberal Judaism Council of Patrons, communities will be offered the chance to send their teachers, at a greatly reduced cost, to two different seminars at the Lokey Education Centre in Haifa. The seminars will take place in March 2008 and March 2009. Each eight-day seminar will enable teachers to connect with the land and people of Israel, evaluate and develop the curriculum they have taught

the Montagu Centre, is successful then this will be at the expense of its constituents, although this feeling does not withstand rigorous analysis: mutual success is the only sustainable option.

Growth and activity in Liberal Jewish communities give authority, finance and purpose to Liberal Judaism. In turn, if Liberal Judaism achieves its aims, including that of a higher profile for Liberal Jewish values and practices, then the beneficiaries will be local communities, which should be inspired by success, invigorated by new members and supported by a new generation of Liberal Jews who will help to share the financial burden.

Liberal Judaism’s chair, Nigel Cole, calls this ‘the virtuous spiral’. In the coming months he and I – through the columns of LJ Today, the Annual Report and six letters a year (in alternate months, when LJ Today is not published) – will, I hope, be able to share a little of your local achievements and communicate a few of our national ones too.

j.thwaites@liberaljudaism.org and learn how to implement the next units.

We also plan a UK regional weekend workshop for teachers, and annual Liberal Judaism Journeys Through Jewish Life fun days, where teachers and pupils can review the work they have covered.

Please email me for application forms and further information. __________________________________

‘The Liberal Jewish Parenting Day is my favourite Jewish festival’ Amber, aged six, South Bucks The next Liberal Jewish Parenting Day is on Sunday 4 November 2007, 9.30am at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue. Childcare and food provided. Booking details will appear in the next edition of LJ Today.

Hebrew retreat The Hebrew retreat for pre-batmitzvah/ barmitzvah children will be on the week– end of 5-7 October. Email me for details.

GCSE Jewish Studies revision Eighteen students attended Liberal Judaism’s two-day revision course, including three pupils from Bristol.

July/August 2007

Page 6 LJ Today

LJ Today Page 7

July/August 2007

Students in focus

Students in focus

As Jews, we face extra challenges

LJ Students recruits campus reps

By Mitch Simmons

In its first year of operation, LJ Students has brought together Jewish students in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Nottingham as well as those at universities in the London area. It offers them ways to connect with their Judaism religiously, culturally and socially.

Jake Welford, Liberal Judaism’s student fieldworker, has been building the profile of the movement on campuses and arranging religious services and social events.

Liberal Judaism is delighted to be able to expand this work. A grant from the North London Trust for Progressive Judaism will enable student campus representatives to be employed to organise activities. This autumn, there will be a Liberal Jewish presence at freshers’ fairs, with representatives on hand to meet and greet new Jewish students.

LJ Students is overseen by Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, outreach director of Liberal Judaism. He says this area of

Five years ago I was preparing to leave my small community in Nottingham and head to Birmingham University. For me, the decision to go to university was relatively simple: I wanted to continue studying and was enthralled by the idea of leaving home and entering a new environment with new people. In Birmingham, I found inspiration in student politics, a Jewish Society larger than my home community and the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) for whom I now work.

University life is one of the most fulfilling and exciting experiences one could wish for. Whether it is a thirst for knowledge, a particular career path or just three years away from home that entices you, there will be something that suits. There is a huge range of extracurricular activities and an incredible range of societies in the Students’ Union.

There are many obstacles in front of students today; increased assessment and the introduction of top-up fees can mean students will choose a part-time job or the library instead of heading to the pub or even a Jewish Society event.

However, amid the excitement and challenges Jewish students face, both within and external to their studies, there has always been an additional pressure. There exists a small minority of academics and students whose politics, values and beliefs radically counter the pluralism and tolerance Jewish Societies promote on campus.

Most recently this has come through moves to boycott Israeli academics and institutions. In 2005, during Pesach, the

Association of University Teachers (AUT) passed policy in favour of boycotting two Israeli universities, leading to international condemnation and a backlash within the union. A special council was convened and the boycott was overturned. Last year, the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education (NATFHE) called for a boycott of those ‘that do not publicly dissociate themselves from Israeli government policies’. This was a more dangerous threat: an academic’s research would be deemed valid only if he or she entered the political arena to say the ‘right thing’. This policy never became a reality, however, as AUT and NATFHE merged days later, creating a super-union with 120,000 members, the University and College Union (UCU).

The concept of boycotting Israeli academia comes out of a grave misunderstanding of what it means to be unionist and progressive. The advancement of human knowledge and the exchange of ideas brings people together from all backgrounds with a common goal of understanding the world around us and is something to be encouraged not boycotted. British academics should be engaging in the positive work that takes place between Israeli and Palestinian academics and supporting peace through mutual recognition. Sadly, in May this year, the UCU Congress passed the proposed policy by 158 votes to 99, despite its general secretary speaking out against a boycott.

The UCU accused Israeli academics of being complicit in the actions of the Israeli government and claimed that ‘criticism

of Israel cannot [implied: cannot ever] be construed as antisemitic’.

Jewish Students responded to the UCU boycott as part of a co-ordinated campaign with UJS to lobby its general secretary and raise awareness among the wider student movement. Student unions have made statements and passed emergency policies against a boycott; the National Union of Students (NUS) put out an immediate press release against any form of boycott.

The boycott of Israel is one of many issues that have affected Jews on campus since the UN passed its infamous policy equating Zionism with racism in 1975. We should not shy away from confronting this latest menace headon: history shows that we can win and take people with us. UJS has worked to influence organisations such as the NUS and the Department for Education and Skills to act against antisemitism and anti-Zionism on campuses. This year’s NUS annual conference was an enormous success. Owing to UJS and Jewish student campaigning, the NUS became the first union to define excessive criticism of Israel as antisemitic.

This September, I expect to see more campaigning from Jewish students on the issues of boycotting Israeli academia. In Pirkei Avot, Rabbi Tarfon comments: ‘It is not your duty to complete the task; but you are not free to decline it.’ I urge every student to find some time, somewhere in their schedule, to do something.

Mitch Simmons is campaigns organiser of the Union of Jewish Students

Israel witnesses a different kind of protest

By Noa Marom On 30 May, Britain’s University and College Union passed a motion to boycott Israeli academic institutions.

What is less well known is that on 24 May the Israeli academic institutions at last returned to full curriculum after a 45-day student union strike, the longest student protest in the nation’s history.

For a month and a half there were few or no classes in any of Israel’s main universities. Students and faculties were protesting against the recommendations

of a committee led by former finance minister Abraham Shochat. The committee was asked by the government to look at higher education and report on what steps should be taken to improve it.

The Shochat Committee, as it became known, was appointed in November. Also sitting on it are education minister Youli Tamir, finance ministry officials, representatives of the Council for Higher Education and senior professors; it has no student representation.

The striking students were demanding that the government deliver on the

pledge, made by prime minister Ehud Barak in 2001, to lower tuition fees by 50 per cent. University faculties soon joined the strike on the basis of different issues, one of them being the committee’s recommendation to implement a differential salary system.

Israel’s academic situation isn’t looking too bright this year. We can only hope that it will improve sooner rather than later.

Noa Marom is Liberal Judaism’s shlicha (Israeli emissary)

Are you going to university this autumn, or do you know someone who is? Might they be interested in getting involved in LJ Students?

LJ Students, set up in September 2006, organises social activities, religious services, trips, film nights, speaker events and more for Liberal Jews studying away from home. To get involved, email or text Jake with your name, phone number and the university you are going to or are currently at: j.welford@liberal judaism.org or 07877 287514.

work is particularly important because the role of the traditional organiser on campuses, the Union of Jewish Students (UJS), is being supplanted by

the well-resourced, orthodox Aish HaTorah organisation. ‘LJ Students has an important role to play to ensure that our students are catered for and not excluded from student events, and to work with the UJS on political issues,’ Rabbi Goldstein says.

Another aspect of Jake’s role is to bridge the gap between LJY-Netzer and young adult activities, and he will be working with the new youth movement organisers to achieve this.

Jake is hoping to organise a pre-autumn term event in late August or Sepember. Please email j.welford@ liberaljudaism.org for details.  Rabbi Danny Rich gave a talk to students at Manchester University on the subject of religion in the 21st century; among the large audience were Reform, Orthodox and Liberal Jews, as well as non-Jews. Rabbi Rich also delivered the end-of-term sermon in June at Royal Holloway College, Egham, Surrey.

Accompanying him was his aunt, a former student at the college.

Beating intolerance in Manchester

By Rob Pinfold Jewish students at Manchester University, where I am about to begin my second year of study, have faced plenty of problems during the past three terms.

Anti-semitic groups frequently operate on campus, there are racist attacks and discrimination against Jewish students as well as other minority groups, and last year residents of Hillel House had bricks thrown at their residences.

These problems increased after Respect won a landslide victory at last year’s Student Union elections, fuelling suspicion and tension mainly between the Jewish and Muslim (or so-called pro-Palestinian) factions on campus. A group calling itself Action Palestine created an apparent mock-up of Gaza during the day when prospective students visit, which involved people dressing up in Hamas T-shirts and creating a mock ‘apartheid wall’. This obviously not only trivialises the complicated Middle-East conflict, it turns off students from the political

scene and makes Jewish students feel threatened and isolated.

Manchester University also reversed the NUS (National Union of Students) ‘no platform policy’ – where fascist and racist groups are banned from campuses – allowing openly anti-semitic groups like Hizb ut-Tahrir to operate. This is part of a pattern of events: at this year’s NUS conference I heard the General Union of Palestinian Students chanting; ‘Stop the Jews, stop their crimes, victory to Palestine,’ and shouting unprovoked anti-semitic abuse at Jewish delegates.

However, Muslim and Jewish students from across the political spectrum have attempted to heal the divide between them, organising joint events and dialogue groups. Also, ‘ordinary’ students in Manchester clearly decided enough was enough, and Respect and its allies were routed at this year’s union election by a group called Students 1st, a coalition of J-Soc, Hindu Society and Labour Party members, with even the Liberal Democrat and Conservative societies joining. I am proud to have

been elected, and will be the only Liberal Jewish student on our Student Union council in the coming academic year.

Also, it is interesting to note that the hostile atmosphere that Jewish students faced had one positive effect: they were mobilised into political action, not only at the ballot box, but in terms of solidarity with other Jews on campus. LJ Students managed to organise socials, meals and discussions, ranging from laid-back to blazing with political energy. As someone who comes from a fairly secular background, I was delighted to be welcomed with open arms into both the Liberal Jewish Community in Manchester, as well as LJ Students.

Hence, it is particularly important that we put out more events such as this that attract non-Jews, in order to strengthen the relationship that Liberal Judaism has with other faiths and a secular society in the 21st century.

Rob Pinfold grew up in Nottingham and is a member of the Manchester Liberal Jewish Community

Page 8 LJ Today

July/August 2007

Spotlight on West Central

Obituaries

Paul Oppenheimer Paul Oppenheimer, who died in March aged 78, was well known for his work in Holocaust education. But he barely talked about his experiences until after his retirement. Within the Liberal Judaism movement he would cheerfully admit that he was known as ‘Mr Corinne Oppenheimer’ and, when his daughter Judith, known as Joppy, worked for ULPSNYC (now LJY-Netzer), as ‘Joppy’s dad’.

He was born in Berlin in 1928, the eldest of three children. The family emigrated to Holland in 1936, via a sixmonth stay with relatives in England.

During this time his sister, Eve, was born.

Holland was invaded by the Nazis in 1940, and in 1943 the Oppenheimer family was taken to Westerbork transit camp and in 1944 to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Because Eve was British, they were put in the Star Camp for ‘exchange Jews’, where conditions were slightly less appalling. Paul’s father and mother died in the camp but the children survived, eventually coming to Britain in November 1945.

Paul came to Birmingham in 1947, where he worked by day and studied by

Paul Oppenheimer, a survivor of Belsen, gave nearly 900 talks to children and adults across the country Photograph: The Holocaust Centre

night. In 1954 he graduated from London University with a first class honours degree in mechanical engineering, and a year later gained a Master’s in thermodynamics. He went on to qualify as a chartered engineer and was subsequently elected as a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

In 1970, he was appointed technical regulations manager at the automotive group Lucas Girling. He became the leading authority on national and international standards and regulations of the type-approval of braking systems for passenger cars and commercial

vehicles. In 1990 he was made MBE ‘for services to the UK motor industry’.

Also in 1990, he returned to Belsen and, for the first time, met other survivors. It was then that he started to tell his story. He gave nearly 900 talks to children and adults nationwide. Teachers often remarked on his lack of bitterness. His autobiography, From Belsen to Buckingham Palace, sold more than 10,000 copies.

He met Corinne in Birmingham and they were married for nearly 50 years.

Although he would come to the Liberal Synagogue, as it was then, to play table tennis (Rabbi Andrew Goldstein was an early competitor), he did not come to services until he married Corinne.

Through her, he became a regular attender and there was great affection for him. He had a wonderful ironic sense of humour and an ability to speak directly without being offensive or rude.

Corinne and Paul had three children, Nick, Simon and Judith, and seven grandchildren. Paul was particularly proud when Corinne was made a vicepresident of Liberal Judaism.

Margaret Jacobi

Neville Lewisohn

Eileen Hooker

Neville Lewisohn, who died in March aged 84, was chair of the Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation from 1981 to 1987. He had joined the young congregation when it used to meet at the Friends’ Meeting House and was involved in the move to its present site.

After his retirement from the council he gave unswerving support to the congregation’s honorary officers and to the rabbi. This was exemplified by his regular attendance at annual meetings.

Outside the synagogue I was privileged to witness many of his superb acting roles. Pride of place would have been a very bawdy Canterbury Tales (with his late wife Pat) open air at Ashton Court Estate and another open-air production of Cider with Rosie in which he starred as Laurie Lee himself. He was also an accomplished composer of music.

Perhaps his most significant contribution to our community in recent years was as leader of a very positive profiling exercise into the background of our individual members. The conclusion

Eileen Hooker, who died in March aged 93, was known, loved and respected throughout the Liberal movement.

It was in 1953 that she met Bernard Hooker at an Israeli exhibition in Birmingham. Bernard had already been serving as minister of the Birmingham Liberal Synagogue for seven years. They married the following year and Eileen began teaching at the Religion School, became President of the Ladies Guild and set up a Ladies Discussion group.

She continued this active involvement through Bernard’s later placements at Wembley Liberal Synagogue, the Jewish Community of Jamaica and North London Progressive Synagogue.

In retirement, the Hookers moved to Ledbury in Herefordshire, where they became involved with the new Liberal Jewish group, an involvement that Eileen continued after Bernard’s death in 1999.

Eileen combined an intelligence and independence of thought with a nature that was both spiritual and down-to-earth.

Rosita Rosenberg

of that exercisse was that the Jews in our small community came ‘from many different directions and from different strands of Judaism’ and we as a community should acknowledge this. That we are trying to do so is a tribute to him.

At the same time he was a great supporter of the ULPS and recognised the support it gave to our fledgling Bristol community. Indeed, between 1990 and 1996 he was vice-chair of the movement.

Neville was a role model to so many of us. He was a man of action. He was a builder of community. As he recently said: ‘Prayers and Psalms do not mean anything to me. The fact that there is a place that is alive and kicking and which Jews, to whom they mean something can come, that is important.’

He is survived by two of his daughters, Gillian and Judith, and by two granddaughters. His eldest daughter, Lesley, died in a motor accident in1979 and the beautiful Etz Haim in the synagogue was put up in her memory. Pat died in 2002.

Michael Romain

LJ Today Page 9

July/August 2007

Where is it based?

West Central Liberal Synagogue is based in the downstairs area of the Montagu Centre, in Maple Street (off Tottenham Court Road) London, W1.

When are services held?

WCLS holds Shabbat Services every Saturday at 3pm. Most services are led

by Rabbi Janet Burden with Cantor Adrian Harman. Services are always followed by kiddush, tea and socialising.

On the first Shabbat of the month, the synagogue holds a Morning Minyan at 11am. Although all are welcome, it is particularly designed for our younger members and for those who prefer a more informal service. The service booklet we use is fully transliterated, to enable those less confident with Hebrew, or with no Hebrew, to take part.

Who is the rabbi?

Rabbi Janet Burden, who is also the rabbi at Ealing Liberal Synagogue.

Rabbi Burden, who was ordained in 2002, previously worked with the development agency Oxfam. She is joint convener of Liberal Judaism’s social action committee.

When was the synagogue founded?

The community formally became a Liberal synagogue in 1928, but its origins go back much earlier.

Tell us about how it started West Central began life as a social club.

The West Central Club for Jewish Working Girls was created in the mid-1890s by Lily Montagu, one of the three founders of Liberal Judaism in Britain. At that time, there were many Jews – particularly young women – employed in the fashion and retail trades, in which Saturday morning work was obligatory. Miss Montagu set herself the goal of giving Shabbat back to these hard-working Jews.

At first, there were no formal services, just a few prayers, in a building in Whitfield Street, close to Maple Street, followed by tea. Soon, however, the young women were bringing boyfriends and family members along to enjoy the warm and friendly atmosphere.

What changes has the synagogue undergone?

When Jews began to move out into the suburbs of north-west London the community began to shrink. Parts of the Whitfield Street building were ceded to

the Union of Liberal and Progressive synagogues and to the World Union for Progressive Judaism for office space. The community eventually Rabbi Janet Burden decided to give the freehold of the building to the ULPS (later Liberal Judaism). It has proved a wise move for West Central to keep its long lease, however, as the community has undergone a renaissance in recent years and is once again growing.

What is the community like?

The ethos that inspired the founding of the synagogue remains: it seeks ways to give the gift of meaningful Jewish observance to all those who visit.

Services are intimate and inclusive, with all men and women encouraged to play full and equal roles in the religious and social life of the community.

West Central warmly welcomes the non-Jewish partners and friends of congregants, as well as those who come as part of a personal spiritual quest.

What else is on offer?

Members meet on the first Shabbat of the month at a local restaurant for Saturday lunch at 1pm. In the winter, after the service and socialising, members often stay on and celebrate Havdallah.

The synagogue offers a range of afterservice events and talks, details of

which are always in the newsletter and on the website (www.wcls.org.uk). West Central arranges community visits to places of Jewish interest.

What is on offer for children?

On alternating first Shabbatot, there is a Torah Tots programme at 10 am. This is aimed particularly at the under-fives and their parents. From the autumn the synagogue plans to hold quarterly family education programmes on Sunday mornings with Torah breakfasts and study for young families.

What adult education is there?

On Tuesday evenings, the synagogue holds an Access to Judaism class for those who wish to learn more about Jewish texts, religious observances and theology. This very popular course has brought many new people into the congregation.

What do people say about West Central?

Baroness Neuberger, president of WCLS, wrote: ‘West Central is the most wonderful, welcoming slightly eccentric warm, funny and deeply spiritual congregation. You need to experience its unique atmosphere. Do join us for a service and see how you like it – you won’t be disappointed.’ a student at University College London, wrote: ‘The first time I came to the synagogue, for the Morning Minyan, I was utterly surprised at the diversity among my fellow attendees.

Our little community has people of all ages, all races, all sexual preferences and all with different stories. It is, I think, the reason WCLS feels special to me.’

West Central Liberal Synagogue’s Torah Tots group. From the autumn, the community plans to hold quarterly family education programmes on Sunday mornings

July/August 2007

Page 10 LJ Today

Letters to the editor Yet another Zionist myth In his article about the IJV declaration (Why I didn’t sign, LJ Today May/June), Rabbi Frank Hellner claims that the Israeli government offered to return the captured territories after the Six Day War in exchange for a comprehensive peace treaty. This is yet another Zionist myth. There was no such offer; Arab East Jerusalem had already been annexed, Gaza was considered as part of Israel, returning the West Bank to Jordan was not on offer and the whole offer was hedged around with conditions.

In any case, the offer was quickly withdrawn (before the Khartoum conference to which he misleadingly refers) and plans for Jewish settlements in the territories were adopted within weeks. This is all well documented by Avi Shlaim in his book The Iron Wall.

His assertion that ‘IJV speaks as one voice’ is inaccurate and insulting. As an active signatory of IJV, I can assure him

that there is no unanimity of views on anything except the five principles in the declaration – none of which ‘ maligns Israel’.

The occupation, Rabbi Hellner maintains, is not the cause of the problem. Annexing another people’s land, stealing their water (80 per cent of West Bank water is taken by Israel and the settlers), herding them into walled ghettos, bulldozing their houses, uprooting their olive groves, abusing and humiliating them at checkpoints, killing civilians, forcing pregnant women to give birth at checkpoints, kidnapping men, women and children and imprisoning them under administrative detention (ie. without charge or trial) – this is what concerns signatories to the IJV declaration. No wonder he couldn’t sign it.

Leon Rosselson Harrow & Wembley

Freedom to defend Israel vital Most supporters of Israel were appalled by the misrepresentation of the Jewish community which appeared to be the basis of the formation of the IJV, as reflected in the advertisement announcing its formation. Rabbi Hellner has pointed out the falsity of the accusation that the communal structure stifles debate. But the IJV is guilty of a worse slander.

It stated: ‘The battle against antisemitism is vital and is undermined whenever opposition to Israel government policies is automatically branded as antisemitic.’ Not only is this not true, because the Jewish leadership

has often criticised specific Israeli government policies, but it suggests that the community’s institutions, by their pro-Israel stance, in a way are leading to an increase in antisemitism. I am afraid that these independent voices are seeking to make it politically incorrect even for Jews to defend Israel.

Also, I am not sure why any supporter of Israel’s existence would join a group that has among its prominent signatories individuals who support the Boycott of Israeli Academics and are opposed to a two-state solution.

(Rabbi Dr) Sidney Brichto Northwood & Pinner

Next year, please God

thanks go to the Harrow & Wembley team for entertaining us so well on the catering front, and for running the quiz in a very professional manner.

Next year, please God, we’ll do better, as we hope to have our professor with us, along with some of the other clever clogs who couldn’t make it this time.

Allan Levene, Lincolnshire

Although the Lincolnshire Jewish Community could only muster four persons to represent them at the quiz, it was a pleasure to be conjoined with the Kent community, represented by three members. Despite our shortcomings, and our last-minute merger, we managed to finish just below the halfway mark!

It was delightful to meet so many new faces at the shul, and together we all had a super afternoon. Our sincere

Letters for publication are welcome. Email ljtoday editor@liberaljudaism.org or write to: LJ Today, The Montagu Centre, 21 Maple St, London, W1 4BE

LJY-Netzer is the youth movement of Liberal Judaism. It provides an opportunity for young people to develop a strong Progressive Jewish identity whilst enjoying friendships and having fun

Kingston keeps on celebrating Following its anniversary weekend in April, which included an Erev Shabbat service with guest preacher Rabbi Professor Jonathan Magonet, a Shabbat Morning Family Service and an Anniversary Service on Sunday with guest preacher Rabbi Danny Rich, Kingston Liberal Synagogue is continuing its programme of 40th anniversary events.

On 8 July it will hold an Arts and Craft Exhibition and Bagel Brunch, on 2 September it will hold its annual Picnic and Rounders Match and on 20 October it is hosting a KLS Variety Show.

The community even has its own anniversary logo, above, designed by Steve Rogers.

Getaway with ‘tent’ The next ‘tent’ Weekend Getaway is 31 August to 2 September in beautiful Welsh countryside. A spiritual retreat with Shabbat services and Havdallah, campfires, tai chi, a nighthike, swimming, text study, valley adventures and much more.

Book now: £90 inclusive (£70 before the end of July) There is an option to stay an extra night on the Thursday or Sunday. Contact Avivit: a.katzil@ liberaljudaism.org 07866 501787.

David Goldstein lecture

Israel Tour

By Ben Baginsky, co-leader of the tour

Shalom and welcome to our new movement workers Vic Kaufman and Lauren Dubell are the incoming LJY-Netzer supremos for the coming year. Vic takes over as mazkir (national director) in September and Lauren takes up a new post, rekezet tochniot (programmes co-ordinator).

There’ll be a gradual handover from Jenny and Jordan during August, with each worker responsible for a different age group Incoming LJY-Netzer staff Lauren Dubell and Vic Kaufman at Kadimah summer camp.

Jordan is continuing to work bring LJY-Netzer into the community, for the movement until ‘ensuring its presence in the February 2008. synagogues, as well as continuing Vic, who’s been part of LJY-Netzer the deveopment of national events’. since the age of nine, has also gone Lauren, who got involved in LJYon Shnat-Netzer, the 10-month gapNetzer at the age of 16 and ‘never year programme, and last year led looked back’ has just graduated in LJY-Netzer’s Israel Tour. He has just arts education at Leeds University. completed a degree in religious She looks forward to maintaining studies and theology at Manchester and developing LJY-Netzer’s University. Vic says he wants to help ‘fantastic community spirit’.

LJY’s school of rock

The 2007 Rabbi Dr David Goldstein Memorial Lecture will take place on Thursday 18 October. Rabbi Mark Solomon will talk about the influence of Islam on Judaism.

The lecture takes place at 7.30pm in the Montefiore Hall of the Liberal Jewish Synagogue. All are welcome.

Hooker archive Papers relating to the career of Rabbi Bernard Hooker (1922-97) have been deposited in the Special Collections, University of Southampton Library, which has extensive Anglo-Jewry material.

Bryan Diamond

LJ Today Page 11

July/August 2007

Georgia Lewis at the Songleading Seminar: ‘There’s so much to learn!’

On 17 May, student rabbis David Vaisberg and Eli Freedman helped develop the songleading skills of some of LJY-Netzer’s finest songleaders.

In this Songleading Seminar – part of a series of LJY-Netzer musical events this year – David and Eli taught songs from around the world, including a Reggae style Modeh Ani from Netzer in

the Former Soviet Union, and a version of Am Yisrael Chai from Uganda.

The event went fabulously, with participants coming from as far as Ramsgate and Bristol for the event.

‘There is more to songleading than some might think,’ David said. ‘You need to plan the mood and tone of the songs before you even play your first chord.’ Some of the participants who have seen a lot of songleading and can play the guitar got special pointers about how to get everyone to begin and finish singing in unison.

A sample service was done to demonstrate that songleading skills are not just required during loud song sessions, such as the morning ‘ruach’ that takes place at Machaneh Kadimah, but also to keep a prayer service flowing. ‘It was a great experience,’ said Georgia Lewis, a Netzernik who went on Israel Tour last year. ‘I didn’t realise there was so much to learn!’

Jordan Helfman

By the time you read this, 40 very excited LJY-Netzer tourists will be in Israel, or looking forward to being there. On 17 July our huge group will fly to Tel Aviv for a monthlong tour. By the time we return we will have journeyed up and down and across the whole country. We will be tanned, tired and inspired.

We will have spent time in Jerusalem, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Eilat, Be’er Sheva, the Negev and the Galilee. We will have climbed Masada. We will have visited Progressive kibbutzim and shuls and met Israelis of all kinds. We will have spent a month forming and being part of a unique LJY-Netzer kehila (community).

We will, in short, have had a fantastically fun and engaging time.

At 40 chanichim (participants), this year’s tour is the biggest LJY-Netzer has ever sent (last year there were 23 and when I went in 2002, there were just five of us!). There is a mixture of old-timers and newcomers. All the time we have spent together so far has been fantastic. The group is a credit to the movement.

A four-strong tzevet (team of madrichim – leaders) will guide them around Israel. From England we have Claire Samuel and me.

Claire and I have been active in LJY-Netzer for more than 10 years and spent our gap years in Israel with LJY-Netzer. We have also led on various LJY-Netzer events. The other two members of our tzevet are Israelis, Maya and Yahav, who both have experience working with youth movements. The four of us worked together in Israel on a training seminar in June and Maya and Yahav can’t wait to meet the group.

However good a description somebody else gives, nothing compares to encountering Israel – walking in the towns and cities, exploring historical sites and meeting Israelis. Tour is an important opportunity; we’re delighted that so many young people have seized it. The benefits will be clear in individual communities and across Liberal Judaism movement for years to come.

LJY-Netzer

The youth movement of Liberal Judaism Contact Jenny Walton or Jordan Helfman at The Montagu Centre, 21 Maple Street, London W1T 4BE. Check out our website: www.ljynetzer.org T: F: E:

020 7631 0584 020 7631 9838 j.walton@liberaljudaism.org or j.helfman@liberaljudaism.org

July/August 2007

Page 12 LJ Today

Liberal Judaism congregations Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue (Rodef Shalom), 01234 218387, bedsps@liberaljudaism.org, www.bedfordshire-ps.org.uk Beit Klal Yisrael, PO Box 1828, London W10 5RT 020 8960 5750, bky@liberaljudaism.org www.beit-klal-yisrael.org.uk Bet Tikvah Synagogue, 129 Perrymans Farm Road, Barkingside, Ilford, Essex IG2 7LX, 020 8554 9682, bttkv@liberaljudaism.org, www.bettikvah.org.uk Birmingham Progressive Synagogue Jericho House, 196-198 Edward Road, B12 9LX, 0121 446 5273, bps@liberaljudaism.org; branch: Leamington Spa, 01926 421300 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 Crawley Jewish Community, 01293 534294 Dublin Jewish Progressive Synagogue, PO Box 3059, Dublin 6, 00 3531 2856241, djpc@liberaljudaism.org Ealing Liberal Synagogue, Lynton Avenue, Drayton Green, W13 0EB, 020 8997 0528, els@liberaljudaism. org, www.ealingliberalsynagogue.org.uk Eastbourne Progressive Jewish Congregation 01323 725650, fax: 01323 417645 epjc@liberaljudaism.org, www.epjcong.org.uk Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community 0131 777 8024, eljc@liberaljudaism.org, www.eljc.org Finchley Progressive Synagogue Hutton Grove, N12 8DR, 020 8446 4063, fps@ liberaljudaism.org, www.fps.org Harrow and Wembley Progressive Synagogue 326 Preston Road, Harrow, Middx HA3 0QH, 020 8904 8581, hwps@liberaljudaism.org www.hwps.org Herefordshire Jewish Community Enquiries: 07789 218823 Kent Liberal Jewish Community 07952 242432, bulletin.kljc@liberaljudaism.org, www.jewishkent.org.uk/communities/KLJC/kljc.html Kingston Liberal Synagogue Rushett Road, Long Ditton, Surbiton, Surrey KT7 0UX, 020 8398 7400, kls@liberaljudaism.org Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation, The Synagogue, 24 Avenue Road, LE2 3EA, 07875 123744 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

Liberal Judaism The Montagu Centre, 21 Maple Street, London W1T 4BE, 020 7580 1663 Fax: 020 7631 9838 montagu@liberaljudaism.org, www.liberaljudaism.org Youth Department 020 7631 0584 Fax: 020 7631 9838 www.ljynetzer.org President The Baroness Neuberger DBE Chairman Nigel Cole Vice Chairman Joan Shopper Joint Treasurers Tony Kerron and David Pelham Hon. Officers Penny Beral (communications); Roz Bott (disability); William Glassman; Amanda Grant (youth); Paul Infield; Elsbeth Mendes da Costa (social action); Michael Romain (regions); Paula Scott (marketing) Senior Vice-President Rabbi Dr Sidney Brichto Vice-Presidents Jeromé Freedman, Louise Freedman, Rabbi Dr David Goldberg, Jeremy Jessel, David Lipman, Rosita Rosenberg, Tony Sacker, Beverley Taylor Hon. Vice-Presidents David Amstell, Geoffrey Davis, Rabbi Harry Jacobi, Willie Kessler, Corinne Oppenheimer, David Pick, Harold Sanderson, Clive Winston Joint Chairs of the Rabbinic Conference Rabbi Rachel Benjamin and Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi Chief Executive Rabbi Danny Rich Outreach Director Rabbi Aaron Goldstein Chaplain Rabbi Melinda Michelson-Carr Communications and PR Executive Alexandra Mankowitz Shlicha Noa Marom Mazkira, LJY-Netzer Jenny Walton Oved Chinuch, LJY-Netzer Jordan Helfman Liberal Judaism promotes the religious and cultural traditions of our faith within the framework of progressive thinking and ethics. Donations to support our work are always welcome.

Liberal Judaism is a registered charity, number 256390 LJ Today is edited by Beatrice Sayers The deadline for the Sept/Oct issue is 1 August. Articles or letters for publication are welcome. Please send to: ljtodayeditor@liberaljudaism.org Printed by Freedman Bros.

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, 08709 917327, 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, Middlesex HA6 3AA 01923 822592, npls@liberaljudaism.org www.npls.org.uk Nottingham Progressive Jewish Congregation Lloyd Street, Sherwood, Nottingham NG5 4BP 0115 9624761, npjc@liberaljudaism.org www.npjc.org.uk Or Chadash Liberal Jewish Community of Luxembourg, 00 352 31 65 94 lljc@liberaljudaism.org Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community Enquiries: 020 7631 9826 The Progressive Jewish Community of East Anglia (based in Norwich), 01508 538666 pjcea@liberaljudaism.org, www.pjcea.org.uk Reading Liberal Jewish Community www.rljc.org 0118-375 3422, rljc@liberaljudaism.org South Bucks Jewish Community 0845 644 2370 sbjc@liberaljudaism.org, www.sbjc.org.uk South London Liberal Synagogue PO Box 14475, London SW16 1ZW, 020 8769 4787 slls@liberaljudaism.org, www.southlondon.org Southgate Progressive Synagogue 75 Chase Road, London N14 4QY, 020 8886 0977 sps@liberaljudaism.org, www.sps.uk.com West Central Liberal Synagogue 21 Maple Street, London W1T 4BE, 020 7636 7627 wcls@liberaljudaism.org, www.wcls.org.uk Woodford Liberal Synagogue Marlborough Road, George Lane, London E18 1AR 020 8989 7619, wps@liberaljudaism.org www.woodfordliberal.org.uk Associated congregations Oxford, for details of Liberal Jewish Services: 01865 515584 or 01865 765197 www.oxford-synagogue.org.uk New communities The Suffolk Jewish Community 020 7631 9821, sjc@liberaljudaism.org

Diary dates ...........

3 July (Tuesday) Friends of Progressive Judaism in Israel and Europe (FPJ)’s annual meeting, 7.30pm at the LJS; followed by wine and refreshments and a talk by Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein. All are welcome to attend Sunday 29 July-Saturday 11 August Machaneh Kadimah Liberal Judaism’s summer camp for children aged eight to 15. Details: j.walton@liberaljudaism.org or tel 020 7631 0584 7 August (Tuesday) Trip to Sacred Book for a free guided tour of the British Library exhibition, 11am. Contact Lina Fajerman: 020 8504 3152 31 August-2 September (Friday to Sunday) ‘tent’ Weekend Getaway in beautiful Welsh countryside. Details from Avivit: 07866 501787 5-7 October (Saturday-Sunday) Hebrew Retreat for pre-bar/batmitzvah children. Contact jthwaites@liberaljudaism.org 18 October (Thursday) David Goldstein Memorial Lecture Rabbi Mark Solomon talks about the influence of Islam on Judaism. 7.30pm at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue 4 November (Sunday) Parenting Day Second annual event for parents and children, 9.30am at the LJS 2008 4 to 6 April Biennial Weekend in Bristol

Birthright trip to Israel Next year, Liberal Judaism will be organising a progressive Birthright trip to Israel, a free 10-day trip to Israel for anyone between the ages of 21 and 26 who has never been to Israel on an organised tour. Places will be limited.

Please contact Noa Marom, Liberal Judaism’s shlicha, who will be happy to give you details: 020 7631 9834.

Sacred exhibition Liberal Judaism invites you to join a visit to the summer exhibition Sacred, at the British Library on Tuesday 7 August, 10.15am to 12.30pm; guided tour at 11am. The British Library is at 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB (nearest stations King’s Cross, St Pancras and Euston).

Tickets are free and a free guided tour has been arranged for our group (maximum 20). The exhibition displays a fascinating collection of manuscripts, books and artefacts relating to the Jewish, Christian and Muslim religions.

To book, contact Lina Fajerman: lina. fajerman@ntlworld.com or 020 8504 3152.

Wake up to Pete Rabbi Pete Tobias, of The Liberal Synagogue Elstree, can be heard on Pause for Thought on BBC Radio 2’s Wake up to Wogan at 9.15am on Wednesdays 25 July, and 8, 15, 22 and 29 August. He is also on Radio 2’s Good Morning Sunday with Aled Jones, 7.40-8am.

Brussels weekend EuroJews, the group of young Progressive Jews from across Europe, are taking bookings for their forthcoming weekend in Brussels, 31 August to 3 September.

See www. eurojews.org for details.

More mohels Following Liberal Judaism’s wide-ranging discussion seminar on Jewish ritual circumcision, five doctors have expressed an interest in training to be mohalim.

Something to say?

LJ Today welcomes letters for publication. Email ljtodayeditor@ liberaljudaism.org, giving a phone number. Letters may be edited.