March/April 2011
VOL. XXXVIII No. 2
Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
ljtoday
At 100, a synagogue for our times Pam Fox, Brenda Beary and Gaby Wright
More than 900 members, friends and guests of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue attended its Centenary Service on Saturday 5 February, an occasion of joy and pride; and a chance to reflect and to look forward. In her sermon, the synagogue’s senior rabbi, Alexandra Wright, reminded worshippers that the LJS was established in an era of great uncertainty and turbulence. ‘[Its members and leaders] could not have imagined,’ she said, ‘that their dreams of progress would be shattered by the devastating events of the Shoah, or that a sovereign Jewish state would come into existence less than 40 years after the founding of the synagogue.’ The challenge now was to forge a role that would prepare the community for the next one hundred years, so that when our children’s children celebrated the 200th anniversary of the LJS, they would wish to retain the values on which the synagogue and on which Liberal Judaism were sustained. Two thousand years ago, it was taught that the world stood on three things: al ha-Torah, al ha-Avodah, v’al gemilut chasadim, on the Torah, on
The hundredth service: (from top left, clockwise) Rabbi Alexandra Wright with synagogue president Bob Kirk; the centenary kippah; the children process on to the bimah; nearing the end of the sermon; director of music Cathy Heller-Jones; time for kiddush
worship and on deeds of loving kindness. The success of the founders of the LJS was sustained by three ‘significant values, hallmarks of Liberal Judaism’, Rabbi Wright said. Al ha-sh’leimut, v’al
ha-hachlalah, v’al dimyon ha-adam, on integrity, on inclusiveness and on imagination. The celebration was one in which Continued on page 2
Baroness Neuberger takes on rabbinic job Liberal Judaism’s chairman, Lucian J Hudson, has congratulated Baroness Neuberger, the movement’s president, on her appointment as senior rabbi at West London Synagogue, the biggest synagogue of the Reform movement. ‘Both movements should work closely together and, where possible, make the most of their joint impact and influence,’ Lucian said. Baroness Neuberger is taking on the role, her first as a Reform rabbi, in a part-time capacity at first. Following her time as rabbi to South
London Liberal Synagogue, from 1977 to 1989, Rabbi Neuberger has taken on a series of high-level roles outside the Jewish community, including chief executive of the King’s Fund and an adviser to Gordon Brown during his premiership. As centenary celebrations began at Liberal Judaism’s biggest synagogue, the LJS in St John’s Wood, Baroness Neuberger and her husband, Professor Anthony Neuberger, were made honorary members. Baroness Neuberger, whose
five-year term of offfice as president of Liberal Judaism ends in December, is discussing when exactly she will step down. She hopes, however, to retain her close links with the movement and its communities.
Also in this issue
Books 9 Spotlight on Gloucestershire 10 LJY-Netzer 11
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news
March/April 2011
The long and winding road to progress Pete Tobias reports from the 35th World Union for Progressive Judaism conference, in San Francisco The opening ceremony for the World Union for Progressive Judaism’s ‘Connections’ conference in San Francisco took place at the Herbst Theatre on the evening of 8 February. Delegates were taken there by bus from their nearby hotel; a journey that involved many twists and turns through San Francisco’s one-way streets to ensure that the visiting Jews were not required to cross any roads to reach the theatre. Having been safely deposited, delegates saw a procession of flags representing the 42 countries whose Jewish communities are constituents of the World Union, followed by audiovisual presentations which demonstrated the diversity of those communities. Watched by more than a hundred delegates from many of those countries, that event, and the conference that followed it, was truly a celebration of the movement established 85 years ago by two of our ‘Ms’: Lily Montagu and Claude Montefiore. Progressive Jews from the FSU, Argentina, Britain, Australia and Ukraine all played an active part. The image, however, of that meandering journey to reach the Herbst Theatre troubled me. As with our own movement, questions need to be asked about the direction Progressive Judaism
should take in our fractured and fractious modern world: celebrating achievements is all well and good, but a sense of a future and a hope needs also to be generated. The sessions on offer at the conference served in many ways to generate that hope and future. Of course there was much looking back, not least at the achievements of Debbie Friedman z”l, whose music featured at a performance in her memory. Keynote speeches from Rabbi Dr David Ellenson, president of Hebrew Union College, and Rabbi Dr Tony Bayfield reminded us, in different ways, of the various denominations of Judaism and our Progressive place within them. This was backed up by conference sessions ranging from social networking to liturgy, fundraising to patrilineality, Israel to theology. It was a privilege and a joy to be at an event in the company of such a diverse and committed group of Progressive Jews. After the opening ceremony, the journey back to the hotel in which the conference took place was more direct, and the future of Progressive Judaism felt similarly positive and full of promise.
LJS centenary
Justice debated
Continued from page 1 representatives from neighbouring organisations in St John’s Wood, and from other Jewish denominations and faiths, joined. Guests at the service included the Deputy Mayor of London, the vicar of St John’s Wood Church, and representatives of the Archbishop of Canterbury and of the Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral. Among the good wishes and messages of warm support published in the order of service were ones from leaders of the Reform and Masorti movements, from Rabbi Ivan Binstock, of St John’s Wood (United) synagogue – who said he valued his ‘personal friendship’ with the synagogue, and from the Marylebone Cricket Club, whose home at Lord’s is directly opposite the LJS.
Liberal Judaism’s event at the Oxford Literary Festival 2011 has now been confirmed. Rabbi Danny Rich, chief executive of Liberal Judaism, and Lucian J Hudson, chairman, will chair a panel session on 5 April at 2pm on: ‘Just What is Justice? Multi-faith perspectives’. The session takes place at the Corpus Christi College Lecture Theatre and will last for one hour, including questions. Liberal Judaism is sponsoring the Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival for the second year in succession. This year’s event runs from Saturday 2 to Sunday 10 April. Several of the large events are being staged in the Sheldonian Theatre, the Bodleian Library and other university venues.
Pete Tobias is rabbi at The Liberal Synagogue Elstree and chairman of the Rabbinic Conference
Around the Communities Manchester The Liberal community held its first service in support of Women of the Wall (Neshot ha-Kotel) and its campaign for the right of Israeli women to pray, sing and worship at the Kotel. The Rosh Chodesh Adar service was held on 4 February. Southgate Gilad Smith, four, and Kate Emden, 14, the youngest and oldest pupils in the Religion School, planted a laurel in the synagogue grounds on 16 January to celebrate Tu Bishvat. Edinburgh The highlight of a Burns’ night held jointly with Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation was the performance in Yiddish of Robert Burns songs, including ‘My love is like a Red, Red Rose’, by Rabbi Mark Solomon, accompanied by fiddle, bagpipes and penny whistle. Nat Edwards, director of the newly opened Robert Burns Birthplace and Museum in Ayrshire, toasted the Immortal Memory. Woodford At an ‘Evening with Rabbi Lionel Blue’, the rabbi – after warning that Parkinson’s disease might affect his voice – stood and spoke for more than an hour with his usual humour and warmth, about his new book, The God Seeker’s Guide. Northwood The synagogue’s 10th annual National Holocaust Memorial Day Event took place over four days in January. Two thousand school children from Hillingdon, Harrow and Hertfordshire heard 16 survivors and refugees recount their experiences. Bedfordshire Member Gerald Fox led the HMD committee in Luton, which organised an event at the town hall. The synagogue’s leader, David Young, read the ‘untold story’ of the community’s Sefer Torah, from Brno, in the Czech Republic.
news
March/April 2011
LJ Today Page 3
A day to enjoy our Judaism What is a Liberal Jew to do in a year when there is no Biennial Weekend? Enjoy the same stimulation and wonderfully warm atmosphere, condensed into a Day of Celebration. This year’s Day of Celebration, on Sunday 22 May, is as tempting as any in the past. L’Dor VaDor Study and creativity are the day’s twin From Generation to Generation themes. Text-based and discussion On the creative side, there will be a sessions will be held with rabbis and music workshop co-ordinated by Cantor teachers from across the movement and Zoe Jacobs (of Finchley Reform from Leo Baeck College. Student rabbis will be running a Beit Midrash (study hall). Synagogue), a scratch choir and a song session to remember Debbie As well as core texts, there Friedman (see page 6). For the will be sessions on Islamic more energetic, there will be influences on Liberal Judaism, dance workshops embracing conversion, Lag BaOmer – many styles, with input from which falls on 22 May – the next the Finchley and Southgate generation of Liberal Jewish Rikud (Israeli dance) groups. liturgy, Jewish life in eastern Those whose creativity is less Europe, inclusivity, mixed faith energetic can take part in issues, Israel–diaspora hands-on workshops. relations and social action. Daniel Finkelstein
Liberal Judaism’s Day of Celebration Sunday 22 May 2011
Retrospective of an inspirational couple One of the highlights of the Day of Celebration will be the premiere of a retrospective of Sir Basil and Lady Henriques, in music and readings. Basil and Rose Henriques are perhaps best known for their work with boys’ and girls’ clubs and as the founders, in 1919, of the Settlement
Our expanded website goes live Liberal Judaism is excited to report that, after several months under wraps, its refreshed and updated website is now live. As well as presenting all the details you would expect about Liberal communities, services available from the Montagu Centre and forthcoming events, the new site allows individuals to book for Liberal Judaism’s activities and buy publications online. The site has the same address: www.liberaljudaism.org. Please visit it and tell us what you think of it – email our operations director, Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer, at shelley@ liberaljudaism.org.
Synagogue in London’s East End. Lady Henriques was an accomplished musician and made wonderful arrangements of the psalms for the choir of the synagogue. These arrangements have recently been edited, printed and recorded. During the 45-minute performance, excerpts from these recordings will be played, together with readings and anecdotes, presented by the film and television actor Lee Montague.
House of Lords venue for Liberal Judaism’s Patrons Dinner The seventh annual dinner of Liberal Judaism’s Council of Patrons will be held on Tuesday 5 April at the House of Lords. The guest speaker will be the television producer and writer Dan Patterson, behind hits such as Whose Line Is It Anyway? and Mock the Week. Those who are not Patrons of the movement but would like details of table availability and tickets are asked to telephone Rabbi Danny Rich, chief executive, on 020 7631 9830 or to email him at d.rich@ liberaljudaism.org.
The day will run from 10am till 5pm. An opening panel, on The Future of Liberal Judaism, will be chaired by Daniel Finkelstein, executive editor of the Times and a Jewish Chronicle columnist. About 50 workshops during the day will cover effective synagogue leadership, volunteering, developing service leaders and teaching kids to care. Joanne Coburn, political correspondent at the BBC, will be attending throughout the day and presenting a report at the final session. In accord with its theme, L’Dor VaDor – From Generation to Generation – all ages will be welcomed and provided for. Lunch will be available over an extended period to enable families to eat together. As well as expertly run LJY-Netzer sessions for 8- 15-year-olds, there will be a crèche for under-fives and special programming for five- to seven-year-olds. The Day of Celebration is a must for engaged Jews, their families and friends (non-members are welcome). If you have questions about the event, please email Liberal Judaism’s deputy chair, Dr Amanda Grant: a.grant@liberaljudaism.org. Liberal Judaism’s Day of Celebration is at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, St John’s Wood, on Sunday 22 May. Book online using a credit or debit card at http://tinyURL. com/ljdocform; complete the booking form on the flyer enclosed; or telephone 020 7631 9830.
Edgwarebury land purchase Liberal Judaism and its partners in the Edgwarebury Burial Scheme have concluded their purchase of an adjacent vacant site. The movement has acquired 1.9 acres out of a total of more than seven acres bought. Liberal Judaism’s purchase is expected to create 1.3 acres of burial land and 1,200 new grave spaces. Following a successful appeal online and through the pages of lj today, we are delighted that all the purchase has been met by interest-free loans, to repaid in full after a 10-year period. Separately, Liberal Judaism has acquired a further 1,000 burial spaces at Cheshunt Cemetery.
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judaism
March/April 2011
National disability seminar to be held at Northwood Leon Charikar invites all those interested to take part Liberal Judaism will hold its first national seminar on the theme of disability and social inclusion at Northwood and Pinner Synagogue on Sunday 10 April. The event is being organised by a forum called Kulanu – – כלנוor ‘All of Us’. The aims of the seminar are to celebrate the participation of disabled people in all aspects of communal life, and to ensure that our movement sets the standard for inclusive practice. It is open to all disabled Liberal Jews, people who are caring for a disabled adult or child, and those who have responsibility for ensuring equal access and inclusion in synagogue life. There will be study of Biblical and Jewish teaching on disability and sharing of personal experience of disability and inclusion. We are aiming to have speakers from various disability movements who can inspire us with what
can be achieved. This will be followed by the launch of the כלנוforum: an opportunity for disabled people to meet, support each other and contribute to best practice. The forum will address physical and sensory disabilities, mental health problems, learning disabilities and difficulties as well as hidden disabilities. We will stress that the solutions lie not only in structural improvements – such as ramped access, induction loops or large print – but also in changing attitudes and challenging assumptions about disability. Are you disabled or do you care for someone who is? Do you want to make your synagogue more welcoming and accessible? Then please join our forum so that we can share our experiences and support each other. ‘Welcome Everyone with Joy’ (Pirkey Avot 1:15).
כלנו
Kulanu
All of Us ever
All are welcome to come to Liberal Judaism’s Inclusion Seminar and join the כלנוforum. Please contact Leon Charikar, National Board Officer for Social Action and Inclusion, if you would like to know more or would like a booking form: email l.charikar@liberaljudaism.org or telephone the Montagu Centre on 020 7580 1663.
Dublin takes up rabbi’s Czech challenge The election this year of Hilary Abrahamson as president coincided with both her 65th birthday and that of the founding of the Dublin Jewish Progressive Congregation. Hilary has been a dedicated member for many years, not only as a council member and chair of rites and practices, but teaching in the cheder, coaching probably more b’nei mitzvah than she can count – each of whom has read his or her Torah portion and haftarah with proficiency and composure – regularly conducting services, singing in the choir and contributing in countless other ways to the thriving life of our congregation. This month Dublin welcomed back Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein, who conducted the rededication service for the Czech Sefer Torah, which we were privileged to have received into our safe-keeping in 1965. The large number of members and visitors, including Tomas Kafka and Boaz Modai, the Ambassadors to Ireland from the Czech Republic and from Israel, who attended the erev Shabbat and Shabbat morning services were moved at the recollection of how the small Jewish community of Brandýs nad Labem in January 1943 became victims of the Holocaust. Many of those listening were in tears after the reciting of poems by some of the young children at Terezin expressing their sadness and their fears. As a result of Rabbi Goldstein’s challenge, many of those present will be researching the names, dates and events of those who lived in Brandys and, we hope, along with the names of the Auschwitz victims, the names of those who survived. Joan Finkel
Synagogue joins diverse London alliance North London Progressive, the first Liberal synagogue to get involved with London Citizens – the city’s largest and most diverse community alliance – is to be a founder member of North London Citizens when it is launched this month (March). It will be joined by schools, colleges, churches, mosques and other institutions that are committed to working together for the common good. London Citizens, a charity founded in
1994, has pioneered its method of community organising in the UK. Big successes include the Living Wage. Each member organisation takes part in community, organising training with professional staff with opportunities to develop leaders for the future and get their own membership involved. Decisions are made through assemblies involving 10 people from each organisation. They can influence and take part in a powerful
alliance and campaign to tackle issues specific to their local area. Respectful relationships are built with others from different backgrounds with similar values. All agree to work only on issues that are not divisive. If any congregation wishes to find out more and join in its own right, it can contact Citizens UK (www.citizensuk.org), Jackie Richards (j.richards@ liberaljudaism.org), or Alexandra Wakely (a.wakely@liberaljudaism.org) at the Montagu Centre for more information.
judaism
March/April 2011
LJ Today Page 5
An invitation to share your conversion story As part of the run-up to the 2012 Biennial, Liberal Judaism plans to publish a booklet later this year on the theme of ‘Liberal Jewish Journeys’, exploring the experience of individuals who have converted to Judaism. The intention is that the booklet contains different perspectives, with contributions also from friends, family and rabbis. Through the sharing of first-hand stories, it is hoped that a practical benefit will be gained and that bringing out the variety of experiences will help work through the issues that matter during an
individual’s journey to becoming Jewish. Lucian J Hudson, chairman of Liberal Judaism, and Kristy McMillan, from the Brighton and Hove congregation, will be co-editors, working closely with Liberal Judaism’s Rabbinic Conference. An introduction to the booklet will be written by chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich. Offers of submissions to the booklet are invited. Please email your ideas to Lucian at l.hudson@liberaljudaism.org or write to him at the Montagu Centre. The booklet will build on the success of Zionism: a Communal Response from the
UK, published in December by Liberal Judaism on behalf of the Board of Deputies of British Jews. More than 4,500 copies of Zionism were dispatched from the Montagu Centre before the end of 2010, with requests received in January for further copies. The booklet, containing a series of essays on the Jewish people’s connection to the land of Israel, was welcomed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and other Anglican figures, as well as by the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council.
Our questions show we care As we prepare for seder, Rebecca Qassim Birk reflects on how asking can be the beginning of challenging, which can change injustice into justice The strange irony is not lost on me. As I write this for our Pesach issue and consider, as we do annually, our narrative of freedom from Egypt. I am also watching and listening to the modern Egyptian experience of oppression. I have watched those protesters ask questions, demand answers that display courage and engagement and that have at the moment I write led to a call for liberation from a regime that strangles and silences. We Liberal Jews work hard to bring contemporary realism and poignancy to the Pesach story; to bring more questions. At our seder, we try to reflect on more recent struggles: Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement, most poignantly with its borrowing of the symbol of Moses and slaves being freed…’Go down, Moses‘ we sing with double conviction and read the speech of the Reverend King prophesying a moment where all God’s children will sing from the rooftops Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last! And we know we are fulfilling the commandment as we do to feel as if you yourself went out of Egypt. We might turn to Nelson Mandela too, and his questions and challenges that led to his and his people’s freedom, especially the year of the first free vote and those searing images of long, snaking queues at the polling stations. It’s certainly a way that marks us as
Progressive Jews; that commitment to contemporary meaning meeting the deep meaning that the Torah teaches. What does an understanding and reliving of our freedom mean if we sit in isolation from the world and the struggles of others? Indeed, we might say our practice and ritual is intensified by such empathy and interest and the questions that fuel them. A few years ago, at a particularly memorable seder at my parents’ home, a friend brought an unusual reading for our Freedom Plate. It was an article by
The Mah Nishtannah, from the Children’s Haggadah (Shapiro, Vallentine and Co)
Libby Purves from the Times (August 2005), referring to Judge Seddon Cripps, who in a query in court had captured the beauty and courage of asking questions. The senior circuit judge had interrupted a fraud trial to clarify, ‘What is a sofa bed?’ The standard response is to giggle, said Purves. ‘My response differs: it consists of three rousing and un-ironic
cheers,’ she wrote. ‘Such judges, in their fearlessness… show the way to all of us. No human quality is more intelligent, honest and useful than a willingness to ask when you don’t know. We should be less afraid of it.’ Questions open up. Our seder is premised on questions. Most importantly, a question opens up the telling of the story we have waited a year to tell. We recall children who in every generation ask questions in a different way but, nonetheless, attempt them. It is only the last child who needs help in articulating his or her queries. And, in a sense, that is what I am thinking of this year as I approach Pesach. Asking is the beginning of curiosity, curiosity is engagement, and engagement means we care. Asking can be the beginning of challenging, and challenging is often the only way to turn injustice into justice. Small questions can go a long way in changing and challenging what is wrong as well as opening what is good. Questioning is the act of being free. We celebrate questions; not just simple ones but dangerous ones too. As we prepare to sit at our seder tables this year, may our commemoration of freedom make us all the more concerned for those who ask questions in places and at times that need asking.
Rebecca Qassim Birk is the rabbi at Finchley Progressive Synagogue
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obituaries
March/April 2011
American who showed us all that the meaning of prayer is to sing
College praised for spreading Progressive Judaism
Debbie Friedman, soloist and songwriter
Leo Baeck College has received praise for its role in spreading Progressing Judaism across Europe. ‘The proliferation of European Progressive communities over the past 15 years would be inconceivable without the training of rabbis provided by Leo Baeck College’ said Leslie Bergman, president of the European Union for Progressive Judaism (EUPJ), in an address to the rabbinic training institution in north London. He was speaking in January at a ‘celebration of achievements’ ceremony , aimed at highlighting the success of students in LBC’s various programmes. At the event, an MA in Jewish education, an advanced diploma in higher education: Jewish studies and certificates of completion of the foundation course for Religion School teachers were awarded by the Department of Jewish Education. The college’s principal, Rabbi Professor Marc Saperstein, presented a certificate of appreciation to the EUPJ for its support of rabbinical training. He noted that the current rabbinical students in LBC’s five-year full-time programme represented 10 different countries, including Ukraine, Italy, Hungary and France. Candidates living in three additional countries were among the current pool of applicants for the rabbinical programme. In addition, four student rabbis currently enrolled in a joint Jewish studies MA programme with Leo Baeck College and King’s College London received advanced diplomas for course work equivalent to a BA in Hebrew and Jewish studies. Alexandra Wright, senior rabbi at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, presented the Rabbi John Rayner Student Prize for excellence in an MA level paper to student rabbi Lisa Barrett for her paper, Intermarriage in the Bible. Leo Baeck College is currently conducting a strategic review and is in the process of appointing a new principal to succeed Professor Saperstein, who is shortly to retire.
Debbie Friedman, the hugely influential composer and performer of Jewish liturgical songs, died in January aged 59. Her final performance was at Limmud in Warwick in December, where she performed L’chi Lach, her song about life’s journey at the closing gala. A Liberal Judaism tribute and memorial service was held at Northwood synagogue, led by Rabbi Aaron Goldstein. Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein, emeritus rabbi at Northwood, writes: In my limited experience, Liberal Jewish youth of the 1960s were not much into worship. I recall a youth conference at which I, as a student rabbi, was asked to lead a service on Saturday morning. I produced a creative service, but in the end was told, ‘The programme’s running late, we’ll scrap the service.’ At Religion School we had a Children’s Prayer Book, but sang the music of the adult service. In the early years of Kadimah Holiday School (founded in 1971) the services were minimal and used ‘adult’ music. Havdallah hadn’t been rediscovered and Grace After Meals was done only on Shabbat. Debbie Friedman changed all of that. In 1977, my wife Sharon and I (with our children Aaron and Ruth) had a sabbatical in San Jose, California. We came back with tapes recorded at the American Reform summer camps: the
music of Danny Freelander, Jeff Klepper and Debbie Friedman playing their guitars and singing the new melodies they had composed for ancient liturgy. Kadimah was never the same after that, nor were the various Liberal youth movements. Services became fuller, more traditional in content and more enthusiastic in singing. Bensching became the norm, and Havdalah sung to Debbie Friedman’s melody the emotional high moment. Debbie Friedman was one song leader and composer among many in America, but I reckon the most influential. The songs learnt at youth gatherings made their way into the synagogue repertoire; her Bar’chu, Sh’ma, Ahavat Olam, Shalom Rav sung at even the most staid of services. And then her creative songs – often in English – opened the door to deeply spiritual experiences that gave adults a new attachment to their Jewish identity. Her song for healing becoming a regular feature of many synagogues, a fixed part of standard prayerbooks. Debbie Friedman changed the face of Progressive Jewish worship: her memory and her melodies will surely live on.
Kent community’s leading light Hazel Bishop, founder and chairman of KLJC Kent Liberal Jewish Community is mourning the loss of its chairman, Hazel Bishop, who died on 2 February aged 64. Hazel and her husband, Roger, were founder members of KLJC in 1991. The couple have always taken leading roles in the community, and Hazel has been chairman since 2002. That does not begin to express the role which Hazel played in communal life – from leading services, efficiently chairing committee meetings, masterminding big events including the communal seder, down to washing up. No job was beneath her dignity. She suffered the death of her daughter
Hannah from breast cancer in 2003, and her own treatment for the same disease a few years later. In 2009, she celebrated her batmitzvah, something she had missed out on as an adolescent in an Orthodox community in Canada. When the cancer returned a few months ago, she did not let go of her good humour and optimism. She is survived by Roger, their daughter Sara and granddaughters Abigail and Caitlin.
chairman’s actions
March/April 2011
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A series of informal talks, with nosh Liberal Judaism is hosting a series of informal talks, with a light supper, on Wednesday evenings about what is it to be Jewish in the modern world. Aimed at people in their twenties and thirties, the discussion evenings will be held at the movement’s headquarters, near Warren Street tube: the Montagu Centre, 21 Maple Street, London W1. The six remaining talks in the series, which began in February, are:
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... I Hate How Some Jews Treat Women: with Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah and Deborah Blausten, 16 March, 7pm ...My Partner Isn’t: With Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, 23 March, 7pm ... I Don’t Enjoy Synagogue: With Rabbi Richard Jacobi and Naomi Soetendorp, 30th March, 7pm ... I Don’t Know Any Hebrew: with Rabbi Judith Rosen-Berry and Rabbi Dr Michael Shire, 13 April, 7pm ... I Wish Judaism Wasn’t Homophobic: with Rabbi Judith Rosen-Berry & Daniel Lichman - 20th April, 7pm ... I Don’t Believe God Made the World: with Rabbi Pete Tobias and student rabbi Lea Mühlstein, 4 May, 7pm The cost is £6 a session on the door. For further information, please contact Alex Wakely: a.wakely@liberaljudaism.org or telephone 020 7631 9830.
Farewell Dinner at Harrow & Wembley Harrow & Wembley Progressive Synagogue will mark its departure from 326 Preston Road after more than 60 years with a Farewell Dinner on Sunday 12 June 2011 before moving to share Middlesex New Synagogue’s building in Harrow. Applications for tickets (£30 each) are welcomed from anyone who has had connections with the synagogue over the years and would like to join existing members in saying goodbye to Preston Road. Please contact Barbara Liff at 326 Preston Road, Harrow, HA3 0QH, tel: 020 8904 8581 or e-mail barbara.liff@hwps.org by 30 April.
LJ Today Page 7
Israel’s Arabs are a missed opportunity Lucian J Hudson says he has learned much from the first UK Task Force study trip to Israel I returned from the first UK Task Force study trip focused on issues facing Arab citizens of Israel renewed and recharged in my commitment to Judaism and Israel. As a Jew my identity is formed not only by taking a position in the world, but by how I relate to others, and to the other. Israel has in its own backyard a challenge and an opportunity: to realise the potential of its Arab citizens, who constitute 20 per cent of the population yet contribute only 8 per cent to the country’s GDP. Israeli Arabs have traditionally been employed in manual industries such as construction, agriculture, textiles and furniture. What we saw was emerging economic growth in IT, high-technology, bio-technology and research and development sectors. The conditions are ripe for economic investment: an emerging market, a youthful population and undeveloped towns, all directly within an already developed and robust economy. The economic cannot be divorced from the social and political: despite Israel having a talent pool of qualified and motivated Arab citizens, many are unemployed, under-employed or not employed in jobs that meet their abilities. This under-representation is a missed opportunity, and a longer term threat to Israel. According to an OECD report published last year, which highlights the Arab population’s poor integration into Israel’s high-flying economy, ‘Tackling the root causes of such deep inequality would greatly enhance the dynamism of the Israeli economy.’ The visit provided our group of 50 participants from across the British Jewish community with first-hand experience of the key issues affecting the Arab minority in Israel, specifically in the Galil region. Our group worked so well together and met such inspiring people – Arab business people, Jewish Israeli politicians, civil society representatives and academics working to reduce inequality and improve Jewish-Arab relations in Israel – that we came away
determined to make a practical difference. Inas Said is the Arab CEO of Galil Software, an outsourcing company founded three years ago by a group of Israeli and Arab investors. Said has 15 years’ experience working at US and European companies such as Nokia and Ericsson. Based in Nazareth, he now employs about 125 engineers, 90 per cent of whom are Arabs outsourced to companies in Israel such as HP, Amdocs and General Electric. Said says that by tapping into the Arab workforce in Israel, companies save up to 30 per cent of the internal costs required to support nearshore outsourcing activities. Keeping employees local removes the risks involved in controlling remotely, as well as cultural and time zone differences. The close proximity of Arab workers means
We met such inspiring people working to reduce inequality that we came away determined to make a practical difference that businesses not only achieve great results but are more cost-effective. Douglas Krikler, chief executive, UJIA, and co-chair of the UK Task Force, says, ‘We grappled with some uncomfortable realities, and don’t underestimate the challenges which lie ahead. At the same time, we’ve been encouraged by steps being taken by the Israeli government to narrow the social and economic gaps between Arabs and Jews, which is in Israel’s national interest and in keeping with the values on which the Jewish state was founded.’ What is Liberal Judaism if it is not the ability to relate to others who are different yet with whom we share a common humanity? And what is Israel, if it is not the promise to build a future which is more than the product of its past? It was my third visit to Israel since I became Chairman eighteen months ago, and this one even more than others was both enlightening and challenging. Israel’s challenge here is not somebody else’s business but our own.
Lucian J Hudson is chairman of Liberal Judaism
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March/April 2011
How a sacred space was built in just 48 hours David Marchant reports on the Ba’alei T’fillah (lay leaders) residential study and practice weekend Sixteen participants, together with Rabbis Richard Jacobi and Monique Mayer and experienced lay leader Beverley Taylor, gathered at Barnes Close Centre for Reconciliation near Wolverhampton for the Ba’alei T’fillah study and practice weekend. During the course of the weekend we held five services – Erev Shabbat, Shabbat Morning, Shabbat Afternoon, Havdalah and Weekday Morning – each of which was led by one or more participants. These services were mingled with study sessions on speaker and presentation skills, one-to-one surgeries, and an opportunity for each participant to give a previously prepared D’var Torah to a small group. I think everyone felt their abilities were being stretched in various ways, but always in a safe and friendly environment. The session on speaking and presentation skills was led by Monique and Beverley together with two of the participants, Robin Samson and Sef Townsend, who brought their own professional skills to bear, to everyone’s benefit. Our first attempt at celebrating Havdalah was interrupted by the fire alarm. Thirty-seven Shabbat candles (most participants brought their own) hadn’t set it off, but two Havdalah
candles did. We collectively agreed to conduct Havdalah outside, although outdoors, and with a strong wind and damp candles, proved not to be the best environment to rekindle the flames. We did (eventually) relight them, and completed our Havdalah service. Afterwards some of us stayed up telling stories and singing. The concluding session included a song with verses contributed by everyone. Core themes seemed to be the deficiencies of the central heating, Havdalah candles and the way a group of individuals had built a sacred space and formed a close chevrah (society) in less than 48 hours. This was one of the best weekends I have ever experienced, and I came away knowing much more than when I started. More importantly, among the group who began this course in October, I have made friendships that will, I hope, be life-long.
Rabbi Jacobi adds: following the successful progress of our first cohort, and the number of enquiries about the Ba’alei T’fillah programme, it is our intention to begin a second course in June 2011. If you are interested and would like more information, please contact Alex Wakely at the Montagu Centre: 020 7631 9830 or a.wakely@ liberaljudaism.org.
What’s on offer to students by Ysabella Hawkings As Liberal Judaism’s first student worker, I would like to explain how my role benefits Jews aged 18 to 23 and what I have done so far this year. My job is to make sure that our members have support while on campus, at work or on a gap year. Many students find that, after school, their lives contain a Judaism-shaped hole. This is especially true for Progressive Jews, who may not fit into the standard J-Soc box. This hole might be because Progressive services aren’t available, their housemates don’t understand why they light candles, or simply because they don’t have a community to attend. A lack of connection to Judaism in these
formative years can lead to individuals drifting away from the community. We have created a Liberal Judaism Chaplaincy list. The chaplains are available via phone and email for students: for questions, advice and much more. We are also sending out free packs to all students for Chanukkah and Pesach to help them celebrate the festivals. Our Pesach packs will be posted out during late March. We have exciting opportunities coming up including a seventh-night seder for students, trips to Poland and Israel and a programme of Friday night dinners with interesting speakers. If you would like more information about any of these projects or have suggestions for new ones. please contact me at yszi@ liberaljudaism.org or on 020 7631 0584.
Montagu Centre staff changes Tim Bergman, one of Liberal Judaism’s social action co-ordinators, has resigned owing to pressure from other commitments. Avivit Katzil, young adults worker, also left at the end of February. Jessica Nyman has joined as social action co-ordinator to work initially on two specific projects: the volunteering survey and work on the inclusion forum. She will work six hours a week from Manchester, where she is a student. She can be contacted at jess@liberaljudaism. org. Sam Grant, the movement’s other social action co-ordinator, can be reached at socialaction@liberaljudaism.org.
Seventh-night seder in London A seventh-night Seder will be held in north-west. It is open to all those aged 18 to 25 interested in a meaningful experience with which to conclude the festival of Pesach. Please contact Yszi at yszi@ liberaljudaism.org if you are interested in attending. There is no charge.
Are you ready for seder night? Liberal Judaism still has a stock of Haggadah B’chol Dor Va-Dor (a haggadah for all generations), published last year. Edited by Rabbis Dr Andrew Goldstein and Pete Tobias, the book offers at one end a full seder with optional additional readings and commentaries; and at the other a child-centred family seder. Younger participants can open it from left to right to find their haggadah, subtitled V’higgad’ta l’vin’cha – ‘And you shall tell your child’. 104pp, 255x180mm, pbk, ISBN 978-0-900521, £8.50. Email s. o’dwyer@liberaljudaism.org or telephone 020 7580 1663. Haggadah B’chol Dor Va-Dor
books
March/April 2011
LJ Today Page 9
Ideas worth wrestling with I’M GOD; YOU’RE NOT: Observations on Organised Religion and Other Disguises of the Ego by Lawrence Kushner; Jewish Lights Publishing, £18.99hbk ISBN: 9781580234412 Reviewed by RICHARD JACOBI While this book’s catchy title is a valuable short lesson on the importance of the first of the 10 commandments, within lies a fascinating, frustrating and enigmatic read (some might suggest aspects of the divine in that description, too). What we have is a collection of articles and radio pieces produced by Rabbi Lawrence Kushner over the past three decades. As such, it is not a coherent, start-to-finish, treatise. Nor is it a volume into which one can easily dip, as the learning and inspiration from any one article is not indicated by its title. You cannot get used to this book – it changes format, style and genre too often. One piece of advice to rabbinic students is that when reading out a list, ‘never tell people how many items it has’. Another piece, in a different list, advises rabbis: ‘12: Responsive reading is dumb.’ In contrast, you will find a deeply theological piece under the heading ‘Why I’m A Jew’ and a wonderful ‘What is Kabbalah?’ Perhaps the best way to access this book is by the themes – rabbi, Judaism, family, world, mysticism, and holiness, yet even this is unsatisfactory. Because it is a collection, the messages recur; for example, a scholar is ‘in the midst of a 20-year-long project of translating the Zohar’ on both page 157 and page 181. Let me say this, though: if you are serious about any one, let alone all, of these themes, then Kushner is worth reading. His was the first congregation in
‘Responsive reading is dumb’ and ‘never conduct a congregational survey’ are among the observations and advice in Kushner’s book, which also has some deeply theological pieces
the world to produce a gender-inclusive siddur, V’taher Libeynu, in 1980. He has taught at the Hebrew Union College and he has written many books, with a specialism in mysticism and spirituality. Anyone reading this review in this magazine is, almost by definition, serious about at least one of these themes. If you have parents, read his sermon entitled ‘Understanding Your Parents’. If you have aspirations to deliver a sermon on Numbers chapter one, read the same chapter, as it’s a wonderful exegesis. The verse Kushner focuses on states: ‘And the people... shall pitch their tents, each person by his or her own family camp, and each person under his or her own flag’ (Num. 1:52). How can we meet both of these conditions simultaneously? The answer involves exploring and valuing the way each person is shaped, knowingly and unknowingly, by their parents, and the fact that each person is unique. If you are involved in congregational life
at all, I commend one point, made by an experienced rabbi from America, the home of customer-centred capitalism, with which I wholeheartedly agree: ‘There are three reasons why you should never conduct a congregational survey about anything: first, the people you’re surveying don’t know what they want (if they did, you’d already know it, too). Second, if you ask them what they want, you’ll only get stuck having to do what they say. And finally, even if you give them what they say they want, they won’t come anyway.’ If you lead a congregation and relate to a rabbi, or you are learning to be a rabbi (pre- or post-ordination), then Kushner’s eight-page chapter ‘The Rabbi Business’ could be the core of meaningful discussions or the whole training programme. This is not because he’s always right (we’ve already agreed he’s not God), but because even when you disagree with him, as I often did, he forces you to think and feel and be more aware. You’ll struggle with this book, but then being an Israelite is about wrestling, and our lives are better for it. We in Liberal Judaism owe it to our founders and those who come after us to struggle with all our heart, our soul and our might. This collection of one person’s accumulated learning will inform and educate the struggle.
Richard Jacobi is the rabbi at Woodford Liberal Synagogue
In the thick of the turbulence, and proud of it TURBULENT TIMES: The British Jewish Community Today by Keith Kahn-Harris and Ben Gidley Continuum, £19.99pbk ISBN: 9781847144768 Reviewed by Bryan Diamond Several books have appeared in recent years about the history of institutions such as the Jewish Chronicle and the Board of Deputies. This volume, which is claimed to be first book-length study of contemporary British Jewry, examines the changing nature of the community and its leadership since 1990 and is a useful summary of developments. The authors contend that there has been a shift within communal discourse from a strategy of security, which emphasised UK Jewry’s secure British belonging and citizenship, to a strategy of
insecurity, which emphasises the dangers and threats Jews face individually and communally, and that this shift is part of a process of community renewal that has led to a ‘Jewish renaissance’ in Britain. Liberal Judaism is given mention as being more radical than Reform Judaism. Description of the latter’s transformation is followed by that of the Liberals’ less dramatic but significant renewal, for instance through the ‘tent’ programme for young adults. As for turbulence, the Liberals do not disappoint: Rabbi Danny Rich’s statement
against the Israel solidarity march in 2009 is documented – indeed a picture from the rally is on the book’s cover – as is Rabbi David Goldberg’s membership of the Independent Jewish Voices group. While anti-Semitism, security and communal leadership, explored at length, are important to all active Liberals, we do not have a distinctive position on these. Interfaith dialogue has progressed but not intra-faith, the authors say, despite the Stanmore Accords. To which we might say, yes – but the Liberals have been continually denied dialogue with the Orthodox.
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Spotlight on Gloucestershire What kind of community is it and where is it based? Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish Community is small, eager and thriving, with a focus on children and community. It is based in Cheltenham, where the majority of members live, but hopes to appeal to all Jewish people in and around the county. When was it set up? In May 2008, by four keen individuals looking for something newer and more relevant to the 21st century than the town’s Orthodox community, which has existed for more than 100 years. GLJC now has more than 60 members. When and where are services held and who leads them? Monthly Erev Shabbat services are led either by a member, by the community’s fifth-year student rabbi, Anna Gerrard, or by a visiting rabbi. Services are also held on most of the festivals and High Holy Days, usually led by Anna. The community uses several different venues on a regular basis. Parties are held for Chanukkah and Purim. What is on offer for children? A cheder meets fortnightly during school terms, on Sunday afternoons. The families of the children, who range in age from five to 13, take turns to host the sessions. The pupils study traditional stories, learn about festivals, the services and songs from them. They also learn Hebrew, prayers and blessings. The community’s three oldest children celebrated their bnei mitzvah in February, the first such ceremony at GLJC. Generally, the cheder teaching team take the classes, but other members of the community, student rabbi Anna and visiting rabbis take some sessions, which can include drama, cookery and everything in between. Is there adult education too? Yes, study sessions are run by Anna or
Student rabbi Anna Gerrard, left, leads a Sukkot celebration; the children (top) create a chanukkiah; and a strawberry tea
members of the community. They include siddur reading, Ivrit and Torah study. How is the feeling of community encouraged? Where appropriate, services are followed by a shared chavurah lunch or supper. There is always far too much food as well as plenty of laughter and friendly chat to welcome new members. Last year’s Seder was, for the first time, professionally catered in a conference venue so that no community members had to spend the evening in the kitchen; it was a resounding success. Members of Cheltenham Interfaith joined members of GLJC and their guests, resulting in an 80-strong celebration. What social events are there? Quizzes, a strawberry tea, lunch in a member’s garden, walks and meals out. The community is always willing to try new ideas as members suggest. What about the wider community? For Mitzvah Day this year, GLJC was a full Eighty people, including members of Cheltenham Interfaith, attend the community’s professionally catered Seder last year
partner, working with the local branch of the Royal British Legion to publicise the Remembrance Day services. This meant that its Mitzvah Day was earlier than scheduled. The children of the community enjoyed creating posters to advertise the Remembrance Day services, which were then posted around villages and used on the legion’s collecting boards. Members take part in events such as Holocaust Memorial Day, alongside the Orthodox Cheltenham Hebrew Congregation, and work with Cheltenham Interfaith, developing wider relations across the county’s different faith groups. How does the organisational side work? GLJC has a council of nine members. As well as main officers, there are individuals overseeing membership, education and burials, as well as develop the community’s website. Tell me about burial arrangements The community has been given its own burial space, in the main Cheltenham Cemetery, which was consecrated last year by Rabbi Danny Rich. Does the community have a website? Yes, visit www.GLJC.org.uk. A new-style newsletter is also being launched. How do I find out more? Telephone 01242 609311 or email shalom@gljc.org.uk.
youth
March/April 2011
LJ Today Page 11
LJY-Netzer is Liberal Judaism’s Zionist youth movement. It gives young people the opportunity to develop a strong Progressive Jewish identity, make lasting friendships and have loads of fun
Power to the (young) people! Members make sure they have a say in how LJY-Netzer is run, says Robin Moss maker and, of course, proposing motions and voting on them. Believe me, seeing a group of pre- and early-teens debating the finer points of our ideology, suggesting education topics and events and so on is inspiring. If you’re in search of youth apathy, you won’t find it here! The most important motion passed was to demand a vote at Veidah, the ‘AGM’ for members aged 15-23. Previously, all Kinus could do was to vote to take something to Veidah, where it was
A recent Shnat Netzer (gap year) meal in Jerusalem
At university? Make sure you’re on the mailing list for our student worker Yszi. Email her with your details: y.hawkings@ liberaljudaism.org
Spring and summer residential camp Places are still available on LJY-Netzer’s Machaneh Aviv (Spring Camp, 13-18 April) and Kadimah (Summer Camp, 28 July-11 August). Both camps are for youngsters in school years 3-10. Contact the LJY-Netzer team (see below) for more information or to book. From mid-March, you will be able to book online at www.liberaljudaism.org/ljy-netzer-youth.
debated freshly. But this year, Kinus asked that any motion it passed should automatically have a 25 per cent ‘yes’ vote at Veidah. And at Veidah, this request was passed. So, from Kinus 2011 onwards, members all the way down to age 12 will have a say in how LJY-Netzer is run. That is youth empowerment. Other motions passed at Veidah included a new educational theme of the year – Tanakh and T’fillah (Bible and Prayer) - which will return us to our roots, and another Kinus motion, to produce a welcome pack for new members. Every year, LJY-Netzer gathers twice in December to re-affirm its commitment to democratic youth empowerment. Having now attended my last Kinus and Veidah, I still marvel at the uniqueness of these institutions, and I realise how proud all Liberal Jews should be of them and the young people who make them what they are.
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There is a famous Talmudic story (Baba Metzia 59b, for those wanting to Google it) about an object called the Oven of Akhnai. To cut a long story short, there is a dispute among the rabbis over the ritual purity of this oven (don’t fall asleep quite yet…), and a rabbi in the minority calls on God to intervene to prove that he is right. God does speak – but to say defiantly that the Torah is not to be found in heaven, and that halachic disputes should be settled by majority view. And so was born the Jewish tradition of democracy. In LJY-Netzer, democracy is alive and well, but with one crucial added ingredient. Because we are a youth-led organisation dedicated to empowerment, ‘old people’ (those over 23) don’t get a say. Late last year, we held two of our most important events. Kinus (Hebrew for ‘gathering’) is our decision-making forum for ages 12-15. It is a weekend of fun, learning how to be an informed decision-
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Does your passport reflect your Liberal Judaism?
Contact the LJY-Netzer team: Josh (j.dubell@liberaljudaism.org), Adam (a.francies@liberaljudaism.org), Yszi (y.hawkings@ liberaljudaism.org) or Robin (r.moss@liberaljudaism.org); telephone 020 7631 0584 or email office@ljynetzer.org
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Liberal Judaism congregations Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue (Rodef Shalom) 01234 218387; bedsps@liberaljudaism. org; www.bedfordshire-ps.org.uk Beit Klal Yisrael c/o The Montagu Centre, 21 Maple Street, London W1T 4BE; 07505 477459, bky@liberaljudaism.org; www.bky.org.uk Bet Tikvah Synagogue 129 Perrymans Farm Road, Ilford, Essex IG2 7LX; 020 8554 9682; bttkv@liberaljudaism.org; www.bettikvah.org.uk Birmingham Progressive Synagogue 1 Roseland Way, Birmingham B15 1HD; 0121 634 3888; bps@liberaljudaism.org; www.bpsjudaism.com Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove BN3 1FF; 01273 737223; bhps@liberaljudaism.org; www.brightonandhoveprosynagogue.org.uk Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation 43-45 Bannerman Road, Easton, Bristol BS5 0RR bwpjc@liberaljudaism.org; www.bwpjc.org Crouch End Liberal Jewish Chavurah info@crouchendchavurah.co.uk; www.crouchendchavurah.co.uk Crawley Jewish Community 01293 534294 Dublin Jewish Progressive Congregation PO Box 3059, Dublin 6, 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; info@eljc.org; www.eljc.org Finchley Progressive Synagogue Hutton Grove, N12 8DR; 020 8446 4063; fps@liberaljudaism.org; www.fps.org Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish Community Enquiries: 01242 609311 or 01242 231877; shalom@gljc.org.uk; www. gljc.org.uk Harrow and Wembley Progressive Synagogue 326 Preston Road, Harrow HA3 0QH; 020 8904 8581; hwps@liberaljudaism.org; www.hwps.org Herefordshire Jewish Community 01594 530721; hjc@liberaljudaism.org; www.herefordshirejc.org Kent Liberal Jewish Community 07952 242432; kljc@liberaljudaism.org; http://tinyurl.com/kentljc Kingston Liberal Synagogue Rushett Road, Long Ditton, Surbiton, Surrey; KT7 0UX; 020 8398 7400; kls@liberaljudaism.org; www.klsonline.org Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation The Synagogue, 24 Avenue Road, LE2 3EA; 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
The Montagu Centre 21 Maple Street London, W1T 4BE Tel: 020 7580 1663 Fax: 020 7631 9838
www.liberaljudaism.org
President The Baroness Neuberger DBE Chairman Lucian J Hudson Deputy Chair Dr Amanda Grant Vice-Chairs Simon Benscher and Jackie Richards Treasurer David Pelham Social action and disability Leon Charikar Israel and the diaspora Daniel Needlestone Vice-Presidents and Honorary Vice-Presidents David Amstell, Monique Blake, Henry Cohn, Nigel Cole, Geoffrey Davis, Stanley Fink, Jeromé Freedman, Louise Freedman, Rabbi Dr David Goldberg, Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein, Sharon Goldstein, Rabbi Harry Jacobi, Jeremy Jessel, Willie Kessler, David Lipman, Corinne Oppenheimer, David Pick, Rosita Rosenberg, Tony Sacker, Harold Sanderson, Joan Shopper, Beverley Taylor, Clive Winston Chairman of Rabbinic Conference Rabbi Pete Tobias Chief Executive Rabbi Danny Rich Operations Director Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer PR Alexandra Ben-Yehuda Interfaith Rabbi Mark Solomon Shlicha Dana Friedman LJY-Netzer Josh Dubell, Adam Francies, Robin Moss Student worker Ysabella Hawkings
lj today is edited by Beatrice Sayers The deadline for the May edition is 1 April. Please email your news and letters to ljtoday@liberaljudaism.org. Liberal Judaism is the dynamic, cutting edge of modern Judaism. It reverences Jewish tradition, seeking to preserve the values of the Judaism of the past while giving them contemporary force. Registered charity number 236590. Printed by Precision Printing. www.precisionprinting.co.uk
The Liberal Synagogue Elstree Elstree High Street, Elstree, Herts WD6 3BY; 020 8953 8889; tlse@liberaljudaism.org; www.tlse.org.uk Lincolnshire Jewish Community 01427 628958; ljc@liberaljudaism.org Manchester Liberal Jewish Community 08432 084441; mljc@liberaljudaism.org; www.mljc.org.uk North London Progressive Jewish Community 020 7403 3779; nlpjc@liberaljudaism.org; www.nlpjc.org.uk Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue Oaklands Gate, Northwood, Middx HA6 3AA; 01923 822592, npls@liberaljudaism.org; www.npls.org.uk Nottingham Progressive Jewish Congregation Lloyd Street, Sherwood NG5 4BP; 0115 9624761; npjc@liberaljudaism.org; www.npjc.org.uk Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community Enquiries: 020 7631 9822 The Progressive Jewish Community of East Anglia (based in Norwich); www.pjcea.org.uk Reading Liberal Jewish Community 0118 942 8022; rljc@liberaljudaism.org; www.rljc.org Shenfield, Brentwood & Districts Synagogue 01277 888610; info@roshtikvah.com; www.roshtikvah.com South Bucks Jewish Community PO Box 826, Amersham, HP6 9GA; 0845 644 2370; sbjc@liberaljudaism.org; www.sbjc.org.uk South London Liberal Synagogue PO Box 14475, London SW16 1ZW; 020 8769 4787; slls@liberaljudaism.org; www.southlondon.org Southgate Progressive Synagogue 75 Chase Road, London N14 4QY; 020 8886 0977; sps@liberaljudaism.org; www.sps.uk.com 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
Beit Ha’Chidush Postbus 14613, 1001 LC Amsterdam, Netherlands, 00 31 23 524 7204; info@beithachidush.nl; www.beithachidush.nl Oxford Liberal Jewish Services: 01865 515584 or 01865 765197; www.ojc-online.org Wessex Liberal Jewish Group (Bournemouth) info@wessexliberaljudaism.org.uk; 01202 757084
Developing communities
North Herts Liberal Jewish Community (based in Stevenage) 07507 947406; nhljc@ liberaljudaism.org; www.northhertsljc.org The Suffolk Liberal Jewish Community (based in Ipswich) 01473 250797; sjc@liberaljudaism.org
Make a date ........... 18-20 March (Fri-Sun) Hebrew Crash Course at Northwood and Pinner. Tel: 01923 822592 20 March (Sunday) An Evening of Purim Cabaret Fun at South London, 7.30pm; 020 8769 4787. Purim Klezmer Party in Manchester with the Klash klezmer band; 08432 084441 10 April (Sunday) Kulanu Seminar focusing on disabled people in synagogue life, at Northwood. Contact Leon: l.charikar@liberaljudaism.org 13-18 April Machaneh Aviv (Spring Camp) for school years 3-10. Contact: office@ljynetzer.org 18 April (Monday) Erev Pesach (Seder night) 24 April (Sunday) Seventh Night Seder in north-west London For 18- 25-year-olds. Please contact Yszi at yszi@liberaljudaism.org 15 May (Sunday) The Voice of the Cello Concert at the LJS, 7.30pm. Details: www.ljscello.com 22 May (Sunday) Liberal Judaism’s Day of Celebration at the LJS (see page 3) 4 July (Monday) A Day to Study and Honour Rabbi John Rayner at the LJS 28 July (Thurs) - 11 August (Thurs) Machaneh Kadimah LJY-Netzer’s summer camp, at Cottesmore School. Please note revised dates
Be a sport and join the biggest event of 2012 It’s just over a year until one of the major events of 2012. No, not the Olympics; Liberal Judaism’s Biennial Weekend at Tortworth Hall Hotel in the beautiful Cotswolds, 20-22 April, writes Rabbi Pete Tobias, chairman of Rabbinic Conference. I am honoured to have been invited, along with Simon Benscher, to co-chair the committee planning this Biennial. I want it to be the usual opportunity to gather in a relaxed atmosphere, to talk and study together and to celebrate our wonderful heritage in the time-honoured manner. But I also want this Biennial to be a milestone in the development of Liberal Judaism. My rabbinic colleagues have recently identified the need for the movement to look at the needs of modern Jews in the 21st century and how they are met. We have already set out a roadmap for the journey towards the shaping and implementing of this vision, and I would like the 2012 Biennial to be an important staging post on that journey. If you are interested in being part of the team planning how Biennial delegates can shape the Liberal Judaism of the future, please come to the initial meeting, which will be held on Wednesday 16 March 2011 at the Montagu Centre at 6.30pm. If you would like to be there, contact me at rabbi@rabbipete.co.uk. I look forward to hearing from you and to sharing with you the journey to Liberal Judaism’s future.
A girl for Charley Mazal tov to Charley Baginsky, rabbi at Kingston, and husband Steve Rogers on the safe arrival on 17 January. of a baby girl, Eliana Lily Rogers, a sister to Joshua.
FPJ appeal Members of Liberal and Reform communities have so far donated £12,000 following the fires in the north of Israel to an appeal fund set up by FPJ - Friends of Progressive Judaism in Israel, Europe and the FSU. Donations can be made online at www.fpjie.org.uk or by cheque (payable to FPJ), to PO Box 3998, Gerrards Cross, SL9 1AS.