May/June 2009
VOL. XXXVI No. 3
Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
ljtoday
FROM ISRAEL The British Friends of Rabbis for Human Rights holds a challenging week-long tour following the WUPJ’s 34th annual convention
We must strive harder Together by Richard Jacobi Photo: Elana Sondel
A child wakes in her hotel room in Eilat crying because the ambulance she has heard makes her believe that the rockets of Sderot, her home, have followed her family there. Perhaps readers who lived through the blitz or other such warfare can empathise with this story told us by her father, a shopkeeper. The rest of us try to imagine what this must be like. We also try to imagine what it is like to have the well on our land polluted by the occupying army jamming an old car into it. We try to imagine how one bustling new town can have running water, electricity and sewerage when the adjacent village has to pay to bring in water tanks and has to generate its own power. We try to imagine what it is like to be unable to get planning permission to build or enlarge your family home on land your family has owned for decades, what it is like to have your house demolished at an hour’s notice. We see an archaeological wonder – the City of David – from a distance; we see the houses collapsing because of careless or perhaps deliberate digging up close. Hebron left me with particularly vivid images. Sterile areas, a bustling market street that has become a silent, derelict, decaying vacuum at the centre of the town. We are used to stories of antisemitic graffiti; for the first time, I was confronted with violent graffiti in Ivrit – ‘Death to the Arabs’ was one message. The phrase Am Yisrael Chai took on a violent aggressive meaning in this context, as did a paint-sprayed Magen David. We walked past the pathway we had seen
Danny Rich with Palestinian pupils at a school in East Barta’a, a community divided by the ‘green line’
earlier on video. Palestinian girls leaving school were attacked by spitting Jewish girls and stone-throwing Jewish boys. Those of us – rabbis (Liberal and Reform), student rabbis, and lay leaders of Liberal Judaism – who returned at the end of March from this fact-finding trip to Israel did so with mixed feelings. I came away without answers and with a furrowed brow. I came away wanting my people’s spiritual home to cause less prejudicial pain and encourage healing, co-existence and goodwill. I came away feeling that we, Liberal Jews, must do more to ensure that we do not inadvertently support illiberal policies, and do more to support those organisations that work to build a State of Israel for which we will have unqualified pride. Yes, this may be an unachievable goal, but it is one worth striving for, isn’t it? LJY-Netzer, page 7 How we nearly entered Gaza, p8
Richard Jacobi is the rabbi for Woodford Liberal Synagogue
from across the globe
by Louise Freedman Thunderous applause accompanied the opening in the YMCA theatre in Jerusalem of Connections 2009, the 34th international convention of the World Union for Progressive Judaism. Rabbi Julia Neuberger, president of Liberal Judaism and the first keynote speaker, received an enthusiastic reception. Her talk, entitled ‘A new inclusivity for Jews and Judaism – stepping out of the kosher closet’, was inspiring. She painted a very positive picture of what was happening in Britain and Europe in terms of inclusiveness, social action and the role of volunteers. Earlier, Nir Barkat, Jerusalem’s mayor, addressed the delegates and expressed the city’s and the country’s appreciation to the World Union for holding its convention in Israel. Steven Bauman, chairman of the World Union, thanked everyone for their sacred work of building and renewing Jewish communities worldwide, and a multimedia presentation displayed the people and spirit of the various congregations and movements. The Friday of the convention was given over to learning about colleagues and activities in other regions. Video and live Continued on page 3
Inside News 2-3; Storytelling for peace 4; Patrons 5; Letters 6 AND PULLOUT SECTION ON MONTAGU CENTRE
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May/June 2009
Teaching our children – and letting them teach us We learn in the Palestinian Talmud (Shabbat 1:2, 3a) of the holiness that we gain from listening to our youth learn Torah: ‘You should understand that listening to one’s grandchild recite a portion of Torah is like listening to it at Mount Sinai, for it is said, “When you make the words [of Torah] known to your children and children’s children, [it is like] the day that you stood before the Eternal God in Horeb” ‘(Deuteronomy 4:9-10). Shabbat Table Talk is one of many educational initiatives the Montagu Centre has been developing. Each week, student rabbi Elana Sondel, Liberal Judaism’s education consultant, posts a youth-friendly version of the Torah portion followed by discussion questions on the themes and narratives presented. Using this resource, parents and children can sit together during Shabbat and learn Torah from each other. The first aim of Shabbat Table Talk is to give resources to parents who want to make their home a place of Jewish learning but who may not feel that they know enough to teach. Second, it
encourages a more comprehensive understanding of Torah; the Shabbat Table Talk section of Liberal Judaism’s website (www.liberaljudaism.org), updated each week, introduces families to portions that aren’t usually studied. Caroline Hagard, who has been teaching in the Liberal movement for 26 years, says: ‘A child-oriented parashat ha-shavu’ah that is not orthodox is really needed and this is something that I will certainly be referring to in the future.’ The Midlands Centre for Progressive Judaism is introducing its own education programme. The Shavuot term will include a Tuesday night lecture series given by Rabbi Danny Rich (starting 2 June), and a Shabbaton (3-4 July), to include a ‘tent’ service led by student rabbi Anna Gerrard. Rabbi Margaret Jacobi’s new leaflet on circumcision, introduced in the March issue of LJ Today, will shortly be sent to all communities, and a study pack on the subject of Covenant will be available on Liberal Judaism’s website.
Sculptor ‘connects to roots’ The gallery at Harrow and Wembley Progressive Synagogue is the venue for an exhibition of conceptual sculpture by Jane McAdam Freud and what promises to be a fascinating panel discussion. ‘Other Side’ is a show of McAdam Freud’s recent works, which manifest her feelings ‘about the otherness of life, spiritual and secular, past and future’, according to the curator, Michael Richman. McAdam Freud is the daughter of Lucian Freud and Katherine McAdam, and great-granddaughter of Sigmund Freud. Working in clay, copper, stone and digital media, McAdam Freud has recently been connecting with her roots, and decided on HWPS, where Michael is a
member, as the venue for this exhibition. The discussion, about the ideas contained in the work, will take place within the framework of the relationship between art and psychology, with panellists and audience including members of the psychology professions, artists and representatives of interfaith organisations.
All are welcome to attend the exhibition opening, on Sunday 24 May from 3 to 6pm. The exhibition continues for three weeks, with viewing by appointment. The panel discussion at the synagogue will take place on Sunday 7 June, from 3 to 6pm. Entry is free; no tickets required.
Daytimers group to tour the V&A Barry Davis, a Yiddish teacher and actor, was one of the presenters at a day of Yiddish language, story and song at the Montagu Centre, organised by Liberal Judaism’s Daytimers group. The Daytimers’ next gathering is a tour of the Judaica collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum on Wednesday 3
June. The tour will include silver and glass and the medieval Story of Esther tapestry. It starts at 10.45am and will take one to one and a half hours. There is no charge, but you will need to book with Elana Sondel, who is also happy to answer questions: 020 7580 1663 or elana@liberaljudaism.org.
Around the Communities Gloucestershire The community held a service in April, led by Rabbi Danny Rich, to consecrate the plot of land for burial it has been granted at Cheltenham Cemetery, in Prestbury. The cemetery is the county’s only nonOrthodox Jewish burial ground. Lincoln The community is welcoming congregants from Hull Reform Synagogue to their Shabbat service on 16 May, led by Rabbi Danny Rich. The Lincoln Jewish Community made several visits last year to the Hull synagogue. Birmingham Hannah Minsky, pictured, has been recuited as youth worker to take forward development of the community’s new youth club (see LJY-Netzer, page 11). Kingston KLS also has a new youth worker, Simon Frais, 21, a music student at Kingston University. Among the events Simon, pictured, is helping to organise are a trip to the musical Joseph in May, a sleepover and a chavurah barbeque. Southgate Congregants gathered to celebrate the life of Doris Reese, honorary life vice-president of the synagogue and a founder member. Doris, who worked tirelessly for the community, died recently aged 92. Finchley In March, Rabbi Neil Janes created the first of his regular podcasts to synagogue members and friends. Finchley Progressive also has a new website. Check it out at www.fps.org. Edinburgh Maurice Naftalin, founding chair of the Sukkat Shalom congregation, is pictured with his successor, Gillian Raab, following the community’s fifth birthday concert, AGM and Shabbat service. The event also marked Maurice’s retirement; he is holding a glass menorah, a gift from the community by way of thanks for his years of unstinting work.
LJ Today Page 3
May/June 2009
A memorable conference First-timer Suzanne Schneider describes her experience at Connections 2009 – the convention of the World Union for Progressive Judaism Connections started at Beit Shmuel, the home of Progressive Judaism in Jerusalem. The building boasts stunning views over the old city. Saying the Amidah in my home town of Manchester, overlooking the shopping centre, does not have the same effect on me. I was brought up orthodox and, because I was a girl, often felt second class. I tend to seek out strong-minded, educated and confident female Jewish role models to reassure me of my potential within the community. Consequently, I found the first keynote speaker, Rabbi Julia Neuberger, the most memorable. She held the audience captive with her honest and forthright views. Her comments on why we should accept patrilineal Jewish descent caused quite a stir. About half the room – myself included – were clapping
and cheering while the other half shifted uncomfortably in their seats. After each morning’s keynote speech there was a plethora of workshops. I attended topics as diverse as ‘Middle Eastern politics’ and ‘Jewish culture’. Of greatest relevance to me as a Jew engaged to a Catholic were the workshops on non-traditional family units and their integration into progressive communities. Examples included single mothers, same-sex partnerships and inter-faith marriages. I had the pleasure of listening to a fascinating commentary by Rabbi Danny Rich. He discussed how important it was to him that he had been involved in developing the liturgy for same-sex blessings. When asked about the difficulties of encouraging congregations to overcome their fears in this matter, he summarised that although problems occur, more credit should be given to the congregations of Liberal Judaism in Britain. He felt that, in general, they had welcoming and accepting attitudes towards these non-traditional families. As a volunteer for a charity that supports gay and lesbian Jews, I see the daily struggle that people in this situation face, so was proud to see such positive attitudes from the chief executive of Liberal Judaism. The conference offered a selection of
exciting field trips each day. On the final day, the eco-warrior in me chose to visit the Ariel Sharon Park in Tel-Aviv. The park is the base for an ongoing two-fold ecological project. The first objective is the regeneration of the city’s rubbish dump into a site of natural beauty. The second objective is to move from incineration of waste to recycling. I left with a real sense of pride in Israel’s attempt to reduce its carbon footprint. But perhaps the true essence of the conference came from the intertwining of Connections 2009, the 30th anniversary of the Netzer Youth Movement and the TaMaR Young Adults Conference. Even though I do not belong to either Netzer or TaMaR and, at the age of 30, am older than most, I was made to feel part of their family. I was invited to their events, including an evening of pizza and theatre. I made some great friends and got a glimpse of how connected they were as a community. The World Union says that its focus this year is to support its youth movements, so that it can develop tomorrow’s leaders. If the young people I met, with their maturity and generosity of spirit, are anything to go by, the future of Progressive Judaism is in great hands.
Suzanne Schneider is a member of the Manchester Liberal Jewish Community
Shabbat that made us all feel at home Continued from page 1 presentations featured Progressive Jewish communities and achievements around the world. Exchanges took place at the regional shuk, a truly busy marketplace, with literature and souvenirs as well as a venue where delegates gathered to socialise and network. One lunch gathering was the debut meeting of a partnership between Women of Reform Judaism – the American Progressive movement – and women leaders in Israel. The spirited climax of that day were the celebrations for Netzer Olami’s 30th anniversary. The enthusiasm of the 18to 20-year-old delegates – in Israel for their annual leadership Veidah (conference) – electrified the hall. There was also a ceremony to mark the acceptance of the newest Netzer snif – France – into the 15,000-member organisation.
Delegates at the convention also had a chance to meet Rabbi Gilad Kariv, the new executive director of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ), and Gusti Yehoshua-Braverman, associate director, as well as Anat Hoffman, the executive director of the Israel Religious Action Centre, a young movement that has already accomplished so much. The real spirit and serenity of Shabbat in Israel arrived as we dispersed to various congregations affiliated with the Progressive movement for Kabbalat Shabbat, where we were made truly welcome. Then, thanks to the generosity of our IMPJ hosts, many of us enjoyed home-cooked Shabbat dinners and conversation, and found ourselves making many new connections that we hope will last long into the future. As for the Shabbat morning service itself, there is nothing like it anywhere in
the world: the liturgy is in 10 languages, the singing is heartfelt and the readers – both rabbis and lay leaders – came from more than a dozen countries. The sun shone brilliantly and the wind wafted gently as we ambled over to Mishkenot Ruth Daniel, in Jaffa, for lunch together in the common dining hall. Always hungry for learning, delegates moved after lunch to different corners of Mishkenot Ruth for study sessions with 10 rabbis/teachers. The closing dinner was addressed by President Shimon Peres, whose presence was seen as sending a strong message of recognition of Progressive Judaism to Jews in Israel and around the world. Among the large group of Liberal Jewish delegates was Rabbi Harry Jacobi, 83, who has attended nearly every World Union convention since 1949; and hopes to be at the next one, in 2011.
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Once upon a time, in Israel... Storyteller Sef Townsend introduces the Healing Words project for peace My synagogue, Beit Klal Yisrael, which meets in central London, is supporting an unusual approach towards peace in the Middle East – the telling of stories . At a fundraising evening in April, a group of storytellers from as far apart as Australia, Israel, Palestine, Sweden, the USA and the UK came to BKY to explain how stories would be used in the Healing Words tour of Israel and Palestine the following month. They demonstrated how potent stories are in freeing ourselves, person by person, from a cycle of hatred, fundamentalism and fear. How did Healing Words come about? Well, there’s a story behind it. During the cross-border fighting between Israel and Lebanon in 2006, an Israeli storyteller, Roi Gal-Or, went into a Palestinian sweet shop. As he entered, the television screen showed appalling scenes of the bombardment of Lebanon. All eyes turned to the storyteller with hatred. Feelings of sadness and powerlessness moved him to tell a story. He told a tiny tale of two mice who were fighting over a piece of cheese, each claiming it as his own. A fox came along and settled the dispute by gobbling up the cheese, and the mice were left with nothing. The eyes turned from hatred to encouragement. ‘That story is about us, isn‘t it?’ someone said. The storyteller was treated to a huge box of baklava, and
Above: Roi Gal-Or at the first Healing Words Festival, in 2007; and Sef Townsend, who is taking part this year
the idea for the first Healing Words Festival was born. By May the following year, nearly 3,000 people – Israelis, Christians, Muslims, Druze, Palestinians and Jews – gathered in a pine forest in Galilee for a five-day festival. Story was used to facilitate dialogue, dissolve borders and create friendships. This year, an international group of 12 The Healing Words Festival is a collaboration between the School of Storytelling, Emerson College, East Sussex, where Roi Gal-Or teaches, and
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storytellers, of whom I am one – I’ve been brushing up my Hebrew and Arabic – have been working together for a month beforehand to prepare a tour of stories and workshops. We will be taking this ‘tour for peace’ into villages and towns in Israel and Palestine for two weeks prior to the festival. As someone who works mainly with refugees, I can vouch for the power of stories. They enable the unspeakable to be spoken. Experiences and emotions that can hardly be approached in any other way can be processed safely. People who are in conflict can stand in each other’s shoes and, for the first time, see the world as different from how they thought it was. After the first Healing Words Festival, in 2007, Amira from Bethlehem said: ‘For the first time in my life people saw me for who I am and not as a Muslim, Christian, Jew or Arab.’ And this year, in villages and towns around Israel and Palestine, and in the wake of all that has happened in Gaza in recent months, we’re hoping that someone else might say something similar. the Gate to Humanity Centre, founded in 2002 by Jews and Arabs in the Galilee To donate towards the 2009 festival, visit: www.justgiving.com/healingwords
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May/June 2009
Spirit of Anne Frank is felt at the Council of Patrons’ annual dinner Speakers include a founder of the Anne Frank Trust and the actress who played Anne’s mother in the recent BBC television drama. Report by Beatrice Sayers Guests at the fifth annual dinner of Liberal Judaism’s Council of Patrons were thanked for their continued generosity at a sumptuous evening at the House of Commons. Baroness Neuberger welcomed the Patrons and their guests on behalf of Stanley Fink, chairman of the Council of Patrons. Reporting on the previous year, Rabbi Danny Rich in his address said £180,000 had been donated, enabling the movement to make big strides forward, in the appointment of a full-time education officer; in expanding its work with the Muslim community; and in raising the profile of Liberal Judaism. In a light-hearted moment, Rabbi Rich said that through the movement’s work towards the creation and development of new Jewish communities, he had been given the title of ‘Jew-finder general’, a reference to the way that during the formation of the now thriving Gloucestershire group, Jews from Cheltenham and the region had ‘come out of the woodwork’. Rabbi Rich was proud that Liberal Judaism was one of the groups that was trying to work with the Muslim community, as it did with the Christian community, adding: ‘Some of that work is not seen.’ The highlight of the evening took place at a table with two microphones: a conversation between Bee Klug, 89,
co-founder and honorary life president of the Anne Frank Trust, and Tamsin Greig, the actress who recently played Edith Frank, Anne’s mother, in the acclaimed BBC drama The Diary of Anne Frank. Bee had first met Otto Frank, Anne’s father, through Zvi Schloss, the husband of Eva Schloss, 79, who accompanied Bee at the dinner. Eva is the posthumous step-sister of Anne Frank, who would have been 80 in June this year.
Rae Lipman
Rae liked nothing better than presiding with David over an Erev Shabbat meal surrounded by their three children and partners and five grandchildren. Rae was shy by nature and disliked being on show or speaking at meetings. But it was due to her, no less than to her husband and half a dozen other pioneers, that the Progressive synagogue came into existence, despite strong local opposition. She supported David in his role as president of NJPC and chairman of ULPS (as it was), and worked tirelessly for the good of the congregation. She took overall control of the highly successful 40th anniversary celebrations and initiated the archiving of the synagogue records.
Rae Lipman, 70, a member of Nottingham Progressive Jewish Congregation and wife of David Lipman, a vice-president of Liberal Judaism, died suddenly in March. Rabbi David J Goldberg writes: Rae’s death was a shocking blow to her family, friends and the Nottingham congregation. Her fitness, energy and zest for life would have exhausted someone 20 years younger. I first met David and Rae more than 40 years ago, when I occasionally visited the nascent congregation as a student rabbi. Their warmth, friendliness and generous hospitality to all were constant throughout 47 years of happy marriage.
Above: Bee Klug, left and Tamsin Grieg at the dinner Left: Eva Schloss, survivor of AuschwitzBirkenau and stepsister of Anne Frank
Photographs by John Bernard
Bee recalled how Otto had said: ‘I didn’t know my daughter till I read the diary.’ When Miep Gees found the diary, after the Frank family’s arrest and deportation, she had put it away for when Anne returned. Miep, who turned 100 in February, is to be honoured with a special prize at this year’s Anne Frank awards. Tamsin Grieg, well known for her roles as Debbie Aldridge in The Archers, and in Love Soup and Green Wing, offered some fascinating insights into the production of The Diary of Anne Frank, which had been filmed in a true-to-life set, without movable walls that unsually give the camera room for flexibility. In his address, Nigel Cole, chair of Liberal Judaism, recalled the memory of Rabbi Sidney Brichto, who had proposed and fostered the idea of the Patrons and who had been a ‘towering figure’ in the movement. ‘What he did for us is immeasurable,’ Nigel added. He also thanked Douglas Carswell, MP for Harwich and Clacton, who had kindly ‘guest-hosted’ the evening and had given a guided tour to guests of the Commons’ lower chamber, with Baroness Neuberger leading a tour to the House of Lords. For information about the Council of Patrons or to discuss its work, please contact Rabbi Danny Rich: d.rich@ liberaljudaism.org or 020 7631 9830
Gerry Weisbloom Gerry Weisbloom, who died in January aged 75, was a founder of the Herefordshire Jewish Community, who gave his energy and talents freely and enthusiastically to the community. He and his wife Marion hosted onegim, involved members in the Worcestershire area and travelled many miles to obtain kosher supplies for Pesach. As SACRE representative for the Jewish community in Worcestershire, Gerry visited many schools to talk about Judaism. He put his cornet-playing skills to use when he became the HJC’s baal tekiah, blowing the shofar on High Holy Days.
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LJ Today Page 7
May/June 2009
Letters to the editor
LJY-Netzer is Liberal Judaism’s Zionist youth movement. It gives young people the opportunity to develop a strong Progressive Jewish identity whilst enjoying friendships and having fun. Visit www.ljynetzer.org
Why we joined Christian Aid’s campaign We are concerned at Liberal Judaism’s decision to join Christian Aid’s Countdown to Copenhagen campaign. Although the fight against climate change is a worthy cause, we feel that Liberal Judaism’s choice of partner was inappropriate, given Christian Aid’s biased attitude towards Israel. Christian Aid, among others, has called for the suspension of EU–Israel talks, claiming that Israel is in breach of international law (which it is not). Commenting recently on Christian Aid’s report, published in March 2008, The Gaza Strip: A Humanitarian Implosion, Andrew Roberts wrote in the Times: ‘The authors did not bother to hide their political bias against Israel, repeating standard Palestinian political rhetoric and including claims that Israeli policy “constitutes a collective punishment against ordinary men, women and children” and is “illegal under international humanitarian law”...’ Dominic Lawson, writing in the Independent in January about the DEC Appeal for Gaza said, ‘Christian Aid can no longer be considered an honest broker.’ Concern about climate change is probably the only thing Liberal Judaism has in common with Christian Aid and is not sufficient reason for such a
controversial collaboration. We should like to know who made this decision and why. Miriam Bixer and 20 others Finchley Progressive Synagogue Rabbi Danny Rich replies: I take full responsibility for the decision to work with Christian Aid on its Copenhagen campaign. I took that decision because, as your authors concede, climate change is a worthy cause; Christian Aid is in the forefront of that effort; and there is, in my view, value in organisations of different faith backgrounds coming together on issues of public concern. That should have been the end of the matter had not your writers muddied the waters by repeating an inaccurate report in the Times and by expressing the disputable claim that, ‘Israel is not in breach of international law.’ While I have not always agreed with the views or even the tone of comments by Christian Aid, I believe it seeks to fulfil a humanitarian mandate, including speaking on behalf of the poor. It has consistently said that neither violence nor the Gaza blockade can bring a solution to the conflict, and during the recent fighting called for an immediate ceasefire by all sides. Christian Aid has expressed
unequivocal support for the security of Israel and the rights of all Israeli people to live safely and securely. It seems to me, therefore, that there is little to argue with about Christian Aid’s views concerning the conflict in the Middle East but, even if there were, it would not necessarily be inappropriate to work with it on areas of common concern of which climate change is a real one. The Jewish people – and the State of Israel – have enough real enemies without creating imaginary ones!
Balanced views Congratulations on a balanced airing of the issue of circumcision. I would like to add that in, 1909, Claude Montefiore wrote of circumcision: ‘It does not harmonise with, and is not the expression of, our own existing religious ideas... But its maintenance for a period of transition is probably quite desirable...for reasons of expediency.’ After 100 years, isn’t it time for the movement to raise its head above the parapet? Monty Alfred Kingston Liberal Synagogue
Never Mind the Bullocks! by Pete Tobias A 21st century exploration of the Torah for bar/ batmitzvah students This courageous book, by a rabbi famed for his ability to communicate with and inspire young people and adults alike, will challenge and enlighten. Published by Authorhouse. To order Never Mind the Bullocks! at £7.99 + £1.50 p&p, email Rabbi Pete Tobias at rabbi@rabbipete.co.uk. Full ordering details at www.rabbipete. co.uk/8.html
Moo-vers and shakers Connected! If you were in London’s Regent’s Park on 5 April you might have been udderly amazed to see a group of youngsters dressed as cows and mooing at everyone in sight. Twenty-five LJY-Netzerniks took part in the sponsored cow day, helping our madrichim (leaders) raise more than £250 Fundraising fun: Ben Rebak (in cow outfit) and friends in Regent’s Park in a week towards our main tikkun olam sustainable development project. project for the year: supporting the work of Tzedek in India. Visit www.justgiving.com/ljynetzer to Our target for 2009 is to accumulate find out more about the project and £1,000 for the Concord Trust ‘cow bank’ support this worthy cause.
Book now for a fortnight of fun at Kadimah Following LJY-Netzer’s biggest ever Machaneh Aviv (Spring Camp), it’s full steam ahead to Machaneh Kadimah, our unmissable summer experience. This is the place to enjoy the unique atmosphere of a Liberal Jewish camp. It’s more fun than a chocolate bouncy castle and cooler than an iPod party on ice. This July we return to the verdant surroundings of Cottesmore School, near Crawley, West Sussex. There’s a strong international contingent every year, and this time we’re proud to announce our new madrichim exchange programme with Netzer Germany. One of our leaders will be jetting to Munich for the summer as we welcome in return a German madrich/madrichah to our
LJY-Netzer
team. We can’t wait to learn from the experiences they’ll bring to us, along with madrichim from Ireland, Israel, Italy, South Africa and Australia – to add to our enthusiastic and talented home-grown team of young leaders. If you haven’t signed up already, then book now to confirm your place.
Also coming up 12 May Lag B’Omer bonfire 24 May Football tournament 15 July Israel Tour leaves
16-28 August Kayitz Netzer (for Y12 pupils) 1 September Shnat Netzer (gap year tour)
We’re making sure Progressive Jewish youngsters are heard People are often surprised to discover that LJY-Netzer is just one branch of a worldwide youth movement of 16,000 members – Netzer Olami. Young progressive Jews from across the world are getting up to exactly the same things we are – and Netzer Veidah is a chance for us to get together in Israel once a year to bring new life and direction to the one voice we all share. This year our Veidah ran alongside the WUPJ Connections conference in Israel, ensuring that the youth perspective was heard by the rest of the community on a range of important matters. ‘Connections’ was certainly a theme for the Netzer contingent too as we were able to strengthen relationships with our partners around the world.
Kids under 18? What
LJY-Netzer’s made a special you want from us? newdo friend, in Ukraine in your postisfor Liberal EveryLook yearout a new theme chosen at Netzer Judaism’s survey on its youth Veidah, for all the snifim (branches) to provision. back to LJY-Netzer incorporate intoSend theirit activities. This year be entered into a draw for we’veand setyou’ll up a ‘Netzer Twinning’ network, an iPod or one of five iTunes vouchers. whereby each snif will focus on another as an If you’d prefer to complete the survey educational project for the year. online or by email, visit www. LJY-Netzer is privileged to be twinned with liberaljudaism.org/youthsurvey or Netzer Ukraine for the year – one of three email v.kaufman@liberaljudaism.org. young snifim in the Former Soviet Union. As part of our special relationship with Netzer Ukraine, we’ve launched our Ukraine Campaign, a fundraising initiative to assist our twin. In LJY-Netzer, we take it for granted that Kadimah will happen every year. Unfortunately, Netzer Ukraine doesn’t have such a comfortable existence and without support it is genuinely possible that it won’t survive. This year we’res doing everything we can to help and we call on the entire community to contact us if you would like to find out how you can support the campaign.
Contact Benjy Aarons-Richardson or Ben Baginsky: 020 7631 0584 or office@ljynetzer.org
May/June 2009
Page 8 LJ Today
‘Kidnap threat’ kept us out of Gaza David Goldberg tells how he and Danny Rich, hoping to see the work of relief agencies, had their permission to enter rescinded at the border When the editor of LJ Today heard that I was hoping to visit Gaza, she begged me to give her a scoop. Alas, this article explains why it didn’t happen. Thanks to my contacts in an International Crisis Group in Jerusalem and UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency) in Gaza, the necessary application forms had been filled in and submitted. We were warned that the standard waiting time for permission to enter Gaza is 8-10 days, and rarely for the chosen day, which came and went. But just when we had given up hope, a telephone call told us that we were ok. We would drive from Tel-Aviv to the Erez border control, be handed over to UNRWA representatives at Hamza, have an intensive programme of visits and meetings and stay overnight in Gaza City. The scenery becomes bleaker the nearer one gets to Gaza. A fortification suddenly looms up, with an ironic proclamation in Hebrew, English and Arabic: ‘Welcome to the Erez border crossing.’ The car park was almost empty. Walking in bright sunshine to Passport Control watched by lounging guards in shades with rifles dangling, I felt like an extra in a Sam Peckinpah film set in Mexico. Border security has been outsourced, to a mainly Russian firm called White Snow. We handed in our passports. ‘It usually takes about an hour,’ said our contact.
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‘More than that and there’s a problem.’ We ate a sandwich and chatted. Eventually, a young officer came through the barrier. ‘David Goldberg?’ he called, and asked if I spoke Hebrew. I made the mistake of saying ‘Yes’. Experience has taught me that you make officials and bureaucrats speak your own language. But the officer was pleasant enough. He explained that the situation in Gaza was complex and did we understand that responsibility for entering was ours alone and Israel would not guarantee our safety. We nodded. Then he said, puzzled: ‘I don’t understand. It says you are rabbis, but without a beard and kippah?’ I promised to explain when we returned. Twenty minutes later, he came back with waiver forms for us to sign. More waiting. Suddenly the barrier lifted for a car driven by our officer. He sped off towards Ashkelon and civilisation. ‘That’s not good,’ said our contact, ‘he didn’t say
goodbye.’ But then we watched the dust trail of his returning car. He came to a stop near us, walked over and said in excellent English: ‘We can’t let you in. Everything was in order, but we’ve had security information that makes it dangerous for you to enter. I’m sorry, it’s nothing personal,’ and shook hands and smiled with the practised ease of a diplomat. My contact was furious, as were the UNRWA people. Apparently, it was the first time that permission had been given, then rescinded at the border. When UNRWA enquired, it was told something about a kidnap threat. It sounded flattering but unlikely. On the other hand, 12 Hamas members had been arrested in the West Bank that morning. Trying to unravel the workings of Israeli–Palestinian politics can drive one paranoid. But whatever the reason, Danny and I did not get into Gaza. This time.
Women at the wall
the Kotel. After reciting the morning prayers and Hallel, the group moved to Robinson’s Arch, away from the main concourse, to read the Torah. Rabbi Alexandra Wright describes the act of prayer at the Western Wall as ‘very moving’, adding: ‘It’s important that women who are there on Rosh Chodesh join this group.’
A group of women – rabbis and members of Reform and Liberal synagogues who joined the British Friends of Rabbis for Human Rights mission to Israel – attended the Women at the Wall for their monthly service in the women’s section of
The congregation listing can be found on page IV of the pullout section
www.liberaljudaism.org President The Baroness Neuberger DBE Chairman Nigel Cole, Vice Chairman Joan Shopper Treasurer David Pelham Officers Leon Charikar, William Glassman, Amanda Grant, Jackie Richards and Paula Scott Vice-Presidents and Honorary Vice-Presidents David Amstell, Monique Blake, Geoffrey Davis, 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, Beverley Taylor, Clive Winston Chairman of Rabbinic Conference Rabbi Pete Tobias Chief Executive Rabbi Danny Rich Internal Services Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer PR/Communications Alexandra Ben-Yehuda Education Elana Sondel Shlicha (Israeli Emissary) Noa Marom LJY-Netzer Benjy Aarons-Richardson and Ben Baginsky Community Youth Projects Manager Victor Kaufman Midlands Development Worker Sophie Stern
LJ Today is edited by Beatrice Sayers Articles and letters are welcome. The deadline for the July/August 2009 issue is 1 June. Please email: 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 256390. Printed by Precision Printing. www.precisionprinting.co.uk
Make a date ........... 17 May (Sunday) Day of Celebration for Liberal Judaism in Birmingham. Speaker: Baroness Neuberger. w.glassman@liberaljudaism.org 24 May (Sunday) Liberal Judaism’s Five-a-Side football tournament Contact Vic: 07838 484658
David Goldberg is emeritus rabbi at the LJS
Singing weekend Northwood and Pinner is offering a singing weekend, covering choral, traditional and folk styles, an introduction to Torah cantillation, and much more. 24 July, 6-8pm; 25 July, 9.30am-5pm; 26 July, 10am-4pm. £70/£110, including all sessions and meals. Tel: 01923 822592.
3 June (Wednesday) Tour the V&A’s Judaica collection with the Daytimers group. Contact Elana: 020 7580 1663 or elana@liberaljudaism.org
An eye on sales
21 June (Sunday) FPJ (Friends of Progressive Judaism) AGM at the Sternberg Centre
Rabbi Pete Tobias, dressed as Eye’s-’igher, shows he will do almost anything to promote his bar/ batmitzvah guide at the Elstree launch of Never Mind the Bullocks! A more conventionally spelt prophet features as a character in the book.
24-26 July Singing weekend at Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue 26 July-9 August LJY-Netzer’s Machaneh Kadimah summer camp, for ages 8-15 15 July-10 August Israel Tour, for 16-year-olds 2010 12-14 April Hebrew Crash Course at Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue 16-18 April Liberal Judaism’s Biennial Weekend at the Tortworth Court Hotel, Glos