LJ Today November/December 2009 by Liberal Judaism

November/December 2009

VOL. XXXVI No. 6

Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism

ljtoday

Lucian Hudson is new chairman Lucian Hudson was elected as the new chairman of Liberal Judaism at the movement’s annual meeting last month. The Liberal Jewish Synagogue member took over from Nigel Cole, who stepped down after five years in the role. Lucian, a senior civil servant who acts as a consultant to government, business and voluntary bodies and who has extensive experience as a television executive and journalist with ITV and the BBC, set out his strategy of taking the movement forward through collaborative leadership with his fellow officers, engaging all Liberal Judaism’s communities. Following other elections at the meeting, Amanda Grant takes on the new role of deputy chair and Simon Benscher and Jackie Richards are vice-chairs. The new chairman said he was ‘honoured and excited’ to be taking on the role, adding: ‘It also feels a little daunting building on Nigel Cole’s success.’ Taking the movement forward, pages 4-5

Lucian Hudson, right, with Rabbinic Conference chairman Rabbi Pete Tobias after the annual meeting

Rabbis offer opposing views on assisted dying legislation Even if a person is suffering in the final stages of a disease and wants to be helped to die, it is not right for another person to assist that death, says Baroness Neuberger, the president of Liberal Judaism. ‘Whatever the motivation, however kind and concerned, killing another human being is homicide,’ she writes in lj today. Her views are published alongside the opposing views of Rabbi Danny Rich. For Rabbi Rich, a physically ill person may reasonably decide that the quality of his or her life is no longer worth the struggle

and, unable to take action to end it, can expect professional or personal carers to assist in the process. The rabbis were asked to state their views as an exploration of Liberal Jewish attitudes to challenges to the law on assisted suicide. In September, the Director of Public Prosecutions said that relatives of people who kill themselves will not face prosecution as long as they do not maliciously encourage them and assist only a ‘clear settled and informed wish’ to end their lives. Two rabbis, two opinions, pages 6-7

In this issue News and ‘Around the Communities’

2-3

Letters to the Editor Responses on the contested subject of Jewish schools

The UN Copenhagen Summit Awraham Soetendorp on the coming Age of Intelligence

Spotlight on South Bucks

LJY-Netzer

Biennial 2010: see pages 2 & 5

Page 2 LJ Today

November/December 2009

Biennial Weekend – now booking online Interest in and excitement about Liberal Judaism’s Biennial Weekend, in April 2010, is building, with more speakers and workshops now confirmed. The organisers are proud to have among the presenters Baroness Neuberger, Liberal Judaism’s engaging and sometimes outspoken president; Lord Dholakia, home affairs spokesman for the Liberal Democrats, whose work extends across several fields including mental health, race issues, ageing and penal reform; and Rabbi Na’amah Kelman, the first woman to be ordained as a rabbi in Israel and the recently appointed dean of Hebrew Union College’s Jerusalem campus. Online booking – a first for Liberal Judaism’s Biennial – is opening on 1 November, and delegates are invited to stay for the weekend, or to visit for one or both days of the gathering. Postal and email booking is also still available. Taking as its theme,’Is there more to it than hatching, matching and despatching?’, the Biennial will look at the power of our religious framework to sustain us throughout our lives, rather than only at lifecycle events. As always, a fascinating range of workshops and seminars is on offer, as

well as a unique opportunity to meet like-minded Jews from across Britain and beyond. If you haven’t been before, find out for yourself why the Biennial is the highlight of the Liberal Jewish calendar. To book, visit www.liberaljudaism.org/ biennial or email Mike Beral: m.beral@ liberaljudaism.org.

Would you like to exhibit? Stallholders are being sought for the Biennial Market Place. This is where members of our communities promote causes related to Liberal Judaism, sell their wares and raise their profile. Perhaps you paint, make ceramics or silverware, Judaica, greetings cards or other gift items; or sell books or music of Jewish interest. If so, please email Esther Aronsfeld (e.aronsfeld@gmail. com) as soon as possible, as space will be limited. Stalls are free of charge. The 2010 Market Place will run from 12.15pm to 1.45pm on Sunday 17 April.

Who says Kabbalat Torah is only for youngsters? The Kabbalat Torah group leading a service this month at Kingston Liberal Synagogue is perhaps the most mature one ever. For some 200 years Kabbalat Torah has been the culmination of children’s formal education in a Liberal Jewish religion school. But the Kingston group has an average age of well over 60. Several of the women in the class of eight will be making up for a personal link with the Torah that they were never allowed, because they were brought up in the United Synagogue. ‘When I joined the Liberal movement, I hadn’t got a clue about some things,’ confesses Sandra Levene, one of the group who aproached Rabbi Charley Baginsky of Kingston a couple of years ago. ‘Brought up [in the] United [Synagogue], I never questioned. I just

accepted everything.’ Sandra told Rabbi Baginsky she wanted to start learning biblical Hebrew and find out more about how services were put together. Rabbi Baginsky responded by offering a series of classes and, on Simchat Torah last year, each of her pupils read a portion from Genesis. ‘It was the most amazing and moving experience,’ Sandra recalls. ‘It was very emotional.’ All the students say the class has enhanced their feeling of belonging to the community. The rabbi encouraged the group – most of whom have a long association with the synagogue – to progress to a Kabbalat Torah ceremony, continuing to coach them herself. ‘They’re just so passionate about what they’re doing,’ Rabbi Baginsky says. ‘They’ve been feeling what a privilege it is to read from the Torah.’

Around the Communities Gloucestershire The community has recently enjoyed eminent visitors, with Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein, emeritus rabbi at Northwood, taking the Sukkot service and Baroness (Julia) Neuberger taking the Simchat Torah service. Bet Tikvah Mike Gapes, MP for Ilford South and chair of the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee, visited the synagogue in October for a discussion entitled ‘Israel, Palestine and Gaza: The Current Situation’. Bedfordshire Rodef Shalom hosted its second interfaith Shabbat morning service, with visitors from the Muslim Network; a local Hindu temple, mosque, Catholic church, Christian Orthodox church and United Reform church. Luton North MP Kelvin Hopkins attended, and David Young officiated. Elstree Saxophonist Hannah Saunders, 17, right, was among the seven teenagers who debuted with the Shul of Rock band at a packed erev Simchat Torah service. The eight-strong synagogue band, led by Rabbi Tobias and his stepson Jonathan Levene, was inspired by Finchley’s Shabbat Resouled phenomenon. The Shul of Rock will play on the second erev Shabbat service of the month. Harrow & Wembley With a membership that is declining, and of whom some three quarters are over the age of 70, the synagogue is considering various options for the future, including a possible merger with Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue.

Finchley Progressive Synagogue welcomes Anat Hoffman executive director of The Israel Religious Action Centre (IRAC) of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism on Saturday 28 November 2009 Sermon at 11am, lunch and conversation at 12:45pm All welcome Book online at www.fps.org

LJ Today Page 3

November/December 2009

Birmingham building is consecrated by Joe Seager Members of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue felt a deep sense of pride and fulfilment at the consecration service in September for their new building. Rabbi Danny Rich, unveiling a commemorative plaque in the building, which also serves as a centre for Liberal Judaism across the Midlands, said Birmingham’s members had always shown a strong commitment to the cause their synagogue served. Its latest achievement was a further example of the inspiration they gave to others. ‘Your new synagogue shows Liberal Judaism at its best and reflects the great diversity and purpose of all the work you carry out,’ Rabbi Rich said. After years of frustrating delays and protracted negotiations, the new, three-storey building opened its doors in the spring. Praised for its creative design and facilities, the synagogue replaced one that had occupied a nearby city-centre site, in Sheepcote Street, for 70 years.

paid warm tribute to Keith Reynolds, a former chairman, who designed the building, and to Frank Maxwell, the present chairman, for his influence on the interior construction. Welcoming leaders of other faith groups, the synagogue’s rabbi, Dr Margaret Jacobi, said an enlightened approach had enabled the community to serve at the forefront of Frank Maxwell, chair, and Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi and the new ark interfaith activity. It was More than 200 members and a strong a commitment the synagogue was glad to contingent of guests were at the Sunday make to the life of the city and beyond. afternoon service, led by Rabbi Lawrence Guests included the Lord Mayor of Rigal and Rabbi Pete Tobias. Birmingham, Councillor Michael Wilkes; Eric Ackstine, one of the members Clare Short MP, the Independent Labour involved in the early stages of planning, member for Ladywood; and Sir Bernard said all those who contributed could feel Zissman, president of the Representative justly proud of ‘a job brilliantly done’. Dr Council of Birmingham and West Henry Cohn, president of the synagogue, Midlands Jewry.

Teams sought for Cyber Quiz Shabbat in The first real-time Cyber Quiz for Liberal Jewish communities will take place on Sunday 31 January 2010, with all synagogues being invited to join in. Teams or individuals wishing to take part need only a computer with a broadband connection and a competitive spirit, says organiser Philip Goodwin, of South Bucks Jewish Community. The quiz is an extension of the community’s annual charity quiz night. The eight rounds of questions, with 10

questions in each round, will start at about 8pm and end at 9.30pm. ‘Bimingham and Brighton are already confirmed, and we hope that more groups, or individuals representing their synagogue, will join us,’ Dr Goodwin adds. ‘Our objective is to involve all the communities.’ If your community would like to take part, please telephone 01442 871849 or email dr.pgoodwin@gmail.com. Spotlight on South Bucks, page 10

Stevenage

Following an open Shabbat in the summer, regular services are now being held in Stevenage. Led by Rabbi Danny Rich, Rabbi Pete Tobias and French student rabbi Marc Neiger, the services – one Friday night and one Saturday morning a month – will be held at the town’s Gate Hotel. For details, please contact Alexandra Ben-Yehuda: alexandra@ liberaljudaism.org or 020 7631 9831.

Liberal family sheds light on Chanukkah A family from Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue is featured in a new children’s book about Chanukkah. Its author, Cath Senker, who has a family connection to the synagogue, visited the Williams family during the festival last year to talk about how they celebrated it and to take photographs. An established author of children’s non-fiction, Cath concedes that a lot of educational books are rather stereotypical. ‘They will tend to go to an orthodox family to do a book about Judaism,’ she says. ‘But the religious aspects of Chanukkah are the same, and it’s really important to me personally to

The Williams family are featured in the new book

show the Progressive side. She adds: ‘It’s good for youngsters to see that different religions have lots in common.’ In My Family Celebrates Hanukkah, Sarah and Martin and their children, Josh, nine, and Emma, 12, are seen celebrating the festival at home as well as with the community: Josh is pictured in synagogue eating a doughnut from a string. As for being interviewed and photographed, Sarah says her children loved it because it was something new for them. ‘We felt like celebrities,’ she adds. ‘We really had a terrific time.’ The book is published by Franklin Watts at £10.99.

November/December 2009

Page 4 LJ Today

‘We’ll lead together to take the movement forward’ How the chairman and his team hope to build on Liberal Judaism’s strengths Liberal Judaism’s new chairman hopes that he and his officers can take the movement forward by working closely together in a collaborative leadership. The officers aim to work to engage better with congregations, at whatever stage they are in their development. Amanda Grant, deputy chair, will lead the overall strategy on community engagement, vice-chairs Simon Benscher and Jackie Richards will focus on how best the movement offers support, and Leon Charikar will lead on social action and disability. At the AGM last month, Lucian set out what he saw as Liberal Judaism’s strengths: ‘Its people, the autonomy of its congregations, its independence and vibrancy of thought, and contemporary relevance to all generations and backgrounds.’ He added: ‘It speaks intelligently to the uncertainty and complexity of our times.’ Among those ‘people’ he refers to are not only the lay members but the rabbis. Lucian feels that they and their talents need to be better known. ‘As a movement, we do not share our expertise and

Tu B’Shvat Shabbaton The Liberal Jewish Synagogue invites all to a Tu B’shvat shabbaton on Saturday 30 January 2010, entitled ‘Etz Chaim: We’re Born, We Die, But What Happens in Between?’ The day of prayer, study, discussion and good food (a chavurah lunch) will examine the life of a Liberal Jew in the 21st century, and will close with havdallah. There will be a £15 charge for non-LJS members. Speakers and workshop leaders will include Rabbis Alexandra Wright, David Goldberg, Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah and Melinda Michelson-Carr, with Liz Crossick, Dr Jenny Goodman and Dr Alan Shamroth. There will be a parallel programme for children and young people, led by LJY-Netzer (and a creche on request). For details, please contact Harriett Goldenberg: hgoldenberg@ btopenworld.com.

knowledge nearly enough, nor do we do enough to bring on the next generation of leadership. I often hear from friends and contacts that we should be less apologetic simply because of our relative size.’ Lucian brings to the role of chair experience as director of communications in three large Whitehall departments,

LUCIAN HUDSON Chair of the officers Lucian Hudson is a senior civil servant who has served as director of communication in three large Whitehall departments, most recently the Foreign Office, and now provides strategic consultancy across government, business and voluntary and non-governmental organisations. He was a television executive and journalist for 16 years at BBC and ITV. He converted to Judaism in 2005 when at Kingston, where he served as vice-chairman. He lives in Chiswick with his wife, Margaret.

E IN G V L N ON OKI NO 1 BO NS E OP

most recently the Foreign Office. He now provides strategic consultancy across government, business and the voluntary and non-government bodies. He says: ‘Liberal Judaism has a light touch even if it is serious about its purpose and role. At our best, we are outward-facing, rather than inward-facing, positive rather than negative, and integral to the future of Judaism. We embrace difference as well as try to find common ground.’ Asked if he had a message for community members, Lucian says: ‘We want to build on the success of our congregations and offer them support, to work with a much wider community, engaging Jews and non-Jews, and to work together on the important issues of the day to bring out the relevance and significance of Judaism.’ Lucian adds: ‘Chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich does a great job and the officers want to continue to support him. We believe that it should be a wider team effort, and all the officers have a role to play in building profile, participation, membership and funding.’

Liberal Judaism’s Biennial Weekend

16-18 April 2010 at the Tortworth Court Hotel, near Bristol Don’t miss your big chance to meet other Liberal Jews from right across the country. Whether you’re a first-timer or a veteran, you’ll enjoy the Biennial’s uniquely warm, welcoming atmosphere. The programme includes speaker and workshop sessions, lively debate, creative services, a community marketplace and a full programme for children aged 4-8. Stay for the weekend or be a day visitor. In either case you can enjoy the hotel’s superb food, pool, fitness centre and stunning grounds, which include an award-winning arboretum. We promise you a stimulating and fun weekend. Download a booking form at www.liberaljudaism.org/ biennial or book online. Confirm your place by 31 January 2010 to enjoy our early bird discount

‘A real joy to attend’ ‘Wonderful, friendly atmosphere’ delegates at the last Biennial Weekend

LJ Today Page 5

November/December 2009

Team players Liberal Judaism’s officers SIMON BENSCHER Joint vice-chair

LEON CHARIKAR Social action and disability leader

AMANDA GRANT Deputy chair

Simon was born in the East End of London and his parents belonged to the Settlement Synagogue. He met Lady Henriques on several occasions, the last being when she laid the foundation stone at Woodford, on whose bimah he became barmitzvah, was confirmed, married – to Lois – and had his son, Marc, blessed. He has served the synagogue council in many roles and has served as an officer of Liberal Judaism under three chairs. He has a business in the City of London.

Leon’s origins lie with the Bene-Israel community of western India. His parents emigrated to the UK in the 1960s and he was born in Ealing. He was raised in a traditional family but discovered that Liberal Judaism was more consistent with his values. Leon’s late father, Shalom, founded Jews Against Apartheid. Leon works for the National Health Service to improve access to health care for disadvantaged communities. Leon chairs Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation.

Amanda grew up in Leeds and at 17 became President of B’nai B’rith and was awarded its national scholarship to study youth leadership in the United States. She is a member of Birmingham Progressive, where she has held various posts and was head of the cheder for 11 years. She is a trainer and magistrate for the West Midlands. Amanda sings with the Kol Kinor choir, is a school governor and a member of a local amateur theatre, and mum to four young adults.

DAVID PELHAM Treasurer

JACKIE RICHARDS Joint vice-chair

PETE TOBIAS Chairman, Rabbinic Conference

David has been a member of Finchley Progressive all his life and has served as chairman for four years. He supervised at the Kadimah summer camp for 30 years, an experience that gave him friends in virtually every Liberal community. David is an accountant specialising in arts and leisure and for 20 years he owned and operated a number of tourist attractions in Hastings and York. He is married to Ann, who is deputy head of a local primary school, and they have a four-year-old son, Ollie.

Jackie became an officer in 2008, the year she retired from her managerial role at City & Guilds and stepped down as co-ordinator of North London Progressive Jewish Community, where she led the steering group for its first five years of the new synagogue’s existence. She has recently set up Tottenham Community Choir, which is encouraging neighbours from diverse backgrounds and ages to sing and socialise together. She is married to Peter and they have two grown-up sons.

Rabbi Pete Tobias grew up in Hertfordshire and worked as a primary school teacher before training for the rabbinate. A former rabbi of Birmingham Progressive and Glasgow New (Reform), he joined The Liberal Synagogue Elstree in 2003. He is a frequent contributor to national newspapers and to various programmes on BBC Radio 2. He has extensive experience working with young people, having been joint director of Liberal Judaism’s summer camp, Kadimah.

Leo Baeck College news

New shlicha Dana joins the Montagu Centre staff

In September, two students started on the college’s five-year rabbinic programme. Rene Pferzel, from France, and Julia Grishenko, from the Former Soviet Union, begin their studies in Jerusalem. Three pupils have joined the second year of the course: Benji Stanley and Jessica Lenza, from the USA. A new fourth-year student, Lisa Barrett, also joins the programme. Among the new teaching staff members is Dr Laliv Clenman, who succeeds Dr Moshe Lavee as lecturer in Talmud and rabbinic literature. We hope to publish an interview with Dr Clenman in January’s lj today.

Liberal Judaism also has two Liberal Judaism’s new shlicha new social action assistants, (Israeli emissary) arrived in Tamara Schmidt, of The Liberal Britain last month and is Jewish Synagogue, and Tim looking forward to working Bergman, of Leicester. They with the Montagu Centre staff are taking over from Orlando and communities. de Lange, who has stepped Dana Friedman, 28, has just down to focus on studying for finished her biotechnology the final year of his degree. degree at Hai-Tel College, near Tamara is currently Kiryat Shemona, in the north studying English at of the country. Dana Friedman Birmingham University and During her time at Tim is studying philosophy and university, she worked on the politics at Cardiff. Both are graduates of Perach programme, which organises LJY-Netzer and have led on a variety of projects in which students help children events. from disadvantaged backgrounds. Tim and Tamara are both passionate Dana, from Kfar B’nei Zion, between Tel about ethical consumerism, human Aviv and Netanya, grew up in the youth rights and international development movement HaIchud HaChaklai (the and would love to hear from community Agricultural Union), where she was a camp leader on summer camp. Her email members. Email them at socialaction@ liberaljudaism.org. address is shlicha@liberaljudaism.org.

Page 6 LJ Today

TWO RABBIS, TWO OPINIONS ASSISTED DYING

After the CPS issues guidelines on assisted dying, we ask...

November/December 2009

TWO RABBIS, TWO OPINIONS ASSISTED DYING

LJ Today Page 7

Should helping to end a person’s life ever be legal?

Whatever the motivation, killing another human being is homicide, says Julia Neuberger, and to say otherwise is dishonest When discussing assisted dying, several questions need to be answered. First, what is actually meant by ‘assisted’? If being assisted is simply being given the wherewithal to commit suicide, such as a cocktail of drugs, and no more, then the assistance merely makes it easier for someone to commit suicide. Aiding and abetting a suicide is in itself an offence, but, if we were able to draw the boundaries of what reasonable circumstances for such assistance might be, and those circumstances centred on someone being terminally ill already, it is hard to see why we should not take a sympathetic view. So the legislation in Oregon, in the United States, that allows doctors to prescribe medication for terminally patients to use at their discretion, though it would certainly counter the established orthodox Jewish position that life is God’s gift and it is not up to us to end it, could be acceptable to Liberal Jews. It merely helps someone already terminally ill to decide the moment at which they want to leave this life. And it also – and fundamentally – respects the autonomy of the individual and could only apply if that person were in possession of all their faculties. If, however, ‘assisted’ means helping someone who is physically unable to kill him or herself, however much that person wants to be dead, I believe we have to draw the line. We should not allow doctors to kill their patients – any more than they already do by accident – nor should we condone others taking life even the death is desired by the person concerned. ‘Assisted’, if it means acting as ‘agent’ of someone and actually killing them, cannot be seen as other than homicide, and it is therefore unacceptable. Second, what do we mean by suicide? Physician-assisted suicide should mean just that: helping, i.e. giving the wherewithal to someone to enable him or her to commit suicide in particular circumstances. If suicide is not by one’s own hand, then it is not suicide – and it is a deliberate blurring of the difference between suicide and homicide to suggest anything else. So when the question of legislation arises that allows people to help their dear ones by accompanying them, say, to

the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland to die, the question should be whether they are able to kill themselves when the time comes, or whether in fact someone else is killing them. Whatever the motivation, however kind and concerned, killing another human being is homicide, and to say otherwise is dishonest. Third, what do we mean by ‘terminal illness’? You could argue that someone who commits suicide as a result of, say, deep depression, had a terminal illness, although most depressions are treatable. To allow people or to help them go to Dignitas or have any other ‘legal’ method

‘The rest of society should not help [the act of suicide]. The individual must, if absolutely determind, take his or her own life’ BARONESS NEUBERGER

by which they can kill themselves with assistance when they are not genuinely near the end of their lives with a truly terminal condition, such as end stage cancer, seems wrong. However much the individual may desire it, the rest of society should not help. The individual must, if absolutely determined, take his or her own life. Many people will find this a hard-line approach. What if the person has a massive stroke, they argue, and cannot kill themselves? Hard cases make bad law, and, though I am sure I would wish to be dead myself if I were trapped inside my body and incapable, I do not believe

that it is right for anyone to kill me if I cannot do it myself. Recent legal cases have mostly been about people with motor neurone disease. They want the law to be changed so that, when the time comes, their loved ones can help them end their lives. I find this a specious argument. Unlike a massive stroke, people with motor neurone disease, a horrible illness, know the natural history of their condition means it will worsen and eventually they will not be able to kill themselves. Why, then, do they not kill themselves earlier, instead of waiting to be unable to do it, and asking someone else? Maybe they are enjoying the last of meaningful life, but the counter argument must be that we all have to take responsibility for ourselves. We should not legislate to allow people to abrogate their own responsibility. We don’t want a system like in the Netherlands where older people often feel morally compelled to seek euthanasia because they are ‘a burden’. That is wholly antithetical to how we Jews think of human life in general and older people in particular. So, in my view, the legislation should not be changed, except in the very limited area of allowing doctors to prescribe drugs to terminally ill people, strictly defined, so that they can choose to end their lives if things become unbearable. Many would feel comforted knowing that that possibility existed, and would probably not use the drugs. But that is the only change that does not threaten the relationship between doctors and patients, and lead to distrust between them.

Baroness Neuberger, the president of Liberal Judaism, takes the Liberal Democrat whip in the Lords. She was rabbi of South London Liberal Synagogue from 1977 to 1989

While assisting suicide is still a criminal offence, the Director of Public Prosecutions has issued a list of 13 criteria to help lawyers decide whether to charge people who carry it out. Some say this guidance means more families will decide to help loved ones to end their lives, free from fear of prosecution.

Acknowledging what he calls ‘legitimate fears’, Danny Rich says a person can expect others to assist in hastening his or her inevitable death Two recent events have ensured that the issue of helping a person to take his or her own life has remained prominent in the public’s consciousness. One was the ruling in the case of a 26-year-old woman who swallowed poison. She had instructed the paramedic on the ambulance she called to make her comfortable but not to save her life, and presented doctors at the hospital where she was treated with a living will, expressing her wish to die. The other, of course, is the decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Kier Starmer – at the request of the House of Lords – to publish a list of factors which might, and those which might not, tend to lead to a prosecution in the case of an ‘assisted suicide’. The issue is perhaps one of the most difficult and complex matters of public policy, not only because of the tragic nature of the individual cases themselves and not only because of the emotion and fear that predicate the discussion but also because there is frequently a lack of clarity about what is meant. Let me, therefore, at least try to set out that which I advocate. I believe that it is morally defensible for an individual of sound mind to declare that the quality of his or her life is no longer worth the struggle and that such a person may expect those who care (either personally or professionally) for him or her to assist in the process, and, subject to appropriate safeguards, those who assist should not face criminal prosecution. I am prepared to support such a proposal in spite of the fact that I am by nature – and perhaps by good fortune too – an optimist, an adherent of a life-affirming tradition (Judaism), a believer in a benevolent God, a chaplain with experience of hospice and mental health institutions, and someone who both personally and professionally has been with individuals and families where death has been peaceful or agonising,

Do you have a view on the law on assisted dying? Take part in the debate in lj today by emailing the editor: ljtoday@ liberaljudaism.org

premature or long-awaited, unexpected or planned and any combination of these. I believe that a human being is made up of two major constituent parts: the soul, by which I mean the essential non-physical attributes including the mind and emotions, and the body, which is its vessel or vehicle. Ideally they work in tandem, in a form of balance – and when certain mechanical aspects cease (breathing, heartbeat, brain function) the soul leaves its vessel for a destination about which I have no knowledge and for which I have no concern. In an ideal case, the desire of the soul

‘Medicine prevents death when someone is naturally dying, so why may it not hasten inevitable death?’ RABBI DANNY RICH

to live would match in length the capacity of its vessel (our body) to do so in a manner which the mind finds acceptable whether measured by degrees of, for example, pain, independence or dignity. Put another way, ideally each person ought to live as long as possible and be able to choose when to die. The truth is that humanity has never lived in an ideal world and thus we face trying to arbitrate between two rights: to live without being pressured into dying and to have the choice of when to die. The choice only exists in societies where there is ample provision of food, water, warmth, shelter and health care which lead to long life expectancy. There are, of course, legitimate fears and I want briefly to address some of them. Disability charities are, in the main, against legalisation of assisted dying because they take the view that those who advocate it have in their minds the concept of a perfect human and that someone with a disability has a life less

worth living. Nothing could be further from my mind. It is quite possible to appreciate the diversity of human life and form and at the same time advocate at a certain time in a person’s life (s)he may not want to continue living. There are legal and medical definitions of when a person is capable of consent, and it goes without saying that if someone is unable to consent it cannot be right that another person would say that the first individual’s life is not worth living. There is a second fear that those who are frail and vulnerable perhaps an elderly relative might be pressurised to express a wish to die or even that independently a person might choose to die because they do not wish to be a burden to their relatives or the public purse. We frequently support people who make heroic decisions, including the soldier who dies fighting for his country or the pedestrian who throws himself in front of a car to save two children. Subject to proper safeguards, it seems quite proper to me that a person of sound mind could make the decision that the burden he or she is placing on others makes his or her own life not worth living. There is a third big objection, which is perhaps characterised as a religious one, namely that the taking of life, rather like its giving, is God’s. Since time immemorial human societies have intervened in natural processes including creating life and causing death. We support fertility treatment for those who cannot naturally or ‘divinely’ conceive; if one has cancer most of us prefer to rely on chemotherapy rather than prayer; and in some circumstances we send young men and women to war knowing that some will die. In all these cases humanity uses its skills to intervene in what might be considered the natural process of life and death and, even when someone is naturally dying, medicine intervenes to prevent death so why may it not intervene to hasten inevitable death? I am delighted that Liberal Judaism – through the columns of lj today – is exploring this issue, and I humbly add this contribution to the debate.

Rabbi Danny Rich, JP, chief executive of Liberal Judaism, was for 16 years rabbi of Kingston Liberal Synagogue

Page 8 LJ Today

JEWISH CHILD, JEWISH SCHOOL?

November/December 2009

Readers have their say

....................

We publish some of the letters received following our articles on Jewish schools

Sad waste of our resources Regarding the articles in lj today (Jewish child, Jewish school, Sept/Oct 2009), it seems that Rabbi Salamon condemns Jewish schools while trying to defend them. He writes: ‘Sport and particularly football has been where the pupils were often meeting other children from other schools and here we have experienced antisemitism: quietly, some of the children from other schools were muttering words like “dirty Jews”. The JFS children gave as good as they got, however, standing up for themselves and for their faith.’ Do we really want Jewish children to experience non-Jewish children in this confrontational way? My children have attended only state schools and have grown up with many non-Jewish friends, as well as Jewish ones. I believe that faith schools, of whatever denomination or faith, unwittingly promote division in our multicultural community. Furthermore, Jewish schools are a sad waste of our communal resources, both material and human. If all the money and effort that has been put into Jewish schools was put into enhancing our

synagogues, religion schools and youth movements, we would reach far more Jewish children and do so from within real Jewish communities. If more committed and inspiring Jewish educators taught in our religion schools in all the Progressive synagogues around the country, celebrating Shabbat and festivals with them and their communities, they could achieve wonderful results in Jewish identity, commitment and knowledge. Finally, it is interesting how synagogues and Jewish schools are slowly converging. JFS offers barmitzvah ceremonies, as if to say it needs to become more like a synagogue. Synagogues are offering GCSEs, as if to say they need their religion schools to become more professional. Perhaps what we really need is for both to be partners in building Jewish community, not community that is exclusive and elitist, but community that is open and welcoming, valuing and promoting both Jewish identity and social cohesion. Rabbi Stephen Howard Southgate Progressive Synagogue

Divisiveness is real enemy How people can be against Jewish schools as an option for those who want them I find hard to fathom. I wonder if the rabbis and leaders who are opposed to Jewish schools are also opposed to synagogues and cheders. After all, they too can be divisive: how many people of other faiths attend these services? A lone Jewish pupil in a school of non-Jews may inform his or her circle of 30 friends about what one type of Jew can be like, but this pupil cannot be our only method of interacting with the wider community. We need to send adults into schools to interact with students, we need to be involved in training teachers, we need to sit on national bodies to make sure Judaism is covered well in schools. I know organisations, Jewish and nonJewish, struggling to find volunteers to help because it’s not a priority of the community. We cannot blame Jewish schools for this failure.

Jewish schools have potential to be divisive, but so does any school. It’s down to the ethos and leadership of the school. I was fortunate enough to attend a fantastic school with students of many faiths and ethnicities; but in this boys’ public school I never interacted with girls or people from other socio-economic groups or people from outside London. When I went to a Jewish youth movement I met girls and boys, rich and poor, from all parts of the country. I’m yet to meet anyone in a Liberal shul who has trouble interacting with nonJews. In fact the problems that many young Jews have in integrating is in doing so with other young Jews as they only get the chance once a week in cheder. Jewish schools are not the cause of our problems and they should be an option for all who want them. Daniel Needlestone Chair, the Jewish Teachers’ Association

Importance of the synagogue as a second home How convincingly Rabbi Thomas Salamon puts the case for Jewish schools, but how convincingly, too, abbi Shulamit Ambalu puts the opposing view! As someone who was the only Jewish child in my primary school class and one of only two at secondary level, I can still remember the embarrassment of being ‘different’ when it came to RE lessons and school prayers. What do I think now? I was ‘sitting on the fence’ but I have become swayed by the prospect of all those children who never get to know the synagogue as their second home because they are opted out of religion school. So if I had to vote, it would be against. Thank goodness I don’t have to. Rosita Rosenberg The Liberal Synagogue Elstree

Don’t forget AJWO Regarding your article ‘Spread our message of inclusivity’ (lj today, July/ August), I would have liked to have seen mention of the part Liberal Judaism plays on the council of AJWO (the Association of Jewish Women’s Organisations). AJWO was set up in 1964 by a ULPS member, Edie Noble. Latterly, Louise Freedman (of South London) has served as chairman, and Rita Adler (The Liberal Jewish Synagogue) has acted as her honorary secretary. Rita continues to be a member of the AJWO council, as do I. Our third representative is Sharron Phillips (Northwood and Pinner), who is currently one of the vice-chairmen. Cynthia Drapkin Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue Letters for publication are welcome. Write to: The Editor, lj today, The Montagu Centre, 21 Maple Street, London, W1 4BE, or email ljtoday@ liberaljudaism.org. Please include a telephone number. Letters may be edited.

LJ Today Page 9

November/December 2009

With just weeks to go before world leaders meet at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen to thrash out a successor to the Kyoto protocol, a leading Dutch rabbi explains why he is certain that the meeting will make a difference

Our shift from the Age of Stupid to the Age of Intelligence Two men in a boat. One starts to drill a hole in the boat, to the dismay of the other. ‘You are killing both of us,’ the second man complains. ‘Don’t worry,’ comes the reply. ‘I am only making a hole in my part of the boat.’ The Zohar At the meeting of the Parliament of World Religions in Barcelona in 2004, a member of a youth panel expressed at the end of a session dedicated to pure water: ‘My greatest dream is to be a grandfather one day. But I know my chance are zero because of the man-made disasters we are bringing upon ourselves.’ I replied from the audience: ‘When my wife and I were born in war-ridden Amsterdam in 1943, the chances of us ever becoming grandparents were zero. But we are the proud grandparents of healthy grandchildren because of the forces of compassion. And I believe with a complete faith that these soft forces will prevail and that you will have, please God, grandchildren and they will drink pure, living water.’ We, the Jewish people, have never had the luxury of despair. We have been, and still are, ma’aminim b’nei ma’aminim, believers with hope, children of believers, against all odds. The recent film The Age of Stupid confronts us with the possibility of the ultimate destruction of life on earth, but also with the potential of teshuvah, of return to sanity. As the Earth Charter sharply states, the choice is ours: ‘Form a global partnership to care for the earth and one another or risk the destruction of ourselves and the diversity of life.’ My pragmatic hope is based on the conviction that we will form this global partnership, in time to avert calamity. And the members of the different spiritual traditions are finally assuming the leadership, in helping to create lifesaving synergy. At the Interfaith Climate Summit in Uppsala, Sweden, last November, faith

The summit will mark a historic turning point, says Awraham Soetendorp traditions embraced a climate manifesto, addressing global warming. ‘As religious leaders and teachers, we want to counteract a culture of fear with a culture of hope,’ they said. ‘We want to face the climate challenge with defiant optimism to highlight the core principles of all major sacred traditions of the world: justice, solidarity and compassion.’ And in the coming weeks, the Charter of Compassion is being launched on the initiative of Karen Armstrong. It will interpret anew the golden rule, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself,’ as a binding principle of all spiritual traditions. Thus we arrive in Copenhagen, political leaders and civil society, as one human family and one earth community with a common destiny. At the ecological conference in Rio de Janeiro, in 1992, politicians addressed us representatives of religions with a remarkable plea: ‘Continue to urge us, to inspire us, to bother us, so that we are finally moved to take measures that may contravene national interests but are necessary to save the planet.’ And we know that our demand to take urgent and adequate measures – like a reduction of emissions in the developed world by at least 40 per cent by 2020 and 90 per cent by 2050 against 1990 levels – will be needed when it is rooted in our own actions. Every citizen, and certainly every member of our congregation, should look into his or her own behaviour, and find ways to reduce emissions and the use of energy by 10 per cent, this coming year. And I personally believe that this change will have to be accompanied by an extra donation of 0.1 per cent, one thousandth

of one’s income, to help realise the UN’s Millennium Development Goals by 2015. We have the courage, the innovative energy, when fused together in this miraculous universal partnership, this aguda achat, to safeguard the community of life, and end the disgrace of abject poverty. Our teachers have urged us to do what has to be done. Rabbi Akiva said: ‘Don’t say that because I have been degraded the other should be degraded; Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel said: ‘With one act we perform or one act we fail to perform, we hasten or delay the coming of messianic age.’ In my life, the foremost voice belongs to my father, Jacob. Hidden with my mother in a hole in the ground on a hospitable farm, not knowing whether his boy, who had been hidden elsewhere, was still alive, he wrote to a Jewish boy nearing barmitzvah age: ‘Note this: God has created the human being to repair the world so that the world is again as God intended it to be. A world filled with cooperation, love, truth and righteousness.’ When he kept hope, who am I to despair? Copenhagen will be a turning point in the earth’s history, when we will make a definitive step, from the Age of Stupid to the Age of Intelligence.

Rabbi Awraham Soetendorp, a speaker at the Copenhagen conference, is an Earth Charter commissioner and founder of the Jacob Soetendorp Institute for Human Values The Age of Stupid, a drama-documentary set in the devastated world of 2055, will be screened at the launch of the Jewish community’s Environmental Campaign at the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn, north London, at 8pm on Wednesday 11 November. The event is hosted by the Jewish Social Action Forum, of which Liberal Judaism is a member. Following the film there will be a Q&A session with Ed Miliband, Energy Secretary. Price: £10. 020 7328 1000 or www.tricycle.co.uk.

November/December 2009

Page 10 LJ Today

LJ Today Page 11

November/December 2009

Spotlight on South Bucks

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

Who is the rabbi? Rabbi Rachel Benjamin, who previously served the Progressive Jewish Community of East Anglia and Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue. Where are services held? Friday night services are held weekly at The Friends’ Meeting House in Amersham old town. The High Holy Days and Festival are celebrated with the synagogue’s own choir. Where do members come from? South Buckinghamshire and West Hertfordshire – from Aylesbury to Rickmansworth, Berkhamsted to Marlow. There has been a Jewish community in the South Bucks area for many years. There were communities in both Amersham and Chesham during and after the Second World War as a result of evacuation from London, and a small synagogue in Amersham survived until the early 1960s.

Up and coming LJY-Netzer is running some fantastic events between now and the end of the year. Here are some dates for the diary

Clockwise from right: in the South Bucks sukkah; Rabbi Rachel Benjamin; unrolling the scroll at Simchat Torah

Ben Rebak, Rachel Finn and Natalie Steiner at Budapest’s Statue Park

Bonding in Budapest

What is there for children? Rabbi Benjamin heads the community’s enthusiastic cheder of about 25 youngsters. It meets every Sunday during term time at a local school. Both bar/ batmitzvah and Kabbalat Torah are an important focus for the children. A toddlers’ group, Gan, meets once a month alongside the cheder. What type of community is SBJC? It has a definite rural feel, making use of

Josh Pugh on Kayitz Netzer, LJY-Netzer’s two-week tour of central Europe

its local village halls for its regular chavurot, for Pesach and Simchat Torah; members organise walks in the Chilterns and celebrate Tu B’Shevat by planting trees on a local common. What social and educational activities are there? With the membership covering a large geographical area, social activities are an important part of the SBJC ‘glue’. Some are fundraisers, such as its annual quiz

night (soon to be an inter-community event - see page 2); many are simply to meet and socialise, such as a recent barbecue singalong. There are regular coffee afternoons at people’s homes and a klezmer barn dance. From time to time there are debates and discussion evenings, as well as the weekly ‘Jelling with Judaism’ education sessions, run by Rabbi Benjamin. What about further afield? The community takes part in local interfaith groups and exhibitions and fundraising events, such as the Cancer Research Relay for Life in Aylesbury and the Aplastic Anaemia Trust Windsor Walk. How to sum it all up? A lively, energetic and welcoming community in a delightful rural setting.

South Bucks members on a ramble in the Chilterns

Where can I find out more? Email info@sbjc.org.uk, telephone 0845 644 2370 or visit www.sbjc.org.uk.

Prague is one of the world’s most beautiful cities. In our time there we also saw some incredible architecture, visited a pleasant jazz bar and took part in pedalo warfare. This leg of the tour felt important as it was the springboard for the strong bonding that took place between our group of 21 Kayitz Netzer participants. The most powerful and moving day was the fourth one, on which we travelled from Prague – from where we visited Theresienstadt – to Budapest. It was also the day when most of the tour received their A-level results over the phone. Many of us were reflecting on a day of strong emotions as we pulled into Budapest at 2am. For me, with the exception of the hotel food, the Hungarian capital was where I enjoyed myself most. The weather was good, and on Shabbat we could slow down and appreciate our surroundings. By this time, the sense of community in the group was strong. We clambered over statues of revolutionaries and took thousands of photos. In Berlin, at the end of the trip, we

had an exciting time whistling round the sights. My highlight was the Jewish Museum. And, in LJY-Netzer style, the last night offered a perfectly frivolous end to a stimulating tour. To the wise child: go on Kayitz, and learn even more. To the wicked child: go on Kayitz, and take on a positive attitude for the tour. To the simple child: go on Kayitz, listen, ask and discover. To the child who does not know how to ask: go on Kayitz and let someone else do the asking – you are sure to enjoy yourself.

Shnat spotting In August, five school-leavers packed their bags for Shnat Netzer, our gap-year programme in Israel. This year’s Shnatties – Hannah Confino, Alex Goldhill, Hannah Luder, Corine Sheratte and Sarah Walton – are now on Etgar, a four-month communal living educational programme, in Jerusalem. See the box (right) for the first of a series of reports from LJY-Netzer’s Shnatties.

By Alex Goldhill, 18 LJY-Netzer Shnattie

Shnat

Spot

How long has it been established? Originally an offshoot of Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue, South Bucks Jewish Community (SBJC) was formally launched as an independent community at the beginning of 1990 with (then student Rabbi ) Pete Tobias. It approaches its 20th anniversary with well over 120 adult members and continues to grow, now focusing its energies on finding suitable permanent premises.

14-15 November Social Action Chain Reaction – a chance to engage in some social action, in collaboration with Mitzvah Day, and party the night away! The LJS; school years 10+ 20 November Joint LJY-Netzer and RSY-Netzer Kabbalat Shabbat. Experience a Netzer service, bring a vegetarian dish and make Friday night extra special. The LJS, 6.30pm; all ages 4-6 December Kinus, LJY-Netzer’s decisionmaking forum for 12- to 15-year-olds. All the fun of an LJY-Netzer event with the chance to influence the movement’s future. Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue; school years 7-10 18-22 December Veidah – LJY-Netzer’s annual conference, where we decide how our movement is run, choose a theme and charity of the year and many other things; school years 11+

I first heard about Shnat Netzer when I started going to Kadimah (on Chalutzim – pioneers, 5770 the camp for 15-yearolds). But it was the next year, during Israel Tour, that I began to understand fully what I would be getting myself into. It was on Tour that I truly decided to do Shnat. Of course at the time, Shnat seemed infinitely far away, but time flies and here I am in Israel, managing a weekly budget for the Etgar (a part of the programme where the group lives and studies in Jerusalem) flat, wearing sun cream in autumn, learning how to live with 16 other people and, for the first time in my life, actually starting to speak another language, something I have never been good at. It’s only the first month and we have so much more to do. I can’t wait.

Shnat Netzer is LJY-Netzer’s eightmonth gap year programme in Israel

LJY-Netzer Contact Ben Baginsky, Shira Conradi or Robin Moss: 020 7631 0584 or office@ljynetzer.org

November/December 2009

Page 12 LJ Today

Liberal Judaism congregations Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue (Rodef Shalom), 01234 218387; bedsps@liberaljudaism. org; www.bedfordshire-ps.org.uk Beit Klal Yisrael, PO Box 1828, London W10 5RT; 07505 477459, bky@liberaljudaism.org; www.bky.org.uk Bet Tikvah Synagogue, 129 Perrymans Farm Road, Barkingside, Ilford, Essex IG2 7LX; 020 8554 9682, bttkv@liberaljudaism.org; www.bettikvah.org.uk Birmingham Progressive Synagogue 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 Crawley Jewish Community, 01293 534294 Dublin Jewish Progressive Synagogue, PO Box 3059, Dublin 6, 00 3531 2856241, djpc@liberaljudaism.org Ealing Liberal Synagogue Lynton Avenue, Drayton Green, W13 0EB; 020 8997 0528, els@liberaljudaism.org; www. ealingliberalsynagogue.org.uk Eastbourne Progressive Jewish Congregation 01323 725650; fax: 01323 417645 epjc@liberaljudaism.org; www.epjcong.org.uk Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community 0131 777 8024; 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 521468 or 01242 234232 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 Kent Liberal Jewish Community 07952 242432; bulletin.kljc@liberaljudaism.org; www.jewishkent.org.uk/communities/KLJC/kljc.html Kingston Liberal Synagogue, Rushett Road, Long Ditton, Surbiton, Surrey; KT7 0UX; 020 8398 7400; kls@liberaljudaism.org; 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 Chair Lucian Hudson Deputy Chair Amanda Grant Vice-Chairs Simon Benscher and Jackie Richards Treasurer David Pelham Officer for social action and disability Leon Charikar Vice-Presidents and Honorary Vice-Presidents David Amstell, Monique Blake, Henry Cohn, 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 Internal Services Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer PR and Communications Alexandra Ben-Yehuda Education Sandra Kviat Interfaith Rabbi Mark Solomon Shlicha Dana Friedman LJY-Netzer Ben Baginsky, Shira Conradi, Robin Moss

lj today is edited by Beatrice Sayers Articles and letters are welcome. The deadline for the January/February 2010 issue is 1 December 2009. Please email: ljtoday@ liberaljudaism.org. Letters may be edited. 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

The Liberal Synagogue Elstree, Elstree High Street, Elstree, Herts WD6 3BY; 020 8953 8889; tlse@liberaljudaism.org; www.tlse.org.uk Lincolnshire Jewish Community 01427 628958; ljc@liberaljudaism.org Manchester Liberal Jewish Community, 08709 917327; mljc@liberaljudaism.org; www.mljc.org.uk North London Progressive Jewish Community 020 7403 3779; nlpjc@liberaljudaism.org; www.nlpjc.org.uk Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue, Oaklands Gate, Northwood, 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 Or Chadash Liberal Jewish Community of Luxembourg, 00 352 31 65 94; lljc@liberaljudaism.org 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 www.rljc.org; 0118 942 8022; rljc@liberaljudaism.org South Bucks Jewish Community 0845 644 2370; sbjc@liberaljudaism.org; www.sbjc.org.uk South London Liberal Synagogue PO Box 14475, London SW16 1ZW; 020 8769 4787; slls@liberaljudaism.org; www.southlondon.org Southgate Progressive Synagogue 75 Chase Road, London N14 4QY; 020 8886 0977; sps@liberaljudaism.org; www.sps.uk.com West Central Liberal Synagogue 21 Maple Street, London W1T 4BE; 020 7636 7627; wcls@liberaljudaism.org; www.wcls.org.uk Woodford Liberal Synagogue, Marlborough Road, George Lane, London E18 1AR; 020 8989 7619; wps@liberaljudaism.org; www.woodfordliberal.org.uk

Associated congregations 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

Developing communities The Suffolk Jewish Community 01473 250797; sjc@liberaljudaism.org

‘tent: the meeting place’ for young adults; Avivit Katzil: 07866 501787

Make a date ........... 5-8 November ‘tent’ at young adults’ European seminar in Berlin a.katzil@liberaljudaism.org 14 November (Saturday) 80th Anniversary Service and induction of Rabbi Janet Darley, South London Liberal Synagogue (SLLS) 28 November (Saturday) Anat Hoffman of the Israel Religious Action Centre visits Finchley Sermon at 11am, lunch and conversation at 12.45pm. Book online at www.fps.org 28 November (Saturday) Big Birthday Party at SLLS, 6.30pm. Tickets: 020 8769 4787 2 December (Wednesday) Living Well With Climate Change? ‘Green gurus’ debate also featuring Rabbi Janet Burden. At the LJS (St John’s Wood), 7 for 7.30pm, admission free. 2010 30 January (Saturday) Shabbaton at the LJS (St John’s Wood). For details or to book, contact hgoldenberg@btopenworld.com 12-14 March Hebrew Crash Course at Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue 16-18 April Liberal Judaism’s Biennial Weekend at the Tortworth Court Hotel, Glos

Volunteer award for Woodford’s ‘selfless teen’ A 18-year-old volunteer in a residential home was named young volunteer of the year at a Jewish Care awards ceremony. Sam Janoff, an active member of LJY-Netzer, who has just begun his first year at medical school, began volunteering more than a year ago at the charity’s Vi & John Rubens House, in Ilford, to replace his grandfather, who could no longer volunteer at the home. Sam runs a cards club on Sunday mornings and spends time talking and listening to the residents. Sam was described by his local paper as a ‘selfless teen’. His father, Dan, chairs Woodford Liberal Synagogue. Sam says: ‘It’s nice to hear about what people have done with their lives, and the places they’ve been.’

Wake up to a rabbi on Wogan for the last time Sir Terry Wogan’s retirement from the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show, which he first hosted in 1972, also means the end of a long-running collaboration with Rabbi Pete Tobias. Rabbi Tobias, of The Liberal Synagogue Elstree, will make his final ‘pause for thought’ broadcasts on Wake up to Wogan this month. The rabbi has been a guest contributor to the show for more than four years. Tune in to his broadcasts at 9.15am on Wednesdays 4, 11 and 25 November. Sir Terry is expected to host his final show on 18 December.

Baby girl for Yael Mazal tov to Yael Shotts, PA to Rabbi Danny Rich, who gave birth to a girl, Alice, on 4 September, a sister to Alexander. Mother and baby are both well.

Join the board Do you want to help shape the content of lj today? We are looking for one or two people to join the editorial board. Please email ljtoday@liberaljudaism.org saying to which congregation you are connected.