May/June 2019 VOL. XLVI No. 3
Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
www.liberaljudaism.org
ljtoday
Hot Potatoes are cooking LJ’s Daniel
gets the gold
Hot Potatoes participants (L-R) Dr Edie Friedman, Charlotte Fischer, Tasnime Akunjee, Rabbi Danny Rich, Callum May and Adam Langleben have engaged in open and passionate debate
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NEW series of dialogue events covering controversial topics has won high praise from all who have attended and taken part. Titled Hot Potatoes, each event features experts from within and outside the Jewish community debating a hotlycontested issue. The conversations are wide-ranging, passionate and respectful. The series began in February, selling out the sanctuary area of the Montagu Centre for a panel discussion on the Labour Party and Antisemitism. The debate was chaired by the BBC’s Callum May, who praised the evening as “an enjoyable, thought-provoking and well-timed discussion”. The panellists were human rights barrister Adam Wagner, Young Labour chair Miriam Mirwitch, former Labour councillor Adam Langleben, former director of the Jewish Labour Movement Ella Rose and journalist Michael Segalov. All spoke with passion and integrity. This was followed in April by a discussion entitled Citizenship: Privilege, Right or Something In Between. Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, Rabbi Danny Rich, was joined on the panel by Tasnime Akunjee, a criminal lawyer who represents Shamima Begum, and Dr
Edie Friedman, the founder of the Jewish Council For Racial Equality. It was chaired by Charlotte Fischer of Citizens UK. Tasnime said: “I cannot compliment Liberal Judaism enough. The company and dialogue were the epitome of civilised discourse. Our political class could learn much from it.” Both debates were recorded and can be watched in full on www.youtube.com/ liberaljudaismmedia Reflecting on the controversial nature of the events, Liberal Judaism chair Simon Benscher said: “I am so proud of the discussions I have seen take place. Liberal Judaism has both the vision to hold such a series and the courage not to shy away from subjects that, for most, are too uncomfortable even to mention, let alone to discuss in an open forum.” The next Hot Potatoes event will be held on Thursday 19 September, just after the start of the new school year. It will examine feelings and experiences around faith schools – including asking whether they create an important sense of identity or encase children in a bubble that doesn’t represent modern society. For more information, and to register for alerts when tickets go on sale, please visit www.liberaljudaism.org/hot-potatoes
DANIEL BERNARD, an active member of The Liberal Synagogue Elstree (TLSE), was part of the Team GB men’s basketball side that won the gold medal at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games. Daniel, who has learning difficulties and autism, played a key role in the event in Abu Dhabi where Team GB beat the USA in the final. The 25-year-old was among more than 7,000 people from 170 countries competing in the games, which are like the Olympics or Paralympics but for athletes with intellectual difficulties. Liberal Judaism has played a key role in Daniel’s life. Both sets of his grandparents were active at Finchley Progressive Synagogue where his parents – Jacqueline Silver and David Bernard – met and married. The family later joined TLSE where they remain very involved. Mum Jacqueline said: “We are immensely proud of Daniel and the entire Special Olympics GB men’s basketball team. All the players and coaches have trained tirelessly to reach this moment. The gold medal is deservedly theirs. “Liberal Judaism continues to be a big part of Daniel’s life. He enjoys attending Rabbi Pete Tobias’s services where he joins in with the prayers and sings loudly. “TLSE and Liberal Judaism is where he feels included, safe and valued, where his autism and learning difficulties are not a barrier and where he feels like a full member of the community.”