January/February 2018 VOL. XL No. 1
Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
www.liberaljudaism.org
ljtoday
First Liberal fundraising Mitzvah magic concert hits the right note
Rabbi Danny Rich and family with Mike Gapes
Abigail Dolan, David Dolan and Thomas Carroll (centre) wowed guests with their performance
L
iberal Judaism raised £12,000 at a special fundraising concert, the first time such an event has been held in our movement’s 115 year history. The evening took place at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS). World renowned musicians David Dolan, Abigail Dolan and Thomas Carroll, assisted by LJS music director Cathy Heller-Jones, received a standing ovation for their programme of classical music and improvisation. The event also included a champagne reception and silent auction. As well as ticket sales and donations on the night, a high number of guests also signed up as ‘Friends of Liberal Judaism’ - a scheme where people can commit to a monthly direct debit to suit their budget. The concert was part of a new fundraising drive centred around the theme ‘a home for your Jewish story’ and highlighting how Liberal Judaism welcomes people of all backgrounds.
David Dolan told how the event was especially meaningful to him and wife Abigail as they found their Jewish home at Finchley Progressive Synagogue, after moving to the UK from Israel. Speaking after the performance, Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Liberal Judaism’s director of strategy and partnerships said: “During our 115 year history we have achieved great things - however we are ambitious. There is more we believe we can be doing and more we should be doing to ensure that not only does Liberal Judaism live up to its central ethic of being a vibrant, cutting edge and inclusive movement, but that we can truly be a home for everyone’s Jewish story. But in order to achieve these ambitions we need your support.” To find out more about becoming a Friend or Patron of Liberal Judaism, please contact Tom Rich on 020 7580 1663 or t.rich@liberaljudaism.org
LIBERAL JEWS from all over the UK gave their time, not their money, on Mitzvah Day to support the elderly, homeless, refugees and some of the poorest and most vulnerable in British society. Mitzvah Day is the UK’s biggest faithbased day of social action. The theme for 2017 was inspired by the Jewish value of L’Dor Vador: From Generation to Generation with many participants doing good deeds alongside their families. Volunteers included Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, Rabbi Danny Rich. Danny was accompanied by wife Laura Lassman, children and a grandchild to entertain residents at a care home as part of the East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue project, along with local MP Mike Gapes. Danny said: “Helping one’s neighbours was something I learned from my aunts, through their example, when they took me volunteering as a child. On Mitzvah Day, I was delighted to be joined by my family in the hope that they, in turn, will make the world a better place.” Other faith leaders taking part in Mitzvah Day included Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Imam Ibrahim Mogra. • Pages 6-7: Your Mitzvah Day pictures
BIENNIAL TICKETS ON SALE: See page 4 for details of Liberal Judaism’s flagship event
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Comment
January/February 2018
An Evaluation of the Declaration Robin Moss looks at the Liberal Judaism events surrounding a special centenary ONE HUNDRED years ago, in November 1917, the Zionist movement was in its infancy. It was only 20 years since the great leader of modern political Zionism, Theodor Herzl, had gathered its leaders in Basel and kick-started the efforts to re-establish a Jewish state in Israel. There were a mere 60,000 Jews living there at that time, and 600,000 Arabs. Tel Aviv was a small town of perhaps 15,000 Jews, and you could count the number of kibbutzim on one hand. There was no Histradut (trade union movement), no Haganah (which became the IDF), no Jewish Agency (precursor to the Israeli government), and no Hebrew University. David Ben-Gurion was living in New York and Golda Meir was teaching at a Yiddish school in Milwaukee. The Land of Israel was controlled by the Ottoman Empire. The world was in turmoil as the Great War raged and Russia teetered on the edge of revolution. Against this unlikely backdrop, on November 2, 1917, Arthur Balfour, the Foreign Secretary of the British Empire, sent an instantly-famous letter to Lord Rothschild. The Balfour Declaration, as it is known, gave a series of carefully-worded, rather ambiguous promises and affirmations of support. For many (though not all) Zionists, it was a triumph, indeed almost the “birth certificate” of the State founded 31 years later. Needless to say, for the Arab community in Palestine, it was an outrageous and illegitimate act of imperialist arrogance.
I must confess some relief, though, at being able to go to the set-piece Balfour event at my home community, Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue, simply as a member of the audience. Organised by the new Israel Desk of the Alliance for Progressive Lord (Danny) Finkelstein in conversation with Matthew Gould at NPLS Judaism, in partnership with One hundred years later, the Arzenu UK, the event saw Lord (Danny) anniversary has been marked across Finkelstein, of The Times, in conversation many of our Liberal communities. As with Matthew Gould, formerly the British a Jewish movement with a strong and Ambassador to Israel. A packed hall vibrant connection to Israel, we of attested to the interest in two such highcourse celebrate the Declaration as a profile speakers. They didn’t disappoint. remarkable moment in our people’s Using the Balfour anniversary as an modern history. entry-point into the conversation, the two But as Brits, we are mindful of our spent an hour and a half ranging over country’s colonial legacy and complex modern Jewish identity, antisemitism, role in the Middle East. As Progressive Zionism, the role of the journalist and of Zionists, we also recognise the many the diplomat and whether (and how) to narratives of the peoples who live in the engage with the haters on social media. Land of Israel and the impact that the It was clear from the start that both Balfour Declaration has had on the “nonare passionate Zionists whilst retaining a Jewish communities”, as the letter rather full-bodied British identity and a fairdismissively called them. minded approach to the complexities I’ve been privileged to be with a number of Israel today; indeed, it wouldn’t be of our communities over the past few an exaggeration to say that for me they weeks, teaching about and hearing many perfectly modelled how Liberal Jews views on this important anniversary. should engage with Israel and Zionism.
Join me in the Czech Republic Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein looks at Regeneration a conference for all Progressive Jews in Europe THIRTY NINE years ago I gave what has become my most effective ever sermon. It started a journey, for members of my Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue, to discover the history of the community from whence came our Czech Memorial
Torah scroll. It led us to Kolín, then in communist Czechoslovakia. We’ve had incredible adventures in the country ever since, as have other Liberal communities. In 1989, after the Velvet Revolution, it became possible to go openly as a rabbi and try to revive the all but defunct Jewish community there. Many of us were involved in establishing Bejt Simcha, the first Progressive community in Prague, and then slowly re-establishing Progressive Judaism in the country. It therefore gives me great satisfaction to help plan Regeneration, the Biennial Conference of the European Union for Progressive Judaism (EUPJ), to be held in Prague from April 26-29, 2018.
As well as looking at issues involving Judaism across Europe - from the threat of antisemitism to the growth of Progressive Judaism in Poland, Italy, Spain and the Czech Republic - there will be many experiences of Prague not usually on offer to tourists. These include large Progressive Shabbat services in the fabulous Spanish Synagogue, an opening ceremony in the Municipal Hall, lectures by leading American artist Mark Podwal, trips around the city and optional postevent ‘Goldstein Tours’ to Kolín, Terezín, Kutna Hora, Plzen and Karlovy Vary. Visit www.eupj.org for full details and to book - then join me in getting to know Progressive Jews from all over Europe.
News
January/February 2018
LJ Today Page 3
Elstree quizzers do the double Leo Bear College
A TEAM from The Liberal Synagogue Elstree (pictured above) were the winners of the Liberal Judaism Annual InterSynagogue Quiz for the second year running, after beating a Kingston Liberal Synagogue side by just one point. Quizzers from Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue, Mosaic Liberal Synagogue in Harrow, Finchley Progressive Synagogue, Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue and hosts Southgate Progressive Synagogue also took part in the closely fought contest. Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, Rabbi Danny Rich, said: “With questions, quizmaster Julian Sampson and a scrumptious tea provided by Southgate, it truly was an evening to remember.
“The Liberal Judaism quiz is always hotly contested, so many congratulations to Elstree on their double victory. I hope to see even more people and teams in 2018, as part of this tradition that has been running for more than 50 years.” Betty Davis, the wife of Liberal Judaism vice president and quiz founder Geoffrey Davis, presented the trophy to the Elstree team and also congratulated all 80 people who took part in the exciting event. Victorious captain Michael Reibscheid said: “It was again a great quiz, and very close, as we only won by a single point from Kingston. We are already counting down the days until next year.” Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue will host next year’s event and their team are celebrating after winning the Luton United Synagogue Quiz (pictured below).
STUDENT RABBIS at Leo Baeck College got into the Children In Need spirit by bringing their teddy bears to services and classes to raise funds for the charity. The College’s annual Leo Bear Day began with a special morning service, organised by Student Rabbi Nathan ‘Bearmeister’ Godleman, which saw more than 20 students and staff join in. The theme then continued throughout the day. College Principal Rabbi Dr Deborah Kahn-Harris said: “I am delighted that, as a College community, we are able to support Children in Need. My teddy bear of choice for the day, my shoulder dragon, reminds me of what powerful dragons all of our students are in their desires to be a force for good in our world.”
Celebrating Shabbat - a new booklet for Liberal Jews By Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah IN 2007, I created a Shabbat CD together with Andy Cable, the principal soloist at Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue (BHPS), entitled Yism’chu – Celebrating Shabbat. Initiated by BHPS Friend, Deborah Morley, it was also an opportunity for me to honour my mother Edie Klempner, Z”L. She had always sung Yiddish and Hebrew songs around the dinner table on Friday evenings when we were children, and I became particularly keen to include on the CD two tunes – for Hinneh Mah-tov and Hashiveinu – that she had learned in her family home, and which I had not come across elsewhere. During the last seven years of her life, my mother had been caring for my father, who had suffered a severe stroke. One of the most difficult things she confronted was not being able to find an accessible toilet when she took him out. Since BHPS, where I am rabbi, did not have one, I resolved to raise funds by selling the CD. Within six months 350 copies had been sold, raising £3,500 for the toilet, which is now an integral part of our synagogue.
Since 2007, I have received repeated requests for transliterations of the items on the CD, which include Erev Shabbat Kiddush, Havdalah, Birkat Ha-Mazon and Torah and Haftarah blessings, as well as Shabbat melodies. During the past 10 years, there has also been increasing interest in guidance on keeping Shabbat as Liberal Jews, as evidenced by workshops I have run with Rabbi Rachel Benjamin. So it seemed a good idea to produce a new booklet with the Hebrew texts, much-needed transliterations and translations of all the items on the CD, accompanied by an essay on ‘A Liberal Jewish Approach to Keeping Shabbat’. It is intended to support those who wish to conduct Shabbat rituals at home and increase their communal participation. Understandably, Liberal Jews are wary of being prescriptive, so the approach I have adopted in my essay is to present Shabbat as an opportunity for individuals and families to enhance the quality of their lives, while at the same time emphasising Shabbat as a muchneeded day of liberation in today’s 24/7 global culture, with the potential to repair the world as well as ourselves.
Good ideas don’t get translated into practice without a lot of hard work. I’m indebted to: Deborah Morley, who typed the translations; Anneloes ter Horst, who drafted the Hebrew and the transliterations; and Pamela Hartog, who designed and created the booklet. Anneloes has also prepared sheetmusic, which is available by emailing her on Anneloes59@planet.nl Finally, I’m also grateful to the NLPS Trust for Progressive Judaism for granting the necessary funding. The booklet, also called Yism’chu – Celebrating Shabbat, may be ordered from BHPS for a suggested donation of £5 (plus £1 P&P). The CD can be ordered for a suggested donation of £10 (plus £2 P&P). Proceeds go to the BHPS Youth Fund, which enables the congregation’s young people to attend LJY-Netzer activities. To order yours, please email info@bhps-online.org
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News
January/February 2018
Biennial Strictly star helps us celebrate tickets on sale now TICKETS for Liberal Judaism’s flagship event of 2018 are on sale now. The Liberal Judaism Biennial Weekend takes place from Friday June 29 to Sunday July 1 at the stylish and modern St Johns Hotel in Solihull, just outside of Birmingham. You can get full ticketing details, and reserve your place, by visiting www. liberaljudaism.org/calendar/biennial The theme for the conference is ‘Liberal Judaism: The Formula for Truly Progressive Judaism’ and it will seek to explore what makes our movement what it is today. Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Liberal Judaism’s director of strategy and partnerships, explained: “We will be looking at our people, our programme, our liturgy and our ideology through a series of workshops, seminars, debates and keynote speeches. “In our true Biennial style, there will be dynamic and inspirational services, a chance to study and learn with your favourite rabbis, exciting evening entertainment and, of course, lots of delicious food. “Our youth movement, LJY-Netzer, will be running a parallel programme for school age children, full of fun and games, and there will be a staffed crèche for our youngest participants.” Liberal Judaism is also offering every community a free place to send one new member. That person will get to enjoy the whole of the Biennial, as well taking part in a special programme about engagement that will help us learn and discuss how to expand our membership. Charley added: “Every two years, as we hold our flagship Biennial Weekend, we see a growth in both numbers and engagement. This year we are making a real effort not only to welcome back many friendly faces, but encourage new people from across out communities to attend.” One keynote speaker at the event will be Rabbi Danny Freelander, president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ). Danny will pick up on the challenge he made at the recent WUPJ Conference for us to make our global Judaism truly liberal in all areas from inclusivity to theology. More speakers and details will be revealed in the next edition of lj today.
TV STAR and barrister Robert Rinder heralded the ‘heroic’ achievements of Liberal and Reform Judaism on LGBTQI+ rights at a Service of Celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of the partial legalisation of male homosexuality. The Strictly Come Dancing star, who is proud to be both gay and Jewish, told how the Progressive movements had “paved the way for a new generation who don’t have to question if there is a Jewish life for them.” He added: “What you have done for me is nothing short of heroic”. Discussing the landmark 1967 decision and implications of the anniversary, he reminded his audience to avoid complacency and that there are many communities which are far from supportive and “where a young person coming out is suffering right now”.
The event took place at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue and also included a choice of learning and discussion sessions and a celebratory tea. It was organised by Liberal Judaism, together with Reform Judaism, Leo Baeck College, the Jewish Gay and Lesbian Group and Keshet UK. Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah of Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue opened the prayers. She reflected on the importance of activism in achieving equality and paid tribute to the role of Leo Baeck College as the first seminary in the world to ordain LGBTQI+ rabbis. During the afternoon, guests were invited to support the Leo Baeck College to endow faculty chairs in memory of two respected LGBTQI+ teachers – Rabbi Lionel Blue and Rabbi Sheila Shulman.
Teacher training Get organising THE NEXT Liberal Judaism teacher training course, held in conjunction with Reform Judaism, will take place on January 7 from 10am to 4pm at Leo Baeck College in Finchley. It will include an exciting mix of topics for everyone, from the veteran teacher to the new assistant, including session choices on bringing the classroom to life, positive behaviour management and dealing with mental health issues. There are lots of opportunities to learn and share new ideas, with sessions on teaching about festivals and using song and poetry as a tool for Hebrew learning. To book your place, email Rabbi Sandra Kviat on s.kviat@liberaljudaism.org
A TWO DAY Citizens UK training course at Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue on February 24 and 25 will teach some of the key concepts, skills and tools of community organising. These will help you to develop greater engagement in synagogue life, promote membership growth, build on the things people care about and bring about a better world. The course is based on the one offered by the Highlander School, the training ground for the Civil Rights movement. For more information, contact Tamara Joseph on t.joseph@liberaljudaism.org
• RAINBOW PILGRIMS - Liberal Judaism’s landmark project exploring the ‘hidden history’ of LGBTQI+ mirgrant and travelling communities - is on tour in February as part of LGBT History Month 2018. Visit www.rainbowpilgrims.com
IN HIS 13th year as Liberal Judaism’s chief executive, Rabbi Danny Rich is taking his contractural rabbinic sabbatical. His duties will be split among relevant staff, rabbis and officers. See www.liberaljudaism.org for details.
Danny sabbatical
Communities
January/February 2018
Dam! There’s a lot going on at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue
LJ Today Page 5
Gift of Torah
Stevenage chair Gillian Wolfe with Frimette and Martin Carr and Rabbi Emily Jurman
By Terry Wolfe
A Kabbalat Torah visit to the Tulip Museum in Amsterdam was one of many great LJS events
MEMBERS of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS) in St John’s Wood have certainly been kept busy over the last two months, with lots of activities, services, events and trips to suit all ages. A highlight for the community’s teenagers was a weekend trip to Amsterdam, where the Kabbalat Torah class got to visit the Tulip Museum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, the Museum of the Resistance and the Jewish Cultural Quarter. Accompanied by the synagogue’s senior rabbi, Rabbi Alexandra Wright, and religion school head Dr Dov Softi, the class also took part in a Friday night service at the Liberaal Joodse Gemeente Amsterdam community and experienced the delights of the city. In November the LJS held a service and lunch to thank its volunteers. The synagogue, Liberal Judaism’s largest, has more than 200 volunteers for its activities and facilities, with another 120 helping at its Drop-in for Asylum Seeker Families. The Shabbat service was led, naturally, by volunteers.
Rabbi Rachel Benjamin, who organised the service, said: “This was our way of saying thank you to our volunteers for all the time, energy and commitment they give. Their tireless work to support a vast range of activities makes the LJS the committed and caring community it is.” A movie screening left members visibly moved as film-maker Lucy Kaye showed her award-winning Memory Songs. The film is about participants in the community’s Sing for the Mind initiative for people with memory problems. There has also been a series of special concerts, services and lectures, and all the regular clubs including bridge, young adults’ dinners, local walks, lunch events, Hebrew lessons and Torah study. Many events and classes are run by the synagogue’s rabbinic team – Rabbi Alexandra Wright, Rabbi Rachel Benjamin and Student Rabbi Igor Zinkov – as well as visiting experts such as Jonathan Gorsky and Rabbi Dr Michael Hilton. All members of Liberal Judaism are invited to take part in activities at the LJS. To find out more please email ljs@ljs.org
WHEN Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogues joined together earlier this year to form one community, they found themselves in the enviable position of possessing too many Torah scrolls. Frimette and Martin Carr, who are members of the shul, approached our council at Stevenage Liberal Synagogue with a fantastic offer of generosity. They suggested they gave a spare Torah to our fledgling community, knowing that we only had one, which we had scrimped and saved to buy. And so it was that a beautiful 16th century East European scroll was gifted to Stevenage Liberal Synagogue. A service was held to re-dedicate the Torah. It was led by Rabbi Emily Jurman, who is a rabbi at the new Edgware & Hendon Reform Synagogue and also leads services once a month in Stevenage. Frimette and Martin Carr were present to represent Edgware and presented one further gift, a cheque to pay for new rimonim and a mantle. Everyone at Stevenage is delighted with this wonderful present. It will be cherished and used forever.
York service unites the faiths
DIFFERENT faiths hosted a number of events in York for Interfaith Week, inviting residents of all religions, and none, to discover the city’s diverse culture.
York Liberal Jewish Community held an interfaith Shabbat service, led by Student Rabbi Gabriel Webber (pictured with some of the guests). Attendees included York Central MP Rachael Maskell and the Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Barbara Boyce. Other events held during Interfaith Week in the city included an open day at York Mosque, a Buddhist talk and discussion, and an ‘interfaith cafe’ at the city’s Unitarian Chapel.
IT WAS smiles all round as Norwich Liberal Jewish Community celebrated a triple baby naming. The children were all born to members or relatives of the community, and Rabbi Leah Jordan said that it was good to see a new second generation coming along.
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January/February 2018
Mitzvah Day 20
Members of East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue sang and danced with residents at Jewish Care’s Redbridge care home
Rabbi Robert Ash took part in a unique day of events in Hawkshead, joining Abigail Mann - the village’s only Jew - and the local church
Gloucestershire Liberal Synagogue volunteers put their wellies on and cleared bags of rubbish from the local canal, park and docks
Members of Crouch End Chavurah spent the afternoon collecting toiletries to go to the LJS Drop-in for Asylum Seeker Families
Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue and Stanmore Mosque teamed up to host a clothing collection for the area’s homeless
Stevenage Liberal Synagogue volunteers put on an afternoon tea for the disabled residents of the Leonard Cheshire care home in Hitchin
Members of Dublin Progressive Jewish Congregation teamed up with their Orthodox friends to collect hygiene items to help refugees
Children from Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue filled and decorated boxes for Brighton Voices in Exile, to help asylum seekers
Rabbis Sandra Kviat, Charley Baginsky and Leah Jordan, together with the Montagu Centre team, cooked for vulnerable young people
January/February 2018
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017 in pictures
Imam Ibrahim Mogra baked challah for the homeless with four different faith groups at Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation
Members of York Liberal Jewish Community collected food and other goods for the homeless outside their local Sainsbury’s
Rabbi Jackie Tabick was among a mixed faith group serving tea and cake at Mora Burnet House, sheltered housing for the elderly
An interfaith litter pick-up project in Bristol, set up by Bristol & West Progressive Jewish Congregation, helped tidy the city’s streets
The children from Southgate Progressive Synagogue’s religion school visited Hugh Myddelton House, a local nursing home
Syrian Refugee families were welcomed into Nottingham Liberal Synagogue along with children from other Muslim communities
Get well soon was the message from The Liberal Jewish Synagogue to the children recovering from life-saving heart surgery in Israel
Anne Szewczyk and Wessex Liberal Jewish Community collected a large amount of clothing for the Salvation Army’s homeless project
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Obituary
January/February 2018
A mensch and a pillar of our community Rabbi Rebecca Birk remembers the remarkable life of David Pelham (1946-2017) DAVID PELHAM meant so much to so many. He was a mensch and a pillar of our Liberal Judaism community. David was committed to both Finchley Progressive Synagogue (FPS) – a congregation he was raised in and helped to nurture – and Liberal Judaism. He was also passionate about art, theatre and, above all, his beloved friends and family. It is a testament to David that we were all together at FPS when we heard the news of his death, right after our Sukkot service. The outpouring of grief right there in our homemade sukkah was appropriate for a man whose life was so much within the walls of his synagogue. David was born in 1946 to Olive and Jimmy Pelham. When he was three years old they moved to what is still the family home. He progressed through school and went on to do a course in accountancy – following in his father’s footsteps. David was very involved in Liberal Judaism. He was a true Liberal – not particularly pro-tradition, pro-Hebrew or even pro-Israel. He grew up at Finchley Progressive Synagogue, where he served as chair for four years. He was Liberal Judaism’s treasurer for two terms and was a vice president of the movement when he passed. David will also be fondly remembered for his many years helping at the Kadimah Summer School. David first met Ann 27 years ago, but their courtship took quite some time.
David and Ann Pelham on their wedding day
Indeed it took until the petrol strike in 2000, when Ann persuaded David that she didn’t really have enough fuel to drive home, for her to spend her first night at his. A few months later David offered to help her recover from a gall bladder operation at his home. Very soon the cats had moved in – and that was that! In 2002, David and Ann were married in St Albans. David was a loving, kind, supportive, adoring and generous husband, always buying Ann gifts. In 2005, after many discussions about having a child at a later age, Ollie was
Remembering the fallen By Jeromé Freedman THE Annual AJEX Remembrance Ceremony and Parade was held on November 19 at The Cenotaph, Whitehall, London. The event is in memory of fallen comrades and, this year in particular, it also commemorated the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele and the Middle East campaign, together with the 75th anniversary of The Dieppe Raid and the Second Battle of El Alamein. The Second Battle of El Alamein was one of the key turning points in World War II, with an overwhelming victory for the Allied Forces in North Africa.
The Reviewing Officer was General Sir Peter Anthony Wall GCB and the ceremony was conducted, as last year, by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Rabbi (Major) Reuben Livingstone and Liberal Judaism’s own Rabbi Harry Jacobi MBE (pictured together, left) Harry’s rendition of the El Malei Rachamim was, as always, particularly moving for everyone in attendance. We remember the men and women of the British Commonwealth of Nations and Allied Forces who gave their lives in the service of their country. They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old / Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn / At the going down of the sun and in the morning / We will remember them. • For more, please visit www.ajex.org.uk
born – named Oliver James in memory of David’s parents. Ollie was an unexpected gift for David who was a doting and hands-on dad from the start. He often told how becoming a father was the best day of his life. David and Ann raised Ollie in FPS where Ann converted to Judaism, under no pressure from David, and where they ‘remarried’ with Rabbis Neil Janes, Danny Rich and Andrew Goldstein officiating. David has a long and distinguished family history of Judaism, with many rabbis along the way and dating back to Isaac Iban Daud of the 6th century BC. But it was having a son that gave him a sense of continuing that family history. David has passed down to Ollie a love of table tennis, good food, electric trains and, of course, Spurs. Ollie was a dream realised for David and gratitude was manifest in all they did together. In David’s own words he would be “pretty frustrated” that he will miss Ollie’s barmitzvah next year but, in typical Ann and David style, they already had lots of fun lovingly planning it together. It has all been booked, and David had even made a spreadsheet of costs. David will be part of this always: the barmitzvah, the family, his congregation and his wider community. • This is an extract from the beautiful eulogy given at David Pelham’s funeral
Buttons needed THE Lake District Holocaust Project needs your help collecting six million buttons, which will become a central memorial at its permanent exhibition ‘From Auschwitz to Ambleside’. The collection was the brainchild of a pupil at the Lakes School in Windermere after she met Arek Hersh, one of the 300 child survivors who fled the horror of the Nazi concentration camps. The school is built on the site where the child survivors lived when they arrived in England. Abigail Mann, daughter of Rabbi Alan Mann, is involved in the project and has asked for Liberal communities to arrange button collections. To get involved, please email montagu@liberaljudaism.org
Communities
January/February 2018
LJ Today Page 9
Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel Around the inducted at Kingston communities
Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel with Sir Edward Davey MP and the Mayors of Elmbridge and Kingston
RABBI DR RENÉ PFERTZEL promised to bring his passion for Jewish tradition, interest in people and desire to teach to Kingston Liberal Synagogue (KLS), as he was inducted as the new rabbi. Dignitaries at the service included Kingston MP Sir Edward Davey, Mayor of Elmbridge Councillor Rachael Lake, Mayor of Kingston Councillor Julie Pickering, Reverends Amanda Beck, Andrew Cowie and Kuhan Satkunanayagan, and Rabbis Danny Rich, Janet Darley, Rachel Benjamin and Shulamit Ambalu. Teachers from local schools, as well as many members of the community, were also in attendance.
René comes from a Jewish family in Alsace, France, and now lives in England with his partner Graeme. He has previously worked at Finchley Progressive Synagogue, Wessex Liberal Synagogue and, most recently, The Liberal Jewish Synagogue. He has also been involved in several Progressive Jewish communities in France. He said: “I am very happy to be coming to Kingston, a long-established community which has been led by amazing rabbis and has an enormous potential for growth and depth.” Previous KLS rabbis include Rabbi Danny Rich, now senior rabbi of Liberal Judaism, and Rabbi Charley Baginsky.
Becoming a magistrate By Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi I HAVE had an interest in the legal system since I was young and this has only been intensified by study of Talmud, which asks the question: “What is just?” So for a long time I have thought about becoming a Justice of the Peace, or a magistrate as they are more often called. Realising that vacancies don’t come up that often and time is getting on, I finally applied earlier this year. There was a twostage interview process, which was both challenging and interesting. Then in October, I was sworn in as a magistrate. Prof David Gourevitch, a member of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue (BPS) where I am rabbi, became a magistrate at the same time. This continues a fine tradition of JPs at BPS, including Corinne Oppenheimer.
The swearing in was a moving ceremony, observed by family members. It took place in the Birmingham Magistrates Courts, a magnificent Victorian building. The ceremony was attended by the Lord Mayors of Birmingham and Solihull, the High Sheriff and the Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands, and presided over by His Honour Judge Mukherjee. He reminded us that it was important to be humble, remembering that we were due respect for our office and not for ourselves. It reminded me of being a rabbi. Seventeen magistrates were sworn in, each taking an oath or affirmation. Afterwards we were invited for tea. It was a special occasion but now, after three days of initial training, I have to sit on the bench for the first time… when the reality of being a magistrate begins.
• MEMBERS of South Bucks Jewish Community held a ‘prayer, pizza and pyjama’ service to celebrate raising more than £5,000 in the fight against cancer. The community hosted the organisers of the Aylesbury Relay for Life at their Friday night service, where the charity’s committee chair Paula Kirby presented a certificate in recognition of the £5,316 raised when the SBJC Strollers team took part in the 24 hour relay in July.
• THIS YEAR Nottingham Liberal Synagogue (NLS) took responsibility for organising the city’s Jewish Community Remembrance Service, which has previously been planned by the Orthodox Nottingham Hebrew Congregation. The service took place at Friends Meeting House in central Nottingham and was well attended by members of both congregations, as well as many civic dignitaries. The service was conducted by NLS’s Rabbi Tanya Sakhnovich, with participation from cheder students. • MAZEL TOV to the congregation at Liberal Judaism’s Lincolnshire Jewish Community, who celebrated the festival of Sukkot by building their first ever sukkah.
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Comment
January/February 2018
Sponsoring refugees has transformed our lives Major Nick Coke on how his Salvation Army community took in a refugee family WITH Liberal Judaism communities being asked to join the Sponsor Refugees initiative - set up by Citizens UK to help resettle more Syrian refugees in the UK - I wanted to write about the transformative experiences brought to my own community at Raynes Park Church. September 2, 2015, was the day that the tragic image of three-year-old Aylan Kurdi washed up on a Turkish beach found its way into newspapers and social media feeds across the world. In a stroke it transformed the public narrative. Four days later, my wife and I were installed as the new officers at Raynes Park Church. When the opportunity came for us to share our first public words we felt compelled to remove the focus from our comfortable surroundings and bring our new Salvation Army congregation together in prayer for all those fleeing war and conflict. We reminded ourselves that our Bible, and indeed your Torah, is brimming over with the stories of refugees - Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham and Sarah, the children of Israel, Esther, Jeremiah, Daniel and many more. For us Christians, of course, that list also includes Mary, Joseph and Jesus himself.
Then In late 2015 we discovered something called ‘community sponsorship’. Not yet allowed in the UK, it was a scheme Canada had pioneered in the 1970s, which permitted community and faith organisations to sponsor a refugee family and support them through the resettlement process. After much discussion with Government, in June 2016 Home Secretary Amber Rudd announced Britain would introduce the scheme. Now was the time for us put words into action. The responsibility for a group wanting to sponsor a family is quite heavy. It includes finding housing for two years, raising money to sustain them before benefits are received, organising English lessons, setting up bank accounts, registering with a doctor, dentist and schools and identifying interpreters. Once our application was accepted, there was training, cross-cultural orientation and the excitement of the whole community coming together to clean and furnish the home (pictured). On 28 February our transformational journey was complete as our family emerged into Gatwick. We encountered them for the first time, not as statistics but living, breathing human beings.
It’s hard to describe the emotions of that day. There were tears and laughter, joy and pain, as well as much comical cross-cultural hand gesturing. As we spilled out of the taxi and into their new home, the mother of the family began to repeat over and over “praise God, praise God” in her mother tongue. They were exactly the right words for the moment. We are fully aware that it is still us who are being transformed. Whatever we have given we have received from ‘our family’ tenfold. They exude such resilience, generosity, spirit and love. In the words of one of the most inspirational women I’ve ever met, “praise God, praise God!” • An unedited version of this article appears in Salvationist magazine.
We must welcome Muslims in Golders Green Pam Fox takes on the protesters who are trying to prevent a new Islamic Centre AS a resident of Golders Green, I take a keen interest in developments in the area. Over the summer I picked up on the fact that the former Hippodrome had been sold to a Shia Muslim organisation, Markaz El Tathgheef El Eslami, to be used as an Islamic Centre. This seemed to be an interesting development and one that I expected to be regarded as positive, reinforcing the diversity of Golders Green. However, I was wrong. It soon became apparent that the presence of the Muslims was creating disquiet among some local residents and that a number of Jews were being particularly vociferous in protesting. The dissident voices got louder and the views expressed became harsher and bordering on racism. I was pleased to discover that the rabbis at nearby Alyth Synagogue had preached about the situation in Golders Green, encouraging people to welcome our new neighbours and deploring “threatening and misleading” statements.
It was also encouraging that various communal bodies and the Jewish press soon followed suit. More recently 27 local faith leaders, who meet under the auspices of the local charity Interfaith Matters, signed an open letter condemning what they see as the racist objections to the Muslim community. However, the opposition continues. At recent talks I have given on my book about the history of the Jewish community of Golders Green, people in the audience have raised the issue of the Islamic Centre. I have been taken aback by both the extent and depth of the feeling against the Muslim group. On one occasion it appeared that some came with the intention of using the session as a platform for protesting. They arrived armed with literature and petitions, and almost succeeded in hijacking the event. The tone and content of the statements I’ve heard have been immoderate to say the least - some people have referred
to Muslims as “undesirables” and “terrorists” - but they did have their lighter side. Many had the chutzpah to protest against the anti-social parking habits of Muslims, something for which the Jews of Golders Green are famous! I am embarrassed, saddened and perplexed by the hostility displayed by some fellow Jews, although certainly not by Liberal ones. From my research it is clear that Golders Green has historically been a tolerant place. During interviews with local residents I was often moved by stories of dialogue and friendship between Jews and non-Jews. So where has this intolerance sprung from? Liberal Judaism has always been noted for its commitment to interfaith dialogue and I for one will be seeking to get to know this Muslim group by accepting an invite to give a talk on Jewish history. The presence of a Muslim community is not a threat to us, but an opportunity to generate mutual understanding.
Youth
January/February 2018
LJ Today Page 11
LJY-Netzer is Liberal Judaism’s Zionist youth movement. It gives young people the opportunity to develop a strong Progressive Jewish identity, make lasting friendships and have loads of fun
Join our incredible Israel Tour
By Ellie Lawson THIS coming summer LJY-Netzer will be taking a group of 16-year-olds around Israel for a life changing experience… and we want you to join us. LJY-Netzer Israel Tour is an amazing opportunity to experience the country, exploring the land from top to bottom over three weeks and having the perfect opportunity to develop your understanding of Israel and Judaism.
You will explore the desert in the south, kayak down the Jordan River in the north, experience modern Israeli culture in Tel Aviv and discover a special spirituality in Jerusalem. LJY-Netzer is proud that, through a Liberal framework, it acknowledges and educates about the unique challenges of Israel. This includes listening to and engaging with multiple narratives working for positive change from across the spectrum. Our leaders provide a safe space for participants to grapple with these challenging subjects in a sensitive manner. And whether this is your first LJYNetzer event, or your 50th, you will be welcomed with open arms.
LJY-Netzer Israel Tour truly does offer something for everyone. Not only will you discover more about yourself and bond as a group, you will also have the opportunity to develop your leadership skills and meet loads of new people. Israel Tour takes place from 17 July until 7 August 2018 (dates subject to change) and costs £3,100 for Liberal Judaism members or £3,200 for nonmembers. For more information, contact me on e.lawson@liberaljudaism.org or 0207 631 9823. We believe that no one should be prevented from coming on LJY-Netzer Israel Tour. For more information about bursaries, contact our director of youth, Rebecca Fetterman, on r.fetterman@ liberaljudaism.org or 0207 631 9831. Israel Tour is a fantastic opportunity to continue or start your Liberal Jewish journey, so contact us and come along! • Ellie Lawson is an LJY-Netzer movement worker
AS lj today went to press, LJY-Netzer was running its annual Kinus event - a decision-making forum for members in school years 7-10 - at Finchley Progressive Synagogue. As a group, they discussed topics including feminism and equality and thought about what LJY-Netzer’s theme and chosen charity for 2018 should be. They have also passed a number of motions which will be taken to Veidah, the decision making event for LJYNetzer members aged 15-25. These included creating a Kadimah summer camp band and introducing year group sleepovers on longer events. Movement worker Simon Lovick said: “Kinus has been a great success, and everyone has left with a feeling of empowerment. We can’t wait until next year to do it all over again.”
Contact LJY-Netzer: Ellie Lawson (e.lawson@liberaljudaism.org), Simon Lovick (s.lovick@liberaljudaism.org) and Hannah Stephenson (h.stephenson@liberaljudaism.org); Director of Youth - Rebecca Fetterman (r.fetterman@liberaljudaism.org)
January/February 2018
Page 12 LJ Today
Liberal congregations Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue T: 0845 869 7105 E: bedsps@liberaljudaism.org W: bedfordshire-ps.org.uk
Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community T: 0131 777 8024 E: info@eljc.org W: eljc.org
Beit Klal Yisrael (Notting Hill) E: bkymailing@gmail.com W: bky.org.uk
Finchley Progressive Synagogue T: 020 8446 4063 E: fps@liberaljudaism.org W: fps.org
Birmingham Progressive Synagogue T: 0121 634 3888 E: bps@liberaljudaism.org W: bpsjudaism.com Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue T: 01273 737 223 E: info@bhps-online.org W: bhps-online.org Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation E: bwpjc@bwpjc.org W: bwpjc.org Crawley Jewish Community T: 01293 534 294 Crouch End Chavurah E: info@crouchendchavurah.co.uk W: crouchendchavurah.co.uk Dublin Progressive Congregation E: djpc@liberaljudaism.org W: djpcireland.com
Ealing Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8997 0528 E: els@liberaljudaism.org W: ealingliberalsynagogue.org.uk East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8554 9682 / 020 8989 7619 E: eastlondonandessexliberal@gmail.com W: eastlondonandessexliberal synagogue.org Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community T: 01323 725 650 E: eljc@liberaljudaism.org W: eljc.org.uk
Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish Community T: 01242 260 497 E: shalom@gljc.org.uk W: gljc.org.uk Herefordshire Jewish Community T: 01594 530 721 E: hjc@liberaljudaism.org W: herefordshirejc.org Kehillah North London T: 020 7403 3779 E: knl@liberaljudaism.org W: nlpjc.org.uk Kent Liberal Jewish Community T: 07952 242 432 E: enquiries@kljc.org.uk W: www.kljc.org.uk Kingston Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8398 7400 E: kls@liberaljudaism.org W: klsonline.org Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation T: 0116 271 5584 E: lpjc@liberaljudaism.org W: lpjc.org.uk The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (St John’s Wood) T: 020 7286 5181 E: ljs@ljs.org W: ljs.org The Liberal Synagogue Elstree T: 020 8953 8889 E: tlse@liberaljudaism.org W: tlse.org.uk
The Montagu Centre 21 Maple Street London, W1T 4BE T: 020 7580 1663 E: montagu@liberaljudaism.org W: liberaljudaism.org
Liberal Judaism is the dynamic, cutting edge of modern Judaism. It reverences Jewish tradition, seeking to preserve the values of the past, while giving them contemporary force. Charity Number: 1151090
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Lincolnshire Jewish Community T: 01427 628 958 E: ljc@liberaljudaism.org W: lincolnshirejc.co.uk Manchester Liberal Jewish Community T: 0161 796 6210 E: mljc@liberaljudaism.org W: mljc.org.uk
South London Liberal Synagogue (Streatham) T: 020 8769 4787 E: slls@liberaljudaism.org W: southlondon.org Stevenage Liberal Synagogue T: 01438 300 222 E: stevenageliberalsynagogue@gmail.com W: stevenageliberalsynagogue.org.uk
Mosaic Liberal (Harrow) T: 020 8864 5323 E: office@mosaicliberal.org.uk W: mosaicliberal.org.uk
Suffolk Liberal Jewish Community (Ipswich) T:01473 250 797 E: sjc@liberaljudaism.org
Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue T: 01923 822 592 E: npls@liberaljudaism.org W: npls.org.uk
Tikvah Chadasha Synagogue (Shenfield) T: 01277 888 610 E: tikvahchadasha@gmail.com W: roshtikvah.com
Norwich Liberal Jewish Community E: nljc@liberaljudaism.org W: norwichljc.org.uk
Wessex Liberal Jewish Community (Bournemouth) T: 01202 757 590 E: info@wessexliberaljudaism.org.uk W: wessexliberaljudaism.org.uk
Nottingham Liberal Synagogue T: 0115 962 4761 E: nls@liberaljudaism.org W: nottinghamliberalsynagogue.com
Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community T: 07561 331 390 E: info@pljc.org.uk W: pljc.org.uk Reading Liberal Jewish Community T: 0118 942 8022 E: readingliberaljewishcommunity@ gmail.com W: www.readingljc.org.uk
Shir Hatzafon (Copenhagen) E: shir@shirhatzafon.dk W: shirhatzafon.dk South Bucks Jewish Community T: 0845 644 2370 E: sbjc@liberaljudaism.org W: sbjc.org.uk Southgate Progressive Synagogue T: 020 8886 0977 E: sps@liberaljudaism.org W: sps.uk.com
West Central Liberal Synagogue T: 020 7636 7627 E: wcls@liberaljudaism.org W: wcls.org.uk York Liberal Jewish Community T: 07469 159 134 E: info@jewsinyork.org.uk W: jewsinyork.org.uk Developing and affiliated Beit Ha’Chidush (Amsterdam) T: +31 23 524 7204 E: bhc.informatie@gmail.com W: beithachidush.nl Durham and North East Liberal Jewish Community T: 079 1008 9981 E: info@nejewsindurham@gmail.com W: www.nejewsindurham.org.uk Lancashire & Cumbria Liberal Jewish Community W: www.northwestjews.org Oxford Jewish Congregation T: 01865 515 584 E: progressive@ojc-online.org W: ojc-online.org
President Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein Chairman Simon Benscher Vice Chair Ruth Seager Treasurer Rosie Ward Secretary Dr Howard Cohen Israel and the Diaspora Tamara Schmidt Communications Ed Herman Social Justice Amelia Viney Youth and Education Robin Moss Music and IT Graham Carpenter National Officers Ros Clayton, David Hockman, Amanda McFeeters and Jackie Richards Vice Presidents Monique Blake, Henry Cohn, Nigel Cole, Geoffrey Davis, Lord Fink, Jeromé Freedman, Louise Freedman, Rabbi Dr David Goldberg, Sharon Goldstein, Lucian Hudson, Rabbi Harry Jacobi, Willie Kessler, David Lipman, Corinne Oppenheimer, David Pick, Rosita Rosenberg, Tony Sacker, Harold Sanderson, Joan Shopper, Beverley Taylor and Ken Teacher Chair of Rabbinic Conference Rabbi Aaron Goldstein Senior Rabbi and C hief Executive Rabbi Danny Rich Director of Strategy and Partnerships Rabbi Charley Baginsky Student Chaplain Rabbi Leah Jordan Education Rabbi Sandra Kviat Music Cantor Gershon Silins Interfaith Rabbi Mark Solomon Events and Fundraising Thomas Rich Operations Director Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer Director of Administration Alexandra Simonon Archivist Alison Turner Communications and Digital Simon Rothstein and Yszi Hawkings Director of Youth Becca Fetterman LJY-Netzer Ellie Lawson, Simon Lovick and Hannah Stephenson