January/February 2017 VOL. XLIV No. 1
Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
www.liberaljudaism.org
ljtoday
History made at Board level L IBERAL JUDAISM’S commitment to Anglo-Jewry has been praised, as Rabbi Danny Rich became the movement’s first senior figure ever to address The Board of Deputies of British Jews. Danny, who is Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, started by speaking about the historical relationship between Liberal Judaism and the Board. He said: “I want to acknowledge the history of this moment, since it appears that I am the first professional head of Liberal Judaism in 114 years to have been asked to address a Board meeting. “Liberal Judaism was founded in this country in 1902 and, despite an approach
from the Board in 1915, it was not until 1922 that The Liberal Jewish Synagogue – at that time the only Liberal synagogue in the United Kingdom – joined, in spite of worries about religious independence. “As Liberal Judaism grew, so its level of representation increased, although in 1949 all Deputies from Liberal synagogues resigned over the issue of marriage recognition – a matter which took a decade or so to resolve. “There were to be further skirmishes, but mutual respect between Liberal Judaism and the Board was surely demonstrated when Tony Sacker, of Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue and a former chair of Liberal Judaism, was elected as a vice president in 2000.” Danny also praised other Liberal Judaism Deputies, including Jeromé Freedman, a member of the constitution committee for the past 16 years, and current treasurer Stuart MacDonald.
He added: “Liberal Judaism remains committed to the Board, even if it does not always agree with what is said and done on the Board’s behalf, and continues to appreciate how so many disparate parts of the community have an opportunity to come together and further our collective interests.” Danny then went on to explore the relationship between Isaac and Ishmael in that week’s Torah portion, contextualising the account against recent political events. Board president Jonathan Arkush said: “I am very grateful for the support and commitment to the Board shown by Liberal Judaism. It is an essential component of our diverse and vigorous community. Danny gave a very fine address, fitting to the history being made, which was wide-ranging, scholarly, infused with Torah messages and incisive on the troubling events of our time.” MORE THAN 200 people, including 43 rabbis and student rabbis, attended the 60th Anniversary Service of Celebration for Leo Baeck College at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue. Those taking part in the service included the first alumnus, Rabbi Lionel Blue OBE, Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, Rabbi Danny Rich, and today’s Leo Baeck College staff and students (pictured). Almost every serving Liberal rabbi trained at the College. Principal Rabbi Dr Deborah Kahn-Harris gave an address, saying: “Today we celebrate a legacy – 185 rabbis ordained and nearly 90 educators trained for our congregations. All of them contributing to the national life of this country and countries around the world.”
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Comment
January/February 2017
There’s so much to learn, as so much was lost Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein on a trip to Poland and discovering one of history’s incredible rabbis FOR more than 15 years Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue, together with Northwood United Synagogue, has been running Holocaust Memorial Day seminars for thousands of schoolchildren. At the end of the last one, a couple of the educators said: “We have been talking about Auschwitz but have never been - will you arrange a visit?” And so it was, in November, that a party of 39 of us set out for Poland. We visited the remains of the Warsaw Ghetto, the Warsaw Uprising Museum, the fabulous new POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews and Auschwitz/Birkenau, where the guides brought alive the horrors of that terrible place. In Krakow, visits to the Galicia Jewish Museum and the museum at Schindler’s Factory both told, in their different ways, of the glory of Polish Jewish life that was destroyed. The day after the group returned home, I stayed on and chaired the European Beit Din where, together with Rabbis Jackie Tabick and Walter Rothschild, we accepted eight people with various reasons to want to be Jewish. Perhaps the most inspiring was a man who was
Rabbi Andrew Goldstein and Neville Price prepare the Torah at the High Synagogue in Krakow
born in the Warsaw Ghetto, smuggled out and given to a Christian couple who brought him up as a Catholic, but always telling him of his birth religion, and only now, 74 years later, found Progressive Judaism there to welcome him back. We also spent time with some of Poland’s new Progressive Jewish communities, one of which presented me with a wonderful book about Rabbi Professor Moses Schorr - the last rabbi of the Great Synagogue. It has introduced me to an incredible Progressive Jew I had never previously heard of and opened up intriguing new lines of research. The Great Synagogue was dedicated on Rosh Hashanah 1878 and was then the largest synagogue in the world. Sadly it was blown up on May 16, 1943, as the last act in the Nazis’ total destruction of the Warsaw Ghetto. Rabbi Schorr – born in 1874 and ordained in 1900 – was one of the leading scholars of Polish Jewish history and ancient Assyrian civilization; he was a polymath indeed.
Getting to know his story also led me to understand that Progressive Judaism did flourish in Poland, alongside many other expressions of our religion and culture. As well as being a scholar, rabbi and famed preacher, Rabbi Schorr was one of the founders of B’nai B’rith and a representative of the Jews in the Polish parliament. He was an active anti-Nazi before the War and this led him to escape to the East when the Germans invaded. But this did not save him, as the Soviets arrested him and, after months in various prisons including the infamous Lubyanka, he was sent to a gulag in Uzbekistan where he died in 1941, aged 67. His was one of the many incredible lives destroyed by the Shoah and a reminder that study of this period of history must go on. There’s so much to learn, as so much was lost.
Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein is president of Liberal Judaism. He can be contacted on agoldstein@f2s.com
Holding on to hope at Liberal rabbinic retreat By Rabbi Alexandra Wright
THE rabbinic kallah is a post-High Holy Days retreat and opportunity for Liberal Judaism’s rabbis to get together in more relaxing surroundings than monthly meetings allow.
Our topic was ‘Halachah – vote, veto or whatever’ and we began by reading an address delivered by the late Rabbi John Rayner, following the death of Liberal Judaism founder Lily Montagu. Rabbi Rayner’s vision “to establish Liberal Judaism as a serious alternative to Orthodoxy” required “the painstaking application of our principles to every detail of the religious life of the synagogue, the home and society.” Did he achieve this? In some senses he did. His Principles of Jewish Ethics was a masterly overview of the ethics of relationships – personal, social, family, educational, economic, medical, media, legal, political, international and environmental. Each principle is anchored in biblical or rabbinic texts and yet conceived for a modern world.
This was not the only subject we explored – there were moments for prayer, reflection and meditation; we revisited Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah’s Compelling Commitments, an alternative to the Affirmations of Liberal Judaism, and shared our practices and liturgies for weddings and mixed faith blessings. American colleagues, now working in the UK, shared their dismay over the election of Donald Trump and there was a passionate discussion about Israel and the significant anniversaries ahead. We couldn’t solve all the problems of the world, but it was comforting to know that my colleagues – despite the current bleak and uncertain outlook – recognise the need to ‘keep a spark going’, to hold on to hope and to nurture the relationships we are blessed to have.
Communities
January/February 2017
LJ Today Page 3
Elstree team triumph in LJ Quiz Bright future
for Reading By Jane Carpenter
Elstree team receive their prize from LJ Quiz founder Geoffrey Davis, pictures by Victor Shack
MEMBERS of The Liberal Synagogue Elstree fought off 11 other teams to win the 50th Annual Liberal Judaism InterSynagogue Quiz. Finchley Progressive Synagogue finished second with hosts Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue third. A team from Liberal Judaism’s Board of National Officers tied for fifth with last year’s winners The Liberal Jewish Synagogue. Quiz coordinator Michael Gordon said: “The scoring was tight at times, but there was no catching the team from Elstree, who won fairly comfortably in the end. They received the Geoffrey Davis Trophy from LJ Quiz founder Geoffrey himself, who informed us that this was the 50th such event. They were also presented with Smarties for being such smarties!”
At the end of the event, Rabbi Danny Rich – Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi – announced that next year’s LJ Quiz would be hosted by fourth-placed Southgate Progressive Synagogue. Winning Elstree captain Michael Reibshield, pictured below, said: “It was great to see lots of teams taking part in this excellent quiz. We worked hard to bring the trophy back to Elstree and are looking forward to defending it in Southgate next year.”
Sir Eric Pickles impresses in Ealing
THE RT HON SIR ERIC PICKLES MP, the UK’s former communities secretary, delivered a talk on antisemitism at Ealing Liberal Synagogue, which was attended by Liberal Rabbis Danny Rich, Janet Burden and Harry Jacobi.
Liberal Judaism chair Simon Benscher, also in attendance, said: “Sir Eric is very well-known for his support in the fight against antisemitism and it was great to see so many in the Jewish and local communities coming to hear him.”
ALL OF US at Reading Liberal Jewish Community (RLJC) are delighted to welcome Rabbi Miri Lawrence-Cohen as the congregation’s new rabbi. Miri has led many services in Reading over the years and she and her husband Howard, a Liberal Judaism officer, are very much part of the RLJC family. Miri led High Holy Days services at RLJC in October, marking her formal appointment to the community. She will now take the first Shabbat morning service of every month. Details can be found at www.readingljc.org.uk The new year of 5777 also saw the first lessons for the new cheder at Reading. After several years without any cheder-aged children we now have an enthusiastic class of four delightful young ladies, who have been baking challah, making cards and building a Sukkah. Finally, we were delighted to wish mazel tov to two batmitzvah girls – Noya Noble, 70, and 12 year old Amelie Cohen.
Lincoln honour Allan with city’s first funeral THE FIRST Jewish burial in Lincoln, of modern times, has taken place in the Lincolnshire Jewish Community’s new burial plot at Jews’ Court. The funeral was for Allan Levene, a prominent member of the community, which was established in 1992. Rabbi Aaron Goldstein officiated. Jews’ Court is a Grade I listed 14th century building that is thought to be on the site of a Medieval synagogue. Aaron said: “Officiating on the occasion of the first burial in Lincolnshire Jewish Community’s burial plot was so meaningful. Allan Levene brought an incredible energy to growing the community and, whilst we are saddened by his death, his burial in these new grounds is a mark of his achievement. He added: “Leading services in Jews’ Court fills me with a determination to transmit Judaism as a force for good.” In the late 12th century, Lincoln was one of the most important Jewish centres in England, remaining prominent until the General Expulsion of Jews in 1290.
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Day of Celebration
January/February 2017
Meet the Day of Celebration team Rabbi Rebecca Birk introduces the committee behind LJ’s flagship event of 2017 LIBERAL JUDAISM’S Day of Celebration is an opportunity to be reminded of what we stand for, and what our movement is creating. Taking place at Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue (NPLS) on Sunday June 11 – with the title ‘Is Liberal Judaism Political Judaism?’ – it will be interesting, intense and inspirational. Liberal Judaism’s flagship event of 2017, the Day of Celebration will allow us to learn with our teachers and connect with each other – feeling good about having chosen this form of Judaism. The key question, of whether Liberal Judaism is political, will be inclusive and expansive. People relate to their Judaism in such varied ways, and this event will reflect that. The Day of Celebration is about renewal and making sure we all leave having had an experience we haven’t had before. It should carry our movement throughout the next 12 months until the 2018 Biennial Weekend. That is certainly my aim and I am proud, along with Tamara Schmidt, Liberal Judaism’s officer for Israel and the Diaspora, to be co-chairing a fantastic and fabulously diverse organising committee. Rabbi Charley Baginsky (pictured) was chair of Liberal Judaism’s national conferences for the past six years, heading up the teams that put on our last two Days of Celebration and Biennials. She now sits on this committee as part of the Liberal Judaism staff team, in her new role as our movement’s director of strategy and partnerships. We are very grateful for the continuity Charley provides, as well as ensuring that the event is part of Liberal Judaism’s overall strategic vision.
Rabbi Janet Burden and Rabbi Aaron Goldstein make up the committee’s rabbinic quartet and we couldn’t have asked for two more passionate advocates of the inclusive and egalitarian ideals of our movement. Janet was ordained at Leo Baeck College in 2002 and currently serves the congregation at Ealing Liberal Synagogue, while Aaron – who has attended Liberal Judaism’s national conferences since birth – is representing our hosts as the senior rabbi of NPLS. Together they will be guiding the Day of Celebration’s programming and services. Jane Carpenter (pictured) has been a member of Reading Liberal Jewish Community for more than 30 years, serving in many roles including chair, newsletter editor and a teacher at the recently reopened cheder. She is especially proud to be working alongside her son, Liberal Judaism officer Graham Carpenter, who is providing music support for the Day of Celebration (see next page). Yszi Hawkings has returned to the Day of Celebration committee after a few years away and teams up with new member Candy Parfitt to bring us the incredible LAFTAs (Liberal Academy for Film and Torah Awards). Yszi is wellknown to members as the editor of Liberal Judaism’s website and eBulletin and will use these skills to work, alongside Tamara, on all aspects of communications around this event. Candy is co-head teacher at Woodford Liberal Synagogue’s cheder, PA to a disabled professional who works in finance, and a writer of the most excellent plays, poetry and short fiction.
Article from the lj today archives (Jul/Aug 2015): SPEAKERS at Liberal Judaism’s 2015 Day of Celebration urged British Jews to get more involved in Israel. Rabbi Miri Gold and Anat Hoffman (pictured) both stressed the need for Diaspora support in the fight for religious pluralism and human rights in the country.
Nicola Nathan (pictured) is a member of South Bucks Jewish Community and a Patron of Liberal Judaism. She has been a lawyer and an English teacher and is currently writing her first collection of poetry. She is the mother of two teenagers. We are delighted to also have Liberal Judaism members Ruth Colin, Mimi Konigsberg and Kate Birk on the team. Events such as this are organised by rabbis, volunteers and Liberal Judaism staff and, yet again, the cream of the Montagu Centre will play a key role. Sam Alston, in his second year of movement work for LJY-Netzer, will co-ordinate youth programming (see next page), while Tom Rich provides the logistical expertise and is your first point of contact on montagu@liberaljudaism.org We are also lucky to have support from Daisy Bogod, Rabbi Danny Rich’s PA and a young woman with an incredible passion for Judaism, and lj today editor and PR consultant Simon Rothstein, as well as Liberal Judaism’s officer for social justice Amelia Viney.
Liberal Judaism’s Day of Celebration takes place on Sunday June 11 at Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue, from 9:30 to 16:30. Tickets cost £35 for adults and £15 for students and children. A family ticket (for two adults and up to three children) can be purchased for £70. Lunch is provided and there are travel subsidies available for those coming from outside London. Tickets can be purchased from www.doc2017.eventbrite.co.uk
Three hundred people from more than 30 communities gathered at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS) for the day, the first ever Liberal Judaism conference to be streamed over the internet, with members watching via a live feed in America, Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic and all around the UK. Other presenters included Reut Michaeli, Gusti Yehoshua-Braverman, Nir Cohen and many Liberal rabbis.
January/February 2017
Day of Celebration
LAFTAs and full youth programme planned
Let’s celebrate our Liberal Jewish music
LJ Today Page 5
By Graham Carpenter
Liberal youth get messy in one of the many LJY-Netzer activities at the 2015 Day of Celebration
LJY-NETZER, Liberal Judaism’s youth movement, will run an exciting programme at the Day of Celebration, looking at all the political things that LJY-Netzer does and what it means to be a modern Jew. The youth activities will run parallel to the main conference, with everyone coming together at the end. Movement worker Sam Alston said: “We are going to be putting on a fun and exciting programme, for both children and teenagers, staffed by expert LJYNetzer leaders running age-appropriate, accessible and educational activities.”
The Day of Celebration will also feature the LAFTAs (Liberal Academy for Film and Torah Awards). The theme for 2017 asks ‘what would your community look like in the Messianic Age?’ and a resource pack is now available online and by emailing laftas@liberaljudaism.org Rabbi Sandra Kviat said: “The LAFTAs curriculum is terrific and, even if you don’t have a religion school, all you need to enter is a few young people and a willing adult. This is a great opportunity to do some cross-generational learning and to engage the whole community.”
A SPECIAL event exploring and sharing Liberal Jewish music will take place the day before the Day of Celebration. It is open to all members, whether you are a singer, music leader, instrumentalist or just interested to learn some songs. Those joining us at Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue (NPLS) on Saturday June 10 will be part of the mass choir preparing for the morning Shabbat service. Then, following lunch, there will be a choice of different workshops, including traditional LJ choral music and a showcase of LJY-Netzer’s songs. The event will provide a great chance to work with a wide range of our own homegrown Liberal Judaism music leaders, and bring new ideas to the table to celebrate our Liberal Jewish tradition. We will also prepare music to be presented at the Day of Celebration on Sunday June 11 – including the winning entries in the Liberal Judaism Music Composition Competition (see page 8). The cost is £20 for adults and £10 for those under 18, including a buffet lunch and refreshments. For those wanting to make a weekend of it, accommodation can be arranged. To book, please email Ruth Colin on music@npls.org.uk
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January/February 2017
Mitzvah Day 20
Woodford Liberal Synagogue undertook a number of projects and made history with the first ever LGBTQI+ themed Mitzvah Day
Luciana Berger MP and Rabbi Danny Rich joined an interfaith team wrapping presents for refugees at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue
York Liberal Jewish Community’s collection for York Foodbank netted more than 2,000 items to help local families in times of need
Finchley Progressive Synagogue swept leaves, cut back the ivy and undertook general grave maintenance at the local cemetery
Liberal Judaism’s staff team spent the afternoon at Norton House Care Home, bringing homemade goodies for the residents
Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue hosted a talk on the plight of child refugees, with the cheder collecting goods to help them
Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue, together with Luton Council of Faiths, collected for those at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Centre
Crouch End Chavurah collected over 50 bags of toiletries for The Liberal Jewish Synagogue Drop-In for Asylum Seeker Families
The Liberal Synagogue Elstree made cards and decorations for both child refugees and children supported by the Aleh charity in Israel
January/February 2017
LJ Today Page 7
016 in pictures
Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue ran four projects, including cleaning Croxley Common Moor and hosting a tea for refugees
Stevenage Liberal Synagogue made tea, and entertained with piano and flute, for the older people at the local Roebuck Nursing Home
Edinburgh Liberal Synagogue teamed up with Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation to collect and sort thousands of items for refugees
Birmingham Progressive Synagogue helped clear part of Shire Country Park - collecting 20 sacks of rubbish along the way
Durham and North East Liberal Jewish Community joined with other faiths to cook tea for refugees - and were featured on the BBC
Bet Tikvah Synagogue hosted a special tea for older members, which was attended by the Mayor of Redbridge and Mike Gapes MP
Nottingham Liberal Synagogue cleared the local Jewish cemetery car park, used by both the Orthodox and Liberal communities
Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish Community volunteered for the Open Door project, cooking for 45 homeless and hostel residents
Dublin Jewish Progressive Congregation won the Mitzvah Day 365 Award for the community’s year-round efforts for the homeless
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News
Composition competition By Graham Carpenter ARE YOU a musician in a Liberal Jewish community? Have you ever composed music for use in your place of worship? If you have, then keep reading - if you haven’t, then this is your chance! We are extremely lucky to have a growing number of keen and dedicated musicians in our communities, and over the next six months we will be running the Liberal Judaism Music Composition Competition to showcase the best new, homegrown, music. All entries will be judged by a cross-communal panel, with a select few awarded a prize and performed at next year’s Day of Celebration. Where possible, all other entries will be recorded and made available to Liberal Jewish congregations. The entry requirements are: • Must have Jewish content, for example an adaptation of a current prayer or text, or be inspired by Jewish tradition. • Must be between one and five minutes. • Must be submitted in full musical notation, with a recording if possible (we can help with this). • Must be accompanied by no more than 300 words describing the inspiration behind the composition. • Does not necessarily have to use a voice, but please consider the practical ‘performability’ of the piece. • The composer must be a member of a Liberal Jewish community. Please send competition entries, along with any questions you may have, to me at g.carpenter@liberaljudaism.org before May 11, 2017.
Special guest in Norwich Sukkah CLIVE LEWIS MP joined Norwich Liberal Jewish Community for Sukkot. The shadow business secretary took part in an open interfaith service, led by Rabbi Leah Jordan. Community chair Annie Henriques said: “We were delighted to welcome around 100 people to the service, including those from many other faiths. Clive has been to our services before and shows a keen interest in faith communities. We are always very happy to see him.”
January/February 2017
Focus on migrants in new LGBTQI+ project FOLLOWING the success of Rainbow Jews and Twilight People, Liberal Judaism will host a new project – Rainbow Pilgrims: The Rites and Passages of LGBTQI+ Migrants in Britain. This landmark undertaking, supported by the National Lottery through the Lottery Heritage Fund, will discover and celebrate the hidden history of lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer/questioning and intersex (LGBTQI+) migrants in the UK past and present. It will explore the narratives around ‘rites and passages’, documenting the interconnection between faith, sexuality, gender and ethnicity in place and time. The stories and images of more than 30 members of the various migrant communities will be documented by means of oral history, film and photography – providing the first ever collection on the topic of LGBTQI+ and migration, in a faith context, in Britain. Rainbow Pilgrims will focus on marginalised migrant groups of refugees and asylum seekers, as well as groups within Britain’s borders such as Gypsy, Roma and travellers (GRT).
• A NEW online course, titled Building Your Jewish Literacy, will allow Liberal and Reform educators to learn about topics including Torah, Tanakh, Rabbinic literature and the diversity of Jewish life, from the comfort of their homes. There will be online Tuesday evening sessions at the end of each month, with Rabbi Leah Jordan exploring the basics and/or Rabbi Debbie Young-Somers looking at creative ways of applying the topic. Places are filling up fast, so please email Sonia.Leigh@rjuk.org to book. • YORK LIBERAL JEWISH COMMUNITY held a simultaneous Shabbat dinner in November, with congregants and guests enjoying the hospitality of committee members in homes around the city.
The collated materials will be mapped, catalogued, deposited and shared with a wider audience via free and accessible channels, including an archive collection, website, interactive digital hubs, touring exhibition, booklet, educational resources and communal events. Project manager Surat-Shaan Knan said: “We aim to highlight the complex patchwork of identities and journeys – cultural, religious and sexual – and examine how these interrelate with each other in the framework of UK migration. “Giving a sense of belonging and connection, religion and cultural/spiritual practice often remains an important aspect of GRT and migrant heritage. Yet, being LGBTQI+ and from an (ethnic) minority group can offer up many points of conflict, especially when it comes to religious customs and traditions.” Shaan added: “The sub-theme of Rainbow Pilgrims will be ‘rites and passages’, covering a period of almost 70 years – from the Kindertransport to today. The UK has always been ethnically diverse with a population developing from complex historical migration patterns. Rainbow Pilgrims aims to document the rich heritage of LGBTQI+ migrants of faith so that their contribution can be celebrated and preserved.” To find out morea about this project, visit www.rainbowpilgrims.com or contact Shaan on s.knan@liberaljudaism.org
Progressive teacher training LIBERAL JUDAISM’s Learning Network and the Movement for Reform Judaism will be running joint teacher training days at Finchley Progressive Synagogue, London, on Sunday January 8, and Menorah Synagogue, Manchester, on Sunday February 19. The events will include a great range of sessions with something for everyone - allowing both new and experienced teachers to invest in their own Jewish and educational learning, via sessions on new curriculum resources, safeguarding, lesson planning, classroom management, special educational needs and more. There will also be a chance to network. If you would like to attend one of these two training days, or have any questions, please email Sonia.Leigh@rjuk.org
News
January/February 2017
LJ Today Page 9
Liberal Jews are Community Heroes
SIBLINGS Simon Cooper and Rebecca Woolfe (pictured) were named The Jewish News and Mitzvah Day’s Community Heroes for 2016, in a moving ceremony. Simon, who suffered from cystic fibrosis, was an ambassador for NHS Blood & Transplant, raised money for many different charities and, as a brilliant drummer and musician, devised Liberal Judaism’s Friday Night Rock service. When Simon was diagnosed with lung cancer in January this year he planned to raise more money for good causes, together with Rebecca, by putting on the ‘Simon says Let’s Party’ event.
Two honours for Rabi Harry RABBI HARRY JACOBI MBE conducted the 82nd AJEX Annual Remembrance Ceremony and Parade, alongside Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Rabbi (Major) Reuben Livingstone. Harry – who twice fled the Nazis, first from Germany to Holland and then to the UK – served as a member of the Jewish Brigade Group of the British Army and, later, as part of the Interpreters Pool of the British Army of the Rhine. Harry, a vice president of Liberal Judaism, was also honoured by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), which is highlighting the topic of child refugees. UNICEF flew Harry to Berlin to meet with a Syrian boy, Ahmed, who also escaped his oppressors twice – from Syria to Egypt, and then to Sweden – and will turn their stories into a presentation.
After Simon sadly died in July at the tender age of 33, Rebecca took over the organisation and running of the fundraising dinner and dance on her own – doing a wonderful job and raising more than £20,000. Rebecca, who picked up the award with mum Angela and Simon’s wife Claire, said: “We all see Simon as a hero and inspiration in more ways than one. When you think about what he went through health wise, and what he achieved in his life, most people don’t achieve that in a lifetime of 100 years.” Robert Dulin of Southgate Progressive Synagogue, where the family are members, added: “Simon was a talented, much loved, admired, courageous, special human being. Living his life to the full he had so much more to offer, and was taken from us far too early.”
THIS YEAR’S Limmud Conference has another stellar line up of exciting sessions and inspiring speakers. If you are attending, please make sure to keep an eye out for Liberal Judaism’s staff, rabbis and members. The final programme was not yet published as lj today went to press, but some familiar Liberal faces have been announced. Rabbi Jackie Tabick, of West Central Liberal Synagogue, will be presenting a series of sessions on being a Jew and conversion, while Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, Rabbi Danny Rich, will tackle the issue of Judaism and criminal justice. LJ officer Robin Moss will be presenting a wide range of sessions and sitting on a panel discussing the Christian-Jewish Leadership Study Tour of Israel/Palestine he attended. Daniel Cainer, a crowd-favourite, will be performing a selection of his story-songs in a session entitled Gefilte Fish & Chips. There will also be an LJY-Netzer alumni gathering on Monday night and a Liberal Judaism stall at the shuk on Tuesday. Limmud runs from December 2529. Please visit www.limmud.org
A festive charity single can be bought via iTunes, featuring Simon and the Friday Night Rock Service singing Light A Candle For Chanukah, written by Debbie Friedman but arranged, recorded and produced by Simon. It will raise money for both the North London Hospice which cared for Simon and where Simon and Claire got married - and the Debbie Friedman Trust. The family are also setting up a charity in Simon’s name. Judge and Mitzvah Day founder Laura Marks OBE said: “It’s impossible to read Simon’s story without being moved. This amazing young man achieved so much in his life and it’s even more special to see that his sister, Rebecca, is carrying on his work. The amount they have raised for charity and what they have done for the community makes them true heroes.” Rabbi Janet Darley, who recently retired from South London Liberal Synagogue, was also nominated for the award in recognition of her unwavering work with unaccompanied refugee children. The judges noted there are families now united in the UK directly thanks to the work of Janet.
Prayers for Orlando at PinkNews Awards
RABBI DR RENÉ PFERTZEL joined with Christian and Muslim faith leaders at the PinkNews Awards to lead a memorial to those killed in the Orlando massacre. At the start of the Awards Dinner which celebrates the contributions of politicians, businesses and community groups towards LGBTQI+ equality - a vigil was held in remembrance of the victims of the terrorist attack. René, of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, was joined in prayer by Alan Wilson, the Bishop of Buckingham, and Imam Halima Gosai Hussain from the Inclusive Mosque. He said: “There is no word strong enough to express our horror after the Orlando shooting. There is no excuse to explain the distorted use of religion by the perpetrator. It is the sign of a humanity at risk of losing its moral compass.”
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Arts
January/February 2017
A comforting read for troubling times Terror, Trauma and Tragedy: Rabbinic Responses edited by Rabbis Jonathan Romain and David Mitchell, ASIN: B01M26407H Book review by RABBI LEAH JORDAN “THE WORLD has always been capable of great cruelty,” write Rabbis Jonathan Romain and David Mitchell in Terror, Trauma and Tragedy: Rabbinic Responses, their co-edited book of sermons by Progressive rabbis in the UK. “But some might feel we are currently seeing an escalation in barbarity.” When I saw this finished book for the first time at a Reform Judaism dinner, I was struck by how unfortunately apt the subject matter seemed to be. As we leave the year 2016, and indeed 5776, behind, a lot of us feel the last 12 months have seen more than their fair share of chaos, hatred and violence.
The terrors and tragedies addressed by the various rabbis in its pages run the gamut – from terrorist attacks in Jerusalem and France to personal tragedies like the suicide of a beloved sister to contemplations on how we memorialise the Holocaust now that the first generation is almost gone. I am moved as always to think that perhaps the greatest strength in our Jewish communities – and really any community of meaning – may be found in our capacity to come together at times of great grief or fear or anger and listen to one another, sit in silence, and in this case hear the thoughts and words of our chosen spiritual leaders, drawing from the wells of the Jewish tradition. And what conclusions do they draw? The common themes of the book are about not giving in to fear and suspicion in our lives, not losing our own values, and in fact the need to reaffirm our belief in the ‘goodness of humanity’ and in our Jewish way of life.
Reading the book reminded me of the personal sermon I had the misfortune to need to give in the first year of my rabbinate. On Erev Pesach 2014, a white supremacist entered the Jewish Community Centre of my hometown, Kansas City, and shot three people dead. It was horrifying and hit so close to home – and its effects two and a half years later are still felt by the Jewish community, as well as the Kansas City community at large. But my conclusion then, from a place of much personal pain – my mother had been at that JCC only an hour and a half before the shooting – and like so many of the sermons in Terror, Trauma and Tragedy was about hope over fear, healing over hatred. Certainly that is the Jewish response; certainly that is the human response. In Terror, Trauma and Tragedy, 24 Reform and Liberal rabbis wrestle with these issues, acknowledge the pain, anger and confusion, and point the way forward from there. I strongly recommend it.
Get involved with a Hard New World Judi Herman on how you can take part in a multimedia musical sci-fi production THE YEAR 2014 seems a lifetime ago. Was the world so different when I first had the idea of celebrating the 50th anniversary of Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue (NPLS) by projecting the future rather than revisiting the past? Now we are post-Brexit, post-Trump and with Liberal Jews among those helping refugees in crisis. So just updating the name of the show to 2067 – Hard New World isn’t quite enough. Coinciding with NPLS hosting the Liberal Judaism Day of Celebration is a special opportunity for re-staging the show with more forward planning, including filming in studios. It’s a chance to invite members of other Liberal communities to get involved - and members of other faith communities too - so more reasons for a rewrite. But first, here is a reminder of what the show is essentially about. 2067 – Hard New World is a multimedia musical science fiction on stage for all generations, projecting the future of faith in a hard new world.
In 2067, life is virtual and real – and rationed. But young members of Liberal Judaism have a dangerous secret. Have they really found a way to save their grandparents? Or are they in deadly danger of being terminated themselves? Imagine a post-apocalyptic world where resources are scarce, yet computer technology is so advanced that digital life and real life blend seamlessly. Everyone has a glamorous online avatar in the so called ‘me-Cloud’, but real life is hard and everyone starts work at 13. Now the World Government is implementing an avatar-only program for over 70s - their physical resource ‘terminated’. Liberal Judaism has recently introduced a new rite of passage ceremony for 70 year olds entering the meCloud – the Go Gentle Ceremony. At the Go Gentle ceremony for Joel and Sara, their grandchildren work out that ‘downloading’ them to the meCloud is at odds with central tenets of their faith – ‘Honour your parents that your days may be long…’ and ‘Thou shalt not kill’.
Can the young people gatecrash the meCloud to save their grandparents or will evil world security chief Scylla terminate them too? Can the mysterious dissidents of the underground city of Subter come to their aid? Or could the answer be collective action by all the faith groups coming together? This multimedia musical uses a brand new score played by an on-stage rock band, plus film and video as well as live action, to tell a story for and featuring all generations. Script, music and lyrics are by an appropriately multi-generational creative team of Liberal Jews. Rehearsal and performance dates are being planned, to coincide with the Day of Celebration in June, with casting and initial script reading sessions taking place from January. If you are interested in being a part of 2067 – Hard New World in any way, on stage or backstage, in design or filming, or if you would simply like further information, contact me on 07958 472 256 or judi_herman@hotmail.com
Youth
January/February 2017
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
A packed end to a wonderful year Sam Alston on a residential weekend, human rights dinner and volunteer awards
AFTER a hectic summer of tours and camps, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Liberal Jewish youth take it easy over the autumn and winter. But nothing could be further from the truth. The last two months have been jam-packed with events and highlights. Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, Rabbi Danny Rich, joined a record number of LJY-Netzer leaders and members at the New Israel Fund Human Rights Awards Dinner (pictured above), demonstrating our support for human rights in Israel.
Talking of awards, a big mazel tov to Ben Combe who, as a result of his work for LJY-Netzer, was honoured at the Jewish Volunteering Network Awards. Ben, like many LJY-Netzer volunteers, works very hard to deliver numerous high quality youth events all year round. In other successes for LJY-Netzer members, Jonty Leibowitz was elected to NUS Conference as a Cambridge delegate and Lauren Kelies was elected as social action officer at Leeds University’s Jewish Society. Our October residential weekend event for school years 3-6 at Finchley Progressive Synagogue was also a great success (pictured left). Young people enjoyed learning about feminism, discussing the creation story –
including thinking about what their own Garden of Eden might be – and holding a fashion show using recycled materials. November saw our largest ever leadership seminar, with more than 70 young Liberal Jews from all over the country learning how to educate on Judaism in the UK today. Our members also attended a youth interfaith summit. But we are also looking ahead, especially to Israel Tour. Applications are open now. Please contact us on the details below or head to our website www.ljy-netzer.org - to book your place. On Israel Tour, we educate in a way that encourages our participants to be openminded and non-judgemental. We include people of all backgrounds, fostering an atmosphere that is welcoming and comfortable for all, and appreciate all Israeli narratives. We believe that by going on LJY-Netzer Israel Tour, the ideology and Jewish values presented will be most like your own. We will welcome Jews from the UK, Israel and across Europe on our Israel Tour. I hope that you are one of them.
Contact LJY-Netzer: Sam Alston (sam@liberaljudaism.org), Anna Craven (annac@liberaljudaism.org) and Hannah Stephenson (hannah@liberaljudaism.org); Director of Youth - Rebecca Fetterman (r.fetterman@liberaljudaism.org)
January/February 2017
Page 12 LJ Today
Congregations Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue T: 0845 869 7105 E: bedsps@liberaljudaism.org W: bedfordshire-ps.org.uk Beit Klal Yisrael (Notting Hill) E: bkymailing@gmail.com W: bky.org.uk Bet Tikvah Synagogue (Barkingside) T: 020 8554 9682 E: bettikvah@talktalkbusiness.net W: bettikvah.blogspot.co.uk 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 Jewish Progressive Congregation E: djpc@liberaljudaism.org W: djpcireland.com Ealing Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8997 0528 E: els@liberaljudaism.org W: ealingliberalsynagogue.org.uk Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community T: 01323 725 650 E: eljc@liberaljudaism.org W: eljc.org.uk
Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community T: 0131 777 8024 E: info@eljc.org W: eljc.org
Manchester Liberal Jewish Community T: 0161 796 6210 E: mljc@liberaljudaism.org W: mljc.org.uk
Southgate Progressive Synagogue T: 020 8886 0977 E: sps@liberaljudaism.org W: sps.uk.com
Finchley Progressive Synagogue T: 020 8446 4063 E: fps@liberaljudaism.org W: fps.org
Mosaic Liberal Synagogue (Harrow) T: 020 8864 5323 E: office@mosaicliberal.org.uk W: mosaicliberal.org.uk
South London Liberal Synagogue (Streatham) T: 020 8769 4787 E: slls@liberaljudaism.org W: southlondon.org
Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue T: 01923 822 592 E: npls@liberaljudaism.org W: npls.org.uk
Stevenage Liberal Synagogue T: 01438 300 222 E: stevenageliberalsynagogue@gmail.com W: stevenageliberalsynagogue.org.uk
Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish Community T: 01242 609 311 E: shalom@gljc.org.uk W: gljc.org.uk Herefordshire Jewish Community T: 01594 530 721 E: hjc@liberaljudaism.org W: herefordshirejc.org
Norwich Liberal Jewish Community E: nljc@liberaljudaism.org W: norwichljc.org.uk
Kehillah North London T: 020 7403 3779 E: knl@liberaljudaism.org W: nlpjc.org.uk
Nottingham Liberal Synagogue T: 0115 962 4761 E: nls@liberaljudaism.org
Kent Liberal Jewish Community T: 07952 242 432 E: enquiries@kljc.org.uk W: www.kljc.org.uk
Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community T: 07561 331 390 E: info@pljc.org.uk W: pljc.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 Lincolnshire Jewish Community T: 01427 628 958 E: ljc@liberaljudaism.org W: lincolnshirejc.co.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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W: nottinghamliberalsynagogue.com
Reading Liberal Jewish Community T: 0118 942 8022 E: readingliberaljewishcommunity@ gmail.com W: www.readingljc.org.uk
Shenfield & Brentwood Synagogue T: 01277 888 610 E: tikvahchadasha@gmail.com W: roshtikvah.com Shir Hatzafon (Copenhagen) T: +45 2370 9757 E: shir@shirhatzafon.dk W: shirhatzafon.dk South Bucks Jewish Community T: 0845 644 2370 E: sbjc@liberaljudaism.org W: sbjc.org.uk
Suffolk Liberal Jewish Community (Ipswich) T:01473 250 797 E: sjc@liberaljudaism.org Wessex Liberal Jewish Community (Bournemouth) T: 01202 757 590 E: info@wessexliberaljudaism.org.uk W: wessexliberaljudaism.org.uk West Central Liberal Synagogue T: 020 7636 7627 E: wcls@liberaljudaism.org W: wcls.org.uk Woodford Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8989 7619 E: info@woodfordliberal.org.uk W: woodfordliberal.org.uk York Liberal Jewish Community T: 07469 159 134 E: info@jewsinyork.org.uk W: jewsinyork.org.uk Developing communities and affiliated congregations Beit Ha’Chidush (Amsterdam) T: +31 23 524 7204 E: bhc.informatie@gmail.com W: beithachidush.nl 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 Deputy Chair Lucian J Hudson Vice Chair Jackie Richards 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 David Hockman and Ruth Seager Vice Presidents Monique Blake, Henry Cohn, Nigel Cole, Geoffrey Davis, Lord Fink, Jeromé Freedman, Louise Freedman, Rabbi Dr David Goldberg, Sharon Goldstein, Rabbi Harry Jacobi, Willie Kessler, David Lipman, Corinne Oppenheimer, David Pelham, David Pick, Rosita Rosenberg, Tony Sacker, Harold Sanderson, Joan Shopper, Beverley Taylor and Ken Teacher Co-Chairs of Rabbinic Conference Rabbis Richard Jacobi and Alexandra Wright Senior Rabbi and C hief Executive Rabbi Danny Rich PA to Senior Rabbi Daisy Bogod Strategy Rabbi Charley Baginsky Student & Young Adult Chaplain Rabbi Leah Jordan Education Rabbi Sandra Kviat Music Cantor Gershon Silins Interfaith Rabbi Mark Solomon Operations Director Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer Lifecycle Alexandra Simonon Archivist Alison Turner Communications Aaron Abraham Website and eBulletin Yszi Hawkings Reception Thomas Rich Director of Youth Becca Fetterman LJY-Netzer Sam Alston, Anna Craven and Hannah Stephenson