March/April 2017 VOL. XLIV No. 2
Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
www.liberaljudaism.org
ljtoday
Refugee plan goes global
A
PROJECT by South London Liberal Synagogue (SLLS) to turn part of the shul into a flat to house a refugee family has won attention and support across the UK, Europe and Israel. The community is working hard to raise £50,000 in order to refurbish a disused caretaker’s flat, which will then house a family from Syria. The project is called Abraham’s Tent, recalling the Midrash: “Abraham always kept all four sides of his tent open, for guests to easily enter.” After The Observer ran a story on the plan, SLLS was also featured by publications including The Evening Standard, Haaretz, The Times of Israel, The Independent and Huffington Post, as well as papers in Germany and France.
SLLS chair Alice Alphandary (pictured left) wrote a powerful opinion piece for the euronews website, saying: “Our members have parents and grandparents who themselves were refugees. This motivates so many of the project team, myself included, as my own father was a refugee from Egypt in the 1950s. “One project team member has a grandfather who was a Kindertransport child, put up by Christians in a church in Durham. Another team member has a grandmother who fled Nazi Germany in the 1930s thanks to a Birmingham couple who employed her as a housekeeper. She was later able to arrange safe passage for her brother, who was just a child, and then her parents. “There is a strong sense among us that if Britain had not provided sanctuary to our families, we would not be alive today. And we are now determined to show that welcome to others.” • To donate to this important project, please visit cafdonate.cafonline.org/5968
Rabbi Lionel Blue (1930 - 2016)
LIBERAL JUDAISM is remembering Rabbi Lionel Blue OBE, a pioneering rabbi, teacher and media star. Lionel was a mentor to so many, both through his role lecturing at Leo Baeck College and his own example. As the first British rabbi publicly to come out as gay, in 1980, Lionel paved the way for many others. Rabbi Charley Baginsky said: “Lionel’s courage and pioneering spirit have created a more equal Judaism, and a more equal world.” Picture by Ajamu of fineartphotography
LIBERAL JUDAISM’S senior rabbi, Rabbi Danny Rich (pictured second from right), helped to rededicate a plaque commemorating the Kindertransport in the Houses of Parliament. Danny joined Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow, Lord (Alf) Dubs and Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, the senior rabbi of Masorti Judaism, at the event, which took place on Holocaust Memorial Day.
• WE APOLOGISE that some communities will be receiving this edition of lj today around two weeks later than planned. This is due to a burst water pipe at Liberal Judaism’s head office, which ruined many copies and meant a reprint was required. We hope you are still able to enjoy the news and views inside. The office will remain closed until Pesach. Staff are working from home and can be contacted via email or mobile. For general enquiries, email montagu@ liberaljudaism.org or call 07375 817 190.
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Day of Celebration
March/April 2017
Lord Dubs to speak at Day of Celebration Get the latest news and information on Liberal Judaism’s biggest event of 2017 Keynote speakers Liberal Judaism is delighted to announce that Lord (Alf) Dubs and Susie Orbach will be the keynote speakers at this year’s Day of Celebration - held at Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue (NPLS) on Sunday June 11 from 9:30 to 16:30. Lord Dubs, a Kindertransport child, has done an incredible job campaigning for the rights of child refugees. With his Dubs Amendment – to allow 3,000 unaccompanied children into the UK – recently being reversed by the Government his, and our, fight is now more vital than ever. Lord Dubs will speak about the campaign and how it was inspired by his own experiences. Susie Orbach is a psychotherapist, writer and co-founder of The Women’s Therapy Centre. She is the author of numerous books including Fat is a Feminist Issue, her first book, which has been continuously in print since 1978. Her most recent book In Therapy is based on her acclaimed BBC Radio 4 series. Theme The theme for this year’s Day of Celebration – ‘Is Liberal Judaism Political Judaism?’ – will inspire many discussions throughout the event, and beyond. The great parliamentarian Edmund Burke famously said: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” We Liberal Jews are particularly concerned with the triumph of good over evil, adding to a social conscience and common humanity, a particular theology that helps us define a purpose for our lives. It is difficult to separate politics from virtually every aspect of society. Our Day of Celebration will explore, amongst much more, how Liberal Judaism intersects with the politics of care and the politics of sport; how politics is part of our identity as an individual and community. There will be those who will contend that politics is fun, and others who question whether politics and religion should mix at all. And there’s a question we will be posing throughout - is merely being Jewish a political act? Youth LJY-Netzer has, in various incarnations, been running youth events for the last 70 years, and counts among its alumni many of the voices of today’s Liberal movement.
But what is it like to be at an LJYNetzer event? Come on the Day of Celebration and get the chance to a be a participant for a day, in a camp-style session, run by our youth leaders. Art exhibition It is a well-known adage that Jews are ‘People of the Book’. It turns out that some of us are not too shabby as people of the canvas – or whatever other media we choose to work with – either. There are so many great works exploring our traditions, history and culture, and our personal Jewish identity. That’s why we now invite you to submit your work, based on the event’s theme or even just being part of the Liberal Judaism family, which we will then exhibit in the NPLS Etz Chayim Gallery throughout the Day of Celebration. This exhibition space will be dedicated to works by members of all Liberal Judaism communities and, depending on size, it should be possible to hang around 25 pieces. We will also be collecting photos and videos from all our communities to highlight the range and depth of our activities and our tradition of inclusivity. Do also share them with us. For more details, please contact Tom on montagu@liberaljudaism.org Tickets Tickets for the Liberal Judaism Day of Celebration 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 outside London. Tickets can be purchased now from www.doc2017.eventbrite.co.uk More than just a day This year we will be hosting a whole weekend of celebration, for those who desire it. Everyone is invited to an Erev Shabbat at Finchley Progressive Synagogue, showcasing Shir Brittania, while a special event exploring and sharing Liberal Jewish music will take place on Saturday at NPLS. As reported in the last lj today, multimedia musical sci-fi production 2067 - Hard New World will be performed at 7pm on Saturday and Sunday nights in the Methodist Church next door to NPLS.
Celebrating Liberal Jewish Music For those who are looking to make a weekend of it, tickets are now available for the first Liberal Jewish Music Celebration Day, taking place on Saturday June 10 at Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue and costing £20 for adults and £10 for children. Tickets can be bought from www.tinyurl.com/ljmusic The programme includes an opportunity to learn and perform the winning entries from the Liberal Judaism Music Composition Competition, a songwriting skills session with Dean Staker, classic and creative choir workshops, sharing ideas and resources and more. We will also be preparing pieces to perform at the Day of Celebration, the next day. If you are travelling from outside London, accommodation can be arranged with NPLS members. Please contact Ruth Colin on music@npls.org.uk for details. A final word The extract below, from the Liberal Judaism Affirmation 23, indicates that, without a doubt, Liberal Judaism is political Judaism. It is however up to each one of us to decide on our level of engagement. We would like you to consider the following: “As Liberal Jews we constantly question. We have a sense of purpose and are engaged in community life and social action… Walking in the footsteps of the Prophets we can be constructive irritants to the mainstream… We engage with society as we find it and lead from the front… We have been an active participant in all of the key intellectual, political and religious discussions of British Jewry over the last 100 years.” Whether you agree, disagree or don’t know how you feel, we encourage you to join us to listen, learn and participate.
ENTRIES for the Liberal Judaism Music Composition Competition close on May 11. Liberal Judaism officer Graham Carpenter said: “The judges are looking for music that really captures our sense of a holy community, that drives our spirituality, and elevates us to the next level at the forefront of the dynamic, cutting edge of Judaism.” For details, and to enter, email g.carpenter@liberaljudaism.org
News
March/April 2017
LJ Today Page 3
70 years of Liberal Jewish youth
Liberal Judaism youth at camp in 2016 (left) and conference in 1956 (above right), and Rabbi Lionel Blue at a World Union youth event in 1957
ON January 19, 1947 a meeting was held that would establish a national Liberal Jewish youth movement. Although it has gone through many variations and names, the movement now known as LJY-Netzer has had a profound influence on thousands of lives. Here, four Liberal Jewish leaders give their reflections: Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Liberal Judaism’s director of strategy and partnerships: “So much of where I am today began with what was then called ULPSNYC Netzer. It was my first taste of what it meant to be Jewish 24/7. It gave me friends, rabbis and teachers. Dynamic leaders taught me about Jewish philosophy, theology and practice in ways which were accessible, relevant and exciting and made me want to know more. But even more than all of that it made me understand why I was a Liberal Jew and committed me to wanting to be part of an inspiring movement.”
BBC presenter Jo Coburn: “I joined when I was 12 years old and it was a formative part of my growing up. The religious side of all the youth activities was more of a backdrop to a vibrant social and cultural scene. I cut my teeth debating politics, religion, social affairs and other issues with my peers on weekends away, summer camps and educational trips to Israel. I learnt how to run conferences, put together charitable campaigns and become a reasonable public speaker… preparing me well for later life. I made friends for life, had many memorable experiences and learnt the importance of building a community. Most of all, I had a bloody great time.” Walter Woyda, the first chair of the first Liberal youth movement, writing in 1997: “What effect did it have on me? It certainly helped to give me confidence in public, to gain leadership experience and to meet and work with many fine,
like-minded young people. It was very rewarding to see the growth of an exciting youth movement and eventually seeing many of my contemporaries fulfil their promise by becoming the leaders of congregations and of Liberal Judaism.” Current LJY-Netzer movement worker Hannah Stephenson: “Our members and volunteers constantly inspire me to make the change I want to see in the movement and the world. As a movement, for the last 70 years, we have been unafraid to make bold choices and live a life through the lens of our Liberal Jewish values. We have also played a key role in the global Progressive youth movement. We are now going to spend 2017 celebrating this wonderful anniversary – with alumni events and programmes at our camps.” • Thanks to Bryan Diamond and Rosita Rosenberg for their help securing archive material and photos for this article.
Liberal Jew to Undiscovered history at the LJS chair Limmud LIBERAL JUDAISM’S Abigail Jacobi will be co-chair of Limmud Conference 2017. Working alongside Anna Lawton, Abigail will be responsible for the overall event through the management of the team who make it happen. Abigail said: “Anna and I are really excited to be collaborating again after cochairing the families team in 2015. Having both grown up attending Limmud events, our shared vision is strongly influenced by the Limmud values and our passion for the organisation.”
A VIRTUALLY unseen archive from 19141918, belonging to The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS), has been brought into public view for the first time in a century. It is running on the The Heritage Lottery Fund’s London Jews in the First World War: We Were There Too project website at www.jewsfww.london In the late 1980s, former honorary archivist at the LJS, Sharon Lewison, discovered two bound manuscripts of stories, essays, poetry and drawings compiled by young people during 1915/6. After the war, the books were lost for decades until she found them.
Eventually, having been restored, the volumes were returned to secure boxes where they have remained until now. The books are now part of an archive which, back in 2013, the National Archive at Kew deemed “a crucial source for the history of modern Judaism.” The LJS’s Rabbi Alexandra Wright, commented: “Hostilities, whether between warring gangs, adults or countries, inevitably impact on children. These extraordinary volumes reveal the views and thoughts of young LJS Londoners a century ago. We should listen to their voices.”
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Communities
March/April 2017
Compassion in times of horror Rabbi Pete Tobias on his community’s Kabbalat Torah programme
Bernie’s special second barmitzvah
Picture by John Bernard
TRADITIONALLY a Kabbalat Torah ceremony would take place on the festival of Shavuot, since this was the occasion when the Israelites made their commitment to God and the Torah at Mount Sinai. In our times, however, the pressures of school exams have made this unsuitable and, here at The Liberal Synagogue Elstree (TLSE), we made the decision to hold it on the Shabbat closest to National Holocaust Memorial Day and the liberation of Auschwitz. This timing dictates the focus of the Kabbalat Torah course, which looks at aspects of the Holocaust, but always concentrates on an element of this horrific time that demonstrates the potential for human compassion. In the months leading up to the Kabbalat Torah service, Amber-Jade, Gabby, Lottie, Alice, Chloe, Molly and I (pictured above) enjoyed a variety of discussions on the Holocaust and other aspects of Judaism, and they also participated in the latest edition of the ‘Almost Legendary KT trip to Berlin’. We also ate lots of crisps and biscuits.
The service, especially designed for this group of teenage girls, focused on the lives of two other young girls – whose lives began almost a century ago. Anne Frank was born in Frankfurt-am Main, Germany in 1929; Lisa Jura was born five years before her in Vienna, Austria’s capital. These two talented girls – one a musician, one a writer – both experienced Nazi rule in the countries in which they made their homes. One escaped to safety in England and lived until 1997; the other perished just weeks before World War Two ended. The service told their stories. Some of the elements were read aloud by the girls of the Kabbalat Torah group; others left for congregants to read in silence. The accompanying music was Grieg’s Piano Concerto, one of Lisa’s favourite pieces. I would like to thank Mike Walton, who each year takes on an ever greater role in teaching the course, and Deborah Gabbay, who bravely endured the ridiculous rigours of the Berlin trip. I know that everyone involved, and in attendance, truly got something out of this course and this service. THIRTY FIVE Kabbalat Torah participants from Birmingham, Finchley, Northwood and Woodford shared a Shabbaton at Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue (NPLS), with superb support from Liberal Judaism’s youth movement LJY-Netzer.
THE OLDEST male member of Tikvah Chadasha (Shenfield, Brentwood & Districts Synagogue) celebrated his second barmitzvah… with slightly more time to prepare than for his first. Eighty-three year-old Bernie Jackson (pictured) was evacuated during the war, and upon returning home, at age 12, was thrust into learning his barmitzvah piece – having never even been to cheder. Seventy years later, he celebrated again, surrounded by family, friends and his fellow congregants. Tikvah Chadasha’s Jan Feldman said: “Bernie’s first barmitzvah was no easy feat, but we are told he rose to the challenge. This time around, as expected, a somewhat older Bernie led the service beautifully, again watched over by community leader and second cousin Natasha, and accompanied by his wife Lola and their family.”
Faiths unite to help the homeless LEICESTER PROGRESSIVE JEWISH CONGREGATION has teamed up with six other faiths in the area for a unique project to help the city’s homeless. A night shelter – providing bed, board and support for 10 homeless men – will rotate between the synagogue, Anglican and Catholic churches, a Muslim community centre and a Hindu temple. Quakers and Sikhs will provide meals and additional support. It is the first multifaith venture of its kind in the UK. More than 200 people of all faiths, and none, have volunteered to support the project – which is managed by One Roof. NPLS’s Rabbi Aaron Goldstein said: “Highlights – apart from the inspirational prayer services, virtual Israel Tour and lack of sleep – were the reintroduction of ‘cool frisbee’ and volleyball into the LJY-Netzer canon. Next year in Nottingham!”
Communities
March/April 2017
LJ Today Page 5
Nottingham welcomes Austerlitz scroll after 50 years
The community spent decades visiting Austerlitz and forging links with the town’s people. Ruth Matiovska, the one remaining Jewish resident, even became an honorary member of NLS. However, one year ago, the community discovered that their Czech scroll was actually number 887; not from Austerlitz, but the small Moravian town of Kamenice nad Lipou, about 80km to the west. Neil Pike, a member of the NLS Austerlitz group, said: “It emerged that back in 1964, two scrolls were inscribed with the same number, 886, and the number 887 was omitted. This came as a
rude shock! However, through our links with another ‘Austerlitz community’ in the United States, we discovered that there was another scroll of undoubted provenance. A big thank you is due to the Memorial Scrolls Trust, whose strenuous efforts led to the retrieval of this second scroll, from Leeds University, and its placing in our safekeeping.” The community are planning to visit both Austerlitz and Kamenice nad Lipou in the summer of 2018. Neil added: “We will ensure that the memory of those who once used these scrolls will always be honoured.”
Rabbi Anna painted for cathedral exhibition
Essex underway
THE CONGREGATION at Nottingham Liberal Synagogue (NLS) have welcomed a Torah scroll from Austerlitz, in the Czech Republic, finally putting an end to a 50-year mix up. The community was founded in 1965 as Nottingham Progressive Jewish Congregation and immediately applied for, and received, a Torah from the Westminster Synagogue Czech Memorial Scrolls Trust, on permanent loan. They were given scroll number 886 – of the 1,564 that survived the Nazis – which was believed to have originated in Austerlitz, now known as Slavkov.
A PAINTING of Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish Community’s Rabbi Anna Gerrard hung in Gloucester Cathedral throughout January and February, as part of an exhibition entitled ‘Faith’.
Artist Russell Haines (pictured with Anna and her picture) spent 18 months producing 37 large portraits for the exhibition, each of which portrays an individual from a different faith.
THE SHOFAR was sounded as the new community at East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue (EL&ELS) held inaugural Shabbat services in their two homes. A Friday evening service was held at the former Bet Tikvah Synagogue, followed by Saturday morning prayers at the former Woodford Liberal Synagogue. Both services were jointly led by Rabbis David Hulbert and Richard Jacobi, pictured here with EL&ELS co-chairs Bob Kamall and Shirley Forbes and Liberal Judaism chair Simon Benscher.
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Communities
March/April 2017
Do you need a grant? Streaming success
The ark in Edinburgh and keyboard in Southgate were made possible thanks to the NLPS Trust
IS YOUR community or organisation looking for funding? If the funds you need will help support ‘the advancement of Progressive Judaism’, then the NLPS Trust may be able to help. The Trust was established in 2004, following the closure of the North London Progressive Synagogue. The synagogue’s financial assets were transferred to the Trust, which invested the capital and uses the income to award grants to communities or organisations in need. Grants can be provided for items or projects large or small, and the average grant size is £3,500. The Trust regards it as a strength if you have raised, or will be able to raise, part of the funds you seek from within your own organisation or from other sources. Two good examples of congregations recently benefiting from Trust grants come from Sukkat Shalom – the Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community – and Southgate Progressive Synagogue. Sukkat Shalom had been ‘getting by’, placing its Torah scroll on a table and covering it with a tallit – but it wanted to house the scroll properly. The NLPS Trust grant contributed to a new portable ark, designed by community members Lauren Fox and Katy Bromberg, constructed from local wood by Scottish craftsmen and completed with doors made from lasercut aluminium. The inscription and the ark curtain reflect the tree of life.
Former Sukkat Shalom chair Prof Gillian Raab said: “It’s made such a difference to have a ‘proper’ ark, and our thanks go to the NLPS Trust and all those who made it possible.” At Southgate, the grant enabled the synagogue to replace its worn-out organ. The community’s Jane Greenfield says: “I applied to the NLPS Trust, and I was so excited when I got the letter back saying they would pay for an electronic keyboard. We found one that does everything an organ can do and more. We can even do Oseh Shalom to a samba now!” Whether you represent an established or emerging Liberal Jewish community, you can apply to the NLPS Trust and it is very easy to do. You just download a form from www.nlpstrust.org.uk – then complete it and send it back with the latest published/audited accounts of your community or organisation. Phil Stone, chair of the NLPS Trust, told lj today: “We have about £60,000 to donate in grants each year. We meet every six months to make grant decisions. Whether or not you’ve applied to the Trust before, we are keen to hear from you and hopefully help.” To be considered for a grant at the next NLPS Trust meeting, which takes place in April, you must apply before March 24. Full information about the Trust’s funding policy and how to apply can be found at www.nlpstrust.org.uk
THE FIFTIETH anniversary year of Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue began with Rabbi Danny Rich, Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, presenting Julie Mitchell-Middleton with her conversion certificate and welcoming her in to the “Jewish family”. We will have lots more on the Bedfordshire anniversary year in upcoming issues of lj today.
THE Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue (NPLS) streaming service has now surpassed 1,000 viewers, since it started just over a year ago. All Shabbat services are streamed, as well as festival services held in the sanctuary and the monthly Tots’ Shabbat. NPLS streaming group leader Richard Conradi says the facility has been a great success, pointing to an average ‘attendance’ of 10 connections each Shabbat and a recent record of 35. The most popular services are bar and batmitzvahs, where family and friends overseas are able to watch. Richard adds that these connections – one or more people watching from a smart device such as a smart TV, phone or tablet – have come from the UK, USA, Russia, Australia, Israel, France and some 20 other countries. Some of the feedback the community has received includes: • “I’ve just followed the Kristallnacht service, which is the first time I’ve been able to ‘attend’ synagogue for years. It’s fantastic watching from my home in Germany and, given the topic, particularly poignant to view it with my young family.” • “We streamed the Friday night service and watched it together as a family in France. We were touched that the rabbi mentioned our dad.” • “As I was unwell this morning, we decided to watch the live stream. This way we would not miss our prayer service. The streaming was absolutely perfect and the prayers most enjoyable.” NPLS has also just started a forum for all synagogues streaming, or thinking of streaming, their services in the UK so they can learn from each other, benchmark and adopt best practice. For further information please contact Richard at streaming@npls.org.uk or, to watch a NPLS service, visit their website www.npls.org.uk and follow the links.
Communities
March/April 2017
LJ Today Page 7
Interfaith guests help celebrate Asylum win is 25 years of Peterborough Liberal ‘Liberal Jewish values in action’
Rabbi Danny Rich, Jaspal Singh, Di Nicholas and Zahid Akbar enjoy an anniversary kiddush
GUESTS from all of the region’s faith groups helped Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community (PLJC) celebrate its 25th anniversary. Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, Rabbi Danny Rich, led a specially tailored service – explaining the origin and significance of the various aspects of Shabbat. It was followed by a kiddush with a range of traditional Jewish foods. Invited guests from local civic and faith organisations included Nav Malik, assistant chief constable of Cambridgeshire, Jawaid Khan, Peterborough City Council’s community cohesion manager, and friends from the Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and Christian faiths and PLJC venue hosts, the Quakers.
They were joined by community members, family and friends, Liberal Judaism chair Simon Benscher, officer Ruth Seager and members of Liberal communities in Leicester, Norwich, York, Essex and London. PLJC’s communications officer Di Nicholas said: “As a small community, this Shabbat service was a wonderful opportunity for us to build on our commitment to interfaith partnerships in the city, and strengthen our links with other Liberal Judaism congregations. “Our guests had a great time at what was, for many, their first ever Jewish service. They made the most of the opportunity to learn something new and enjoy enquiring conversations.
A JEWISH Iraqi family has been granted the right to remain in the UK by the Home Office, after their cause was taken up by York Liberal Jewish Community (YLJC). Sinan and Dena Nuuman, along with daughters Yara, seven, and Liza, 19 months, have been granted asylum in the country for the next five years. The family converted to Judaism after becoming part of YLJC in June 2014. They are regulars at services, playing a full role in synagogue life. Liza’s baby blessing was one of the community’s first. YLJC, along with York University JSoc, set up a crowd funding website to help the family after they applied for asylum, and were made homeless, last August. It raised £5,000 in one month. Chair Ben Rich said: “We are all absolutely delighted that Sinan, Dena and their girls have been granted leave to remain in the UK. This is wonderful news. Now Sinan and Dena will be able to work and resume their normal lives. “On a personal level it has been amazing to see the whole community coming together to support them in their hour of need. This has been a spectacular example of Liberal Jewish values in action, making a real difference to people’s lives. It makes me so proud.”
Holocaust Memorial Day in pictures
YORK LIBERAL JEWISH COMMUNITY’S Czech Memorial Scroll was on public display in the Chapter House at York Minster, as members of all faiths in the city commemorated the Holocaust in prayer, remembrance and by lighting candles. Founder member Ros Clayton, pictured here with the scroll, gave a moving address at the event.
STEVENAGE LIBERAL SYNAGOGUE worked with Stevenage Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Libraries to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day. The principal event (pictured) was a Service of Remembrance held in Stevenage Council Chamber, which was opened by the Mayor of Stevenage, Cllr John Lloyd. The keynote speaker was Robert Voss DL, who told the harrowing story of his parents’ escape from Germany and the murder of family members by the Nazis.
TIKVAH CHADASHA (Shenfield) joined with Christian Friends of Israel to hold a Service of Commemoration. Several of the community’s children came together to lay six stones, in memory of the six million Jews who perished. Twelve year old Nathan Murphy did one of the readings, to an audience in excess of 200 people (pictured).
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Comment
March/April 2017
A personal view on Liberal kashrut Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein on his ‘common sense’ way of keeping kosher and the rules he follows I HAVE ‘kept kosher’ all my life, but a sort of Liberal kashrut. When my grandmother was alive, I think my mother bought kosher meat, but that certainly stopped after she died when I was six. Since that time, my family kept what has been called ‘Biblical kashrut’. We never had any meat from a biblically forbidden animal in the house… no pig, rabbit or shrimp. But we did eat beef or chicken, and we did follow it with desserts made from milk. At Pesach, we had no leaven in our meals, but didn’t fall for the marketing trap of buying salt or butter or jam ‘Kosher L’Pesach’. Of course, we had ‘Palwins’ for Kiddush on Shabbat, but otherwise the concept of ‘kosher wine’ I find insulting. These were the rules in or out of the house. And I think I have kept to them ever since. There was, and is, I believe, a common sense about my kashrut observance.
On an aeroplane, if the vegetarian breakfast runs out, I am happy to discard the slice of bacon and just eat the rubbery egg and tepid tomato. It’s the symbolism of it, not the possible contamination. I find it amusing, when at ‘strictly kosher’ banquets, they serve cod dyed pink to replicate shrimp or, after a meat meal, use chemical goo that looks like cream on the dessert. It is cheating. I find it a joke to see ‘McDonalds’ Big Macs’ in Israel on Pesach in a strictly Pesachdik bun. For me, Pesach eating is about doing something different for a week – not trying to replicate everyday menus. Regarding the slaughter of animals, I think that the kosher method of slaughter, if done correctly, is more humane than the method requiring pre-stunning. But a far more important consideration is the way the animals are allowed to live. Many Liberal Jews keep a vegetarian or vegan diet. It is popular with our youth movement and members of my own family. I myself eat less and less meat, though I will be honest and say this is on health grounds rather than for any moral or religious purpose. It is true that we live at a time of debate about sustainability of the environment and many would claim that a purely vegetarian diet is the only way forward. But I am not totally convinced and many
other factors are involved in the debate: over-population, over-eating, wastage, industrialisation of the food chain etc. I try to keep an open mind but I will admit to a weakness: I like the occasional steak or lamb chop. I do not think it liberal or ‘Liberal’ to force others not to eat meat by banning it from Liberal Jewish community functions. So long as a vegetarian option is always offered, I feel that true liberals should be able to cope with other people’s choices. And though I have known many sincere Liberal Jews, regular synagogue goers and great humanitarians, who have eaten pig all their lives, I hope they realise that eating pork with other Jews who find it abhorrent can give offence. It’s all a matter of balance and consideration for the other. And why do I keep my ‘Biblical kashrut’? I keep it not because I believe God will punish me if I have a bacon sandwich, but because I see it as a discipline and each time I deliberately refuse the ‘treif’ I remind myself of my Jewish identity; and it is an act of solidarity with the traditions of my people. Maybe not a logical argument, but then is any kind of kashrut logical for a nonfundamentalist Jew?
• Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein is president of Liberal Judaism
End of Dubs How should we react to Trump? Amendment Rabbi Charley Baginsky on the challenges we face is shameful By Rabbi Danny Rich Senior rabbi of Liberal Judaism LESS than a year ago, the Dubs Amendment offered the promise of hope to as many as 3,000 refugee children. This figure was already far fewer than the estimated 95,000 children seeking refuge from the horrors of war and poverty. We have now seen that hope ripped away. Little more than a tenth of the proposed number have been given refuge in the UK. It amounts to around 350 children. This is not only a terrible tragedy, but it is a betrayal of the British sense of justice, and Jewish values. This is a shameful decision by the Government.
AS YOU may expect from a Londonbased Liberal rabbi, I live in a sheltered community – on and offline – where most people seem to have voted neither for Brexit nor for Donald Trump. It’s a world of liberal, and Liberal Jewish, values. So when we awoke to the news that someone who shares none of those values had become president of the USA - shock, upset and distress overflowed on my social media platforms, interspersed with joy from the few Trump supporters. But this was an election where millions of voters turned out. As with Brexit, we can see that large swathes of people rejected the political establishment and economic system. The question for many of us is what next? Trump was democratically elected. Whatever our feelings, the time has come to rebuild a divided and fractured world.
As my colleague Rabbi Alexandra Wright so wisely said recently: “Now is not the time to abandon our liberalism, nor our Judaism.” While we honour the outcome of the election, we must once again stand by our values to fight bigotry, campaign for the rights of minorities and not stand silently by words and actions driven by hate. But most of all, we must model ways of talking to each other from a place of care and love, a place that embraces diversity and differing opinions and a place that believes this world can be full of hope and unity. I was brought up with the Jewish value of engaging in discussion to understand and be understood. This is the world I want for my children, one where we offer solutions to improve the lives of all and not one that creates division and fear.
News
March/April 2017
LJ Today Page 9
Montagu Centre launches RUN returns Monday morning services
LIBERAL JUDAISM is hosting Monday morning Torah services and Tuesday lunchtime study sessions for the first time. They are open to all, taking place in West Central Liberal Synagogue, which is on the lower floor of Liberal Judaism’s head office – The Montagu Centre, 21 Maple Street, London, W1T 4BE. The Monday morning Torah service (pictured) starts at 7.45am and includes personal prayer and reflection, as well as the traditional Liberal Judaism liturgy. Led by Rabbi Danny Rich, Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, upcoming services will take place on March 20, April 24, May 22, June 19 and July 17.
Danny said: “This will give members, and indeed anyone who wants to pray in an inclusive and engaging environment, the chance to enjoy a full egalitarian Torah service before they start their day.” Mishnah study sessions will take place at lunchtime on the third Tuesday of each month. The group will study Mishnah Sanhedrin, led by Rabbis Danny Rich and Neil Janes, executive director of the Lyons Learning Project and a lecturer at Leo Baeck College. Neil is part of the rabbinic team at West London Synagogue. If you would like more information, or to confirm your attendance, please email Daisy on d.bogod@liberaljudaism.org
Liberal duo honoured
THE critically acclaimed show RUN, by Liberal Judaism’s award-winning playwright Stephen Laughton, is set to return to the stage in March 2017 after a sell-out stint at last year’s Vault Festival. RUN opens at JW3 – the Jewish community centre on Finchley Road – on March 8 as part of the GayW3 Festival. It can then be seen at the Marlborough Theatre in Brighton from March 12-15, before returning to the capital from March 20 for a two week stint at the Bunker Theatre in London Bridge. Filled with school riots, first loves, beached whales, cinema, space and sex, RUN tells the story of Yonni (Tom Ross-Williams), a gay Orthodox Jewish teenager, who sneaks out on Shabbat and causes a world of trouble. RUN is being brought to the stage by up-and-coming independent production company iN BLOOM. Due to the quick turnaround of the project, the team are fundraising to cover production costs. As such they are running a crowdfunding campaign on new platform PHUNDEE with exciting rewards including bespoke art work, exclusive special edition play texts, meteorites and stars from space and even acres of land on the planet Venus. All come beautifully packaged with specially selected passages from the play. To find out more, search RUN at www.phundee.com
Any Questions JOYCE ROTHSCHILD, of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue, and Southgate Progressive Synagogue’s Gerald Granston were awarded British Empire Medals in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list. Joyce received the honour as a result of her annual quiz, which has been running for 20 years and has raised more than £120,000 in the fight against cancer. She said: “I am very honoured, but feel my many loyal helpers also deserve a medal for making this possible.”
Gerald, a Holocaust survivor, travels around the country speaking to schools and youth clubs about being a young child in Nazi Germany and the state persecution he suffered. Gerald said: “British schools have very little knowledge of what life was like for Jews from 1933 to 1945. I emphasise that the students listening to me are the future of our country and how essential it is for them to stand up and fight prejudice wherever it raises its head.”
FIVE of the country’s leading Progressive rabbis – representing Liberal, Reform and Masorti Judaism – took part in a special panel debate to mark the 60th anniversary of Leo Baeck College (LBC). Liberal Judaism was represented by Rabbi Richard Jacobi, who was joined by LBC principal Rabbi Dr Deborah KahnHarris, Rabbi Michael Foulds OBE and Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain MBE. The panel was chaired by Rabbi Larry Becker. The discussion lived up to its title of ‘Any Questions’ with topics including LBC’s remarkable history and fundraising needs, Jewish schools, interfaith work and the relationship between Progressive and Orthodox Judaism.
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Obituaries
March/April 2017
Remembering David Jacobi Joan Finkel
DAVID JACOBI, who died in December 2016 at the age of 54, after a long illness, was active in Liberal Judaism as a lay service leader and a teacher in synagogues and, especially, at Limmud. A chemical engineer by profession, he was a gifted amateur cellist and a lover of Israeli poetry and song. David was the son of Rabbi Harry and Rose Jacobi and, like his sister and brother, Margaret and Richard, grew up as a deeply committed Liberal Jew. As a student, he was active in what was then PJS (Progressive Jewish Students) and made life-long friends. He organised weekends and formed a small Jewish Society at Bath University. He was also a much-loved and enthusiastic supervisor at Kadimah Holiday School, then run by Rabbi Dr Andrew and Sharon Goldstein. As part of his degree in chemical engineering, David spent a year in Haifa and there became fluent in Hebrew and developed his life-long interest in Israel. After his degree, he completed a PhD about the disposal of nuclear waste. At the same time, he helped organise ‘Bayit’, the Liberal and Reform campaign for the homeless.
David then began work for British Gas and, when they relocated to Loughborough, became involved in Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation, where he led services. David began to attend Limmud, sharing his passion for Israeli song and poetry. His sessions were popular and he was invited to day Limmuds around the UK. David was also involved in the European Union for Progressive Judaism and supported communities in the Czech Republic and Hungary. Everywhere he went, David made friends. He had a gift for friendship, an ease with people and an infectious enthusiasm. David’s other great passion was his cello. He played in semi-professional orchestras and also quartets, duos and trios and had a wide knowledge of classical music. He had many interests, from film to railways to politics. David ended his working life at the Environment Agency, as a pollution inspector. When he was 47, he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, a form of dementia that affects language early on. He made his last presentation at Limmud soon afterwards, about environmental protection in Israel. He continued to play the cello when he could no longer communicate in other ways. David will be greatly missed by his father Harry, sister Margaret and brother Richard, together with their partners David and Lyn, and by his nephews and nieces, to whom he was a loving and fun uncle, as well as his many friends. His memory will endure as a gentle, kind and enthusiastic man who lived life to the full as long as he was able.
By Rabbi Alan Mann HOW do you sum up the life and achievements of Joan Finkel in a few hundred words? You can’t. Near the entrance to the Dublin Progressive Jewish Congregation (DPJC) building there is a photograph of the founding members of the DPJC taken in 1947; at the front is the figure of the 14 year old Joan Morris, later Finkel. She was in at the beginning. From then, until health prevented her in the last few years, Joan sang in the choir, took services and taught the children. There was no position in the synagogue which she did not fill, except, perhaps, treasurer, which was held for many years by her husband John. She was president, secretary and chair of rites and practices. For many years she ran the burial scheme. Joan represented Dublin at Liberal Judaism conferences, even when most members did not know what the national movement was all about. Hers was the name and face of Liberal Judaism in Ireland. But her life was not confined to the synagogue. She ran a successful business and was devoted to her family. She looked after her parents in their later life and enjoyed a beautiful partnership with John. They brought up three healthy boys - all of whom are now playing important parts in their own synagogues, one in Holland Park, London, one in Austin, Texas, and the third in Swansea, South Wales. Joan took an active part in interfaith activities. She went into schools to talk about Judaism, spoke at churches and welcomed people to the synagogue. She was active in the local residents’ association. She had been a Girl Guide leader in her youth. Joan covered everything in her life. The measure of the woman is in the number of people needed to take over the work she did. We offer our condolences to husband John, sons Andrew, David and Nigel and their families.
Youth
March/April 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
Decisions, decisions, decisions Netzer news Hannah Stephenson reports from an inspiring Veidah
and notes By Sam Alston
• LJY-NETZER’s first Choref event, for ages 8-12, was a great success. A team of leaders gathered from all across the country to run an exciting and engaging sleepover at Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue, featuring games and learning about Tu Bishvat. We met a penguin, learnt some songs and enjoyed a treasure hunt around the synagogue - making so many new friends along the way!
AS AN LJY-Netzer movement worker, I am proud that our members have chosen ‘Reclaiming Zionism’ as their Theme of the Year for 2017. The theme was picked at LJY-Netzer’s annual decision-making event, Veidah, which sees our youth movement’s members aged 15 upwards decide the direction in which they want to see it go. One decision we made was to focus in on our pillar of Reform Zionism and remember why it is so important to us. Veidah also included motions and discussions covering everything from feminism to sustainable living, as well as some fantastic guest speakers from Keshet, UJIA and Liberal Judaism.
Motions passed included one to improve hadracha (leadership) training and another – brought by Kinus, a similar event for 11-14 year-olds – to institute a Pyjama Day on camps. LJY-Netzer will also change the language used at camps and events after a successful motion. Our movement prides itself on being as inclusive as possible. We have found that using terms such as madrich/madricha (leader) means that those who do not identify as male or female are wrongly addressed. We are therefore adopting Habonim Dror North America’s new grammar rules in Hebrew of a gender neutral singular ‘ol’ and plural ‘imot’. LJY-NETZER alumni enjoyed drinks at Limmud (pictured) to kickstart the youth movement’s 70th anniversary celebrations. If you attended LJYNetzer, please keep an eye on www.liberaljudaism.org for details of more alumni events coming in 2017.
• OUR February event for older years at Southgate Progressive Synagogue saw them take on a hike and choose which causes to raise money for. Despite occasionally adverse weather conditions, everyone had a brilliant time hiking around north London. Evenings were spent playing imaginative games in the synagogue. • OUR spectacular spring camp, Machaneh Aviv, will run from April 4-9, 2017. The camp, run by trained staff and experienced leaders, provides an exciting chance to explore Jewish identity, play fun games and be part of the young Liberal Jewish inclusive community. Our unforgettable summer camp, Machaneh Kadimah, takes place from August 14-27 and is a two week immersive experience, creating friendships that last a lifetime. For more details, or to apply, please visit www.ljy-netzer.org • HANNAH STEPHENSON, Simon Lovick and Ellie Lawson will be next year’s movement work team. We’ll have full profiles in the next lj today.
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)
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March/April 2017
Liberal congregations Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue T: 0845 869 7105 E: bedsps@liberaljudaism.org W: bedfordshire-ps.org.uk
Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community T: 01323 725 650 E: eljc@liberaljudaism.org W: eljc.org.uk
Beit Klal Yisrael (Notting Hill) E: bkymailing@gmail.com W: bky.org.uk
Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community T: 0131 777 8024 E: info@eljc.org W: eljc.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
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
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 Mosaic Liberal (Harrow) T: 020 8864 5323 E: office@mosaicliberal.org.uk W: mosaicliberal.org.uk Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue T: 01923 822 592 E: npls@liberaljudaism.org W: npls.org.uk Norwich Liberal Jewish Community E: nljc@liberaljudaism.org W: norwichljc.org.uk
Crouch End Chavurah E: info@crouchendchavurah.co.uk W: crouchendchavurah.co.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
Dublin Jewish Progressive Congregation E: djpc@liberaljudaism.org W: djpcireland.com
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
Ealing Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8997 0528 E: els@liberaljudaism.org W: ealingliberalsynagogue.org.uk
Kingston Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8398 7400 E: kls@liberaljudaism.org W: klsonline.org
East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8554 9682 (Bet Tikvah) T: 020 8989 7619 (Woodford) E: eastlondonandessexliberal@ gmail.com
W: eastlondonandessexliberal synagogue.org
Finchley Progressive Synagogue T: 020 8446 4063 E: fps@liberaljudaism.org W: fps.org
The Liberal Synagogue Elstree T: 020 8953 8889 E: tlse@liberaljudaism.org W: tlse.org.uk
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 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
lj today is edited by Simon Rothstein Send your news to ljtoday@liberaljudaism.org Printed by Precision Printing. www.precisionprinting.co.uk
W: nottinghamliberalsynagogue.com
Reading Liberal Jewish Community T: 0118 942 8022 E: readingliberaljewishcommunity@ gmail.com W: www.readingljc.org.uk
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
Southgate Progressive Synagogue T: 020 8886 0977 E: sps@liberaljudaism.org W: sps.uk.com 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 Suffolk Liberal Jewish Community (Ipswich) T:01473 250 797 E: sjc@liberaljudaism.org Tikvah Chadasha Synagogue (Shenfield) T: 01277 888 610 E: tikvahchadasha@gmail.com W: roshtikvah.com 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 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 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 Chaplain Rabbi Leah Jordan Education Rabbi Sandra Kviat Music Cantor Gershon Silins Interfaith Rabbi Mark Solomon Operations Director Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer Director of Administration 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