November/December 2016
VOL. XLIII No. 6
Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
www.liberaljudaism.org
ljtoday
Fighting for refugees
Liberal Rabbis Danny Rich, Janet Darley, Pete Tobias and Aaron Goldstein joined clergy from all faiths on a trip to Calais to put pressure on the British and French Governments to do more
L
IBERAL RABBIS have been at the forefront of a campaign to speed up the arrival of lone refugee children to the UK – visiting Calais, holding a memorial event at the Home Office and delivering a letter to the Home Secretary. Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, Rabbi Danny Rich, was part of a 20-person Citizens UK delegation of clergy to Calais, which also included Liberal Rabbis Pete Tobias, Janet Darley and Aaron Goldstein, as well as Reform and Masorti rabbis and Christian and Muslim clergy. The group travelled primarily to present lists of unaccompanied refugee children who are eligible, under the Dublin III Regulation and Dubs Amendment, for resettlement in the United Kingdom. Danny, Janet and Rabbi Richard Jacobi then joined more than 100 faith leaders, council chiefs and celebrities, outside the Home Office, for a memorial event for Aylan Kurdi – the young Syrian refugee boy whose death last year shook the world’s conscience.
They urged the government to speed up the arrival of 178 children, who have the right to come to the UK because of close family links in this country, and a further 209 unaccompanied children eligible under the Dubs Amendment. They then delivered a letter to Home Secretary Amber Rudd, with the list of all 387 children eligible to come to Britain and a request for immediate action. Danny said: “Our group of clergy gave notice that we would visit France on a given date and help the authorities by doing whatever was necessary including fetching the children from Calais to the United Kingdom ourselves. “I am pleased to report that children have now begun to arrive in Britain. It is to the credit of the UK – its local authorities, its communal organisations and thousands of its individual citizens – that a warm welcome awaits them.” • Rabbi Danny Rich writes about the power of faith on page 2.
Bet Tikvah and Woodford unite
A NEW Liberal Judaism community for East London and West Essex will be formed, after members of Bet Tikvah and Woodford Liberal Synagogues voted overwhelmingly to unite. The unification will take place on January 1, 2017, creating a community of approximately 700 members of all generations – led by Rabbis Richard Jacobi and David Hulbert. Gary Freedman and Jonny Hurst, the chairs of Bet Tikvah and Woodford (pictured above), told lj today: “We believe that the whole will be greater than the sum of its parts – creating a stronger and more secure community, without losing the identity and values which we have both cherished over many decades.” • Read an interview with Rabbis Richard Jacobi and David Hulbert on page 5.
ENCLOSED within this edition of lj today is a briefing from the Board of Deputies. It details the important work they have been doing and we hope it gives an insight into why the Board is so vital for all our communities. For more details, email Rabbi Charley Baginsky on c.baginsky@liberaljudaism.org
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Comment
November/December 2016
When prayer is not sufficient, clergy must act Rabbi Danny Rich on how the power of faith influenced the Government UP UNTIL this summer, I had resisted many invitations to visit the so-called ‘Jungle’ in Calais, primarily because I was not sure of what use I could be other than to observe in a voyeuristic sense. But a combination of anger, and the possibility of doing something practical to help, finally persuaded me. And so, I travelled to Calais with 20 other faith leaders, as part of a visit organised by Citizens UK and its Safe Passage project. My anger arose on learning that among the estimated 800 unaccompanied children in Calais were nearly 400 with an unchallengeable, or at least a presumptive, right to residence in the UK. The children were of two categories: ones with a close family connection in Britain, who are entitled under the Dublin III Regulation to be transferred here for their asylum claims to be considered, and just over 200 ‘Dubs’ children. Lord Dubs was one of 10,000 children rescued from the Nazis by the Kindertransport and his Amendment – passed by Parliament – states that the UK should receive unaccompanied child refugees.
It would appear to me that, whilst it is not easy, it ought to be possible to carry out the procedure for Dublin III children: identify those with family in the UK, provide appropriate legal advice, investigate and gather necessary evidence including guardianship checks, register the claim with the French authorities, purchase a Eurostar ticket and accompany and deliver the children from the chaos and danger of the ‘Jungle’ to the homes of their families in Britain. I was appalled to learn that, for inexplicable reasons, the French and British authorities had barely begun the process. Worse still, a number of children were effectively in limbo. The British Government had recognised them as being eligible for transfer to have their asylum claims dealt with here, following approval of what is known as a Take Charge Request (TCR), but delay led to these children languishing in the ‘Jungle’. The example of the Hebrew Prophets reminded me that emotion is not sufficient. Sometimes harsh words and condemnation are called for; on other occasions prayer may be demanded; but in this desperately sad dilemma the power of prayerful clergy offering their assistance might yield results. Thus our group of clergy gave notice that we would visit Calais on a given date and help the authorities by doing whatever was necessary including fetching the children ourselves.
I am pleased to report that civil servants at the relevant Government department have since agreed to propose to their French counterparts a two week target for the completion of a transfer once a TCR has been accepted. Even more importantly, 61 children have now arrived in Britain under Dublin III, although we are still lobbying the Government to start the Dubs process. The arrival of children is only another stage in their journeys. They have already undertaken long, dramatic and, in many cases, dangerous treks and what a number of them have witnessed is hard to listen to: the death of relatives by bomb, gun, disease and hunger, the destruction of homes, schools and hospitals, and separation from every person they knew. It was with mixed emotions that I went to the ‘Jungle’, which is home to some 10,000 people. I departed with contradictory thoughts – indignation and incredulity that such a facility should have been established on European soil, but inspired and humbled about the human capacity to overcome. If ever there were a situation to recite the popular thought of Rabbi Tarfon “You are not required to complete the task, but neither are you at liberty to abstain from it” - then this is it.
Rabbi Danny Rich is Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi and co-chair of the National Refugee Welcome Board
Claiming our right to full equality By Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah JESS AND I converted our civil partnership into civil marriage on August 22 at Brighton Town Hall. It was just the two of us and a friendly registrar, who kindly took the photo (left). There was nothing significant about the date – except that it was the start of our holiday. Our civil partnership took place on March 24, 2006, and since civil marriage became law, we’ve been waiting to mark our 10th anniversary by getting ‘married’. Having said that, the date that we actually mark as our anniversary is the date of our chuppah, which took place at our synagogue, Brighton & Hove Progressive, on March 26, 2006. As far as we are concerned, that is when we got married in the sight of the Eternal and in the presence of our family, friends and congregation.
Nevertheless, it was very important to us to claim our right to full equality. I started to campaign for same sex marriage 20 years ago in 1996, at a time when the idea that lesbian and gay couples might appropriate the exclusively heterosexual privilege of marriage was anathema to most people. After I became a member of the Liberal Judaism Rabbinic Conference in July 1997, the possibility of change appeared. First, the setting up of a Rabbinic Working Party in 2000; then over the next five years consensus agreement for ‘Covenant of Love’ ceremonies, the liturgy for which was published to coincide with the Civil Partnership Act. Following that milestone, Liberal Judaism soon supported the national Equal Marriage campaign. We are both very proud to be part of a movement that champions LGBTQI+ equality.
Events
November/December 2016
Is Judaism political? By Rabbi Rebecca Birk
PEOPLE often say, with pride, “I’m not interested in politics.” They might as well say: “I’m not interested in my standard of living, my health, my job, my rights, my freedoms, my future or any future.” If we mean to keep any control over our world and lives, we must be interested in politics. - Martha Gellhorn, journalist Liberal Judaism has long been equated with a generous politic power. We are motivated by the Prophets, by the ethical over the ritual. As Amos declared: “I hate, I despise, your religious festivals; your services are abhorrent to me. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.”
Such commitment to social justice has been our flag; our standard bearer. But so has the intimate and personal decisions we make about being Jewish. How we identify as Jewish, what our past and choices are, these are political too. We will ask the question ‘is Judaism political?’ at the 2017 Day of Celebration. The controversial title was thought up by Rabbi Charley Baginsky and her team at the hugely successful Biennial Weekend. I am delighted to be taking over from Charley, and chairing the organising committee that will put this into practice when the Day of Celebration takes place on Sunday June 11, 2017, at Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue (NPLS). There is also a special event taking place the weekend before, also at NPLS, for those interested in choirs. We encourage our members and synagogues to attend both. We now have the next nine months to craft and create a strong and vibrant Day of Celebration – that showcases our Liberal Judaism, our communities, our youth movement, our leadership and our vision. All I can promise you right now is that it will be of music and meaning, of learning and debate.
Rabbi Rebecca Birk chairs the Liberal Judaism Day of Celebration organising committee. To find out more about the event, visit www.liberaljudaism.org
Bollywood in St John’s Wood THE MULTICULTURAL musical event Bollywood Klezmer will be held in the UK for the first time, when it comes to The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS), St John’s Wood, on Saturday November 19. The musical features Bollywood film songs fused with the Jewish klezmer music of Central Europe and the tunes heard in the royal courts of Rajasthan. It stars Begam Batool, who will be performing outside India for the first time. Until now, it was only possible to listen to Begam at the court of Rajasthan, where she sings for the closed circle of maharajas and maharanis. Begam will be joined on stage by her two sons, Anwar Hussain and Manu Kalwa. Rabbi Danny Rich, the senior rabbi of Liberal Judaism, said: “I encourage everyone to come to the LJS and watch this fantastic fusion of cultures and faiths – which blends some of the traditional music and styles of Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Christianity.
“Bollywood Klezmer has already won rave reviews in previous years in France, so we look forward to welcoming this annual event to the UK, and to our largest synagogue, for the first time.” Bollywood Klezmer will arrive in Britain after first playing in Tunisia and Paris, France, where it opens the Jazz’N’Klezmer festival – Europe’s only klezmer music festival. The musical show will begin at 8pm at the LJS and end at 9.30pm. Special gold tickets, that include a drinks reception and fashion show beginning at 7pm, are also available. Tickets cost £15-30, or £55 for a gold ticket, and can be bought from www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bollywoodklezmer-tickets-28391384395 The Liberal Jewish Synagogue is located at 28 St John’s Wood Road, London, NW8 7HA. It is easily accessible by London Underground, bus, car and bike. For travel and parking information, please visit www.ljs.org
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Launching the LAFTAs EVERY TWO YEARS, at the Day of Celebration, Liberal Judaism’s religion schools take part in a short film competition. The LAFTAs (Liberal Academy for Film and Torah Awards), see our youth create mini movies on a Jewish topic. The films are then judged on creativity, humour, youth participation, artistic merit and overall brilliance. The theme for 2017 asks ‘what would your community look like in the Messianic Age?’ LAFTAs coordinator Candy Parfitt explained: “We want young Liberal Jews to think about creating an ideal world – a world where everyone is working together towards social justice, environmental stability and global harmony. “This is an opportunity to inspire and empower your community’s young (and not-so-young) people to see their Judaism in a living, breathing, action-taking way, as well as an excuse to have meaningful conversations about social justice with your students.” Rabbi Rebecca Birk – who chairs the Day of Celebration organising committee – added: “Our young people care and the LAFTAS will be an entertaining way for them to show that they do!” To help prepare for the project, a short mini-curriculum and resource pack – complete with examples of inspirational people and organisations who work to perfect the world, as well as plenty of information on the concept of the Messianic Age – will be made available on the Liberal Judaism website. It will also include tips and information on the logistics of making a short film. The ideas behind this year’s LAFTAs are already inspiring Liberal youth. Nine year old Anna Whear said: “Tikkun olam and social justice are important because if we don’t look after the world today, it won’t be good for future generations.” The deadline for communities to register their interest in the LAFTAs is December 5 and the deadline for film submissions is April 28, 2017. For more information, please email Candy on laftas@liberaljudaism.org
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Communities
November/December 2016
Judaism returns to Durham after 60 years A GROUP of Liberal Jews are behind the formation of the first local Jewish community in Durham since the last synagogue there closed in 1955. Using the motto ‘have Siddur, will travel’, the group meets in Durham and around the North East for religious services, adult education and social action. Here spokesperson Hava Fleming tells lj today about the fledgling community: What made you set up a community? We first thought of this some years ago, but it wasn’t until I spoke to Rabbi Robert Ash earlier this year, when we were both visiting York Liberal Jewish Community, that we felt the timing was right. I did some research and discovered that in Durham itself there had been two synagogues, the last one closing in 1955. I also looked at the census figures, which gave me the confidence to try and find the children and grandchildren of those lost communities. Finally, we are inspired by success in building a community in York.
Why is Liberal Judaism important to you and the new community? We believe that Judaism needs openness to grow and survive in the modern world. We welcome anyone identifying as Jewish, and their partners and children, as well as anyone interested in Judaism. We want to hear this comment over and over again: “That is staggeringly enlightened for a religious community!”
What have been your biggest successes? To be able to hold regular monthly Shabbat services ourselves, and build a Jewish family where there was none. Our targeted publicity is indeed finding the people we knew to be there and the press and BBC have been brilliant. • For more details on the community, please visit www.nejewsindurham.co.uk
Remembering Clive Winston An orchestra By Rabbi Rebecca Birk
CLIVE WINSTON, who died in August aged 91, was a man of integrity: a husband, father, grandfather and, as many of us knew him, an important part of our Liberal Jewish movement. He held many roles within Liberal Judaism (formerly known as the Union of Liberal and Progressive Synagogues) including as chairman from 19811985 and, most recently, as a vice president. He was also president of Finchley Progressive Synagogue (FPS), a community he served for many decades. Clive’s life made him who he was, but his tenacity and grace affected how he was. He was born in 1925 in Muswell Hill to Aleen and George - brother to Warwick. The family were members of the local Orthodox synagogue, but only attended on High Holy Days and lifecycle events.
Clive studied law at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, which was interrupted when he was called up for war service. He served from 1943-1947, being discharged with the rank of captain. After graduating, and deciding that private practice was not for him, Clive joined the Metropolitan Police as a prosecuting solicitor. He retired in 1985 as deputy chief. Many remember fondly the homes he and Betty made and the spiky humour they shared. Clive and Betty met at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS) Alumni Club and married in the synagogue in 1962. They raised their daughters Penny and Wendy as full participating members of the LJS and, from 1969, FPS. Clive was a true Liberal Jew and we were fortunate beyond measure to have his skills, wit and sharpness. • Liberal Judaism is also remembering Margaret Rigal, a lifelong member of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue. Margaret was a leading campaigner for Soviet Jews in the 1970s and 1980s, making the West aware of their plight. After the Berlin Wall came down and Soviet Jews could move freely – which she hailed as a ‘Second Exodus’ – Margaret set up charities helping immigrants settle in Israel and supporting children in need. Our thoughts are with her children David, Barry, Anne and Mary, and brother Norman Lazarus.
like no other
AS PART OF In Conversation, a series of monthly family-friendly Havdalah evenings, on December 10, Finchley Progressive Synagogue (FPS) will present a unique programme featuring the Symphonova Orchestra and its conductor and inventor Shelley Katz. Led by Rabbi Rebecca Birk, the evening will combine a Havdalah service with music and reflection on the question ‘can technology and spirituality meet?’ Abigail Dolan, who is helping to organise the event, said: “This orchestra is unlike any you have ever heard. A full symphonic experience is created by just the small group of soloists on stage. They are augmented by virtual instruments whose dynamics, speed and playing style are controlled by the conductor.” Tickets cost £15 and early booking is advised from www.symphonova.com A DOZEN Liberal communities have signed up to take part in René Cassin’s Human Rights Shabbat Programme for 5777, which will take place on December 10 and look at modern day slavery. To join them, email sam.grant@renecassin.org
Communities
November/December 2016
LJ Today Page 5
A beacon community for Liberal Continuity through Torah Judaism in the 21st century By Rabbi Charles Wallach HAVING been invited to conduct the Rosh Hashanah morning service at Stevenage Liberal Synagogue, I pondered over my sermon and especially how I might begin. It was a rather strange situation, as I had never met any of the members before. Arriving early, I first spoke with Linda Paice, who in addition to being the lead choir singer also takes care of the Torah scroll. When she brought the scroll in, so that we might look briefly at it ahead of the service, I noticed the cover was still in its normal blue. Linda told me that the white cover plus Torah silver was on its way and would be used for the first time that morning. I suggested we removed the temporary cover in readiness. As I removed the cover I noticed some writing on it: I read it but kept quiet. When the leaders of the community, Terry and Gillian Wolfe, arrived a few moments later they brought the new white cover. Terry said he would like to speak about it. In due course, the service commenced and the scroll was paraded. I then had it placed on the reading desk and commenced with my prepared words. I said that this was not my first visit to Stevenage: I had been to the town 41 years ago, just after graduating from Leo Baeck College. I had been on holiday with my parents and, at my father’s request, we called on a couple in Stevenage. My father had been a refugee from Nazi Germany. He had got to South Africa but had kept contact with friends and family around the globe. The couple in Stevenage were friends from his youth. I paused, then invited Terry to come forward and speak. He said how, as most present knew, the Torah and its mantle had been the gift of Ilse Newcombe given in the names of her dear parents, who had been killed by the Nazis. Terry noted that Ilse and her husband Vernon had died, though not long ago, for she was in her nineties and he had lived beyond 100. I then returned and said the following: “What I was going to say next was that the couple we were visiting 41 years ago were Ilse and Vernon Newcombe!” An audible reaction arose from the congregation. We said the Shehecheyanu - both because we were using the new mantle and silver for the first time and also in recognition that despite the terrible loss that motivated it, the gifts from Ilse and Vernon have meant for continuity through Torah.
Rabbis David Hulbert and Richard Jacobi discuss plans for Liberal Judaism’s new community
RABBIS Richard Jacobi and David Hulbert have vowed to make Liberal Judaism’s newest community a beacon in East London and West Essex. The community will form after members of Bet Tikvah and Woodford Liberal Synagogues voted in favour of the dissolution of their existing communities, and the formation of a new single congregation, at parallel EGMs on Sunday September 25. In the votes, 86% of Bet Tikvah members and 81% of Woodford congregants were in favour of unification. Richard, who has served Woodford since 2007, said: “The vote was a strong mandate from both communities, which is key, and the proportion of those in favour was very similar. There was a lot of joy when the result was announced. “Any synagogue needs to be of a certain size, a critical mass, to be able to offer a variety of religious, educational and social activities. As a single, larger, more dynamic community we will be much more able to both support our elderly members – who can be lonely and vulnerable – and simultaneously give more exciting opportunities to the younger people in our congregation. “At a time when the Jewish community in Redbridge, and surrounding areas, is spreading out, this gives us the opportunity to be a beacon community and to be welcoming of all – showing what Liberal Judaism truly looks like in the 21st century.” David is the region’s longest serving rabbi, joining Bet Tikvah – formerly known as Barkingside Progressive Synagogue – after his ordination 27 years ago. He said: “This unification was led by the committed, regular, members of both synagogues as they could see the positive long term benefits of coming together.
“Both communities are currently strong, with stable membership numbers. This move is about taking a good honest look ahead to the future, and being very wise in building for the long term.” Consultations will now take place over a name for the new congregation. Services will be held in both current synagogues for at least 18 months – operating as one community, spread across two sites – while options for a communal home are investigated.
Mayor of Redbridge and Rabbi David Hulbert
The rabbis see the coming together as the first step in a process to revitalise Judaism, and all faiths, in the region. Both are very active in outreach work – welcoming local schools into the synagogues, working with other religious leaders and taking part in interfaith initiatives. David has been the leader of the East London Three Faiths Forum for 15 years and recited a blessing at the multi-faith induction of the new Mayor of Redbridge, Councillor Gurdial Bhamra. Richard concluded: “One larger light, as a beacon community, will shine more clearly for those people who want to come and find us. That is not only for Jewish people, but helping groups of all faiths, and none, who find relevance in Liberal Judaism.”
November/December 2016
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LJY-Netzer Machaneh K
The whole camp enjoys a special Shabbat morning Torah service
Plagim (school years 5-6) have fun in one of the creative workshops
A special Olympic breakfast, featuring a Netzer obstacle course
Yamim (school year 9) take part in an arts and craft session
More than 120 young people from across our movement, came together to h
Three Chalutzimniks (school year 10) are excited about leading
Friday night dinner is a vegetarian feast to help prepare for Shabbat
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November/December 2016
Kadimah 2016 in pictures
The LJY photo booth featured everything from duels to flower power
Oneg, a Shabbat singing session, is always a highlight of camp
Nechalim (school years 7-8) learn about Judaism in the library
have fun, make friends, pray in inventive ways and learn about Jewish values
Participants enjoy dodgeball at one of camp’s daily sports sessions
An interactive discussion session on the future of Liberal Judaism
It’s the end of another fantastic Kadimah - see you next year!
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Comment
November/December 2016
Fulfilling my The importance of Shabbat Birthright Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein asks how Liberal Jews can remember the Shabbat and make it special
By Imogen Schon THE PROGRESSIVE Birthright Trip to Israel, in partnership with Israel Experience and UJIA, is aimed at people between the ages of 18 and 26, who have either never been on a planned tour of Israel before, or have only been once. The trip was brilliant. From climbing Masada and sitting on the old rock as the sun came up, to wandering through the old city of Jerusalem and exploring places like King David’s Tomb to staying on a kibbutz and discovering the waterfalls of Ein Gedi, every day was packed with experiences I will remember for a long time. Not to mention lots of beauty, fun, history and culture. I found the times we spent doing Jewish activities incredibly special. Welcoming Shabbat in the outdoors overlooking Jerusalem, attending a session at the Pardes institute and small group discussions which occurred throughout the week really enriched my trip… and will stick in my mind. I also greatly appreciated the care and attention to detail that had gone into the trip’s organisation, especially the Progressive aspects. We heard from the Women of the Wall movement, went to the Yitzhak Rabin centre, had an update on the political situation and spoke to rabbis at Hebrew Union College. Having six Israelis on the trip, alongside us Brits, gave a better understanding of Israeli life and the opportunity to forge international friendships. Now back in the UK, I have made friends who I know will last, and for that I am so grateful. I have also established what I am sure will be an ongoing relationship with the country of Israel, and a dialogue with the complexities, wonders and challenges of modern life there, which I hope will continue and grow with me. • To find out about future Birthright trips, which are free, contact Rabbi Leah Jordan on l.jordan@liberaljudaism.org
PREPARING for this year’s High Holy Days sermons, I looked at the New Year expressed in numbers – 5777 – and the triple seven stood out. I know that this might seem like desperation, a jaded rabbi looking for another theme for a sermon or an article, but the repeated sevens did give me an idea. Yes, we Liberal Jews know the world was not created 5777 years ago and that it was not created in six days, but we have always held dear to the importance of the seventh day, of Shabbat, being vital to our identity as Jews. In 1992, the late Rabbi John Rayner authored the Affirmations of Liberal Judaism and number 18 (of 42) declared: “We affirm the importance of Shabbat (‘Sabbath’): the sanctification of the seventh day as a day of rest and joy, study and worship, which may be observed by cessation of work and positive acts of celebration, such as the kindling of lights, Kiddush (‘Sanctification’) and Havdalah (‘Separation’). Rabbi Pete Tobias expands on this in Liberal Judaism: A Judaism for the Twenty-First Century (2007), a book I would highly recommend to all. The importance placed on Shabbat goes right back to the founders of Liberal Judaism, one of whom, Claude Montefiore, wrote: “I am profoundly convinced of the necessity of the observance of the Sabbath. LIBERAL JUDAISM’S SuratShaan Knan presented a paper on our movement’s pioneering Twilight People project at the University of Arizona in September. The American institution was hosting Trans*studies, the first international transdisciplinary conference on gender, embodiment and sexuality.
“Any Liberal Jew who on Friday evening goes to a concert, or visits the theatre, or has a dinner party in his house, any Jew who rides to hounds, or works without compulsion, incurs, in my deliberate opinion, a grave religious responsibility. He is wounding Judaism....” (Liberal Judaism, 1923, p256). While this a reflection of the upper class circles in which Montefiore moved - riding to hounds on Shabbat is far from our minds – we do have many challenges as we try to define what are the parameters of our Shabbat observance. We long ago decided that ‘it’s fine to drive to synagogue on Shabbat rather than park round the corner’ and to switch on lights or boil the kettle. But is it right to do the weekly shop at the supermarket, to send emails or play golf? Should our children go out on Friday nights? How about holding a Friday night fundraising event in the synagogue or hosting the community’s AGM on Saturday, after Kiddush? Another founder, Rabbi Dr Israel Mattuck wrote: “The spirit of the day is to be the chief guide in deciding what we should do, and what to avoid doing on the Sabbath. Anything which would make us forget that it is the Sabbath day, or destroy the feeling that is associated with it, should not be done.” (The Essentials of Liberal Judaism, 1947, p153). But in our ever busier modern world, what will make us remember the Shabbat, and will what tend to make us forget the Shabbat? Worth thinking about in our personal, and our congregational, lives in this year with a triple reminder of the seventh day.
Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein is president of Liberal Judaism. He can be contacted on agoldstein@f2s.com Shaan spoke alongside leading academics and LGBTQI+ pioneers, from around the world, including Susan Stryker and Mauro Cabral. He reports: “It was very inspiring to talk about Twilight People’s achievements among such a highprofile and diverse global audience. I was positively surprised that there were three panels dedicated to discussing the intersection of faith and gender identity at the conference; usually these issues are overlooked at such events. The feedback to my presentation was fantastic showing, again and again, that we do really vital work here at Liberal Judaism.”
News
November/December 2016
LJ Today Page 9
Tamara joins to help us all achieve justice TAMARA JOSEPH has joined the Liberal Judaism team as a community organiser - in a Citizens UK role, shared with Middlesex University Students’ Union. In this exclusive interview, Tamara talks about her plans to keep our movement at the front line of social justice.
As a Liberal Jew yourself, what successes have you seen already? My community - Finchley Progressive Synagogue (FPS) - is in membership of Citizens UK and I’ve been able to see how, by working with other community groups, we persuaded the local authority to welcome 50 Syrian refugees. I was at the meeting when the council leader came to the synagogue, where there were lots of different community organisations, and agreed to the proposal. I also had the privilege of being at the welcome event when the first five families arrived.
What are your main aims for this role? My job is to try and ensure that Liberal Judaism is at the forefront of campaigns for social justice. What that means, immediately for me, is that I need to get a sense of what is already out there. Over the coming months, I will be meeting our congregations and finding out all the wonderful things that are already happening. I want to explore and identify the passions, interests and capacity of our communities. Another way of putting it is that I am here to unleash the latent power of our movement and our members to fight for social justice.
Does the size of a community matter when fighting for social justice? Social justice is about doing something very concrete and specific, where you can see the results with your own eyes. There are lots of practical steps that can be taken, whatever the size of a congregation, and my job is trying to work through what those steps are - so that instead of just believing in social justice, you are doing social justice. Additionally, social justice doesn’t have to be about the concerns of other people; we need to also be listening for the hidden stories that are very close to us in our own lives.
• BREAKING NEWS: COINCIDING with Sukkot, which commemorates a time the Jewish people lived as refugees, Liberal Judaism celebrates the launch of Rainbow Pilgrims: The Rites and Passages of LGBTQI+ Migrants in Britain, generously supported by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project starts in November and there will be full details in the next lj today. • LEO BAECK COLLEGE’S Lehrhaus programme in adult Jewish lifelong learning offers a variety of courses including study in Bible, Talmud, philosophy, Biblical Hebrew, Midrash and more. As well as sessions at the College, there are also online learning opportunities to enable even more people to study. For details of upcoming courses, go to visit www.lbc.ac.uk • THE NEXT Liberal Judaism Learning Network teacher training day – held jointly with the Reform Movement – will take place on Sunday January 8 at Finchley Progressive Synagogue and features a great range of sessions for both new and experienced teachers. To take part, please email Rabbi Sandra Kviat on s.kviat@liberaljudaism.org
• RABBI CHARLEY BAGINSKY was inducted by South Bucks Jewish Community in a moving Shabbat service, attended by dignitaries (pictured) including the local MP and councillors, members of other faiths, Liberal Judaism chair Simon Benscher, officer Robin Moss and Rabbis Danny Rich, Rachel Benjamin and Harry Jacobi. South Bucks chair Amanda McFeeters said: “It was a wonderful way to welcome Charley to our community.” • THE LIBERAL JEWISH SYNAGOGUE’S Learning Circle offers a full programme of study and engagement for adults, including classes in Jewish Studies and Hebrew. The courses will help to deepen Jewish knowledge and wisdom and enhance spirituality and identity. For details, email education@ljs.org
Members will be aware of Citizens UK’s amazing work welcoming refugees, but what other campaigns are there? Citizens UK is also known for is the Living Wage campaign, which has a very direct impact on people’s lives and is ongoing. There are also campaigns on housing, mental health and sexual violence. But for me, it’s about identifying what our members want to fight for in the future. Finally, how can people get in touch? I am very keen to hear from any Liberal Jewish communities looking to campaign for social justice. Please contact me on tamara.joseph@citizensuk.org • Liberal Judaism also welcomes Tom Francies and Hila Levisohn. Former LJYNetzer movement worker Tom returns as young adult coordinator. He says: “I want to be able to help people explore their Judaism in meaningful ways, while also meeting people and having a bit of fun.” Israeli Hila is LJY-Netzer’s new shinshinit, a gap year role to help Liberal Judaism’s youth movement with its Israel education. She says: “I love being part of Jewish youth movements and am always happy to learn new things.”
• CONGRATULATIONS TO Finchley Progressive Synagogue’s Rabbi Rebecca Birk, who has been named as one of London’s most influential people. Rebecca was featured in The London Evening Standard’s Progress 1000 list, praised by the newspaper for leading a campaign to persuade Barnet Council to take in refugees. She said: “I am honoured by this accolade. It is a great acknowledgement of the work FPS and our friends have been doing.” • DO YOU help your community with PR and communications or are you interested in doing so? Then you should join our PR & Communications Away Day on Sunday December 4. At the event, the Liberal Judaism communications team, along with external speakers, will run sessions on a range of relevant topics including photography, dealing with press and social media. If you are interested please email pr@liberaljudaism.org • IF YOU ARE, or know, a student who would like to receive this year’s Liberal Judaism student packs, please visit www.liberaljudaism.org to register or make sure we have the correct details.
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Books
November/December 2016
Book reviews by Rabbi Dr Charles Middleburgh The Hebrew Bible: A Critical Companion edited by John Barton (ISBN: 9780691154718) FOR THOSE who first encountered Biblical studies in the 1960s or 70s, the modern field of higher Biblical criticism is something of a rude awakening. How comfortable when everything Torah-wise could be explained by J E D P and a spot of H. Like us all, Biblical studies have moved on considerably in the intervening years. The Documentary Hypothesis that bestrode our narrow Biblical world like a colossus is reduced to just one theory among very many, and the plethora of different approaches can seem overwhelming. Professor John Barton is one of the most respected scholars in the field, and his books Reading the Old Testament and The Nature of Biblical Criticism were as highly readable as they were informative.
In The Hebrew Bible: A Critical Companion, Barton brings his formidable skills together in a wonderful 21st century collection of essays by leading scholars across the world. The book is divided into four parts: The Hebrew Bible in its Historical and Social Context; Major Genres of Biblical Literature; Major Religious Themes; The Study and Reception of the Hebrew Bible. All of the essays are annotated as well as containing suggestions for further reading in any one of the sub-genres. In his introduction, Barton issues a number of clarifications of the overall approach in the book: the essays will answer more of the questions careful readers will ask; the approach will be thematic and the essays are up to the
moment by specialists in their field; the book is of a non-confessional character, seeking to set the Bible in the wider framework of human literature and culture and to transcend the negative perception of the Bible as ‘religious’. This is not a cheap book. The RRP is £34.95 and, even on Amazon, you will only find it discounted a little. But it is an excellent investment for any rabbi or student. Highly recommended.
The Brother Haggadah: A Medieval Sephardi Masterpiece in Facsimile by Marc Michael Epstein, Raphael Loewe and Jeremy Schonfield (ISBN: 9780500110294) HAD HE lived long enough Qohelet might have had the production of Haggadot in mind when writing the words “of the making of many books there is no end”; it is certainly the case that the Haggadah is one of the most popular Jewish texts, available in a multitude of editions and with an astonishing variety of illustration. The Brother Haggadah, so called because of its very close relationship with The Rylands Haggadah, is an absolute gem of a text. Datable to Spain in the 14th century it combines the most magnificent
Hebrew calligraphy with fascinating illumination that, in its opening pages, depicts key moment in Jewish history. The preface and introduction are by Marc Michael Epstein, probably the most exciting scholar working in the field of medieval Jewish Art; The Ritual and the Texts by Jeremy Schonfield, one of the leading Jewish liturgical scholars of our time; The Provenance of The Brother Haggadah by Ilana Tahan of the British Library; The Haggadah and the Shealtiel Family by the independent scholar Eliezer Laine, and The Translation of the Main Texts, as well as the translation and transcription of the marginal texts, by Jeremy Schonfield and Raphael Loewe, z”l, the paramount translator of medieval piyyutim. There is also an index of poems and poets and a bibliography.
This is too special to use at a Seder table, but it is an invaluable source of information and education for those who lead Sedarim and need to refresh their patter. The scholarship in The Brother Haggadah is peerless, the facsimile beautiful and the translation of some of the original piyyutim quite superb. Whether as an adornment to an existing collection, a source of education and information, a repository of fine medieval Jewish art or a relic of the Golden Age in Spain, The Brother Haggadah is a masterpiece, fittingly served by the fine scholars whose commentaries, translations and analyses complete this edition.
Rabbi Dr Charles Middleburgh is dean of Jewish studies at Leo Baeck College
Suburban Jew? Then I need you By Rabbi Miri Lawrence-Cohen I AM currently researching for a PhD examining Judaism in the suburban home. My focus is on East End Jews who moved into the London suburbs after the Second World War, as well as their children who grew up in the suburbs. A large part of my research will comprise oral history interviews and
discussion groups, exploring the changes involved in the move from the East End into the suburbs. I am interested in Jewish celebrations and practices in the home and how Jewish organisations, kosher shops and schools were established to meet the needs of the Jewish community in the suburbs. I will include all levels of observance and affiliation.
My focus is on three areas in London - North-West, North-East and South London (Streatham, Kingston, Richmond and Wimbledon). If you or your family moved from the East End after the Second World War, or you grew up in these suburbs, and would like to take part in a discussion group and/or individual interview, then please contact me at m.p.lawrence@qmul.ac.uk
Next issue: Read a review of Terror, Trauma and Tragedy edited by Rabbis Dr Jonathan Romain and David Mitchell
Youth
November/December 2016
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
Europe Tour is now LJY summer in numbers more vital than ever
121 98% 51
participants on Machaneh Kadimah summer camp
By Simon Lovick MY SUMMER with LJY-Netzer, as a leader on Kayitz Netzer – the joint Europe Tour with the Reform Movement for 17 year olds – offered me a threefold opportunity to turn back time. First and foremost, it enabled me to relive the amazing experience I had as a participant on the same event four years ago, which I found to be a pivotal moment not just in my Judaism, but in my role as a member of LJY-Netzer. Secondly, Kayitz was an opportunity to discover more about the history of our European ancestry, to which a considerable majority of the AngloJewish people belong. The 11-day tour took in Sarajevo, Mostar, Split and Vienna, as well as several stops in between, providing the chance to see the Jewish place in ‘empires’ - from Vienna at the height of the Austro-Hungarian Empire to Sarajevo where it all came crashing down – and to understand the difficult decision that many Jews in these places faced: to convert, assimilate or leave.
The trip also provided a difficult confrontation with the darker eras of Europe’s history, examining why once thriving Jewish communities have now all but disappeared, culminating with a visit to the Jasenovac concentration camp in Croatia – the first time our participants had ever seen such a place. For all of us, Europe Tour offered a chance to look back into the past and understand how we ended up where we are and, thus, who we are. Finally, for me, Kayitz also gave the opportunity to reflect upon my time in LJY-Netzer and reassurance that the future of Liberal Judaism is safe in the hands of these ideologically-minded and eternally-interested young adults. Touring Israel at the age of 16 has long been part of a young Jew’s journey – the next natural step post-bar/batmitzvah. Yet in the light of the recent vote to leave the European Union, along with Britain’s slow movement to distance itself from Europe as a whole, Kayitz perhaps feels more important than ever. It’s an opportunity that every young British Jew should be given.
of kids would recommend Kadimah to a friend
young volunteers worked on LJYNetzer events, in some capacity, over the summer months
42 33 15
teenagers had the time of their lives on Israel Tour (pictured) Jewish communities represented on LJY-Netzer events
young people helping at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue’s Dropin for Asylum Seeker Families
9 8 6 3
Israeli participants on our events in the UK and abroad different days of camp preparation for the youth leaders people on the Yachad student trip to Israel and the West Bank
members leaving for Shnat Netzer, the unique eight month gap year programme for young adults in Israel
1
Youth movement (or God)
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)
November/December 2016
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@liberaljudaism.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 Yszi Hawkings Reception Thomas Rich Director of Youth Becca Fetterman LJY-Netzer Sam Alston, Anna Craven and Hannah Stephenson