January/February 2021 VOL. XLVIII No. 1
Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
www.liberaljudaism.org
ljtoday
Ending a dark year with Liberal light
Rabbi Tanya Sakhnovich of Nottingham Liberal Synagogue at the Last Night Chanukah Party
LIBERAL JUDAISM ended 2020 with a Last Night Chanukah Party full of song, fun, entertainment and, above all, light. The event raised more than £10,000 to aid our movement’s goal of bringing Judaism into all homes during the pandemic. Donations can still be made by visiting www.liberaljudaism.org The Chanukah Party was hosted by BBC Three Counties Radio star Toby Friedner and broadcast live on the Liberal Judaism YouTube, Facebook and Twitter channels – with 250 people tuning in. Highlights of the night included a movement-wide Chanukah lighting and our congregations singing their own renditions of Maoz Tzur, with lyrics changed to reflect everything from coronavirus lockdowns to recent community landmarks. LJY-Netzer Movement Workers Jess Mindel and Josh Powell led games that were enjoyed by all ages.
A talent show throughout the evening saw members of Liberal Judaism singing, dancing and playing piano. Ealing Liberal Synagogue’s Rabbi Miri Lawrence showed off her incredible gymnastic skills while professional stand-up Philip Simon proved why he’s one of the UK’s most sought-after comedians. Finally LJ Lights thank yous were given to all those members of our community who have lit up our lives in this difficult year. You can read the full list on the Liberal Judaism website.
Alvin Cohen of South Bucks plays Maoz Tzur
New top team for Liberal Judaism LIBERAL JUDAISM has appointed Rabbi Charley Baginsky as Chief Executive Officer and Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer as Chief Operating Officer. Charley and Shelley have been Interim Directors of the movement since March 2020 – overseeing a highly successful period including a record-breaking Biennial Weekend and the moving of all of Liberal Judaism’s events, services and festival celebrations online in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Charley told lj today: “I feel honoured to be given this opportunity to shape the direction of Liberal Judaism, to raise up multiple voices, increase collaboration and find new opportunities to ensure Liberal Judaism is the home for everyone’s Jewish story. “This is not a journey that I take alone. I am empowered by the knowledge and support Shelley and the Liberal Judaism staff team provide, the vision and leadership of our Rabbis and Board of National Officers and, of course, the innovation of Rabbi Danny Rich and all those who held this position before me.” The Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors (CoLRaC) also has new leadership, with the election of Co-Chairs Rabbi Rebecca Birk and Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel. CoLRaC is responsible for the religious voice of Liberal Judaism. Liberal Judaism Chair Ruth Seager said: “In the face of the troubling times for society around us, Liberal Judaism has flourished. There are significant challenges ahead but, with Charley and Shelley as our new Executive Officers and Rebecca and René as Chairs of CoLRaC, we are confident that Liberal Judaism is in the strongest position possible to face the future with pride and confidence.” • Full story: Page 2-3
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News
January/February 2021
New Chairs for Rabbinic body
RABBIS Rebecca Birk and René Pfertzel are the new Chairs of the Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors (CoLRaC). Rebecca has served Finchley Progressive Synagogue for the last 10 years. She loves liturgy and Torah and in particular sharing both. She brings a commitment to social justice, as well as a profound appreciation of the members and friends of our communities. Rebecca was featured in the Evening Standard’s Progress 1000 list, with the paper naming her as one of London’s most influential people after she led a campaign to persuade Barnet Council to take in refugees Rebecca said: “It’s an honour to colead CoLRaC and work so closely with colleagues and Liberal Judaism - both so important to my life as a rabbi. René and I can’t wait to begin work, particularly given these strange times.”
René is the rabbi of Kingston Liberal Synagogue. Originally from France, he came to the UK to train as a Progressive rabbi at Leo Baeck College. He has worked in Liberal communities since his ordination in 2014 and is also the Chair of the European Union for Progressive Judaism Rabbinic Association. He said: “I am very much looking forward to working alongside a colleague and friend in Rebecca, and serving our Rabbinical and Cantorial Association. Liberal Judaism has opened a new page in its history, with a new leadership, and I am very excited to be part of it.” Rebecca and René take over from Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, whose time as CoLRaC Chair saw many groundbreaking moves around diversity and inclusion. Aaron said: “My life, my rabbinate and I hope, in a little way, Liberal Judaism have been enriched by this experience.”
Liberal listening
LIBERAL JUDAISM is proud to bring you two podcasts to liven up those cold days. Progressively Jewish is the new-ish podcast that invites listeners to explore Judaism through a Progressive Jewish lens. The brainchild of Rabbi Monique Mayer and Rabbi Richard Jacobi, Progressively Jewish is supported by Liberal Judaism, Reform Judaism and Leo Baeck College. Guests on the show include rabbis, cantors and educators from across the Progressive world. Series One took the listener through the days of Elul and Tishrei, whilst Series Two touches on the weekly Torah portion through the related theme in Liberal Judaism’s Siddur Lev Chadash.
Community role for Alexandra
LIBERAL JUDAISM has appointed Alexandra Simonon as Director of Community Partnerships. Alexandra, who is a member of Liberal Judaism’s Senior Management Team, will
be working with all Liberal communities to develop strategies that meet their needs, while fitting in to our movement’s overall operating plan. Alexandra has worked for Liberal Judaism for more than five years with her previous roles including Director of Administration. This new position is an extension of that job. She said: “I have been very fortunate to get to know and love all our communities over the last five years. I’m now delighted to have this new opportunity to work with them collaboratively and creatively to identify their needs and provide support. “I’m also looking forward to promoting the creation of links and partnerships between our communities - and encouraging the sharing of resources and practices.” Alexandra can be contacted on any of this, as well as about lifecycle questions, on a.simonon@liberaljudaism.org
There is also Jew Know What? – a new show featuring Liberal Judaism Chief Executive Officer Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Kingston Liberal Synagogue Deputy Chair Rebecca Singerman-Knight and LJ technical guru Leo Mindel. Each fortnight Charley, Rebecca and Leo open their virtual living room to a prominent member of the Jewish or wider community. The discussions that then ensue range from the serious to the silly with everything in between. • You can find Progressively Jewish and Jew Know What? on most major podcast platforms, including Apple and Spotify.
News
January/February 2021
LJ Today Page 3
‘We are in the strongest position possible’ The Board of National Officers writes on the appointment of a new executive team The Board would like to thank all those who have contributed to these achievements in the past year and also acknowledge the driving roles played by both Charley and Shelley, from their leadership positions, to aid such success, including, of course, our record-breaking Biennial Weekend. During the first lockdown, BoNO conducted a consultation within the movement on its positions of senior leadership. Two key points emerged from this consultation: 1. There was consensus around the need to better leverage the multiplicity of voices and experience present amongst the rabbinic leadership of the movement. 2. There was a distinct vote of confidence in the current activities of Liberal Judaism. No major dissatisfaction, with any area of work, was consistently expressed across a majority of respondents.
New Chief Executive Rabbi Charley Baginsky
THE Board of National Officers (BoNO) is delighted to have appointed Rabbi Charley Baginsky as Chief Executive Officer and Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer as Chief Operating Officer of Liberal Judaism. At the request of BoNO, Charley and Shelley took on the role of Interim Directors in March 2020 when Rabbi Danny Rich stepped down as Chief Executive of Liberal Judaism. They have done an excellent job leading our movement throughout this unprecedented year. In the face of the troubling times for society around us, we are proud that Liberal Judaism has flourished. The pandemic has clearly presented a dramatic challenge, by testing us on the fundamental questions of how we gather, how we pray and how we act as Liberal Jews. This is a test which we believe our movement has passed with flying colours and admirable bravery.
Thanks to the insights of this consultation, the Board made the decision that the responsibility for the religious voice of Liberal Judaism now lies firmly with the Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors (CoLRaC). This will help us reap the benefits of our growing strategic approach of using our diverse and experienced rabbonim to enhance our communications on all kinds of issues and events. We are hugely fortunate to be able to appoint Charley to the position of CEO. Charley has spent her life in Liberal Judaism: attending and leading in LJYNetzer, studying for the rabbinate at Leo Baeck College and serving communities including Kingston Liberal Synagogue and South Bucks Jewish Community. Before being appointed Interim Director, Charley was Liberal Judaism’s Director of Strategy and Partnerships. She has significant professional and productive links with key Liberal Judaism partners, including Reform Judaism and Leo Baeck College, and a good grip on the strategic and fundraising issues our movement will face in the immediate future. She represents both continuity and a new way forward.
New COO Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer
Shelley has a wealth of financial and administrative skills, an excellent grip on a range of statutory issues and, as Liberal Judaism’s longest serving director-level member of staff, her track record of excellence and loyal service to the movement is second to none. Together Charley and Shelley have formed a valuable partnership and a leadership platform for Liberal Judaism. They have an impressive track record of doing more with less. The Board recognises that our movement faces significant challenges ahead. But, with Charley and Shelley as the new executives of Liberal Judaism and with new Chairs of CoLRaC in the form of Rabbi Rebecca Birk and Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel, we are confident that our movement is in the strongest position possible to face this uncertain future with pride and confidence. We hope you will join us in congratulating them on their appointments.
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Communities
January/February 2021
As if it were yesterday Geoffrey Ben-Nathan reflects on his 50 years at BPS
A Zoom tour of Cordoba By Suzanne Norris
Geoffrey Ben-Nathan with wife Margaret and (below) a gift from Bedfordshire Progressive
IT WAS 1970, the year of my marriage to Margaret. I was just 26. I’d been teaching Hebrew at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue Religion School – Rabbi Danny Rich claims he was a pupil of mine there – when John and Sidney (Rabbis Rayner and Brichto) asked if I’d fill in for six weeks at the Beds-Herts shul in St Albans. There was a temporary shortage of rabbinic students from Leo Baeck College. All of a sudden, I was lay minister with full responsibility for services, the religion school – where Rabbi Rachel Benjamin was a student – rites and practices and much more. Although my background was Sephardi, I’d picked up a lot at the LJS services and my new congregation bravely tolerated my Sephardi hazanut (chanting). They still do on occasion. It was all a wonderful experience. The congregation made it so. They were an eclectic array of working and professional personalities: teachers, medics, musicians and ordinary working people. One congregant was the actor Martin Benson, Mr Solo in the James Bond film Goldfinger among many other illustrious roles. But, truth to tell, everyone was and is interesting: “All the world’s a stage…” But six weeks? Somehow or other, I became a fixture. And 50 years on, I’m prouder than ever to be part of the community now known as Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue, Rodef Shalom.
In 1976, I realised a rabbi’s life was not for me and asked to disengage from leading services. Rabbi Lawrence Rigal took over and then, from the mid-80s, the congregation has been brilliantly led by David Young, a committed and Godfearing lay leader, who leads by shining example. Behind him, lies an experienced and very capable synagogue council. The congregation is small but very stable. At Bedfordshire Progressive, I’ve now been given the title of President – a sinecure if ever there was one. Duties are few and far between but it’s a pleasure to give a synopsis of the weekly portion on Zoom services. The year 2020 has not only been our Golden Wedding anniversary but has also seen 50 years in the community pass by as if they were yesterday. God willing, there will still be many more tomorrows.
IT WAS such a delight to attend a virtual tour of Cordoba, Spain, led by Rabbi Haim Casas - with all my good friends from West Central Liberal Synagogue in tow. Admittedly, Cordoba was a city I knew little about, located in a country with a Jewish history of which I also did not know very much. While I’m fascinated by Jewish history and by discovering more about my own ancestry, my grandparents are Ashkenazi Jews from Poland and Germany, making my research into Jewish history very Eastern-European centric. Being a creature of habit, I tend to keep my Jewish ancestry/history research confined to that corner of Europe. However, the tour around Cordoba opened my eyes to another vibrant Jewish history, as Haim painted such a vivid picture of our ancestors there. At points, I could just visualise groups of Jews walking down the narrow streets - chatting, laughing and debating Torah, as we do - in a once-thriving Jewish Quarter. All the information he gave was eyeopening; from the frequencies of conversions in pre-Medieval times to the details of the Inquisition. Perhaps the highlight was and indepth look at the architecture. I was especially fascinated by the mosque. A particular ‘wow moment’ was when Haim opened the doors of an unassuming building to reveal the most beautiful synagogue inside. Knowing something so magnificent survived all that the Jewish people have been through, and knowing people love it enough to care for it and restore it, was a real testament to our people. It was also captivating to find out about the great Maimonides and his time in Cordoba; as it is the city in which he was born. The tour was fascinating and I look forward to the possibilities of others. I was lucky enough to be joined by my partner and mother, both of whom, as it happens, are not Jewish - and they found it equally intriguing and enjoyable. To be able to go on such a tour, with the congregation and my family, was very special.
January/February 2021
Surviving a brutal conflict By Mike Harris IN LATE November, Nottingham Liberal Synagogue hosted a fascinating online talk - Surviving the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict: Professor Narine Ghazaryan’s Story. This area is one of many regions of the world with longstanding conflicts and the talk gave us the chance to become better informed on this particular situation via a question and answer session with Professor Ghazaryan, led by Rabbi Tanya Sakhnovich and Dr Mike Harris. The territory has been the source of conflict for more than 2,000 years - often as a place for other countries to fight their wars remotely. Professor Ghazaryan said: “My family woke up to the sound of bombs in Nagorno-Karabakh. Having lived in relative peace for 26 years, new generations of Armenians are facing another fight for their right to live in their ancestral land. “This relative peace was gained after a bitter war in the 1990s. I lived through that war as a child, and later processed the trauma for many years. That trauma has taken a different form now, watching bombs fall on my town in real time, knowing that my family is hiding in a bunker which offers no protection from the destructive weapons being used. “With Turkey’s support, Azerbaijan has started the war to resolve a longstanding conflict through military means. Armenians see this as an existential battle, given the involvement of Turkey and the statesanctioned hatred of Armenians in Azerbaijan. In less than two months, thousands have been killed.” The discussion was set up prior to the outcome of this current war, with the Armenian population having to give up land in this disputed area to Azerbaijan. Professor Ghazaryan’s family have become refugees - losing their homes and their work. What came out is inevitably that these conflicts are not in the interest of the citizens but are started by power-hungry politicians and rulers. Dr Ghazaryan was generous in her willingness to discuss what must have been an incredibly painful time. We are now planning more events looking at areas of conflict.
Communities
LJ Today Page 5
Redbridge Council Leader joins ELELS for Chanukah JAS ATHWAL(pictured), the Leader of Redbridge Council, joined East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue (ELELS) for a special Zoom Chanukah lighting. The service was introduced by Rabbi Richard Jacobi and led by Student Rabbi Eleanor Davis and the ELELS Rosh Chodesh Group. Addressing the community, Jas said: “I am pleased to be here and enhance my own knowledge. I believe that only by learning, integrating, mixing and sharing cultures can we truly be a diverse and integrated borough. Redbridge is one borough and one people.” He added that the timing of the lighting was poignant as “we have seen the glimmer of light today across Redbridge where we start vaccinating 3,000 residents all over the age of 80.”
January/February 2021
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Mitzvah Day 20
Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue held a Mitzvah Day Knit & Natter over Zoom with blankets, baby hats and other items going to hospitals in Luton, Bedford and Colchester
Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community made eco bricks to reduce plastic wastage
The youth of East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue got together on Zoom and baked cakes (left) for Mill Grove children’s home. The cakes were then delivered to the South Woodford home (right), which cares for children and young people who cannot live with their own families
The Liberal Jewish Synagogue supported Sufra NW London food bank via online donations. This picture is from 2019 when the teams could meet up
Kingston Liberal Synagogue recorded a YouTube playlist of songs, stories and poems to cheer residents in Jewish Care homes
LJ Today Page 7
January/February 2021
020 in pictures
Stevenage Liberal Synagogue members knitted twiddle muffs for the Leonard Cheshire Care Home for disabled people in Hitchin
Southgate Progressive Synagogue collected items for North Enfield Foodbank - which they are now hoping to turn into an ongoing project
LJY-Netzer held a huge virtual Mitzvah Day morning which included arts and crafts ‘Mitzvot challenges’, the upcycling of old T-shirts or newspapers to create tote bags for food bank donations and a programme with Rene Cassin focussed on the Uyghur crisis and how to help
Wessex Liberal Jewish Community used Mitzvah Day to support Bournemouth’s Hannah Levy Care Home
Crouch End Chavurah collected books for kids who may not get any festive presents this year
Oxford Jewish Community made fun activity cards for Save A Child’s Heart
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News
January/February 2021
Hidden Treasures: Celebrating Jewish archives
By Alison Turner, LJ Archivist I AM pleased to report that Liberal Judaism has joined the Board of Deputies’ Hidden Treasures project, which showcases items from a network of nearly 50 Jewish archives and other collections across Great Britain, telling our stories and experiences. You can find it at www.celebratingjewisharchives.org I indicated the range and variety of Liberal Judaism’s collection by illustrating our archive with a manuscript from 1898 and an LJY-Netzer Kadimah scrapbook from 2012.
Some archives are from Jewish organisations, and others from the wider community; including local, regional, academic and national collections. Many are local authority collections in current or historically Jewish areas. Major collections include the AngloJewish Archives at the University of Southampton and the British Library’s Hebrew Collection. There are some great smaller archives too - I had no idea there was a ‘Tales from Jewish Sudan’ project or a Hesped.org website for eulogies. Online discussions are also available, including one on synagogue archives.
I encourage everyone to have a browse. New material, events and archives are being added all the time and anyone with relevant material is invited to send it in. One current project is the Covid-19 Archive. They ask: “Please send us photos of leaflets, flyers, documents, images or other information relating to Covid-19 and how it has affected you or your community.” Heirlooms are also sought for a January event. Liberal Jewish treasures include Elizabeth (later Rabbi) Sarah writing in 1984 for Shifra – a Jewish feminist magazine in the University of Leeds special collection - which I found online from our own Rainbow Jews project. Another is a photo of Rabbis Elaina Rothman and Miri Lawrence preparing to be ordained at the LJS in 1992. Hidden Treasures also helps individuals and communities discover and preserve their own stories, by giving guidance on creating and looking after archives. An Archivists group was set up in December, for common concerns such as oral history. I was proud to share Liberal Judaism’s archives and our own many oral history projects.
Limmud highlights to discover LIBERAL JUDAISM’S Chief Executive Officer Rabbi Charley Baginsky will be in conversation with Siân Berry, Joint Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, at this year’s Limmud Festival. They will be discussing how the Jewish community interacts with British politics in a way that aligns with our values. The Limmud Festival, which takes place online from Sunday 27 to Tuesday 29 December, is celebrating its 40th birthday. The conference will feature dozens of sessions from Liberal and Progressive rabbis and leaders from the UK, Israel and all around the world. Liberal Judaism Vice Chair Graham Carpenter highlights a few of them: Sunday (09:00-09:50) – Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Dr Judith RosenBerry: Theology and leadership – being radically open to oppositional voices. Sunday (16:00–16:50) - Rabbi Ofek Meir: Does the world we live in still stand on three things? Sunday (18:00–18:50) – Rabbi Daniel Lichman: Leonard Cohen: a prophet for our time.
Monday (19:00-19:50) – Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Siân Berry: In Conversation with the Joint Leader of the Green Party Monday (20:00–20:50) - Rabbi Elliot Karstadt: Joseph and his brothers: When is it right to lie? Sunday (19:00–19:50) - Rabbi Gilad Kariv: Religious pluralism in Israel – today’s situation and looking to the future. Monday (10:00–10:50) – Dalia Marx and Rabbi Dr Alona Lisitsa: The new Siddur of the Israeli Reform Movement. Monday (13:00–13:50) – Rabbi Alexandra Wright: Spiritual care of the dying. Monday (15:00–15:50) - Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Mike Beral, Rabbi Miri Lawrence and Martha Slater: The Lily’s Legacy Project: Exploring the voices and visions of Liberal Judaism. Monday (18:00–18:50) – Rabbi Lea Mühlstein and Rabbi Josh Weinberg: Is there still space for Progressive Jews in the Zionist movement?
Tuesday (10:00–10:50) – Rabbi Aaron Goldstein: Marriage under a chuppah for a mixed faith couple. Tuesday (14:00–14:50) – Rabbi Jonah Pesner: Prophetic power and politics, how Jews can create a more just world. Tuesday (16:00–16:50) – Anat Hoffman: From the back of the bus to the top of the agenda. Tuesday (17:00–17:50) – Rabbi Sybil Sheridan: Regina Jonas - may a woman hold rabbinic office? Tuesday (19:00–19:50) – Rabbi Danny Rich and Hannah Haddad: A peek over the prison walls of 21st century England. • To book your place at Limmud, please visit www.limmud.org/festival
Biennial
January/February 2021
LJ Today Page 9
A showcase of what Liberal Judaism is all about Rabbi Leah Jordan on what’s in store at the Liberal Judaism Biennial Weekend
In response to the challenges of this year, Liberal Judaism’s Biennial Weekend 2021 - which will take place online from Friday 30 April to Sunday 2 May - promises to be something special and unique. At this past year’s Biennial, moved online in the heart of the first lockdown, we learned we really could do an alldigital conference… and do it well. And we learned too that it has its advantages. Now, with more time to plan to those strengths, we are doubling down on the silver linings. We will have speakers and participants from all over the world and use technology to engage and innovate. As Co-Chair, I can promise that Biennial 2021 will be more accessible, inclusive and interesting than ever. And our theme, Knocking Down Walls: Building a Judaism for Everyone, means we can really show what Liberal Judaism is all about and what it is good at.
THINKING of making an application for funding from the NLPS Trust for Progressive Judaism?
We will showcase how our movement creates space for the most diverse and interesting sort of Jewish community - one built on the values of progressivism and inclusion that have been at the heart of Liberal Judaism since its founding almost 120 years ago. In true Jewish fashion, we will also hold ourselves to account to do better, to continue to push that horizon and build sustainable change within our Jewish spaces for the 21st century. This year’s Biennial Committee is working hard to reflect a diverse, inclusive, forwardthinking Liberal identity in as many ways as possible, so that we truly reflect Jewish life as it is. Owen Power is my inestimable CoChair in that endeavour. Owen self identifies as a D/deaf queer Liberal Jew and a campaigner against antisemitism, homophobia and any kind of hate. He is especially passionate about challenging the exclusion of D/deaf people from participating in their communities due to thoughtlessness and prejudice. He brings that critical lens to every bit of work he does more broadly within our communities and for the Biennial. The Biennial Committee also includes Omar Portillo, wearing his hat as Chair of the Action Group on Black Jews and Jews of Colour Inclusivity in the Liberal Jewish Community.
The closing date for the next round of applications is 14 March 2021. The Trust welcomes applications from all Liberal Judaism communities. Guidance on how to apply and examples of recent grants can be found at www.nlpstrust.org.uk Any queries should be addressed to admin@nlpstrust.org.uk
“The Jewish community is a rich multiethnic international community,” Omar reminds us. “Our Jewish scriptures teach us that we came out of Egypt in our mixed multitudes and as a diverse nation. All Jews stood together at Sinai in all of our diversity. “Yet despite our diverse histories, this is sadly not reflected within our national Jewish organisations and denominations. Liberal Judaism has long been at the cutting edge of British Judaism. However, we are falling short with our members who are black Jews or Jews of colour and this group is a key step in changing that.” The Committee also includes Liberal Jewish youth leaders in their late teens and early twenties; involved LJ members whose best skills are communications and technology, which will be the engine of this all-digital Biennial; and chairs and rabbis of some of our biggest flagship synagogues, as well as some of our more grassroots communities. Because we will be all digital, we will also be able to showcase our communities by literally ‘Zooming’ to them throughout the weekend, in prayer services and outside of it, right across the UK and Europe. We will see them all in action, whilst participating from the comfort of our own homes. This year we are committed to putting on a Biennial Weekend that uplifts the true diversity of Jewish voices and to put on a truly content-rich and thought-provoking weekend. Biennial 2021, Knocking Down Walls: Building A Judaism for Everyone, aims to celebrate, as our Co-Chair Owen puts it, “inclusion in action”. If you want a weekend of stimulating discussion, fun activities and a focus on how to create a sustainable and truly multi-faceted Jewish community then please join us. We will be posting booking details on www.liberaljudaism.org soon. • Rabbi Leah Jordan is Co-Chair of the Biennial Weekend 2021 Committee
Title change YOU may have noticed throughout this issue that job and position titles - such as Chief Executive Officer or Chair - are now capitalised. We feel this small change brings lj today into a more modern style.
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Books
January/February 2021
A journey of surprise and admiration Legacy: One Family, a Cup of Tea and the Company that Took On the World by Thomas Harding (ISBN: 9781785150883) REVIEWED by Hava Fleming I WAS not expecting to experience such thrills of discovery when I started to read Legacy. But the two very difficult ‘births’ that introduce and conclude award-winning author Thomas Harding’s work of non-fiction soon had me on a helter-skelter journey of surprise and admiration. The first ‘birth’ is the tale of Lehmann Glückstein, aged 13, helping his parents pack a handcart to flee antisemitism in Prussia in 1808. Lehmann became a Wandering Jew, trying different start-up occupations and meeting people on his many travels through Germany and the Netherlands until finally the family made safer landfall in England. The entrepreneurial blood pulsing through the veins of five generations of Salmons and Glucksteins, which in Harding’s words “saw them transform
themselves from penniless immigrants to industrial titans and then to failed entrepreneurs”, is best told by one of their own. Harding had access to family records and the living memories of relatives. Cherished resources indeed. Before the final’ birth’, or rather the company being dissolved and the rebirth of its members outside the bonds of the family socialist-based ideology, comes a tale of enormous courage to try new ventures and borrow eye-watering sums of money, while always maintaining the memory of who they were. This extended family developed a mode of operation and a propensity to take titanic risks in business. Their Lyons company kept on expanding - tea shops, Corner Houses, Lyons Maid ice cream, Lyons Cakes, property development, lavish hotels, mega-brands such as Tetley Tea, Wimpy hamburgers and Dunkin’ Donuts - and was always willing to adapt and change. The powerful men calling their weekly meetings of about 20 male members of the families were often characterised by the current family head presenting a brand new direction. Or, in times of the Great Exhibitions, World Wars and the drive to internationalise, would come a
request to turn the power off (just a little) in one enterprise and on in another. But the overriding principle always remained the same... the family was all. Most interesting to readers of lj today is how Legacy looks at the existential dilemma of the early years of Liberal Judaism – would you be buried on the Orthodox side of the cemetery wall or the Liberal? Liberal Judaism founder Rabbi Dr Israel Mattuck is greatly admired as a kindred spirit - but not by all. There are three ways in which, with hindsight, one can see how the final demise was inevitable. Firstly, although Lyons employed thousands of women, their own women had limited supporting roles in presuffrage Britain. Secondly the ‘Fund’ – which one could compare to Kibbutz ideology – could eventually crush any family member that did not fit in. Finally, the last leader over-reached family skills and expertise, while the march of the 20th century did the rest. It was a sad day when the final meeting took place and the last tea shop was turned over to Allied Breweries. I enjoyed this riveting book from start to finish. It is a richly illustrated work that deserves wide recognition.
New books to discover online LJ Shop closed RABBI DR WALTER ROTHSCHILD has used lockdown to makes his series of books all available to purchase online. A former Leo Baeck College student, Walter served Bristol Progressive and Woodford Liberal Synagogues before moving to Germany 20 years ago. His books include two that have become must-reads for those wishing to learn about Progressive Judaism in the modern age – The Honey and the Sting, which is a guide to conversion, and 99 Questions About Judaism. There is also lighter fare including Tales of the Chutzper Rebbe – a parody of chasidic stories – and Sherlock Holmes’ Bookcase. The latter contains much Jewish content, such as the cantor who wants to set up his own synagogue so that he can avoid congregational politics and the archbishop who wishes to convert to Judaism – intriguing challenges for Sherlock’s analytical brain.
All books can be purchased via www. amazon.co.uk/default/e/B001K8BHDA in either physical format or on Kindle. Walter told lj today: “I am adding books as time goes by, thanks to lockdown. Some are serious works, intended to help people learn about Liberal and Reform Judaism, while others are short stories that describe the sort of things a rabbi like me might encounter. These are classed as fiction because I have deliberately ensured that the narratives were re-worked to prevent people and incidents being identifiable… but they are authentic.”
WHILE the Montagu Centre is closed, to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus, the Liberal Judaism online bookshop will also remain closed. In the meantime you can download electronic versions of some of our publications for free by visiting www. liberaljudaism.org/shop-closure Books available without charge include four versions of Liberal Judaism’s Siddur Lev Chadash - to suit different types and lengths of service - and liturgy for funerals and mourning. There are also youth resources provided by LJY-Netzer. In these exceptional times we want to make sure that everyone has access to these resources – which provide the chance to make our Judaism more accessible for everyone. However, if you are able to, please consider making a donation to Liberal Judaism in lieu of our charging for publications. You can donate via our website.
Youth
January/February 2021
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
It’s never too soon for summer YOU wait ages for an LJY-Netzer event announcement… and then three come along at once. While it may still be cold outside, we are already planning ahead.
Above all, we strive to ensure Tour is an inclusive environment where members become friends for life and celebrate each other for their individuality.
Israel Tour x 2
Machaneh Shamayim
We are delighted to announce that in the summer of 2021 we intend to run not just one but TWO Israel Tours! One of the tours will be for Year 11, as usual, and the other for our Year 12s who were unable to go in 2020. Tour is an incredible opportunity to experience and explore Israel from top to bottom. Whether it’s kayaking down the Jordan river, riding camels in the desert or praying at the Western Wall, LJY-Netzer Israel Tour offers something for everyone.
For those of you who follow us on Instagram (@LJYNetzer) you might have noticed some sneak peeks and a naming competition taking place. Well… after entries including Machaneh Machenoh, Machaneh Hineni and, of course, Machaneh McMachanehy, we’re excited (and relieved) that our spring camp will be called Machaneh Shamayim! Shamayim means ‘skies’ or ‘heavens’ in Hebrew and ties into our water-cycle themed names. Machaneh Shamayim will take place from 6-11 April 2021 and we will have more information soon.
Machaneh Hadracha Open to ages 16-18, Machaneh Hadracha is LJY Netzer’s renowned leadership training course. This year Hadracha is over February half term. It will cover a wide range of leadership topics from child development and group dynamics to holistic learning and informal education. It will equip you with practical leadership skills – such as session writing, song leading and public speaking – that are essential for life both in and outside of LJY-Netzer. And all those who attend will be invited to lead on Machaneh Shamayim. • Find out more about at www.ljy-netzer.org
Our exciting adventures WE HAVE had a busy couple of months running events virtually of course - and launching some exciting new adventures. We sent out self-care packages to all of our Bogrimot Chanukiot made out of clay (students) including some pretty snazzy LJY-Netzer branded sleep masks, as we know how tricky it can be for students to get enough sleep during term time. One of our highlights was definitely the Surprise Shnat Send-off for Tali and Lily which brought together nearly 40 of our Bogrimot for an evening of quizzes, chanukiah lighting and singing. The only hiccup was that Lily and Tali were a little too surprised – they convinced themselves the mystery call they were asked to attend was going to be informing them that Shnat was cancelled… it’s not! For our younger participants, the highlight of our semester was undoubtedly ‘Chanukah in a Box’. Almost 150 participants signed up to receive a special pack with everything they could possibly need to have Chanukah at home! Over Zoom we made dreidels out of cards, chanukiot out of clay and retold the Chanukah story. Although we were over Zoom, we came together with multiple communities and LJY members to celebrate Chanukah all together in a new, fun and engaging way.
Contact LJY-Netzer: Jess Mindel (j.mindel@liberaljudaism.org), Josh Powell (j.powell@liberaljudaism.org) Director of Youth - Rebecca Fetterman (r.fetterman@liberaljudaism.org)
January/February 2021
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Liberal Judaism congregations Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue T: 0845 869 7105 E: info@bedsps.org.uk W: bedfordshire-ps.org.uk
Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community T: 0131 777 8024 E: info@eljc.org W: eljc.org
Beit Klal Yisrael (London) E: admin@bky.org.uk W: bky.org.uk
Finchley Progressive Synagogue T: 020 8446 4063 E: fps@liberaljudaism.org W: fps.org
Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue T: 01923 822 592 E: npls@liberaljudaism.org W: npls.org.uk
Kehillah North London T: 07706 354 602 E: info@kehillah.org.uk W: kehillah.org.uk
Norwich Liberal Jewish Community E: nljc@liberaljudaism.org W: norwichljc.org.uk
Kent Liberal Jewish Community T: 07952 242 432 E: enquiries@kljc.org.uk W: kljc.org.uk
Nottingham Liberal Synagogue T: 0115 962 4761 E: nls@liberaljudaism.org
Kingston Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8398 7400 E: kls@liberaljudaism.org W: klsonline.org
Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community T: 07561 331 390 E: info@pljc.org.uk W: pljc.org.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 T: 0117 403 3456 E: info@bwjpc.org W: bwpjc.org Crawley Jewish Community T: 01293 534 294 Crouch End Chavurah E: naomi@crouchendchavurah.co.uk W: crouchendchavurah.co.uk Dublin Progressive Congregation E: djpc@liberaljudaism.org W: djpcireland.com
Ealing Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8997 0528 E: admin@ealingliberalsynagogue.org.uk W: ealingliberalsynagogue.org.uk East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue T: 0208 989 7619 E: eastlondonandessexliberal@gmail.com W: eastlondonandessexliberal synagogue.org Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community T: 07497 401 280 E: eljc.contact@gmail.com W: eljc.org.uk
Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation T: 0116 271 5584 E: chair@lpjc.org.uk W: lpjc.org.uk The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (St John’s Wood) T: 020 7286 5181 E: ljs@ljs.org W: ljs.org
Mosaic Liberal (Harrow) T: 020 8864 5323 E: office@mosaicliberal.org.uk W: mosaicliberal.org.uk
W: nottinghamliberalsynagogue.com
Reading Liberal Jewish Community T: 0118 942 8022 E: readingliberaljewishcommunity@ gmail.com
W: readingljc.org.uk Shir Hatzafon (Copenhagen) E: shir@shirhatzafon.dk W: shirhatzafon.dk
The Liberal Synagogue Elstree T: 020 8953 8889 E: office@tlse.org.uk W: tlse.org.uk
South Bucks Jewish Community T: 0845 644 2370 E: info@sbjc.org.uk W: sbjc.org.uk
Lincolnshire Jewish Community T: 01427 628 958 E: ljc@liberaljudaism.org W: lincolnshirejc.co.uk
Southgate Progressive Synagogue T: 020 8886 0977 E: office@sps.uk.com W: sps.uk.com
Manchester Liberal Jewish Community T: 0161 796 6210 E: mljc@liberaljudaism.org W: mljc.org.uk
The Montagu Centre 21 Maple Street London, W1T 4BE T: 020 7580 1663 E: montagu@liberaljudaism.org W: liberaljudaism.org
Liberal Judaism is the dynamic, cutting edge of modern Judaism. It reverences Jewish tradition, seeking to preserve the values of the past, while giving them contemporary force. Charity Number: 1151090
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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: sljc@liberaljudaism.org Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community (Gloucestershire and Herefordshire) T: 07900 612 058 E: info@3cljc.org.uk W: 3cljc.org.uk Tikvah Chadasha Synagogue (Shenfield) T: 01277 888 610 E: tikvahchadasha@gmail.com W: tikvahchadasha.com Wessex Liberal Jewish Community (Bournemouth) T: 01202 757 590 E: wljc.info@gmail.com W: wessexliberaljudaism.org.uk West Central Liberal Synagogue T: 020 7636 7627 E: office@wcls.org.uk W: wcls.org.uk York Liberal Jewish Community T: 0300 102 0062 E: info@jewsinyork.org.uk W: jewsinyork.org.uk Developing and affiliated Beit Ha’Chidush (Amsterdam) E: info@beithachidush.nl W: beithachidush.nl Lancashire & Cumbria Liberal Jewish Community T: 0777 531 0944 W: northwestjews.org Oxford Jewish Congregation T: 01865 515 584 E: connections@ojc-online.org W: ojc-online.org
President Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein Chair Ruth Seager Deputy Chair Karen Newman Vice Chair Graham Carpenter Treasurer Paul Silver-Myer Secretary Amanda McFeeters Fundraising Ros Clayton Youth Hannah Stephenson Action Group Omar Portillo Communications Joel Beckman Communities Janet Berkman Education Susanne Combe Inclusion Owen Power Vice Presidents Simon Benscher, Monique Blake, Lord Fink, Jeromé Freedman, Louise Freedman, Sharon Goldstein, Lucian Hudson, David Lipman, Corinne Oppenheimer, David Pick, Rabbi Danny Rich, Rosita Rosenberg, Tony Sacker, Joan Shopper, Phil Stone, Beverley Taylor and Ken Teacher Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors Chairs Rabbi Rebecca Birk and Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel Chief Executive Officer Rabbi Charley Baginsky Chief Operating Officer Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer Director of Community Partnerships Alexandra Simonon Director of Youth Becca Fetterman Fundraising and Events Thomas Rich Senior Administrator Tanya Garfield Reception Ben Combe Interfaith Rabbi Mark Solomon Finance Janet Manderson PR and Social Media Simon Rothstein Archivist Alison Turner LJY-Netzer Jess Mindel and Josh Powell