January/February 2022 VOL. XLIX No. 1
Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
www.liberaljudaism.org
ljtoday
Leading the way 120 years on... still making history and securing the future
L
IBERAL JUDAISM Chief Executive Officer Rabbi Charley Baginsky recorded another piece of history for our movement by becoming the first ever Progressive rabbi, and the first woman, to light the Chanukah candles in Trafalgar Square. Charley attended the annual first night ceremony, which is organised by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) and the Board of Deputies of British Jews. She was joined at the event by the Mayor, JLC Chair Jonathan Goldstein and Co-Chief Executive Michelle Janes, Board of Deputies’ President Marie van der Zyl and Chief Executive Michael Wegier and Jewish London Forum Chair Adrian Cohen (all pictured above left). The tweet about the event on the @LiberalJudaism Twitter page has received 175,000 impressions – a record for our account. In addition, the video has been viewed more than 50,000 times across our social media channels. Charley said: “To light the candles at Trafalgar Square – this prominent, public London venue – was a landmark moment in representation, as well as a very special personal honour.
“When I first became a rabbi, I never thought being a woman and being a rabbi was unusual, because I grew up in a Progressive Jewish world. “But I then began to realise that actually that’s not the way that the rest of the world necessarily sees it - there are a lot of challenges around people’s perceptions. This moment will have helped to change many of those. “It underlines the confidence our movement now has, and the progress we have made on representation, as we enter our 120th anniversary year. There is still much to do, but I am optimistic.” The giant menorah was first placed in the middle of Trafalgar Square in 2007 to promote Anglo-Jewish life. For the last 14 years, it has been lit by an Orthodox male rabbi. Having a Progressive rabbi take the honour was a result of years of hard work and profile-building by Liberal Judaism. Charley said the moment was made even more poignant as she was accompanied by her two daughters Eliana and Cassia (pictured above right). She concluded: “This was an optimistic and profound statement of our Jewish community’s unity in its commitment to diverse voices and representation.”
RABBI CHARLEY BAGINSKY and Liberal Judaism’s other rabbis and leaders – including Chair Ruth Seager – have been very visible at major events involving prominent British and Israeli figures over the last two months. These included a celebration at No10 Downing Street hosted by Prime Minister Boris Johnson – where he honoured the “amazing contribution” that British Jews make to the country – and a reception in Parliament hosted by the Board of Deputies of British Jews. At the Parliamentary event, Charley, Ruth and Rabbi Tanya Sakhnovich of The Liberal Synagogue Elstree were able to speak to senior members of all political parties about Liberal Judaism’s values and concerns, especially around the battle against antisemitism.
Charley and The Ark Synagogue’s Rabbi Lea Mühlstein met with the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, on his recent UK visit (pictured above). Lea, who is the International Chair of Arzenu, was warmly welcomed by the President as a friend and colleague. Charley also sat with Sir Keir Starmer at the Labour Friends of Israel lunch, attended the annual Council of Christians and Jews meeting hosted by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and enjoyed the Duchess of Cambridge’s Westminster Abbey Christmas carol service. She said: “It’s a privilege to represent our movement at these events which are a real tribute to the valuable role of the Jewish community in British society.”
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News
January/February 2022
Sparking action for the planet
lj tomorrow
Benita Matofska on a coming together for EcoShabbat ON Friday November 5, amidst all the fireworks, Liberal Jewish communities came together online for the start of EcoShabbat to spark action for the planet. The EcoSynagogue initiative was timed to coincide with COP26: the UN Climate Conference in Glasgow. It was the brainchild of Rabbi Tanya Sakhnovich, from The Liberal Synagogue Elstree, who sits on the EcoSynagogue steering group. Both EcoSynagogue and EcoShabbat provide an opportunity to celebrate our commitment to, and to take actions for, the environment we rely on for survival. The Friday night service began with a beautiful short film and impassioned presentation by Rabbi Judith RosenBerry about conservation work on the Isle of Skye. Following this, seven lay readers and eight rabbis from each of the nine participating communities shared personal reflections, films, poetry and songs. Incredibly, more than 600 people joined via social media platforms. After the service, Adam Jackson, former Chair of the International Jewish Vegetarian Society, led a lively discussion about the impact of diet on the climate, in particular the carbon footprint of the meat and dairy industries. The next speaker, Student Rabbi David Yehuda Stern, a final year student at Leo Baeck College, spoke about his passion for learning, social justice and sustainability. He is currently writing a thesis on kindness as part of the Progressive Rabbinic decision-making process. The world can certainly do with more kindness.
The final speaker was Co-Founder and CEO of the Green Economics Institute Miriam Kennet. Miriam came to us live from COP26 and gave us a powerful behind-the-scenes insight into the severity of the climate crisis, its impact on people’s lives and the important work being done to prevent imminent disaster. As a member of the LJ National EcoSynagogue Group, I was invited to represent my beloved community – Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue (BHPS) - at the service. We were also thrilled that, at COP26, Rabbi Tanya Sakhnovich presented us with the first EcoSynagogue Silver Award for our work over the last three years. Over the EcoShabbat weekend, Jewish communities up and down the country participated in activities for the environment - from planet pledges and vegan chavurah lunches to prayers and tree planting. As a speaker, author and climate consultant for businesses, I recognise that this crisis will not be solved in silos. It will take all of us and we can’t simply wait for others to take action, we all need to do our bit. With less than eight years remaining before we hit irreversible climate disaster, we must act now. We owe it to our children, our communities and to the future for all people on earth. • Benita Matofska is an international speaker, changemaker, climate change consultant for businesses and author of the book Generation Share
CHEDER children at Finchley Progressive Synagogue have produced lj tomorrow – their own versions of lj today – as part of a project looking at the past, present and future of Liberal Judaism. The students had to imagine they were in the year 2027 and write articles about what they hoped our movement would be doing… with them in charge! They wrote pieces on three key areas of Liberal Jewish life: community, social justice and services. Articles included ‘Drones Deliver Justice’ on a futuristic way to support those suffering from food poverty and hardship, ‘Global Learning’ about a worldwide virtual reality synagogue service and the poetic front page above on the musical Shabbats of tomorrow. The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS) held its annual Multi-Faith Chanukah Celebration and candle lighting. The guest speaker was Zara Mohammed, who is the Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain. Further reflections were given by Harriet Crabtree, Executive Director at the Inter Faith Network (IFN) for the UK, and interfaith advisors Bharti Tailor and Rabbi Jeff Berger. As well as those in the synagogue, attendees joined the celebration online from as far afield as Israel, Poland, Pakistan and Ghana. Guests were welcomed by Rabbi Alexandra Wright (pictured far left with interfaith guests) with festival prayers led by Rabbi Igor Zinkov (right). • Pictures by Peter Singer.
News
January/February 2022
LJ Today Page 3
Continuing Harry’s work fighting against hatred Rabbi Richard Jacobi on Rabbi Julia Neuberger’s lecture in honour of his father
Rabbi Baroness Julia Neuberger and Rabbi Richard Jacobi speaking at the second annual Rabbi Harry Martin Jacobi Memorial Lecture
IN friendship and collegiality, Rabbis Julia Neuberger and Harry Jacobi shared many times, settings and experiences together over 40-odd years. While only a small Covid-safe audience was in the sanctuary at Southgate Progressive Synagogue to hear Julia present the Rabbi Harry Martin Jacobi Memorial Lecture, a much larger Zoom and social media audience benefited from her erudition and experience. As she told us, from around 2000, she and my father had shared concerns about rising antisemitism across Europe and, probably connected to that, increasing xenophobia and an alarming rise in hostility towards refugees. Personal and family experience is not the only reason they felt so strongly, though it plays a major part. But both acknowledged that Judaism’s concern for the stranger is core to their being and paramount in their moral values. Julia discussed contemporary cases such as Sally Rooney’s support of the BDS movement when it comes to the Hebrew translation of her third book. To single out Israel, when other countries
have worse human rights records, matters considerably, particularly when there are translations in the languages of serial human rights offenders. But in comparison with other matters, it is small beer, if disturbing. Exploring the case of Professor David Miller, recently dismissed from his role at Bristol University, Julia was especially critical of the slowness of the authorities to act, which she contrasted with the much better response to a similar complaint at the University of Essex. There is no excuse for large organisations either to lack proper procedures that ensure timely and independent investigation or to fail to implement them speedily when necessary. Of course, the same is true, as we are all aware, for the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn, which Julia and dad had often discussed. She commended the actions already taken under Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership. She was also admiring of the strong women who were singled out for especially harsh and nasty treatment, and resisted and spoke out.
Pride Shabbat at ELELS AN LGBTQI+ Pride Shabbat will take place at East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue on Friday 11 February. A Shabbat service, open to all, will be led by Rabbi Richard Jacobi and followed by a communal meal. The event is being co-hosted with the Aliz group - which was formed as a way of connecting within the LGBTQI+ and Jewish communities - and is being supported by Liberal Judaism. Aliz is chaired by Efraim Hazzan.
Efraim said: “Aliz, which means ‘happy’ in Hebrew, was founded as a movement to include all Jews who identify as members of the LGBTQI+ community... and those who don’t. It is for people from all walks of life and all Jewish denominations. We intend to create safe spaces to connect with each other, share experiences and have some fun!” The event is free of charge, but donations are appreciated. For more details, email Efraim on aliz@elels.org.uk
Noting that some aspects of leftwing antisemitism from that period had become more mainstream, she felt that it was not just the Labour Party that needs to continue acting to root it out. As she put it, will mainstream authorities in the UK follow the Essex example or the Bristol one? We, and our non-Jewish allies, need to act in the societal and political arenas to ensure which is chosen. For this to happen, Julia feels – with a heavy heart – that tighter regulation of social media is necessary to remove anonymity and where there is abuse or threats against individuals or groups. Where hate speech or hateful actions are involved, she told us that we must be among those who call it out, whoever it is directed at. It is in the interests of both the Muslim and Jewish communities to be allies in this calling out. This was a timely lecture from one of our premier communal leaders and it is still available to watch via the Liberal Judaism and Southgate Progressive Synagogue’s social platforms - at least one positive aspect of social media.
SAVE THE DATE: LIBERAL JUDAISM DAY OF CELEBRATION SUNDAY 22 MAY WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU THERE
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Communities
January/February 2022
Bedfordshire plants three trees as part of AJR campaign
MEMBERS of Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue (BPS) assisted the Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) in planting three trees as part of a special campaign to mark the charity’s 80th anniversary. To commemorate the milestone anniversary, the AJR launched 80 Trees for 80 Years, which will see native oaks planted around Britain in honour of people and places that symbolise the enormous contribution made by refugees who escaped from Nazi Europe. The exciting project has already caught the imagination of dozens of communities all over the UK including our very own Bedfordshire congregation – who were instrumental in helping choose the locations in their area. Their first oak was planted at the Tree Cathedral in Whipsnade where BPS members, including Chair David Young, were joined by Kindertransport refugee Bob Kirk BEM (pictured above left with AJR Intern Noemi Van-Hoof).
Bob spoke movingly about his evacuation from London to Whipsnade in 1939 and how welcome the village had made him and several other Jewish boys. A tea was then held in the village hall, where Bob had attended school. A time capsule is also being buried close by, which contains the remarkable life stories so far of both Bob and his wife Ann Kirk BEM - who are members of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue. A second tree was then planted at Russell Park, Bedford, the following week (pictured above right). The oak and accompanying plaque were sponsored by Ruth and David Horwell – in honour of David’s parents – and Bedford’s Deputy Mayor Cllr Charles Royden was also in attendance at the event. David Young said: “I was honoured to recite the El Maleh Rachamim (prayer for the soul of the departed) at the tree planting for the late Jewish refugees Arnold and Susanne Horwell.
“It was also fascinating to hear their son David, and his wife Ruth, speaking about their lives and accomplishments.” The third tree will be planted by the AJR in Shefford in February. During the war, an entire Jewish children’s community, who came primarily from an orthodox school in Stamford Hill, were evacuated to Shefford as part of Operation Pied Piper. AJR CEO Michael Newman said: “As well as helping to mark the heritage of many of our members and places of historic interest associated with them, the planting of these trees will enable the AJR to give back to, and create a living legacy within, the country that became their home. “Britain’s native oak trees are in decline and new trees are desperately needed. We hope these 80 special trees will be appreciated by future generations and provide natural habitats for other native species for many decades to come.”
By Joe Seager
Olivia Dyke and Ilana Davis (picture by Scott Bytheway)
ILANA DAVIS, of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue (BPS), and her partner, Olivia Dyke, have given the community another reason to celebrate by getting married. The couple first met when they were students at the University of Birmingham in 2013. They said: “We soon became friends, enjoying interests we shared, and as time went by it was clear how much we meant to one another. We knew then that we would spend our life together.” Ilana’s parents Samantha and Charles Davis are prominent members of BPS. All five of their children celebrated their bar/batmitzvah at BPS. Ilana retains close ties with the shul and enjoys singing in the choir. She also represented the community on the Board of Deputies for three years. She and Olivia were married at a Midlands hotel. Samantha and Charles said: “We are so proud of our daughter and we feel very pleased and privileged to be welcoming Olivia into our family.”
Communities
January/February 2022
York exhibition
Shannon Kirshner at the new exhibition at York Castle Museum (picture by Frank Dwyer)
A FASCINATING new exhibition - titled York’s Jewish Story: 1170 to Present has opened at York Castle Museum in partnership with York Liberal Jewish Community (YLJC). YLJC worked with York Museums Trust to shape the exhibition. It recounts the compelling and sometimes tragic history of York’s Jewish community throughout the ages via a series of insightful displays and objects from the museum collections. It starts with the story of York’s first Jews – who arrived from France in the 1170s – including horrific accounts of the massacre in 1190 at the top of Clifford’s Tower, the aftermath of the brutal attack and how it is remembered today. The exhibition then explores the history of York’s Jewish community from the 18th century to present day, including information on the return of Jews to York, Aldwark Synagogue (1886 – 1975), the effects of the Holocaust and how Jewish life is now being reinvigorated once more thanks to the growth of YLJC. A display also showcases the traditions of Jewish practice and how festivals and events, including Holocaust Memorial Day, are celebrated. Items being shown include a Torah Scroll that was saved from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia and beautiful ceremonial objects. Philip Newton, Communities Engagement Researcher at York Museums Trust, said: “The stories and history encapsulated in this exhibition are extraordinary. It’s great that visitors will have the opportunity to read about the community’s past, but also get an insight in to York’s Jewish population today. YLJC Trustee and Heritage Project Coordinator Shannon Kirshner added: “We have welcomed the opportunity to work with York Castle Museum to bring forward York’s Jewish history, as well as basic and accessible information about the traditions of Judaism, for everyone.” The exhibition is now open and will run until 6 February 2022. To find out more, visit www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk
LJ Today Page 5
Ealing celebrate... twice!
Ealing’s barmitzvah boy Riley Doyle (left) and batmitzvah girl Abigail Swarc with her family
EALING LIBERAL SYNAGOGUE (ELS) celebrated twice at the end of 2021 as two members came of age with multi-access services allowing friends and family to join them in person and online. Riley Doyle’s was the first barmitzvah in the synagogue building since lockdown. It was conducted by Rabbi Dr Miri Lawrence and Student Rabbi Rafe Thurstance, who also taught Riley his portion. Riley was delighted to celebrate with loved ones in the synagogue, having postponed his barmitzvah from May due to the pandemic. His portion was from the Book of Numbers and recounted Moses taking a census of the Israelites, which numbered the members of the 12 tribes of Israel. Riley chose to twin his special day, through the Yad Vashem Twinning Programme, with a young boy called Roniya Godikhovich who had been killed in the Holocaust. Riley said: “It meant so much to me to share my day with Roniya’s memory and remember him as part of the celebrations. It made me realise how lucky I am to have my barmitzvah.” Abigail Swarc’s batmitzvah followed hot on Riley’s heels, one month later. IN 2022, Liberal Judaism and our communities will be hosting a series of services, Education Hub sessions and events to celebrate our movement’s landmark 120th anniversary. We plan for each congregation to hold an Open House Shabbat during the year, opening their doors – whether in-person or online – to the rest of the Liberal Jewish world and beyond. These will allow Liberal Judaism to showcase and amplify the work of our communities and give us all a chance to support each other. Dates so far are: 18/19 Feb: Liberal Jewish Synagogue 1/2 Apr: East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue
The service was also conducted by Rabbi Dr Miri Lawrence. Abi had been hugely supported by Student Rabbi Rafe Thurstance, who tutored her but unfortunately couldn’t be present due to other rabbinic commitments. Part of Abi wanting to be batmitzvah was to do so in honour of her grandfather, Alan Swarc, who has been both a huge part of her life and that of ELS. Alan sadly passed away in October 2020. Abi’s portion was from Genesis and concerned Isaac giving Jacob his blessing instead of Esau. For her project she explored and presented first-hand experiences of the Kindertransport. Abi organised online interviews with three survivors - Liberal Judaism’s own Bob and Ann Kirk along with Bernd Koschland - who gave amazing accounts of their early lives. Abi was very grateful to them for playing such an important part in her batmitzvah and making the time to talk to and educate her. Riley and Abi, and their families, would like to thank Miri, Rafe, Rabbi Emeritus Janet Burden, Bill Glassman, Stephen Bogod, Jemma Salem and all at ELS for their huge support in challenging times. 20/21 May and 1/2 Jul: Finchley Progressive Synagogue 3/4 Jun: The Ark Synagogue 10/11 Jun and 4/5 Nov: Kingston Liberal Synagogue In addition, on Sunday 20 March The Liberal Synagogue Elstree will be holding a Memorial Service in honour of the much-loved Liberal Judaism leader Rosita Rosenberg. If your community has not signed up to host an Open Shabbat, then please email Tom on t.rich@liberaljudaism.org Other key dates in 2022 include the Day of Celebration on 22 May and a 36hour fundraiser on 13/14 March. We’ll have full details in the next lj today.
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January/February 2022
Mitzvah Day 20
Activities at The Liberal Synagogue Elstree’s Sunday Hub included tree planting and making bird feeders to brighten the local environment
The Finchley Progressive Synagogue congregation collected for Food Bank Aid, while Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community members supported GARAS (Gloucestershire Action for Refugee and Asylum Seekers) by donating food, electrical goods and household items
Nottingham Liberal Synagogue joined with Sherwood Methodist Church for a litter pick, while Kingston Liberal Synagogue members organised an interfaith cemetery clean up with the local Muslim community. Both were followed by teas so the volunteers could get to know each other
January/February 2022
LJ Today Page 7
021 in pictures
All generations got involved in Mitzvah Day at the Ark Synagogue, with the teenage Kabbalat Torah students collecting Judaica to support families in Belarus and Emeritus Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein and his brother Bernard taking part in a Bush Bashing on Croxley Common Moor
A team from The South London Liberal Synagogue tidied at Streatham Park Cemetery, which they hope to now do regularly
Members of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue strolled down Regents Canal with sacks, grabbers and rubber gloves to clear rubbish Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue members baked and sold biscuits to raise funds for a local charity that supports refugees
Liberal Judaism Chair Ruth Seager joined East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue’s cheder to make cards for local refugees
LJY-Netzer included a whole day of projects as part of their leadership retreat in Leeds. Turn to page 11 for more details
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History
January/February 2022
Liberal Judaism at 120 Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein on how researching our movement’s past will help build a brighter future GENEALOGICAL research seems to be an increasing interest and, for some, an obsession. The possibility of finding facts through the internet and DNA testing, along with the popularity of TV programmes such as Who Do You Think You Are?, have combined to increase the possibility of real results. But I do wonder if, as you get older, there might be more time to ponder one’s past and the possible years you have left. Maybe it’s always been like that? Moses in his final oration to the Israelites says: “Remember the days of old, consider the years of ages past. Ask your parents who will inform you, your elders who will tell you” (Deuteronomy 32:7). Like me, I suppose many of you will respond that we never asked our parents while they were alive and, now that they are dead, we must search the internet for scraps of information. Well, Liberal Judaism is about to celebrate its 120th birthday. When our movement turned 100, the late Rabbi Laurence Rigal and Rosita Rosenberg researched our history and published Liberal Judaism: The First Hundred Years. The innovative heritage project Lily’s Legacy has continued this fine work and recorded many memories of our movement - from visual oral histories to memorabilia from Liberal Jews across communities and from all walks of life. Now, as we enter this special year, we might consider what we have achieved in our congregations, in our movement and in our lives. A year of activities is being planned for 2022 and it struck me that, though I have been a Liberal Jew since childhood and a rabbi for over 50 years, there is much I don’t know about our past. The thought arose when I came across a poem by Amy K Blank. I had heard her name before but knew little about her. I found out that she was of the founding generation of Liberal Judaism. Born in London in 1898, her father Karl Kirchberger was a wealthy import-export businessman and early member of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS).
The Kirschbergers became close friends of Liberal Judaism’s founding rabbi, Rabbi Israel Mattuck. Amy was the first secretary of the Alumni Society for young people at the LJS and studied with Mattuck. She became his helper and got deeply involved in the development of Liberal Judaism. She wrote and searched out poetry that Mattuck used in his prayer books. He included one of her poems in Volume I, which she read at his funeral. In 1925 there was a visiting rabbi at the LJS from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati – Rabbi Sheldon Blank, who was to become a leader of Reform Judaism in America. He and Amy fell in love and were married in 1926. She moved to Cincinnati where she became a much-loved and integral part of College life and American Reform Judaism.
Poet and significant Liberal Jew Amy K Blank
All along she wrote poetry and had six books published between 1919 and 1981. She also composed a children’s Haggadah. I must further research her life and influence on Liberal Judaism. One of my activities in this coming year will be to explore the lives of a number of people who made valuable contributions to our movement in the past. We often talk of the ‘Three Ms’ – Liberal Judaism founders Lily Montagu, Claude Montefiore and Rabbi Israel Mattuck – but many others have helped our movement grow and flourish over the years. The Torah tells us that Moses died at 120 “his eyes undimmed and his vigour unabated”. Liberal Judaism is thankfully full of life as it celebrates its 120th year. I hope this anniversary will see us look back to record our past, not just for nostalgia, but to re-affirm our values and build on them. This way we can ensure that we face our future with eyes undimmed and full of energy. • Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein is president of Liberal Judaism
Association of Jewish Libraries By Alison Turner, Archivist LIBERAL JUDAISM is now in the directory of the American-based Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL). The AJL have a map-based directory of Jewish collections from all over the world. They are particularly interested in reaching out to institutions outside of the United States to provide a fuller picture of the many Judaica collections available around the globe. The directory is available to view at www.jewishlibraries.org and any congregation that has a Judaica collection, library or archive is welcome to contact them or me for further information on joining this directory or indeed the Association itself. The AJL is the leading authority on Judaic librarianship. It promotes Jewish literacy through enhancement of libraries, library resources and professional leadership. It fosters access to information, education and research on Jews, Judaism and Israel. There are events, podcasts and publications, including Holiday Highlights - their picks for the best Jewish holiday books for children. A particular highlight is their Love Your Neighbour series of book lists. These allow both Jewish and non-Jewish young readers to grow their understanding of the Jewish religion and people. The lists feature books on the Black Jewish experience, standing up for each other, ritual and clergy. I found them all to be very useful resources. • If you’d like to find out more about the Association of Jewish Libraries, contact Alison on a.turner@liberaljudaism.org
KT classes unite
The Kabbalat Torah class from Nottingham Liberal Synagogue welcomed their peers from Finchley Progressive Synagogue for a weekend stay. The weekend included a visit to Beth Shalom – the National Holocaust Centre and Museum – during which they heard powerful survivor testimony.
History
January/February 2022
LJ Today Page 9
Leaving an incredible Legacy
Rabbi Dr Miri Lawrence, Rabbi Danny Rich and Mayor of Camden Sabrina Francis at the Voices and Visions launch, pictures by Mary Humphrey
LILY’S LEGACY has drawn to a close with the London Metropolitan Archives (LMA) proudly accepting its archive collection. The project, which is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, documents Liberal Judaism’s radical history, inspired by founder Lily Montagu. A core team of volunteers, led by former Rainbow Pilgrims project student placement Dr Sally Eales, are now working with LMA senior archivists on finalising the depository. The collection will be publicly accessible from early 2022 via the archive’s catalogue under the reference LMA/4653/PR/04. The Lily’s Legacy Project (LLP) was also able to finally run two fantastic events, post-lockdowns, to celebrate the project’s outputs and outcomes. The Wiener Holocaust Library in London hosted a celebration that saw the launch of the Lily’s Legacy Voices and Visions touring exhibition and booklet. To ensure everyone’s safety, numbers were strictly limited but the 30+ invitees, most of them project participants, enjoyed viewing the exhibition and schmoozing at the drinks reception. The evening was moderated by Liberal Judaism CEO Rabbi Charley Baginsky. She was joined by her predecessor Rabbi Danny Rich, Liberal Judaism Chair Ruth Seager and Lily’s Legacy’s Exhibition Curator Rabbi Dr Miri Lawrence.
Ruth said: “This project has created a rich archive of first-hand information about 120 years of Liberal Judaism, which will be available to future generations of Jews and non-Jews for whatever research purposes they may have. I see the work of Lily’s Legacy to be a true mitzvah. Lily would have been really proud of us!” Other speakers and guests included the Mayor of Camden Cllr Sabrina Francis and representatives from the Board of Deputies of British Jews and National Lottery Heritage Fund. A second event saw the Jewish Museum London host a Faith & Community Heritage Learning Day. Due to venue Covid 19 restrictions, in-person attendance in the museum’s education room was again strictly limited. However, thanks to project contributor and videographer Mike Beral, live streaming enabled guests to participate from home. Both in-person and online delegates enjoyed an exciting and diverse line-up of Liberal Judaism stakeholders such as Liberal Judaism Archivist Alison Turner and Rabbi Jackie Tabick, as well as academics and community heritage practitioners from the Jewish Small Communities Network, Wiener Holocaust Library and AJR Refugee Voices Archive. For those who missed out, event recordings are available on Liberal Judaism’s You Tube channel.
Reflecting on the success of the project and the two events, Lily’s Legacy Heritage Project Manager Shaan Knan told lj today: “I am so incredibly proud of what we have achieved together and how resilient our team has been throughout these pandemic times. “Despite all these challenges, we have created an accessible trove of British history and heritage that is now safeguarded for future generations.” Lily’s Legacy will continue to live on in various ways including an Education Toolkit for schools/chederim and a permanent online exhibition - featuring visual oral histories, audio recordings and a gallery of memorabilia and materials at www.lilyslegacyproject.com A #PitchUp residency at the Jewish Museum London begins in January 2022, and will run for a minimum of three months, with various LLP memorabilia and project outputs on display in the museum’s community space foyer. Shaan added: “Feedback from various project stakeholders revealed a strong desire for our heritage and history work to continue. Plenty of ideas are in the pipeline and we are planning something exciting for the Day of Celebration 2022. “The Legacy shall go on!’ • Liberal Judaism would like to thank all Lily’s Legacy project contributors and associates for their kind support.
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Books
January/February 2022
A gem of a book full of seaside stories Jews by the Seaside: The Jewish Hotels and Guest Houses of Bournemouth by Pam Fox (ISBN: 9781912676934) Reviewed by Gillian Dawson WAS I a deprived child, I wonder, because I was never taken to Bournemouth for a summer holiday? As assimilated Liberal Jews, my parents would have hated the gossip, the continuous card games, the non-stop obsession with food, the one-upmanship and the total immersion in Orthodox Jewish culture on their holiday. But they would have loved Pam Fox’s new book on the Jewish hotels and guesthouses of Bournemouth… and so do I. The oral history technique, which she has used previously is again fully utilised in this book. She provides anecdotes which bring the experience to life, often through the eyes of people who were children at the time. The book benefits from the depth of research and wide variety of people interviewed. These include those who had different connections to the hotels: hoteliers, employees, suppliers and guests (both Jewish and non-Jewish). It also includes the thousands of references to Bournemouth in the Jewish Chronicle. The author explains the social history of the period as the town develops from the 19th century, the effect on the hotels, and how the hotels contributed to the economic life of the town particularly in the hey-day of the Jewish hotels in the 30 years from 1945-1975. There are intriguing insights into the practices specific to Jewish hotels.
They generally took bookings from Sunday to Sunday, because of Shabbat, but visitors from Scotland booked Monday to Monday as trains did not run from Scotland to Bournemouth on a Sunday. The Green Park hotel (topping the list for luxury) was itself divided between esteemed and lesser guests by the owner as late as 1973. As the book recalls: “He telephones the fortunate chosen people and asks them – with the air of a prince offering a baronetcy – if they’ll be coming for Passover.”
In contrast it also poignantly recalls the smaller, lesser-known and cheaper establishments where the ‘yiddishkeit’ and the smell of sauerkraut provided emotional nourishment for a generation of European refugees. Food in the hotels earns a chapter of its own. By the 1960s, the arts, music and theatre were well catered for. The local synagogues – fewer than there are today, as neither the Liberal nor Chabad existed in Bournemouth then – bulged seasonally, and several of the hotels provided their own in-house shul. Social life is likened to the hotels in the Catskills – the famous summer destination for New York Jews that all Marvelous Mrs Maisel fans will relate to. Love was always in the air too, there were engagements and honeymoons. Finally, it’s all brought to life by delightful illustrations. The front cover, by artist Beverley-Jane Stewart, leaps out with vibrancy and life, depicting a middleclass leisure with teas on the lawn, uniformed waitresses and a smattering of wealth shown by Rolls Royces. The photographs and artist’s drawings inside all build the picture of life as it was. This book is a gem and I would highly recommend it. • Jews by the Seaside is available from all good bookstores. To purchase a signed copy, email pamfox@virginmedia.com
Birmingham’s bumper toast to mainstay Frank By Joe Seager
Frank Maxwell, picture by Charles Davis
A landmark 85th birthday kiddush for Birmingham Progressive Synagogue (BPS) President Frank Maxwell was held a year after it was meant to happen. After a 12-month postponement due to Covid-19, members and friends turned up in good numbers to extend warm wishes and show full regard for Frank’s longheld commitments to BPS. Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi, who led the service, said: “Frank is far-sighted, determined and generous in all that he does for our community. At the age of 86, he has the energy of a young man.”
CHILDREN from The Liberal Synagogue Elstree’s Sunday Hub attended the local War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday along with council dignitaries and members of St Nicholas Church. As part of the service, they read a poem and Rabbi Tanya Sakhnovich said Kaddish.
Youth
January/February 2022
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
Ending as we mean to go on...
LJY-Netzer members finished 2021 by enjoying fun and games on the Plaganim Sleepover and activities including high ropes as part of Kinus
IT HAS been a busy couple of months for LJY-Netzer. Our first in-person event since the summer was a Plaganim Sleepover, for members aged 8-11, held at Finchley Progressive Synagogue. The event was space themed, so we’re sure you can imagine the intergalactic shenanigans that occurred. Lucy Iveson, one of our leaders on the weekend, said: “From Gangaschlaff (a very messy team game) to educational sessions, I had an amazing experience leading for the first time. “Planning the sessions and seeing them come to life was very rewarding. “My favourite part was not just leading myself, but seeing what the others had planned as well. I am now really looking forward to future LJY events.” The Plaganim Sleepover was followed by Mazkirut, the annual seminar for our Bogrimot (18+ leaders), which this year was held in Leeds. We came together to reflect on this summer’s events, get ideological and just spend time with each other. Many a discussion was had, as we thought about mental health provisions on camp, setting up an official constitution for LJY and so much more. The event also coincided with Mitzvah Day. Our good deeds were doing conservation work in a local woodland and delivering leaflets locally for a mutual aid community organisation.
We also took part in a seminar to set up long-lasting social action links for our regional kehilot (communities) to continue this work all year round whether that’s regularly volunteering at a foodbank or working with university societies to start a new campaign. After this we had our Kinus weekend, an action-packed adventure experience, in which our participants aged 11-15 also had the opportunity to change LJY by proposing motions to be voted on. We brainstormed motions, debated them thoroughly and then decided which ones we wanted to add to our movement.
“LJY should be more connected to nature” was one of those passed, along with thoughtful decisions about dorm time on our events and the gender dynamics of sports day on Machaneh Kadimah summer camp. We were so impressed with the ideas of our chanichimot (participants). They seemed to enjoy the caving, high ropes and adventure courses too. Thanks so much to everyone who got involved with LJY in 2021. We’ve had such a fantastic time running in-person events again, and look forward to seeing even more of you all in 2022.
A brand new spring camp WE are pleased to announce that in 2022 we are launching Machaneh Shamayim… LJY-Netzer’s amazing new spring camp for those aged 8-15! There is no better way to enjoy your school holiday than on Machaneh Shamayim. It will be five days and four nights of non-stop fun as part of a warm, inclusive community of other young Liberal Jews in the beautiful surroundings of Sussex. Running from 10-14 of April, it will retain the intimate camp community and easy-going atmosphere of our previous spring camp Machaneh Aviv.
That makes Machaneh Shamayim perfect for new people wanting to try out LJY-Netzer and regulars who can’t go a whole year without an LJY camp. We will also be launching our new inspiring chuggim (project groups), where you will get to pick your own stream – from choices including art, dance and sport – and participate in 90 minutes of daily dedicated activity, outside of normal LJY sessions. Machaneh Shamayim is certainly one you won’t want to miss. Please visit www.ljy-netzer.org or contact us via the details below to find out more.
Contact LJY-Netzer: Jess Mindel (j.mindel@liberaljudaism.org), Joe Shotton (j.shotton@liberaljudaism.org) Director of Youth - Rebecca Fetterman (r.fetterman@liberaljudaism.org)
January/February 2022
Page 12 LJ Today
Liberal Judaism congregations The Ark Synagogue (Northwood and Pinner) T: 01923 822 592 E: admin@arksynagogue.org W: arksynagogue.org
Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community T: 07497 401 280 E: eljc.contact@gmail.com W: eljc.org.uk
Manchester Liberal Jewish Community T: 0161 796 6210 E: mljc@liberaljudaism.org W: mljc.org.uk
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
Mosaic Liberal (Harrow) T: 020 8864 5323 E: office@mosaicliberal.org.uk W: mosaicliberal.org.uk
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
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: administrator@elels.org.uk W: elels.org.uk
Kehillah North London T: 07706 354 602 E: info@kehillah.org.uk W: kehillah.org.uk Kent Liberal Jewish Community T: 07384 993 553 E: enquiries@kljc.org.uk W: kljc.org.uk Kingston Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8398 7400 E: kls@liberaljudaism.org W: klsonline.org Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation T: 0116 271 5584 E: 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 The Liberal Synagogue Elstree T: 020 8953 8889 E: office@tlse.org.uk W: tlse.org.uk Lincolnshire Jewish Community W: lincolnsynagogue.com
The Montagu Centre 21 Maple Street London, W1T 4BE T: 020 7580 1663 E: montagu@liberaljudaism.org W: liberaljudaism.org
Liberal Judaism is the dynamic, cutting edge of modern Judaism. It reverences Jewish tradition, seeking to preserve the values of the past, while giving them contemporary force. Charity Number: 1151090
lj today is edited by Simon Rothstein. Please send news to s.rothstein@liberaljudaism.org Printed by Precision Printing. www.precisionprinting.co.uk
Norwich Liberal Jewish Community E: nljc@liberaljudaism.org W: norwichljc.org.uk Nottingham Liberal Synagogue T: 0115 962 4761 E: nls@liberaljudaism.org W: nottinghamliberalsynagogue.com
Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community T: 07561 331 390 E: info@pljc.org.uk W: pljc.org.uk Reading Liberal Jewish Community E: readingliberaljewishcommunity@ gmail.com
W: readingljc.org.uk Shir Hatzafon (Copenhagen) E: shir@shirhatzafon.dk W: shirhatzafon.dk South Bucks Jewish Community T: 0300 102 1506 E: info@sbjc.org.uk W: sbjc.org.uk Southgate Progressive Synagogue T: 0300 102 1506 E: office@sps.uk.com W: sps.uk.com The South London Liberal Synagogue (Streatham) T: 020 8769 4787 E: office@southlondon.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 W: suffolkljc.co.uk Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community (Gloucestershire and Herefordshire) T: 07900 612 058 E: info@3cljc.org.uk W: 3cljc.org.uk 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 Oxford Jewish Congregation T: 01865 515 584 E: connections@ojc-online.org W: ojc-online.org
Chair Ruth Seager Deputy Chair Karen Newman Treasurer Paul Silver-Myer Legal Governance Ros Clayton Inclusion Owen Power Youth Hannah Stephenson Communities Janet Berkman Education Susanne Szal Strategy Alex Kinchin-Smith Finance Leslie Moss President Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein Vice Presidents Simon Benscher, Monique Blake, Lord Fink, Louise Freedman, Sharon Goldstein, Lucian Hudson, David Lipman, Corinne Oppenheimer, David Pick, Rabbi Danny Rich, Tony Sacker, Joan Shopper, Phil Stone and Beverley Taylor 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 Gellnick Director of Youth Becca Fetterman Fundraising and Events Thomas Rich Senior Administrator Tanya Garfield Archivist Alison Turner PR Simon Rothstein Finance Janet Manderson Heritage Shaan Knan Chaplaincy Rabbi Eryn London LJY-Netzer Jess Mindel and Joe Shotton