LJ Today Jan/Feb 2023

ljtoday

Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism www.liberaljudaism.org January/February 2023 VOL. L No. 1

A Ball to look to the future

THE Liberal Judaism Presidents’ Ball was a night of great music, delicious food and, most importantly of all, the very best of company.

Hosted by Liberal Judaism CEO Rabbi Charley Baginsky, the event was a chance to celebrate with all those who have supported our movement during this hugely successful 120th year.

Liberal Jews from many different communities gathered at Southgate Progressive Synagogue to dance to the Friday Night Rock band, enjoy a banquet from Penny Beral Catering and have their pictures drawn by Ivo the Caricaturist.

Guests officially welcomed Rabbi Alexandra Wright as Liberal Judaism’s new President. She shared how humbled she felt to be taking on the role.

Outgoing President Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein outlined the successes from Liberal Judaism’s 120th anniversary fundraising campaign – including 49 young people receiving bursaries to attend LJY-Netzer events and the impending return of a Progressive Jewish Chaplain – before looking to the future.

He said: “We stand here today as a strong and vital movement. I have been active in Liberal Judaism for over 70 years and my grandchildren are fifth generation Liberal Jews. I believe in this movement and, like all of you, have a deep desire to see Liberal Judaism flourish for generations to come, just as I see it prospering now.”

A highlight of the evening was the launch of a Prize Draw for all existing and new regular donors to Liberal Judaism –in order to help fund the future outlined by the evening’s speakers.

Prizes include a cookery class with leading Jewish chef Denise Phillips, some beautiful folio books, lunch at Middle Temple and two complimentary tickets to the Biennial Weekend.

The winner will be drawn at our next major event – the Liberal Judaism 120th Anniversary Closing Ceremony at The Ark Synagogue, Northwood, on Sunday 5 February 2023. Please email Tom on t.rich@liberaljudaism.org for more details about the Prize Draw and Closing Ceremony and/or to make a donation.

Biennial tracks announced

WE are pleased to announce the tracks for the 2023 Liberal Judaism Biennial Weekend, which takes place from Friday 19 - Sunday 21 May at the Staverton Park Hotel in Daventry. The title of our movement’s flagship conference is LJ Matters and each track, listed below, explains that ‘LJ Matters because it is…’

Rooted: What unites us as Jews? How do we preserve our internal identity?

Responsive: What responsibility do we have to the outside world?

Inclusive: Setting out our priorities for an inclusive Judaism and how to meet them.

Diverse: How do we ensure a multiplicity of voices, representation and opinion across our movement?

Collaborative: What are the fundamentals of community?

Effective: A strong collaborative voice to speak on social justice, and a strong collaborative community to act on it.

Proud: A track led by youth but not just for youth. What are our questions for tomorrow’s world?

Joyful: We don’t always take ourselves so seriously. The weird and quirky subjects that are just fun to talk about.

Meaningful: Exploring spirituality.

Accessible: Making sure our buildings, and our Judaism, are accessible.

Biennial Weekend tickets are on sale NOW from www.liberaljudaism.org

Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein and Rabbi Alexandra Wright at The Presidents’ Ball - by Yakir Zur

Rabbi John Rayner immortalised

“If ever freedom was a tangible thing, it was so that morning in Harwich.”

Rabbi John Rayner’s inscription on the Harwich Kindertransport Memorial

FORMER Liberal Judaism President Rabbi John Rayner’s words and image adorn a new Kindertransport Memorial in Harwich, Essex.

The bronze statue, entitled Safe Haven, was unveiled earlier this year. Sculpted by artist Ian Wolter, it commemorates the arrival of thousands of Kindertransport children, mostly Jewish, into the port of Harwich; for many their first sight of freedom after escaping the Nazis.

One of those children was John Rayner, who went on to become one of the most celebrated Liberal Jewish rabbis, leaders and writers of our times. When he died in 2005, aged 81, tributes poured in from around the world.

His daughter Susan and other family members attended the emotional unveiling ceremony.

Susan told lj today: “I took a train from London and, on my journey, I thought about my father arriving in England for the first time as a 15-year-old, leaving behind his parents to an unknown fate.

“We sat by the harbour beside the pier. There were a few hundred people and onlookers from the town standing by, with a few police officers on duty.

“When the talks began about the history of the Kindertransport, including by the Mayor and Town Crier, I felt afraid for my safety, as I confused my father’s experiences with the present time.

“I realised more than ever before that my father’s experiences were continuing in me, not only as a memory of his life but in my blood and bones. When he arrived from Germany, he did not know what was going to happen to his parents and prayed that they would be safe. Tragically, they were murdered in the Holocaust.”

Susan added: “When the sculpture was unveiled, I was happy to see such a beautiful, powerful and hopeful piece. The crowd seemed to feel the same way.

“The image of one of the boys (pictured) was a representation of my father with the inscription taken from a short autobiographical piece he had written for an anthology about Jewish childhoods.

“This is one child’s story, and my family are eternally grateful. We also grieved for the children and their parents who did not make the same journey to freedom, and the many refugees who are looking for a safe place to live today.”

The sculpture was erected by the Harwich Kindertransport Memorial and Learning Trust with generous donations from the Governments of Germany and Austria, the Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) and many private donors.

Helen Brown, a member of Norwich Liberal Jewish Community, plays a key role in the Trust, which has also created a supporting educational programme.

Leo Bear Day’s 10th anniversary

FOLLOWING a long standing practice now in its tenth year, on the Thursday before BBC Children in Need, Leo Baeck College held its annual Leo Bear Day.

LBC’s faculty and students brought an assortment of soft toy animals to classes and the daily morning service - making a contribution per animal to the charity.

Rabbi Nathan Godleman, who established the tradition when a student, said: “The anniversary saw the biggest bear so far, by the look of that fellow seated on the left. Well done, everyone!”

LJ news round-up

• RABBI Nathan Godleman of the South London Liberal Synagogue represented Liberal Judaism at the AJEX Annual Remembrance Parade and Ceremony, which this year was themed on connection.

More than 3,000 people gathered, with 1,400 then participating in the march from Horse Guards Parade down Whitehall to The Cenotaph. Others taking part included Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Masorti Judaism’s Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg and Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl.

Nathan said: “It was an honour to represent Liberal Judaism and be part of AJEX Parade, where we remember the service and sacrifice of the past and acknowledge our ongoing commitment to the armed forces of the United Kingdom.”

• THE first David Jacobi Memorial Scholarship Concert took place at the Razumovsky Academy.

David, the brother of Rabbis Margaret and Richard Jacobi, was a passionate cellist. After his death, a scholarship was set up in his name to assist musicians from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The concert was given by Oleg Kogan, a renowned cellist who taught David, and Stella Konshina and Maxime Grizard – two talented young musicians who have been supported by the fund.

• YORK Liberal Jewish Community is looking for an entrepreneurial, inspirational, energetic, selfmotivated and sympathetic rabbi to support the religious, spiritual, pastoral and educational needs of its members and help grow the congregation. This is a parttime position (50%) in a thriving community in the heart of a beautiful city. For more information, please email chair@jewsinyork.org.uk

• HILARY FOX of Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue has completed her 70th birthday skydive, raising £2,380 for Gaddesden Place RDA Centre. She said: “It was quite a challenge, but the best part has been seeing people’s amazing generosity.”

Liberal Jews celebrate historic wedding

TWO members of Sukkat Shalom, the Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community, have made history by getting married in Scotland’s first ever Jewish same-sex wedding. Jennifer Andreacchi and Han Smith tied the knot in Lower College Hall, St Andrews University, in a ceremony conducted by Liberal Judaism’s Rabbi Mark Solomon.

The couple, in their mid 20s, are from New Jersey. They met at university in the States seven years ago. They fell in love with Scotland after spending a semester at St Andrews University and moved back to the country for post-graduate programmes; Han at the University of Edinburgh and Jennifer at St Andrews. They proposed to each other in May 2021, overlooking Edinburgh Castle.

Han said: “Jen and I were surprised to learn that we were going to be the first queer Jewish wedding in Scotland. In part, we felt nervous to be representing such a significant event in Scottish LGBTQI+ Jewish history.

“Marrying Jen was always going to be one of the most magical days of my life... the significance of the day for other queer Jews made it feel that much more beautiful and surreal.”

Han has a Jewish parent and Jennifer has Jewish ancestry going back to a grandparent. However, as neither had Jewish religious upbringings, they both went through a formal conversion process with Rabbi Mark Solomon as their sponsor.

Jennifer added: “The fact our wedding was also a history-making event makes it all the more special for us.

“Han and I have been working towards staying in Scotland permanently. We are surrounded by such a welcoming Jewish community at Sukkat Shalom - who have supported and celebrated us - and being married by Rabbi Mark just felt all the more meaningful.”

Liberal Judaism is at the forefront of LGBTQI+ marriage equality - successfully campaigning for a change in law, creating bespoke liturgy and becoming the first in the world to offer ketubot for same-sex couples and/or those who prefer a nonbinary or gender neutral format.

Han Smith and Jennifer Andreacchi are married by Rabbi Mark Solomon and then showered with confetti - pictures by Fern Photography

Dialogue and song at Kingston

WINTER hasn’t frozen the enthusiasm at Kingston Liberal Synagogue (KLS), as the congregation continue to enjoy a series of eclectic and original services.

To mark Interfaith Week, they were joined by members of the local Dialogue Society for Shabbat.

Established in 1999, the Dialogue Society was founded by a group of British Muslims of Turkish background with the aim of advancing social cohesion by connecting communities, empowering people to engage and contributing to the development of ideas on dialogue and community building.

During the sermon slot their Project Coordinator and Research Fellow, Iysha Arun, gave a talk on the “oldest dessert in the world” – Noah’s Pudding.

A combination of ingredients including chickpeas, apricots, pomegranate seeds, nuts, coconuts, sugar and barley, it represents the celebratory meal that Noah made when he came off the Ark.

Asking the congregation to imagine they were a chickpea, she described the dessert and how it represented communities of diversity and commonality. Everyone was then able to taste this pudding at Kiddush.

Speaking after the event, Iysha said: “The Shabbat service here filled my soul with peace. I love all the similarities in our faith and cultures.”

Two weeks later, the Shabbat family service was turned over to the religion school students who performed a new musical called Noah on the Earth.

Revisiting the story of Noah to reflect on themes of climate change, family and what it is to be human, Noah on the Earth is composed and led by KLS member Ethan Kelly. It is designed to be performed for and with religious and educational communities.

Accompanying himself on guitar and harmonica, Ethan was ably assisted by the KLS children in readings, singing and some very lively noisemaking.

Following the performance, he said: “I had my barmitzvah at KLS and learnt how to play the guitar by teaching here, so it felt very special to lead this family service with my own community.”

Ethan will now take Noah on the Earth to Limmud. You can book him for your community via ethanalkelly@gmail.com

YLJC help relight Clifford’s Tower

MEMBERS of York Liberal Jewish Community (YLJC) have been involved in two historic projects at Clifford’s Tower.

Liberal Jews including Howard Duckworth have joined school children, Rotary Club members and the English Heritage gardening team to replant 100,000 daffodil bulbs at the landmark.

Bulbs were first planted in 1992, to commemorate the 150 Jews who died in one of the worst antisemitic massacres of the Middle Ages. Forming a Star of David, covering the Tower’s entire mound, they have become a unique feature of York’s early spring and a moving reminder of one of the darkest episodes in the city’s history. But, over the years, many have become depleted.

Michael Klemperer, Senior Landscapes Advisor at English Heritage, said: “It is hoped that next spring, the flowers will be a stunning sea of sunshine yellow to

mark the Memorial Day of the Jewish massacre on 16 March. We thank the local community for coming out and helping get this monumental job done.”

Howard added: “I had a brilliant day at Clifford’s Tower in the rain with loads of school children planting bulbs. This has been something of a labour of love for Michael and he was very moved that the Jewish community could take part.”

YLJC is also supporting the Making History: Chanukah 2022 event at Clifford’s Tower, which is taking place as lj today goes to print.

Howard has been involved with organising this groundbreaking event, the first to ever happen inside the tower. Liberal Judaism CEO Rabbi Charley Baginsky will speak at the event.

The community will also host a mass last-night Chanukah lighting on the grass across from Clifford’s Tower.

Members of the Dialogue Society and KLS at the interfaith service (left) and Ethan Kelly with Rabbi René Pfertzel and KLS’s musical performers

Michael Klemperer and Howard Duckworth

‘Mitzvah Day turns strangers into friends’

Two Liberal Judaism rabbis on continuing the day of social action all year round

By Rabbi Rebecca Birk

KINDNESS and the obligation to care have always been at the heart of Mitzvah Day. And all the more so towards strangers, who are turned into friends.

Since its creation more than a decade ago, by Laura Marks OBE, Mitzvah Day has become the largest faith led day of social action and kindness. It has much to be proud of.

The charity’s new CEO, Stuart Diamond, visited our project at Finchley Progressive Synagogue.

We spoke about the challenge for our Liberal communities – and indeed those of all denominations – of how to give Mitzvah Day a specific focus, as we have been committed to tikkun olam (repair of the world) and gemilut hasadim (acts of loving-kindness) for decades.

That is why we used this year’s Mitzvah Day to capture our synagogue’s desire to create supportive and long-term relationships with a local community centre that we also chose for our High Holy Days appeal.

The Rainbow Centre supports diverse families and households on the Dollis Valley estate. There is a food bank, after school clubs, and lunch and youth provision during holidays when families struggle without free school meals. There is a debt advisory service and community connection for older folk.

Mitzvah Day provided the perfect opportunity for us to meet together and use the focus of the day to get to truly know one another (pictured).

Over face paints and book swaps we learned a new volunteer is needed to lead their debt advice; they also need mentors and tutors and retired teachers to help with homework.

Julie was there with one of her three autistic children. She had to stop working as a mental health practitioner because she’s enabling her children to manage better in the world. So now the food bank and holiday lunches are essential for her.

Christine is on her own with her 12-year-old daughter, Mia, who won’t go anywhere without her since Covid. Our shared day at the Rainbow Centre gave her hope that, with us, it might happen.

Meanwhile, we have teenagers only too happy to share their experience of parents separating and the trials of school post-Covid.

For me and our synagogue, the best part of the Mitzvah Day was to begin being in this relationship as partners.

This is not just charitable work for those who need it.

This is the highest of Maimonides’ levels of tzedakah (righteousness/ charity), strengthening the capacity of others and entering into partnership to alleviate the pressures of this cost of living crisis.

Ben Azzai insisted the most important Jewish value is that everyone is b’tzelem Elohim (created in the image of God) and Mitzvah Day encourages us all to play our part in this.

There was a lot of love on our Mitzvah Day. We look forward to that continuing.

• Rabbi Rebecca Birk is Co-Chair of the Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors and Rabbi of Finchley Progressive Synagogue. This piece originally ran in The Jewish Chronicle Picture by Yakir Zur.

By Rabbi Aaron Goldstein

MITZVAH DAY has become an absolute phenomenon. It is praised by politicians, held up as an exemplar and has been adopted by other faith groups who both join our day and have created their own. It breeds interfaith understanding.

On Mitzvah Day Sunday, in my synagogue, we have shared projects to bring joy to the lives of children in hospital and found ourselves in a field planting trees for the Woodland Trust alongside Hindu families and youth groups. Our Kabbalat Torah class has joined the local Roman Catholic confirmation class collecting goods outside a supermarket for the Hillingdon Live at Home scheme. We have gathered spectacles for World Jewish Relief, toiletries for Jewish Women’s Aid and laptops for local refugees, as well as supporting the AJEX at the Cenotaph. But what of Monday? Indeed, what of Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and so on throughout the year?

Mitzvah Day has demanded our attention and a place in our Jewish calendar. But its legend is created if it seeds in each of us the desire to perform mitzvot every day of the year.

We now must harness the enthusiasm for performing a mitzvah on one day into a desire to volunteer one’s precious time and do small deeds every day.

This year, I was happy to return to my usual Mitzvah Day haunt, Croxley Common Moor, to go scrub-bashing (pictured). What was remarkable is that for a growing number, and for me, this is not just an annual event; we volunteer there regularly. As the rabbinic dictum states, mitzvah goreret mitzvah – one mitzvah leads to another!

• Rabbi Aaron Goldstein is Senior Rabbi of The Ark Synagogue. This piece originally ran in The Jewish News Picture by Keith Gold.

Mitzvah Day 2022

Nottingham Liberal Synagogue took to the streets of Sherwood, with three neighbouring churches to tidy and pick up litter

Sukkat Shalom, the Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community, teamed up with Orthodox neighbours to do a litter pick at the Water of Leith

Members of Kingston Liberal Synagogue packed over 150 Winter Warmer bags, as part of a joint project with RBKares - a team of volunteers that aims to respond at pace to help vulnerable groups

Dublin Progressive Jewish Congregation packed Chanukah boxes for the 50+ Jewish Ukrainians living all around Ireland. The JRCI Ukraine Support Welcome Group helped to identify the families

3 Counties Liberal Jewish Community, Gloucestershire Action for Refugees & Asylum Seekers and St Lawrence Church put on a day for refugees - with entertainment, food and goodies to take home

Cheder children at East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue collected toys and games for Haven House Children’s Hospice

Rabbi Ariel Friedlander and the Or ‘Ammim Progressive Community joined a local group in Bologna, Italy, to clear a public park

York’s Liberal Jewish Community’s Mitzvah Day grocery collection for York Foodbank netted at least £2,000 estimated worth of items, from tuna to tampons and from soup to sticky toffee puddings

2022 in pictures

Rabbi Sandra Kviat and Crouch End Chavurah helped in the garden and kitchen of the Girdlestone Food Cooperative in Archway

Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue knitted blankets to send to Ukraine and people in hospital, while the Liberal Jewish Synagogue collected items and made cards for Sufra NW London foodbank

At the The Liberal Synagogue Elstree Hub the children, teachers and parents baked and made soup for Borehamwood Foodbank

Members of Kehillah North London teamed up with the London Wildlife Trust for conservation tasks at Walthamstow Wetlands

Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Sikh and Hindu volunteers in Lincoln met each other for the first time – going to the local university to create a Peace Garden by clearing leaves and planting 1,000 bulbs. The President of Lincolnshire Jewish Community Richard Dale said: “We worked together, talked together and ate together - coming from our different traditions to create a Peace Garden. It wasn’t just the symbolism that was perfect... the sun came out too!”

This Is Me Salford’s Pete Simms and the Board of Deputies’ Sara Radivan met with YLJC Deputy Owen Power to discuss an upcoming festive Mitzvah Day project for a local foodbank for LGBTQI+ people

Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue children made tote bags from old T-shirts and filled them with goods for a local charity

Concert for Ukraine raises thousands

TWO HUNDRED people packed into Birmingham Progressive Synagogue to hear three musical ensembles and raise money to help the people of Ukraine.

The Kol Kinor Choir began the concert. Laurie Taylor, one of their longest serving members introduced them and their conductor and Director of Music - Jake Fifer. Accompanied by Brian Stearn on the keyboards, they sang beautifully with a full range of voices from soprano to bass. They included some lovely arrangements of traditional prayers sung in Hebrew with great precision and emotional sensitivity. Having worked together for many years, they looked and sounded like a confident professional choir.

They were followed by the Knowle Male Voice Choir who were introduced by Denis Barnfield in a cheerful manner as “a bunch of reprobates.”

Once more expertly conducted by Jake Fifer, who must take a lot of credit for producing two choirs of this standard, they were able to produce that full-bodied rich swell of sound that we associate with similar choirs from Wales.

AS part of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue’s ongoing initiative to raise awareness and support for refugees, they are sharing Eight Refugee Stories for Chanukah – a candle reading for each night. You can download/print them from www.liberaljudaism.org

and greeted with pleasure. Perhaps more surprising and impressive was their ability to bring tears to the eyes with a quiet harmonious rendition of Oseh Shalom.

The third group, The Kataklezmics, provided contrast to the evening. In jaunty hats and carrying their instruments on stage, they looked like the sort of travelling band that would have played at weddings and festivals in Eastern Europe.

Their standard of playing was excellent and the instruments – accordion, flute, cello, clarinet, violins and viola –complemented each other. The repertoire was mostly upbeat and even humorous pieces that invited dance, though for health and safety reasons (and age!) we restricted ourselves to clapping and cheering. Instrumental solos were virtuoso and there was some fine singing.

The evening was punctuated by video footage of on the ground work being conducted in Ukraine. Nick Wormald, who instigated this work, gave a short speech explaining what had already been

Featuring stories of eight people –three refugees who fled Nazi oppression and five who sought refuge in the UK more recently – it is hoped that they will be read during, and after, Chanukah by Liberal Judaism and LJY-Netzer members around the country.

achieved and what our concert proceeds would be used for in funding future projects. He was warmly applauded for the courage and energy he has put into initialising and sustaining this work.

The concert raised almost £3,000 which will be shared between Nick’s charity and World Jewish Relief’s Ukraine Appeal.

At the end of the evening, Jake promised us a surprise number. Olga Popova from Ukraine took the stage and, accompanied by the two choirs, sang the solo part of the Ukrainian lullaby Oy Khodit Son (The Dream Passes By The Window) in a delicate and clear soprano voice. The impact in the beautiful synagogue setting was ethereal and spellbinding.

It was also a reminder of the bravery of those still in Ukraine, the talents of the refugees and the generosity of those offering help to them.

Thanks to Jake Fifer, Elly Stanton and Joyce Rothschild for organising this concert and all those who helped, as well as to the excellent musicians who performed so well for us all.

Rabbi Margaret Jacobi said: “In our time, many are still persecuted. These stories remind us that, as Jewish people, the refugee experience is our experience. As we read them, may we be inspired to support those who seek safety on our shores today.”

Mark Pearson on a special musical event at Birmingham Progressive Synagogue

Favourites from Les Miserables were sung with gusto

Mosaic Liberal enjoy first service in new home

By Alan Solomon

WE reported in the September/October 2022 issue of lj today that Mosaic Liberal Synagogue (formerly known as Wembley Liberal and then Harrow & Wembley Progressive) was shortly to move into its new home in Stanmore.

The building is home to the area’s Liberal, Reform and Masorti synagogues – which joined together in 2014 to form Mosaic Jewish Community, a unique pluralist partnership in Anglo-Jewry.

As with many projects, things did not happen as quickly as hoped. But finally, on 3 December, all three congregations were able to hold their first Shabbat morning services in different areas of this state-of-the-art building.

Poppy runner

It was an emotional occasion for which we had all waited many years, and began with a shehecheyanu. After the services, we got together for a communal kiddush.

A separate event was also held with our four rabbis and Harry Grant of Mosaic Reform, who are the building owners, to welcome us all (pictured).

We in Mosaic Liberal look forward to furthering our association with our Reform and Masorti friends, joining together in some services for minor festivals and all the educational, social and cultural events that Mosaic Jewish Community are arranging in our new home.

In the Spring Mosaic Liberal will mark our 75th anniversary, when we will be able to show off our new premises to a number of guests.

If you are in the Stanmore and Bushey areas then why not drop in and see us. You can also connect with us by searching ‘ChooseMosiac’ on Facebook and Instagram or via www.choosemosaic.org

Calling all Table Tennis players

ARE you looking to return to playing table tennis, improve your skills or get some exercise? Then Chase Table Tennis Club at Southgate Progressive Synagogue is the place for you. The club meets every Tuesday from 10am-12pm. It costs £4 per session and tea and coffee are available. Please call Mike on 07950 205 143 for details.

JAMES GILL, a member of the South London Liberal Synagogue, has received a Legion Legend medal for raising almost £400 taking part in the Poppy Run.

The Poppy Run is a series of family friendly races across the UK which raise money for the Royal British Legion.

James, who ran 5k in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, said: “It was a good race and the culmination of my training. Those that serve in the British Armed Forces make a sacrifice that few of us can contemplate. It is only right that such brave men and women are looked after and supported during their return to civilian life.

“I’m glad that the money I raised through the fun and rewarding Poppy Run was a small part of a much larger national mission to support those who do so much for our country.”

Speaking out on the rise of the far right

LIBERAL rabbis and youth leaders have criticised the rise of the far right in Israel in a series of statements, social media posts and press articles.

Following the most recent election, Liberal Judaism and LJY-Netzer put out a joint statement highlighting the racist, misogynist and homophobic campaign run by the Religious Zionism Party of Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir.

It emphasised how the rights of Palestinians, Arabs, LGBTQI+ people and other minorities in Israel are being eroded. This runs counter to both Jewish values and the vision of Israel’s founders to develop the land for the benefit of all its inhabitants, and to implement the prophetic ideals of liberty and justice.

The appointment of Avi Maoz as the so-called ‘Minister of Jewish Identity’ brought with it threats to the Law of Return and the ending of the ‘grandchild clause’, as well as the delegitimising of non-Orthodox conversions to Judaism for the purpose of Israeli citizenship.

Writing in The Jewish News, Liberal Judaism CEO Rabbi Charley Baginsky said: “This next Benjamin Netanyahu Government represents a clear and present danger to Liberal, Reform and Progressive Judaism – as well as to the values, such as equality and tolerance, that all liberally minded people hold dear.

“Our global Progressive communities are full of committed Jews who have both Judaism and Israel close to their hearts.

“This new Government appears to be telling them that they are not welcome and, worse, they are not Jewish enough.

“I spend a lot time thinking about how to ensure the next generation feels connected to Israel in a deep and influential way. My own connection led me to make aliyah (immigration to Israel) and when returning to the UK influenced a deep and profound part of my rabbinate.

“Of course, each cohort has to reframe and make relevant their own relationship with Israel. However, the recent Israeli elections and even more so the current governmental appointments are ensuring a severing of the relationship that I fear will be irreparable.

“A line has been crossed.”

Dam good

SEVEN Kabbalat Torah teenagers from Finchley Progressive Synagogue (FPS) finally got to go on the Amsterdam trip that they missed last year due to Covid.

The group – who after two years of KT have embarked on their self-named KT3 (meeting monthly for learning and fun)were delighted to mark this moment in their FPS story.

LIBERAL Judaism’s rabbis planted a tree to mark the legacy of 120 years of our movement at their Kallah retreat.

Kallah – named after the rabbinic gatherings instituted in Babylon in the third century – is a chance for Liberal Jewish clergy to get together in the tranquil setting of Charney Manor, Oxfordshire, and discuss questions around theology, spirituality and the direction of Liberal Judaism.

This year’s Kallah was led by Rabbi Larry Hoffman, an American Reform rabbi and Professor Emeritus at the New York campus of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.

He is known internationally for his writing, lectures and groundbreaking work on the future of community.

Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein –pictured at the tree planting with Rabbis Margaret Jacobi and Mark Solomon – said: “This was the first Kallah after Covid lockdowns and a good opportunity for colleagues to reflect on past difficulties and discuss future plans inspirationally.

“For me, and many others, it was the most successful Kallah in memory and it was fitting that it concluded by planting a willow, the tree known for its flexibility and adaptability.”

The visit was split into three parts. On Friday, the group journeyed through Dutch Jewish history from the 1600s to the early 1900s at the Portuguese Synagogue and Jewish Museum. In the evening they attended Kabbalat Shabbat at the Liberaal Joodse Gemeente (Liberal Jewish Community) Amsterdam.

Saturday was tough, with its focus on the Holocaust and visits to the Resistance Museum and Anne Frank’s House.

Sunday saw the trip conclude with tours of the world-famous Van Gogh Museum and the, entirely unknown and much underappreciated, Multituli Museum to look at Dutch culture, art and historical and current attitudes to racism and inclusion.

Thoroughly exhausted, the teens collapsed onto the Eurostar and were home in time for tea.

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

Are you ready for LJY-Netzer Israel Tour 5783?

WE are super excited to be launching Israel Tour 5783. If you are in year 11, then join your chaverimot (friends) for an exciting three weeks in locations including Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and, our favourite of all, Kibbutz Lotan. You will visit amazing sites and meet incredible Druze, Arabs and Jews.

Whether or not you’ve been to Israel before, our LJY Tour is the perfect opportunity to discover this fascinating country and develop your understanding of both Israel and Progressive Judaism.

You will discover more about yourself, meet new people, bond as a community and develop your leadership skills.

We are touring Spain too

AFTER a two-year hiatus LJY-Netzer Kayitz (Europe Tour) is back.

This year it is called Kayitz Seferad 5783 and we are travelling around Andalucia, Spain, a place that is full of Jewish history and culture and lots of fun too.

If you are in year 12, you will spend eight days travelling from Granada to Cordoba and ending in Seville. You will learn about the golden age of Jewish culture in Spain, and the subsequent story of persecution, Inquisition and expulsion – before the return of Jews to the country in more recent times. It will all relate back to our own Jewish identities and communities.

Plus you will get to try sevillanas dancing and cooking and take a trip to an amazing water park.

We are also blessed to have a wonderful tour guide, Haim, who says: “We cannot understand Judaism today without what happened in Spain. Andalusia housed the most flourishing Jewish community of the 10th century. The peace, stability and economic and cultural splendour that facilitated the establishment of the Umayyad Caliphate in cities like Cordoba, as well as the network of great cultural centres to which Andalusia belonged, were the basis for this community to become a source of inspiration for the entire Jewish world.

“More than 10 centuries later, Andalusia still has much to teach.”

Use the details below or visit www.ljy-netzer.org/kayitz-sepharad to find out more and book your place.

LJY-Netzer’s Israel Tour will take place from 17 July to 7 August. Financial assistance is always available; inclusion is a key part of LJY and we do not believe that anyone should miss out on this experience. To find out more and book, visit www.ljy-netzer.org/israel-tour-5783 or use the contact details below.

Contact LJY-Netzer: Sophie Leapman (s.leapman@liberaljudaism.org ), Jess Mindel (j.mindel@liberaljudaism.org), Joe Shotton (j.shotton@liberaljudaism.org) and Director of Youth - Rebecca Fetterman (r.fetterman@liberaljudaism.org)

Liberal Judaism congregations

The Ark Synagogue (Northwood and Pinner)

T: 01923 822 592

E: admin@arksynagogue.org W: arksynagogue.org

Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue

T: 0845 869 7105

E: info@bedsps.org.uk W: bedfordshire-ps.org.uk

Beit Klal Yisrael (London)

E: admin@bky.org.uk W: bky.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@bwpjc.org W: bwpjc.org

Crawley Jewish Community T: 01293 534 294

Crouch End Chavurah

E: naomi@crouchendchavurah.org W: www.crouchendchavurah.org

Dublin Jewish 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

Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community

T: 07376 916 920

E: eljc.contact@gmail.com W: eljc.org.uk

Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community

T: 0131 777 8024

E: info@eljc.org W: eljc.org

Finchley Progressive Synagogue

T: 020 8446 4063

E: fps@liberaljudaism.org W: fps.org

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

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

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

Lincolnshire Jewish Community W: lincolnsynagogue.com

Manchester Liberal Jewish Community

T: 0161 796 6210

E: mljc@liberaljudaism.org W: mljc.org.uk

Mosaic Liberal (Stanmore)

T: 020 8864 0133

E: office@mosaicliberal.org.uk W: mosaicliberal.org.uk

Norwich Liberal Jewish Community

E: nljc@liberaljudaism.org W: norwichljc.org.uk

Nottingham Liberal Synagogue

T: 0115 962 4761

E: info@nottinghamliberalsynagogue.com 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: 020 8886 0977

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: secretary.wljc@gmail.com W: wessexliberaljudaism.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 Leslie Moss Youth Hannah Stephenson Communities and Social Justice Owen Power Inclusion Alexandra Boyd Strategy Alex Kinchin-Smith Education and Complaints Susanne Szal Legal Governance and Small Communities Ros Clayton President Rabbi Alexandra Wright Vice Presidents Simon Benscher, Monique Blake, Nigel Cole, Lord (Stanley) Fink, Louise Freedman, Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein, Sharon Goldstein, Jane Greenfield, Lucian Hudson, Dr Edward Kessler MBE, Josie Kinchin, Ann Kirk BEM, Bob Kirk BEM, David Lipman, Frank Maxwell, Baroness (Gillian) Merron, 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 Youth Becca Fetterman Director of Development and Partnerships Alexandra Gellnick Fundraising & Events Tom Rich Executive Assistant Tanya Garfield Finance Janet Manderson Lifecycle Administrator Lisa Godsal Events & Communications Coordinator Sophie Stern PR Simon Rothstein Archivist Alison Turner Honeycomb Project Coordinator Rabbi Eryn London LJY-Netzer Sophie Leapman, Jess Mindel and Joe Shotton