July/August 2021 VOL. XLVIII No. 4
Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
www.liberaljudaism.org
ljtoday
Leading the way on social change again
L
IBERAL JUDAISM has become a founder member of the new Religious Alliance for Dignity in Dying, a collection of multi-faith groups, leaders and lay people calling for a change in the law on assisted dying. Liberal Judaism, as a movement, has long supported the right for terminally ill people, who are mentally competent, to determine how, when and where they die alongside high-quality end of life care. A private member’s bill on assisted dying has been introduced to the House of Lords by Baroness Meacher, Chair of Dignity in Dying, paving the way for the first debate on prospective legislation in Parliament in more than five years. Assisted dying is different from suicide or euthanasia and there are a number of safeguards in place.
Liberal Judaism Chief Executive Rabbi Charley Baginsky said: “Liberal Judaism has a proud history of being at the forefront of progressive societal change and speaking up Rabbi Charley Baginsky for much-needed liberal reforms with compassion at their heart. “Much like votes for women or equal marriage – rights which now seem unchallengeable – assisted dying is a right we are proud to champion for people nearing the end of their life.”
The Alliance, which is chaired by Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, also has the support of a wide variety of other faith groups and leaders including Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury. A major driving force in Liberal Judaism’s campaigning on the issue has been former Chief Executive and current Vice President Rabbi Danny Rich. Danny said: “I have long been an advocate of the right of terminally ill individuals, subject to appropriate safeguards, to decide the manner and timing of their own deaths. “That dying people are still forced to contemplate dying by suicide as an alternative to a traumatic or prolonged death by their disease is shameful. This is why Liberal Judaism is calling for true choice and control at the end of life.” LIBERAL JUDAISM’S Baroness (Gillian) Merron has taken her seat in the House of Lords. A member of both the South London Liberal Synagogue and Lincolnshire Jewish Community, she was previously the MP for Lincoln, a Government Minister and then Chief Executive of the Board of Deputies. In her maiden speech in the Lords, she said: “My parents grew up in the East End as children of Jewish immigrants forced to flee to Britain by pogroms that killed Jews and destroyed communities. “If my grandparents – who I was born too late to know – were told that their granddaughter, not even their grandson, would one day serve as a member of Her Majesty’s Government, Chief Executive of the Board of Deputies and now as a Life Peer, they would not have believed it. “For myself, I could only have dreamed of this honour.”
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Biennial
July/August 2021
Inclusion agenda at the heart of Biennial
Ruth and Andrew Seager delivering their session and (inset) keynote speaker Stephen Bush
LIBERAL JUDAISM’S leaders vowed to expand and enhance our movement’s inclusion agenda, even when it rouses passionate opposition, at the flagship Biennial Weekend. Chair Ruth Seager opened the conference, which was held online with the theme of Breaking Down Walls, with a passionate call to action. She laid out the many areas in which Liberal Judaism has been a trailblazer in the faith world: the introduction of nongendered liturgy; the campaign for equal marriage; last year’s decision to allow blessings under the chuppah for couples creating Jewish homes but where only one partner was Jewish. Ruth – who also delivered a session on living in a mixed faith marriage alongside non-Jewish husband Andrew – said: “These were all moments of true pride and made a significant difference to those who felt included as a consequence. “It is the case that, after any of these changes, we look back and find that the barrier or wall we had perceived has disappeared - leaving us wondering what, exactly, all the fuss had been about.” Ruth then told how Liberal Judaism still has a way to go, especially in being fully inclusive for Black Jews and Jews of Colour, including those from Sephardi and Mizrahi backgrounds. She added: “There will also be further walls to break down that I haven’t seen yet because I may be the wrong side of them; but I am always here to learn.” Liberal Judaism’s Chief Executive Officer Rabbi Charley Baginsky echoed Ruth’s sentiments – admitting that she too had discovered how much she didn’t know about inclusion over the last year. Charley said: “I cannot promise you that we will never make mistakes.
“But I can promise that when we say Liberal Judaism is a home for everyone’s Jewish story, we are committed to bringing that aspiration into reality.” The keynote speakers at the Biennial Weekend were Stephen Bush, the Chair of the Board of Deputy’s Commission on Racial Inclusivity in the Jewish Community, and Rabbi Benay Lappe, the Founder and Rosh Yeshiva of SVARA: A Traditionally Radical Yeshiva. Another keynote session saw Leo Baeck College Principal Rabbi Dr Deborah Kahn-Harris and Reconstructing Judaism President Rabbi Deborah Waxman discuss the future of the Progressive seminary. There was also groundbreaking antiracism training delivered by Citizens UK’s Charlotte Fischer and Glitch CEO Seyi Akiwowo, a talk by Combatants for Peace and various interfaith, cross-communal and international panels. A full programme of youth events was run by LJY-Netzer, while Liberal Judaism’s rabbis teamed up for beautiful and cutting-edge online Shabbat services put together by Rabbi Igor Zinkov of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue. The Biennial Weekend ended with a Dragon’s Den style judging panel picking the winner of Liberal Judaism’s Inclusion in Action award – a £3,000 grant to fund an inclusion project. The winning community was Kehillah North London. Rabbi Leah Jordan, who Co-Chaired the Biennial Organising Committee, said: “This weekend showcased 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.”
A reflection By Owen Power
THE BIENNIAL had so many highlights for me. I was blown away sharing love and much laughter with Rabbi Benay - and her talk on ‘The Crash’ was a real energy boost. There is also no doubt that Rabbi Igor can stand up and take a bow for the tremendous job of orchestrating the services. They were a joy to participate in and had something of the excitement of Eurovision. The Sunday morning anti-racism training was a timely response to the challenges Stephen Bush laid down and a great opportunity for our communities to think of ways we might be inclusive to Jews of Colour. The conference also shone a light on LJY-Netzer and our young people… and they did us proud. However, there will be no surprises that my main takeaway was the final of Inclusion in Action. The judging team - of Sara Alston, Kate Moross and myself – loved working together and were at one on the verdict. We liked the way South London brought the issue of buildings and accessibility to the fore, highlighting the need to ensure all our members can comfortably enter our buildings and move about easily and safely. Birmingham delivered an excellent presentation on visual impairment, which impacts on so many of our members in varying degrees, while Finchley impressed us with their ideas on ensuring our buildings are comfortable and meet the needs of everyone. We especially liked their inclusion of quiet spaces. But the winning bid from Kehillah was simply wonderful! It was brave, daring, challenging and demonstrated a deep understanding of inclusion – as you will read all about on the next page of this issue.
• Owen Power is a Liberal Judaism Officer and Co-Chair of the Biennial Organising Committee
Biennial
July/August 2021
LJ Today Page 3
‘Our community is strongest when we embrace and fully celebrate all Jews’ Imogen Resnick speaks to lj today about Kehillah’s victorious inclusion project
Imogen Resnick and Kehillah North London Chair Robert Freudenthal celebrate winning the £3,000 Inclusion in Action grant at the Biennial
Hi Imogen. Congratulations on your victory! Can you tell us a bit about the Kehillah North London project? We are planning to develop a new inclusive cheder curriculum that educates young people on the rich diversity of Jewish history, tradition and culture throughout the diaspora. This will include, for example, Black, Mizrahi and Sephardi histories and traditions, alongside those of LGBTQI+, women and disabled Jews. It is part of our approach to make Kehillah and Liberal Judaism more welcoming, inclusive and accessible, as well as tackling injustices such as racism within the broader Jewish community. As part of this project, we plan to organise a conference in October to bring educators – or anyone interested in the topic – together to learn and discuss, alongside two events exploring JudeoArabic, Ladino and Yiddish music and language. All are very welcome! What inspired the project? As a community we have been thinking carefully about how we can uphold our values of inclusivity and diversity – and have this reflected in all the different functions of what we do. We were also motivated by the Liberal Judaism Biennial Weekend, which was on the theme of inclusion, to think about how we can work more actively towards principles of inclusion. Inspired by these values, we noticed that many cheder and Jewish educational resources are entirely focussed on Ashkenazi experiences and traditions they are Ashkenormative.
For example, the current LJ curriculum doesn’t include the Maghrebi Mimouna or Ethiopian Sigd Jewish celebrations. While it’s true most British Jews are white and Ashkenazi, this is not true of Jews as a whole. We believe it is vital for young people - and indeed the wider community - to learn about the full spectrum of Jewish experience. It can be challenging to find relevant resources and lesson plans to support teaching around the topics we want to showcase. There is some great material online, but it is often American-centric or geared towards post-16 age groups. We want to bring resources together, improve educators’ confidence and ultimately make inclusive teaching easy. Why do you think tackling these issues is so vital to our Judaism? Jews are an incredibly diverse people: we’re multi-ethnic; multi-lingual; disabled and non-disabled; LGBTQI+ and heterosexual; wealthy and poor; from all corners of the globe. And yet, this rich tapestry of experience has not always been reflected in our communal institutions or education. Liberal Judaism has long championed progressive issues. But if we want to remain a leader, we must introspect, take responsibility and proactively improve as a community around inclusivity – including acting on the recommendations in the recent Board of Deputies’ Commission on Racial Inclusivity. Being Jewish, for us in Kehillah, is all about welcoming other Jews and learning from each other to make the changes in our own community and the world around us that we wish to see.
Our community is strongest when we embrace and fully celebrate all Jews. Hopefully this curriculum project will help us achieve this. How do you see our cheder teaching changing over the next few years? I really hope that teaching will be a lot more inclusive and showcase Jewish diversity in all aspects of study. It’s so important for young people to learn about and celebrate the full spectrum of Jewish experience to encourage values of respect, empathy, and inclusivity. I hope this project will make it much easier for educators and provide accessible, easy-to-use resources. Are you looking for volunteers to help and, if so, in what roles? Absolutely! For this project to be successful, we would love to have as many communities involved as possible, to help have some direction over the curriculum and hopefully to test it out in their own congregations. We need help with logistics, design, curriculum development and conference organising. We also need subject expertise in or lived experience of the following: Black, Mizrahi and Sephardi history, traditions and culture; Jewish women’s and LGBTQI+ experience; disability justice; Jewish activism around race and racism; intercommunal and inter-faith relations; and teaching SEN or neurodiverse young people. Please do get in touch if you can help, or are just interested in the project, by emailing me on imogen@kehillah.org.uk
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WUPJ
July/August 2021
New World Union President lays out his plans RABBI SERGIO BERGMAN – an Argentinian social activist, public servant and Jewish community leader – has been installed as President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ). He becomes the first ever head of the global movement from South America and has immediately advanced bold initiatives to drive impact and change. Speaking during his installation at the WUPJ’s Connections 21 event, in front of a worldwide online audience including many Liberal Judaism rabbis and members, Sergio said: “It is an honour and privilege for me to take on the presidency of the global Progressive movement. The World Union translates the sacred values of the prophets of Israel and our sacred texts into a new context to address new challenges. “As we march toward the first 100 years of the WUPJ, we build together a unity and diversity – the strength of our Jewish people – and fulfil our shared vision to fix our world and to do it better.” The World Union is the international network of the Reform, Liberal and Progressive Jewish movements, serving 1.2 million members worldwide in more than 1,250 congregations and over 50 countries. It was created in the UK in 1926 and its first leaders were Liberal Judaism founders Lily Montagu and Claude Montefiore. Connections 21 was the WUPJ’s first convening in four years.
Sergio used his installation to name four initial priorities for the WUPJ: The Jewish Effective Giving Initiative, equipping rabbis with tools to support life-saving charities working in the developing world and help young Jewish activists committed to tikkun olam; Hebrew 2030, using educational platforms to promote the study and use of Hebrew; Values Education, bolstering WUPJ’s educational programming and partnerships to reach young Jews and bring them into the Progressive movement; Israeli by Choice, strengthening global Jewry’s connection and ties to Israel through citizenship.
Other speakers at Connections included Rabbis Charley Baginsky, Tanya Sakhnovich, Lea Mühlstein, René Pfertzel and Elli Tikvah Sarah. WUPJ Chair Carole Sterling said: “The ‘Connections’ theme is one that drives the WUPJ every day. Yet it is particularly critical during the global challenges we face – from growing our communities post-pandemic to extinguishing the rising scourge of antisemitism. “Seeing more than 1,000 participants from around the world engaging with the issues and each other underscored the strength and cohesion of our global Progressive Judaism.”
Lapid promises to fight for Progressive rights
ISRAEL’S Alternate Prime Minister MK Yair Lapid used Connections to make a vow to fight for Progressive Jewish rights in Israel and beyond. He said: “I know I am a guest at this conference but I don’t feel like one. I feel at home. I feel at home because Judaism is my home, pluralism is my home, and you are my family.
“I feel at home because this is where I can have the conversation we need to have. A conversation some people don’t want us to have, a conversation about what it means to be a Jew in the 21st century, what connects us despite the ocean between us and what makes us one people.” He added: “I will defend your rights and your voice because it’s part of my world view as a liberal. I believe there is absolute good and absolute evil in the world. I don’t believe that everything is relative.
“There are things we are all obligated to do and things none of us should be allowed to do because they are immoral. “When Israel attacks Muslims or Christians, I tell them it’s immoral to attack someone just because they have different beliefs. When Israel attacks Reform and Conservative Jews, I tell them it’s immoral to attack someone just because they have similar beliefs.” Responding to the remarks, new WUPJ President Rabbi Sergio Bergman said: “MK Lapid expresses the WUPJ vision that Judaism is a broad civilization that invites creative interpretation and that includes and does not expel. “Beyond all denominations, MK Lapid affirms the unity of the Jewish people in its diversity. May his mandate in the Knesset be part of the challenge that we all assume in each of our communities to create more just, loving and humane societies. This is the Progressive Jewish legacy for the whole world.”
News
July/August 2021
LJ Today Page 5
Lily’s Legacy Education Toolkit for schools/chederim
THE Lily’s Legacy: Voices and Visions of Liberal Judaism project has launched an Education Toolkit. Covering key stages 1, 2 and 3, the educational materials focus on the vision of Lily Montagu – one of the founders of Liberal Judaism – and how our movement still enacts those ideals of equality and change today. From its very foundations, Liberal Judaism has championed gender equality and inclusivity. Social justice is at our core - as it was for Lily Montagu - often in partnership with others. Services and liturgy also continue to evolve.
The Education Toolkit teaches all of this by using the voices and stories of Liberal Jews of all ages and backgrounds and from every parts of the country. Educator Thamar Barnett produced the Toolkit, working together with the Lily’s Legacy Youth Advisory Group. Thamar said: “This resource enables pupils to learn from and about Lily through the voices of those actively engaged within the Liberal Jewish movement. It also highlights the continuity and the change that Lily advocated and that tradition and change can live side by side.”
For those at school or cheder, learning about Lily’s life, religious vision and achievements provides opportunities within history, religious education, PSHE and citizenship. Lily Montagu’s legacy and Liberal Judaism’s focus on social action can also encourage and inspire young learners to look at their community and enact positive change. Visit www.lilyslegacyproject.com to find out more about the Education Toolkit, including its aims and learning outcomes, and download your copy. Lily’s Legacy Project Manager Shaan Knan said: “It has been such a pleasure working with Thamar and the Youth Advisory Group on this resource. A huge thank you to everyone involved.” Liberal Judaism CEO Rabbi Charley Baginsky added: “This is a landmark project for Liberal Judaism, showing how our movement has led the way on so many issues for more than 100 years – and I can’t wait to see it used in our chederim and religion schools.” • The Lily’s Legacy Project is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. For more information, please email Shaan on s.knan@liberaljudaism.org
Inspired by Letter from the Palace lj today AN article in the last issue of lj today inspired Wessex Liberal Jewish Community to take up the call for donations to www.vaccinaid.org to vaccinate populations in low/middle income countries against Covid-19. At their AGM, Wessex voted this as the charity they will support during their High Holy Days appeal this year. Treasurer Peter Ellinger said: “The beauty of being able to donate directly online is that we do not have to wait until the High Holy Days. People can donate any time between now and then. It is needed now and will still be needed in a few months’ time.” The community was impressed that the impetus for tackling such a worldwide need, through UNICEF, had originated from a member of the Oxford Liberal Jewish community. The Wessex AGM, held online, also welcomed Liberal Judaism Officer Janet Burkman, who spoke about her role and where the national movement is headed.
LIBERAL JUDAISM President Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein received a card of thanks (pictured above) from the Queen for his letter to her on the passing of her husband, HRH Prince Philip.
Andrew’s words form part of the Board of Deputies’ Condolence Book, which was sent to Buckingham Palace. The book also includes a prayer composed by Rabbi Mark Solomon.
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Communities
July/August 2021
Ten Words on The Ten Words
Picture (left) is from the Jewish Heritage Museum in Padua, Italy. The synagogue was built in 1584. Courtesy of Godong / Bridgeman Images
A SPECIAL joint service was held during Shavuot bringing all of Liberal Judaism’s communities together online to celebrate the giving of the Torah.
Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi suggested 10 different people (listed above) accept the challenge of each taking one of the Ten Commandments and speaking about
their ‘word’ or ‘utterance’ for a minute. Named Ten Words on the Ten Words, you can read all the commentaries in full on www.liberaljudaism.org
Finchley class of 2021 Tennessee By Louise Meltzer “EMOTIONAL, exciting and rewarding”, “so much more than learning to read a few verses of Hebrew” and a chance “to get to know and connect with other members of the community”. These were just some of our reflections on the many months of study that culminated in our joint adult b’nei mitzvah event at Finchley Progressive Synagogue. Rabbi Rebecca Birk’s original idea - that a few adults who would like the opportunity to read Torah might prepare together - gained momentum as people joined our group via various routes until there were 11 of us. Rebecca devised a study programme which focused first on understanding and translating our chosen text, Acharei Mot and Kedoshim, then on its historical context and a reading of commentary, and finally on the preparation of our D’var Torah responding to these highly controversial verses in Leviticus. We were also greatly supported by John Rubinstein, who recorded his reading and leyning of our verses, by Zoe Jacobs’
energetic and efficient organisation and by our Chavruta study partners. While we were disappointed not to be able to read in synagogue, as this had to take place on Zoom, the music from Dean Staker and Franklyn Gellnick made the occasion feel special. The FPS team ensured that all the technology worked perfectly with guests from Finchley to South Korea able to attend. We found the experience surprisingly emotional, and were moved and gratified to receive souvenir certificates kindly prepared by Josie Kinchin. Rebecca has now scheduled the Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur for us to read a second time, in the hope that we will be able to be physically present in the building. We are also raising funds for our chosen cause, Keshet, which provides support to LGBTQI+ members of the Jewish community and seemed to us an appropriate response to the controversial verses we read. If you are thinking of an adult b’nei mitzvah - our advice is to go for it! We all found it very meaningful and enjoyable.
partnership
THE ARK SYNAGOGUE in Northwood has formed a partnership with Congregation Micah’s Rabbi Flip Rice Micah of Tennessee, USA. The Ark’s Rabbi Aaron Goldstein has been friends with Micah’s Rabbi Flip Rice since they studied together in the late 1990s. So when the World Union for Progressive Judaism began to partner different congregations around the world, including for an online pulpit swap, the two jumped at the chance to team up. Flip said: “Bringing together our two communities was long in the making. We look forward to building on this.” Aaron added: “A meeting of old friends is always a treat. What was also brilliant about the pulpit swap initiative was the congregants from Micah who came to The Ark and vice versa, even in the wee small hours of the morning.”
Communities
July/August 2021
LJ Today Page 7
Ruth celebrates her century at BPS
By Joe Seager A ROUSING chorus of mazel tovs rang out to wish Birmingham Progressive Synagogue (BPS) stalwart Ruth Shire a joyful 100th birthday. The devoted BPS member was swept into the limelight propelled by an outpouring of love and adulation. Family members, delegates to the Liberal Judaism Biennial and congregants at BPS all played their part in making Ruth’s notable birthday one that will long leave cherished memories to savour. Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi, of BPS, said it was the first 100th birthday to be celebrated in the life of the shul. That the imposing milestone had been reached by an “amazing woman” gave added meaning to the landmark occasion. Margaret told how Ruth is widely admired for the many good causes she has espoused and how she has remained physically and mentally active, applying her wisdom, knowledge and understanding to give help where needed. Ruth has kept an active interest in affairs at BPS, the shul that she and her late husband, Dr Heinz Shire, joined more than 70 years ago. Heinz became President and served the wider Liberal Jewish interests in many senior roles. Ruth is known for her forthright stand against racial prejudice, which she faced as a child, and her engagement in interfaith dialogue, reaching out across boundaries to bring people together and create a better understanding of each other’s beliefs.
During the pandemic, Ruth has continued to entertain visitors, take part in BPS Book Club discussions and host meetings for members of the University of the Third Age by mastering Zoom. Margaret told her: “You have many admirers far and wide and we are so glad that today we have the chance to sing your praises and give you our heartfelt birthday wishes.” 0ne question we had was what do we give Ruth for such a special birthday? Knowing she is an avid reader, joining the BPS Book Club and running what became the Shire Library, we paid for the 1908 edition of Wind in the Willows to be adopted by the British Library in Ruth’s name. We wanted it to be a unique present. The certificate Ruth is holding in the photograph above gives affirmation to the gift. The book was chosen in memory of Ruth’s son David who died earlier this year. He took part in a school production of Wind in the Willows. Despite Covid-19 travel restrictions, Ruth’s son, Rabbi Michael Shire, his wife, Rabbi Marcia Plumb and their children, Anya and Micah, came from America to share the joy of Ruth’s big celebration. They joined Ruth’s daughter, Miriam Shire-Feldman, to play their part in the well-attended online service to keep the birthday celebrations flowing with heartwarming cheer and delight. How did Ruth feel about being the centre of attention at such a special time in her life? Daughter Miriam summed it up perfectly. “She had a magnificent birthday”, was her confident verdict.
RUTH SHIRE and her late husband, Dr Heinz Shire, shared a firmly held commitment to the ideals of Progressive Judaism. They were married at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in 1948. Lily Montagu conducted the wedding. The couple later moved to the Midlands. Yet how easily she could have been denied a long and well-fulfilled life. Ruth’s childhood was scarred by the antisemitic racial laws she encountered growing up in Siegburg, a small town in the Rhineland. The grim prospect of facing a worse fate was averted when, in 1937, Ruth was taken under the wing of a Christian family in Oxford - the Woods. Her displacement to England was arranged by the Senior Wives Fellowship, a Christian body that saved many Jewish children. Even though they survived the Holocaust, Ruth’s family suffered severe hardships. Her parents lost all their possessions living under Nazi rule. Her father, Max, was in the Dachau concentration camp for several weeks and, on arrival in England, was interned for months. From these bleak times at a young age, Ruth found the will, courage and aptitude to bear the fruits of a more meaningful life. She said: “I am very grateful for my life after a difficult beginning. The rest of my life has been very satisfying especially with the love from everyone in my family.”
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Comment
July/August 2021
What comes after the pandemic? By Rabbi Yuval Keren, Southgate Progressive Synagogue THE FIRST Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020 came as a big surprise. Many of us thought that it would only take a few months to overcome it. Now, nearly 18 months later, we know that the end is not necessarily near. We are yet to learn about the true nature of the pandemic and whether it will remain a distant memory in the history books, or become a part of our daily reality. Time will tell. We have had to get accustomed to new ways of conducting synagogue activities. Many Liberal Judaism communities moved Shabbat and festival services onto Zoom and social media platforms. Our religion schools, adult education sessions and synagogue meetings also had to migrate online. Cancelling face-to-face activities was a painful experience, yet we gradually settled into a new way of doing things. We are fortunate enough to live at a time when there are decent technological tools, and the people with the relevant skills, to help us carry on. Although we are not out of the woods yet, we know that in order to sustain our community life we will need to return to our synagogue buildings. This will become safer as more of us receive the vaccination and thus have a reduced risk of becoming seriously ill with Covid-19. We will still need to keep social distancing and cover our faces with masks for some time. Singing in public and praying aloud are also a challenge. Some of our members are still wary of returning to public worship. Others have found a great deal of comfort and meaning in joining the community from the safety of their homes. As we are returning to a ‘new normal’ way to meet, study and pray, we have a few social and technological challenges and opportunities. The social challenge is the formation and re-formation of friendships and maintaining a sense of a community. Upon seeing his grandparents for the first time since birth, my nephew was
fascinated to find out that grandpa and grandma had… legs! He was so used to seeing them on Zoom that meeting them in person was a shock. We all need to get used to seeing and meeting people again. There is an old joke about a Jew who was swept to a desert island where he built two synagogues – one for worship, and another to never set foot in. The flaw in this story is that to maintain a Jewish life we need both the individual and the communal. The Zoom community was a good replacement at a time we needed to keep a distance. Yet it can never be a complete replacement for face-to-face meetings, shaking hands and chit-chat at kiddush time. As soon as we are able to be back in the buildings, we will need to spend some time gradually rebuilding this missing aspect of our community life. The technological challenge is also a great opportunity. For some time to come we will need to balance the mix between those who join us in the building, and others who will join us online. Each will have a slightly different experience of our services, social events and meetings. The challenge will be to ensure that both groups feel that they belong and are included as much as possible. We need to treasure the opportunities technology presented us during the pandemic. We were able for some time to conduct committee and general meetings over Zoom, have people from afar joining us for study sessions and easily arrange events across the whole of Liberal Judaism such as the Biennial and Tikkun Leil Shavuot - drawing a decent crowd to our activities. We were able to include those who live in remote places and even abroad. Instead of the two synagogues each Jew must have, we can now have multiple communities to choose from. We can also easily include sick members, who can join Shabbat services even from their hospital beds, friends from Australia and elderly Auntie Bettie from the US who will never have to miss another barmitzvah or wedding day again. Another great advantage is our ability to share liturgy and study materials on screen as we go along. As we emerge out of the pandemic, we should take the opportunity to make sweet communal and technological lemonade out of the sour lemons of Covid-19. In other words (using Samson’s riddle to the Philistines) we should strive for something sweet to come out of the strong and painful experience of the pandemic.
By Jon Burden, BKY AS WE move out of lockdown, I would urge everyone to reflect upon how our community has responded to the challenge of the pandemic and, in particular, how we have interpreted the principle of pikuach nefesh, which states that almost any commandment can be overridden in order to ‘safeguard a soul’. But what might this actually mean? Are we safeguarding souls by adopting a stance of intense risk aversion? Or are we simply making a huge sacrifice of social and spiritual connection so that we can avoid possible blame? In my opinion, Britain has responded to Covid-19 in a manner that has inflicted enormous and long-lasting social damage. We will almost certainly see higher death tolls from a variety of causes as a direct consequence. To justify this response on the grounds of pikuach nefesh reminds me of Rabbi Sheila Shulman’s warnings against the selective application of religious texts to justify a course of action. Selecting one aspect of our teachings to guide all decisions blinds us. We lose the intricacies and constraints of our other teachings that maintain the balance required to ensure a good life. Our Pesach ritual demonstrates how questions can provide a path out of Mitzrayim, the narrow place where we have become trapped. Here are some questions that might deliver us to the merchav, a place of wider perspective: 1) Why is this disease different from all others - some of which kill in greater numbers over longer periods (mostly in the developing world)? 2) Why have we allowed ourselves to be guided by those who have much to say about the meaning of data but nothing about the meaning of life? 3) Why do we continually seek to defeat nature when we are part of nature? 4) Why are we prepared to accept enormous restrictions of personal freedom to fight a single disease, but do so little to counter much greater threats against human life on earth including the destruction of the environment that sustains us? I am afraid that if we do not break out of this Mitzrayim of the mind, we may win the battle against Covid-19 but lose the war against climate change.
In Memory
July/August 2021
LJ Today Page 9
‘A cornerstone of our Liberal Judaism’ Rabbi Danny Rich remembers former Liberal Judaism chair Jeromé Freedman AS I opened the funeral service for Jeromé Freedman, I had mixed emotions. Sadness that we must bid our formal farewell to Jeromé’s physical presence, a sense of relief that his struggle was short and he was ready and, perhaps most importantly, admiration of a life well lived by a fine and gentle man. It is hard to say ‘Jeromé’ without adding ‘and Louise’ because, despite them both being smart, clever, humorous individuals with occasional contrasting interests, I have spent more than 50 years with Jeromé and Louise, not least at their home, whereby I blame Louise’s meringues for my diabetes! Jeromé and Louise were a dynamic duo. Over the last few days I have been speaking to Progressive Jews from around the world, who met them at conferences, and all have recalled, with both affection and respect, this most English of couples. Jeromé was a joiner. If he saw an issue that needed tackling or a committee that required forming for a particular purpose, you could rely on Jeromé to make his contribution. He was a rosh pinah, a cornerstone, of the South London Liberal Synagogue (SLLS) and our Liberal Judaism. Indeed it’s impossible to think of South London without thinking of Jeromé and Louise.
When I became the professional head of Liberal Judaism, Jeromé was ever supportive and eternally vigilant, and, if I want to recall any of his numerous attributes, it would be his ability to point out what was missing from a set of papers in a manner which was kindly, undramatic and undermining of any defensiveness I might have had. Our thoughts are with Louise, their children Andrew, James and Debbie, grandchildren, and all of Jeromé’s many family and friends.
He was an outstanding Treasurer and then Chair of our national movement, and later served as Vice President - as well as being on the Council of Leo Baeck College. Jeromé was also a pivotal member of the Board of Deputies’ Constitution Committee for, I believe, some 16 years. It was here, mired as the Committee frequently was in controversy, that Jeromé’s gifts shone. He was a man of detail - so no irrational and blustering individual or arrogant and bullying party could pull the wool over his eyes. Jeromé frequently pacified the warring parties with a steely reasonableness and a generous thoughtfulness.
Jeromé’s sons Andrew and James spoke movingly at his funeral. James concluded his eulogy by saying: “Dad set the very highest standards to us all by example. Ever generous in his praise and always encouraging, he was an infinitely patient man who knew that the most important thing is people. “Then, finally, having spent a lifetime devoted to making other people’s lives better - he died just as he had lived - very peacefully, contentedly, with no fuss, but great dignity and the woman he loved more than anyone on this earth by his side. “That is life. In our grief we have so much to be thankful for.”
‘He enjoyed all that came his way’ Rabbi Nathan Godleman pays tribute to life-long SLLS stalwart Cedric Briscoe CEDRIC BRISCOE was born in February 1934. When his sister, Sheila, arrived to see her new brother at the nursing home, she was expecting to find a ready-made playmate, not a small pink baby. Sheila and Cedric’s parents were formidable people. Their father Myer was Chair of the South London Liberal Synagogue (SLLS) for nearly 20 years and their mother Kit ended up President. Cedric served in the Royal Air Force, before studying history and politics at Wadham College, Oxford - interests which would stay with him for life.
Entering the civil service after graduation, he began a very successful career in the Post Office. Time off was granted to sit as a magistrate - just one example of the public service to which he felt drawn. Cedric married his lifetime companion, Edna, on her 21st birthday, at which point she no longer needed her parents’ permission. One suspects that the Lisses, already friends with the Briscoes at the synagogue, would not have withheld it. If Myer and Kit became synonymous with each other, Cedric and Edna became ‘Cedna’. Two children followed: Karen and then Kevin. Cedric was active at SLLS for much of his life - from helping transport children
to the religion school to serving as Chair from 1974-1978, to updating the history of synagogue, The South London Story, in 2004. Rabbi Dame Julia Neuberger judged him to be one of the best Chairs she ever had. However, it seems to be his scripts and lyrics for the very popular SLLS annual revues that people remember most. After his death, there was a chance for people to share their memories. I heard many fine words and funny stories. Cedric was a man not easily forgotten. He touched the lives of those close to him and those with whom he met more fleetingly. He enjoyed all that came his way. His was a life well lived. Good friends, good food, good times, as far as possible, and good deeds.
Page 10 LJ Today
Youth
July/August 2021
LJY-Netzer is Liberal Judaism’s Progressive Zionist youth movement. It gives young people the chance to develop a strong Jewish identity, make lasting friendships and have loads of fun
Shnat update
Camps are coming back!
By Tali Ehrlich AS Lily and I continue on our Shnat Netzer gap year programme, we are having many wonderful experiences. We recently spent a weekend with the Noar Telem branch in Israel, where together we visited Leo Baeck Education Centre in Haifa. Lily and I had been to the school briefly before, as part of LJY-Netzer Israel Tour, but this time we were able to learn much more about it. It was amazing hearing how they educate the students from different backgrounds - including Jews, Druse and Arabs - about their individual cultures and history. It is an example of how different peoples in Israel can live among each other in peace. I was also very privileged to be the first in my family to see the plaque for the scholarship in the name of my late grandpa, Rabbi Harry Jacobi, which is supported by Jewish Child’s Day. It was so special seeing the impact and connection he had with Leo Baeck Education Centre.
Tali and Leo Baeck’s Benji Maor with the plaque in honour of Rabbi Harry Jacobi
Grandpa Harry always supported the work of the school and visited whenever he could. He was excited to see it grow from small beginnings. I’m so glad to have seen the school and what was so meaningful to him.
Young LJY-Netzer camp leaders at their first planning event for this summer’s Kadimah
AS we enter the final run-up to our summer camps, we have to keep reminding ourselves that this is really now happening. It’s been so long since we’ve been able to enjoy the magic and unique experiences that LJY Netzer residential camps provide. That’s why we are thrilled to be able to tell you that the Government made residential summer camps legal again from 21 June – despite most other aspects of relaxations being pushed back – and so Machaneh Kadimah and Hineini will definitely be going ahead. Over the past weekend, we had our first planning seminar for Kadimah and met with our rashimot (heads of camp) for the first time in almost two years. It was crazy how quickly we readjusted to the warmth of being in LJY… it was almost as if we had never been apart.
We are now more determined than ever to make this summer’s camps an unforgettable experience for every participant - and we’ve been working super hard to put together incredible programmes for every age group. You can see the full dates and details on the next page of this issue. Outside of camps, it’s been really lovely getting out and doing some practical leading again. Jess has been over in Northwood running an afternoon of games for The Ark Synagogue whilst Josh led cheder at Crouch End Chavurah. We’ve loved meeting our communities in person and getting to know each other again. Now roll on the summer. • WE are delighted that Joe Shotton will be joining Jess and Josh in next year’s Movement Work team. We will have full details in the next lj today.
Contact LJY-Netzer: Jess Mindel (j.mindel@liberaljudaism.org), Josh Powell (j.powell@liberaljudaism.org) Director of Youth - Rebecca Fetterman (r.fetterman@liberaljudaism.org)
Youth
July/August 2021
LJ Today Page 11
My first ever Machaneh Kadimah Mia Bogod looks back at her first experiences on an LJY-Netzer summer camp
Mia Bogod (left) on her first LJY camp, with now lifelong friend Ayala Salomon-Romem
MY FIRST Kadimah was in 2010 when I was nine years old.
I can vividly remember setting off for camp - the coach pulling away from
the kerb as I sat, in floods of tears, absolutely terrified of what was to come. And then I entered the magical world of LJY-Netzer. I arrived as a relatively shy and quiet nine-year-old, but over those two weeks I found myself filled with happiness, adrenaline and a growing confidence. That Kadimah was inspiring, wild and the most fun I’ve ever had in my life. I engaged in things I’d never discussed before. I met my best friends. I remember smiling, laughing, running and singing. I remember my team hijacking the kitchen tables and cutlery in a field to demand points in one of our competitive team games. I remember my first friend and my first Shabbat. For the first time, I was truly engaged in my Jewish identity. And now, here I am, eleven years later, about to go on what could be my last Kadimah. My younger self could never imagine the journey that all began with that first camp. But I can look back on it now with warm nostalgia, a radiating smile on my face and an overwhelming gratitude that I went on Kadimah 5770.
LJY-Netzer summer camp details 2021 Machaneh Kadimah
Kadimah Katan
Machaneh Hineini
When: 16 - 29 August
When: 22 - 29 August
Who: School years 3 - 10 (ages 8-15)
Who: School years 3 - 6 (ages 8-11)
When: Week One: 25 July - 1 August; Week Two: 1 August - 8 August
Where: An incredible new location about an hour’s drive from London
Where: The same site as Kadimah
Details: Machaneh Kadimah is our largest event and brings together more than 100 Liberal Jews from across the country for two unforgettable weeks. Participants can expect to take part in all sorts of activities ranging from rafting to art; drama to social action campaigns; and sports to creative prayer services. Our inclusive community gives young people the space to explore new ideas and to take on new challenges, supporting young people to grow in confidence and fulfil their potential. Contact: jess@liberaljudaism.org (years 3-6) or josh@liberaljudaism.org (7-10)
Details: Kadimah Katan is for younger members who are desperate to try out the magic of an LJY-Netzer camp, but who aren’t quite ready to be away from home for two weeks. We know they haven’t been able to attend our usual roster of events, to get a taste of LJY, and didn’t want them to miss out. Participants will get all of the Kadimah fun by joining for the second week and being supported by our leaders. Contact: jess@liberaljudaism.org
Sign up at www.ljy-netzer.org
Who: School years 11 & 12 (ages 16-17) Where: The same site as Kadimah Details: Machaneh Hineini is our new camp tailor-made for older members. It gives them the chance to get away from home for a week and make new friends whilst catching up with old ones. Participants have a choice between doing week one or week two. Hineini will have a laid back vibe with lots of bonfires and peer-led sessions - giving those who attend the opportunity to build their independence and leadership skills. We’ll also deliver our renowned hadracha (leadership) course over the week, so that everyone who takes part can lead on LJY events next year. Contact: josh@liberaljudaism.org
July/August 2021
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
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
Kent Liberal Jewish Community T: 07952 242 432 E: enquiries@kljc.org.uk W: kljc.org.uk
Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community T: 07561 331 390 E: info@pljc.org.uk W: pljc.org.uk
Kingston Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8398 7400 E: kls@liberaljudaism.org W: klsonline.org
Reading Liberal Jewish Community T: 0118 942 8022 E: readingliberaljewishcommunity@
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 T: 01427 628 958 E: ljc@liberaljudaism.org W: lincolnshirejc.co.uk
The Montagu Centre 21 Maple Street London, W1T 4BE T: 020 7580 1663 E: montagu@liberaljudaism.org W: liberaljudaism.org
Liberal Judaism is the dynamic, cutting edge of modern Judaism. It reverences Jewish tradition, seeking to preserve the values of the past, while giving them contemporary force. Charity Number: 1151090
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W: readingljc.org.uk Shir Hatzafon (Copenhagen) E: shir@shirhatzafon.dk W: shirhatzafon.dk South Bucks Jewish Community T: 0845 644 2370 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
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
The South London Liberal Synagogue (Streatham) T: 020 8769 4787 E: office@southlondon.org W: southlondon.org
President Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein Chair Ruth Seager Deputy Chair Karen Newman Treasurer Paul Silver-Myer Secretary Amanda McFeeters Fundraising Ros Clayton Youth Hannah Stephenson Communications Joel Beckman Inclusion Owen Power National Officers Janet Berkman and Susanne Combe 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 Interfaith Rabbi Mark Solomon Student Chaplain Rabbi Anna Posner LJY-Netzer Jess Mindel and Josh Powell