July/August 2006
VOL. XXXIII No. 4
ljtoday
Biennial brings display of bold ambition Rabbi Danny Rich told the Biennial Weekend in Cheltenham that Liberal Judaism had a responsibility to be at the centre of Anglo Jewry. While it would continue to lead in matters of principle and innovative practice, it would play its part in the councils and affairs of Anglo Jewry. Rabbi Rich was speaking at the closing session of the weekend in May, at which more than 200 delegates and guests – including an imam – took part. The two days of prayer, study and discussion were spent responding to the organisers’ title, ‘Judaism Without Borders?’ Workshops looked at everything from midrash to Zionism, from God to Madonna, and from conversion to asylum seekers. Presenters and speakers included Rabbi Dr Michael Shire, acting principal of Leo Baeck College, Dr Edward Kessler, founding director of the Centre for the Study of Jewish–Christian Relations at Cambridge, Roger Lyons, former president of the TUC, and rabbis and lay leaders from across the movement. The weekend began with an Erev Shabbat service and meal. The afterdinner speaker, Dr Kessler, looked at the conference theme, which he interpreted as a reflection on how Liberal Jews might best be progressive in thinking, innovative in intellect,
More on the Biennial Weekend pages 4-7
Judaism Without Borders?
Book reviews – page 8; Letters to the editor – page 9; Liberally Speaking – page10
Rabbi Danny Rich (third from right) with presenters (from left) Nigel Varndell and Imam Shahid Hussein, and Nigel Cole, Mayor Brian Chaplin and Mayoress Janine Hockenhull in Cheltenham in May
welcoming to outsiders and taking a lead in social action. He suggested that while Liberal Jews needed to be aware of what was happening in wider society in their search for ‘Judaism without borders’, they also needed to respond to the tensions within Judaism, among them secular vs religious, Orthodox vs Progressive, and Israel vs Diaspora tensions. The Shabbat morning service was followed by a fascinating panel discussion at which Nigel Varndell, interfaith manager of Christian Aid, and Rabbi Janet Burden tackled the question of whether Liberal Judaism could work together with the aid charity. As well as squashing myths about Christian Aid, Mr Varndell took part in a frank and honest exploration of the outcry expressed by many Jews following Christian Aid’s 2004 Christmas appeal. A report of this discussion appears on pages 6 and 7. At the end of what was his first Biennial as chief executive of Liberal
Judaism, Rabbi Rich said it had been an overt objective of his and the movement’s officers to insist upon – and ensure – a Liberal Jewish presence wherever it was appropriate. Nigel Cole, Liberal Judaism’s chairman, had taken his seat at the Jewish Leadership Council, and the movement had been allocated a ‘spot’ at the annual Yom HaShoah commemoration at the Hyde Park memorial in London. Rabbi Rich said Liberal Judaism was committed to confronting issues that others might find too dangerous to tackle, and to exploring – in novel ways – what Jewish life could mean and how it could be practised. He added: ‘We shall do our best to offer the Liberal Jewish way in all its diverse manifestations to those who seek to bring into their lives and into the lives of others, whether here in the United Kingdom or elsewhere, the best of Judaism and the best of modernity.’
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Special Abbeyfield service A commemorative service of dedication and thanksgiving was held at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue on Sunday 21 May to celebrate the Abbeyfield Society’s 50 years of providing sheltered and care homes for the elderly. Organised by the Abbeyfield Camden (Jewish) Society, the service was attended by the Lord Mayor of Westminster and the Mayor of Hertsmere, and by Ron Kenyon, the chairman of the Abbeyfield Society, and Leon Smith, the chief executive of Nightingale House. The service was conducted by Rabbi Alexandra Wright and Rabbi Mark Solomon of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue with Rabbi Dr Michael Hilton of Kol Chai synagogue, Pinner, in the presence of a congregation composed of residents of Abbeyfield Camden (Jewish) Society (ACJS) from the London area and The Abbeyfield Society Leicester, helpers, volunteers and committee members, as well as members of The LJS and other visitors. The Abbeyfield Society is a national
organisation, offering care and companionship in mainly small, familysized houses. There are now more than 780 such houses in the UK, of which two, Lily Montagu House in Edgware and Belmont Lodge in Bushey, are run under the auspices of ACJS, while Abbeyfield in Leicester is managed by Abbeyfield Leicester Society. ACJS is hoping to create a new, larger home on the outskirts of London, providing flats within a sheltered and communal environment. The New Project Committee seeks to ensure that the Abbeyfield ethos of a ‘home from home’ is continued and that the new house will maintain the tradition of friendliness and happiness that the previous homes have embodied. The national Abbeyfield Society is guided by the philosophy that older people have an important role to play among their families, friends and in the community, and aims for its residents to be active and independent for as long as possible.
Proof that you’re never too old to win a competition A group of six women from the Belmont Lodge residential home in Bushey won the LJ Generations craft competition. They collaborated to produce the magnificent Belmont Tree Collage, which it is hoped will appear on Rosh Hashanah cards, for sale from Liberal Judaism shortly. Three of the women interrupted their bridge game to accept the £100 prize from Alan Lester, chairman of the LJ Generations committee. All six winners are over the age of 90, The entries in the craft competition were put on display at the Biennial Weekend in May, and all delegates were invited to vote. The adult competition attracted more than 30 entries – from quilts to Torah covers and from pottery to sculpture – but there was just one entry in the junior competition: the collage on a Pesach theme, by children of Finchley Progressive Synagogue’s religion school, won the £50 junior prize.
New Patrons Liberal Judaism welcomes the following supporters who have joined our Council of Patrons: Michael Flynn Sam and Christine Stevenson We also ackowledge the contribution of a new patron, who has asked to remain anonymous.
Liberals in Muslim– Jewish radio station Two members of our Bristol community are involved in the setting up of a joint Muslim–Jewish project. Peter Brill (a council member of the Bristol and West congregation) is vice-chair of the scheme. Michael Romain, who is also an officer of Liberal Judaism, is the treasurer. The aim is to maintain links between the Jewish and Muslim communities in the Bristol area and specifically to set up a joint web-based radio station. The project will also continue the study sessions already in place between Jews and Muslims in the city. It has been awarded Home Office funding of up to £50,000. Michael told LJ Today that creating stronger links between individual Jews and Muslims in the city will, it is hoped, begin a process of breaking down barriers of fear and misunderstanding. COMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE Liberal Judaism is looking to hire a high-flying recent graduate, to receive one month’s training at the leading PR Consultancy Luther Pendragon, before joining Liberal Judaism to raise its profile and promote its values. Do you have: excellent verbal and written communications skills and IT literacy, demonstrable interest in media and communications, and demonstrable understanding of and sympathy with the aims of Liberal Judaism?
From left: Anne Testler,100, Jenny Kaplan, 93, and Phoebe Serlui, 100, three of the winners, with their cheque for the Belmont Tree Collage (inset), which Biennial delegates judged best entry in the LJ Generations craft competition
• This year’s Mitzvah Day, organised by LJ Generations, is Sunday 9 July. It is the day when all our synagogue members, of all ages, and especially those who do not usually get involved in voluntary work, come together to do a one-off mitzvah in their local community. Last year, members of one community spent the day coppicing in a local wood; in another congregation, religion school pupils made Chanukkah decorations for an old people’s home.
Salary: £20k approx. Further information from: Ben Rich, Luther Pendragon, Priory Court, Pilgrim Street, London, EC4V 6DR. benrich@luther.co.uk. For more information about Liberal Judaism, visit www.liberaljudaism.org. Closing date: 13 July.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND YOUNG ADULTS WORK Liberal Judaism is expanding its community outreach and young adults work this September. Do you have relevant experience, excellent organisation and communication skills, creative ideas and tons of energy? Would you love to work in the Jewish community and be part of the growing edge of progressive Judaism? If you are interested in working with us, please email or telephone Elvira Museri: e.museri@liberaljudaism.org; 020 7631 9835.
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July/August 2006
Fledgling community gaining strength Liberal Judaism arrived in the North West with a flurry of activities in midApril to support the development of the fledgling Manchester Liberal Jewish Community (MLJC). Rabbi Danny Rich, Nigel Cole, Joan Shopper and families joined Rabbi Aaron Goldstein for a weekend of activities that included Liberal Judaism’s first Shabbat morning service in the city. More than 50 people attended the events, which included discussions with the movement’s VIPs as to how Liberal Judaism would be relevant to a wide variety of people’s lives. Rabbi Rich delivered a superb sermon, which linked the work of MLJC to the early founders of Liberal Judaism, and praised the fact that such a small community would have three representatives at the Biennial Weekend and its first young people engaged with LJY-Netzer this summer. The weekend of events raised awareness of the community to such an extent that its communal Seder sold out and had a long waiting list. Rabbi Goldstein praised MLJC, who had catered for all the events themselves, saying: ‘We have the foundations of a strong set of lay leaders who will ensure the long-term viability of Liberal Judaism in the North West.’ • A hugely successful and well-attended
Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, Liberal Judaism’s outreach director, and eight-year-old Lyle Davis at the hugely popular Manchester seder
number of communal Sedarim were held in other parts of the country too: there were more than 100 at the seder in Edinburgh, led by Rabbi Pete Tobias, 50 in Lincoln, 40 in Herefordshire, led by Student Rabbi Yuval Keren, more than 50 at North London Progressive Jewish Community. Jeromé Freedman, a Liberal
Judaism vice-president, conducted a second-night seder at the Nightingale care home, and has already been booked for next year. These were in addition to the various talks and mock Sedarim, which many of our rabbis and lay leaders did in churches and schools around the country.
Rabbi gives thanks as he steps into the pulpit On Sunday 23 April, the choir of the Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue made history when they sang at Lincoln Cathedral, an occasion described by one of the singers as ‘a superb experience’. During a service following Evensong, Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein thanked the Dean for the ‘immense privilege’ of being invited to preach, and for allowing the choir to sing the series of psalms and songs following his sermon. The date, St George’s Day, came one day before Yom HaShoah (Jewish Remembrance Day for the Holocaust) and provided an opportunity to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the return of Jews to England. The service recalled the Jews of the medieval period and expulsions through the centuries, gave thanks that Jewish people were able to be in Lincoln Cathedral, and celebrated the 13th anniversary of the Liberal Jewish community in Lincoln. In his sermon, Rabbi Goldstein said: ‘I have been bringing religion school children to Lincoln for 30 years and I thought this would be an ideal
opportunity to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the return of the Jews to England. I was honoured to be asked by the Dean to preach at Evensong in a Cathedral built with money loaned by Aaron the Jew.’ Lincoln has the largest collection of sites connected with pre-expulsion Jewry in England, including three ‘Jews’ houses’, a unique carving in the cathedral and the oldest synagogue in England, which now belongs to the Liberal community. Lincoln is also infamous for a ‘blood libel’ in 1255, which was a contributing factor leading to the expulsion of the Jews from England in 1290. A boy called Hugh was found dead and the Jewish community was blamed for his ‘ritual murder’. Eighteen Jews were executed on trumped up charges and Hugh’s tomb became a place of pilgrimage. The site of the tomb can still be seen in Lincoln Cathedral. Rabbi Goldstein said that although England had a fine reputation for tolerance, it had been the first European country to expel completely its Jewish
community, in 1290, and that it took almost 400 years before Jews were allowed back. He added: ‘This country has always been made up of citizens with different origins, and from the Norman French onwards successive waves of new arrivals have enriched our economy and culture. May we ... seek to build in this country a society that is varied and vibrant yet tolerant and peaceful.’ Rabbi Goldstein’s full sermon can be found on the Liberal Judaism website: click on ‘written word’ and ‘sermons’. • On Sunday 16 July, Liberal Jews will again travel to Lincoln when Rabbi Danny Rich leads a day trip to the city to celebrate the Jewish community’s barmitzvah, and 350 years of British Jewish life. A coach will leave the Montagu Centre, W1, at 8.30am. The day will include a guided tour of Jews’ Court, optional visits to the cathedral and castle, and a picnic lunch. The cost is £35 per person, to include the coach trip. For further information, telephone Judy Thwaites: 020 7631 9824 or email j.thwaites@liberaljudaism.org
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Page 4 LJ Today
From Rabbi Pete Tobias’s address at the closing session of the Biennial Weekend
Borders – and boarders Throughout the ages, Jews have lived within borders. Sometimes the border was enforced from without – by the walls of the ghetto for example; sometimes they were imposed from within as communal leaders sought to keep their members separate from the nations round about them – to keep them kadosh. The Enlightenment, and the unfolding of history, have challenged and brought down many of those more rigid, physical boundaries. Some have chosen to reconstruct them; we Liberal Jews occupy the other end of that spectrum, the end which seeks to push those boundaries further. Have we pushed them too far? At certain points in the history of Progressive Judaism it would seem so. Sunday Sabbath services, the attempt to completely replace barmitzvah with Kabbalat Torah are examples of occasions when the borders of Judaism were pushed to a point where Judaism stopped being Judaism. And in our day we continue to redefine those borders, reining them in, bringing them closer to those elements of Judaism which were far more clearly delineated, the borders within which traditional Judaism resides. A brief example. Many years ago, so I am told, when one came down to breakfast at Liberal conferences, one would see Liberal rabbis tucking into their bacon and eggs. About 20 years ago a decision was taken to ensure that no treif was even offered to the participants at the conference. But the main hotel was over-subscribed and I was one of
Judaism Without Borders?
the lucky ones who found myself resident at the overflow hotel up the road to which this decree had not extended. So I and my fellow residents enjoyed what we considered to be a typical Liberal Judaism conference breakfast on the Saturday morning – and were joined for Sunday breakfast by a surprising number of delegates from the main hotel. But let us not also forget the borders that we have chosen to draw between ourselves and other versions of Judaism, other responses to the removal of those physical borders of the ghetto. Liberal Judaism defines itself very clearly by what it is not. We do not accept the traditional understanding of the origins of the Torah; we will not allow ourselves to be dictated to by those who regard us as inferior or offering a watered down version of Judaism. I think we should be clear about what Liberal Judaism is not in relation to other elements of the AngloJewish world. And that is a border which needs to be clearly defined, frequently restated and rigidly observed. Otherwise we are not Liberal Jews. And we need borders at the other end as well. There is a line in Service of the Heart which says: ‘It has a permanent core and an expanding periphery.’ I sometimes wonder whether that is a reference to rabbis’ waistlines but it actually refers to the Torah. And we, as Liberal Jews, are at the very edge of that expanding periphery. Perhaps it is not appropriate to describe those aspects of our Judaism which we see as being the cutting edge of a modern Jewish response to our world as borders. Borders are lines we draw and behind
Natalie Good (left), Abigail Martinsen and Tom Rich, participants in LJY-Netzer’s Chazon (Vision) weekend
Liberal Judaism Sexual Ethics Re-reading the double portion, Acharey mot-k’doshim. Presenter: Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah
which we stand, protected and entrenched. We have borders to separate us from the United Synagogue and other elements of Anglo and world Jewry, which are rightly defined as such. But at our cutting edge we have frontiers. And, by definition, frontiers are moveable borders, which will change and develop and grow as we change and develop and grow, as surely we must. One final thought. When I first thought about the word borders, I was reminded of the school I had the misfortune to attend many years ago, which is just across the road from the synagogue of which I am now rabbi. It had a number of pupils who lived on the premises – boarders. Most of us were day students who travelled in every morning and left at 4pm. And, if you’ll pardon the corny pun, I think we need to be boarders. The reality of Anglo Jewry is that too many of its constituents are day students – turning up on a Saturday morning, or for one-off lifecycle events or two days a year. What we need are more boarders: those whose commitment to Liberal Judaism pervades their everyday lives at a variety of levels and is part of everything they are and everything they do. Those of us who have been here in Cheltenham for the weekend are Liberal Judaism’s boarders. Our task is to go back to our communities, where so many of our members are day students – occasional Jews – and fill them with the enthusiasm which has so convinced and inspired us. And that enthusiasm will help us to extend our frontiers and allow us – and the ancient faith which we so deeply love – to continue to develop and thrive in new, exciting ways.
What about the children? They had a wild time Eighteen youngsters took part in LJY-Netzer’s Chazon (Vision) weekend, which took place alongside the Biennial at a wonderful green outdoors centre on the edge of the Forest of Dean. The Wilderness residential centre, which is devoted to providing residential environmental education, was an ideal base from which to enjoy two nights away from home amid wonderful countryside – and to think and have fun. The aims of Chazon were to give LJYNetzerniks an opportunity to understand the principles behind the youth movement, as well as to understand
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July/August 2006
the thoughts and views of the umbrella movement Netzer Olami, and Liberal Judaism itself. The children split into two groups: 8-11 years, Anayim (Eyes); and 12-15 years Re’iya (Sight). They discussed how they could incorporate Liberal Judaism into their lives, and enjoyed song sessions, a Saturday afternoon ramble followed by a seudah (festive meal) and Havdalah, and a range of educational activities. The older group also enjoyed a night walk, including ghost stories – and even some real ghosts. As LJY-Netzer’s first ever parallel weekend, it was judged a big success.
Rabbi Sarah’s workshop on sexual ethics was so well attended that the intimate circle of chairs originally laid out had to be enlarged until we were all pressed up against the walls. Elli’s introduction pointed out that although Liberal Judaism champions the ethical injunctions of Leviticus chapter 19, chapters 18 and 20 are generally ignored; back in 1993 she had asked what difference it might make to our reading of chapters 18 and 20 if we read them alongside and in the context of Leviticus 19. The group was first asked to identify the principles governing Liberal Jewish sexual ethics. The suggestions made were recorded on a flip chart: consent, respect, mutuality, equality, reciprocity, sensitivity, health, consanguinity, trust, love, fun and self-restraint.
Judaism Without Borders?
Elli said that each person, including one’s sexual partner, was ‘an image of God’ (Genesis 1:27). Sexual relations involving an in-built power relationship were therefore prohibited, because mutuality and reciprocity were not possible: this covered relationships such as between an adult and a minor or between a human and an animal. The participants then paired off to read and discuss Leviticus chapters 18 and 20, after which we were asked to say what words we associated with the phrase ‘gilui ervah’ (uncovering nakedness) – the repeated refrain in these chapters. The suggestions were: causing embarrassment; being laid bare, being exposed; not holding boundaries; force; vulnerability; being naked; have sexual relations with; abuse; exploitation; treating others as objects of consumption. We then recorded our responses to the prohibited relationships listed in Leviticus chapters 18 and 20: not
Rituals Without Borders Presenter: Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein Flagellation? – even to discuss this atoning practice at a Liberal Judaism Biennial in 2006 (outside talk of the ubiquitous Da Vinci Code) illustrates the leagues we have travelled since Claude Montefiore in his Outlines of Liberal Judaism advocated the celebration only of Chanukkah beyond the three pilgrimage festivals and the High Holydays. This was only one of the topics raised by Rabbi Goldstein in his stimulating presentation. He recalled that, in his youth, Birmingham Progressive Synagogue would not allow bar- (or bat-) mitzvah. Yamulkas (now commonly called kippot) were rare. Havdalah? – not even in many orthodox households, and only at Leo Baeck College did the rabbi find it. Rabbi Goldstein produced questionnaires on lifecycle ceremonies and festival ritual. Participants were invited to identify which they thought totally acceptable, which ‘worth discussing’ and which were ‘no way’ activities. All 17 of us ticked ‘no way’ for flagellation, and all but one for metzitzah [metzitzah b’peh – oral suction – a way for the mohel to remove the blood from the
Judaism Without Borders?
baby’s penis]. Indeed, for Brit Milah itself, eight found it totally acceptable but seven said it was worth discussing. Perhaps it is not surprising to find, in this age of kindness to animals, that no one thought even worth discussing the practice of Kaporos – swinging a cock (for men) or a hen (for women) around the head before killing it, carrying with it our sins of the past year. Conversely, 13 thought Tashlich acceptable, or at least worth discussing. On the other hand, all but one of us thought apples and honey at New Year were acceptable; Rabbi Goldstein viewed it (with, for example, the shaking of the lulav at Succot) as ‘sympathetic magic’, a hangover from appeasement to the gods. In four practices around the marriage ceremony, 30 of us considered them worth discussing, 18 ticking ‘no way’. Two of them related to the groom assuring himself that his bride was his chosen one (Isaac’s carelessness runs long). We all appreciated the atmosphere set by the rabbi’s relaxed presentation, which made it easy to make contributions. It seems that the past 40 years have seen a significant increase in Liberal Jewish ritual. Perhaps there lies a subject for fuller discussion at a future Biennial. David Lipman
equal; power; domination; children– adults; bestiality; vulnerable people; lack of restraint. We then read Chapter 19 in pairs and listed the key values we found there: honesty, respect, consideration, separation, inclusiveness, fairness, not copying what you see around you, charity, God-consciousness, justice, love your neighbour as yourself, selfrestraint, self control, wholeness of the body. Summing up, Elli said one person should not exploit another’s vulnerability but that ethical sexual behaviour involves loving one’s sexual partner as oneself. This ethic embraces same-sex partners as well as those of opposite sexes. This exciting session was reluctantly brought to an end by the pressure of time and we left feeling there was much more that we could have discussed. Maybe at the next Biennial? Neil Drapkin
Mixed-faith Families A look at some of the issues. Presenter: Sheila King Lassman We preach tolerance but can we live with it and all its ramifications? This was one of the questions this workshop posed. Nineteen people attended (11 women and eight men, comprising Jews with non-Jewish partners, non-Jews with Jewish partners, Jewish parents of Jews with non-Jewish partners, and interested others). The discussion began by looking at the different permutations of ‘mixed faith’ families. It was pointed out that it is not only the Jewish parents who might think their child was ‘marrying out’. As the participants warmed to the discussion, many thoughts and experiences were voiced, some of which centered on the bringing together – whether wanted or not – of relatives of both partners. We also looked at areas of potential conflict, primarily: weddings, the religious upbringing of children, lifecycle events and death and burial. On a positive note, the group felt that an inclusive and welcoming synagogue, along with a commitment to increasing Jewish learning, will result in ‘marrying in’ rather than ‘marrying out’. William Glassman
July/August 2006
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Discussion: Can Liberal Judaism
work together with Christian Aid?
Where do we agree and where do we agree to differ? Panel discussion with
Nigel Varndell and Rabbi Janet Burden. Chaired by Rabbi Dr David Goldberg
Plenty of frank and opposing views were aired at this panel debate. With Nigel Varndell, interfaith manager of Christian Aid, on his left, and Rabbi Janet Burden, of West Central and Ealing Liberal synagogues on his right, Dr David Goldberg, rabbi emeritus of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, expertly steered the debate through some difficult territory. Introducing himself to the large audience, Nigel said he wanted to squash a couple of myths about his organisation at the outset: first, it was not evangelical, it was simply the churches’ development agency, which worked with NGOs (non-governmental organisations) locally; second, it did not exist to help Christians, but to give money to areas where poverty existed, wherever that might be and whoever those poor people might be: ‘Oxfam with hymns’ as it had been described. One of the places Christian Aid worked was the Occupied Territories: the reason for this was simply that it was a poor area. As Nigel pointed out, Israel is a developed country – like Greece, the UK and Italy, where Christian Aid does not channel
Judaism Without Borders?
funds – though the charity did do some work with the poorest people in Israel, who tended to be Israeli Arabs and the Bedouin. The temperature rose when questions from the floor began, especially about a Christian Aid poster, which had been part of the charity’s ‘Child of Bethlehem’ 2004 Christmas Appeal. The poster showed seven-year-old Jessica Safar, a Palestinian Christian living in Bethlehem, who lost an eye when she was caught in a gunfight between Israeli soldiers and local youths. Christian Aid’s poster had showed an image of a doll with its eye gouged out with the words: ‘What kind of child does this to her doll?’ When asked why she had gouged out the eye, Jessica had said, ‘So that my doll will be like me.’ ‘I never thought Christian Aid was anti-
‘We understand 2,000 years of Christian anti-semitism, but we don’t live with it – and sometimes we get it wrong’
semitic until I saw this poster,’ one audience member offered. Janet Burden agreed that she had been ‘very uncomfortable’ with it. ‘I asked myself what the impact of that poster was. To me, it said: “Someone is responsible for this – that person is the Jews.” ’ Christian Aid had been ‘completely shocked’ by the reaction to the advert, Nigel said. Criticism from the Jewish community had been vast, with just one complaint from the Christian community. ‘We understand 2,000 years of Christian anti-semitism, but we don’t live with it,’ he said. ‘And sometimes we get it wrong.’ Though the offence was not deliberate, it was important not to repeat it. Janet said: ‘I think that Christian Aid needs to be aware of the low-level antisemitism that’s out there. A lot of people would think that the child in Bethlehem is the person that the Jews killed.’ Other questions included one about whether Christian Aid was political. Nigel replied with an unambiguous yes: because the causes of poverty were in the main political. But specific remarks the charity made should not be misconstrued: ‘People criticise us for what we say about the Israeli
Janet Burden and Nigel Varndell after the panel discussion. A large part of the discussion was taken up with Christian Aid’s 2004 Christmas Appeal, which centred on the story of a girl wounded in the crossfire between the Israeli army and Palestinian youths. The ‘Child of Bethlehem’ campaign had led to a huge number of complaints from the Jewish community
government, but you should hear some of the things we say about the British government,’ he pointed out. Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah, who was among the audience, said she could not support Christian Aid because in her
view it appealed to people’s base Christian responses, which were rooted in the past. Nigel rejected this, saying the organisation was becoming more aware of how differently iconography was viewed in different communities.
Another question from the audience, about what Christian Aid thought of Jewish relief agencies as organisations that helped only Jews, brought the two panellists together. ‘I care about Jews helping others,’ Janet said. ‘If we are only for ourselves, what are we?’ Nigel pointed out that since the debate had started, an hour or more previously, some 1,200 children had died of poverty. ‘I don’t think any of them were Jewish. But frankly, that’s not the point,’ he said. ‘I just don’t want any of them to die.’ Did the fact that both Christian Aid and Liberal Judaism come from a faithbased background with a shared root make co-operation easier or more difficult? Janet thought it helpful. ‘Sometimes it’s better to work in a multifaith forum,’ she said. ‘Then the sensibilities of a whole lot of people are taken into account.’ Nigel said: ‘Faith-based organisations can make the moral case to end world poverty. We believe that God created all of us, we believe in the sanctity of human life. Together we speak more loudly. And we need to speak more loudly to more politicians.’ Beatrice Sayers
The Missing Generation...
Rabbi Leo Baeck and the Borders of our Lives
... or the Generation We Miss? Presenter: Rabbi Aaron Goldstein
Presenter: Rabbi Dr Michael Shire, acting principal of Leo Baeck College
This session was aimed at identifying and considering the impact of those generations who are missing from the active lives of our synagogues. Participants identified the key issues for them. One issue is that because couples are so much older now when they start their families, there is often a gap of some 20 years (between ages of 20 and 40) when very few remain as active members. Other issues include the fact that those who stay, or return to the synagogue, are often put off by the perception that the ‘old-timers’ are set in their ways; that many are wary of the perceived obligation to attend services; and involvement through volunteering is no longer part of the accepted culture and has become ‘a neglected art’. Several questions arose as a result:
Rabbi Dr Michael Shire began by pointing out his family connection to Rabbi Dr Leo Baeck. Both his late father, Heinz, a former president of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue and vice-chairman of the Liberal Judaism movement, and his grandfather had been barmitzvah under him. Rabbi Baeck would have conducted the marriage of Heinz to Michael’s mother, Ruth, had he not been away (Lily Montagu conducted the ceremony instead). Leo Baeck (1873-1956) served as a rabbi in Oppeln, Dusseldorf and Berlin, and was elected president of the Reich Deputation of German Jews, an organisation founded in September 1933 to represent Jewish interests at a national level. In 1943, he was deported to Theresienstadt concentration camp. (Terezin).
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first, does it matter if the 18 to 40s are not coming? Should we be spending time trying to attract in this age group, or wait for them to be ‘ready’? Should we be looking to make membership more affordable for this age group? Points emerging were about affordability, the priorities of this age group, their preconceptions and their expectations. Some participants expressed the view that most can afford membership, but do not prioritise it over extracurricular activities for their children. The discussion then moved to what our response should be to this situation. Ideas mooted included: look for ways to combat the hurdles in the way of congregants’ return; find ways of attracting people through the door, even if it is not for services; provide in-house alternatives, such as toddler groups, adult education and sports clubs. Synagogue members were encouraged
to use their assets – buildings and people – by allowing outside groups to hold events there, to attract people in and generate income. Inviting in grandparents – through painting classes or dedicated activities for older people – was one suggestion. The message active members of synagogues left with was: tell everyone how good you are as a synagogue, and sell yourself. Use websites, written materials, and use professionals if necessary. The overriding message to the missing generations is that you can get your money’s worth and more. Paula Scott Liberal Judaism thanks the organising committee, especially Penny Beral, Mike Beral and Rabbi Kathleen Middleton, for their tremendous efforts in creating another superb Biennial Weekend.
Judaism Without Borders?
Michael said Baeck was the only one among the great modern Jewish theologians who had emerged from a concentration camp as a rabbi, and as such, he had a particular message to give us both as a thinker and as a teacher. But his survival was due to an unusual mistake by Nazi officers: in Terezin, an order was given to take ‘Rabbi Baeck’ to Auschwitz. Instead, a Rabbi Beck, also in the camp, was taken. With reference to a series of excerpts from Baeck’s writings – each excerpt picked from a lucky-dip bag (or was it a tallit bag?) by a workshop attendee – Michael explored Baeck’s thinking. Baeck had an ability to look both deeply within Judaism and beyond it. It was no coincidence that many students and former students at Leo Baeck College were involved in interfaith dialogue, Michael said. It was as though the walls
of the college were imbued with the interfaith ethos. It seemed that the Shoah did not inform Baeck’s theology. For Baeck, God was in the nobility of humanity, and where we cannot live out our high ideas, God is not there. Michael related the story of a couple who, after the Shoah, asked Rabbi Baeck what they should do for they had lost faith in Judaism. Baeck suggested that they light the Friday night candles and, if it appealed to them, that they should do it again; he was a man who placed great value on an individual’s experience of Judaism. When Terezin was liberated in May 1945, Rabbi Baeck refused to leave until the last Jew had been taken to a place of safety. He was the quintessential rabbi: the pastor who stays with his people. Beatrice Sayers
July/August 2006
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A search for personal meaning
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July/August 2006
Letters to the editor
GROWING INTO YOUR SOUL: A CELEBRATION OF JEWISH LIFE FOR THE LIBRARY
By Larry Tabick, Hylas Publishing, £9.99 (hardback). Reviewed by Elli Tikvah Sarah
Growing Into Your Soul is a collection of Rabbi Larry Tabick’s reflections in the form of poems, each accompanied by an illustration – mostly a reproduction of a painting. It opens with a simple idea: ‘When we were kids, / Our parents bought us / Clothes / That were too big for us, / Saying, “You’ll grow into them.” / We grow into our souls / Like we grew into our clothes.’ Exploring ‘significant days of the year’, ‘momentous days of our lives’ and ‘our heritage: values and virtues’, each page of this beautifully produced book expresses how one individual has engaged personally with the big themes of Jewish life, and in this manner invites – indeed, challenges – the reader to reflect on how she or he finds personal meaning in its ideas and ways. Intending this as a bar- or batmitzvah gift, Rabbi Larry Tabick specifically addresses the young reader in his introduction. But this is no ‘how to’ b’nei mitzvah manual or worthy digest of everything a young person should know about Judaism. Rather than focusing on
the external aspects of becoming bat or bar mitzvah, Rabbi Tabick invites the young person to consider that ‘bar- or batmitzvah is, ultimately, a cosmic event’ – and concludes with these words: ‘By becoming bar or bat mitzvah, you have linked yourself with the history of our people, and with its journey into the future – a future that leads ultimately to a better world. In order to prepare ourselves for that world, we need to try and be better people. May this book help you in that task. Mazal tov on your Big Day! May you grow into your soul in the years ahead.’ I don’t know how receptive the average Jewish 13-year-old might be to the notion that growing into Jewish adulthood is about ‘growing’ into their ‘souls’. I don’t know how the average bat mitzvah or bar mitzvah might respond to this book. A lot depends on the context in which each young person receives this particular b’nei mitzvah gift. Perhaps if, during the year leading up to their ‘big day’, each young person was encouraged by their teachers and parents to write their own reflections
about Jewish life and teaching, and to record their personal responses to what they are learning, by the time they become bar or bat mitzvah they might not only be ready to read Growing Into Your Soul, but also prepared to embark on the process themselves.
Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah is rabbi of Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue
Refreshing and useful introduction to difference START WITH A DIFFERENCE: PROMOTING RACE EQUALITY IN THE EARLY YEARS By Julie Taylor, JCore, £15 (paperback). Reviewed by Rebecca Qassim Birk It is a credit to Liberal Judaism that Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue jointly funded this book with JCore. Promoting race equality in the early years – the book’s subheading – is an endeavour that we would support wholeheatedly. Julie Taylor, JCore’s early years officer, explains from the outset that her aim in the book is to promote ‘a recognition of diversity and equality’ in the classroom. ‘Children are not born prejudiced. It is something they learn,’ she quotes, and goes on to offer thoughtful and creative ways to teach an open and reinforcing response to difference. She recommends the Persona dolls, lifelike rag dolls representing many cultures and faiths dressed beautifully in traditional garments. (Of course next to the Indian doll in a sari the Jewish boy in a black kippah looked rather unexciting!) Children respond well apparently to these dolls. Taylor’s suggestions for exploring personal and emotional
responses to family and belonging are thoughtful, including simple ideas such as looking in a mirror at the end of a session on belonging and nurturing self. This is a brightly coloured book – full of good photos – with classroom ideas as well as information on child development. In addition to the divided sections on themes with teaching ideas, there is an excellent review of useful books that promote and explore difference. Taylor is clear that this is no religious studies textbook.‘It is not to teach about other faiths and festivals but rather to teach about promoting and reinforcing difference.’ It is to be used in Jewish and non-Jewish settings, but nonetheless raises the interesting dilemma that ‘Jewish settings... have a particular challenge. As there are fewer representatives of society at large, there is a need to work harder at presenting images of others in a positive way.’ My son is at a Jewish school, but unusually it boasts mixed ethnicities,
cultures and skin colours in his nursery class. The school does not have to create difference but respond to it, and celebrate it. Most other Jewish institutions, as Taylor emphasises, have to work harder. Each theme – home, journey, special times – is divided into teaching disciplines: personal, social and emotional, language, the wider world, and, finally, Jewish ideas. The book, as you would anticipate from JCore, has a Jewish focus and options for using Jewish story and religious experience as the backdrop for teaching appreciation of difference and openness. I hope that this refreshing and useful book finds its way into the early years classrooms at our Jewish primary schools, whatever the denomination.
Rabbi Rebecca Birk is rabbi educator at Westminster Synagogue and Jewish chaplain to Holloway prison. She is developing a Liberal Judaism Parenting Day, to be held on 5 November
Letters for publication are welcome. Write to: The Editor, LJ Today, The Montagu Centre, 21 Maple Street, London, W1 4BE, or email ljtodayeditor@liberaljudaism.org. Please give a telephone number. Letters may be edited.
The Divided Self’s claims about Zionism and the Holocaust I suppose I should be grateful for Sidney Brichto’s relatively generous review (LJ Today May/June) of my new book, The Divided Self, given the well-known fact in Liberal Judaism and beyond that, while maintaining a warm personal friendship, for over 30 years we have disagreed about almost everything concerning Israel, including the spelling of ‘and’ and ‘but’. However, where Sidney might agree with me is that one of a reviewer’s first duties is to quote accurately and in context. That he failed to do when he accused me of controversial claims for which no evidence is given, such as Israel’s ‘manipulation of the Holocaust to justify draconian collective punishments in response to terrorist attacks and civil disobedience in the Territories’. I was writing specifically about Menachem Begin’s premiership, during which the prime minister’s pronouncements became progressively more strident and Holocaust-obsessed. Do I need to remind Sidney of the several well-documented instances (to which I refer) when Holocaust survivors in Israel publicly took Begin to task for demeaning the Holocaust in order to defend his policies?
Second, he asks how can I justify my ‘inflammatory proposition’ that the intensive programme of Holocaust education begun in America in 1975 was (his words) ‘just another propaganda stunt engineered by the Zionists’. My actual, non-inflammatory words were ‘… it was hardly coincidental… that Jewish lobbying groups in America… searching for the causes of Israel’s isolation and falling esteem, decided to embark on an intensive programme of Holocaust education…’ Should he wish for confirmation of that assertion I would direct him to Peter Novick’s magisterial study The Holocaust and Collective Memory, which I quoted from extensively, especially pages 155-159. There, two examples from several support my assertion. Wolf Blitzer, reporting on a Washington conference of Israeli officials and American Jewish political activists, wrote that they agreed that ‘raising public awareness of the Holocaust…was bound to generate heightened sympathy and support for Israel’. Hyman Bookbinder, a member of President Carter’s Commission on the Holocaust, expressed the hope that its
recommendations on a memorial would ‘contribute to sustaining and increasing an American consciousness and conscience which is essential to maintaining our commitment to Israel’. His charge that my views lacked ‘scholarly proof’ rather needled me. Intellectual fastidiousness usually causes me to modify any generalised statement with qualifications. But I suggest people read The Divided Self (buy your own copy and swell my royalties!) to decide whether it is me in my book or Sidney in his review who is guilty of ‘sweeping generalisations’ that mar its validity. David J Goldberg Emeritus Rabbi, The LJS As someone who spent his entire career in the media – journalism, advertising and PR – I feel qualified to congratulate LJ Today on a brilliant coup. Asking Rabbi Dr Sidney Brichto to review a book on Israel written by Rabbi Dr David Goldberg was a stroke of genius. Surely there have never been two rabbis in Liberal Judaism (or elsewhere) with such differing views. Peter Phillips NPLS
We’re supporting joint initiatives in Israel
Live it...
Byron Simmonds applauds the splendid efforts of Daniel Barenboim and his East-West Divan Orchestra to bridge the divides between the communities in Israel (Liberally Speaking, LJ Today May/ June). There are many such joint actions taking place, but few receive any publicity and, indeed, most would probably prefer to prosper quietly. The ‘35s’ Women’s Campaign For Soviet Jewry founded The Jewish Aid Committee, a charity which assists the most disadvantaged among the new settlers in Israel, and funds and organises schemes to foster co-operation and self-help. In conjunction with the One-to-One Children’s Fund they support: Budo For Peace, where 80 Israeli and Palestinian youth participate in traditional Japanese martial arts; the Arab Jewish Community Centre in Jaffa, where 50 deprived Arab and Jewish children attend a centre four times a week for a hot lunch, homework supervision and enrichment activities; Lev Yafo, where 50 Arab and Jewish children from Jaffa meet
Experience new things, make new friends
in an after-school centre for homework, English learning, therapy sessions and games; Cherish, which provides counselling to Israeli and Palestinian children with post-traumatic symptoms; Mercaz Cochav Clubhouse, where 20 children, Jews, Muslim and Christian Arabs, Druze and Bedouin refugees in Western Galilee with developmental disabilites are bussed three afternoons each week for a variety of enrichment and therapeutic activities; One-to-One Clubhouses, where 120 at-risk Druze children receive help with homework, and enjoy a variety of sports and arts activities; and Galilee Olive Shoots, where 24 Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Druze children take part in joint activities. These efforts prove that the communities can work together if the politicians can be kept from interfering. The LJS supported the One-to-One charity in its Yom Kippur Appeal last year and is continuing its interest in its work. Any enquiries or help will be welcomed. Margaret Rigal, The LJS
Learn it...
Explore the Jewish world in a new way
Love it...
Give yourself a summer never to forget
Machaneh Kadimah summer camp Age 8-15 31 July to 13 August
contact Jenny or Jess: 020 7631 0584 Liberal Jewish Youth Progressive Zionist
July/August 2006
Page 10 LJ Today
Liberally Speaking Beatrice Clarke on setting up a Shabbat morning group for those who prefer an alternative to ritual and formal prayer ‘Lost for words’ is not how I am usually described – ‘lost in words’ perhaps – but, at our Biennial Weekend, I realised that all the terms I habitually use to describe my Jewishness – ‘secular’, ‘non-religious’, ‘disaffected’ – are inadequate; and I never use the term ‘cultural Jew’ because of its overtones of some kind of lifestyle ethnicity. Encouraged by the title of the weekend – Judaism Without Borders? – I had asked if I could hold a discussion, at the same time as the Shabbat morning service, about my proposal to develop an alternative meeting for those for whom ‘worship’ and ‘prayer’ are particularly problematic, but who would like to use this time for spiritual reflection. In this I had Rabbi Frank Dabba Smith’s support. The Biennial Weekend organising committee rejected my request, but I was encouraged to put up a notice suggesting that anyone interested should meet me informally, and I was given a slot in the Sunday morning ‘taster’ sessions. On Friday evening, annoyed that I and others could not meet officially in serious but ‘non-religious’ reflection at the same time as the Saturday service, I was introduced to Rabbi Danny Rich, who suggested I write this piece. Being part of a movement that, having refused something, then asks me to state publicly why I think it was wrong to do so, makes me pleased now to dispense with the epithet ‘disaffected’. However, ‘secular’ and ‘non-religious’, while remaining problematic in their implied disavowal of the spiritual, are less easy to discard when trying to define my idea, and the word ‘service’ keeps creeping in. It seems that what else there might be can only be thought about by assimilation to what already exists. Resisting the word ‘service’ is vital, though, if something genuinely exploratory and open is to evolve. The first alternative meeting took place at Harrow and Wembley Progressive Synaogue on 20 May. Some of the group, who were not members of a synagogue and who had never been attracted by synagogue life, expressed a wish to explore what it is that draws
Beatrice Clarke: resists the word ‘service’
them into engagement with Judaism’s intellectual and spiritual traditions. We have decided to try to combine discussion of work by Jewish writers, artists and philosophers, particularly the creative challenges of secular interpretations of the Torah, with the provision of a quietly reflective time together. For many, prayer and religious ritual inhibit spiritual life, and we do not think enough about what aspects of inner life formal prayer might be a distraction from. Holding our meeting at the same time as the service is an important way of asserting both difference from and connection with those whose spirituality expresses itself in ritual and formal prayer. Some members of the group join for kiddush those who have attended the service, whilst others have made it clear that this new provision needs to remain for them prayer-free. Many of us have suffered from, and refuse to accept, the assumption that being Jewish is one’s primary identity. Feeling intimately connected to Judaism can mean many different kinds of relatedness. Perhaps if we stopped thinking that unless we do things only in certain ways Judaism will become too ‘diluted’ and die, the unique richness of our tradition might undergo a renewal as important in its consequences for Jews who identify as ‘secular’ as the original founding of Liberal Judaism was for the disaffected Orthodox.
Beatrice teaches literature in adult education, and is a member of Harrow and Wembley Progressive Synagogue.
Liberally Speaking is an opportunity for a Liberal Jew to air a view or take a stand, or share ideas about one or more aspects of Jewish life. If you are interested in writing for this column, please email the editor: ljtodayeditor@liberaljudaism.org
Women connect Jo Coburn, political correspondent for the BBC and a member of Ealing Liberal Synagogue, shared her Westminster experiences and answered questions at the launch of Ealing’s group for ‘women with a Jewish connection’ living in West London. ‘Kesher’ – connections – welcomes women from all Jewish communities in west London. The first meeting, in June, included members of Grange Road’s Orthodox synagogue and nonJewish partners of Ealing Liberal community members. The next meeting – ‘Food for Thought’ – will discuss why food is such an important part of Jewish life and tradition, and women are being encouraged to bring along their favourite dish and a story relating to it. The meeting will take place at Ealing Liberal Synagogue on Monday 18 September at 8pm. Details from Linda Fraser: 020 8932 1838.
New role for Rosita The Liberal Synagogue Elstree has voted Rosita Rosenberg as its new president. Rosita helped to set up the synagogue through her development work with Liberal Judaism in the 1960s, and has been a member of the congregation since its inception in 1969. •TLSE held a successful Civic Service in May, attended by James Clappison, MP for Hertsmere, the local mayors and the local police Chief Inspector.
Liberals visit Ukraine Twenty seven people on a Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue trip, led by Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein and his wife, Sharon, visited Ukraine in May for the induction of Rabbi Misha Kapustin. Misha, a graduate of Leo Baeck College, was the student rabbi at NPLS for two years and Rabbi Goldstein was his mentor. Misha is the rabbi for the whole of western Ukraine and the Crimea.
Memorial services The Annual Memorial Services will be held on Sunday 17 September. The service at the Western Cemetery, Bulls Cross Ride, Waltham Cross, will begin at 10:30, the service at Pound Lane, Willesden, will begin at 1pm, and the service at Edgwarebury Lane will begin at 3pm.
LJ Today Page 11
July/August 2006
Stop press! Places are still available on Kayitz Netzer (16 to 30 August), our fascinating tour of Eastern Europe for 17-year-olds, and on Israel tour (19 July-15 August), our incredible month-long adventure for 16-year-olds. For information or a chat about either of these, call Jess or Jenny on 020 7631 0584.
So many fun things happened at Spring Camp Machaneh Aviv (Spring Camp) was the first time that I had led on LJY-Netzer anyone above the age of 12 or for longer than two days. For five days in April, I was one of the four madrichim on the tzevet (team) for Yamim (year 10). As someone who is really in year 12 but looks as if she could still be in year 9, I was pretty nervous about being taken seriously. I shouldn’t have worried. When we arrived at Norman Court, near Salisbury, Wiltshire, everyone was excited – we had all heard from Jenny and Jess what a wonderful site it was. Well, the building was gorgeous, and in
the middle of pretty much nowhere. I think the coach was emptied in about two seconds flat – everyone wanted to get out and explore. The educational theme of the year is ‘Torah’, and each shikvah (year group) had its own ‘mini theme’, as it were. Plagim had ‘Miracles in the Torah’, Nechalim had ‘Heroes and Heroines in the Torah’, and Yamim had ‘God and Torah’. Most of our individual activities were based on these themes. I don’t really know about the other tzvatim’s (team of leaders) but I know that on our tzevet I was amazed at some
of the discussions we had with Yamim they are all sooo clever! So many things happened on camp, from cloud gazing to singing to cooking, but there were a few special things that really summed up camp for me. Tim and Orlando’s puppet show (singing voices everyone!), the awesome last night show, Sam’s LJY-Netzer brawl, an amazingly confusing outdoors game, wonderful food and, of course, plenty of crazy but wicked people! I can’t wait to lead on Machaneh Aviv 5767 – see you all there! Yszi Smith
What happened to all those Israeli boys I was promised? As soon as I started year 11 everybody told me I had to go on Israel Tour, but a month spent in youth hostels with a bunch of people I’d never met before didn’t really appeal! But, to keep my parents happy, I promised I’d go on one LJY-Netzer event and then make up my mind after that. So that’s how I was packed off to the Montagu Centre to an event called Mifgash, meaning Encounter. My pessimism changed as soon as people started arriving. Pretty soon it seemed that I had 15 new English friends – and it got even better when 20 Israelis arrived! Playing getting-toknow-you games made us all realise
High hopes: unusual sandwiches present a challenge during the ‘Saturday night seder’ game
how much we had in common. So after a while we were taken to Phasels Wood Scout Camp in Kings Langley, Herts, and that’s where the real fun began. We learnt about each others cultures, had some amazing services, and played a Passover game that involved eating some, let’s just say interesting foods. For the home stay part, my (typical
Final call for Kadimites Yom HaShoah If your child isn’t signed up for our twoweek summer camp – Kadimah – then act now! Don’t let your child miss out on an amazing opportunity to make lots of Liberal Jewish friends for life, to learn about their Judaism in an extremely FUN way and, most importantly, have an amazing safe and fun two weeks in the countryside of Nottinghamshire! The dates are 31 July to 13 August. For information, please call 020 7631 0584.
This year, to mark Yom HaShoah, LJY Netzer took part in the cross-communal tekkes (ceremony) organised by Yad Vashem UK and UJIA Makor. Edd Samuel represented LJY-Netzer in the tekkes, reading poems and thoughts of people about the Shoah. The youth input in the tekkes was commented on by members of the community, saying it was very moving and professionally
performed. Well done, Edd!
Jewish) mother offered to take as many Israelis as was needed. Originally promised four Israeli boys, we ended up with five Israeli girls crowded on my living room floor. Although there was no space to move I couldn’t have asked for a nicer situation to be in! I can’t wait to be reunited again with them on Israel tour! Hannah Kingston, 16
LJY-NETZER
The youth movement of Liberal Judaism Contact Jess Herman or Jenny Walton at LJY-NETZER, The Montagu Centre 21 Maple Street, London W1T 4BE T: 020 7631 0584 F: 020 7631 9838 E: j.herman@liberaljudaism.org or j.walton@liberaljudaism.org
July/August 2006
Page 12 LJ Today
Liberal Judaism congregations Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue (Rodef Shalom), 01234-218387, bedsps@liberaljudaism.org, www.bedfordshire-ps.org.uk Beit Klal Yisrael, P.O.Box 1828, London W10 5RT 020-8960 5750, bky@liberaljudaism.org www.beit-klal-yisrael.or g.uk Bet Tikvah Synagogue, 129 Perrymans Farm Road, Barkingside, Ilford, Essex IG2 7LX, 020-8554 9682, bettikvah@onetel.com, www.bettikvah.org.uk Birmingham Progressive Synagogue, Jericho House, 196-198 Edward Road, B12 9LX, 0121-446 5273, bps@liberaljudaism.org, www.bps-pro-syn. co.uk; Branch: Leamington Spa, 01926-421300 Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove BN3 1FF 01273-737223, bhps@liberaljudaism.org www.brightonandhoveprosynagogue.org.uk Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation, Hon. Sec. 0117-954 1937 bwpjc@liberaljudaism.org, www.bwpjc.org Crawley Jewish Community, 01293-534294 Dublin Jewish Progressive Synagogue, PO Box 3059, Dublin 6, 00-3531 2856241, djpc@liberaljudaism.org Ealing Liberal Synagogue Lynton Avenue, Drayton Green, W13 0EB 020-8997 0528, els@liberaljudaism.org www.ealingliberalsynagogue.org.uk Eastbourne Progressive Jewish Congregation 01323 725650, fax: 01323 417645 epjc@liberaljudaism.org, www.epjcong.org.uk Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community 07891 439646, www.eljc.org Finchley Progressive Synagogue Hutton Grove, N12 8DR, 020-8446 4063, fps@liberaljudaism.org, www.fps.org Harrow and Wembley Progressive Synagogue, 326 Preston Road, Harrow, Middx HA3 0QH, 020-8904 8581, hwps@liberaljudaism.org, www.hwps.org Kent Liberal Jewish Community, 07952 242432, bulletin.kljc@liberaljudaism.org, www.jewishkent.org.uk/communities/KLJC/kljc.html Kingston Liberal Synagogue Rushett Road, Long Ditton, Surbiton, Surrey KT7 0UX, 020-8398 7400, kls@liberaljudaism.org Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation, The Synagogue, 24 Avenue Road, LE2 3EA, 07875 123744 The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St John’s Wood Road, London NW8 7HA, 020-7286 5181, ljs@liberaljudaism.org, www.ljs.org The Liberal Synagogue Elstree, Elstree High Street, Elstree, Herts WD6 3BY, 020-8953 8889 tlse@liberaljudaism.org, www.tlse.org.uk
Liberal Judaism The Montagu Centre, 21 Maple Street, London W1T 4BE, 020-7580 1663 Fax: 020-7631 9838 montagu@liberaljudaism.org, www.liberaljudaism.org Youth Department: 020-7631 0584 Fax: 020-7631 9838 Chairman Nigel Cole Chief Executive Rabbi Danny Rich Vice Chairman Joan Shopper Joint Treasurers Tony Kerron and David Pelham Hon. Officers Mikko Arevuo (LJ Zika - Israel Action Group); Simon Benscher (community development); Penny Beral (communications); Roz Bott; Amanda Grant (youth); Paul Infield; Elsbeth Mendes da Costa (social action); Michael Romain (regions) Senior Vice-President Rabbi Dr Sidney Brichto Vice-Presidents Jeromé Freedman, Louise Freedman, Rabbi Dr David Goldberg, Jeremy Jessel, David Lipman, Rosita Rosenberg, Tony Sacker, Beverley Taylor Hon. Vice-Presidents David Amstell, Geoffrey Davis, Rabbi Harry Jacobi, Willie Kessler, Corinne Oppenheimer, David Pick, Harold Sanderson, Clive Winston Joint Chairs of the Rabbinic Conference Rabbi Rachel Benjamin and Rabbi Margaret Jacobi Outreach Director Rabbi Aaron Goldstein Chaplain Rabbi Melinda Michelson-Carr Shlicha Gili Tzidkiyahu Mazkira, LJY-Netzer Jess Herman Social Action Officer, LJY-Netzer Jenny Walton Liberal Judaism promotes the religious and cultural traditions of our faith within the framework of progressive thinking and ethics. Donations to support our work are always welcome. Liberal Judaism is a registered charity, number 256390 LJ Today is edited by Beatrice Sayers. The deadline for the September/October issue is Wednesday 2 August. Send articles or letters for publication to: ljtodayeditor@liberaljudaism.org Printed by Freedman Bros.
Lincolnshire Jewish Community 01427-628958, ljc@liberaljudaism.org North London Progressive Jewish Community 020-8340 5513, nlpjc@liberaljudaism.org www.nlpjc.org.uk Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue Oaklands Gate, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 3AA 01923-822592, npls@liberaljudaism.org www.npls.org.uk Nottingham Progressive Jewish Congregation Lloyd Street, Sherwood, Nottingham NG5 4BP 0115-9624761, npjc@liberaljudaism.org www.npjc.org.uk Or Chadash Liberal Jewish Community of Luxembourg 00 352 31 65 94 lljc@liberaljudaism.org Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community 01733-358605 The Progressive Jewish Community of East Anglia (based in Norwich), 01508-538666 pjcea@liberaljudaism.org, www.pjcea.org.uk Reading Liberal Jewish Community www.rljc.org 0118-375 3422, rljc_mail@yahoo.co.uk South Bucks Jewish Community 01494-431885 sbjc@liberaljudaism.org, www.sbjc.org.uk South London Liberal Synagogue, PO Box 14475, London SW16 1ZW, 020-8769 4787 slls@liberaljudaism.org, www.southlondon.org Southgate Progressive Synagogue, 75 Chase Road, London N14 4QY, 020-8886 0977 sps@liberaljudaism.org, www.sps.uk.com West Central Liberal Synagogue, 21 Maple Street, London W1T 4BE, 020-7636 7627 wcls@liberaljudaism.org, www.wcls.org.uk Woodford Progressive Synagogue Marlborough Road, George Lane, London E18 1AR 020-8989 7619, wps@liberaljudaism.org www.woodfordprogressive.org.uk Associated congregations Herefordshire Jewish Community Enquiries: 07789 218823 Oxford, for details of Liberal Jewish Services: 01865-515584 or 01865-765197 www.oxford-synagogue.org.uk New communities Ipswich Liberal Jewish Group 020 7631 9821, ijgroup@hotmail.com Manchester Liberal Jewish Community 08709 917327, a.goldstein@liberaljudaism.org, www.mljc.org.uk
DIARY DATES........... 5 July (Wednesday) ‘It ain’t necessarily so.’ What happens to our faith if we don’t believe in the Bible? An evening with the inimitable Rabbi Pete Tobias, 6.30pm at the Montagu Centre. 9 July (Sunday) Mitzvah Day, organised by LJ Generations 12 July (Wednesday) Rabbi Dr David Goldstein Memorial Lecture given by Rabbi Professor Marc Saperstein, 7.30 for 8pm, at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue 16 July (Sunday) Liberal Judaism day trip to Lincoln Departing at 8.30am in W1. £35 per person including coach. Email j.thwaites@liberaljudaism.org 31 July to 13 August LJY-Netzer Machaneh Kadimah (two-week summer camp): years 3-10 16 to 30 August Kayitz Netzer Two-week tour around Eastern Europe: end of year 12 17 September (Sunday) Annual Memorial Services at the Western, Pound Lane and Edgwarebury cemeteries 5 November (Sunday) Parenting Day to be held at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue
Saperstein delivers memorial lecture The 2006 Rabbi Dr David Goldstein Memorial Lecture is on Wednesday 12 July at 8pm at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue. Rabbi Professor Marc Saperstein, the new principal of Leo Baeck College, will talk about The Sermon as a Challenge for the Rabbi – and the Congregant. Admission is free and all are welcome. Refreshments will be served at 7.30pm.
Wembley victorious Mazel Tov to Harrow and Wembley Progressive Synaogue, who beat 15 other teams to win the Liberal Judaism intersynagogue quiz, on 11June. Bet Tikvah came second, six points behind on 118, and The Liberal Synagogue Elstree came third with 117 points. The competition was hosted by Northwood and Pinner synagogue, last year’s winners. The top prize in each of the past five years has gone to either HWPS or NPLS.
Five rabbis & a canapé Somehow even the title of this series of meet-a-rabbi discussion evenings held in June and July boded well. Rabbi Danny Rich started with a conversation with Imam Shahid Hussain, called: ‘They all hate us anyway: why bother to talk to Muslims?’ About 20 people attended this relaxed, informal and honest discussion; the main conclusion was that a lot of work on improving understanding between the faiths remained to be done. Rabbi Shulamit Ambalu followed with a discussion about her new community in Stoke Newington, Rabbi Janet Burden discussed her journey into the Jewish community (in a talk ‘The Shiksa in the Kippah?’), and Rabbi Elli Sarah discussed Jewish ethics. The final talk, by Rabbi Pete Tobias, is at the Montagu Centre, W1, on 5 July at 6.30pm. Telephone 020 7580 1663 for details.
Bird of praise Attendance at a recent service at The Liberal Synagogue Elstree was boosted by a well-behaved visitor who clearly found the atmosphere all too welcoming. The pigeon, which settled itself among the rafters shortly before the seventh day Pesach service, spent the night and most of the next day on its new perch, before finally being coaxed down by Rabbi Pete Tobias. It was last seen making its way towards the neighbouring church.