March/April 2021 VOL. XLVIII No. 2
Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
www.liberaljudaism.org
ljtoday
Remembering Rosita New rabbi for Elstree T RIBUTES have poured in from around the Jewish world for Rosita Rosenberg, who died in February. Rosita was a leading figure in Liberal Judaism for many decades, including serving as our movement’s Executive Director from 1989-1997 – the first woman ever to hold the role. During that time, she helped to establish Liberal communities in Peterborough, Lincolnshire, Norwich, Kent and Herefordshire, as well as The Liberal Synagogue Elstree (then known as Stanmore Liberal Synagogue) of which she became an active member. Before then, during the 1960s, Rosita managed Liberal Judaism’s Development Committee that also helped to establish communities in Beds-Herts and Kingston. Rosita’s entire life was spent completely immersed in every aspect of Liberal Judaism, its congregations, events and partner organisations such as Leo Baeck College. Even after stepping down as Executive Director, she still remained deeply involved – serving as a Vice President of Liberal Judaism and inspiring and supporting many new generations of leaders and members. She also co-wrote the definitive history of our movement, Liberal Judaism: The First 100 Years, along with Rabbi Lawrence Rigal. Liberal Judaism’s current Chief Executive Officer Rabbi Charley Baginsky said: “Rosita was an inspiration, a mentor and a confidante to me and so many others. She was loved by all who knew her and will be deeply missed. Her achievements for Liberal Judaism still stand and inspire to this day.” At the Biennial Weekend in 2016, Rosita was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award to acknowledge her deep devotion to Liberal Judaism.
Speaking to Liberal Judaism’s Lily’s Legacy Project in 2019, Rosita described why she was so passionate about the movement. She said: “My whole life, from when I was around 18 years old, has been lived within the Liberal Jewish framework. I’m very proud that I’m Jewish. But if I hadn’t discovered Liberal Judaism, I think I would have been an opted-out Jew; a cultural Jew only. “I’m now nearer the end of my life than the beginning. And it’s been a life which has been very much touched and guided by Liberal Judaism and by Liberal Jews.” In memory of Rosita and as a means to ensure her legacy continues, we are creating, with the support of her family, a fund in her name. The fund will help support young people to grow and develop into a new generation of Liberal Jewish leaders through their attendance at LJY-Netzer activities. To find out more and to make a donation, please email montagu@liberaljudaism.org • Pages 2-4: Tributes to Henry Cohn, Howard Shopper, Abi Jay, Peter Benscher and Rosita Rosenberg
RABBI TANYA SAKHNOVICH is heading to Hertfordshire to succeed Rabbi Pete Tobias at The Liberal Synagogue Elstree. Tanya will leave her role at Nottingham Liberal Synagogue to take up the Elstree pulpit in September. She told lj today: “I am delighted to be joining such a warm and welcoming community and am very grateful for this wonderful opportunity. But I will dearly miss Nottingham Liberal Synagogue and its wonderful members. “It is a little daunting to be taking over from Pete who is so well-loved in Elstree and an inspiration to my generation of Liberal Rabbis. It is an honour to be chosen as his successor and to have the opportunity to build on his legacy and lead the community on a new journey.” Pete, who served Elstree for 18 years, leaves the community in June. He will be moving to America to live close to his son and family there. He said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Tanya will be taking up the reins at The Liberal Synagogue Elstree. Tanya is thoughtful, wise and charming. I wish her and TLSE all the very best for the future: I think it’s a great match.” • Page 9: Rabbi Tanya Sakhnovich chats about TLSE and her time in Nottingham
Page 5: How you can get involved with Biennial 2021
Page 2 LJ Today
In Memory
March/April 2021
‘A man of wisdom and integrity’ Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi on Henry Cohn (1936-2021) DR HENRY COHN, who died in February just before his 85th birthday, was a Vice President of Liberal Judaism and a pillar of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue (BPS). He was also a distinguished academic, holding the post of Reader at Warwick University before his retirement. Henry Jacob Cohn was born in London on 5 February 1936. His parents both came to England in the early 1930s from Breslau in Germany (now Wroclaw in Poland) as refugees from Nazism. He was an only child, as was his father Ernst. In 1940, when he was four, Henry and his mother Marianne were evacuated to Jamaica to avoid the consequences of a possible German invasion of Britain. Ernst stayed in England and served in the British Army. After the war had ended, the marriage of his parents broke down and Henry returned to England to live with his father. Marianne continued to live in Jamaica and regular visits there were an integral part of Henry’s life until her death. Henry gained a scholarship to University College Oxford. He switched in his first year from PPE to history, which then became his life-long interest. Henry grew up at Alyth Reform Synagogue and it was through their youth club that he met his first wife, Ruth Harris. They married in 1960 and his only child, Carolyn, was born a year later. Henry and Ruth later divorced. Henry’s academic career took him to Warwick University and he moved to Birmingham and joined the Progressive Synagogue, where he quickly became involved. His love of Jewish tradition led him to become a long-standing member of its rites and practices (now minhag) committee and a lay service leader. He went on to become Treasurer, Chair and President and remained a Vice President until his death. He was proud of how he had reorganised the archives and could often be found in the basement of the synagogue sorting papers. He also served as Vice President of Liberal Judaism and Vice Chair of the Board of Leo Baeck College.
In all those offices, Henry’s advice was valued and he brought thoughtfulness and a sense of Jewish values. He was greatly respected for his wisdom, kindness and humility. He bore his intellect lightly and had a lively sense of humour and a love of puns. Henry found his soulmate in Loretta, whom he met and married in 1979. Together, they fulfilled all the duties listed in Mishnah Peah: they loved Jewish learning; they generously opened their home to others; visited the sick; attended funerals and comforted the bereaved; and took prayer seriously by being a constant presence at services. They were always there for people, regularly transporting our older, frailer members to services and supporting them. As Loretta said at his funeral, his defining characteristic was integrity. He had a deep sense of the need to do the right thing and to treat others fairly. We sometimes disagreed but I always respected Henry for the honesty of his convictions. Henry was also respected across the Jewish community in Birmingham. He served on the Executive of the Representative Council and the Committee of the Council of Christians and Jews. His lectures at Limmud, whether about Martin Luther or the Jews of Jamaica, were accessible and popular. When Henry and Loretta moved to London, it left an enormous gap for our congregation to fill but it was clearly the right move for them. They rejoined and became active in Henry’s childhood congregation, Alyth, and loved the opportunities London offered. They also loved spending time with Henry’s grandchildren Rosie, Adam and Katy. Lockdown offered a new opportunity for them to connect with BPS, when they often joined our Friday evening candlelighting by Zoom and became, once again, part of our ‘Friday night family’. Although Henry was nearly 85, his death came as a terrible shock, not only because it followed an accident, but also because Henry had so much life left to live. He remained active and enquiring and continued to be involved in new activities. We offer our condolences to Loretta, Carolyn and all his family and pray they will find comfort in the memories they hold of a kind, wise and modest man.
• Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi is Rabbi at Birmingham Progressive Synagogue
Howard Shopper (1935-2021) HOWARD SHOPPER, who died in February, was a longstanding member of Finchley Progressive Synagogue and, for the past five years, of The Liberal Synagogue Elstree. He was married to Joan, a Vice President of Liberal Judaism, and was an unfailing and constant support to her in activities. He was chuppah-shlepper extraordinaire at weddings - held under the auspices of both Finchley Progressive and The Liberal Jewish Synagogue - and was involved from the earliest days in Liberal Judaism’s annual Patrons’ Dinner. He was also on the organising committee of several Biennial Weekends. In recent years, Howard’s health wasn’t good. At the beginning of February, he spent two weeks in hospital. We were told that, after eight years of dialysis, it was no longer possible to continue. Howard was clear, in his very unique Howardlike way, that he was ready to stop treatment and wanted to come home. Fulfilling this wish became our mission, and we are so grateful that we managed to bring him home so that we could spend some time together. Whether coincidence or not, he came home on the day of his 58th wedding anniversary giving us, and him, the opportunity to down a celebratory glass of Prosecco. We are comforted by the fact that Howard was able to die at home with his family around him; even Mallie, the dog, refused to leave his side. This was only possible because of the truly outstanding help and support that the Rennie Grove Hospice at Home service gave us. Their care, sensitivity and attention to every single detail was second-tonone and we will always be grateful to them. They need to fundraise 85% of the cost of their services to continue supporting other families (that’s a whopping £20k per day). No matter how small, any donation is truly a mitzvah. Please visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/howard-shopper
• This tribute was written by the family of Howard Shopper
In Memory
March/April 2021
LJ Today Page 3
‘Committed to community through thick and thin’ Rabbi Richard Jacobi remembers ELELS stalwart Peter Benscher (1927-2021) THE PASSING of East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue (ELELS) Honorary Life President Peter Benscher was met by a unanimous sadness at the death of a good and kind gentleman. Peter and his wife Betty, who died in July 2016, were stalwarts of Woodford Liberal Synagogue, which later became ELELS. They were members before the purchase and development of our building in Marlborough Road and they stayed with the community through thick and thin. Their marriage and their relationship with our synagogue were both ’til death do us part’. A few weeks before Betty’s death, they were honoured by Liberal Judaism at the flagship Biennial Weekend event. They received the Chair’s Award for their commitment to our synagogue and the wider movement, with their award fittingly presented by son Simon, who was Liberal Judaism Chair at the time. It then hung in pride of place in Peter’s office alongside other certificates recognising their commitment to our synagogue and our movement.
Peter and Betty Benscher receiving the Liberal Judaism Chair’s Award from son Simon
Although born in Central London, Peter spent his youth and most of his formative years in and around Brighton. His parents were Dorothy and Harold. Harold was a secular Jew with no affiliation to Judaism, but By Martín Hasan Peter always knew he was Jewish. He joined Brighton ABI JAY was a strong, Maccabi where he met powerful, kind and Betty – forming a friendship compassionate that quickly became a love intersex woman. that lasted a lifetime. She lived the last As publicans and as the few years of her life owners of City Hardware, as a woman and in Peter and Betty were every way wanted to be among that rare breed known as such. Both of couples who could her trans identity and successfully live and work her intersex status together. I only knew them were important to her in their last decade and and to her activism, including her role as a key a half and they were still figure in Liberal Judaism’s Twilight People project. progressive, still loving and Speaking as part of Twilight People, Abi said: still complementary to each “You have to have something to believe in, to have other in their approach a focus, because trans people do go through a life to life – definitely more of trouble... so having something from a spiritual Abraham and Sarah or Yin point of view to turn to helps part of the way.” and Yang than Bonnie and Abi was a role model to many young, and not Clyde. so young, intersex people and was much loved Speaking at Peter’s in the intersex community. Whenever life would funeral, Simon said: “After prove difficult for us, or we would experience making Aliyah to Essex aggressions or micro-aggressions, Abi would hug and joining what was then us and tell us in her soft voice that it would be Woodford and District okay, that we were a family. Liberal Synagogue, the May the light by which Abi came into the world community became a fill her soul and be with her from now unto eternity. passion for my parents.
Abi Jay (1958-2021)
“Dad sat on numerous shul committees, eventually becoming Chair and, after retirement, was proud to be the Honorary Life President. “We didn’t discuss religion, and to this day I’m not sure to who or what he prayed, but we often discussed the importance of community and his belief that all should contribute. He took great pride when my brother Paul became a magistrate and I followed in his footsteps by taking an active role in synagogal life. “Dad and I spent many a Shabbat together, traipsing around the UK, when he joined me on my ‘shul crawls’. He so enjoyed meeting new people and was always welcomed so warmly.” When a life has exceeded 90 years, we can be grateful that it was a long and good one, and I know Peter’s family were relieved that he passed away peacefully. His passing, after that of his coPresident Joe Swinburne in August 2017, signals to all of us that while life continues, each person’s life must end. It is now up to all of us to pick up the baton from our predecessors and to do as we know they would wish us to. We will keep building a Liberal Jewish community that is welcoming of all and adds to their quality of life. We carry the memories of our elders forward with us and especially, at this time, the memory of Peter Benscher.
• Rabbi Richard Jacobi is Rabbi at East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue
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In Memory
March/April 2021
‘For many decades, Rosita WAS Liberal Judaism’ Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein pays tribute to Rosita Rosenberg (1933-2021)
Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein, Rabbi Danny Rich and Simon Benscher presenting Rosita Rosenberg with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016
THERE is so much to say about Rosita Rosenberg and I have no doubt so many people have a host of memories from every aspect of her life. Let me use this space to say a few words about Rosita and Liberal Judaism (or ULPS as it used to be called). For many decades, Rosita WAS Liberal Judaism. Chairs and Executive Directors by any name may come and go - but Rosita was always there. Say Rosita and there could only be one person you were referring to. My first meeting with Rosita was some time in 1965 when I came down from Birmingham to go to the Leo Baeck College. The ULPS office was in a room at the old Liberal Jewish Synagogue. Rosita sat facing one wall and Greta Hyman faced the other, but they seemed to keep up a constant shouting match. When the ULPS moved to the purposebuilt offices in the basement of the old Montagu Centre in 1971, the shouting continued with Greta in the inner office and Rosita, as the junior partner, behind a glass screen in the outer office. Shouting, but the very best of friends, they were the powerhouse that drove Liberal Judaism, especially with the arrival of Rabbi Sidney Brichto in 1964. I got these dates from the history book Rosita co-authored with the late Rabbi Lawrence Rigal in 2004 - Liberal Judaism: The First 100 Years. Dates, history, stories, facts, events and indeed everything about Liberal Judaism was of interest to Rosita… and for several decades everything that happened in the Liberal Jewish world had on it the stamp of Rosita Rosenberg.
She was appointed Joint Organising Secretary with Greta in 1964 and from then on became the taker of enough minutes of meetings to fill a shipping container – for Council, Ministers Conference, Development Committee, Conference Committee and so on. And what minutes! There was never a mistake, for Rosita had an eagle eye for English grammar and lazy expressions. She anglicized Sidney’s English and was the true power behind the throne. I recall Sidney getting broiges because people ringing the Montagu Centre only wanted to speak to Rosita – “not bother Rabbi Brichto”. He might have had the ideas, but he then left it to Rosita to carry them out. She was creative and perceptive and knew what would work. Rosita took over as Executive Director from Sidney but together they saw incredible growth in new congregations, prayer books and conferences, while all along getting the finances in the black. So many chairs – Geoffrey Davis, Clive Winston, David Lipman, Tony Sacker, Jeromé Freedman – were on paper her boss, yet they all knew that Rosita was the heart, soul and brains of the movement. In the mould of Liberal Judaism founder Lily Montagu, Rosita was an outstanding and well-respected figure in what was still a male dominated world. Everywhere she went in our movement, Rosita made friends – both younger and older than herself – often joining them over a Scrabble board. I recall the late Rabbi Dr David Goldberg telling me that only Rosita could beat him to finish The Times’ crossword.
I noticed at the funeral how fitting it was that Rosita is buried in a row with her husband Stanley, who died 30 years ago, and with Sidney Brichto and Eddie Goldhill nearby. A Liberal Jewish gathering indeed. Rosita’s was a lifetime in Liberal Judaism… well almost, because she began in an Orthodox synagogue. That soon became the youth club at South London Liberal Synagogue and I note that the first magazine our Liberal Jewish youth movement produced was edited by one Rosita Gould and named by a young Lawrence Rigal - FedOration. Partnerships lasting as long as life. And it was not just the movement Rosita served so well, but also her congregation at Elstree. For Rosita was a shlepper as well as a Director. And she was a sincere Jew, though with a questioning mind and liberal attitudes (with a small l). When Rosita retired as Executive Director in 1997, she stayed ever interested and ever trying to make a contribution. Just recently, as a Vice President of Liberal Judaism, joining in discussions about the future of the movement and its leadership. The last email I received from her was to correct my English in the minutes I had sent out. Now it is up to someone to compose a second volume of the history of Liberal Judaism and dedicate it to Rosita – for her name is a colourful and strong thread running through our movement for more than 70 years.
• Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein is President of Liberal Judaism
Events
March/April 2021
LJ Today Page 5
Get involved with Biennial 2021 Our initial sessions will be held on Tuesday 9 March, Sunday 14 March and Tuesday 16 March. If you’d like to be the representative of your community, or if you’d like any more information, please contact Tom on t.rich@liberaljudaism.org We will also be running an Inclusion in Action session where communities will be able to pitch an inclusion project to our judges in a bid to win seed money.
Communities will be expected to provide a project plan, budget and evaluation methods in advance. Kate Moross – the successful creative director, illustrator, designer and LJY-Netzer graduate – has agreed to be one of our judges. Please contact Tom if you are interested in pitching. Find out more about Biennial 2021 at www.liberaljudaism.org/biennial
Kate Moross will judge an Inclusion in Action session where communities can pitch projects
THE Liberal Judaism Biennial Weekend 2021 will take place online from Friday 30 April to Sunday 2 May – and there are two fantastic ways you can get involved. Over the next month we will be teaching a song to as many people as possible, throughout our communities, so we can come together to learn and sing as one at the Biennial. A representative from each community will be invited to one of our three initial Zoom sessions with Mich Sampson in the hope that they will then in turn teach the song to their community. We’ll record the whole process and cut a video that captures ‘the ripple’ of learning, then come together at Biennial to watch the video and sing it together.
Lily’s Legacy update AFTER pausing in 2020 due to Covid-19, Liberal Judaism’s groundbreaking Lily’s Legacy Project (LLP) is back on track. The project got off to a fantastic restart in December at the annual Limmud Conference. Exhibition core team members including curator Rabbi Miri Lawrence, videographer Mike Beral and Youth Team volunteer Daniel Mautner presented a discussion – you can see it at www.lilyslegacyproject.com/exhibition – and the event also featured the creation of LLP: The Next Generation, led by young people from LJY-Netzer. Lily’s Legacy is now going into its exciting next phase. Activities will include the creation of a resource pack for schools and chederim. This will be overseen by Thamar Barnett, a freelance heritage educator. The toolkit will be launched at the Liberal Judaism Biennial.
There will also be archive training for volunteers and other skills-sharing programmes, as well as various heritage and community events. One exciting upcoming event will see Lily’s Legacy partner with the Jewish Small Communities Network for their Connecting Small Histories Festival, which takes place from 15-25 March. In the meantime, the team is feverishly awaiting the result of the Volunteer Team of the Year nomination at the annual Jewish Volunteering Network (JVN) Awards. After having won the runnerup place in 2019 for Rainbow Pilgrims, it would be a second victory for Liberal Judaism’s Heritage Project teams If you are interested in joining Lily’s Legacy programmes, please email Project Manager Shaan Knan at lilyslegacyproject@liberaljudaism.org
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News
March/April 2021
Introducing the Wellspring Project By Emily Eastmond I USED to think that the ritual of mikveh, the full-body immersion in a body of living water, did not hold much meaning within Progressive Jewish life - apart from its use in terms of conversion. It is simpler and more comfortable to brush such practices aside, saying: “Well, we don’t do that as Liberal Jews, so why explore it any further?’ But I love exploring how and why particular rituals exist and discovering the spiritual framework they can provide. Finding new (for me) ways to engage with my Liberal Judaism means I am constantly moving forward and exploring how I live my life Jewishly. I believe that considering the ‘why not’ is just as important as the ‘why’: why not take the ancient and traditional and weave it into progressive Judaism with intentionality? Some of my most enriching Jewish experiences have taken place within cross-denominational Jewish spaces. In this world, mikveh can be for everybody. It can be used for traditional reasons, but also for less traditional ones. Mikveh is for all: during times of celebration, for healing and/or on the path of recovery. Mikveh can be an enriching part of the journey through life, particularly if you shape your individual mikveh experience, from choosing who accompanies you to deciding which liturgy to use. At the start of 2020, I became ‘mikvehcurious’ and joined the Wellspring Project as a volunteer. I have deepened my knowledge of mikveh, learning from the amazing and diverse team. The Wellspring Project is a space to explore an ancient ritual within a progressive Jewish framework in a nondenominational space.
The Wellspring Project aims to build a community mikveh in the London Borough of Barnet in the next couple of years. It will be open to everyone regardless of age, gender or faith. Rabbi Rebecca Birk of Finchley Progressive Synagogue says that as a local Rabbi she welcomes this initiative. Rebecca told lj today: “Mikveh, as we know, is underused as a ritual marking change in our lives. Making moments and transitions of loss and joy is such a huge part of our Jewish practice, perhaps especially so in Progressive Judaism where we choose to intertwine all parts of life with Jewish markers. “I like the idea of wrestling contemporary meaning from tradition; and having access to ritual and the waters of mikveh to accompany these moments will be fantastic.” There are many misconceptions around mikveh. On the rare occasions that mikveh is depicted in television series or films, it is generally portrayed as a negative, even traumatic, experience. Just the thought of dunking naked in a pool of water, with a stranger in the room, can be enough to put anyone off. But mikveh is much more than that. A ‘mikveh guide’ is there not just to ensure your immersion is correct, but also for emotional guidance and support. There can also be the option to immerse alone.
My community’s Rabbi Emeritus Janet Burden says she is delighted with the Wellspring Project and looks forward to seeing it develop with the input of thoughtful and committed Liberal Jews like me. My mikveh journey has involved completing the Rising Tides Mikveh Guide training, which has given me the tools and knowledge to be an understanding and empathetic mikveh guide. I look forward to the time when I will be able to fulfil my role at the Wellspring Mikveh: to be able to guide people when they are at their most vulnerable, and fulfilling the mitzvah of being the anonymous and confidential face to greet and support during times of celebration, sorrow and healing. There are lots of ways of getting involved with the Wellspring Project and I hope many more Liberal Jews will dive in like I have. A great place to start is by visiting www.wellspringprojectuk.org • Emily Eastmond is a member of Ealing Liberal Synagogue
Two Liberal synagogues change their names NORTHWOOD & PINNER LIBERAL SYNAGOGUE will now be known as The Ark Synagogue. Rabbi Aaron Goldstein told lj today: “When we entered the first lockdown, our Rabbis and Board were determined to approach the situation positively. It was clear that the community had become more than a physical building. “Into the future, it would be a hybrid community in both the synagogue building and online. A strategy began to take shape with a key aspect being a new identity for the community. This new name captures two themes.
“The community has regularly been called a ‘lifesaver’ during the pandemic, which bought Noah’s Ark to mind. The Sanctuary ‘Ark’ is also a visual focus and contains the Torah scrolls representing our rich engagement and heritage.” There has also been change in South London, with the community reverting to its formal name of the South London Liberal Synagogue: adding back the ‘the’. Rabbi Nathan Godleman explained: “Quite when the definite article fell off, no one seems to remember. Perhaps the same question could be asked of my alma mater, the Leo Baeck College.
“Looking at the back of a Liberal Jewish publication from 1961, nine congregations then had the words ‘Liberal Jewish’ in their titles; only one of those nine still does today. “Indeed, SLLS was founded as the South London Liberal Jewish Synagogue No doubt, a formal decision was made to remove the word ‘Jewish’, whereas I suspect the definite article fell victim to fashion, in Streatham as elsewhere. “The return of the ‘the’ will not create shockwaves, but we like how it sounds. It is a link to our past and an assertion that we are here to stay - definitely!”
News
March/April 2021
LJ Today Page 7
Ba’alei Tefillah retreats to Zoom Liberal Jews
lead Limmud
Mich Sampson is joined by her son as she takes part in the online Ba’alei Tefillah weekend
FOR every cohort of Liberal Judaism’s Ba’alei Tefillah lay leadership course, the residential weekend is a real highlight. It is three days spent together, in a lovely hotel, and the chance to learn from rabbis, tutors and each other. Participants acquire and practise new skills and also have the time to get to know each other, reflect on the course, socialise and have fun. Unfortunately, this year we had to cancel the residential weekend, but we are hoping to be able to offer it to this cohort as soon as the Covid situation allows us to do so safely. In the meantime, we replaced the retreat with a weekend on Zoom – featuring services, Torah study, a skills seminar, a d’var Torah session and special guests. Not quite the same but still a successful weekend with plenty of learning and getting to know each other. Mich Sampson, a member of East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue and Ba’alei Tefillah student, said: “It’s been an extraordinary experience to be on the course in this strangest of years.
“We have actually only met in person once - in early March 2020, when we were already in the realm of elbow-bumping - and since then we have studied and practised service leading on Zoom, discussed ideas in online groups and, of course, read and written a lot on our own. And we have learned from inspiring clergy and student clergy on our way. “Understandably, this isn’t quite the programme we signed up for. We cannot currently practise the choreography of undressing the Torah scroll, go on our service leader retreat or shake hands with congregants with our hearts thumping pre-service. “But many of us have now led services on Zoom, learning on the job and (we hope) being helpful to our communities. “Services on Zoom are no less ‘real’ than in-person ones, just as the congregation is also no less real. “Everything we are learning about connecting through prayer is still relevant and we are all looking forward to the heart thumping and Torah unwrapping in due course.”
IN MARCH, Liberal Judaism’s Education Hub has invited members pursuing post grad studies to share their research. The sessions will be:
17 March - What was the relationship between ‘science’ and troubling historic treatments of schizophrenia? with Robert Freudenthal
3 March: The lifecycle of cult involvement with Arthur Buchman
24 March - The significance of the 2015 EU Referendum Act to the Brexit outcome with Paul Goldsmith
10 March: How do visual commentaries contribute to our understanding of verses of Torah? with Jess Wood
Get more details and register for free at www.liberaljudaism.org/education-hub
LIBERAL JUDAISM’S Yszi Hawkings (left) and Abi Jacobi (right) are the new Co-Chairs of Limmud UK. They will lead Limmud as it embarks on its most ambitious recruitment programme ever, looking for a new generation of volunteers and leaders. Yszi – who is a former Liberal Judaism staff member and LJY-Netzer Movement Worker – has been at heart of Limmud as an organiser of Festival since 2012, CoChair of Limmud Toronto in 2015 and a member of the Global Board since 2018. Upon leaving the Liberal Judaism staff team in 2019, after almost a decade serving the movement, Yszi joined the London Borough of Newham’s Public Health team, where she now works on their COVID-19 response. Abi is both a third-generation Limmudnik and third-generation Liberal Jew. She has attended Limmud events since the age of eight and, in recent years, has been Co-Chair of Limmud’s flagship Festival event, delivered training for international volunteers and supported organisational fundraising. Abi worked as Liberal Judaism’s Outreach Coordinator from 2013 to 2015. She is now a social worker in Enfield’s Joint Service for Disabled Children. Abi and Yszi said: “As long-time Limmud participants and volunteers we are so excited to be part of this new chapter in the organisation’s story. “We look forward to working with volunteers across the country – from those who have been involved for all 40 years of Limmud’s life, to those who experienced Limmud for the first time in 2020 when we moved online, and those yet to join this unique community.” Abi and Yszi will head up the brandnew Executive to oversee the day-to-day operational running of the organisation. Limmud is also looking for more volunteers to join this Executive Committee, as well the Trustee Board for Limmud in the UK and its Festival Team. If you’d like to get involved, please visit www.limmud.org/your-next-step
Page 8 LJ Today
Communities
March/April 2021
Helping refugees start a new life in London IN APRIL 2019, the Abraham’s Tent Project based at the South London Liberal Synagogue – and involving a number of other Progressive Judaism communities and members – welcomed a Muslim Syrian refugee family through Community Sponsorship. Shahd, and her son Amr, were reunited at Heathrow with her husband Fahed, who was already living in London. They had been separated for two years. Speaking to lj today, Shahd said: “When I found out I was coming to London, I got so excited and was very emotional and cried out of happiness. I immediately started thinking of what my new journey would look like, in terms of joining my husband as well as exploring a new country and building a whole new life. “I was constantly telling Amr about his dad and our new life in London and, even though he was so young then, he also got excited about this new place and kept asking me questions about his new bed and new toys. “My flight here was the most exciting journey I have ever had in my entire life and it was full of beautiful and emotional moments. On the plane I was constantly thinking of what meeting Fahed again would be like, especially for him after not seeing his son for two years. “I also wondered about meeting the new team who are in charge of my case and asked myself how would things be different with this Community Sponsorship.”
Shahd, Amr and Fahed reunited at Heathrow
Community Sponsorship is a government scheme which allows a community of volunteers to support the resettlement of a refugee family in the UK. They are responsible for finding and furnishing accommodation, meeting the family at the airport and helping with essential tasks such as opening a bank account, registering with a GP, signing up for any benefits, finding school and college places and learning English.
Providing a warm and personal welcome and a ready-made community of support is also essential and Shahd said that’s exactly what she received. She added: “After being welcomed by the team, I felt great and I realised this was the right place to be. The flat is cosy and full of life, with lots of shops and nature around us. Nursery was tough for Amr at first, adapting to a completely new culture and language, but day by day he started to grow into it and really enjoy it. By the time he started school, he was full of confidence and energy. “The Community Sponsorship team make life for us, and other refugees, as easy and comfortable as possible. They take care of our basic needs including accommodation, health, education and language as well as offering help with so many other details such as showing us around and giving advice on where to buy Halal food and meet other Syrian families. They have been wonderful.” If you are inspired by this story, you too can form a group and welcome a family. If you would like more information about Community Sponsorship, please contact Tamara on t.joseph@liberaljudaism.org
The Abraham’s Tent welcome team and Fahed
Virtual tour of the Jewish East End Joyce hits £200k By Gail Davis BLUE BADGE London Guide Diane Burstein (pictured) took the members of Stevenage Liberal Synagogue on a virtual walk around the Jewish East End. The tour was illustrated with historical and modern pictures, as well as a map of the streets we would ‘walk’ down. We visited synagogues and learned about how some of those buildings have been used for the different faiths who have lived in East London down the years. We saw the sign for the Soup Kitchen, which is now a block of flats. Diane took us along Petticoat Lane and talked about the market. She showed us some bagel shops and the Burger King restaurant which used to be Blooms.
We saw the Astronomer Pub. It has a plaque stating that it was originally the office of The Jewish Board of Guardians. Diane told us that Spitalfields is named after the Priory and Hospital of St. Marys, Spittal. It was a monastery in the fields. The chapel, after which Whitechapel is named, was bombed in World War 2. She talked about some of the Jewish people who lived in the East End including Miriam Moses, Bernard Delfont, Bernard Kops and Marc Gertler. After an hour and a half full of facts and stories, the meeting ended with some members reminiscing about their own lives and families in the East End. Diane is an amazing guide. She is a wonderful storyteller with a vast knowledge of London. You can find out more by emailing diane@secretlondonwalks.co.uk or finding Diane Burstein Secret London Walking Tours on social media.
By Joe Seager JOYCE ROTHSCHILD, Birmingham Progressive Synagogue’s award-winning charity fundraiser, has given Macmillan Cancer Support a massive financial boost. Proceeds from the annual quiz she launched 24 years ago have now climbed beyond the £200,000 mark – a monumental milestone. Joyce, 65, began fundraising after recovering from an aggressive form of breast cancer and started by helping to buy equipment for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where she was treated. Since then, Macmillan has been the grateful recipient of all the money raised. Joyce was concerned about the impact the pandemic would have, so she was delighted when a very high number of entry fees and donations from people across the UK and overseas brought in a record £22,459 for her most recent quiz.
Communities
March/April 2021
LJ Today Page 9
‘I have enjoyed unprecedented opportunities’
Rabbi Tanya Sakhnovich at many of Nottingham Liberal Synagogue’s wonderful events - a Czech Scrolls Shabbat, a simcha and a trip abroad
RABBI TANYA SAKHNOVICH is joining The Liberal Synagogue Elstree after 12 years at Nottingham Liberal Synagogue. Here she talks about her career, love of Nottingham and hopes for the future: What have been the key moments and highlights of your career so far? This year I am celebrating my 20th year of working for Progressive Jewish communities in Belarus, Russia and the UK. Nottingham was my first appointment as a Rabbi after graduating from Leo Baeck College. I have so many beautiful memories from my time in Nottingham so it seems wrong to pick out any particular one. I think the many community trips – to Belarus, Belgium, Israel and the Czech Republic – and Shabbatons were among my highlights, because these gave me opportunities to get to know my members better in informal settings and through shared experiences. One of the best parts has been seeing a new generation of children growing up in front of my eyes. It has been very moving to officiate at children’s baby blessings and then their bar/bat mitzvot or seeing older children going to senior schools, then to university and coming back for visits or meeting somewhere half way. Looking at those beautiful young people, who always make me so proud, I feel so grateful for the opportunity to be part of their life and be instrumental, to a greater or lesser degree, either in their Liberal Jewish identity or moral and ethical values or both. How has the Nottingham community changed over your time there? When I started, there was no sense of Liberal Jewish identity developed within the community and our Liberal values were not highlighted as much. I am leaving a cohesive and vibrant community with a shared sense of purpose and a well-earned reputation.
Can you tell us a bit more about the community and Judaism in Nottingham? Nottingham Liberal Synagogue is a Liberal jewel of the Midlands. Its wealth is its members, who are strongly committed both to their community and Liberal values. We are the leading Jewish voice in Nottingham and we actively promote Liberal Judaism through the local media and various social and charitable engagements in the local community. What has Nottingham been like as a place to live? It is a great place to live and has a lot to offer. It is a particularly attractive place to bring up children. Due to the lower house prices, Nottingham offers a better quality of life as well as some outstanding schools. It has several theatres, a jazz club and many music venues including The Arena. Broadway Cinema shows independent films from all over the world and I consider it to be one of the best cinemas I’ve ever been to. Nottingham is also 40-45 minutes away from the Peak District, one of the most beautiful national parks in the country, and less than two hours from London by train. However, I know that according to my London friends, the distance from London to Nottingham is longer than it is from Nottingham to London! Finally, it is also a very multicultural city where interfaith work is welldeveloped and well respected. There is now a vacancy for a new NLS Rabbi. What would you say to colleagues who are considering applying? Go for it, you will not regret it! NLS is a great and dynamic community, whose members appreciate and support their Rabbi. Nottingham is also a city of opportunities from both a personal and professional point of view.
I have enjoyed unprecedented opportunities and have made some amazing friends from other faiths through our engagement with Nottingham Citizens and many other initiatives. Our charity, Salaam-Shalom Kitchen, is a result of one of these friendships. We are very involved with Nottingham Citizens and our Co-Chair Susan King is a member of its leadership group. Finally, what are your hopes for TLSE and Liberal Judaism as a whole in the years ahead? My hope for both TLSE and Liberal Judaism is that we will keep going from strength to strength. The Covid pandemic, apart from devastation, has brought some silver linings into our lives: online communities are thriving. We can also strengthen each other by working together. In particular, I am looking forward to working with my Liberal friends and colleagues in the area of youth and adult education. Liberal Judaism is past the stage of defining itself by what it is not. Now we are living through the time of defining ourselves by who we are. It is an exciting time to be a Liberal Rabbi and a privilege to work with so many dedicated and committed Liberal Jews to enhance both our own and our communities’ spiritual life and make this world a better place – as the prayer says – “for the benefit of all its inhabitants”.
Nottingham Liberal Synagogue’s Council are now exploring options for either an interim or permanent Rabbinic appointment. Anyone interested in finding out more is invited to contact the Co-Chairs (Jeff Cohen, Jonathan Corne and Susan King) on chair@ nottinghamliberalsynagogue.com – informal enquiries will be welcomed.
Page 10 LJ Today
Students
March/April 2021
LJY-Netzer takes Leeds JSoc
Emmy
Amber
LIKE many LJY-Netzer members, Emmy Chinnick, Amber Nathan and Ayala Salomon-Romem started university this year - taking the trip up north to Leeds University. Since landing there they’ve gotten stuck into the Leeds JSoc, with Amber and Emmy becoming the Social Action Inter-Community Officers and Ayala taking up the role of Graphic Designer. We caught up with them to find out how the LJY takeover of Leeds University is going:
What’s your favourite LJY memory?
How long have you been in LJY for?
Why did you decide to get involved with Leeds Jsoc?
Emmy: I’ve been part of LJY-Netzer for five years. Amber: I’ve been a member since Israel Tour in 2018. So, just over two years. Ayala: I’ve been part of LJY since I was eight years old - all the way back in 2009 - so you can work that out!
Emmy: Just all the beautiful friendships I’ve made. Amber: There are so many, but I’ll always have fond memories of the Shabbats on Israel Tour, as well as leading on spring camp with my friends. Ayala: Honestly, there are too many to pick just one. But going from a little chanich to tours all the way to leading is an amazing experience.
Emmy: I think I can speak for all of us by saying we wanted to bring our Liberal Jewish perspective into Jsoc! Social action and interfaith are also things I am really passionate about - especially bringing people together.
Ayala Amber: The role of Social Action Officer really resonated with Emmy and me, as we both felt it was important to have connections both within and outside of the Jewish community. I’m excited to meet new people and challenge myself. Ayala: I think it’s important to have all streams of Judaism involved in JSoc and it seems like a fun way of staying connected to my community while I’m at university. I’m also excited to delve into my artistic side and make some eyecatching posters and graphics. Are you going to be bringing some LJYNetzer into Leeds JSoc? Emmy: Of course! I hope they’re ready for our kef (fun). Amber: They won’t know what’s hit them! Ayala: And our Netzer green might be creeping into one or two designs.
Inspiring students for what comes next By Rabbi Anna Posner THROUGHOUT February, Progressive Jewish Students – a joint venture between Liberal and Reform Judaism – ran a Careers Month to help inspire and reassure students about their job prospects after university. With 28 sessions over three weeks and speakers from a wide range of different fields, students had the opportunity to drop in on whichever profession interested them – meaning there were small, intimate sessions and students got tailored advice for their future. Students have not had the experience they would have expected at university over this last year, due to the pandemic, and will likely be entering the world of work during uncertain and fragile times for employment and the economy.
The variety and enthusiasm of the talks acted as a reminder of the possibilities for the future and helped students map out ideas for what steps they can take on their route into work. During the sessions, students heard from a solicitor who has worked in criminal and family law, a chef, an artist, the founder of a refugee charity, civil servants, TV producer Vicki Delow and BBC journalists Tim Franks and Anthony Reuben. For those more interested in business and finance, there was Paresh Davdra – entrepreneur and co-founder of a finance start-up – and the Deputy Mayor of London for Business, Rajesh Agrawal. A highlight was the inspirational Ambassador to Ukraine, Melinda Simmons, who told the students all about her unconventional journey into diplomacy.
Ambassador to Ukraine Melinda Simmons
She spoke about the knockbacks she received and how she got to work in the Embassy with no diplomatic experience but mountains of drive and enthusiasm. With these speakers, and so many more, Careers Month was the injection of everything our students needed. To find out more, search for Progressive Jewish Students on social media. • Rabbi Anna Posner is Progressive Judaism Student Chaplain
Youth
March/April 2021
LJ Today Page 11
LJY-Netzer is Liberal Judaism’s Zionist youth movement. It gives young people the opportunity to develop a strong Progressive Jewish identity, make lasting friendships and have loads of fun
Locked down and having fun Summer is around the corner It may still be pretty cold outside, but we’re already thinking of the summer. We’re keeping everything crossed that we’ll be able to have a classic LJY-Netzer summer and our provisional dates for Kadimah are 16-29 August. We’ve also been very busy interviewing our potential Israel Tour leaders and, whether Tour is able to take place in Israel or not, this summer we are fully committed to providing incredible experiences for our 16-17 year old members. So make sure you’re on our mailing lists to get all the info. IT HAS been pretty crazy over at LJYNetzer and we can’t believe that we are now more than six months into our Movement Work year! We’re so proud of everything we’ve managed to accomplish, despite the challenges thrown at us by the pandemic, and are forever grateful to all the incredible members and bogrimot (graduates) who make LJY so special. Keep on reading to find out what we’ve been up to and what’s coming next.
Coming together online LJY stays virtual (for now) but, whilst lockdown continues, we continue to create loads of fun right from the comfort of your own home. We ran Ofakim Hadashim for the first few weeks of lockdown, where we treated our younger members to quizzes, games, learning and our much beloved cookathons with Jess and Jess (pictured). Our bogrimot have been organised into mishpachot (families) who Zoom once a week to check-in, catch up and stay connected, despite not having physically seen each other for almost a year.
In addition to this, we ran a joint Holocaust Memorial Day event with all the other Zionist Youth Movements and a truly wild Purim party. Non-essential travel might be banned but we’ve been travelling up and down the country (by Zoom of course), taking over our community chederim one morning at a time. We’re loving getting to know all of you and hope our silly games and terrible jokes have convinced you that Machaneh Kadimah summer camp is worth a try.
Flag facts To celebrate LGBT+ History Month, we used Facebook to look at some of the interesting facts behind the flags we see online and on parades. Here are five about the Pride rainbow flag. 1. The original Pride flag consisted of eight colours and was designed by gay activist Gilbert Baker in 1978.
MoWos talk strategy
2. That flag first flew at the 1978 San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade.
We can’t believe that we’re almost halfway through the year – time flies when you’re doing your dream job. We’ve gone on an ‘away day’, without leaving our rooms, to take some time and think about our targets, vision and strategy for the year ahead. We’re building up our hadracha (leadership) training, ideological journey and Shnat reintegration programme and we reckon it will mean that LJY will be better than ever by the time summer comes around!
3. Once it gained popularity, hot pink had to be removed due to the unavailability of that colour fabric. 4. Turquoise and indigo were then combined to make royal blue to create the six-colour rainbow flag. 5. In recent years extra colours and elements have been added to represent marginalised groups within the LGBTQI+ community.
Contact LJY-Netzer: Jess Mindel (j.mindel@liberaljudaism.org), Josh Powell (j.powell@liberaljudaism.org) Director of Youth - Rebecca Fetterman (r.fetterman@liberaljudaism.org)
March/April 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: eastlondonandessexliberal@gmail.com W: eastlondonandessexliberal synagogue.org
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
lj today is edited by Simon Rothstein. Please send news to s.rothstein@liberaljudaism.org Printed by Precision Printing. www.precisionprinting.co.uk
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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 The South London Liberal Synagogue (Streatham) T: 020 8769 4787 E: office@southlondon.org W: southlondon.org
Stevenage Liberal Synagogue T: 01438 300 222 E: stevenageliberalsynagogue@gmail.com W: stevenageliberalsynagogue.org.uk Suffolk Liberal Jewish Community (Ipswich) T:01473 250 797 E: sljc@liberaljudaism.org W: suffolkljc.co.uk Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community (Gloucestershire and Herefordshire) T: 07900 612 058 E: info@3cljc.org.uk W: 3cljc.org.uk Wessex Liberal Jewish Community (Bournemouth) T: 01202 757 590 E: wljc.info@gmail.com W: wessexliberaljudaism.org.uk West Central Liberal Synagogue T: 020 7636 7627 E: office@wcls.org.uk W: wcls.org.uk York Liberal Jewish Community T: 0300 102 0062 E: info@jewsinyork.org.uk W: jewsinyork.org.uk Developing and affiliated Beit Ha’Chidush (Amsterdam) E: info@beithachidush.nl W: beithachidush.nl Lancashire & Cumbria Liberal Jewish Community T: 0777 531 0944 W: northwestjews.org Oxford Jewish Congregation T: 01865 515 584 E: connections@ojc-online.org W: ojc-online.org
President Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein Chair Ruth Seager Deputy Chair Karen Newman Treasurer Paul Silver-Myer Secretary Amanda McFeeters Fundraising Ros Clayton Youth Hannah Stephenson Action Group Omar Portillo Communications Joel Beckman National Officers Janet Berkman, Susanne Combe and Owen Power Vice Presidents Simon Benscher, Monique Blake, Lord Fink, Jeromé Freedman, Louise Freedman, Sharon Goldstein, Lucian Hudson, David Lipman, Corinne Oppenheimer, David Pick, Rabbi Danny RIch, Tony Sacker, Joan Shopper, Phil Stone, Beverley Taylor and Ken Teacher Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors Chairs Rabbi Rebecca Birk and Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel Chief Executive Officer Rabbi Charley Baginsky Chief Operating Officer Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer Director of Community Partnerships Alexandra Simonon Director of Youth Becca Fetterman Fundraising and Events Thomas Rich Senior Administrator Tanya Garfield Reception Ben Combe Interfaith Rabbi Mark Solomon Finance Janet Manderson PR and Social Media Simon Rothstein Archivist Alison Turner LJY-Netzer Jess Mindel and Josh Powell