Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
www.liberaljudaism.org
ljtoday May/June 2022 VOL. XLIX No. 3
Join us for a real Celebration L IBERAL JUDAISM’s Day of Celebration takes place on Sunday 22 May. After more than two years of the pandemic, we are opening our doors for a major event once again. You can join us in person at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue or online via Zoom, Facebook and YouTube. The Day of Celebration is a festival of people, knowledge and culture. It is a space for all Liberal Jewish communities to meet and celebrate each other. This year Liberal Judaism celebrates our 120th anniversary. With this in mind, the theme of the Day of Celebration will be ‘Where Liberal and Judaism Meet’. We will look at our past, present and future. We will reflect and explore what it means to be Liberal, to be Jewish, and to be a Liberal Jew. The diverse and engaging programme will include sessions, workshops and discussions led by Liberal Judaism rabbis and outside experts in nine varied tracks:
Judaism and Social Responsibility: Hearing from those involved in social justice, what guides them and how this is both a social and Jewish responsibility. Inclusion in Action: Looking at ways to make our spaces more welcoming, accessible and inclusive. Culture and Art: World leaders in art, music and culture will be sharing their stories and their secrets. Hot Potatoes: The track for those open to having difficult conversations and engaging with controversial topics. Communities and Covid: Until recently, Covid was the main topic of conversation. Now, as the pandemic enters the next stage of its existence, this is a chance to reflect on it again. What Does Liberal Judaism Think? Exploring theological, intellectual and practical views on contemporary issues. Spiritual Possibilities of Judaism Today: Discussing our fresh and relevant Jewish spiritual life in 2022.
Ask The Rabbi: Have a cuppa and discuss your questions with Liberal rabbis in an informal atmosphere. Youth Programme: An energetic, fun and meaningful programme for all ages, prepared by LJY-Netzer.
With the current crisis in Ukraine, the Day of Celebration’s keynote session will be dedicated to the topic of refugees. It will ask what can we do to help Ukrainian, Syrian, Afghani and other people who have had to flee their country and begin their lives in a new place. Our keynote speakers are Sara Nathan and Paul Anticoni. Sara is the Co-Founder of Refugees at Home. Paul is the Chief Executive of World Jewish Relief. They will share their expertise and the lessons they have learned over many years of tireless work with refugees. The Day of Celebration is designed to have something for everyone. To book your place, visit www.liberaljudaism.org
THE ARK SYNAGOGUE raised more than £2,000 to support its twin communities in Lviv and Lutsk, Ukraine, by holding a fundraising concert. Find out more about this special evening, plus the initiatives happening at other Liberal Judaism communities to support the people of Ukraine, on page 5. Picture by Victor Shack.
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Liberal Judaism needs YOU By Rabbi Charley Baginsky CEO of Liberal Judaism ON 19 and 20 June 2022, Liberal Judaism is aiming to raise £500,000 so that we can continue to ensure that everyone has a home for their Jewish story – and we need your help! Recent times, especially the last two years, have shown more than ever that there is both an existing and a growing need for Liberal Judaism. We must now continue to improve the experience for our members, while also growing to meet this new need – throwing open our doors to an even wider audience who want to access Jewish life. If Liberal Judaism has meant something to you and you want to ensure that the generations that follow also have a Judaism that is their home, then become an LJ Ambassador and help us reach our ambitious fundraising target. LJ Ambassadors are those who will help us. They are those with a great story to tell. They are those who can encourage and enthuse their friends and family, members of their communities and even their neighbours to donate to this fundraising campaign. Many individuals have asked me how they, as just one person, can be of help; or told me they are worried they don’t know what to say when asking for money. That’s why we’ve created a bespoke website – www.bringingjudaismhome.org – where you can sign up to become one of our Liberal Judaism Ambassadors, either on your own or as part of a team with your friends, family or community. LIBERAL JUDAISM’S Education Hub continues with a series of sessions examining Liberal Jewish Thought. Taking place via Zoom on Wednesday nights at 7.30pm, this term’s line-up is: Wednesday 11 May: Rabbi Monique Mayer and Rabbi Aaron Goldstein - The Emerging Role of Musar in Contemporary Liberal Judaism Rabbi Monique Mayer is a Musar practitioner who has captivated many of us. This session will explore Musar’s potential for our movement. Wednesday 18 May: Rabbi Lea Mühlstein and Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah Why Liberal Jews Pray A look at the evolution of our prayers and prayerbooks over 200 years.
You will then be given your own campaign page, where you can write a few words about your story and why Liberal Judaism matters to you. We will provide you with all the information you need to build and personalise this page. Whether it’s making videos, taking photos and/or writing your story, we’re here to help. You are not on your own. There is no pressure as to how much money you raise, lots of small donations can make a big difference to our work. Best of all, every pound that you raise through your network of contacts, family, and friends will be matched. This means that each person who makes a donation through your campaign page will see it doubled – or more if they are also able to add Gift Aid. Here are just a few of things that the money you raise will be spent on. Rooted and Responsive: To support, sustain and develop Liberal Jewish ritual and practice throughout the lifecycle. Even small amounts of money will help us reinvigorate our Bnei-Mitzvah and Kabbalat Torah programming, particularly for those communities without full time rabbinic support, ensure all woodland burials are supported with prayer resources and provide non-Jewish care homes with the tools to cater for their Jewish residents. Inclusive and Diverse: To bolster the central tenets of Liberal Judaism of inclusion, diversity and a focus on ‘disagreeing well’. If we raise £70,000, we could create a new Liberal Judaism social justice department to deliver Wednesday 25 May: Rabbi Dr Judith Rosen-Berry and Rabbi Charley Baginsky - What’s New? Progressive Thought and Liberal Judaism This session will discuss the positive influence that ‘progressive/new’ thinking has always had on Liberal Judaism and why, in the current political and religious context, this must continue to be the case. Wednesday 1 June: Rabbi Nathan Godleman - Ceremony in Liberal Judaism, a Contradiction in Terms? Would you walk out if the Torah scroll were processed? This session will explore whether the classical Liberal aversion towards ceremony is a thing of the past, or whether it is based upon a misconception that still restricts us.
centralised resourced projects and support communities in actioning their own commitment to these goals. Collaborative and Effective: To nurture and create collaborative communities. Just £5,000 would provide the seed money for smaller communities to work on projects that can benefit each other. Proud and Joyful: To create future generations of proud and confident Liberal Jews. Raising £1,000 would send one child on LJY-Netzer’s Kadimah summer camp, but £10,000 would open the doors to a whole new cohort. If we raise £100,000, that would ensure we can provide a Progressive Jewish Chaplain in universities for the next three years. Meaningful and Accessible: To ensure that all those who seek the spiritual possibilities of Judaism have an accessible pathway into learning and community. We need to create a new online hub for Liberal Judaism that supports communities and individuals with resources, music and learning. The new space would be responsive, innovative and dynamic, bringing together our communities but also reaching out to all those looking to come home to Liberal Judaism. Raising £200,000 would see this transformation of Liberal Judaism and allow us to take the leap into the next phase of our existence as an essential part of the Jewish world. Please go ahead and sign up today at www.bringingjudaismhome.org - and together we can bring Judaism home. Wednesday 8 June: Rabbi Dr Michael Shire – Encountering Liberal Judaism and a new Hasidism The new Hasidism of the 21st century has taken old pathways and reinvigorated them for our post-modern times. How do these intersect with an evolving Liberal Judaism? Wednesday 15 June: Rabbi Richard Jacobi – Say Goodbye to ‘Woolly Liberalism’ Wider events within the UK and around the world have revealed in the starkest terms why we and our world can no longer afford woolly Liberalism. But how do we toughen up our principles? To register and find out more, visit www.liberaljudaism.org/education-hub
News
May/June 2022
LJ Today Page 3
Paying tribute to Prince Philip Thank you Joe
Liberal Judaism President Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein with faith leaders at Westminster Abbey
RABBI DR ANDREW GOLDSTEIN represented Liberal Judaism at the service of thanksgiving for HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Held at Westminster Abbey, the service was attended by The Queen and Royal Family, foreign dignitaries and hundreds of friends and representatives from the Duke of Edinburgh’s numerous charities. Faith leaders at the memorial included Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Dean of Windsor the Rt Revd David Conne, Reform Judaism’s Rabbi Debbie Young-Somers and Rabbi Pinchas Hackenbroch of the United Synagogue.
Andrew said: “It was a great honour to attend this service of thanksgiving for someone who was so admired and loved. “To sit with an Orthodox rabbi on one side of me and a Reform rabbi on the other, amongst 20 leaders from other faiths, at such an historic service is a sign of how Liberal Judaism is accepted as part of Anglo-Jewry and our national life.”
JOE SEAGER, who has provided stories on Jewish life in Birmingham for lj today and the wider press for more than 50 years, is hanging up his pen. Joe (pictured) is a prominent member of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue and has been tireless in promoting its services, members and activities. He said: “My first ‘postings’ for the Birmingham Jewish Recorder were filed some 50 years ago and now, at 89, I feel it is time to retire from news gathering and let the words flow in my direction.” Paying tribute, Birmingham’s Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi said: “Joe has always enthusiastically publicised our synagogue. He has a way with words, which reflect his joy in what happens. His contributions will be missed by us all.”
A welcoming space for LGBTQI+ Jews and allies
ALIZ – the LGBTQI+ group that welcomes everyone – held a Shabbat service and meal at East London and Essex Synagogue (ELELS) attended by Liberal Judaism Chair Ruth Seager. Founded by ELELS member Efraim Hazzan, Aliz (which means happy in Hebrew) was formed as a way of
connecting within the LGBTQI+ and Jewish communities. The group holds monthly nondenominational events at the synagogue, including this inclusive Friday night service led by Rabbi Richard Jacobi. Efraim said: “The ethos for Aliz is inclusion in a world of exclusion.
“We might be starting small, but we are mighty in powerful love and togetherness.” Ruth added: “Aliz has created a welcoming space for LGBTQI+ Jews and allies. This was a lovely evening, where we enjoyed the Rigorous Kindness service, food and conversation.”
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Be part of Inclusion in Action Competition Owen Power on one of the Day of Celebration tracks THE desire to be inclusive lies at the heart of Liberal Judaism and needless to say, the Day of Celebration on 22 May will be no exception. Alongside lively conversations on a full range of topics – with tracks on social responsibility, art, spirituality and much else – there will also be a track dedicated to Inclusion in Action. For those who choose it, the day will kick off with two of Liberal Judaism’s most thoughtful and thought-provoking rabbis in conversation. Rabbis Janet Burden and Leah Jordan will discuss Liberal Judaism & Inclusion: A Vision for the Next 120 Years. No doubt it will be a stimulating and lively conversation, giving us much to take away to share with our communities. Over lunch, a panel will tackle a key question to challenge our thinking.
Day of Celebration schedule 9:30 - Registration and welcome 10:30 - Session 1 • The Accidental Activist • Liberalism and Inclusion • Composing Jewish Music • Is Conversion Too Hard, Too Easy or Nobody’s Business? • Liberal Arts • Liberal Judaism and Israel • Kabbalah • Ask the Rabbi 11:45 - Keynote: Sara Nathan and Paul Anticoni (see page 1) 12:45 - Lunch/Lunchtime Sessions • Inclusion in Action • Jewish Italian Cookery • What Are Our Duties To Refugees? • Mussar • Rabbinic Lunch ‘n’ Learns 14:00 - Session 2 • Judaism and the Environment • Queer Inclusion in Modern Judaism • A Liberal Jewish Concert • Engaging With Students • Liberal Religions: Do We Have Muscle Memory? • Counting People In, Not Out • Can Other Religions Help Us? • Ask the Rabbi 15:15 - Final thoughts, competition winners and closing blessing
The topic of the debate is Inclusion: Liberal Judaism Talks the Walk, but Does Liberal Judaism Walk the Talk? I am delighted to be chairing the panel, which will feature Alexandra Boyd (Wessex Liberal Jewish Community), Mark Shaw (Southgate Progressive Synagogue), Effy Hazzan (East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue) and Shaan Knan (Rainbow Jews and Lily’s Legacy). Our final session will then see soonto-be-Rabbi Lev Taylor presenting Queer Inclusion in Modern Judaism. There is so much to look forward to here and in all the other tracks. The Day of Celebration will also have plenty of opportunities for coffee and chats in corners, as many of us will finally get to meet in person for the first time. The schedule is in the box below... have you signed up yet?
TO celebrate our milestone 120th anniversary, Liberal Judaism is holding a creative competition taking on the Day of Celebration’s theme of Where Liberal and Judaism Meet. The deadline for submissions is Sunday 15 May at 11.59pm via www.liberaljudaism.org The contest will have five prizes: • Best photograph • Best artwork • Best poem • Best sermon or D’var Torah (under 13) • Best sermon or D’var Torah (over 13) All photographs, artworks and poems will be displayed during the Day of Celebration and judged by attendees. The winner of the competitions for sermons and Div’rei Torah will be decided by a panel chaired by Rabbi Anna Posner. You can submit your works individually and/or as a group - a great opportunity for families and cheders to get involved.
What Does a Jew Look Like? Liberal Judaism CEO in new book The book launched in April with a panel discussion at JW3. Those joining Keith on the panel included Rabbi Frank Dabba Smith, who served Mosaic Liberal Synagogue for more than 20 years and has also worked as a professional photographer, and Fiona Shields, Head of Photography at The Guardian. Rob Stothard, who took the wonderful photos for the book, was also part of the discussion. Keith said: “What Does a Jew Look Like? aims to showcase the diversity of the British Jewish community. Naturally, Liberal Jews are an important part of that bigger whole. The book Rabbi Charley Baginsky photographed by Rob Stothard includes not just a portrait LIBERAL JEWS, including our of Rabbi Charley Baginsky, but other movement’s CEO Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Liberal-affiliated Jews as well.” feature in the new book What Does a Jew Charley added: “Too often when a story Look Like? about Jews or Judaism appears in the Written by Leo Baeck College Senior media it is illustrated only by a picture of Lecturer Keith Kahn-Harris, it showcases a man in a black hat. This wonderful book some of the many different ways people shows the diversity of our community and can be Jewish in Britain today. I am proud to be featured in it.”
News
May/June 2022
An urgent appeal
LJ Today Page 5
Concert for Ukraine
By Hanan Charles AFTER receiving an email from Nick Young, the Community Development Manager of East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue (ELELS), asking for volunteers to urgently help sort donations for Ukraine at Woodford Baptist Church, I immediately got involved. Jonathan Somerville, the pastor of the church, did a fantastic job getting our small team of volunteers acquainted and working out who was going to do what. We reached the target of donations, enough to fill one lorry, on the first day of this 48 hour appeal. On the second day, we had to stop accepting further donations and instead request that people take their items to other collection points. I had originally intended to volunteer my time for a couple of hours, but I ended up staying the whole time, as the volume of donations was so overwhelming. It was so heartwarming to see volunteers from all faiths working together to help the Ukrainian refugees.
Donation drive
MEMBERS of Kingston Liberal Synagogue (KLS) have been organising a huge donation appeal in the local community. Working closely with partners Prosperity – a Ukrainian restaurant in Twickenham – they have been collecting essential items, including clothing. Donations have been sorted, packed into boxes and delivered to Twickenham, where volunteer drivers have been transporting these into Ukraine. In the first three weeks of the campaign, KLS delivered over 300 boxes of donations.
Those taking part in The Ark Synagogue’s evening of music included Rabbi Aaron Goldstein (top right) and Rabbi Dr Andrew and Sharon Goldstein (bottom right). Pictures by Victor Shack
THE ARK SYNAGOGUE’s musicians, choir and singers were able to perform together for the first time in two years, as they united for a benefit concert to help The Ark’s twin communities in Ukraine. The synagogue has been twinned with Progressive congregations in Lviv and Lutsk since 2017. Before Putin’s war on Ukraine, the Northwood-based community and the Teiva Congregation, in Lviv, were planning a joint concert from the Ukrainian city, organised by their respective music leaders Ruth Colin and Sasha Domish. The war changed things. Sasha was able to record three pieces reflecting the community’s love of Yiddish and Klezmer. Ruth read Sasha’s words of introduction and the 100 people present in The Ark sanctuary, and 100 more households joining online from home, were moved then, and through the evening, to tears.
Either side of the Teiva recordings, Ark Synagogue members played and sang an eclectic repertoire, from classical to rock. The Ark’s Rabbi Aaron Goldstein said: “There were many original compositions from the talented young people in the community, covering all genres, coupled with a moving performance of the Ukrainian national anthem. “Our twin communities in Lviv and Lutsk are incredibly impressive. The synagogue and community centre in Lutsk reflects the wonderful organisation behind an incredible community. The Teiva – which coincidentally also means ‘Ark’ – Congregation reflect the creative and cultural character of their city.” The concert raised over £2,000, which will be used to support members of the Lviv and Lutsk communities. Ark Synagogue members are also currently sponsoring four Ukrainian households.
May/June 2022
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Around the commun
Birmingham Progressive Synagogue took their celebration online, including a spiel written and performed by the Judaism A to Z class
LJY-Netzer sent out packs to older members with masks and treats - while the movement workers dressed up for their community visit
Members of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue enjoyed a Megillah reading, rabbinic reflections, guest speakers and study groups
Kehillah North London’s drag-themed ‘Purim Spiel Players’ performed their version of the story adapted collaboratively by the community
York Liberal Jewish Community put on a party for their children, led by the congregation’s new Youth Champion (and mum) Beth Thorp
Rabbi Richard Jacobi at East London & Essex Liberal’s Purim
A very entertaining spiel at The Liberal Synagogue Elstree
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May/June 2022
nities - Purim 5782
Members of Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community, ranging in age from four to 94, enjoyed booing, cheering and hamantaschen
Southgate Progressive Synagogue’s festival was a hit with the kids, as it included a treasure hunt, puppet show and Megillah reading
Crouch End Chavurah celebrated with a visit from Haringey Mayor Adam Jogee and Deputy Lieutenant for Haringey Peter Baker
Ealing Liberal Synagogue marked Purim with a multi-access event. Members watched the cheder’s spiel then put on one of their own
Kingston Liberal Synagogue put on a fancy dress chavurah supper in which everyone came dressed as their own personal Jewish hero
The Bristol & West Progressive Synagogue cheder produced their very own film - narrated by newsreaders from ‘BWPJC NEWS’
Purim also saw Lincolnshire Jewish community hold an online get together with fancy dress and Megillah reading, and Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue read a home-grown Purim ‘play for voices’ over Zoom.
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Communities
May/June 2022
Continuity and change in South London
How the South London Liberal Synagogue sanctuary looked in 1946 (left) and the newly refurbished bimah and furniture today (right)
By Rabbi Nathan Godleman NO 1 Prentis Road has been home to the South London Liberal Synagogue (SLLS) since 1938. Formerly Lady Tate Hall, complete with plaster cherubim above the stage, it was designed by the architect behind the Tate Gallery, Sidney Smith, and opened by the Bishop of Southwark in the Edwardian period. The original occupant was The Shrubbery School and our library was the headmistress’s study. Thus ended a dozen years of wandering for the first Liberal Judaism congregation outside of north/central London. The bimah, or almemar as it was known (from the Arabic word for platform), was furnished in part thanks to West Central Liberal Synagogue. Only the renewed banner and chairs remain.
A parochet/curtain completely covered the ark, which had the superscription ‘Da lifney mi atah omed/Know before whom you stand’. Shortly after the war ended, a new ark and pulpit reading desk were donated by the Salter family (as seen above). The desk was in memory of Adolf Salter, whose name appears on the licence permitting religious services at Prentis Road, his rank recorded as ‘gentleman’. Only the pulpit could be moved ‘upstairs’ when a new floor was installed in 1979, creating an additional hall, kitchen and offices below. There the pulpit stood, through the tenure of Rabbi John Rayner - our first ordained full-time minister - and Rabbi Julia Neuberger, the first woman in Britain to lead a congregation.
It remained there until the early days of the pandemic when it made room for new bimah furniture, this time from Mosaic Liberal Synagogue. New only to us: the lecterns were reportedly made to scale for the diminutive Rabbi Bernard Hooker and were a gift from Max Salter, former SLLS member and founder of the then Wembley Liberal Synagogue. As we look upon our recently refurbished synagogue, newly equipped for hybrid services, the connection with our past is clear, despite the changes. We hope our predecessors, to whom we owe so much, would approve, and that the ark superscription which soon replaced the one quoted earlier, still holds true: ‘Beiti beit tefillah yikareh l’chol ha amim/ My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples’.
A Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Liberal Judaism Vice President Jeromé Freedman will take place at 3pm on Sunday 29 May at the South London Liberal Synagogue, followed by afternoon tea. Those wishing to attend in person should RSVP to admin@freedman.org - the service will also be streamed online at www.tiny.cc/SLLS
Common cause United against Ethan cycles antisemitism for the Uyghurs
LIBERAL rabbis took part in the annual Commonwealth Day services in London and Birmingham. Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi spoke at the Birmingham service, alongside Dean of Birmingham the Very Revd Matt Thompson, Bishop of Aston the Rt Revd Anne Hollinghurst and Amrick Singh Ubi of the Sikh community (pictured above). Liberal Judaism President Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein and CEO Rabbi Charley Baginsky joined the Royal Family, senior politicians and faith leaders for the London service at Westminster Abbey.
LIBERAL JUDAISM CEO Rabbi Charley Baginsky attended an event at the House of Lords to celebrate women fighting antisemitism. Hosted by Lord (John) Mann, attendees included Dame Helen Hyde (pictured with Charley), Dame Louise Ellman, Luciana Berger and TV star Tracy-Ann Oberman. Charley said: “This was a chance to be with some incredible women who are campaigning and working every day to make a better, safer and more tolerant world for the next generation.
ETHAN CORNE of Nottingham Liberal Synagogue took on a gruelling sponsored bike ride in order to raise money to support the Uyghur population in China. The youngster pedalled a total of 28 miles by cycling laps around the National Water Sports Centre. He raised an amazing £590, which has been donated to the World Uyghur Congress.
Communities
May/June 2022
LJ Today Page 9
of Chair Happy birthday Mary Change for NLPS Trust
Mary is all smiles as she and husband Jake celebrate her 92nd at BPS, photo by Charles Davis
BIRMINGHAM PROGRESSIVE SYNAGOGUE’S Mary Jacobs celebrated her 92nd birthday in style - surrounded by friends, family and her fellow congregants. The synagogue was decorated for the occasion and even Mary’s wheelchair had ribbons on it. Joe Seager has known Mary and her husband Jake, who is 96 and originally from Trinidad, for more than 50 years. He gave a wonderful and warm speech – referencing both Mary’s contributions to communal life and the prejudice she and Jake suffered being a mixed-faith couple. Joe said: “Today Mary, you are our special star. Your warm nature and ready smile always make it a joy to be in your company. And you can light up the room in eye-catching clothes that make you stand out from the crowd like a film star in the VIP lounge at the airport. “With Jake always at your side, you have been blessed with a love that has been well sustained throughout 74 years of married life and that, in itself is a marvellous achievement. “It was that abiding love that gave you both the courage and willpower to overcome a time of great adversity in the early part of your marriage.
“As a couple entering a mixed-faith marriage, you faced relentless racial prejudice in your bid to secure a settled life in Birmingham. You suffered bitter resentment in your family and doors were closed on you because landlords would not accept a man of Jake’s colour. “But that barrier was removed by a great act of kindness. A Jewish family came to your rescue and found you the comfort and contentment of somewhere to live. You formed strong bonds of friendship with that family and they remain secure to this day. “Together, you retain strong allegiance to this shul which you joined in the 1950s and where you still regularly take your seats at Shabbat and other services. “True love prevailed and you have shared a life of great joy and fulfilment. Today, we add another chapter to that story with a happy ending.” After the service, there was lunch, cake and a rendition of Happy Birthday from American a cappella group Pizmon. Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi - who conducted the service - said: “We at BPS feel so privileged to see Jake and Mary every week at synagogue and we wish Mary many happy returns.”
AFTER eight years as Chair of the NLPS Trust, Phil Stone (pictured) has stepped down from the role. The Trust was set up in 2004, after the closure of North London Progressive Synagogue, to fund projects that promote the principles and development of Liberal Judaism. Phil first became a Trustee in 2007 and then Chair in 2014. At the most recent meeting of the Board of Trustees, Phil looked back at the Trust’s developments over recent years. These include a change in the investment mandate to ensure the best return for the Trust; upgrading all the administration procedures; the recruitment of new Trustees from a range of Liberal communities; and formally recording all the Trust’s policies and essential documents to ensure that they meet modern standards of governance. Above all, Phil has overseen the distribution of grants totalling nearly £400,000 during his period as Chair. He reflected: “It’s a particular pleasure to see the impact of the Trust’s grants on individual Liberal Judaism communities and the movement as a whole. “We have been delighted to be able to allocate funds to support the training of student rabbis and lay leaders, help new congregations during their first few years, enable children and young people to take part in LJY-Netzer programmes and support important community initiatives. “The heartfelt letters of thanks from grant recipients have constantly made me aware of the valuable role that the Trust has been able to play.” Michael Hart, who has been a Trustee since 2017, has been appointed as the new Chair to succeed Phil.
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Communities
May/June 2022
Pizmon play on in York and Birmingham
NEW YORK Jewish student a cappella group Pizmon played concerts for York Liberal Jewish Community (pictured above left) and Birmingham Progressive Synagogue (right) as part of their UK tour. Pizmon are a pluralistic group of students from Barnard College, Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City. Their mission is to share their love of Jewish music with communities around the globe. York Liberal Jewish Community (YLJC) invited the University of York’s Jewish Society and Sinai Reform Synagogue in Leeds, together with York Interfaith Group, to work with them to help bring Pizmon and their music to to York’s Unitarian Chapel. YLJC Chair Lilian Coulson said: “We were particularly keen to show these New Yorkers the beauty of ‘old York’.
“It’s a wonderful city to live in, where Jewish life is now thriving for both families and students. “We therefore invited them to join us to share their joyous Jewish music with our York interfaith friends, as well as the wider Yorkshire Jewish population.” As well as the concert, Pizmon enjoyed a walking tour of York, showing off its river views, medieval streets and buildings. They also saw Clifford’s Tower, where a massacre of the Jewish population took place in 1190, and learned how Jewish life is flourishing once more in the city thanks to YLJC. Lilian added: “The concert at the Unitarian Chapel was so uplifting. Their voices were amazing and it was lovely to host a Jewish concert in York. Best of all, we got to show how Jewish life in York is being celebrated and enjoyed.”
In the Midlands, Pizmon led a Kabbalat Shabbat service at Birmingham Progressive Synagogue (BPS), attended the 92nd birthday party for Mary Jacobs the next morning and then played a full Saturday evening concert. The community’s Val Harrison said; “They lit up our Shabbat. Miraculously, almost all of their tunes were the ones we generally use, although some of the phrasing was a little different “Their concert was a delight. They sang a wide range of songs in different styles, showcasing their notable talents. “If Pizmon come to a venue anywhere near you, don’t miss the opportunity to hear them. The aim of these dedicated and delightful Jewish students is to bring their Jewish music to as many people as possible. We were privileged to be able to welcome them to our city.”
A brief history of West Central Liberal Synagogue THE history of West Central Liberal Synagogue (WCLS) is well known inside Liberal Judaism because it parallels the foundations of the movement itself. WCLS began life as Lily Montagu’s Jewish Girls’ Club. As far back as 1893, it offered Jewish girls, who were required to work Shabbat mornings in the clothing trade, an opportunity to attend prayers in the afternoon - a minhag (custom) followed by the community ever since. In 1913, Miss Lily started the West Central Branch of the Jewish Religious Union. This was the formal birth of the congregation. The branch carried out most of the functions of a full synagogue, including holding Shabbat and festival services and hosting regular speakers. Despite poor cashflow and difficulty engaging a minister, attendance was high. Under the guidance of the Three Ms – Liberal Judaism founders Lily Montagu, Claude Montefiore and Rabbi Dr Israel Mattuck – it grew in strength.
Tragedy struck in 1941, when its building was destroyed during an air raid, killing 27 people. It took until 1954 for the community to once more have a permanent home, with that eventually replaced by a new building in the 1990s. Throughout, and even after it became a formal synagogue, WCLS remained at the same location and true to the vision of its founder to put people first. Lily Montagu’s goal with both her Clubs and West Central was always to preserve and elevate the dignity of the person. There was also an acknowledgement, that for those in a position to do them, acts of service to the community constitute a direct form of worship. Equally vibrant is the community’s commitment to the other element of Miss Lily’s vision – “Judaism – for strength wherewith to live”. Although numbers dwindled over the years, warmth, acceptance, and genuine care for one another were always there.
Due to Covid and a range of other circumstances West Central is once again a chavurah or club not a synagogue, using premises kindly provided by The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS). If anything in Miss Lily’s vision of fellowship and Jewish learning strikes a chord, you are cordially invited to join the new chavurah – details can be found by visiting www.ljs.org EALING LIBERAL SYNAGOGUE (ELS) will be holding A Celebration of Klezmer Music with internationally renowned musician and educator Ilana Cravitz on the afternoon of Sunday 8 May. It is the first in a new series of cultural events at ELS. In-person tickets are £10 for adults and free for children and students. Online viewers are asked to make a donation. To reserve your place, email elsculturalevents@gmail.com
Youth
May/June 2022
LJ Today Page 11
LJY-Netzer is Liberal Judaism’s youth movement. We give young people the chance to develop a strong Progressive Jewish and Reform Zionist identity, develop friendships and have lots of fun!
Back camping and ready for summer
AS we write this, we’re running our brand new spring camp - Machaneh Shamayim. It’s been fantastic to have everyone back together on camp and return to some classic LJY-Netzer vibes. The weather has smiled on us so far this week, allowing us to make full use of our incredible site by running sports and other activities like our Ma’amadim (songs and prayer) outside. So far, we’ve had many challenging and engaging sessions, including Intersectional Feminism, Thinking About Pink and Greenwashing, as well as guest speakers from the fantastic refugee youth movement Our Second Home. New to camp this year are our chuggim (project group) sessions, which give the chanichimot (participants) a chance to develop a skill of their choice throughout Machaneh Shamayim.
Some of the chanichimot have baked vegan treats, whereas others have been choreographing dances, learning the fundamentals of engineering, designing comic strips or creating a brandspanking new LJY Haggadah - just in time for Pesach! It feels strange to now look ahead to Machaneh Kadimah but we’re already gearing up for our biggest camp of the year. If you’re a budding young Liberal Jew, aged 8-15, then a full two weeks in sunny Wiltshire is exactly the summer experience you’re looking for. It is filled with all kinds of games, fantastic discos, bonfires, an exciting day trip and plenty more. Back in our old stomping grounds, for the first time in three years, we’re ready for kef (fun), chinuch (informal education) and a few LJY-Netzer surprises too.
If you need any more proof, Eden - one of our first time leaders on Shamayim - tells us of her experience on Kadimah summer camp. Eden said: “I first went on Kadimah when I was 12... and loved it so much I have been every year since. I think camp is amazing. You have lots of fun, as well as the challenge to push yourself to explore new ideas and do things you would never usually do. I have made so many new friends from all over the country that I would never have met without Kadimah. It allowed me to get to know other young Jews outside of my area and community. It changed my life.” The dates are 15-28 August and you can sign up now at www.ljy-netzer.org or by contacting us using the details below. Financial assistance is available, and if you have any questions or worries then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Contact LJY-Netzer: Jess Mindel (j.mindel@liberaljudaism.org), Joe Shotton (j.shotton@liberaljudaism.org) Director of Youth - Rebecca Fetterman (r.fetterman@liberaljudaism.org)
May/June 2022
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Liberal Judaism congregations The Ark Synagogue (Northwood and Pinner) T: 01923 822 592 E: admin@arksynagogue.org W: arksynagogue.org
East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue T: 0208 989 7619 E: administrator@elels.org.uk W: elels.org.uk
Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue T: 0845 869 7105 E: info@bedsps.org.uk W: bedfordshire-ps.org.uk
Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community T: 07497 401 280 E: eljc.contact@gmail.com W: eljc.org.uk
Beit Klal Yisrael (London) E: admin@bky.org.uk W: bky.org.uk
Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community T: 0131 777 8024 E: info@eljc.org W: eljc.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
Finchley Progressive Synagogue T: 020 8446 4063 E: fps@liberaljudaism.org W: fps.org Kehillah North London T: 07706 354 602 E: info@kehillah.org.uk W: kehillah.org.uk Kent Liberal Jewish Community T: 07384 993 553 E: enquiries@kljc.org.uk W: kljc.org.uk Kingston Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8398 7400 E: kls@liberaljudaism.org W: klsonline.org Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation 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
The Montagu Centre 21 Maple Street London, W1T 4BE T: 020 7580 1663 E: montagu@liberaljudaism.org W: liberaljudaism.org Liberal Judaism is the dynamic, cutting edge of modern Judaism. It reverences Jewish tradition, seeking to preserve the values of the past, while giving them contemporary force. Charity Number: 1151090
lj today is edited by Simon Rothstein. Please send news to s.rothstein@liberaljudaism.org
Lincolnshire Jewish Community W: lincolnsynagogue.com Manchester Liberal Jewish Community T: 0161 796 6210 E: mljc@liberaljudaism.org W: mljc.org.uk Mosaic Liberal (Harrow) T: 020 8864 5323 E: office@mosaicliberal.org.uk W: mosaicliberal.org.uk Norwich Liberal Jewish Community E: nljc@liberaljudaism.org W: norwichljc.org.uk
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
W: nottinghamliberalsynagogue.com
Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community (Gloucestershire and Herefordshire) T: 07900 612 058 E: info@3cljc.org.uk W: 3cljc.org.uk
Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community T: 07561 331 390 E: info@pljc.org.uk W: pljc.org.uk
Wessex Liberal Jewish Community (Bournemouth) T: 01202 757 590 E: wljc.info@gmail.com W: wessexliberaljudaism.org.uk
Reading Liberal Jewish Community E: readingliberaljewishcommunity@
York Liberal Jewish Community T: 0300 102 0062 E: info@jewsinyork.org.uk W: jewsinyork.org.uk
Nottingham Liberal Synagogue T: 0115 962 4761 E: info@nottinghamliberalsynagogue.com
gmail.com
W: readingljc.org.uk Shir Hatzafon (Copenhagen) E: shir@shirhatzafon.dk W: shirhatzafon.dk South Bucks Jewish Community T: 0300 102 1506 E: info@sbjc.org.uk W: sbjc.org.uk Southgate Progressive Synagogue T: 0300 102 1506 E: office@sps.uk.com W: sps.uk.com
Developing and affiliated Beit Ha’Chidush (Amsterdam) E: info@beithachidush.nl W: beithachidush.nl Oxford Jewish Congregation T: 01865 515 584 E: connections@ojc-online.org W: ojc-online.org
Chair Ruth Seager Deputy Chair Karen Newman Treasurer Paul Silver-Myer Legal Governance Ros Clayton Inclusion Owen Power Youth Hannah Stephenson Education Susanne Szal Strategy Alex Kinchin-Smith Finance Leslie Moss President Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein Vice Presidents Simon Benscher, Monique Blake, Lord Fink, Louise Freedman, Sharon Goldstein, Lucian Hudson, David Lipman, Corinne Oppenheimer, David Pick, Rabbi Danny Rich, Tony Sacker, Joan Shopper, Phil Stone and Beverley Taylor Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors Chairs Rabbi Rebecca Birk and Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel Chief Executive Officer Rabbi Charley Baginsky Chief Operating Officer Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer Director of Youth Becca Fetterman Fundraising & Events Manager Thomas Rich Senior Administrator Tanya Garfield PR Simon Rothstein Finance Janet Manderson Events & Communications Coordinator Kes Stern Archivist Alison Turner Honeycomb Project Coordinator Rabbi Eryn London Office Coordinator Hagit Gitlitz Izhaki LJY-Netzer Jess Mindel and Joe Shotton