Montefiore’s fountain restored

LIBERAL Judaism Vice President Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein spoke as the Heritage of London Trust (HOLT) brought a historic Jewish memorial fountain back to life in Tower Hamlets.

A ceremony was held to celebrate the restoration of the derelict drinking fountain commemorating Jewish philanthropist Leonard Montefiore (1853-1879), the brother of Liberal Judaism founder Claude Montefiore.

The event, organised in association with Tower Hamlets Council and the Jewish

MARTIN SLOWE – a lifetime member and former President of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue died on 17 April 2023 aged 82. He is survived by his two daughters Emily and Hannah, and their families, and his brothers Richard and Peter.

Martin leaves a huge gap in the LJS and beyond. Wise beyond his years, he was always available for sound advice, but he never offered it until asked. He was always concerned about, and coming up with solutions to address, the long-term sustainability of Liberal Judaism in general and the LJS in particular. He was a much loved congregant and President and will be sadly missed. A full obituary will feature in the next issue of lj today

OWEN POWER, the Deputy for York Liberal Jewish Community and a member of the Liberal Judaism Board of National Officers was a winner of the Mitzvah Day Individual Award (pictured).

Owen was honoured alongside six others for their personal contributions to the day of social action. He was part of numerous projects, including the launch event and those organised by LGBTQI+ support group This Is Me Salford.

Owen said: “I love the concept that ‘every day is a Mitzvah Day’ with communities working together to make the world a nicer place all year round!

“I was delighted to be a winner of this award. I love the work we are doing at This Is Me Salford, especially when we bake cakes and serve coffee on special occasions like Mitzvah Day to people attending our support services, such as our HIV Testing Week event.”

Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue and Kingston Liberal Synagogue received runners-up prizes at the ceremony.

Shabbat boxes

THANKS to your donations, Liberal Judaism has been sending out packs so that everyone is able to celebrate Shabbat, even if they are living alone or in a nonJewish care home.

Liberal Judaism Vice President

Rabbi Danny Rich personally took some of these Shabbat boxes to Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community. He said: “This is a great initiative. I was able to visit one of the founding members of what is now Three Counties – and it was reported to me that the kit was used by Rose and Benny on the very evening I delivered it.”

Shavuot together

A TIKKUN Leyl Shavuot will be hosted by The Ark Synagogue on Thursday 25 May from 6-10pm. It is open to everyone to join online or attend in person.

The Ark’s Rabbi Aaron Goldstein said: “The evening will see us share responses to the call to our ancient Israelite ancestors: Shema Yisrael - Hear O Israel!

“These opening words of the Shema have become the best known in Judaism’s liturgy, but their precise meaning is not clear at all. The ambiguity allows space for a multitude of responses so, to frame our event, we are focussing on just the first two words!”

To receive the Zoom link, please visit www.arksynagogue.org/tikkun-leyl