September/October 2021 VOL. XLVIII No. 5
Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
www.liberaljudaism.org
ljtoday
Next year in Liberal Judaism We are delighted to start this special High Holy Days issue with an open letter from Ruth Seager, the Chair of Liberal Judaism, on what lies ahead in 5782
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IBERAL JUDAISM is Judaism that is both relevant to today and faithful to our long and precious heritage. Our ability to adapt to a new environment is the very key to the longevity of Judaism. As we enter a New Year, in the front of our minds will be the successful way we adapted to the constraints of the pandemic. We were reminded of just how resourceful we are as a movement when need be. I continue to see good governance as the bedrock of a successful and effective organisation. So, the Board of National Officers, along with the professional leadership, will continue to plough this furrow. We will keep you properly informed of our plans, decisions and actions, spend your money carefully and wisely, and ensure that we remain focused on meeting the needs of our communities. Trustees will visit your communities so that everyone within Liberal Judaism feels connected and, indeed, is connected. The professional staff are always available to help - just pick up the phone. Our Thursday evening community Zoom meetings are open to all. It would be lovely to see you. We will also continue to welcome nonJewish members of Jewish families into our community. There is plenty of space inside our tent, never a shortage of food on the table, and we always need help shifting chairs. This is both an inclusive and pragmatic response to the reality that many of us, and many of our children, have fallen, or will fall, in love with people who aren’t (or aren’t yet) Jewish. We all need each other; the children of those unions are our future.
My son met someone at a stag do recently who explained that his mother had Jewish roots that she wanted to explore. He said to me: “I told him that she should go to Liberal Judaism. You can help, can’t you, mum?” Of course we can! Many Jews have hidden their true identity, or ceased their Jewish observance in the past for very pragmatic reasons. Their children or grandchildren, however, are now sticking their heads above the parapet, looking around for other Jews and wanting to investigate the feeling of Jewishness that is within them. Let’s not get hung up on ancestors’ marriage certificates but invite them in, ask about their Jewish story, explain our practices and customs and share our cheesecake recipes. There’s time for any formalities later. Shana Tova.
We still have work to do in making Black Jews and Jews of Colour feel properly included. The Council committee set up to identify problems and make recommendations needs more members and particularly people to take a bit of a lead. The professional staff provide all the admin support the committee needs but they shouldn’t lead. So, if you are black or of colour and are either a member of a Liberal community or the partner of a member, and think that you just might be able to help, please step forward.
THIS High Holy Days, Liberal Judaism communities across the country are offering a mix of online, hybrid and in-person services. If you are a member of a Liberal community then you can attend a service at any other Liberal or Reform congregation should you wish to – just contact them to find out details and their security requirements. Find out more at www. liberaljudaism.org/high-holy-days
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High Holy Days
September/October 2021
Meditations on the High Holy Days 5782 By Rabbi Rebecca Birk and Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel, Co-Chairs of the Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors Achar HaDevarim Ha’Eleh (after these things). These are the words that begin the familiar Rosh Hashanah reading of the Akeidah. And how poignant they are this year. Last New Year, we were in lockdown with purely virtual celebrations of our High Holy Days. This year, we begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but we know that the pandemic is far from being over. Jewish time is cyclical and yet also linear. Every year we celebrate and commemorate events of our past; milestones of our personal and communal lives. They arrive like an alarm clock at the same day of our calendar. The liturgy, the music, even the food, are the same one year after the other. And yet, each year is completely different. We grow older and, hopefully, wiser. The world changes constantly around us. How did our ancestors feel when they celebrated Rosh Hashanah in 70 CE, looking at the smoking ruins of the Temple of Jerusalem? What was the atmosphere during Kol Nidre in 1492 in Spain, when our ancestors were expelled from their ancestral homes? How did they mark Sukkot in Auschwitz in 1943?
By Rabbi Alexandra Wright, Senior Rabbi of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue BETWEEN 1 Elul and Rosh Hashanah, and some go as far as Hoshanah Rabbah – the day preceding Shemini Atzeret – it is customary to read Psalm 27, the Psalm that begins with the words: “The Eternal One is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?” It is not an ancient custom and can be dated back only to the year 1745 when Rabbi Jacob Emden, the German scholar and polemicist, published his Siddur Bet Yaakov. Various theories are given as to why this Psalm was chosen for this time of year – the period when we prepare ourselves spiritually for the Yamim Nora’im and begin the journey of returning to God. One theory suggests that the Psalm was chosen because it mentions the name of God 13 times – perhaps a
In a century from now, our descendants will ask the question: “How did it feel to celebrate a new Jewish Year in 2021, still in the pandemic of Covid-19?” The Mussar practice, which teaches us how to live a meaningful and ethical life, may offer us a few keys to unlock the meaning of time. Let us examine three middot, traits of the soul, that may lift up our spirit. First, savlanut, patience. We have become accustomed to instant gratification and instant access to news. In a matter of days, we were told to stay at home. We couldn’t do the simplest things we were used to. Information was scarce, confusing and scary. We had no idea how long it would last. A meme that made the buzz on the internet displayed Snoopy the dog lying on his back and saying: “Don’t worry, nothing is under control”. The middah of savlanut teaches us that we do not need to be in control all the time. There are times when we only need to sit and watch, to reflect on the meaning of our life: a moment of pause. We all benefit from such a break in time. How might patience lift and transform you? That leads to our second middah: anavah, humility. We cannot use and abuse our planet as if it were our possession. We are its hosts and too often treat it poorly. We cross lines and then the earth fights back. veiled reference to the 13 attributes of God in Exodus 34, a passage sung before the open ark at the High Holy Days – Adonai, Adonai el rachum v’chanun – “The Eternal, the Eternal God is merciful and gracious, endlessly patient, loving and true, showing mercy to thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin, and granting pardon.” Another theory is based on a midrash which expounds the first verse in this way: The Eternal One is my light – on Rosh Hashanah. And my salvation – on Yom Kippur. A more recent explanation highlights the Hebrew word at the beginning of verse 13 lulé – which means ‘if only’ – “If only I shall look on the goodness of the Eternal One.” In the Masoretic text, the word is dotted – a hint that in reverse the word spells Elul. More simply, it is a Psalm which addresses our fears – the madness of the world on our own doorstep and further afield.
The earth is a living organism that deserves our love, care and respect. Has this truth been reinforced this past year? In what way does anavah, humility, enable a groundedness as we begin a new cycle with renewed intentions and hopes? Lastly, we have rediscovered the power of community, as the cement that binds us all, with compassion and empathy. In Hebrew such compassion is, rachamnut. We learned anew that our lives are intertwined in a network of actions and reactions. Our communities became a place where people gathered to make sense of the situation, and more importantly, to find warmth and comfort. They are still doing so, online and in person. All crises can be a source of transformation and growth. The Black Death in the Middle Ages was followed by the Renaissance. The Spanish Flu paved the way to the 1920s - an exhilarating period of art and exploration. We have the future in our hands, and it is up to us to make the postCovid era a better time with a stronger commitment to the environment, a better understanding of human relationships and societies that are more equal and more compassionate. May this New Year of 5782 be a good one for all of us, where we draw on patience, humility and compassion to work together for the good of our communities and our world. It encourages us to look, not for external help to contain our anxiety and distress, but for the strength that is in each one of us, that comes from the faith of our heart. It tells us not to be stirred up by hysteria or hyperbole, but to search out the beauty of the world. It is a Psalm about resisting evil and finding resilience in ourselves, about how we speak to and about each other; it’s about trust and finding strength in times of affliction. It’s about music and longing; about the fear of God’s hiddenness, of being abandoned; it’s about morality in a bewildering world and it’s about doubt: “If only I could trust that I shall see the goodness of the Eternal One in the land of the living.” And in a world where truth and righteousness have been abandoned, it’s about patience, courage and hope, not that the world will revert to an old order, but that we will learn to adapt with honesty to something new... a new connection with each other and with the universe.
News
September/October 2021
LJ Today Page 3
York Welcome Ceremony is a homecoming
Brian Berry, Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, Ahmed Mousa and Yasmin Stefanov-King at York ceremony
YORK LIBERAL JEWISH COMMUNITY (YLJC) held a triple Welcome Ceremony for Brian Berry, Ahmed Mousa, and Yasmin Stefanov-King. Led by Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, it was the first major lifecycle event held by the community since being able to come back together and only their second outdoor service, following a first in July.
Are you ready for Mitzvah Day? MITZVAH DAY, Britain’s biggest faith-based day of social action, has announced its theme for 2021 will be ‘This Mitzvah Day, Together’ – reuniting faith groups after more than 18 months of restrictions and isolation. At a launch event, held online with more than 50 coordinators from the UK and around the world attendance, the charity’s Chair Laura Marks OBE and Chief Executive Georgina Bye urged our communities to reach out to Muslim, Christian and other faith neighbours and come together in social action. Laura said: “After a challenging year, exacerbated by the tensions generated by the conflict in Gaza, this event reassured me that our neighbours, our friends from other faith groups, and our local communities need and want to come back together. This Mitzvah Day gives us that opportunity and we must take it with both hands and with a wide-open heart.” Mitzvah Day takes place on and around Sunday 21 November and will see people of all faiths and none come together to give their time, not their money, in social action projects that make a real difference to the community around them. To get involved, please visit www.mitzvahday.org.uk
The three converted to Judaism by completing a course run by The Ark Synagogue, at which Aaron is rabbi. Aaron said: “It has been an honour to be connected with YLJC since its outset and to see it grow over the last seven years and welcome so many people. It is a shining example of Liberal Judaism’s policies of inclusion in practice.”
Brian started his Jewish journey 25 years ago in America, but only found his “home” in YLJC two years ago. He said: “It has been a privilege and an honour studying with Aaron. Once I went to the Beit Din and finally, having this ceremony, I knew I had realised a dream.” Ahmed and Yasmin also found Liberal Judaism after long journeys. Ahmed said: “Nothing seemed to stop my spiritual hunger before I discovered Shabbat. The process of reflecting weekly joyfully through Shabbat gave my mind the space to relax. I have now reached a destination, but it doesn’t mean I’ll stop learning.” Yasmin added: “I have been part of YLJC since it started seven years ago and my youngest had the honour of being the first baby to have a naming ceremony in the city for 50 years. For me though, I always felt slightly on the outside as though a part of my soul were missing. My soul is now complete. I am so grateful to all who have been part of my journey. “I have come home.”
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Communities
September/October 2021
“Christians have learned so much of our prayer from our Jewish roots” THE Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, hosted a special Bishop’s Garden Shabbat over the summer to give members of the South London Liberal Synagogue (SLLS) the chance to meet and pray together in person for the first time in 16 months. Here he writes for lj today on a very special morning for our two faiths: THE RAIN held off long enough for people to gather in the garden at Bishop’s House to greet each other after such a long time apart and to prepare for prayer. Not long after Rabbi Nathan Godleman began the service, the rain began in earnest. We were very grateful for a marquee to keep us dry as a beautiful Shabbat unfolded and we prayed together – sisters and brothers of faith, with each heart there turned humbly and thankfully to God. It was a joyful service, filled with hope and thanksgiving now that the pandemic had eased sufficiently to allow communal worship. Christians have learned so much of our prayer from our Jewish roots. Psalms fill synagogues and churches with hymns of praise and joy, questioning and lament.
Rabbi Nathan Godleman with the Bishop
Reflecting on the Shabbat service, I felt a deep richness in hearing the psalms prayed by SLLS. This was a sign of the joyful faithfulness of God. This faithfulness of God to Israel over thousands of years was clear to me.
It was also good to reflect on the shared presence of our respective faith communities in Streatham. The South London Liberal Synagogue is not far now from its centenary and has borne witness to the constant love of God through the changes and inconstancies of London and in wider British society over that time. The Synagogue is evidence, if any were needed, of the strength diversity imparts to our nation. Our traditions have the common good clearly in view and we work towards it with the strength God gives us. I was very glad to meet Baroness (Gillian) Merron, with whom I have the privilege of serving in the House of Lords, and I was glad we all met together as neighbours and friends. Indeed, the morning ended with friendships renewed and deepened and a continuing sense of possibility. The SLLS community’s return to their building, the week after Bishop’s Garden Shabbat, is an encouraging sign we are emerging from the pandemic – but it would be a delight to welcome them again. Meanwhile, I wish you all great joy for Rosh Hashanah and God’s blessing in the year to come.
How to respond to the impact of Long Covid By Rabbi Rebecca Birk “TAKE care of your soul…she is turquoise, agate and jasper…refresh your weary soul. If you do not keep your own soul alive, how will you welcome the morning light?” (from an anonymous Medieval poem translated by Rabbi Sharon Cohen-Anisfeld) We talk a great deal about how we have survived and even thrived as a Jewish community during this pandemic. We did. We jumped into Zoom before we fully understood whether it was merely an acronym or a media platform. We moved enthusiastically into online services. I, as a rabbi used to standing in front of my audience (aka congregation), learned to establish an energetic connection to worshippers even through the ‘glass life’ of our computer and tablet screens. We established, for those who were comfortable, postcode groups to support. For many, these were a lifeline.
We tried to be there for those who were suffering - visiting when we could, either calling or standing on doorsteps very aware of the Talmudic promise: “They who visit a sick person takes away one-sixtieth of their illness.” Some congregants were hit hard financially and work dried up. Where we could, we helped. That is what a synagogue community is for. “Assur l’hit’ya-esh” - it is forbidden to despair - declared Nachaman of Bratzlav famously. For me this was the most important task throughout those months. But what none of us anticipated was what Covid-19 left for many - the heavy burden of Long Covid persisting in the body way after the virus had left. I’ve seen the way it has decimated so many lives that were full previously. What I hear the most is: “When will I feel myself again.” Most of us take for granted that we can access ‘ourselves’, our energy and our capabilities. This is not so for those left with Long Covid.
I want our community to respond. The psychological and physical parts of rebuilding oneself is spiritual work. One member still struggling hugely with breathing and energy told me how much kind acts physically impact her and raise her up. That, we can do. At my synagogue, Finchley Progressive, we are beginning to explore, investigate and understand this better and find ways to help. We have created a support group and will also explore means to give financial help to those who need ongoing treatment. This work is not just about encouraging the continual surge for being ‘back to normal’ but being there for some in the acknowledgement that they may never be their ‘old self’ again; however doing less does not decrease one’s value. One of the names given to the synagogue is Beit Knesset, a house of meeting of community. Being supported by one’s community is paramount. That is our work now.
Communities
September/October 2021
Hands off her hijab
RABBI Margaret Jacobi of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue (BPS) addressed a demonstration held by Nisa Nashim West Midlands to show solidarity with Muslim women in France. The network, which brings together Jewish and Muslim women, was protesting against a new ‘anti-separation’ law which restricts religious freedoms in France – including girls’ right to wear the hijab at school. Margaret told the demonstration: “I’m here to stand with my Muslim sisters in France. As Jews, we have known restrictions to our freedom to practise many times in our history. More often than not, it has started with small measures but that has not been the end. “Let’s be clear, these measures are Islamophobic - targeted at Muslims.
“They are also misogynistic - targeted at women and girls. They are targeted at girls in school at an age when they are finding their identity. To forbid them from wearing the hijab is to deny them religious expression at a crucial time in their lives.” Several BPS members, including Catherine Myers and Mandy Ross, helped to organise the ‘hands off her/my hijab’ event. A letter has also been sent to the French Ambassador expressing the group’s concerns. Mandy said: “For me, it felt important and moving to stand together as Active Allies, as Jewish and Muslim women, to celebrate our freedom to speak out, live, love, worship and dress how we want to.” • Find out more at www.nisanashim.com
LJ Today Page 5
The bees knees
AROUND 15 members of East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue gathered in the garden of Emeritus Rabbi David Hulbert to enjoy a talk about beekeeping and honey in the Bible. They then enjoyed tea and scones, accompanied by some of David’s newlyextracted honey.
Tea for the team
THE Ark Synagogue hosted an afternoon tea for the volunteers of their Care Team. Over the last 18 months the 35+ volunteer team have provided outreach and support to more than 350 community members.
South Bucks back together to assist exhibition
AN INVITATION to Waddesdon Manor, the Rothschild House and Gardens in Buckinghamshire, gave South Bucks Jewish Community (SBJC) their first opportunity to come together in person, in more than a year, this summer. SBJC responded to a request to help create a new online exhibition, which will display objects and materials with Jewish links from the Waddesdon collection.
More than 70 members of the congregation, led by Rabbi Neil Janes, enjoyed a day at Waddesdon – taking it in turns to look round the House in groups of six. They saw a copy of the Balfour Declaration, read the Ketubah of James and Dorothy de Rothschild and learnt more about the role the family played in saving refugees from the Holocaust and providing homes for evacuees.
The community then joined together outside to recite kiddush and the shehecheyanu expressing gratitude that they were able to reach this day together. Neil said: “Jewish life at SBJC has been thriving and bursting out of our Zoom screens! We were delighted to be invited and to help Waddesdon Manor and the Rothschild family celebrate Jewish life and history for all their visitors.”
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News
September/October 2021
Meeting our newest members One such event was at Kingston Liberal Synagogue (KLS), where the community held a special in-person Shabbat service (pictured). It was the first time the congregation had prayed and sung together in around 18 months, after holding online services since the first lockdown. During this period, KLS attracted viewers from around the world with many local people joining the community, either to reconnect with their Jewish identities or to begin the process of conversion.
Following the special service, a kiddush was held in the KLS Kehillah garden with the new members joining together in front of the new KLS mural. The community’s Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel said: “During the unprecedented times we have all been living through, it is understandable that so many people are seeking to find spiritual meaning: to reconnect with a faith that they may have left behind, to discover more about their Jewish heritage or to begin the process of conversion into a new faith. “When people have been searching for a community online, they have joined us virtually for services and other events – and many have made the decision to become members. This was a wonderful chance to meet them face-to-face. We are so happy they found us!”
Lily’s Legacy events and activities this autumn
Refugee appeal
LIBERAL JUDAISM is delighted to have had many new members and families join us during the recent pandemic - and excited to see the welcoming events now taking place.
LIBERAL JUDAISM’S groundbreaking Lily’s Legacy Project (LLP) is set for another exciting period. After the successful launch of the Lily’s Legacy Education Toolkit at the Liberal Judaism Biennial Weekend, the team is excited to announce a number of inspiring events and activities this autumn. The official exhibition launch reception will take place at the Wiener Library in Central London on Tuesday 19 October. Some very special guests will be announced shortly. The week after, the Jewish Museum London will host the Lily’s Legacy Project Learning Day on Wednesday 27 October. This mini-conference will bring together Jewish and non-Jewish heritage practitioners and will showcase some pioneering projects across the UK. Both events will welcome project supporters and Liberal Judaism members and friends but, in order to provide a safe space, in-person attendance will be limited. Online attendance will also be possible for some of these activities. Please check for updates via the project’s event pages at www.lilyslegacyproject.com Finally, the Lily’s Legacy Project will be offering further exciting training opportunities in its final phase. The London Metropolitan Archives (LMA) will organise free archive skills training for volunteers from late October.
By Dr Edie Friedman, JCORE Executive Director
Training participants are invited to hone their skills hands-on and help the project team catalogue and deposit the LLP collection at the LMA, thus ensuring the preservation of its legacy for future generations. For more information, please contact Project Manager Shaan Knan on lilyslegacyproject@liberaljudaism.org Lily’s Legacy: The Radical History and Heritage of Liberal Judaism in Britain has been running since November 2018. It examines how our movement embodies the vision of our founders – Lily Montagu, Claude Montefiore and Rabbi Dr Israel Mattuck – and seeks to document, share and celebrate this rich heritage. • The Lily’s Legacy Project is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
THE sudden fall of Kabul and its tragic consequences are particularly resonant for the Jewish community. Those Afghans who manage to get on a plane and come to the UK will, thankfully, be out of danger. But they will arrive with little more than the clothes on their backs. So there will be a huge and urgent need for basic necessities – everything from outerwear and underwear to toothpaste and towels – followed by practical and psychological support. JCORE has decades of experience of responding creatively and effectively to the arrivals of large groups of refugees, whether with basic necessities, counselling, English teaching, re-training for refugee doctors or befriending for young asylum seekers separated from their families. Our history inspires and informs this work... and it compels us to act. Please visit www.jcore.org.uk to find out how you can donate, so that we have funds in place to meet people’s urgent needs without delay. It is also not too late to add your name to our letter to the Prime Minister calling for the Government to do more to help.
News
September/October 2021
Continuing Rosemary’s legacy
LJ Today Page 7
NHS Conversations By Alison Turner
Picture by paul@paullangphotography.co.uk A FOUNDATION established by Rosemary White, a late member of The Ark Synagogue, has made a sizeable donation to Ezra Umarpeh. The charity provides patient support services for those challenged by illness and disability, whether at home or in hospital. Rosemary, who died aged 87 in 2018, was a generous donor to many charities. She established The Rosemary White Foundation in memory of her two sons, who sadly predeceased her. Sharon Goldstein, who knew Rosemary for 40 years as Rebbetzin at The Ark (formerly Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue), became a Trustee for the Foundation and subsequently agreed to be one of two executors of Rosemary’s will as she had no living relatives. The Foundation has now been wound up having given considerable recent donations to 12 good causes, including the National Holocaust Centre and Museum in Nottinghamshire, World Jewish Relief and Whizz Kidz, a charity which provides electric wheelchairs to enable greater independence for young people with disabilities.
Another chosen recipient was Jewish Child’s Day, who in turn suggested that Ezra Umarpeh receive the legacy. Sharon, husband and Liberal Judaism President Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein and Jewish Child’s Day representatives Anthea Jackson and Charles Spungin attended an unveiling of two vehicles which will now carry Rosemary’s name. Sharon said: “Rosemary was a unique woman, large in both stature and personality. Despite grievous personal bereavements – including the death of her husband and their two sons – Rosemary showed great courage and continued to lead a varied and active life. “She was a woman of great intellect, an avid reader and formidable bridge player. She was a loyal member of the League of Jewish Women and a regular congregant. “Ezra Umarpeh provides support services for patients and families across the community. They rely on transit vehicles to take medical equipment to peoples’ homes and hospital beds. “These vehicles will now ensure that Rosemary’s memory will certainly continue as a blessing.”
THE NHS started an oral history project in 2017 for its 70th anniversary, which Liberal Judaism joined in 2018. Then the pandemic struck, a huge event in the history of the NHS, and the project expanded, recording hundreds more interviews. I learned there were also Covid-19 Conversations, a series of free public online events run by the NHS Voices of Covid-19 team with guest speakers. They are available online at www.nhs70.org.uk I attended one on the subject of faith with three speakers: David Mintz, host of Manchester Jewish Communities’ radio show Sunday Night Live; Reverend Philip Hawthorn, who took up his first post as a rector at St Stephen’s in Bath during the pandemic; and Dr Haider Ali, a GP who has been volunteering and supporting NHS staff delivering care packages. They all gave interesting talks which stimulated a lively discussion. One question asked was whether our faith had changed during the pandemic. I answered that my faith was unaltered but my religious practice was very different. I was asked to say more about this, and then invited to be interviewed for the oral history project. I protested that I had said almost nothing about the NHS or health, and was told they were simply keen to capture how lives have changed. I was assigned a telephone interviewer in Manchester, James McSharry, who drew up questions with the help of his local Jewish community. I talked about my own background and health history. This included my surrogacy journey which was privately arranged with the NHS providing antenatal care, birth and post-natal care for our surrogate and our son. Then I spoke about Liberal Judaism’s response to the pandemic in terms of pastoral care, Shabbat and festival services and other events. I pointed out that we have had record numbers at services and at the Biennial and I welcome the opportunities I have had to forget geographical restrictions and feel part of any community and event in this country and others. This will continue with hybrid services and events in the future, benefiting people who are isolated for many different reasons. My interviewer will take part in an LJ Community Briefing in the autumn, because I emphasised our communities and staff all had their own stories of holding services and events online, bereavement care and supporting vulnerable people. I hope you can join us.
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Israel
September/October 2021
Expanding the Conversation LIBERAL JUDAISM recently held its most popular Education Hub series to date, titled Finding the Liberal Jewish Voice: Expanding the Conversation on Israel. The sessions were put together after feedback from members who wanted to learn more about the Israel-Palestine conflict and how to speak on the topic. Here attendee ANNA SANDERSON reports back on her experience: THE recent fighting between Israel and Hamas/Palestinian Islamic Jihad brought, once again, thoughts about the conflict in the region to the forefront of my mind. When I heard in early May that the latter had indiscriminately launched rockets into Israel, which were followed by retaliatory airstrikes in Gaza, I was filled with anxiety and literally lost sleep. I naively wished for Israel the ability to be nothing but the best version of itself, for Israeli Jews and all Palestinians to find compromises in the spirit of ‘live and let live’ and for no one to be harmed as a result of the violence. I despaired when I considered how the latest conflict would play out on the world stage and braced myself for the seemingly inevitable media misinformation about Israel. Scouring news stories daily, I was encouraged by what I perceived to be a reasonable amount of impartial reporting. Perhaps I peruse a better quality of media outlets these days! I did however encounter a torrent of anti-Israel abuse spanning several social media platforms. What upset me most were posts made by friends which used distinctly antisemitic tropes to express solidarity with the Palestinian people. I felt compelled to challenge this approach, urging them to consider the wider picture if they truly wanted to support peace, but it all fell on deaf ears. I cried, sought solace and wisdom from my rabbi and jumped at the chance to attend Liberal Judaism’s series of talks on Finding the Liberal Jewish Voice: Expanding the Conversation on Israel – in the hope of finding constructive ways to engage with others on this emotive issue. The first session, presented by Michael Wegier, Interim CEO of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, explained the current state of Jewish identity in Israel. Four broad groups were defined, including those who range from less to more traditionally Jewish in practice and those who identify as less to more nationalistic in outlook. It made me think about the correlation between how Israeli Jews self-identify and their individual views on the State of Israel.
The next two sessions were delivered by organisations advocating for equitable outcomes. Solutions Not Sides outlined their amazing educational programme, involving Israeli and Palestinian volunteers, which aims to tackle antisemitism and Islamophobia in the UK and prepares students to make positive solution-focused contributions to the debate. The Abraham Initiatives talked about their efforts to help build an inclusive, equal society for all of Israel’s citizens. Both were wonderful! Session four was incredibly difficult for me. From the outset, Hagai El-Ad of B’Tselem – the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories – was unsparing in his criticism of Israel. I felt his repeated use of phrases such as ‘apartheid regime’ and ‘relentless oppression’ was unconstructive. I believe that attacking Israel and Jews is part of the problem and does nothing to facilitate long-term solutions. The final session, which discussed the work of Arzenu – the political voice of Reform, Progressive and Liberal Religious Zionists – offered comparative light relief. The organisation’s International Chair, Rabbi Lea Mühlstein, spoke of their ongoing campaign for the acceptance of Jewish religious pluralism by the Israeli Government. A quick look at Arzenu’s website reveals its work in Israel on further important issues such as gender equality, LGBTQI+ rights and protecting the rights of the country’s non-Jewish minorities. I’m not sure that I found more constructive ways to engage with those with opposing views on Israel by attending these sessions. I have, however, been inspired by the organisations which demonstrated their commitment to peaceful outcomes through inclusivity and social equality. I hope to become a small part of the solution too. • To find out about future Education Hub events, visit www.liberaljudaism.org
Let’s learn to talk By Rabbi Charley Baginsky, CEO of Liberal Judaism THE one thing I heard more than anything during the recent fighting in Israel and Gaza, from my fellow rabbis and those in leadership positions across the Jewish community, was about their feeling of paralysis when it comes to speaking about the situation. People who are usually brave and articulate feel silenced by the abuse inevitably levelled at anyone who says something that is considered wrong. While I understand people on both sides feel they own the moral high ground, this deliberate attempts to shame, humiliate and intimidate others is not acceptable. I am a religious Progressive Zionist who supports a two-state solution with a free and prosperous Palestine - one that could be a good neighbour to Israel. But I also know that there is no easy solution. In 2021, Israel finds herself continually berated and often friendless. She is the subject of constant discussion, UN resolutions and media speculation. So I understand why there are some people who argue that, as Israel has enough detractors, we, as Jews, must instead give the country our unequivocal support. I get it, I really do. But this move to try to prevent those Jews who want to criticise Israel from feeling comfortable in doing so, the attempts to try to silence even those who do so from a position of love and support, is not the way. I am saddened that too often I have heard those who make genuine thoughtful Jewish critiques of Israel being labelled as self-hating Jews. It happens the other way as well. I have seen those who speak out in favour of Israel met with shaming, name calling and being told they have a lack of morality and support a racist agenda. I cannot believe threats and shaming do anything to change another’s mind; rather it entrenches the opinions of some and buries others in fear and silence. We have all seen and heard so much from all perspectives. But we must try to keep telling the whole story for the sake of justice, for the sake of peace and for the sake of Israel and Palestine. We cannot talk the words of peace and expect it of others while we ourselves cannot show that we really believe it.
In Memory
September/October 2021
LJ Today Page 9
‘A life of goodness and good deeds’ By Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein NEIL DRAPKIN lived a long life of 90 years, celebrating this recent milestone birthday even if on Zoom, and he certainly lived a good life. By that I mean that life was good to him and he did so much good for others. Life certainly took Neil on many journeys from Brondesbury and a quintessential upper middle-class upbringing to near death as a child, a serious illness taking him to Cape Town to live with family members, where after a long fight he gained full and robust health, though he could never eat nuts. He qualified as an electrical engineer and, in 1953, came back to England, but not for long. His employers Marconi recognised his expertise and sent him to install radio equipment in many exotic places, certainly not then on the regular tourist map: Singapore, Nigeria, Venezuela and the Maldives among them.
After marrying Cynthia Freedman at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue in 1963, the couple grew tired of Neil always being away, so a new chapter was opened back in Blighty. First he worked for NCR (National Cash Registers) and then he joined Cynthia in opening their innovative shop – the Frozen Gourmet. Alongside all this was Neil’s voluntary work. Some of his happiest times were in the voluntary sector and Liberal Judaism.
After joining Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue (now The Ark Synagogue) in 1968, Neil and Cynthia became the most devoted members – also inspiring their children Jonathan and Jane to follow in their footsteps Neil was twice treasurer, editor of our magazine Davar and a member of our Czech & Slovak committee. He edited and formulated the Brown Book – describing the decades of work our synagogue had done in memorialising the Czech & Slovak Jewish communities. He later edited the English translation of the groundbreaking memoir of the last rabbi of Kolín, Rabbi Richard Feder. Neil’s work on all these publications form a lasting tribute to his devotion to this cause. How fitting that Neil and Cynthia were recently among those featured by The Jewish News for contributing so much to Anglo-Jewry. What a good life. What a life of goodness and good deeds.
‘One of the great leaders’ ‘A builder and creator’
THE entire Progressive world has been in mourning for Rabbi Richard (Asher) Hirsch, a founder of Reform Judaism in Israel who dedicated his life to our global movements and causes. From 1962 to 1973 he founded and ran the Religious Action Center - the legal and public arm of the American Reform Movement (URJ) – and fought for the Civil Rights Act of the United States in 1964. In 1972 he became President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ), moving to Israel the following year and establishing the WUPJ headquarters in Jerusalem. That Zionist act, of transferring the main office of the World Union from New York to Jerusalem, was perceived as one of the most significant decisions of Reform Judaism in the 20th century.
At the same time, he greatly expanded the number of countries in which there was a Progressive Jewish presence – a number that now totals more than 50 nations – and played a particularly effective role in building Progressive Judaism in the former Soviet Union. Even after stepping down as WUPJ President in 1999, he continued to be a spokesman, teacher and mentor for Progressive Judaism and Progressive Jews – becoming Honorary Life President of the WUPJ and regularly addressing the World Union’s events and conferences, including this year’s Connections. Speaking about his incredible contribution, Israeli Knesset member Rabbi Gilad Kariv said: “Rabbi Asher Hirsch has been one of the great leaders of all generations - a man of vision and fulfilment, learning and practice, who has had an impact on the arenas of Jewish and Zionist life for the past 50 years. “He was one of the founders of Zionist Reform Judaism. His commitment to liberal and egalitarian Judaism comes with a deep concern for Klal Israel and a deep respect for every Jew and Jewish community - even in a reality of controversy. In Israel, we look back upon the scope of Rabbi Asher’s work and leadership and his deep commitment that continued tirelessly until his last breath. “We have lost a teacher, a leader, a rabbi and, above all, a friend.”
RABBI DANIEL FARHI, CoFounder of the Mouvement Juif Libéral de France (MJLF), one of the two main branches of Liberal Judaism in France, has died. He set up the MJLF in 1977, after breaking away from the larger Union Libérale Israélite de France when more traditionalist practices were introduced. Today the MJLF has six synagogues and 2,000 families as members. He became well known in wider French society for his steadfast commitment to Holocaust education in the country. In 1991 he created, with Serge Klarsfeld, the reading of the Names of Jewish deportees from France. A strong symbolic ceremony, the event is now held every year on Yom HaShoah. In tribute, the MJLF wrote: “A builder and creator. A man who had a sense of the duties that the past imposes but who also lived for the future. Rabbi Daniel Farhi has left us. He developed and renewed Liberal Judaism, and made the French and the public authorities aware of the magnitude of the Shoah in France.”
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History
September/October 2021
Machaneh Kadimah - how it started Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein on the creation of Liberal Judaism’s summer camp
Young Liberal Jews enjoy Kadimah Summer School in 1974 - which many still describe as the best Jewish experience of their lives THIS summer marked the 50th anniversary of the founding of Kadimah Summer School; the forerunner of what today’s young Liberal Jews know as LJYNetzer’s Machaneh Kadimah. My wife Sharon and I established Kadimah, along with Rabbi Douglas Charing, a fellow ordinand of Leo Baeck College from the year 1970. Douglas had been at the previous Liberal summer scheme, run by Rev Herbert Richer, which had closed a few years previously and the three of us worked hard in establishing its replacement. Sharon and I ran Kadimah for 19 years from its founding in 1971. During that time, we hired a number of schools as our base for the fortnight. The first was the Royal Merchant Naval College near Reading and then on to schools in Chislehurst, Malvern, Rickmansworth and Shaftesbury. My favourite was the Rothschild mansion in Tring. It had been the home of Walter Rothschild… to whom the ‘Dear Lord Rothschild’ letter was sent with the Balfour Declaration. The first year in Tring, our study theme was the ‘Cousinhood – the noble Jewish families of Anglo–Jewry’. A senior supervisor (as we called madrichim/ot in those days) was the late David Pelham, who worked for the Arts Council.
David obtained a load of 19th century costumes so we could dress up as the early Rothschilds, Montefiores, Goldsmids and Montagus. We connected the Balfour Declaration with our most successful Shabbat Game… a re-enactment of the Six Day War (which occurred only a decade previously) with tanks made out of cardboard boxes and a huge paper Western Wall to capture. Yerushalayim Shel Zahav was our song. Another year the study theme was ‘Rabbis of the Mishna’ and a challenge for the five teams was to create, out of scrap materials, a Roman chariot - with the prize going to the winner of the contraption that lasted the course. The games were inventive, the annual study theme most creative and the materials produced were made into publications used by teenage students in the Liberal movement. The so called ULPS Yachdav scheme had books and lesson plans on Jerusalem, the Shtetl, Anglo-Jewry and Mishna Kadimah; the latter, looking at the rabbis and their wise sayings contained in Pirke Avot, led to new melodies that many synagogues still sing in their services. Looking back, the study programmes Rabbi Pete Tobias and I created give me the greatest satisfaction of my rabbinate.
It was not just Jewish study, as sport was taken very seriously: football teams playing against local clubs, cricket matches, tennis and table tennis coaching with England national coaches (as well as Neil Frais). Professionals also organised the annual orchestra and the art room, led by Iris Nathan for so many years. Kadimah nurses Crick and Suzie Vanner were legendary. Sharon and I regularly meet people who say that Kadimah was the best Jewish experience of their lives – it led to lifelong friendships, marriages, decisions to become rabbis and to a generation of leaders of Liberal Judaism. Key words bring waves of nostalgia: Announcements, Larry Levy, Rocking Rabbis and George the Monkey. “Oh Kadimah what shall we do without you?” Well, three decades after we handed over the reins to Rabbis Danny Rich and Pete Tobias, who in turn handed over to our LJY-Netzer youth movement, Kadimah thrives. Two of our granddaughters were leaders this year. After 50 years, Kadimah continues to be at the creative heart of Liberal Judaism. Long may it continue.
• Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein is President of Liberal Judaism
Youth
September/October 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
Machaneh Kadimah - how its going THE fiftieth anniversary of Machaneh Kadimah lived up to the goals of its founders – as friendships were formed and lots of fun was had. Activities included team adventure games, archery, abseiling and the Great Kadimah Bake Off. Topics for discussion
ranged from feminism and ethical shopping to Israel-Palestine and the Black Lives Matter movement. An incredible, welcoming and inclusive environment was created with Liberal Jewish values at its core. Services were engaging and inventive.
Sadly Kadimah finished two days early after a confirmed case of Covid-19. We will soon be arranging dates for everyone to get back to get together and finish the LJY-Netzer year in a dynamic way. In the meantime, here are some of our favourite photos from a magical 12 days.
Find out more about LJY-Netzer and sign up for future events by visiting www.ljy-netzer.org
September/October 2021
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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
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
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
Norwich Liberal Jewish Community E: nljc@liberaljudaism.org W: norwichljc.org.uk
Kehillah North London T: 07706 354 602 E: info@kehillah.org.uk W: kehillah.org.uk
Nottingham Liberal Synagogue T: 0115 962 4761 E: nls@liberaljudaism.org
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
Birmingham Progressive Synagogue T: 0121 634 3888 E: bps@liberaljudaism.org W: bpsjudaism.com Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue T: 01273 737 223 E: info@bhps-online.org W: bhps-online.org Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation T: 0117 403 3456 E: info@bwjpc.org W: bwpjc.org Crawley Jewish Community T: 01293 534 294 Crouch End Chavurah E: naomi@crouchendchavurah.co.uk W: crouchendchavurah.co.uk Dublin Progressive Congregation E: djpc@liberaljudaism.org W: djpcireland.com
Ealing Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8997 0528 E: admin@ealingliberalsynagogue.org.uk W: ealingliberalsynagogue.org.uk East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue T: 0208 989 7619 E: administrator@elels.org.uk W: elels.org.uk
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 Lincolnshire Jewish Community T: 01427 628 958 E: ljc@liberaljudaism.org W: lincolnsynagogue.com
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
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
W: nottinghamliberalsynagogue.com
Reading Liberal Jewish Community E: readingliberaljewishcommunity@ gmail.com
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 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 Legal Governance Ros Clayton Inclusion Owen Power Youth Hannah Stephenson Small Communities Janet Berkman Education Susanne Combe National Officers Alex Kinchin-Smith and Leslie Moss Vice Presidents Simon Benscher, Monique Blake, Lord Fink, Louise Freedman, Sharon Goldstein, Lucian Hudson, David Lipman, Corinne Oppenheimer, David Pick, Rabbi Danny Rich, Tony Sacker, Joan Shopper, Phil Stone and Beverley Taylor Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors Chairs Rabbi Rebecca Birk and Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel Chief Executive Officer Rabbi Charley Baginsky Chief Operating Officer Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer Director of Community Partnerships Alexandra Gellnick Director of Youth Becca Fetterman Fundraising and Events Thomas Rich Senior Administrator Tanya Garfield Archivist Alison Turner PR Simon Rothstein Finance Janet Manderson Interfaith Rabbi Mark Solomon Student Chaplain Rabbi Anna Posner