LJ Today Sep/Oct 2023

Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism

www.liberaljudaism.org

ljtoday

York’s first rabbi in 800 years

THE City of York – once an important medieval Jewish centre – is to see the return of its first resident rabbi in centuries.

Rabbi Dr Elisheva Salamo has been appointed to serve the thriving York Liberal Jewish Community (YLJC), which has brought Jewish life back to the city since its founding in 2014.

One of the worst antisemitic massacres of the Middle Ages took place in York in 1190, when the city’s entire Jewish community was trapped by an angry mob inside Clifford’s Tower. Many chose to commit suicide rather than be murdered or forcibly baptised by the attackers.

Urban myth tells of a rabbinical edict issued after the massacre saying that Jews should never again live within the city’s walls. A small community did begin to emerge in the 1890s, but in 1975 the Orthodox York Hebrew Congregation, which never had its own rabbi, closed.

For the last decade, YLJC has served Jews across the region as well as welcoming back to Judaism those who may previously have felt excluded or simply been unable to access services, Jewish education or pastoral care.

YLJC has had rabbinic support from Liberal Judaism leaders – including former CEO Rabbi Danny Rich – and student rabbis from Leo Baeck College, but none have ever been resident.

Now Californian Rabbi Dr Elisheva Salamo – who has previously served as a rabbi, teacher and youth leader in America, South Africa and Switzerland – will move to York and begin her role as part-time rabbi on Rosh Hashanah. She said: “I look forward to meeting our current members and anyone with an interest in a Jewish journey.”

The community are fundraising to make this post full-time. To donate, please visit www.justgiving.com/page/jewsinyork

Progressive Judaism goes on the road

RABBIS Charley Baginsky and Josh Levy – the CEOs of Liberal and Reform Judaism – are touring communities to share their vision for the creation of one unified Progressive Judaism movement for the UK and to hear feedback and ideas from members.

The first talk took place at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (pictured), followed by an event at Edgware & Hendon Reform Synagogue. Many more will follow throughout the year.

Rabbi Igor Zinkov of the LJS said: “This was a night for the history books!”

• See pages 2-3 for full updates on the Progressive Project.

Rabbi Dr Elisheva Salamo is York’s new rabbi

A combined comms team for our new era

LIBERAL JUDAISM and The Movement for Reform Judaism are delighted to announce the creation of a unified communications team.

Headed by Simon Rothstein, the team will oversee all aspects of PR and media, not only for the two movements, but also as we unify to create one single Progressive Judaism for the UK.

Simon, who runs the communications company SRX Consultancy and is a member of East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue, has worked with Liberal Judaism for a decade – helping to raise the voice of the movement, its communities and rabbis.

He has secured prominent coverage in the faith, local and national press –including the BBC, Sky News, Guardian and Times – as well as growing its social media following to more than 15,000. He also edits lj today, which will expand (and rename) in 2024 to include news from both movements.

Simon will be joined in the new team by Graham Miller.

Graham is a former ITN Newscaster and Senior Correspondent who has more than 40 years experience of covering news, current affairs and sport on British television, radio, newspapers and magazines. He now runs Media-Vu, delivering PR, video production, and media training services to maximise public profile and brand awareness campaigns. He has been running the communications department for the Movement for Reform Judaism since 2021 and is a longtime member of Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue. A third member of the team, to look after all digital aspects including websites, e-Bulletins, and social media, will be added shortly.

The first initiative will be a series of ‘Monday media masterclasses’ held each month via Zoom, open to all Reform or Liberal members free of charge.

Hosted by Simon and Graham, along with guest speakers, they will provide communities and individuals with everything they need to help promote their congregation, events, people, achievements and values.

Advisory Board Chair appointed

ONE of the Jewish community’s leading thinkers and academics has been appointed as Chair of the Advisory Board overseeing the unification of Reform and Liberal Judaism.

Dr Ed Kessler

All sessions will be one-two hours and course notes will be provided afterward. To sign up please visit the Liberal or Reform Judaism websites. The dates are:

Monday 16 October at 7pm - Press releases and media relations

Monday 13 November at 7pm - Making the most out of Mitzvah Day

Monday 11 December at 7pm - Improving your Facebook skills

Monday 15 January at 7pm - Improving your Instagram skills

Monday 19 February at 7pm - Improving your Twitter/X/Threads skills

Monday 18 March at 7pm - Crisis comms and responding to criticism

Simon said: “I am excited at the thought of just what we will be able to achieve with one unified movement. We will no longer be competing with each other for space, but working together to raise up all of our voices and help more people discover Progressive Judaism.

“I am looking forward to working alongside Graham and getting to meet, or in many cases meet again, the wonderful members of our communities.

Graham added: “This is an important time for Progressive Judaism in the UK. Our values will be shared by more than 80 communities reaching all parts of the country for the first time. Working closely with Simon our media goal is to help grow the awareness, recognition and outlook of our Progressive Jewish movement, wherever our members happen to live.”

MBE, Founder President of the Woolf Institute, will now play a key role in the creation of one Progressive Judaism for the UK.

Both a Vice President of Liberal Judaism and member of Beth Shalom Reform Synagogue in Cambridge, he said: “I am delighted to take up this role and help to deliver a new era for Progressive Judaism.

“I am passionate about the value of partnership and the need for a vibrant, sustainable Progressive Judaism that can amplify our voices in the UK and beyond.”

Dr Ed Kessler is no stranger to partnerships in either his academic or professional life. He was referred to as “probably the most prolific interfaith figure in British academia” by The Times and awarded an MBE in 2011 for services to interfaith relations.

In 1998 he founded the Woolf Institute with Revd Professor Martin Forward, with the goal of fostering understanding and positive relations between communities in a world marked by increasing division and instability. It now has a permanent new home in the grounds of Westminster College, Cambridge.

The role of the Progressive Judaism Advisory Board is to support the two CEOs – Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy – as they work with sub groups, synagogues and clergy to form the vision of the new Progressive Movement and shape its implementation. It will exist for the length of the project.

More details about the work of the Advisory Board, and its other members, will follow.

Liberal and Reform Judaism have been overwhelmed by the number of people who want to be a part of our different groups and the range of skills we have available to us. We look forward to the many opportunities to work together.

SAVE THE DATE: WE ARE delighted to announce that a consecration service will be held on Sunday 1 October for the new Liberal Judaism woodland cemetery at GreenAcres Chiltern, Potkiln Lane, Jordans, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire HP9 2XB. The service will commence at 11am (gathering from 10.30am). More information about the cemetery, and woodland burial options for members and non-members, will be available on the Liberal Judaism website from mid-September.

Simon Rothstein (left) and Graham Miller

Dr Ed Kessler MBE

‘This is a new moment... and we need you to help us develop the vision’

We have been moved by the way in which Liberal and Reform communities and staff have welcomed each other, and by the new space that has been created to work collaboratively on projects.

We have begun to raise initial funds so that we can start the work without taking away from the two movements. As we build a new organisation, they will continue to focus on the crucial support they provide to our communities, youth movements and members.

Most significantly, we have witnessed the way in which combining our voices, modelling collaborative leadership and the power of a trusting partnership have already had a significant impact on the Jewish, faith and national stages. From every corner we are being invited in and the profile and optimism of Progressive Judaism in the UK is on the rise.

Some will say this has been tried before and that it did not work, but we are confident that this time is different.

THE Yamim Noraim are a time for reflection; for pressing pause to think back on the year that has passed and imagine what the next year might bring. This year, reviewing our lives feels particularly exciting. Over the last few months we have taken an enormous leap, both professionally and personally, which means that this year’s High Holy Days will be very different from those of the past.

In April, Liberal Judaism and the Movement for Reform Judaism (MRJ) announced that we would be working in close partnership to create a new movement to represent all of Britain’s Progressive Jews.

We recognise that this announcement took many by surprise. Nonetheless, the response has been positive, and that this is a welcome move felt by many to be long overdue. The enthusiastic support has been overwhelming within our clergy bodies, our communities and in the wider Jewish world.

In May, we both began to work two days a week on this project. This will expand in November when Josh joins MRJ full-time. Although we are still in the early stages of the project there are already tangible ways in which it is making a difference.

This is a new moment: our clergy are together, our boards are committed, we have symmetry of leadership, and there is a new commitment to diversity of practice within shared values.

The new language of this moment is also powerful. We are not talking about merger, but co-creation. One in which we reaffirm the importance of movement, of being stronger by working together. We see the possibilities that are created when we ask what we can build together, to take this opportunity for renewal and imagination.

And that is where you come in. We need you to help us develop the vision; to help us imagine what a shared, sustainable and effective movement will look like; to help us think through how we have a more powerful voice in the Jewish, faith and national spheres, how we invest in what makes Jewish life flourish, how we recognise the centrality of our synagogues and communities and support their development, and how we ensure that we have growth and breadth for the future.

After the High Holy Days, we will be visiting Reform and Liberal communities, asking what we can build, sharing ideas and, of course, answering all your questions. Everyone’s voice here is essential if we are going to get this right and build the movement we all deserve.

When we visit your community later in the year, we very much hope you will join us as we shape the future together.

As the vision grows, we will also begin the work of building. Our Advisory Board will oversee the emerging movement. Working groups will ask the big questions and make recommendations on specific areas, as well as having detailed discussions, covering governance, finance, assets, communities, rabbinic bodies, status and outreach, youth, education and leadership. We will soon have an active website with opportunities to contribute as well as regular updates and information.

As we approach the end of 5783, we are delighted by the leap we have taken and the progress we have already made. In the short time our movements have been working together we have already made a huge impact. With your input, support and commitment, the year ahead will be one in which we build together an exciting future for Progressive Judaism in the UK.

Rabbis Charley Baginsky and Josh Levy on the co-creation of Progressive Judaism

• Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy are the CEOs of Liberal Judaism and the Movement for Reform Judaism

Liberal Judaism CEO Rabbi Charley Baginsky Reform Judaism CEO Rabbi Josh Levy

A rocking 10th anniversary tour

THE FRIDAY Night Rock Service band will celebrate their milestone 10th anniversary with a tour of 10 communities.

Running from October 2023 to June 2024, the tour will celebrate a decade of rocking Erev Shabbat services.

Since its inception, the Friday Night Rock Service has captivated audiences at numerous Liberal and Reform synagogues by creating an unforgettable musical experience that has drawn people back for multiple performances.

The electrifying eight-piece rock band’s unique blend of traditional and familiar melodies infused with a rocking soundtrack – inspired by legendary artists such as The Beatles, Status Quo, Led Zeppelin and Guns ‘n Roses – has been a hit with all generations.

The Friday Night Rock Service has gained a reputation for their moving and uplifting performances, which seamlessly blend the sacred with the contemporary.

Traditional pieces from the Friday night liturgy such as Ma Tovu, Adon Olam, Shalom Aleichem and M’Chalkeil have been skilfully re-imagined and given a rock twist by the late Simon Cooper, the founder and inspiration of the Rock Service, and his friends. Together they have breathed new life into these wellknown Jewish prayers and psalms.

Their dynamic performances create an inclusive and engaging atmosphere where everyone can connect with their Jewish heritage and spirituality in a fresh and exciting way.

Even during the challenging times of lockdown, the band remained committed to their mission of connecting people through music.

They performed three online services, combining archived and freshly recorded performances, which attracted viewers from around the world and starred various ‘Rockin’ Rabbis’, who were also confined to their homes at that time.

This global reach solidified their status as a band with a universal appeal, bridging geographical boundaries and bringing people together through the power of music and prayer.

The 10th Anniversary Tour will include a special Chanukah service at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS), which will see the group rocking the St John’s Wood sanctuary for the very first time.

The band’s Dan Renak said: “The Friday Night Rock Service invites families of all ages, from babies to bubbas, to join us on this epic journey.

“Our aim is to promote a creative and inspired approach to engaging more people in our Progressive communities on Friday nights. So get ready to rock out with your fellow congregants and be a part of this incredible celebration of music and tradition.

See the flyer to the left for full dates and details of the upcoming tour.

EcoJudaism: Four awards and a cookbook

FOUR Progressive Judaism communities have won EcoSynagogue Awards.

As part of the EcoJudaism project, each partner congregation is invited to complete a comprehensive online Environmental Audit and then look at ways to improve their given score with the assistance of resources and advice.

Every six months, Bronze (40%), Silver (60%) and Gold (80%) Awards are presented to communities that successfully achieve these milestone scores on the audit’s list of environmental actions. Areas that are graded include prayer, lifestyle, buildings, commitment and community engagement.

Silver Awards were won by Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue and Southport and District Reform Synagogue, with Southgate Progressive Synagogue and Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community gaining Bronze.

Southgate’s Jane Greenfield told lj today: “To become an EcoSynagogue was really important for Southgate and also a bit of a challenge.

“There were a few changes that I felt could be made without huge expense so we set about this - for instance swapping our kiddush glasses to plant-based and using tablecloths that can be washed rather than non-recyclable plastic ones.

In search of Hans

By Tony Gardiner

I AM researching a fitting memorial to Hans Woyda (1928-1981), who arrived in Streatham Hill, aged 10, in 1939. His father Bruno (1900-1968) was a significant figure in the Berlin Liberal Jewish community. Bruno was interned in Sachsenhausen in 1938, but arranged emigration papers for his family - thanks to Lily Montagu and Rabbi Israel Mattuck.

The family joined the South London Liberal Synagogue; later Bruno worked for the World Union for Progressive Judaism. Hans became a remarkable maths teacher (Kingston Grammar School, 1950-1981). He was much more than that. But how much more?

There are few non-mathematical writings to help me fill in the background to his many activities, including with the Streatham Hill United Nations Association, Lambeth Community Relations Council and Society for Jews and Christians. I would be grateful for any pointers readers can provide. Please email anthony.d.gardiner@gmail.com

“Recycling was not in place but having contacted Enfield council, many phone calls later we seem to have this sorted.

“There are many more adjustments that we can make and this we hope to do over the next few months. It’s really about getting everyone on board to make these simple changes both at the synagogue and at home.”

The EcoJudaism programme acts as a framework for an environmental journey, rather than being a one-sizefits-all manual, taking account that every community is different. It is open to all congregations, big or small, and whether they have their own building or not. There are currently 11 Liberal and 15 Reform communities signed up.

We would love to see more communities become EcoSynagogues over the coming year. Please visit www.ecojudaism.org.uk to find out more.

For EcoShabbat, on 1/2 December, EcoJudaism is putting together a digital cookbook titled The Jewish Sustainable Table – All Taste, No Waste

Basing it on Barnet United Synagogue’s Love your Leftovers recipe book, they are looking to expand the project to include Progressive congregations and represent the whole UK Jewish community.

If you have a leftover recipe that is meaningful to you, your family and/or community, especially where there is a Jewish twist, then please send it for submission to andrea@ecojudaism.org.uk

A complete biography for Liberal Judaism founder

A NEW book on Claude G Montefiore, one of the three founders of Liberal Judaism, has been praised by the leaders of our movement.

Entitled Claude Montefiore: Jewish Scholar, Communal Leader, Philanthropist, the book has been researched and written over a number of years by Bryan Diamond, a former Honorary Archivist for both Liberal Judaism and The Liberal Jewish Synagogue. It is available to buy from www.bryandiamond.co.uk

Dr Ed Kessler MBE, the Chair of Progressive Judaism Advisory Board, said: “This is the most detailed biography of the life and thought of Claude Montefiore ever written and the result of many years’ detailed examination of the primary and secondary sources.

“Bryan Diamond is to be congratulated on this study of one of the founders of Liberal Judaism in Britain and pioneer of modern Jewish-Christian dialogue.”

Liberal Judaism Vice President Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein added: “This book is a cornucopia of information about Claude Montefiore, his milieu, his personality and achievements. I learnt so much.”

After the publication of numerous works about Liberal Judaism’s two other founders – Lily Montagu and Rabbi Israel Mattuck – Bryan says he felt “that a new biography of Claude was needed”.

He told lj today: “In 2015, I commenced researching his life from archives, books, journal articles, websites and an interview with his grandson Alan. My wife and I visited his country mansions in Surrey and Hampshire; my inspection of archives required visits to Cincinnati, Jerusalem, Oxford and Southampton. The work was halted by the pandemic, but is now complete and privately published.”

Award winners Edgware and Hendon Reform and Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community

Wessex say ‘thank you’ Gillian

Turning up the volume

WESSEX Liberal Jewish Community (WLJC) has a membership of nearly 80, but does not have a choir. Therefore, it relies on one or two people for music and singing at its services. Recent deaths and illness have highlighted how precarious this situation is.

A SPECIAL Shabbat service was held at Wessex Liberal Jewish Community (WLJC) to thank Gillian Dawson for her many contributions over the years.

WLJC Chair Russell Vandyk recounted how Gillian was a key player in the creation of the community back in 2010 – including securing the involvement of then Liberal Judaism CEO Rabbi Danny Rich and Chair Simon Benscher – and the appointment in 2014 of Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel. She also enabled WLJC to join the Jewish Joint Burial Society (JJBS) and have their own consecrated burial ground at Kinson Cemetery.

Celebrating all Gillian has achieved, as she stands down from the WLJC Council,

Russell said: “It would be impossible to list everything she has done but certain achievements stand out – our contribution with other faith communities to the purchase of a house for refugees, Gillian’s tireless work to support and develop the children in our community, and of course the impressive book celebrating the first 10 years of Wessex.

“We want to say a huge thank you for everything you have done for us, Gillian, and we look forward to seeing much of you in the future as an active member.”

Russell and Rabbi Miri Lawrence – who took over as the congregation’s minister earlier this year – then presented Gillian with cards and a pottery Shabbat plate.

To tackle the problem, the community applied for, and were successful in gaining, a grant from the NLPS Trust for Progressive Judaism to purchase a tablet and two speakers.

This enables WLJC to have music and singing at services, even if the members who lead the songs are not present.

Another benefit is that WLJC can remember recently deceased members, whose singing was recorded before their deaths (permission is given for use of all the music stored on the tablet).

It will also allow the congregation to have High Holy Days music prepared for this year, which could include the blowing of the Shofar.

WLJC is extremely grateful to the NLPS Trust for their generosity in facilitating the purchase of this equipment, which is now in use at every service.

BEAUTIFUL sunshine and a lovely setting added their magic to a wonderful garden party for the regulars of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue’s Learning with Texts class.

Each Shabbat morning the group, facilitated by Michael Romain, discuss a topic stimulated by carefully chosen source material and a shared passion for questioning and learning.

A strong community has been formed with attendance continuing even throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Indeed, the dedication has been so remarkable that Liberal Jewish Synagogue members join the group regularly from as far afield as America, France and the Netherlands thanks, in no small part, to the invaluable technical help of David Hertz.

To mark the end of term, and the contributions of all those that have led classes, Effie and Michael Romain hosted the group in their delightful haven in St John’s Wood. Class members brought dishes to accompany the usual wide-ranging discussions.

To find out more about the Learning with Texts class, please email Michael on romain@netgates.co.uk

Gillian Dawson (left) receives a thank you gift from Rabbi Miri Lawrence and Russell Vandyk

Bedfordshire batmitzvah is an ‘incredible’ blessing

International summer lunch

MEMBERS of Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community (3CLJC) and St Lawrences Church united with asylum seekers living in a Gloucestershire hotel to put on a joint international summer lunch - after first getting to know each other on Mitzvah Day.

Speaking about the special event, 3CLJC’s Mark Walton said: “The hotel residents’ enthusiasm, commitment and organisational skills were tremendously impressive from the outset. They were very excited to be given the opportunity to plan the day and come up with a menu of dishes featuring freshly cooked food, to break away from the regime of precooked ready meals that are the mainstay of their diet currently.

“The day itself was an overwhelming success, with over 50 hotel residents attending with their children from countries including Iran, Honduras, El Salvador, Nigeria, Albania and Ukraine.”

BEDFORDSHIRE Progressive Synagogue (Rodef Shalom) celebrated the adult batmitzvah of Chiara Mitchell-Middleton –the community’s first for almost 20 years. Chiara is a Jew by choice, who converted through Liberal Judaism, and joined the Bedfordshire community around nine years ago.

She said: “I feel so incredibly blessed and uplifted to have been able to take part in such an important mitzvah as the public reading of the Torah. It has inspired me to carry on learning, which I believe is a life-long commitment.”

The service was held in the home of members Rachel and James Hodgeson.

It was led by Bedfordshire chair David Young, who also taught Chiara her batmitzvah portion.

He said: “It has been an absolute pleasure teaching Chiara. There is a huge benefit from having a bar/batmitzvah as an adult, especially for those who are Jews by choice, as well as women from traditional backgrounds and others in the community who did not have the chance when they were younger.”

Bedfordshire’s only other adult ceremony took place 19 years ago when Naomi Fellerman had her batmitzvah, after not having the opportunity to do so as a teenager.

Liberal Judaism’s 2023 Annual Memorial Services will take place on the following dates:

Sunday 3 September at 11am: Western Cemetery Cheshunt

Sunday 10 September at midday: JJBS Cemetery Cheshunt

Sunday 10 September at 1.30pm: Edgwarebury Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Aaron Goldstein

Sunday 10 September at 3.15pm: Golders Green Crematorium, officiated by Rabbi Aaron Goldstein

Registration is not required.

Members of the group started cooking from 9.30am and an extensive buffet was provided including South American pupusas, Kurdish naan bread, homemade hummus, a range of salads, burgers and sausages. Fresh fruits included mangos, melons, watermelons, pineapple, and strawberries. Ice cream was donated by Marshfield Farm.

Another of the group’s suggestions was to have a selection of secondhand clothes available for people to take away – amassing a sizeable collection of generously donated items, including a large number of children’s clothes, which were much appreciated by the visitors.

An arts and crafts table kept the children occupied while face painting also proved popular with the younger guests.

Mark added: “The food provided the opportunity to share a meal with our guests and hear about the reasons they had left their homelands, the people they had left behind, the frustrations they have and their hopes for the future.

“One little girl was heard to say, ‘I love it here, I don’t want to go’ - bringing home how these children are unnaturally confined in cramped hotel rooms.”

The afternoon rounded off with music from Joel Questle and a thank you to GARAS (Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers) for its ongoing support and advice in helping to arrange the event.

Volunteer Pat Wakeley said: “It was great to be involved and the day was a real eye opener. What an honour to meet such brave and warm people.”

Chiara Mitchell-Middleton celebrates her batmitzvah with Bedfordshire Chair David Young

Remembering those who served

“The event was very well organised and professionally managed - and a wonderful tribute to our Armed Forces.”

An AJEX Annual Service of Remembrance, held at the Jewish War Memorial at Willesden Jewish Cemetery, also had Progressive Jewish involvement.

Rabbi Nathan Godleman of the South London Liberal Synagogue read a psalm at the ceremony, and also led prayers at the Liberal Jewish Cemetery War Memorial. He is a new-entry Chaplain in the Royal Naval Reserve; part of a drive towards multifaith chaplaincy in HM Armed Forces.

Liberal Jew at the Cathedral

By Alison Turner

PAUL Hyams, a member of The Ark Synagogue and Lincolnshire Jewish Community, represented Liberal Judaism at the AJEX Service of Commemoration at the National Memorial Arboretum, held as part of Armed Forces Week.

Several wreaths were laid, including commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and the 70th anniversary of the end of fighting in The Korean War. Paul had the honour of laying a wreath remembering the 80th anniversary of the Dambusters Raid.

He said: “I was very proud to take part in this commemoration, having served 31 years in the RAF and as a member of AJEX together with the other veterans, relatives, members of AJEX and serving Jewish military personnel.

He said: “It felt very good to mark the AJEX commemoration for the first time on the grounds of the Liberal Jewish Synagogue’s cemetery at its own Grade II-listed War Memorial, where a sizeable and religiously diverse group gathered. It was a privilege to represent Liberal Judaism, Progressive Judaism and the Royal Navy.”

The event was followed by words from Robert Voss CBE CStJ – Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, honorary Patron of AJEX and a member of The Ark – about the importance of remembrance.

EARLIER this year, I addressed the senior school assembly of Hereford Cathedral School… held in the Cathedral itself.

I spoke about lifelong learning, starting with my own schooldays when they said that the world was changing so fast they could not possibly teach us everything we needed to know. Instead, they taught us how to find things out and how to evaluate your sources, useful for life and central to my career as an information professional and Liberal Judaism’s Archivist.

I told how Liberal Judaism began by having Kabbalat Torah ceremonies at age 15/16, rather than bar/barmitzvah. Though the latter have now been reintroduced, youngsters are encouraged to stay on for Kabbalat Torah too. This is because those who finish learning about Judaism at 13 years old miss out on so much - such as Jewish mysticism.

I finished with the seven blessings from our Shabbat morning service as a good start to any day and an honour to recite in the Cathedral. It was a privilege to pray in such an exalted space and introduce others to our worship and history.

LJ Vice Presidents celebrate 155 years

Paul Hyams at the Armed Forces Week event

Chaplain Nathan Godleman

A SPECIAL service took place at The Ark Synagogue as Emeritus Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein and Sharon Goldstein celebrated their birthdays… totalling 155 years. The couple are both Vice Presidents of Liberal Judaism and the celebration was conducted by their son, Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, with the music led by their daughter, Ruth Colin. Rabbi Dr Tony Bayfield, Rabbi Dr Charles Middleburgh and Rabbi Nancy Morris co-led, preached and leyned during the service. Mazel tov!

Honeycomb 5784

IT is a very busy and exciting time for the Honeycomb Project, the joint care initiative of Liberal and Reform Judaism. Here is some of what we have coming up:

High Holy Days Interactive Virtual Services: The Honeycomb Project is excited to partner with Rabbi Judith Levitt and Abraham and Sarah’s Tent to offer additional interactive virtual services this Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Abraham and Sarah’s Tent is a welcoming inclusive online community for Progressive Jews – or those exploring their relationship with Judaism – in the UK and around the world.

These services are free and open to all who are interested. They are an addition to what each community is already doing, providing a space for those who are unable to attend in person to also have an opportunity to participate in the service.

Best Practice Card: We have created a template for best practices for when doing deliveries for the synagogue, providing a general short guide of what to do when arriving at someone’s home. We want to highlight the information of what to do if a person witnesses something they are concerned about and who to contact. Through the template, you will be able to add the correct contact information and add any additional information you would like to.

Stories for Life - Share Your Story: We are partnering with Stories for Life, giving community members the opportunity to record their life stories and memories for their loved ones. Stories for Life connects people with trained biographers to tell their life story which will be audio recorded and processed by a professional audio engineer. The recordings are for personal use only, and will not be saved by any of the organisations connected to this project. As a charity, this service is offered free of charge by Stories for Life. This is a really remarkable way to allow people to share and preserve their life stories and history - helping them to create something that they are able to share with their family and loved ones.

Bereavement Support Training: Our free bereavement support training course, led by Bobbi Riesel and Bette Fraser of Bereavement Care, takes place this November/December at East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue.

To find out more about any of these wonderful initiatives, please email honeycomb@liberaljudaism.org

Meet the new class at LBC

LEO Baeck College (LBC) will welcome five new students onto its rabbinical programme in September 2023. From an eclectic mix of backgrounds, LBC’s latest cohort includes a molecular biologist, an artist activist and a former civil servant who is also a professional musician.

LBC is a pre-eminent institution of Jewish scholarship and learning. The overwhelming majority of Liberal and Reform Judaism rabbis in the UK, and many abroad, trained at LBC.

Students spend five years at the College training for the rabbinate. The depth and intensity of the programme is a reflection of the centrality of the College in the life of the Progressive Jewish world in the UK and Europe. College Principal Rabbi Dr Deborah Kahn-Harris said: “Progressive Judaism and our communities across the UK and beyond should feel reassured that world class rabbinic training and continuity for our future generations continues to go from strength to strength. This is a particularly exciting time for the College as we prepare to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the first ordination of openly LGBTQI+ rabbis in Europe.”

Here we introduce you to the Leo Baeck College class of 2023:

Rachel Berkson, 44, is a member of Beth Shalom Reform Synagogue, Cambridge. Rachel read Lech Lecha at her batmitzvah and soon after started journeying around northern Europe, pursuing a career in molecular biology. In parallel with a PhD in Scotland, post-doctoral research in Sweden and lecturing at a medical school in England, Rachel spent many years volunteering with small and far-flung Jewish communities. She returned to her hometown of Cambridge in 2017 to work as an education specialist.

Emily Carp, 30, is a proud daughter of the north of England. After graduating from the University of Manchester in 2014 in Middle Eastern studies, she volunteered in an elementary school in Ashdod. Since then, she has worked for a financial services company and Hillel Ontario in Toronto. Emily‘s love for Jewish life stems from growing up at Menorah Synagogue, singing with the choir since she was 12-years-old and holding various community roles over the years. Coming from a family with deep roots in both the Spanish and Portuguese and Reform communities of Manchester, she is particularly enthusiastic about working with Northern communities.

Hava Mirviss-Carvajal (pictured above), 28, was born in New York and raised in London, with Litvak and Conversa heritage. She is one of the roshim of Queer Yeshiva, and is a member of Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue (SWESRS). She is beyond excited to be a humble part of the vibrant future of Jewish life in the UK.

Tim Motz, 36, grew up at Weybridge Reform Synagogue and is now a member of New Stoke Newington Masorti, where he is a trustee and regularly leads services. Tim read German and Hebrew at Oxford, where he wrote about the Buber-Rosenzweig Bible. Tim has trained as a Ba’al Tefillah with the European Academy of Jewish Liturgy and is currently studying at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem. He started his professional career as a civil servant at Defra and the EU Commission, before moving into environmental social enterprise, and most recently in the civil service at gov.uk. He will be studying at the College as a Masorti student.

Dr Jennifer Verson, 55, is a member of Liverpool Reform Synagogue and is passionate about the role of Jewish cultural heritage in peace building. Her doctoral work in this area traced back the migration of Liverpool Reform’s Czech Memorial Scroll and involved working with performance and scriptural reasoning to create new forms of Shoah remembrance. After migrating from Chicago when her daughter was a baby, she began advocating for other migrant and refugee mothers and is the founding member and Artistic Director of Migrant Artists Mutual Aid (MaMa).

LJY-Netzer Israel Tour

A highlight of Israel Tour was the Kabbalat Shabbat at Congregation Kol HaNeshama - a beautiful opportunity to pray together musically

There was also lots of time to have fun, including in the Mediterranean

The current situation in Israel and the fight for democracy and civil rights were a key component of Tour this year. Our LJY members met with LGBTQI+, women’s, Druze and Arab groups - including this opportunity to get to know Arab teenagers of their age in Galilee

The group explored Israel from top to bottom, including a tour of the old city of Jerusalem with its Jewish, Christian and Muslim heritage

Tour and Kayitz in pictures

A

Contact LJY-Netzer: Mia Bogod (m.bogod@liberaljudaism.org ), Mia Harris (m.harris@liberaljudaism.org), Hannah Gellman (h.gellman@liberaljudaism.org) and Director of Youth - Rebecca Fetterman (r.fetterman@liberaljudaism.org)

LJY-Netzer members just before jetting off for Kayitz Sepharad - an incredible eight day tour of Andalusia, Spain, for all those in school year 12

In Seville, the group had a wonderful walk around the Maria Luisa Gardens, Plaza de España and Jewish quarter with Rabbi Haim Casas

day in Cádiz, a picturesque port-side town in south western Spain, saw an attempt to use all spare limbs to spell out LJY in the sea

Cordóba brought visits to the synagogue and Casa de Sefarad (Jewish museum), as well as Mezquita - the city’s famous mosque-cathedral

Kayitz ended with the presentation of LJY graduation certificates - as the group completed their final event as chanichimot (participants) and are now at the beginning of their journey as youth leaders

Liberal Judaism congregations

The Ark Synagogue (Northwood and Pinner)

T: 01923 822 592

E: admin@arksynagogue.org

W: arksynagogue.org

Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue

T: 0845 869 7105

E: info@bedsps.org.uk

W: bedfordshire-ps.org.uk

Beit Klal Yisrael (London)

E: admin@bky.org.uk

W: bky.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@bwpjc.org

W: bwpjc.org

Crawley Jewish Community

T: 01293 534 294

Crouch End Chavurah

E: naomi@crouchendchavurah.org

W: www.crouchendchavurah.org

Dublin Jewish 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

Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community

T: 07376 916 920

E: eljc.contact@gmail.com

W: eljc.org.uk

Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community

T: 0131 777 8024

E: info@eljc.org

W: eljc.org

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

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

W: lincolnsynagogue.com

Mosaic Liberal Synagogue (Stanmore)

T: 020 8864 0133

E: office@mosaicliberal.org.uk

W: mosaicliberal.org.uk

Norwich Liberal Jewish Community

E: nljc@liberaljudaism.org

W: norwichljc.org.uk

Nottingham Liberal Synagogue

T: 0115 962 4761

E: info@nottinghamliberalsynagogue.com

W: nottinghamliberalsynagogue.com

Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community

T: 07561 331 390

E: info@pljc.org.uk

W: pljc.org.uk

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: 07377 157 261

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, Herefordshire and Worcestershire)

T: 07900 612 058

E: info@3cljc.org.uk

W: 3cljc.org.uk

Wessex Liberal Jewish Community (Bournemouth)

T: 01202 757 590

E: secretary.wljc@gmail.com

W: wessexliberaljudaism.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

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

Chair Ruth Seager

Deputy Chair Karen Newman Treasurer Leslie Moss Youth Hannah Stephenson

Communities and Social Justice Owen Power Inclusion Alexandra Boyd Strategy Alex Kinchin-Smith

President Rabbi Alexandra Wright Vice Presidents Simon Benscher, Monique Blake, Nigel Cole, Lord (Stanley) Fink, Louise Freedman, Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein, Sharon Goldstein, Jane Greenfield, Lucian Hudson, Dr Edward Kessler MBE, Josie Kinchin, Ann Kirk BEM, Bob Kirk BEM, David Lipman, Frank Maxwell, Baroness (Gillian) Merron, 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 Rebecca Fetterman

Director of Development and Membership Alexandra Gellnick Executive Assistant Tanya Garfield Finance Janet Manderson Lifecycle Administrator Lisa Godsal PR Simon Rothstein Honeycomb Project Coordinator Rabbi Eryn London Archivist Alison Turner

Student Chaplain Rabbi Leah Jordan LJY-Netzer Mia Bogod, Mia Harris and Hannah Gellman