BIENNIAL WEEKEND 29 JUNE - 1 JULY 2018 43
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The Formula for Truly The Truly Progressive Judaism Judaism Progressive
Programme #LJBiennial2018
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ELCOME TO THE LIBERAL JUDAISM BIENNIAL WEEKEND 2018!
WELCOME
The theme for the weekend is ‘Liberal Judaism: The Formula for Truly Progressive Judaism’ and we will explore what makes our movement what it is today.
We are pleased to welcome presenters from both within and outside our movement. They will each help us to explore our Judaism in different ways, from how to implement social justice, to learning about the radical rabbis who have directed us over the years, and how we are able to interpret prayer in a number of different ways. This weekend would not have been possible without the hard work of the Biennial Weekend committee: Phyllis Alden Charley Baginsky Jane Carpenter Ben Combe Debbie Davis Yszi Hawkings Tamara Joseph Sandra Kviat Tom Rich Simon Rothstein Hannah Stephenson Gershon Silins Pete Tobias The committee would like to thank the St Johns Hotel for making us so welcome, the Liberal Judaism staff for helping make our vision come to life, and of course our advertisers and sponsors for supporting this weekend. Don't forget to use the hashtag #LJBiennial2018 when posting about Biennial on social media. I look forward to learning together and seeing you all around the hotel over the weekend.
Rabbi Aaron Goldstein Chair, Biennial Weekend Committee 1
Links between Liberal Judaism communities are crucial to making us a movement that consistently punches above its weight and has significant impact across society.
It promises to be a fantastic weekend, full of inspiring sessions, wonderful presenters and community building.
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WELCOME
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ERIODIC TABLE
We have used the periodic table as our logo, as way of visualising the concept that Liberal Judaism is made up of all its constituent pieces, and each piece works together differently - just like the elements of the periodic table can be combined to create various compounds. The squares of the Liberal Judaism periodic table have three key elements: a number, an element letter and an element name. The numbers and words featured on the “Liberal Judaism” squares (as featured on the front cover) are explained in the margins of this programme.
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OMMUNITY PROJECT
Designed to fit perfectly into the theme for our Biennial Weekend, each community has created their own ‘chemical symbol’ to form an overall periodic table of Liberal Judaism. Liberal Judaism has 43 communities across the UK and Europe. 43
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The ‘chemical symbol’ for each community is decorated with images, words and designs that symbolise their community and what make them unique. The number on each community’s element is the age of that community, showing the development of the Liberal Judaism community over time. All the chemical symbols have been sewn together to create the periodic table of Liberal Judaism and is on display during the Biennial Weekend. 2
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This summary of the schedule provides you with an overview of the weekend including the LJY-Netzer programme and crèche provision.
riday
29 June
16:00 - 17:30 Arrival & Registration 17:30 - 18:00 Meet new people drinks 18:15 - 19:15 Friday night service 19:15 - 21:00 Kiddush followed by Shabbat Dinner 21:00 - 22:00 Oneg
Sa
turday
Hotel Reception
Tempus Bar Park Suite Banbury Suite
21:00 - 23:00 Late night sessions
OVERVIEW
O
VERVIEW
Various
30 June Tempus Restaurant
07:30 - 09:00 Breakfast 09:15 - 10:50 Shabbat Morning Service & Kiddush 11:10 - 12:10 Keynote: Rabbi Danny Freelander 12:15 - 13:30 Session 1
Brueton Suite Various
13:30 - 14:30 Lunch
Brueton Bar / Tempus Restaurant
15:00 - 16:00 Keynote: Gillian Merron
Brueton Suite
16:15 - 17:30 Session 2
Various
18:15 - 18:45 Drinks Reception
Brueton Bar
18:45 - 19:30 Havdallah
Garden by Tempus Bar
19:30 - 21:15 Dinner
Park Suite
21:15 - 22:30 Late night sessions
Various
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Liberal Judaism strives to be the home for everyone’s Jewish story, as you can see from the posters around the hotel sharing different members’ stories.
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OVERVIEW
Su
nday
1 July Tempus Restaurant
07:30 - 09:00 Breakfast 09:00 - 09:40 Shacharit Services 09:45 - 11:00 Session 3
Various
11:45 - 13:00 Session 4
13:00 - 14:00 Lunch
Brueton Bar / Tempus Restaurant
14:00 - 14:30 AGM
Malvern Suite
14:45 - 16:00 Closing Session
Brueton Suite
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JY-Netzer
Youth Programme
The LJY-Netzer youth programme is available for children between 6 and 15 years old.
This summer celebrates 71 years of LJY-Netzer, the Liberal Jewish Youth Movement. 71
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Friday 16:00 - 21:00 Saturday 11:00 - 21:00 Stratford Suite Sunday 10:00 - 16:00
Cr
èche
Full programme including arrangements for meals on page 24
& Baby Listening
Crèche: Available for children under 6 years old. Staffed by qualified DBS-checked personnel. Led by Emma Rich, an OFSTED-registered nanny. Saturday 09:00 - 17:30 Sunday 09:00 - 16:00
Lunch, snacks (fruit etc), squash and water will be provided.
Seminar Room 2
Baby Listening: Available for children who require supervision in the evenings. Friday 19:00 - 21:00 Saturday 19:00 - 22:00
For information please talk to LJ staff at the Information Desk in the Gloucester Foyer.
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Celebrate
life’s special milestones by reflecting your love of Israel.
Buy Israel Bonds as your gift!
What is an Israel Bond? 1
2
3
An Israel Bond is a loan you can make to the State of Israel.
Israel uses the loaned money to help strengthen almost every part of its modern, innovative and diverse economy.
In return for the loan, the State of Israel agrees to pay interest to you, the bondholder, and repay the loan at the end of its term. Like other bonds, investing in Israel bonds puts your capital at risk.
Starting at ÂŁ100
4 Israel bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the State of Israel, which has always made capital and interest payments since the first Israel Bond was sold in 1951. Past performance is not an indicator of future results.
Give the Gift of Israel Bonds! T +44 (0)20 3936 2712 E infoEN@israelbondsintl.com
israelbondsintl.com
When you purchase an Israel bond as a gift, the recipient becomes the bond-holder and will be paid interest and principle by the State of Israel upon the maturity of the term.
SINCE 1951
Your capital may be at risk. This advertisement has been issued by the Development Company for Israel (International) Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and registered in England No. 01415853. This is not an offering, which could only be made by prospectus. Your capital is at risk, the rules under FSMA for the protection of retail clients do not apply. An investment in any of these bonds will not be covered by the provisions of the Financial Services Compensation scheme, nor by any similar scheme. Israel Bonds are intended as a long-term investment as they are not listed or admitted to dealing on any recognised investment or stock exchange nor is there any established secondary market, as a consequence Israel bonds are not readily realisable before their maturity date. DCI (International) Ltd is not the issuer of these bonds, they are issued by the State of Israel. Images, starting left, iStock/FatCamera, iStock/mediaphotos, iStock/FatCamera, iStock/simonkr, iStock/stevenallan
KEY INFORMATION
K
EY INFORMATION & FAQS
Everything you might need to know about the Biennial Weekend.
Finding Your Way Around
You can find a map of the hotel at the back of this programme. In addition, you can ask any LJ or hotel staff for directions as necessary.
The Liberal Judaism Information Desk
When you first arrive LJ staff will be present at the main hotel reception desk to assist you. Liberal Judaism celebrates its radical roots and challenges itself to live up to the ideals of its founders. Find out more on our Radical Rabbis track. 3
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After check in/registration on Friday, the Liberal Judaism Information Desk will be in the Gloucester Foyer. The Information Desk will be staffed by LJ staff, members of the Biennial committee and volunteers during the day.
Shabbat Dinner
If you would like to buy wine for your table, please link your credit card to your room at the main hotel reception desk before dinner.
How does Baby Listening work?
Baby Listening is provided to allow parents to take part in evening activities. There will be DBS-checked baby listeners seated in hotel corridors where families will be staying to ensure children are safe and asleep. Unlike baby sitting, if your child requires assistance beyond simply being put back to bed, the baby listeners will contact you. When you are contacted you must return to your room immediately. If you would like to request Baby Listening for your children or have any questions about about the service please visit the Liberal Judaism Information Desk before Shabbat dinner. 6
KEY INFORMATION
Is there wifi?
There is free wifi available to all attendees. Please use the "St Johns Guest" network. You will need to enter your email address to access the wifi.
I need assistance with my room. Who do I talk to?
If you need assistance with your hotel room or other venue requirements please talk to the hotel staff at the main hotel reception desk.
Can I use the hotel facilities?
We have exclusive use of the hotel, therefore you can use all the hotel facilities (including all tea & coffee stations) free of charge.
Do I have to dress up for services or dinner?
There is no dress code for any part of the Biennial Weekend. There are no seating plans so you are welcome to sit with whomever you like.
Do I need to check out and by what time?
Please check out of the hotel, at the main hotel reception desk, and be out of your room by midday on Sunday 1 July. There is a left luggage room available. Please ask the hotel staff for details.
If you need urgent assistance from Liberal Judaism staff at any time please call 07738 820 660
Liberal Judaism was created by three forward thinking Jews - Lily Montagu, Claude Montefiore and Israel Mattuck.
The leisure centre, which has a gym and swimming pool, is available for attendees to use, free of charge. However, please note that we do not have exclusive use of these facilities over the weekend.
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THE TRACKS In 2017 we joined with Reform Judaism to create the Alliance for Progressive Judaism. This provides an avenue for us to increase our impact within the both the Jewiish and wider communities.
HE TRACKS
USIC music track will explore the role of music in M The our congregations and look at the future of music
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The Biennial Weekend programme has been organised into 10 themed tracks plus our Relational Judaism track.
The tracks reflect the diversity in what Liberal Judaism is and does. They range from music to mission, inclusivity to Israel, and theology to technology. To help guide you through the programme here are short explanations of each track.
in both Liberal Judaism and British jewry. All sessions will be accompanied by our resident pianist, Franklyn Gellnick.
L
ITURGY
This track takes a look at how liturgy develops in Liberal Judaism to be more inclusive and reflective of our values and the world we live in.
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OCIAL JUSTICE
This track, facilitated by Liberal Judaism's social justice worker and Citizens UK staff, will look at different elements of values-based community organising for the purpose of social justice.
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NCLUSIVITY
We are proud to be an inclusive movement and strive to improve. This track looks at both inclusivity theories and techniques, as well as tips for their practical implementation. Featuring Shoshana Bloom, a consultant who is conducting an inclusivity audit of Liberal Judaism. 8
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HEOLOGY
THE TRACKS
A chance to consider the religious beliefs which form the foundation of Liberal Judaism, and how Liberal Jews relate to them.
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ADICAL RABBIS
This track features and honours the rabbis who have shaped the Liberal movement into what we know today and those who continue to push the movement forward.
ISSION In keeping with the theme of our Biennial M Weekend, we will be looking at the purpose and
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ECHNOLOGY
How can we incorporate modern technology into our congregations and Jewish practice? This track considers various technological developments from social media to live streaming.
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REATIVITY
A look at how we can engage with Judaism in creative ways - providing skills and theories for both personal practice and educating others.
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SRAEL
Curated by Carrie Shaw, the Alliance for Progressive Judaism's Israel Desk Coordinator, the Israel track will explore our connection with Israel and features the Israeli organisations we collaborate with. 9
2018 marks 116 years since the founding of the Jewish Religious Union, the organisation we now know and love as Liberal Judaism.
mission of Liberal Judaism, including its place in the wider global Progressive movement.
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RELATIONAL JUDAISM TRACK
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ELATIONAL JUDAISM — PATHS TO PARTICIPATION
Jewish community and identity are built on relationships - relationships with our family and friends, with our congregations, and with our wider Jewish community. Each one-to-one relationship we form is the building block upon which community is built. Community is not about bums in seats, but rather what connects us, whether that be our fears - what keeps us up at night, or our dreams and aspirations - what we long to do. Learning and experiencing Relational Judaism is about sharing our individual stories, creating real relationships, and building our community from within. With these ideas in mind, we are running a Relational Judaism Programme at this year's Biennial Weekend. The aim is to have two members per community: a new member paired with a more ‘seasoned’ member, which will help foster a ‘relational’ chevruta/partnership experience. Participants on this track will connect with each other, other Biennial participants, and with their home community. The track will teach relational community building skills in order to further strengthen participants' relationships and to deepen the Liberal Jewish community as a whole. We are focusing on the experiences of ‘the new member’ as their journey reflects how our communities work on the inside, and can help us create paths of participation so that everyone is involved, feels valued, and does not burn out. Relational Judaism has the potential to create sustainable ways into the community and into a meaningful Judaism for everyone. 10
Please Note: This programme is only open to those who booked for the Biennial Weekend as part of this track.
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ESSIONS
All the sessions for this additional track (except on Sunday morning) have been scheduled outside the main programme so participants are able to attend the main Biennial Weekend programme as well. People Before Programmes: An Introduction to the Concept of Relational Saturday Culture What is Relational Judaism? How do we our communities from transactional 13:30 - 14:30 change to more relational models? Why do our Jewish stories matter? Gloucester 1 Membership as a Journey: Creating Pathways to Participation Saturday What can we learn from a new members' journey into a community? How can we use 17:30 - 18:30 this experience to build relationships across the community and create pathways of participation? Sunday
Storytelling for Justice
[It is strongly recommended that Relational Track participants attend this session from
09:45 - 11:00 the main programme]
Telling Your Story A practical introductory workshop on how to do face-to-face meetings and build 13:00 - 14:00 relationships. Looking ahead - where do we go from here? Sunday
Malvern Suite
Gloucester
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Thank you to The NLPS Trust for helping make the Relational Judaism track possible. 11
RELATIONAL JUDAISM TRACK
The Relational Judaism track is facilitated by Rabbi Sandra Kviat and Charlotte Fischer from Citizens UK.
Leading Israel's Jewish Renaissance Strengthening Israel's Democracy www.reform.org.il/Eng
Wishing you a joyous & meaningful Biennial! We thank the Board of National Officers for Liberal Judaism, the professional staff and all their constituent communities for your solidarity and support in building Progressive Judaism in Israel.
Chairperson
President and CEO
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FULL SCHEDULE — FRIDAY
riday 29 June Hotel Reception
16:00 - 17:30 Check In & Registration 16:45
LJY-Netzer Youth Programme Begins
Meet new people drinks chance to meet people and catch up with old 17:30 - 18:00 A friends from other communities, Liberal Judaism staff and rabbis.
Choir Practice 17:30 - 18:15 If you would like to be part of the Biennial Weekend choir please join us.
Friday Night Kabbalat Shabbat Service immersive, multimedia musical experience 18:15 - 19:15 An following the Shabbat Britannia service which features British Jewish tunes.
Stratford Suite Tempus Bar Park Suite
Park Suite
19:15 - 21:00 Kiddush followed by Shabbat Dinner
21:00 - 22:00
Oneg Shabbat
A musical celebration of Shabbat with musicians and song leaders from across our movement.
Banbury Suite
Board / Card Games with Student Rabbis
Brueton Bar
Cocktails & Conversion
Everything you ever wanted to know or ask about conversion with a very open-minded convert and a rabbi. Bring your questions and a drink of your choice, leave the judgement outside.
Late Night Knitting welcome - come to 22:00 - 23:00 Everyone learn how to knit or show off your skills.
Carrie Shaw & Rabbi Aaron Goldstein
Tempus Bar
Josie Kinchin & Jane Greenfield
Malvern Bar
The full schedule for additional programmes can be found here: Page 24 — LJY-Netzer Youth Programme Page 10 — Relational Judaism Track 13
Liberal Judaism is part of an ongoing conversation from the time of the Bible to today, which connects us to our history and provides direction for our future.
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FULL SCHEDULE — SATURDAY This year's Biennial Weekend is Liberal Judaism's 35th official residential gathering of members from around the world. 35
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Sa
turday 30 June
07:00 - 09:00 Morning Run
Hotel Reception
07:30 - 09:00 Breakfast
Tempus Restaurant
Meet & Study with Leo Baeck Education 08:15 - 09:00 Centre, Haifa Student Rabbi Dahlia Shaham talks about this week's Torah portion - Parasha Balak.
Shabbat Morning Service the new Shabbat morning service, led 09:15 - 10:50 Experience by its creators - Rabbis Elli Tikvah Sarah & Lea Mühlstein. Sermon by Reuven Marko.
10:50 - 11:10 Kiddush
Packwood Suite Brueton Suite Brueton Bar
Keynote: The Two Dannys - Rabbi Danny 11:10 - 12:10 Freelander in conversation with Rabbi Danny Rich Transformative Effects of Presentational & Participatory Music on a Congregation
Explore prayers in our Shabbat liturgy, through different lenses, including choral, solo, prayer mode and participatory versions, and see how varying musical interpretations can transform the same text in different ways.
Brueton Suite
Rabbi Danny Freelander, Cantor Gershon Silins & Ruth Colin
Malvern Suite
Rabbis Lea Mühlstein & Elli Tikvah Sarah
Packwood Suite
Charlotte Fischer, Barbara Winton & Benjamin Abiles
Warwick 1
Introducing a New Liturgy for the 21st Century
The co-editors of the new draft Shabbat morning service will introduce the booklet, which Session One marks the first stage in the production of a new Liberal 12:15 - 13:30 Judaism siddur, explain the thinking behind it and show participants how it works.
'Sanctuary Sukkot' & the 80th Anniversary of the Kindertransport
Our synagogues have a proud record of taking action for refugee rights by holding 'Sanctuary Sukkot' actions. Hear from Barbara Winton, the daughter of Sir Nicholas Winton, about how your synagogue can mark the 80th anniversary of the Kindertransport this year and by taking action to secure a permanent legacy of welcome for child refugees in the UK.
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Using text and discussion this session will explore what we really mean by inclusion. Why are we still grappling with it in 2018? Is it just a buzzword or can we really make the changes necessary to work towards full meaningful inclusion of marginalised groups? How we can work together to explore our spaces and approaches.
Is Contemporary Liberal Jewish Theology Sustainable or Even Desirable? What Could a Future Liberal Jewish Theology be?
What is theology? Is it Jewish? What is Liberal Judaism's theology? Should Liberal Judaism have one theology or many? What are the issues confronting a sustainable and future Liberal Judaism theology? What is / might be Liberal Judaism's contribution to 21st century theology?
Session One How Mussar can Move Your (Continued) Community Toward Becoming a Kehillah 12:15 - 13:30 Kedosha How can a 1000 year-old Jewish spiritual and ethical tradition transform the life of a rabbi and her community? Rabbi Mayer will share how Mussar has transformed her rabbinic work and can help you facilitate change in communities as well.
Shoshana Bloom
Rabbi Drs Judith Rosen -Berry & René Pfertzel
Gloucester
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Gloucester
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Rabbi Monique Mayer
Warwick 2
Reuven Marko & Yszi Hawkings
Brueton Suite
Jess Baker
Seminar 4
What Drives Lay Leadership?
In this session the Chair of the IMPJ will discuss his motivations for leading the Israeli Progressive movement. Reuven will talk about how he brings his extensive experience in the field of technology and management into his lay leadership roles and communities.
Making Hashtags Count
We've all seen and supported slogans from the Ice Bucket Challenge to #blacklivesmatter. If you shared those links but didn't do anything to follow up, then this session is for you. It's an opportunity to understand how powerful technology can be and how to utilise it.
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FULL SCHEDULE — SATURDAY
How Inclusive Are We?
FULL SCHEDULE — SATURDAY
Kitchen Stories
Session One (Continued) 12:15 - 13:30
The Kitchen Stories is an intergenerational food project that collects the stories and rituals around food through recorded interviews. The project explores how food contributes to a sense of collective identity, particularly in diaspora families. Collecting these stories through audio recording, this participant led project supports interactions and conversations between elders and younger members of families or communities.
Danielle Oxenham
Drawing Room
Carrie Shaw & Joe Ozer
Banbury Suite
Economics, Jewish Values and the Bonds Between Us
From humble beginnings to start up nation to an economic powerhouse - Israel is unique for only being 70 years young. Joe, alongside Liberal Judaism's Israel Desk Coordinator Carrie Shaw, will dive into the uniqueness of Jewish economics.
Grab & Go - Brueton Bar Seated - Tempus Restaurant
13:30 - 14:30 Lunch
Relational Judaism Workshop 1 Before Programmes: An 13:30 - 14:30 People Introduction to the Concept of Relational Culture
Gloucester
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14:30 - 15:00 Tea & Coffee Gillian Merron in conversation 15:00 - 16:00 Keynote: with Rabbi Charley Baginsky
Brueton Suite
16:00 - 16:15 Tea & Coffee Sing A New Song: Cantors in Liberal Judaism
What is a cantor? What do they do? What is the difference between a cantor and a rabbi? How can a Cantor reflect a synagogue’s mission through music? This session will answer all of your pressing Cantorial questions, and will explore the Session Two dynamic relationship between the Liberal movement and its 16:15 - 17:30 music. Bring your voices!
Cantors Gershon Silins & Tamara Wolfson
Packwood Suite
Rabbis Janet Burden & Alexandra Wright
Warwick 2
Creating New Translations
Can English ever capture the nuances and reflect the poetry of prayer book Hebrew? How do we balance between the literal and figurative? Rabbis Burden and Wright talk about translating our prayers afresh for our new siddur and compare alternatives.
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How can we strengthen and support the social justice work of our synagogues? Drawing inspiration from the work of Just Congregations and the Religious Action Centre, a discussion on how we can build a movementwide strategy for justice and take coordinated action with national impact.
Liberal Judaism: Pioneers of Inclusion?
Liberal Judaism has always thought of itself as an inclusive movement that pushes the boundaries to ensure we welcome all. However, is this the whole story? Is there more we could be doing? How can we learn from each other? Come to this session and challenge us to do more.
Who or What do Liberal Jews Believe In?
Do Liberal Jews believe (literally or symbolically) in the personal or ethical monotheism? Is Session Two God theological pluralism legitimate (Continued) within Liberal Judaism? Should Liberal Judaism try to delineate 16:15 - 17:30 acceptable theological limits? Can a Liberal Jew be an atheist?
Radical Rabbis
Liberal rabbis have a responsibility to live up to the legacy of the radical rabbis of its past. A selection of rabbis from across our community and movement explain how they are living up to their heritage, and how our history drives their present and future.
The Epikouros vs The Believer, Elisha ben Abuyah & Rabbi Meir
Liberal Judaism has always held many different voices within the movement. Explore this challenge is more poignant now than ever from both insider and outsider perspectives.
Charlotte Fischer & Tamara Joseph
Brueton Suite
Panel:
Shaan Knan, Rabbi Richard Jacobi & Ellie Lawson
Rabbi Drs Judith Rosen-Berry & René Pfertzel
Warwick 1
Gloucester
2
Panel:
Rabbis Danny Rich, Anna Gerrard, Elli Tikvah Sarah & Pete Tobias
Banbury Suite
Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein & Andrew Keene
Gloucester
Student Rabbi Igor Zinkov
Seminar 4
1
Skyping the Rabbi
How to be a modern Jewish community in the era of internet and social media? Live streaming of services is already a norm within Progressive world. What about taking a step further and Skyping a service leader in?
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FULL SCHEDULE — SATURDAY
Building a Movement Strategy for Justice
FULL SCHEDULE — SATURDAY
How do we tell our hardest stories?
Session Two (Continued) 16:15 - 17:30
Traditionally stories have a beginning, a middle and an end... but what if they don't? How do we deal with stories that make us feel embarrassed, uncomfortable or even ashamed by their presence in Judaism? Is it possible to keep making them engaging and interesting rather than avoiding them altogether? This session will focus on structure, analysis techniques and age appropriateness.
Abi Symons
Drawing Room
Anna Kislanski
Malvern Suite
Opening the Gates: Connecting with Israel's Progressive Jewish Growth Anna will discuss the meteroric rise in the number of Progressive communities in Israel (they have doubled in the last decade) and look at how people-to-people engagement can build bridges that can help those on both sides.
17:30 - 18:15 Free Time Relational Judaism Workshop 2 17:30 - 18:30 Membership as a Journey: Creating Pathways to Participation
Gloucester
18:15 - 18:45 Drinks Reception
Brueton Bar
Havdallah musical close to Shabbat, created and led by 18:45 - 19:30 A the LJY-Netzer leaders and youth programme
Gardens by Tempus Bar
Dinner 19:30 - 21:00 Featuring performances by our Biennial's Got
Park Suite
participants.
Talent winners.
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Book Club
Discuss The Periodic Table by Primo Levi - everyone welcome no matter how much or how little of the book you have read.
Yiddish Singalong 21:15 - 22:30
An interactive session where you can listen to and learn yiddish songs from throughout history.
Sandra Webber
Packwood Suite
Rabbi Mark Solomon
Gloucester
Film Screening
An award-winning Israeli drama. (Mostly in English with some subtitles)
Meet the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism A relaxed chat with leaders of the IMPJ - our Israeli sister movement - about their experiences of creating Progressive Jewish spaces in Israel.
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Banbury Suite Tempus Bar
Su nday 1 July 07:30 - 09:00 Breakfast
Tempus Restaurant
07:30 - 08:00 Morning Run
Hotel Reception
Shacharit Option 1:
Rabbi Rebecca Birk
Packwood Suite
Rabbi Monique Mayer & Student Rabbi Nathan Godleman
Banbury Suite
An alternative, interactive service which promises to be nothing like something you would have experienced before!
Rabbi Pete Tobias
Malvern Suite
Shacharit Option 4:
LJY-Netzer & Tammy Rich
Brueton Suite
Shacharit Option 5:
Rabbi Anna Gerrard
Gloucester
Shabbat Britannia: The Workshop!
Phyllis Alden,David Hoffman, Ruth Colin & Cantor Gershon Silins
Packwood Suite
Rabbi Mark Solomon
Warwick
Traditional Liberal Judaism Shacharit service.
Shacharit Option 2:
Contemplative, reflective & meditative service.
09:00 - 09:40 Shacharit Option 3:
A musical, family-friendly service incorporating LJY-Netzer songs and creative readings. Prayer through movement.
More British-composed, homegrown music to discover and take away to your community. Including a discussion about how new Jewish music is created and why.
Session Three
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God(dess?) Language: From Masculine Hebrew to an Inclusive Siddur
We will focus on passages in the new draft Siddur where the 09:45 - 11:00 Hebrew has been rewritten in feminine gender. In a language with no neutral gender, how do we achieve inclusivity? How does feminising the Hebrew affect the feel and vocabulary of prayer? Above all, how do we refer to God and humanity in a gender that has traditionally been regarded as exclusively relating to women? Come and explore these subtleties. (Basic Hebrew knowledge would be helpful).
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FULL SCHEDULE — SUNDAY
FULL SCHEDULE — SUNDAY
Storytelling for Justice
Why is our book of law a book of stories? What is the role of stories in moving people to action and in justice campaigns? How do you tell a good story and what effect does it have? Hear stories of Jewish justice, learn to tell your own, and discover how to develop a story of justice for your synagogue.
Charlotte Fischer & Tamara Joseph
Malvern Suite
Shoshana Bloom
Warwick 1
Rabbi Dr Judith Rosen -Berry & Rabbi Lea Mühlstein
Gloucester
Rabbi Dr Charles Middleburgh
Drawing Room
Rabbi Danny Freelander
Banbury Suite
Lauren Keiles
Seminar 4
It Ain't What You Say, Its the Way That You Say It
There are many ways to approach the meaningful inclusion of people with learning disabilities into our communities. One great way is by using Makaton signs and symbols. In this (very) interactive and fun session, we will learn some basic signs and further our inclusion journeys.
The (Im)/possibility of Liberal Jewish Theology Session Three (Continued) 09:45 - 11:00
What can the modern Liberal Jew say about God? What role might struggle play in Liberal Jewish belief/non-belief? What part does the unspeakable and unsayable play in Liberal Jewish theology? How does our liturgy reflect our theology and politics?
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Leo Baeck College & The Future Rabbinic Leaders of Liberal Judaism Looking at rabbinic trends and training as we move into the 2020s. What challenges will face future rabbis and how can they best be prepared academically, intellectually, spiritually, practically and pastorally to face them.
A Challenge to Liberal Jews
Hear more about Rabbi Freelander's call to Liberal Jews to lead the Progressive world towards a more inclusive and open Judaism, which he presented in his keynote earlier today and in Jerusalem last May.
From the Lightbulb to the Launch
A practical step-by-step guide on taking your lightbulb idea through to the launch of a community-wide campaign. Demonstrating how technology can educate and mobilise others.
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Session Three (Continued)
The choreography of Jewish prayer and the rituals of Passover and Havdallah encourage us to experience spirituality through more than just our voices and ears. This movement workshop we will be creating prayer with our bodies, responding to our own sense of meaning transforming the liturgy into physical expression. (No experience or talent needed!)
Rabbi Anna Gerrard
Gloucester
Samia Diab & Student Rabbi Dhalia Shaham
Brueton Suite
Cantor Gershon Silins & Phyllis Alden
Banbury Suite
Rabbi Aaron Goldstein
Gloucester
Tamara Joseph, Tim Finch & Bob Goldsmith
Packwood Suite
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09:45 - 11:00 Shared Society; Progressive Jewish Vision & Achievement in Israel
Learn about what truly shared society in Israel looks like and how you can bring it to your community. Leo Baeck Haifa Educational Centre brings two of their stars to look at the history and future of shared society in Haifa, as well as ideas to help you engage your community.
11:00 - 11:45 Tea & Coffee Inheritance Tracks
What musical elements would you like to hear in our future synagogue services? You are invited to bring a song - an old favourite or something new, on sheet music or something you can hum - to share and inspire our discussion about the music that is such an important aspect of our services.
So What Do You Make of the New Draft Shabbat Morning Service? Session Four 11:45 - 13:00
An opportunity to offer feedback on the draft Shabbat morning service in an open and safe space.
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Practical Action on Liberal Judaism's Values: Community Sponsorship & Refugee Families
Learn how you and your synagogue could directly support the resettlement of a refugee family fleeing the Syrian conflict and help them build a new life through Community Sponsorship. Find out how it works and what it requires; hear from people who have already done it about their experience; and find our what support is available.
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FULL SCHEDULE — SUNDAY
All My Limbs Shall Say, Who Is Like You O God?
FULL SCHEDULE — SUNDAY
From the Biennial to Home - Making Inclusion a Reality We have learnt, shared and created visions of better and greater inclusion together but how do we transition from the Biennial bubble to the "real" world? This session will look at ideas discussed in our sessions and how you make them work in your community.
Shoshana Bloom
Brueton Suite
Rabbi Dr Judith Rosen -Berry & Rabbi Charley Baginsky
Malvern Suite
The Student Rabbis
Warwick 2
Ben Combe
Drawing Room
Kathryn Michael
Warwick 1
The Missionary Position
Session Four (Continued)
Taking their lead from Rabbi Alexander Shindler, the former President of the Union of American Hebrew congregations, who was a great proponent of Outreach, and arguably changed the face of American Reform Judaism. This session brings the Mission and Theology tracks together. Shindler argued that in order to have outreach, there must be "inreach" - internal coherence, knowing who we are both theologically and politically. Explore what this coherent Liberal message should be and how we can share it with the world - for our Movement, our congregations and beyond.
In The Student Lounge 11:45 - 13:00 What Do Student Rabbis Talk About When Nobody is Listening?
The Student Lounge is the liveliest place at Leo Baeck College. Students talk about all the major issues affecting the Jewish community. Come and join a no holds barred discussion about what it means to be Jewish in the 21st century.
The Only Thing That Ever Works
In 2018 synagogues, activism campaigns and communities all need and and use social media to organise themselves. Come to this session to learn how to build and engage your community using the social internet.
Creative Memory Keeping
Looking to find a different and creative way to keep and present your memories? In this session you will make a special memory keeper to take home with you. Feel free to bring photos, recipes or items you'd like to use. (No drawing or artistic abilities required).
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Learn more about the Israel Desk and how Carrie - our Israel Desk Coordinator - can help you facilitate sessions, provide 11:45 - 13:00 resources and information about Israel, the Progressive Israeli world, and our relationship to it as Liberal Jews.
Gloucester
2
Grab & Go - Brueton Bar Seated - Tempus Restaurant
13:00 - 14:00 Lunch 13:00 - 14:00
Carrie Shaw
Relational Judaism Workshop 3 Telling Your Story
Gloucester
1
Malvern Suite
14:00 - 14:30 AGM A Home for Your Jewish Story 14:30-16:00
A chance to process what we are taking home from this Biennial Weekend. A session in communities looking at what makes our communities a home for our members' Jewish stories. Thinking about how we can continue to reach out to those who have not yet found a home for their story.
Brueton Suite
We'd like to say a special thank you to Leo Mindel and Jon Fiber. Leo is live streaming our services, keynote sessions and workshops for us all weekend, allowing those who are unable to join us in person to be a part of the Biennial Weekend from afar. Jon has been very generous and lent us various pieces of technology allowing us to make sure our Biennial Weekend has high quality audio and visual provision. 23
FULL SCHEDULE — SUNDAY
Session Four (Continued)
Reconnecting with Israel: New Resources for Liberal Judaism Communities
FULL SCHEDULE — YOUTH
OUTH PROGRAMME LJY-Netzer - the youth movement of Liberal Judaism - is running a fantastic parallel programme for participants aged 6 to 15. Sessions in bold indicate when LJY-Netzer will be joining the main programme.
Y
F
riday 29 June
16:00 - 17:30 Check In & Registration 16:45 - 17:30 Welcome & Get to Know You Games 17:30 - 18:00 Parachute Games
Liberal Judaism dares to create partnerships, innovate with liturgy, seek true egalitarianism and inclusivity. It leads the way for other movements. 193
Da Daring
19:00 - 19:30 Kabbalat Shabbat
Stratford Suite
Tarbut 19:30 - 21:00 Erev A fun evening activity.
Sa
Stratford Suite Tempus Restaurant
18:00 - 19:00 Dinner
Hotel Reception
turday 30 June
09:30 - 11:00 Shacharit Service
Brueton Suite
11:00 - 12:00 Performance Preparation
Stratford Suite Tempus Restaurant
12:00 - 12:45 Lunch 12:45 - 13:30 Making Memories with Kathryn Michael is LJY-Netzer? 13:30 - 14:30 What Learn a little bit about LJY-Netzer and what it is.
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Stratford Suite
Stratford Suite
15:30 - 16:30 Outside Games
Gardens by Tempus Bar
16:30 - 17:30 Havdallah Preparation
Stratford Suite
experienced before!
Tempus Restaurant
17:30 - 18:30 Dinner 18:30 - 19:00 Final Preparations for Havdallah Havdallah 19:00 - 19:30 LJY-Netzer will lead a musical havdallah for everyone at Biennial.
Erev Tarbut 19:30 - 21:00 A fun evening activity including a performance
during dinner for all of the Biennial attendees.
Gardens by Tempus Bar
Stratford Suite
Su nday 1 July 09:00 - 10:00 Musical, Family Friendly Service
Brueton Suite Gardens by Tempus Bar
10:00 - 11:00 Wide Game Jews Around the World about Jews from near and far - a sneak 11:00 - 12:00 Learn peek into our Theme of the Year 'Minorities within Minorities'.
Stratford Suite
12:00 - 12:30 Outside Games
Gardens by Tempus Bar
12:30 - 13:15 Lunch
Tempus Restaurant
Talking Collaboration with Samia Diab & 13:15 - 14:15 Student Rabbi Dahlia Shaham from Leo Baeck Education Centre, Haifa Science Kef 14:15 - 15:15 A fun session making lots of things that are sure to
Stratford Suite
make you say wow!
15:15 - 16:00 A Home for Your Jewish Story
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Leo Baeck College has ordained 193 Progressive rabbis who lead communities around the world.
Stratford Suite
FULL SCHEDULE — YOUTH
Seudah Extravaganza 14:30 - 15:30 Celebrate Shabbat with a seudah like you've never
193
Brueton Suite
Da Daring
MONTAGU NIGHTS CELEBRATING TU B'AV An evening about the Jewish festival of love and how it fits into our 21st century lives 26 July 7-9pm Montagu Centre, London RSVP: c.baginsky@liberaljudaism.org
PRESENTERS
P
RESENTERS
Find out more about our amazing presenters. Most of them will be around all weekend so you're able to chat with them at any time even if you can't attend their session(s). BENJAMIN ABILES
Benjamin Abiles arrived in the UK on the Kindertransport in 1939. He became a physicist. His research at Princeton led to the technology used to power space probes like the Voyager spacecraft. “My mother took me to the office to get on the Kindertransport. I now get to step into her shoes and help another child get safe passage.”
PHYLLIS ALDEN
Phyllis is a semi-retired consultant clinical psychologist who specialised in oncology and trauma. She has always loved music, particularly singing and still goes to voice lessons. She has composed music since she was a child. Other interests include painting, reading and Liberal Judaism.
RABBI CHARLEY BAGINSKY
Rabbi Charley has been involved with the Liberal Jewish movement since childhood - as both a youth leader with LJY-Netzer and an educator. She is now Director for Strategy and Partnerships for the movement. Charley was rabbi at Kingston Liberal Synagogue for 10 years before joining South Bucks Jewish Community in 2016. She is the mother of three bimah babies.
JESS BAKER
Jess discovered her love for Liberal Judaism at 11, social action at 13 and leading at 15. At 17 she was described in the Jewish News as "fiercely ideological" and at 19 her greatest passion is Tikkun Olam. She lives this out through her work with Citizens UK, LJY-Netzer, in Calais, and most recently interning for René Cassin.
RABBI REBECCA BIRK
Rebecca has been the rabbi of Finchley Progressive Synagogue for 71/2 years. She has grown into the joy and necessity of social justice work through her partnership with Citizens UK. Her proudest moment is persuading Barnet Council to resettle 50 Syrian refgees and welcoming them into Barnet. She loves Jewish lifecycle events and how they mark and ameliorate our lives.
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Liberal Judaism supports Israel and strives to help make it the best it can be. This includes creating an Israel Desk to provide education and resources as well as holding the Government to account for its actions.
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Is Israel
PRESENTERS
SHOSHANA BLOOM
Shoshana created LivLuv to support the meaningful Jewish inclusion of people with learning disabilities. She provides consultancy, Makaton courses, bespoke accessible Jewish and Jew-ish materials as well as mentoring, resources and leadership development for adults with learning disabilities. Shoshana is a global Limmud trustee and a Schusterman Fellow.
RABBI JANET BURDEN
Rabbi Janet was born and educated in the USA but has chosen to make Britain her home. She was ordained by Leo Baeck College in 2002. Janet came to the rabbinate from a background of social activism and remains committed to the prophetic vision of global justice. She is Liberal Judaism's rabbinic advisor on issues of social justice and is the rabbi at Ealing Liberal Synagogue.
RUTH COLIN
Ruth is a music teacher and director of the choir at Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue. She has been working on creating the NPLS Online Music Library to preserve and share our Liberal Jewish music. The resource is available to all Liberal Judaism congregations by contacting music@npls.org.uk.
BEN COMBE In 2018 Israel celebrated its 70th birthday, for which we proudly hosted events celebrating Progressive Israel. 70
Is Israel
Ben Combe is a student and youth leader with LJYNetzer. He has helped organise the 'Kids Court In Conflict' and 'Partners To Peace' campaigns with Yachad Youth and will be an LJY-Netzer Movement Worker in 2018-2019.
SAMIA DIAB
Samia is the Director of the Leo Baeck Community Centre in Haifa, and the first Arab Muslim woman to head a Jewish community centre in Israel. She joined the Leo Baeck Education Centre in 2006 and has successfully fostered development of meaningful shared existence prorammes in Haifa.
REBECCA FETTERMAN
Rebecca - also known as "Becca" - is the Director of Youth at Liberal Judaism. She studied Youth and Community Work at university, completed two years as a Movement Worker for RSY-Netzer, worked with young people in a variety of settings in Norfolk and was a manager in the Buckinghamshire youth service before joining Liberal Judaism.
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Tim is the founding director of Sponsor Refugees. He was an early advocate of introducing sponsorship when working with Citizens UK on the refugee crisis in 2015-2016. A former director of communications at the Refugee Council and head of migration research at the think tank IPPR, he is the founding chair of the migration and arts charity, Counterpoints Arts.
CHARLOTTE FISCHER
Award-winning organiser Charlotte works for Citizens UK as the Senior Community Organiser with the Jewish community. She has been working with Liberal Judaism for 5 years. She grew up in South London and studied politics at Oxford. She is a dual national and spent two years as the executive director of the South African Religious Action Centre.
RABBI DANNY FREELANDER
Rabbi Danny serves as president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism. A gifted musician and keen observer of the North American Jewish scene he is well known for lecturing on trends in Reform synagogue life. Together with Jeff Klepper he has composed dozens of popular Jewish melodies including 'Shalom Rav' and 'Lo Alecha'.
FRANKLYN GELLNICK
Franklyn gained his music degree in 1991 before completing his PhD. In 1999 he was appointed examiner to the Asssociated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, where he began to train examiners in 2010. He has accompanied synagogue services and directed choirs since the age of 15, at Finchley Progressive and Hendon Reform Synagogues.
RABBI ANNA GERRARD
Rabbi Anna was ordained in July 2011 by Leo Baeck College, having spent half her studies in Jerusalem at Hebrew Union College, Conservative Yeshiva and Machon Schecter. Anna is Rabbi to Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish Community, mummy to her seven year old son and an aspiring author.
STUDENT RABBI NATHAN GODLEMAN
Nathan was brought up in London, and had a career as a teacher before entering Leo Baeck College. He is a member of Mosaic Liberal Synagogue and sang in the members' choir at the LJS. For the last two years, he has served South London Liberal Synagogue and will continue as its full-time rabbi after his ordination. His MA dissertation was on ceremony in Liberal Jewish worship.
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PRESENTERS
TIM FINCH
PRESENTERS
BOB GOLDSMITH
Bob has a leading role in Muswell Hill Methodist Church's Community Sponsorship Project. His background is in local government, managing and coordinating services at a neighbourhood level in partnership with residents' groups. He is the son of a German-Jewish refugee who arrived in 1939 as a boy from Berlin and he holds a Masters degree in European Jewish History.
RABBI AARON GOLDSTEIN
Rabbi Aaron is Senior Rabbi of Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue, following in his father's footsteps. His motto is to 'Count Jews In, Not Out'. He is currently Chair of The Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors. He and his sister attended Kadimah Summer School, founded by his parents, from birth and he has continued to be involved in Liberal Judaism ever since.
RABBI DR ANDREW GOLDSTEIN
Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein was ordained by Leo Baeck College in 1970 and was rabbi at Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue until his retirment in 2008. He coedited several Liberal Judaism liturgical publications including the current hagaddah and machzor. He was Chair of the European Union for Progressive Judaism and is Vice President & Chair of the European Beit Din.
JANE GREENFIELD
Jane is a dedicated Liberal Jew, and has been a member of Southgate Liberal Synagogue for forty-odd years. She has always enjoyed Liberal Judaism's Biennial, both as part of the team and as an attendee. Jane has always been committed the Leo Baeck Education Centre in Haifa and visits every year.
YSZI HAWKINGS
Yszi grew up at the LJS, joined LJY-Netzer in 1998, and has been involved in LJY-Netzer and Liberal Judaism ever since. She is the Digital Media Consultant for both Liberal Judaism and AgSafeBC, a non-profit in Canada. Yszi recently completed her Masters of Public Health, and in her spare time she is a trustee for Limmud, with responsibility for the technology and logistics portfolio.
DAVID HOFFMAN
A part-time Jewish rock musician, singer and songwriter, David works as a barrister the rest of the time, except when he is busy with Limmud, which he currently chairs. Jointly with Judith Silver, he started Shira Britannia, a collective of British Jewish composers and songwriters, and performs with Judith, Dean Staker and others from time to time.
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Currently rabbi for East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue where he has served since 2007. He is the Head of Vocational Studies at Leo Baeck College where he also teaches. Born into a Liberal rabbinic family, he participated in and led youth activities in the UK and at a US Reform Jewish summer camp, and taught in religion schools before eventually training at Leo Baeck College.
TAMARA JOSEPH
Tamara is the Social Justice worker for Liberal Judaism, a community organiser with Citizens UK and a member of Finchley Progressive Synagogue. Her background is in trade union organising where she worked on collective bargaining and union recognition campaigns in the USA and UK with the American Federation of Teachers and Association of University Teachers.
STUDENT RABBI ELLIOTT KARSTADT
Elliott sees tikkun olam as an integral part of Judaism, and this is a key reason for his involvment with various projects including the Night Shelter at Finchley Progressive Synagogue. He is currently studying to be a rabbi at Leo Baeck College. Before starting at Leo Baeck College he completed a PhD in the history of political thought.
ANDREW KEENE
Andrew is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was an active member of NFTY, the Reform Jewish Youth Movement in North America. He is currently an entrepreneurship student at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Andrew serves as a Trustee for URJ, member of the Executive Board of the WUPJ and represents the WUPJ at the United Nations in New York.
LAUREN KEILES
Lauren is a student at Leeds University and member of LJY-Netzer. She is a Deputy for Liberal Judaism on the Board of Deputies, a National Council member for the Union of Jewish Students and has recently won leadership awards from the World Union of Jewish Students and the UJIA. Lauren is passionate about interfaith, intrafaith and Israeli pop songs.
JOSIE KINCHIN
Josie has been a member of Finchley Progressive Synagogue since childhood. Her grandchildren are fourth generation FPS members. Her working life is teaching and IT support. She ran the synagogue guide company, taught in their cheder and has twice held the role of chairperson. She is currently the honourary secretary.
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PRESENTERS
RABBI RICHARD JACOBI
PRESENTERS
ANNA KISLANSKI
An experienced educator and community buildling specialist who oversees all of the IMPJ's activities in Israel including the Domim project which partners Israeli Reform congregations with counterparts around the world. Anna's attendance at Biennial was generously sponsored by Arzenu UK, the World Zionist Organisation & KKL.
SHAAN KNAN
The founder and manager of the landmark Lottery Heritage funded projects Rainbow Jews, Twilight People and Rainbow Pilgrims, Shaan works for Liberal Judaism and is a campaigner for faith-related LGBTQI+ issues. A proud member of the Stonewall Trans Advisory Group he also works as the Trans Organisation Network Worker for the LGBT Consortium and is a trustee of GIRES.
RABBI SANDRA KVIAT
Ordained in 2011 at Leo Baeck College, Sandra has lived in England for over 10 years. She is part of the rabbinic team at Liberal Judaism and shares her time between Crouch End Chavurah and the Montagu Centre. As Denmark's first female rabbi she continues to work with the Progressive Jewish community in Copenhagen - Shir Hatzafon. She is married to Adam and has two sons.
ELLIE LAWSON
Ellie grew up at the LJS and joined LJY-Netzer for Israel Tour in 2011. She is particularly interested in feminism, LGBTQIA+, education on the refugee crisis and cooking. She is currently a Movement Worker for LJY-Netzer.
SIMON LOVICK
Simon grew up at the LJS and has attended LJY-Netzer summer events every year since 2004, culminating in leading Kayitz in 2016 and becoming a Movement Worker in 2017. In his spare time he enjoys writing, learning to cook and tennis.
REUVEN MARKO
Reuven is serving his second term as Chairperson of the Israel Movement of Reform and Progressive Judaism. He joined Reform activities in Israel in 1969 when his community - Natan Ya - was founded. He has served the congregation in various capacities and reguarly delivers sermons which are published weekly on the Domim-aLike project blog.
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Rabbi Monique received rabbinic ordination from Leo Baeck College and a Master of Education from Harvard. She is a Mussar practitioner, receiving her training from The Mussar Institute. She is also the author of the Liberal Judaism Ba'alei Tefillah programme. She serves Bristol & West Progressive Jewish Congregation, and lives in Cardiff.
GILLIAN MERRON
Gillian joined the Board of Deputies in July 2014 as Chief Executive. She was previously the MP for Lincoln from 1997 to 2010, as well as serving as Minister in several Government departments and as a senior Government whip. She served on the Liberal Judaism Board of National Officers adn remains an active member of Lincoln's Liberal Jewish community.
KATHRYN MICHAEL
Kathryn, an ULPSNYC alumni wants more people to explore their Judaism through assorted crafts - no drawing ability needed. She has taught children at BINOH-Norwood, after school clubs, chederim, rosh chodesh groups and homes for the elderly. She set up Kit's Place as a result of not being able to find any Judaic themed items for her own craft projects.
RABBI DR CHARLES MIDDLEBURGH
Rabbi Dr Charles Middleburgh is Dean and Director of Jewish Studies at Leo Baeck College, where he has taught since 1984. He is also Rabbi Emeritus to the Dublin Jewish Progressive Congregation.
RABBI LEA MUHELSTEIN
Rabbi Lea has been rabbi at Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue since 2013. She is also the international chair of Arzenu - the Federation of Reform and Progressive religious Zionists. In addition to her deep commitment to Zionism she has a great passion for interfaith and social action work as well as world Jewry. She is the co-editor of Liberal Judaism's next prayer book.
DANIELLE OXENHAM
Danielle is passionate about the transactions of food heritage within community and family, and is a budding 'food story' collector. As a founding member of Sadeh farm, she identifies the significance of the journey our food takes from seed to table. Recently trained as an occupational therapist, she sees food as an essential building block of individual and collective identity.
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PRESENTERS
RABBI MONIQUE MAYER
PRESENTERS
JOE OZER
Joe is the Executive Director of European Operations at the Development Company for Israel (International) Ltd, more commonly known as Israel Bonds. Joe has had over fifteen years experience in The City, having gained experience in equities, foreign exchange and fixed income for institutions such as MF Global and Peel Hunt.
RABBI DR RENE PFERTZEL
Rabbi RenĂŠ was born in Strasbourg, France and has been involved in several progressive Jewish communities in France. He was ordained at Leo Baeck College in 2014. He shares his time between Keren Or - the Liberal community in Lyon - and Kingston Liberal Synagogue. RenĂŠ is passionate about text studies, music and anthropology.
STUDENT RABBI ANNA POSNER
Anna has been involved in LJY-Netzer for most of her childhood, eventually becoming a Movement Worker. Raised in Nottingham, she was very active in the local Progressive community. Before joining the rabbinate she completed a degree in religion and worked at Netzer Olami in Jerusalem.
RABBI DANNY RICH
Rabbi Danny has been the senior rabbi and chief executive of Liberal Judaism since 2005 and was rabbi at Kingston Liberal Synagogue for nearly two decades. He is a Justice of the Peace, a chaplain in hospitals and prisons, a President of the Council of Christians & Jews, co-chair of the National Refugees Welcome Board and member of the Council of Imams and Rabbis.
EMMA RICH
Emma grew up in LJY-Netzer and at Kingston Liberal Synagogue. She has over 15 years of childcare experience including seven years as a nanny for children ranging from newborns to ten year olds. Emma is fully qualified in childcare and has up to date extended first aid training and DBS checks.
TAMMY RICH
Tammy is a member of Kingston Liberal Synagogue where she is the director of family music. She has extensive experience of leading services which dates back to her days on Kadimah Summer Camp. Tammy is now a primary school teacher and mother to four grown-up children, all of whom continue to be involved in Liberal Judaism.
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Rabbi Judith completed her doctorate in Theology at King's College London. She worked as a social worker before training for ordination at Leo Baeck College. She was rabbi at Beit Klal Yisrael for many years, where she was trained by Rabbi Sheila Shulman. Rabbi Judith now lives on the Isle of Skye where she has created Black Shed Shul.
RABBI ELLI TIKVAH SARAH
Rabbi Elli has been rabbi of Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue since 2000 and is Liberal Jewish Chaplain at Sussex University. A writer and editor, Elli's publications include Trouble-Making Judaism, Women Rabbis in the Pulpit (co-edited by Rabbi Dr Barbara Borts), and most recently Yism'chu: Celebrating Shabbat. Elli is co-editor of Liberal Judaism's next prayer book.
STUDENT RABBI DAHLIA SHAHAM
Dahlia entered the Israeli Rabbinic Program in 2015 and currently serves as Ohel Avraham Synagogue's Rabbinic Intern. A graduate of Leo Baeck High School herself, she chose to become a rabbi after 15 years of working with Israeli, Palestinian and international NGOs on education and policy initiatives aimed at building bridges between people separated by religion, nationality and ethnicity.
CARRIE SHAW
Carrie is the Coordinator for Britain's Alliance for Progressive Judaism, including the Alliance's Israel Desk. Born in Wisconsin, she has worked in Jewish communities all around America including working with Hillel on campus. Carrie lived in Israel for a year participating on the Tikkun Olam in Tel Aviv-Jaffa MASA programme, and also attended The Pardes Institute.
CANTOR GERSHON SILINS
Gershon trained as a Cantor at Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. He has worked in communities around North America and the UK. He has also taught cantorial studies as well as being an active freelance singer in the worlds of concert and opera. Gershon is currently studying at Leo Baeck College to become a rabbi.
RABBI MARK SOLOMON
Rabbi Mark was born and brought up in Sydney, Australia. He studied for the rabbinate at the Lubavitcher Yeshivah Gedolah (Melbourne), Kfar Chabad (Israel) and Jews' College (London). Having left Orthodoxy and joined Liberal Judaism he completed a Masters in Jewish Studies at Leo Baeck College where he is the Senior Lecturer in Talmud Rabbinics and Jewish philosophy.
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PRESENTERS
RABBI DR JUDITH ROSEN-BERRY
PRESENTERS
DEAN STAKER
Dean is an Australian-born musician and award-winning singer-songwriter who has performed and recorded extensively in Australia, Japan and the UK during a career spanning over 30 years. He is a founding member of the acclaimed 'Shabbat Resouled' band and is a Musician in Residence at Finchley Progessive Synagogue.
HANNAH STEPHENSON
Hannah is currently in her second year of being a Movement Worker for LJY-Netzer. She is a trained Primary School teacher and is passionate about singing, dancing, prayer and education, which have all been encouraged through her LJY-Netzer journey.
ABI SYMONS
Abi is a writer who has a life-long fascination with stories. She has a playwriting masters and worked in the comedy industry as a writer, performer and producer for 8 years. She is an active informal Jewish educator in school settings and loves to learn. If you have a good story, she probably wants to hear it.
STUDENT RABBI LEV TAYLOR
Lev grew up in Reading as a member of Reading Liberal Jewish Community. He has also been part of synagogue communities in Oxford, Barcelona, Istanbul and London. He previously worked in the charity and education sectors before starting at Leo Baeck College in 2017.
RABBI PETE TOBIAS
Rabbi Pete grew up in the Elstree area where he has been rabbi at The Liberal Synagogue Elstree since 2003. He was ordained by Leo Baeck College in 1990. Pete is frequently in the media as a regular contributor on BBC Radio. He is also an author of Jewish children's books, Liberal Judaism: A Judaism for the Twenty-First Century and is co-editor of the Liberal Judaism Hagaddah.
SANDRA WEBBER
Sandra is a member of Kingston Liberal Synagogue and a cheder teacher. She is an Italian language and literature graduate. Sandra is currently an independent consumer expert and is currently the Chair of the Water Industry Dispute Resolution panel. In her free time she loves to read and make mosaics.
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Gabriel grew up at Kingston Liberal Synagogue and taught in the community before going to university. At university he became cheder head teacher at Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue before becoming an LJY-Netzer Movement Worker after graduation. He is a keen Limmudnik presenting sessions on a range of topics. He started at Leo Baeck College in 2017.
BARBARA WINTON
Barbara is the daughter and biographer of Sir Nicholas Winton (1909-2015), who organised the Czechoslovak Kindertransport which rescued 669 children from the Nazi threat in 1939. She speaks on her father's legacy of positive action and campaigns for the rights of refugees, particularly the moral imperative that unaccompanied child refugees should be given sanctuary in Britain.
CANTOR TAMARA WOLFSON
Recently graduated cantor, Tamara splits her time between Kehillah North London (where she will serve as spiritual leader) and Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue. Tamara, a New Yorker, was brought up with a passion for Progressive Judaism and graduated from American Jewish University in Los Angeles before starting her cantorial training.
RABBI ALEXANDRA WRIGHT
Rabbi Alexandra grew up at the LJS where she is now senior rabbi - the first female senior rabbi in Britain. She was ordained at Leo Baeck College in 1986. Alexandra is active in the Council of Christians and Jews, has taught classical Hebrew at Leo Baeck College and for five years served as the North London Hospice's Jewish chaplain.
STUDENT RABBI IGOR ZINKOV
Igor is a fourth-year rabbinic student at Leo Baeck College. Originally from Russia, Igor has extensive experience in youth and young adult work. Currently he is a Rabbinic Intern at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in London, an Executive Board member of the World Union of Progressive Judaism and the founder of DOR - a project for Russian-speaking Jews in Europe.
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PRESENTERS
STUDENT RABBI GABRIEL WEBBER
Congratulations and best wishes from Westminster Synagogue Contact us for information about the must-read book, “The Hidden Girl”, a remarkable and unique story about member Marika Henriques’ journey as a hidden child during the Second World War. www.westminstersynagogue.org
020 7584 3953
admin@westminstersynagogue.org
E Ra
XHIBITIONS & STALLS
EXHIBITIONS & STALLS
In addition to the sessions we also have some exhibits and vendors with us over the weekend.
inbow Pilgrims
A landmark project that discovers the hidden history of LGBTQI migrants in the UK. Supported by The National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund and hosted by Liberal Judaism.
J
ewish Living Exhibition
PJ
Library
PJ Library gifts high-quality Jewish books to families with children aged between six months and eight years old, on a monthly basis, so they can build their own Jewish bedtime libraries.
Je wish Book Service Providing books, resources of Jewish interest for use in religion schools, Jewish Day Schools, synagogues and family homes. Park Suite Foyer Friday 4-6pm | Saturday 11am-6:45pm
K
it's Place
Kit's Place, was created by Kathryn Michael, and stocks a wide range of Jewish themed crafts with a twist. Park Suite Foyer Saturday 2-6:45pm | Sunday 1-2pm
N
LPS Trust
The NLPS Trust provides grants to projects and Progressive Jewish communities which will fulfil the charitable objective of "the advancement of Progressive Judaism".
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Liberal Judaism is always driving itself and others to reflect its values better - moving Progressive Judaism and the Jewish world foward.
Liberal Judaism's new project, in conjunction with the Board of Deputies, delivering Jewish education by Jews to school children in areas where the Jewish community has traditionally been less visible.
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M Movement
LADIES
TO SEMINAR 4
2
BUSINESS CENTRE
1
DRAWING ROOM
WARWICK
TEMPUS RESTAURANT
LEISURE CLUB & GARDENS
GROUND FLOOR
GENTS
TEMPUS BAR
SEMINAR 2
LIFT
RECEPTION
HOTEL RECEPTION MAIN ENTRANCE
DISABLED WC
BUFFET POINT
PACKWOOD SUITE
BRUETON SUITE
PARK SUITE
(COMPLETE SUITE)
GLOUCESTER 1
MALVERN SUITE
GLOUCESTER 2
DESK
SERVICE POINT
BRUETON BAR
MALVERN BAR
SERVICE POINT
BUFFET POINT
LIFT & STAIRS TO BEDROOMS
GLOUCESTER FOYER
CONFERENCE ENTRANCE
GENTS WC
PARK SUITE FOYER
LADIES WC & DISABLED
SEMINAR 6
BANBURY SUITE
Liberal Judaism has had 9 Presidents during its history. Our current President is Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein.
CONFERENCE & BANQUETING SUITE ENTRANCE
Movement
S T R A T F O R D
MAP
M
9
CLOAKROOM
Save the Date Annual Dinner Tuesday 27 November 2018
Liberal Judaism, The Montagu Centre, 21 Maple St, London, W1T 4BE Registered Charity Number: 1151090 Company Number: 08281223