LJ Today July/August 2005

July/August 2005 VOL. XXXII No 4

From brit to burial LJ Today revisits the Liberal Jewish life cycle Liberal Judaism responds to the changing needs of Jews who want to worship, celebrate and live a Jewish life in the world as it is – with the pressures, dilemmas and choices that a thoughtful, affluent society bestows.

In this issue, we look at how Liberal Judaism responds to, and meets, the challenges of modern Jewish life; how, as a movement, we sometimes reformulate, or indeed reinvent, ideas, liturgies and rituals.

We meet a trainee mohelet (female mohel), hear from an adult bat mitzvah, and about a couple who met through Mazel Tov, the marriage bureau sponsored by Liberal Judaism.

A Liberal rabbi suggests a new ceremony to mark the birth of a baby; we can read how one synagogue is using older people to help in its cheder; and how one community set up its own burial society.

Also in this issue, our Liberally Speaking column encourages us to think about people who can face hurdles – often throughout their lives – through having a disability.

Our Biennial Weekend 2006, entitled Judaism Without Borders?, will be held in Cheltenham, from 5 to 7th May. Details will be published later in the year.

ljtoday Finchley feasts on falafels

Finchley Progressive Synagogue celebrated Israel Independence Day in style with a souk, falafels, and singing and dancing around an artificial camp fire. The truly Middle Eastern event, in May, was a celebration of Israel’s rich and varied story. Our picture shows Rabbi Mark Goldsmith and Irris Singer, co-chair with husband Syd of the congregation’s Israel Action Committee, enjoying Anat Smith’s Yemenite stories.

Other contributions came from Eli Freedman, who runs the youth club, singers Alice and Miriam Goldsmith and storyteller Lionel King Lassman.

Zvi Rosenwasser (inset) held his audience spellbound with memories of his adventures. Zvi found refuge in Palestine from Berlin in 1937 and helped to build Kibbutz Matsuvah under the noses of the Palestine Police before, in 1939, volunteering for the Palestine Regiment, attached to the British 8th Army.

BOOK REVIEWS: Principles of Jewish Ethics • For Generations: Jewish Motherhood - page 6

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July/August 2005

Congratulations to Mazal Tov: Chairman Carole-Ann Goldberg looks back on a busy 12 years This summer, Mazal Tov, the progressive Jewish marriage bureau, celebrates its 12th anniversary. At our annual lunch and training day, the present team will have an opportunity to judge how well we have fulfilled the aims of the founders.

Mazal Tov was originally aimed at helping to combat the statistic that about a third of Anglo-Jewry was marrying out of the faith. Young people were getting married later, and the previous network of family friends and synagogue youth groups no longer met the needs of a well-educated, welltravelled generation that often worked long hours in demanding careers.

Newspapers and magazines had pages of ‘personal ads’ and computer dating was now mainstream; surely, we thought, progressive Judaism could find a way to help itself.

Mazal Tov’s main focus has been on Liberal, Reform and secular Jews who genuinely want to marry someone Jewish but have few opportunities to meet or socialise with those of similar backgrounds. And have we succeeded?

Well, I still get a thrill when I see one of our ‘successes’ in synagogue, or out and about with their children. ‘I helped to do that,’ I think, and I know that we are making a difference.

Not all our marriages have been London-based; some of our couples lived hundreds of miles apart and

would never have met had they not signed up with Mazal Tov. We now realise that success comes in many forms, and that we are fulfilling greater social needs than we had originally anticipated. We have introduced couples who have decided initially to live together, child-free, for a few years – to the despair of their grandchildren-hungry parents!

We have encouraged and supported those who would be too timid to venture into the north-west London social scene.

Men and women who are alone through being widowed or divorced can often find it particularly difficult to begin dating. We offer a safe environment for them to start to rebuild their social lives and regain their confidence.

Each client is interviewed and given a realistic assessment of what we can offer. Because we are non-profit making, we can afford to tell the truth. We are competing with the internet, speeddating and the personal ads; but our speciality is that we are offering a uniquely personal service for people who want to marry. Traditionally, Jews have always taken matchmaking seriously.

We are continuing that tradition.

Adam says he discovered the Liberal movement very much by chance. ‘I had become a Liberal Jew as an adult after rejecting orthodox Judaism very young in my life – after my bar mitzvah. I came back to Judaism in my late twenties.’

He adds: ‘Since our marriage, a number of my relatives have become members of Liberal synagogues – some active members.

‘My life has been so enriched since meeting Sarah. I’ve got to know her friends, who’ve now become my friends, and my friends have become her friends.’

In June 2000, at the age of 56, I became bat mitzvah. My father was Jewish but my mother was not. A couple of weeks before my 21st birthday, after nearly three years of discouragement, study and living with an orthodox family, I was converted by the London Beth Din. Why and how I moved to the Liberal movement is another story, but my husband and I became members of Finchley Progressive Synagogue in 1977; it is there, as a family, that we have been active members ever since.

The year 1999 was difficult for us and, facing problems of some magnitude, we went by chance to an adult bat mitzvah. I suddenly realised that if we came through this time, a bat mitzvah could be my personal celebration and reaffirmation of my identity.

I talked to Rabbi Mark Goldsmith, who had just succeeded Rabbi Frank Hellner at FPS. Rabbi Mark encouraged me all the way. He suggested that I meet Ofra Rosenwasser as a possible teacher.

Ofra’s father, Zvi, has taught generations of bar/bat mitzvoth, including our daughter. It was a tough ride; I am not a natural linguist, my Hebrew was self-taught from the beginning, but Ofra’s patience was endless and we laughed a lot – especially at my singing.

My sidra was Naso, chosen for the beautiful three-fold blessing, and because that Shabbat fell the day after Shavuot. In 1965, I had taken Ruth as my Hebrew name, and 35 years later I was confirming that ‘your people shall be my people’.

Frank Hellner, my rabbi of so many years, handed me the scroll, Rabbi Mark and Ofra stood with me with my children, instead of my parents, doing hagbah and gelilah.

I felt surrounded by love, and knew it was worth the months of work and doubt. Perhaps in some, bar/bat mitzvah is wasted on the young.

Both names have been changed

Angela Wharton

Contact Mazal Tov at: 020 7289 8591 Email: mazaltov@liberaljudaism.org

‘My life has been so enriched since we met’ Adam, a bachelor, met the woman he later married through Mazel Tov. He first heard about what it offered through a synagogue magazine. ‘I had a number of introductions over a year or 18 months before I met Sarah,’ Adam says.

‘The first person I met through Mazel Tov knew a great deal more about Judaism than I did. Then I met one or two who knew far less. When I met Sarah, there were things that immediately clicked.

‘Sarah hadn’t been married before either. Although she is considered Jewish in Liberal terms as her father is Jewish, she did do a conversion course as an adult. Her tutor was eventually the rabbi who conducted our marriage.’

Adult bat mitzvah: ‘Perhaps in some it’s wasted on the young’

July/August 2005

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Renewing ritual: Margaret Jacobi and David Ehrlich suggest a new ceremony, a month after birth, to mark the arrival of a child Liberal Judaism rejects Pidyon haben – a ritual for boys only, which relates to the priesthood, and focuses on the ‘purchase’ of the child. But are we missing something by dispensing with it, or can we reinvent it to suit our own thinking and practices?

Pidyon haben is based on the biblical concept of ‘peter rechem’, the opening of the womb. Thus, the firstborn male of any animal was to be sacrificed to God, and the firstborn male human was to be redeemed. In rabbinic tradition, Pidyon haben was not practised if a child was born by caesarean section, or if a previous miscarriage had occurred after 40 days. Pidyon haben was performed on the 31st day after birth; Cohanim and Levites were exempted from it, as were their daughters.

Yet there are aspects of this ritual that we feel are relevant. It provides an opportunity for a home ceremony to which friends and family can be freely invited. Having a ceremony a month after the birth, rather than at eight

days for the brit milah, also gives time to plan, and there is less of the shock, exhaustion and vulnerability that comes with the arrival of a first child.

More important, though, are the religious reasons. The essence of Pidyon haben seems to be an acknowledgement that a child is a gift from God. Perhaps most centrally, Pidyon haben is a reminder that a child is entrusted to us and that to have children is a privilege and responsibility.

For Pidyon haben to accord with Progressive Jewish values, we would change the name itself. The root PDH, meaning to redeem, implies financial payment for a child. A more appropriate concept would be that expressed by the Hebrew root ‘PKD’, meaning to entrust. Rather than us ‘redeeming’ the child from God, the child is entrusted to us from God. An appropriate title for the ceremony might therefore be Pikdon haben/bat, ‘the entrusting of a son/daughter’. It should apply to any first child – boy or

girl – and irrespective of previous miscarriages or the mode of birth.

There are arguments for and against restricting the ceremony to first children. A ceremony for the birth of a firstborn could recognise the special nature of becoming parents for the first time, and the beginning of a journey into the unknown land of parenthood. In this sense, the first child is special. On the other hand, we would not want any distinction that implies later children are of less value.

It may therefore be appropriate to have a ceremony for each child, but with a special prayer for the first, which recognises the huge change of becoming a parent for the first time.

The idea of making a donation of some sort is important; perhaps, on this occasion, it could be to the synagogue religion school, or a charity that cares for underprivileged children.

Finally, a new liturgy would be needed. We have devised one, which can of course be freely adapted.

Circumcision: Mohelet tackles tradition When the Bristol progressive community lost its mohel, it turned to a woman to take over the role. Lisa Sacks, a consultant plastic surgeon, is currently undergoing her training. As far as we know, she will be the first mohelet in the UK. Ms Sacks is in many ways ideal for the job. Her grandfather was a rabbi and a mohel in Kimberley, in her native South Africa, and she had performed many circumcisions while at medical school in Johannesburg. A mother of four, and a member of Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation, she bears little resemblance to the traditional Orthodox male mohel.

She says she accepted the invitation

by Rabbi Ron Berry, of Bristol, to become a mohelet because it was a mitzvah. As an apprentice to Howard Cohen, a London GP and vice-chairman of the Association of Reform and Liberal Mohelim, she accompanies him

as he performs circumcisions. ‘When they’re happy that I can fly solo, then I can get my full accreditation,’ she says.

Following a career in NHS hospitals, Ms Sacks now works part-time to allow her more freedom to develop her work as a sculptor. She has just sculpted the head of Professor Averil Mansfield, the recently retired first female professor of surgery in Britain, and past vice-president of the Royal College of Surgeons. This work will be the first portrait of a female surgeon to be displayed in the Royal College in London.

As might be expected from a very experienced surgeon, who has two boys of her own, Ms Sacks is sensitive towards the issues around circumcision. ‘Of course it’s difficult – because I’m a woman, and a mother,’ she says. ‘It’s a heart-rending procedure.’ But when asked about her attitude to critics of brit milah, she is

Lisa Sacks: surgeon turned sculptor

clear where she stands. ‘I know there are people who think it should be discontinued. But it’s one of the tenets of showing our faith. It’s one of the basic tenets of Judaism.’

Beatrice Sayers

July/August 2005

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Liberally Speaking

John Rich Memorial Event at South London

When Alex Cowan first attended the Liberal Jewish Synagogue, she couldn’t read from the bimah like everyone else. That problem’s been solved, but she still finds areas of Jewish life from which she’s excluded. Now she works to improve understanding of disability access issues – and turn thoughts into actions

South London Liberal Synagogue will again commemorate its late president, John Rich (father of chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich), with a special memorial event on Sunday 11th September. This second John Rich Memorial Event will be a combination of lecture and concert, with an address by Dr Edward Kessler and a performance of German classical Liberal synagogue music composed in preHolocaust Berlin.

Dr Kessler, founder-director of the Centre for the Study of Christian-Jewish Relations in Cambridge, is the son of Willi Kessler, president of the Liberal Jewish Synagogue. Dr Kessler’s talk will explore aspects of the history of Liberal Judaism and its place in today’s world, taking note additionally of the date – “9/11” – which has extra significance since 2001.

In the second part, professional musicians will sing selections from a 1934 Shabbat evening service written by Jakob Dymont, a leading choirmaster and noted composer in early 20th-century Berlin. Dymont’s daughter, Lily Dumont Mindus, herself a concert pianist and still teaching at the age of 94, will be present.

The event starts at 7pm, and you are warmly invited to attend. For further information, ring SLLS on 020 8769 4787.

I like going to synagogue. I like being with everybody. I get something from being in synagogue that I can’t get at home on my own reading the Siddur or thinking about Judaism. I really want to be able to participate fully in the community. Yet I still can’t.

Having multiple sclerosis and using a wheelchair is only part of the story. Because I’ve been lucky. I’ve been a part of the Liberal Jewish Synagogue community since marrying my husband there 10 years ago, and it was rebuilt with good accessibility. Yet when I first joined the synagogue, I wasn’t able to read from the bimah as everyone else was. I felt separated from the experience of inclusiveness that others had. Now we have a ramp to the bimah.

But elsewhere in the community, there are still synagogues I can’t get into, and bimahs that I can’t get up to. I’ve been asked to be at an open day and talk to people about disability only to find that some events took place upstairs… but there was no lift. And it’s not just synagogues. Last year, there were three films at the Jewish Film Festival I really wanted to see. Then I found out that the whole festival was held in a cinema without any wheelchair access.

I was being excluded from parts of the Jewish community. That upset me, made me angry, and made me feel unwanted. Other disabled people were also being excluded, to different degrees and in different ways. I wanted to try to play a part to change that.

I first got involved in a small way with the social action committee at the LJS. This led to the formation of various disability consultation and action groups. We initiated more comprehensive listings in the Jewish Chronicle of disabled facilities on

High Holy Days, and I produced, in conjunction with Jewish Care, an 80page Guide to Disability Access Best Practice for everyone across the community. It helps people to understand more about disability issues. Induction loops have been installed, and accessible toilets.

Most rewardingly, I helped to organise a service at the LJS where the theme was disability access.

Nearly all the people who read and spoke were disabled. The event was signed, and 300 people attended from across the Jewish community.

What are some of the changes I’d like to see in the Liberal movement?

I’d like synagogues to be fully accessible, including the bimah; a designated contact person in each synagogue for disability; an education programme for disability equality training; and for everyone to think of one change they could make, no matter how small, to improve access and inclusion, and turn that thought into action.

Access is not an ‘us and them’ situation, it’s ‘us and us’. Everyone gets something good from it.

Change is achievable. I know we can make it happen.

Publications update Our ‘where we stand’ leaflets are in the process of being reissued – and rebranded – under two headings: Liberal Jewish Values, and Liberal Judaism in Practice.

The Liberal Jewish Values leaflets are entitled: Animal Welfare, Biblical Criticism, The Environment, Genetic Research, Miracles, Zionism and Israel.

The Liberal Judaism in Practice leaflets are: Death and Mourning, Homosexuality, Jewish Marriage, Kashrut, Liberal Judaism and Jewish Identity, The Role of Women.

All these leaflets, with the exception of Zionism and Israel, which is being revised, are available free from the Montagu Centre.

The following publications have now been reprinted: • Siddur Lev Chadash, price: £22.20; • Siddur L’Ador Vador, £2.40; • The Funeral Service book, £5.50.

To order these, or any other Liberal Judaism publication, contact the Montagu Centre, or email Selina: s.o’dwyer@liberaljudaism.org

July/August 2005

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Doroteinu: Hebrew squad spans the generation gap When Harrow and Wembley Progressive Synagogue reorganised its Cheder a few years ago, it needed to raise the standard of Hebrew reading. Rabbi Frank Dabba Smith invited members of the congregation to come in for an hour (10-11am) on Sundays to read with the children on a one-to-one basis, so passing on their knowledge to a new generation of the Squaddie Adrian Cohen helps Jacob Wren (left) and Daniel Gerstein at Harrow and Wembley Progressive Synagogue synagogue’s kids. Out of 32 cheder sessions, the Hebrew Squad is scheduled to come in progressed to reading prayers from was done in each session, what areas 14 times a year.

Siddur Lev Chadash and also from the child needs to concentrate on, and There are about 8-10 squaddies – the Chumash. The squaddies don’t generally how he or she is doing. men and women of all ages, but often always read with the same child but, The Hebrew squaddies is a very grandparents of children in the as bat/bar mitzvah approaches, they simple concept, costs nothing, and congregation. One of the children’s tend to stick with one child and encourages all those who take part to favourite squaddies, Nora Seymour, support whoever is tutoring him or feel an increased sense of died last December aged well into her her – so that on the great day they too involvement. The children’s reading eighties. suffer from nerves on behalf of ‘their’ improves tremendously, they love the One person organises, in conjunction child. one-to-one attention – and the chance with the cheder class teachers, what The organiser has a small notebook to get to know members of the will be read. At first they had to start for each child, and whoever reads congregation they would otherwise with Hebrew from the aleph-bet, but with him or her makes a note of what have no dealings with.

Burial: How our young Edinburgh community made its own arrangements What does even the smallest Jewish community need to function fully: a scroll for services, maybe a cheder?

In 2004, the newly independent progressive community in Edinburgh with a membership of fewer than 50, with 20 or so ‘activists’, had to face these questions. We raised the money to buy a scroll; we set up a fortnightly cheder; but making the arrangements for Jewish burial seemed very daunting: where would we get ground; wouldn’t it be expensive?

Half a dozen of us, with no prior knowledge and therefore perhaps no consciousness of the difficulties, thought the community should and could do something as quickly as possible. The volunteer burial working group wrote, emailed and phoned, gathering information and advice from many quarters. In the end we managed to offer a choice of cemeteries to our members: both the

City of Edinburgh Council and the private Dean Cemetery Trust were willing to allocate 25 plots, to be paid for when used, and to allocate further plots thereafter. The community voted for Dean Cemetery Trust, which was both more beautiful and more secure.

We were fortunate that the Orthodox community already had a good standing arrangement with a long established firm of undertakers in the city; we were able to have the same funeral ‘package’ with a company already experienced in Jewish funerals, and with a new nondenominational service room.

Finally, the six people on what had become the burial committee were all absolutely sure that they wanted to form a chevra kadisha (a ‘holy society’) and provide taharah, the ritual cleaning and preparation of the body.

We still don’t know how commonly Liberal communities provide this, although Orthodox ‘holy societies’

sometimes do it for progressive Jews.

Taharah is an important mitzvah, because the recipient can never do anything in return.

Fortunately, one of the burial committee had experience and has guided and trained the others. Using a range of existing taharah manuals – reform and orthodox, British and American – and with the guidance of Liberal rabbis, we have prepared a ritual and service that we hope meets both the traditional requirements and the needs of modern Liberal Judaism.

When we were thinking of setting up an independent community, one of the biggest obstacles in our minds was the difficulty of making burial arrangements. Like a lot of tasks, it turned out to be much easier in reality than in our imaginations. If you are in the same situation, don’t let it stand in your way.

Gordon J Barclay

July/August 2005

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‘Rayner’s thesaurus’ is both scholarly and inspiring PRINCIPLES OF JEWISH ETHICS

By Rabbi John Rayner. Published by Liberal Judaism, £4.50 A young serviceman, being presented with the forces edition of the book of Psalms, must have wished for a guide to find a reading to match his mood or moral dilemma. There was no guide. Dr Hertz’s A Book of Jewish Thoughts, likewise prepared for the forces, was indexed but stirred the spirit more than the mind.

Rabbi John Rayner’s Principles of Jewish Ethics, however, resembles Roget’s Thesaurus in its structure. An explanatory introduction is followed by a contents list, which groups ethical issues under headings in a rational sequence, for example at one point: from strong and weak to rich and poor to husband and wife to parents and children.

‘Right conduct appertains to human relations’ (p8). This phrase is key to the classification of Rayner’s material, the progress outwards from micro-interpersonal transactions to macro-relationships between nations and with the environment.

The examination of each issue starts with a quotation from the Tanakh or rabbinic discussion. Translation follows, which usually is then exemplified and enlarged. In cases on which contemporary Liberal Jewish opinion is already established, such as divorce, Rayner’s exposition is brief. If an

issue, such as euthanasia, is still in dispute, then he presents the arguments on both sides impartially and more fully.

Whereas texts ancient and medieval are cited and elucidated, naming of modern sources is reserved for the bibliography.

There are two interesting exceptions: the impulse given by Lewis Gompertz to the foundation of the RSPCA, and the drafting of the Declaration of Human Rights principally by three Jewish lawyers.

Occasionally, a simple and perhaps overfamiliar injunction as, ‘You shall not afflict any widow or orphan’ (§.41) is a disappointment as the reader searches for practical pointers on how to take the words forward. ‘Widows and orphans’ – maybe compassion today would be appropriately extended to include grieving and disempowered people emerging from a broken relationship.

Rayner says in his introduction (page 12), ‘While there are serious pitfalls to be avoided [identifying with one particular political party] the opportunity to make a collective contribution to the shaping of public policy….is one that should not be neglected.’ He does not shrink from identifying the causes of debt in the

developing world. The study concludes with a statement of faith in the ability of the United Nations to express and develop a sense of world citizenship.

To lay this book beside its predecessors, which the Liberal Jewish movement has published, is to remark how comprehensive it is, at once scholarly and inspiring. Every matter for concern seems to be covered here. The tone is both historical and prophetic. Compared with this, the Shulchan Aruch and Book of Proverbs are at a disadvantage: that they are addressed to disciples and students; as texts they read like random collections of aphorisms.

Rayner’s book is so well spaced, with plenty of margin for notes, that it may serve in tutorials at any stage, or as the starting point for a lifetime of sermons. One regret is that the print is small, and that the English text is all in a sans serif font, which is not easy to read at length.

Just as the structure of this book is designed to facilitate reference, so its style makes it engaging and accessible.

Profundity is not sacrificed to clarity; the firm voice of the author is heard throughout.

Prue and Stan Baker

Identity, observance and guilt – all Jewish life is here FOR GENERATIONS: JEWISH MOTHERHOOD Edited by Mandy Ross and Ronne Randall, Five Leaves Publications, £9.99 You pick up an anthology called For Generations: Jewish Motherhood and expect to meet the guilt-provoking, moral blackmailer of Philip Roth’s Portnoy’s Complaint, or the long-suffering martyr sentimentalised in The Jazz Singer. Indeed, these are alluded to as fictitious stereotypes in this fascinating book, but not one of the contributors can be pigeonholed. The mothers telling their stories are for the most part so unconventional that I almost yearned for the mother who knew her baby son would grow up to be a brain surgeon.

The book falls into sections, from Sources (from Biblical to modern film and novels) through pregnancy, birth, infancy, and family life, to mothering sons and daughters. There are powerful descriptions of mothering in Israel, and asserting Jewish identity in the Diaspora. The shadow of the Shoah and

childlessness add a further dimension.

A feminist reading of Biblical stories made me look afresh at the relationship between the prophet Elisha and the great woman of Shunem. It is circumscribed by society’s norms, but its intensity is unconfined. The child he promised her, who died and was brought back to life (there is an eroticism in this account) is seen as ‘the fruit of their love if the relationship was expressed through intercourse, and even if it was not’.

Leaping centuries, we read of the dilemma faced by mothers with sons: to circumcise or not to circumcise. Women write of their guilt, their need to apologise to their sons for having done something so powerful, without consultation. One piece is actually called Akedah. I can’t but think that we make many crucial decisions for our children without consultation, not least their

name, their education, where the family lives, and, of course, whether we divorce.

There are the issues of mixed faith relationships (including lesbian partnerships) with implications for the Jewishness of the children. There are single mothers and Jews for whom religious observance is alien. The child of one of them has a secular bar mitzvah. Making feminism and Orthodox belief and practice compatible is a theme, perhaps prompting new thoughts for us Progressive Jews. What is it like to sit behind a mechitza when your son is singing A’anim Z’mirot and you can’t even recognise his voice?

I read this book from cover to cover, but I’d advise savouring it. That’s what anthologies are for.

Sheila King Lassman

July/August 2005

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Bogrim begin their tour

Israel Tour

At the end of June, LJY-Netzer Bogrim (graduates) aged 18 to 22 set off on a leadership and study tour of Israel. They will make connections with progressive communities and Netzer Olami offices – the Jerusalem base of our worldwide movement. The tour will help them build on their personal relationship with Israel and Progressive Zionism by exploring the diversity of Israel, from the lush forests of the north and the buzzing city of Tel Aviv to the peace of the desert, as well as giving them a chance to relax on the beach at Eilat.

They’ll meet a family living in the old city, visit the Progressive Jewish kibbutzim in the Negev – Lotan and Yahel – and have an encounter with the Progressive youth forum and Noar Telem, our sister movement in Israel. They’ll also be engaging with political issues in Israel: seeing the impact of the Green Line, visiting the co-existence centre Givat Haviva, and discussing the complexity of Israel’s disengagement from Gaza. This will, we hope, be a really great week of new experiences, bonding and development for some of our dedicated group of leaders.

17th July -20th August

Return of the Shnatties!

15th-28th August

Also at the end of June, our intrepid adventurers are due to return from their exciting and challenging gap year in Israel – Shnat Netzer. Benjy Aarons-Richardson, Ben Baginsky, Josh Lyons, Richard Rees, Claire Samuel, Nellie Vos and Matt Winter have enjoyed a range of programmes, notably volunteering at various social institutions, such as the Fire Service and the IDF, living on Kibbutz Yahel, and getting involved in the Progressive Jewish, Reform Zionist Community there.

For the past few months, they have been on two intensive study and leadership training programmes, Etgar and Machon.

The Shnatties return to the UK with a fantastic base of skills, knowledge and new ideas to bring back to LJYNetzer. They were greatly missed and everyone is very excited about their return!

Our 16-year-olds will be spending a month of fun in the sun with great Jewish experiences in a wonderful community. The fantastic Madrichim (leaders) for the tour will be Rachel Jones from LJS and Ben Ullmann from KLS.

Netzer Mitzvah Corps 18th-19th July LJY-Netzer will be teaming up with our sister movement RSY-Netzer for two days of Social Activism. If you are 17 and above, this is your chance to come along and volunteer in the community. Get involved!

Machaneh Kadimah Four great summer camps, for kids aged 8 to 15, rolled into one, with a dedicated team of leaders. A brilliant Liberal Jewish experience!

Kayitz Netzer 16-30th August A challenging and eye-opening tour to Eastern Europe. Our 17-year-olds will be joining their counterparts from RSY-Netzer. The wonderful Madrichim will be Alex Bloch from NPLS and Mike Silvester from SLLS.

Shnat Netzer Departs 4th September Another group of school leavers will set off for Israel for a brilliant 10-month experience full of fun, friendship, learning and more!

LJY-NETZER

The youth movement of Liberal Judaism Contact Sally or Liz at LJY-NETZER, The Montagu Centre 21 Maple Street, London W1T 4BE

Above left. The Shnatties with their RSY, Netzer Australia and South Africa counterparts Left. Claire Samuel and Nellie Vos during their volunteering period in Kfar Saba

T: 020 7631 0584 F: 020 7631 9838 E: s.adams@liberaljudaism.org or l.green@liberaljudaism.org

July/August 2005

Page 8 LJ Today

Liberal Judaism congregations Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue, (Rodef Shalom), 01234-218387, bedsps@liberaljudaism.org, www.bedfordshire-ps.org.uk Beit Klal Yisrael, P.O.Box 1828, London W10 5RT 020-8960 5760, bky@liberaljudaism.org www.beit-klal-yisrael.or g.uk Bet Tikvah Synagogue, 129 Perrymans Farm Road, Barkingside, Ilford, Essex IG2 7LX 020-8554 9682, barps@liberaljudaism.org www.bettikvah.org.uk Birmingham Progressive Synagogue 4 Sheepcote Street, B16 8AA, 0121-643 5640 bps@liberaljudaism.org, www.bps-pro-syn.c o.uk Branch: Leamington Spa, 01926-421300 Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove BN3 1FF 01273-737223, bhps@liberaljudaism.org www.brightonandhoveprosynagogue.org.uk Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation, Hon. Sec. 0117-954 1937 bpjc@liberaljudaism.org, www.bwpjc.org Crawley Jewish Community, 01293-534294 Dublin Jewish Progressive Synagogue P.O. Box 3059, Dublin 6, Enquires Hon. Sec. 00-3531 2856241, djpc@liberaljudaism.org Ealing Liberal Synagogue Lynton Avenue, Drayton Green, W13 0EB 020-8997 0528, els@liberaljudaism.org www.ealingliberalsynagogue.org.uk East Anglia Progressive Jewish Community (based in Norwich), 01502-731116 pjcea@liberaljudaism.org, www.pjcea.org.uk Eastbourne Progressive Jewish Congregation 01323 725650 fax: 01323 417645 epjc@liberaljudaism.org, www.epjcong.org.uk Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community, 07891 439646, eljc@liberaljudaism.org, www.eljc.org Finchley Progressive Synagogue Hutton Grove, N12 8DR 020-8446 4063, fps@liberaljudaism.org, www.fps.org Harrow and Wembley Progressive Synagogue 326 Preston Road, Harrow, Middx HA3 0QH 020-8904 8581, www.hwps.org Kent Liberal Jewish Community, 07952 242432 www.jewishkent.org.uk/communities/KLJC/kljc.html Kingston Liberal Synagogue Rushett Road, Long Ditton, Surbiton, Surrey KT7 0UX, 020-8398 7400, kls@liberaljudaism.org Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation The Synagogue, 24 Avenue Road, Leicester, LE2 3EA, 07875 123744

Liberal Judaism The Montagu Centre, 21 Maple Street, London W1T 4BE, 020-7580 1663 Fax: 020-7631 9838 montagu@liberaljudaism.org, www.liberaljudaism.org Youth Department: 020-7631 0584 Fax: 020-7631 9838 s.adams@liberaljudaism.org; l.green@liberaljudaism.org Hon. Life President Rabbi John Rayner CBE Chairman Nigel Cole Chief Executive Rabbi Danny Rich Vice Chairman Joan Shopper Joint Treasurers Peter Ellinger, Tony Kerron Hon. Officers Simon Benscher, Penny Beral, Paul Infield, Jeremy Jessel Senior Vice-President Rabbi Dr Sidney Brichto Vice-Presidents David Amstell, Geoffrey Davis, Jeromé Freedman, Rabbi Harry Jacobi, David Lipman, Rosita Rosenberg, Tony Sacker, Harold Sanderson, Clive Winston Chairperson Rabbinic Conference Rabbi Mark Goldsmith Outreach Director Rabbi Aaron Goldstein PR Officer Rachel Hudson Shlicha Gili Tzidkiyahu Mazkira, LJY-Netzer Sally Adams Education Officer, LJY-Netzer Liz Green Liberal Judaism promotes the religious and cultural traditions of our faith within the framework of progressive thinking and ethics. Donations to support our work are always welcome.

Liberal Judaism is a registered charity, number 256390 LJ Today is edited by Beatrice Sayers. The deadline for the September 2005 issue is Monday 1 August. Send articles or letters for publication to: ljtodayeditor@liberaljudaism.org Typeset by JJ Copyprint and printed by Freedman Bros.

The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St John’s Wood Road, London NW8 7HA, 020-7286 5181, ljs@liberaljudaism.org, www.ljs.org The Liberal Synagogue Elstree, Elstree High Street, Elstree, Herts WD6 3BY, 020-8953 8889 tlse@liberaljudaism.org, www.tlse.org.uk Lincolnshire Jewish Community 01427-628958 ljc@liberaljudaism.org Liverpool Progressive Synagogue, 28 Church Road North, Liverpool L15 6TF, 0151-7335871 North London Progressive Jewish Community Enquiries: 020-8340 5513 nlpjc@liberaljudaism.org, www.nlpjc.org.uk Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue Oaklands Gate, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 3AA 01923-822592, npls@liberaljudaism.org www.npls.org.uk Nottingham Progressive Jewish Congregation Lloyd Street, Sherwood, Nottingham NG5 4BP 0115-9624761, npjc@liberaljudaism.org www.npjc.org.uk Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community 01733-358605 Reading Liberal Jewish Community 0118-375 3422 South Bucks Jewish Community 01494-431885 sbjc@liberaljudaism.org, www.sbjc.org.uk South London Liberal Synagogue, PO Box 14475, London SW16 1ZW, 020-8769 4787 slls@liberaljudaism.org, www.southlondon.org Southgate Progressive Synagogue, 75 Chase Road, London N14 4QY, 020-8886 0977 sps@liberaljudaism.org, www.sps.uk.com West Central Liberal Synagogue, 21 Maple Street, London W1T 4BE, 020-7636 7627 wcls@liberaljudaism.org, www.wcls.org.uk Woodford Progressive Synagogue Marlborough Road, George Lane, London E18 1AR 020-8989 7619, wps@liberaljudaism.org www.synagogue.demon.co.uk

Introducing a star of the internet…

Simon Gomberg is one of the faces of the People of Faith website, part of the REonline religious education resource.

Simon, 15, who is part of the Kabbalat Torah group at Birmingham Progressive Synagogue, has written a beautifully clear and personal account of what Liberal Judaism is, and what it means to him.

He was approached to write for the website by the Culham Institute, the religious education organisation, when it visited the grammar school he attends in Newport, Shropshire; a Hindu and a Sikh boy from the school have also written for the website, which is one of the institute’s major internet resources, used by both teachers and students.

Simon is upfront about his faith. ‘I’m the only Jew in the school,’ he says. ‘I tell them all about Kadimah, and synagogue and my bar mitzvah.’

His article, giving a ‘young person’s perspective’, balances one on Orthodox Judaism by a young, observant Jew. http://pof.reonline.org.uk

Associated Congregations: Herefordshire Jewish Community Enquiries: 07789 218823 Oxford, for details of Liberal Jewish Services: 01865-515584 or 01865-765197 www.oxford-synagogue.org.uk Or Chadash Liberal Jewish Community of Luxembourg, 00 352 31 65 94 lljc@liberaljudaism.org

DIARY DATES.......

12th August (Friday) tent event Maple Street, 7pm 15th to 28th August Machaneh Kadimah Summer camp for kids aged 8 to 15 years 11th September (Sunday) John Rich Memorial Event, starts 7pm.

For information, ring SLLS on 020 8769 4787 22nd October to 1st November tent’s Israel Trip To book, email a.goldstein@liberaljudaism.org 5th to 7th May 2006 Biennial weekend Cheltenham (Friday to Sunday) ‘Judaism without borders?’ For further information, or to join the organising committee, contact Penny Beral on 01923 855367 or p.beral@liberaljudaism.org, or Rabbi Kathleen Middleton k.middleton@ljs.org

Congratulations to Northwood and Pinner, winners of the Liberal Judaism intercongregational quiz

The website shows Simon lighting the Chanukkah candles at home

… and a star of the small screen Alex Cowan, chair of Liberal Judaism’s Disabilites Action Group, was the winking, wheelchair user in bunches in a sketch and comedy show I’m Spazticus in May, part of Channel 4’s Comedy Lab series. Alex is also chuffed to have appeared, along with the rest of the cast, in OK! Magazine: ‘I’ve finally arrived,’ she says. Less sensationally, but more pertinently, Alex is the author of our own Liberally Speaking column (page 4).