LJ Today November/December 2007

November/December 2007

VOL. XXXIV No. 6

ljtoday

A constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism

This is the very model of a musical Biennial The hills around Bristol will be alive to the sound of Liberal Jews for the 2008 Biennial. Themed ‘Creation and Creativity – exploring Arts and Sciences as Liberal Jews’ – the Biennial Weekend will have a musician in residence, Judith Silver, known to delegates at Limmud for her fun and creative workshops, and the main event on Saturday night will be a musical one.

Biennial 2008 will, of course, include all the elements that make it such an enjoyable and welcoming weekend: opportunities to talk, study, sing and pray creatively together, as well as a community market place, a creche and plenty of activities for children. Taking place just a month before Yom Ha’Atzmaut, it will also include an early celebration of Israel’s 60th anniversary.

Biennial 2008 will be at the Tortworth Court Hotel, near Bristol, from 4 to 6 April. To encourage attendance by young adults, Liberal Judaism is offering a number of sponsored places to those aged 40 or below. Book now to secure one of these places at a saving of £100.

Booking forms can be downloaded from the Biennial website: www.liberaljudaism.org/biennial.

Judith Silver, who will be musician in residence at Biennial Weekend 2008, in Bristol

Rabbi Danny Rich, chief executive of Liberal Judaism, plants the fir tree in the memorial garden overlooking Yerevan, with Elsbeth Mendes da Costa (in hat), Ruth Barnett and Baron Mendes da Costa

Act of remembrance in Armenia Memorial prayers from Siddur Lev Chadash were recited as Rabbi Danny Rich planted a tree in the Tsitsernakaberd memorial garden for the Armenian genocide, overlooking Yerevan, Armenia.

Accompanying him were Ruth Barnett, a Holocaust educator and member of Harrow and Wembley Progressive Synagogue, and Elsbeth Mendes da Costa, Liberal Judaism’s social action officer.

Hayk Demoyan, director of the Genocide Museum, which forms part of the memorial complex, showed the visitors avenues of trees planted by world leaders and organisations during the

visit, in August. Hayk is working on projects with Yad Vashem in Jerusalem.

Tsitsernakaberd (‘Fortress of Small Swallows’) consists of a 44-metre stele symbolising Armenian rebirth and 12 slabs, positioned in a circle, representing 12 lost provinces in present-day Turkey.

Rabbi Rich, whose original hope was that the tree could be planted on behalf of all British Jews, wrote in the visitors’ book: ’Perhaps if the tragedy of the Armenians and the Jews – and others too – are remembered, the world will learn the lesson of all faiths that each and every human being is created in the image of God.’

It takes all sorts of Jews to make a world What happens when Liberal and traditional Jews engage with each other? Andrew Goldstein and others look at how well we all work together pages 5-7

ALSO...

News pages 2-3 Books page 8 Peterborough spotlight page 9 Letters page 10

Page 2 LJ Today

November/December 2007

New officer connects with the internet generation Stephanie Thwaites, of Kingston Liberal Synagogue, has become the newest, and youngest, officer of the movement. Her role will be to involve Generation Y, the 22-35 age group sometimes referred to as the ‘missing generation’. She was voted on to the officers’ group at the September council meeting.

Stephanie, 27, will be working initially with Leah Grayson, from Finchley Progressive, to target primarily – but not exclusively – those who were once involved in ULPSNYC/LJY-Netzer but who have since drifted away from the movement or from Jewish life generally.

‘I know how busy life can be when you’re in your twenties and early thirties, juggling jobs, living arrangements and

(hopefully) a social life, but I think there’s a point when people feel the need to satisfy their Jewish side and yet they don’t think there’s anything out there that quite suits them,’ she says. ‘But there are so many weird and wonderful things going on in the Jewish world, it’s just a matter of finding the right fit.’

As Nigel Cole, chairman of Liberal Judaism, told the council meeting, those in the Generation Y age group tend to be less likely to join clubs – or, presumably, synagogues – and less likely to engage with established structures.

Stephanie says: ‘We intend to respond to individual needs and guide people in the direction of their choice – whether that’s towards Jewish yoga or young

Stephanie Thwaites is to focus on the ‘missing generation’ of young adults

professional networking events, film screenings, pub quizzes, charity work ...

I could go on - the list is almost endless!’

It is hoped to launch the initiative next year. In the meantime, anyone interested in getting involved or who wants more information is encouraged to contact Stephanie through the Montagu Centre.

More Jews discover the warmth of ‘tent’ ‘Tent’, the experience that began as a candlelit Kabbalat Shabbat service and discussion for people in their twenties and thirties, is welcoming more people into its other activites.

Fifteen young adults went on Liberal Judaism’s first ‘tent’ Israel Tour this summer, enjoying 10 inspiring and jampacked days. The trip, entitled Whose Israel is it Anyway?, strove to uncover the many different communities that coexist in Israel, particularly those often

ignored by other organised tours. Within the first three days, the group had met the Black Hebrews of Dimona, spent Shabbat in a dance commune in the Negev, climbed Masada and slept in a Bedouin tent.

‘Tent’ also held a hugely successful ‘getaway’ weekend in Wales, with 31 young adults enjoying Tai Chi, Jewish meditation, a spiritual midnight hike, a barn dance and paintballing.

Tent’s winter getaway is an interfaith

Undergraduates get down to work The six Liberal Judaism student reps placed at campuses around the country in September have already been working hard to create a Progressive Jewish presence among undergraduates.

Rob Pinfold, the Manchester rep, says: ‘We met Freshers and got lots of contact details. And we’re really pleased Danny [Rich] is coming up to give a talk and lead a service.’

The student rep initiative is a response to increasing demand both by students and their parents for a sympathetic and helpful Liberal Jewish presence on campus. The other reps are: Sam Grant (Leeds and Sheffield); Will Jones (Birmingham, Warwick and Coventry); Adam Francies (the North East); Leah Siteman (Loughborough and Leicester);

and Josh Simon Moritz (Nottingham). LJ Students, which was set up in 2006, is organised by fieldworker Jake Welford.

Commenting on the ‘passion and commitment’ of the reps, Rabbi Danny Rich hoped their work would be appreciated by many ‘who find the existing resources for Jews on campus of little value to a modern-thinking, intelligent student’. The student rep initiative is funded by the North London Trust for Progressive Judaism and Liberal Judaism’s Council of Patrons.

Contact Jake on 07877 287514 or j.welford@liberaljudaism.org.

Letters, page 10 Building bridges, page 11

weekend on 21-23 December. And a ‘tent’ trip to Spain is being planned for June 2008, so start saving now!

The next ‘tent’ Friday night services are on 16 November at 8pm at Birmingham Progressive Synagogue, and on 30 November at 7pm at Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue.

For more information, contact young adults workers Anna Gerrard (a.gerrard@ liberaljudaism.org) or Avivit Katzil (a.katzil@liberaljudaism.org).

Booklet launch All are welcome to attend the launch of Compelling Commitments, by Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah, at 3pm on Sunday 2 December at the Montagu Centre. The booklet, which is free to congregations, will be available from the Montagu Centre after this date.

Books, page 8

Hebrew weekend A group of 10- to 12-year-olds had so much fun learning prayerbook Hebrew on an intensive reading weekend near St Albans that they were asking for more.

‘Can we stay all week?’ said one pupil.

They also enjoyed activities organised

by LJY-Netzer, and took part in Shabbat services and Havdallah.

Education news, page 4

LJ Today Page 3

November/December 2007

All-night walkers raise £13,000 to fight cancer Thirty-five members from two Liberal synagogues joined a fun-filled overnight fundraising event for Cancer Research UK. The South Bucks Strollers, from South Bucks Jewish Community, and two teams from Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue, Team Tikvah and the Nylon Bananas, together raised more than £13,500.

With stalls and competitions as well as line dancing and live music, there was a party atmosphere at the Relay for Life event, held at Bannister Sports Centre, Harrow, in September. The focus of the event was an overnight relay, throughout which each of the 25 teams kept one of its members walking on the track. The relay celebrates progress made in prevention and early diagnosis of cancer; and remembers those who succumbed.

Cancer survivors Harriet, left, Janice and Fiona after their lap of honour

Joel Witte, 68, who co-ordinated Team Tikvah, said: ‘I was on the 11pm to 1am shift. We had the cushy one.’ After his walk, he got into his sleeping bag and had a shloof in the Northwood tent. For those walking into the small hours, activities were laid on to keep them amused, and awake.

Following an opening ceremony, cancer survivors did an inspirational lap of honour;

SBJC members Harriet Karsh, Janice Barber and Fiona Leon were proud to take part in this.

It is little wonder Harrow’s Relay For Life was such a success. The event’s co-chairs were Northwood members Gillian and Leslie Moss.

‘We had a wonderful weekend,’ says Gillian, ‘and look forward to doing it all again in 2008.’ To take part, please contact them on 07976 339898.

Manchester joins rights group Manchester’s Liberal community, MLJC, is the first congregation to have signed a declaration on rights from the Jewish Human Rights Network.

Liberal Judaism was one of the founding members of the network, which is aimed at bringing together Jews to speak out for human rights. It functions through an email message group, as well as holding regular meetings and other events. The network, set up in May, also maintains contacts with those of other faiths and none.

Rabbi Danny Rich, along with Rabbi Tony Bayfield of Reform Judaism and Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks of the United Synagogue, are among the signatories of the declaration, which draws links between the core values of Judaism and the values of basic rights and freedoms for all people. The declaration also contains a six-point affirmation, which includes commitments to ‘call on Jewish

communities to preserve and sharpen the traditional sensitivity of the Jewish conscience to the plight of those suffering human rights abuses’ and to ‘reaffirm our faith in education and learning, as means to advance humanity’.

Chris Stirk, a member of the MLJC and a researcher at Manchester University’s Centre for Jewish Studies, explains the background to the community’s signing up: ‘Sheindal Cohen of MLJC and I had signed up independently and it seemed good for the community to sign up following Liberal Judaism’s lead.’ As LJ Today went to press, the synagogue was still the only one to have signed. ‘We’d be happy to be joined by others,’ says Chris, whose research interests include the Holocaust in Holland.

For more information about the Jewish Human Rights Network, the full text of the declaration and information about how to sign up to it, visit www.jhrn.org.

Around the Communities The Liberal Jewish Synagogue A plaque in memory of the congregation’s beloved rabbi and teacher, John Rayner, life president of Liberal Judaism, has been installed in the chapel at the LJS’s cemetery in Pound Lane, Willesden.

Nottingham A group of 12 from NPJC enjoyed the community’s fifth trip to Austerlitz, from where their Czech Torah scroll originates. They also had a lovely evening filled with food and song, hosted by the Brno Jewish community.

Northwood and Pinner ‘Birthplaces and food’ was the theme of the synagogue’s European Day of Jewish Culture event. More than 150 visitors had all their senses stimulated as they took part in tastings and heard enthralling stories about life in – and journeys or escapes from – countries of origin that included Austria, Botswana, Germany, India, Iraq, Israel and Poland.

Birmingham Rabbi Margaret Jacobi has contributed to a collection of essays by six members of different faith traditions as part of a new venture.

Faiths for the City links the University of Birmingham and the city’s Faith Leaders group in a project that relates academic study of texts to city life.

Harrow and Wembley Members enjoyed a talk by Paul Trewhela, a South African Jewish artist, former ANC activist and political prisoner. An exhibition of Paul’s paintings and drawings continues at the synagogue’s arts centre until 23 November. Paul is to give a second talk, on 6 November entitled ‘The South African Jewish Left’.

East Anglia As part of Jewish Social Action Month, PJCEA (the Progressive Jewish Community of East Anglia) members of all ages spent a fun and productive day doing maintenance work at Pensthorpe Waterfowl Park and Nature Reserve in Fakenham, Norfolk.

Finchley An Auction of Promises held in October and featuring professional auctioneer John Barnett raised more than £2,000 for synagogue funds.

November/December 2007

Page 4 LJ Today

Education news ..... from Judy Thwaites Torah L’Am I am delighted that the Torah L’Am (Torah for Everyone) course, which returns to the Montagu Centre in January, will be led by Janet Berenson Perkins, from Leo Baeck College.

This unique learning experience for adults, which aims both to teach Torah, and teach how to teach Torah, will take place on Monday evenings, from 7 January to 11 February. Please email me for details of how to book.

Teachers’ seminar in Israel This profesional development course for religion school teachers really is a superb opportunity to examine, engage with and enrich your Judaism. The seminar, run by the Lokey Education Centre, Haifa, will take place from 27 March to 2 April 2008. It consists of an intensive programme of classroom-based seminars in Haifa and cultural visits.

The cost to teachers is £600 including flights, transport and half-board accommodation in a four-star hotel or similar. The cost is heavily subsidised by Liberal Judaism, the North London Progressive Trust and UJIA. Email or phone me for an application form.

Religion school curriculum More communities have begun using our exciting new religion school curriculum, Journeys Through Jewish Life. Please contact me if you would like a password to access the online version.

GCSE success all round Congratulations to GCSE Jewish Studies candidates throughout the movement! Of Finchley Progressive’s five students who took the exam, four received passes between grades A and C and one passed just below that. At Northwood and Pinner, two students received A* and six students received passes between grades A and C. At Kingston, all eight students received grade B or above. At Southgate, which has put forward pupils for many years, all four candidates gained grades A to C. And at South London, which entered young people for the first time, the three pupils all passed with grade B. j.thwaites@liberaljudaism.org or telephone 020 7631 9824.

VOCATIONS JAMES DAVIES YOUNG PERSON’S ADVISER THE REFUGEE COUNCIL Imagine arriving at the world’s busiest airport, alone and unable to communicate. You have been told by your agent that once you get off the plane, you must go straight to the nearest toilet and wait there for an hour, before making your way to immigration, where you must tell them you want to claim asylum. You are scared, exhausted, hungry and confused. You left your home country eight days ago after you came home to find your family gone, possibly arrested or killed. A neighbour organised for you to leave your country to safety. The agent you met drove you across two borders, only travelling at night, before putting you on a plane a week later. He didn’t hurt you, but wasn’t too concerned about feeding you either. And now, you are here, perhaps not even sure which country it is.

This is the reality for thousands of separated children who arrive in Britain and ask for asylum. Home Office figures show that 3,245 young people did so during 2006, of whom 389 claimed asylum at the port of entry, the rest making their claim ‘in-country’ at one of the Home Office’s Asylum Screening Units. Afghanistan, Iran, Eritrea, Somalia and China are the top five countries from which these people are fleeing.

My role is to provide comfort, advice and advocacy to these separated children as they arrive at Heathrow, as well as to advise and support immigration officers and other professionals who may provide services to them. The project, based at Heathrow, is under the management of the Refugee Council and funded by BBC Children in Need.

Being the grandson of a rabbi who fled Germany in 1939 and who settled in Britain gives me an understanding of the issues the young people face. All separated children coming here have left something behind – family, friends, their home and way of life, culture and identity; they may have experienced war, torture, persecution and bereavement. They may have travelled for days or weeks, possibly without interaction with those travelling with them, and may feel isolated and lonely.

They probably don’t speak English. This can lead to frustration and anger, which in turn can damage their credibility in the eyes of the authorities here.

Often older children who arrive with no documents are challenged over the age they claim to be and subsequently treated within the adult system, which means less support. Children are also trafficked for sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, benefit fraud, drug mules or ‘organ donation’.

I’ve worked with more than 1,000 children arriving at Heathrow. I’ve given training and workshops to community organisations and schools, and contributed to groups working to improve the arrivals process for separated children so that they can begin to build their lives here easily and quickly. I have been amazed at the determination that these children bring, to settle in a strange country, and to learn to communicate effectively. I am reminded of a young girl from Mongolia who had never before left her village and found herself at the airport surrounded by people of all colours and nationalities.

She had no idea such people existed and was scared for some time before patient explanation and reassurance allowed her to express her fears and finally to overcome them and start to integrate into the community here.

Many people still believe that asylum seekers and refugees come to Britain purely for personal gain. My experience of working with these young people is that they are victims of circumstance, having no control over how or why they are here. But these same young people are often the ones who go to school, and out-achieve children born in the UK, because they are so determined to make the most of what they have.

I find my job difficult and frustrating at times, but I also feel privileged to be able to provide support at such a stressful time in these children’s lives, and humbled by the hope that they bring for their futures.

James Davies is a member of South Bucks Jewish Community

Is your job your vocation? Is it of interest to others? We are looking for Liberal Jews to tell us about their working lives. Please email: ljtodayeditor@liberaljudaism.org

November/December 2007

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LJ Today Page 5

POINTS OF VIEW What do we learn or gain from taking part

in cross-communal events and being part of more traditional gatherings? We asked two Liberal Jews for their personal opinions ‘I’ve worked with many talented and undeniably cool Orthodox artists’ Jon Fiber, Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue For the past 12 or so years I’ve been working in and around the Jewish community, providing technical (sound and lighting) support for many cross-communal Jewish events.

My clients have ranged from Liberals to Charedis and the whole spectrum of events in between: arts festivals, charity galas, rock concerts and academic conferences.

The event that has given me most experience of working with different types of Jews has been Limmud Conference, the annual five-day event in December. Last year more than 2,000 people attended. Over my years working at Limmud I have become friendly with many participants, presenters and performers – and have been introduced to types of Judaism I would not otherwise have encountered.

Before this contact with other denominations I suppose I was, like many Liberal Jews, guilty of stereotyping. I assumed that we had a monopoly on progressive Jewish thought and practice. I now know this isn’t the case. I’ve worked with many extremely talented and undeniably ‘cool’ Orthodox musicians and artists. I’ve met Jews far more traditional than I am who are in same-sex partnerships and who are active members of their community, as well as men and women of varying degrees of faith who take equal roles in worship and who are willing to criticise recent policies of the Israeli government.

At Limmud, there are sessions discussing modern orthodoxy and its role bridging the gap between the religious and secular. I have been welcomed to Orthodox services that buzz with atmosphere, warmth and fun. Recently, I visited a Charedi youth camp in Wales. The boys enjoyed dancing and singing along to a very loud Israeli rock band (singing in Yiddish).

Rarely have I seen such enthusiasm and fun being had by all.

Spending time with more Orthodox friends has helped to break down many of the preconceptions I once held. I soon found that to spend Shabbat with an Orthodox family can be a revelation. Whilst I do not agree with observing the minutiae of the various laws on Shabbat observance, I can see how not watching television or playing video games can give a family the time to talk and simply enjoy one another’s company. I’m always putting my foot in it – usually by talking in the traditional silence after washing hands and before making Hamotzi – but I have never been made to feel ignorant.

Similarly, I am comfortable now with inviting Orthodox friends into my home. I offer vegetarian food on paper plates and mostly this is fine. Sometimes people choose to bring something of their own with them.

I am proud to be a Liberal Jew. The philosophy and practices of the movement are the ones I feel closest to and I have many friends and family within the Liberal community. But I’m also glad that I have made friends and acquaintances with those in Orthodox circles. I believe that it is important to continue to look outside our own comfort zone and experience, not least because this helps us to define our own identity.

‘I respect those who live strictly observant lives. I wish that respect was more mutual’ David Bates, The Liberal Jewish Synagogue Ask most non-Jews what they know about Judaism and chances are they will mention big black hats, synagogues and perhaps the Middle East. Many non-Jews know little about Judaism and see ‘Jews’ as one, distinct, homogeneous cultural and religious minority. They do not know the differences between, or origins of, the Ashkenazi and the Sephardi, and are unfamiliar with the sound and significance of the shofar.

We Jews, however, know all too well that the ‘Jewish community’ is really a collection of quite distinct groups and we know that sometimes what divides us may be stronger than that which unites us.

Take the different streams of Judaism as an example. I attend services at a Liberal shul in north London, where a female rabbi often leads services and where gay congregants can have their relationships recognised through a unique and beautiful liturgy. My shul encourages me to question my beliefs and challenges me to take an ancient religion and make it a central part of my life in the modern world. And in my world of liberal Judaism I can take nothing for granted – every decree, every mitzvah must be thoroughly tested and examined and studied and then tested again. It’s not an easy task by any means, but it makes my religion relevant to my life and ensures that I am true to myself and that there is a consistency between my faith and the way I live my life.

Since realising my life-long ambition of finding a home in the Jewish community, I have had countless opportunities to meet Jews from the other major streams of our faith. We meet at ‘community’ events, rallies in support of particular causes, study sessions and Hebrew classes. But the more time I spend with Jews who adhere to the Conservative or Orthodox way of life, the more I appreciate the uniqueness of the Jewish stream to which I adhere. Let me be clear, I have a deep and abiding respect for anyone who can live according to a strict interpretation of their faith, especially one as complex and allencompassing as that found in the Torah. I only wish that respect was more mutual.

We Jews do pull together in times of adversity and we know that to anti-semites we are ‘all the same’. I understand and appreciate that ‘modern Orthodoxy’ can be distinguished from traditional orthodoxy and I love that even within the Orthodox community there are distinct groups and communities. But for me, the continued separation of men and women, the rejection of homosexuality and the generally inward focus of most Orthodox and Conservative communities means that my home will always be with the Liberals.

I only wish Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks would stop seeming to speak on behalf of all Britain’s Jews as his views hardly ever reflect my own. I am much more comfortable taking my cues from the progressive female or gay rabbis I have come to respect deeply and who challenge me each and every Shabbat to lead a just and noble Jewish life.

Page 6 LJ Today

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November/December 2007

After more than 40 years building a thriving congregation at Northwood and Pinner, Andrew Goldstein reflects on his encounters with traditional Judaism

An unorthodox life I did not go to an Orthodox service until I was 22, and in 1965 entered the Leo Baeck College; before then my regular synagogue attendance was confined to Birmingham Liberal Synagogue. There I went most Shabbatot, and for me, the very Liberal services of Reverend Bernard Hooker were the norm. Then, soon after my Confirmation, Rabbi Philip Rosenberg from South Africa took over.

He had been trained as an Orthodox rabbi and he certainly made our Liberal synagogue a little more haimish (although I suspect even that word was a revelation to us Liberal Jews in those days). After a couple of years he went back to South Africa and I found myself taking services, and this led me to LBC, but that’s another story.

In those days in Birmingham, the Orthodox rabbis would never set foot inside a Liberal synagogue, although the reverends (like Reuben Brooks) might come for academic talks. One night, after youth club, I crept down into the shul cellar and sifted through some archives.

I came across an invitation to Bernard’s induction service sent to the rabbi of the Birmingham Central (Orthodox) Synagogue. The envelope had scrawled on it ‘Return to sender. There must be some mistake in sending this.’ Strange to recall that of my three best friends at the Birmingham Hebrew School two became Orthodox ministers, though one of them, on my greeting him when he was briefly the rabbi at Pinner United, responded that he had nothing to say to me as I was ‘a perverter of Judaism’.

Soon after the start of my first term at LBC, a classmate, Douglas Charing, who had had an Orthodox upbringing, took me to Marble Arch Synagogue for Simchat Torah as, he said, they provide a threecourse sit down lunch for kiddush after the service. We sat through a long, boring service, only to find the Chatanei Torah were the rabbi and chazan, and that year there was only the standard kiddush. By the time we pushed through the crowd the limited food on the table had all been consumed. Served us right for going to synagogue for the wrong reasons.

I soon got committed to most weekends at Pinner and District Liberal Jewish congregation, and so there were

few free opportunities to shul-hop. I made up for this in later rabbinic life by studying the whole range of liturgy under the tutelage of the late Rabbi John Rayner and Professor Eric Friedland as I got involved in producing the new Liberal prayerbooks.

In the early days of my rabbinate there were a few occasions when Liberal and Orthodox rabbis mixed. I remember that Jewish Care took a coach-load of rabbis, of all affiliations, on a day trip to visit all their homes. It was, perhaps, the first and last time such an ecumenical outing was held, and I do remember some Orthodox rabbis spending longer inspecting the kashrut of the mezuzot than talking to the residents. In the 1970s, under the leadership of Rabbi Sidney Brichto, Orthodox and Progressive rabbis sat together on committees of the Joint Israel Appeal

Why should I be excluded, because I am a Progressive rabbi, from having an aliyah? and other Israeli ventures. Once a year the late Chief Rabbi Jacobovits invited our Rabbinic Conference for tea at his home and I know many attempts were made to foster good relations between all sectors of the Jewish community. But then such contacts and good relations seemed to decline, and looking back, it was in Jewish/Christian dialogue and in the Communist world that I began to mix again with Orthodox rabbis.

On my first visit to Prague in 1980 I was treated with great respect and given the prime seat by the ark in the Altneu shul. A year later I was relegated to the ordinary pews; I suspect they had realised I was only a ‘Liberal rabbi’, or maybe it was because the Chief Rabbi of Romania, Moses Rosen, was also in shul. He was a real mensch and recognised me, as we had met a couple of months previously when he was brought over to London by the JIA to lead their annual appeal, and had a special meeting with the Liberal rabbis (at the Dorchester Hotel if I remember

correctly). In Prague he invited me to make Kiddush with him after the service and sit with him at the communal dinner.

A minor problem followed: the dinner was kosher, but Rabbi Rosen had brought with him his own chef, who appeared with just two bowls of extrakosher chicken soup, one for the rabbi the other for his wife. A moment of embarrassment which I solved by quickly grabbing a bowl of lower grade kosher soup off the next table.

It was a strange quirk that the communist authorities of one antireligious state brought over, with his entourage, the chief rabbi of another communist anti-religious state, but he was there to put a hechsher (kosher certificate) on the slivovitch, which Czechoslovakia sold to the Jews of the USA. Just this May I was able to witness the legacy in Romania of Chief Rabbi Rosen.

First, he got the majority of the country’s Jews permission to leave for Israel and he ensured that Romania was the only communist country to maintain diplomatic relations with Israel after 1967. Second, although some would attack him for being a collaborator with dictator Ceaucescu, he achieved a lot for the Jewish community. Throughout those dark days he maintained Jewish choirs, education, synagogue services, kashrut and care homes for the elderly.

Nowadays the community is tiny, but still enthused with Rosen’s spirit. On Erev Shabbat in Bucharest our tour group were made most welcome in the Orthodox Choral Synagogue. I was invited to sit on the bimah together with a visiting ultra-Orthodox rabbi from Paris. After the service we were invited to the community centre for a Shabbat meal. It was pouring with rain and our party set off on foot, but the president of the community said to me: but you have a coach, why get wet? He later told me, he runs an inclusive community and asked me ‘which two colours did God leave out of the rainbow? Black and white for God didn’t want extremes in Judaism.’ At the community centre, our Liberal group joined well over a hundred local Jews for a wonderful meal. I was invited to make Kiddush and give an impromptu sermon and later to do Grace

CROSS-COMMUNAL WORK

November/December 2007

Building closer co-operation

Simcha for Goldsteins

Nigel Cole on the Jewish Leadership Council

Phil Stone

Rabbi Dr Andrew and Mrs Sharon Goldstein were honoured at Simchat Torah for more than 40 years’ service to Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue.

Rabbi Goldstein was Chatan Torah and Sharon was Kallat Bereishit. The service was led by their son Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, who is to succeed his father as senior rabbi at NPLS in August 2008, and their daughter, Ruth Colin, the community’s choir leader.

Three generations of Goldsteins joined Andrew and Sharon on the bimah for the joyous service.

LJ Today Page 7

Andrew and Sharon Goldstein after the Simchat Torah service

after Meals. Meanwhile, upstairs, the Orthodox visiting rabbi was doing the honours with his group. Orthodox and Progressive under one Jewish roof: ideally we might have been in one room, but the arrangement that night left all comfortable and nobody excluded.

For many years I have been associated with the International Council of Christians and Jews and helped organise a number of conferences. At first there was only an Orthodox weekday morning service (though three denominational Christian services). One year, in Budapest, Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah was a main speaker, and I felt it wrong that she should be made to sit at the back of our Jewish services. It was agreed that we have separate Orthodox and Progressive gatherings in adjoining rooms. That year the Orthodox services were led by Lord Jacobovits and he insisted that his minyan wait until we had finished our prayers (interestingly our service was longer than theirs) and then we were invited to join them and he gave an inspiring talk. Poor man, he had just got used to the idea that next door there was a woman rabbi, when she appeared in his hotel-room shul, the only Progressive worshipper wearing tefillin.

At other ICCJ Conferences, the Orthodox minyan became short of a few men. So we agreed to combine; one day we joined them, the next day they joined us. One Orthodox worshipper stood at the side with his prayerbook as we prayed from Siddur Lev Chadash. But gradually he realised our prayers were the same as

his, and soon he stood with us, reciting in an undertone those bits we leave out.

Such experiences illustrate how Jews should ideally cope with the differences in our approaches to worship. I do not expect an Orthodox rabbi to attend my statutory services, although I have fewer problems attending his. But when I do, why should I be excluded, because I am a Progressive rabbi, from being offered an aliyah? Why can’t I give the sermon at an Orthodox wedding or funeral, when I know the family far more intimately than he does? And in non-religious Jewish activities, why can’t we work together? It has been wonderful for the past 12 years that Rabbi Naftali Brawer was at my neighbouring Northwood United Synagogue. With his encouragement we have held joint blood donation sessions, alternating his synagogue and mine as venues. And for five years we have jointly arranged increasingly successful Holocaust Memorial Day seminars with up to 2,000 schoolchildren visiting our two synagogues. I – and Rabbi Rachel Benjamin – have been welcome to speak in his shul, and he has spoken in ours.

Would that such co-operation became the norm. Neither of the synagogues, Orthodox or Progressive, were weakened or compromised by such joint activities; both were strengthened by it.

Did not the Psalmist say long ago ‘Hiney ma tov…shevet achim gam yachad.’ ‘Behold how good it is when brother and sisters gather in unity;’ I believe that God would join us in saying Amen to that.

The Jewish Leadership Council was set up in 2003 to improve the effectiveness of Jewish communal representation and ensure better co-ordinated relations with Government. It brought together the leadership of the main national Jewish organisations and a number of individuals whose influence or position was seen as particularly significant to the council’s work: some 20 people in total.

The group has quarterly meetings, chaired by the elected president of the Board of Deputies, to whom its full-time director reports. The membership includes the United, Reform, Liberal and Spanish and Portuguese Synagogues, the major national charities, including Jewish Care and the CST (Community Security Trust), and the Union of Jewish Students.

The JLC has had a mixed reception.

Some of the expressed antipathy stems from the apparent overlap with the board, which is the sole democratic representative body for British Jewry, comprising deputies elected by synagogues and Jewish organisations.

The JLC is democratic only by extension, for the majority of its members – lay leaders of communal organisations such as Liberal Judaism – hold office only through a mandate given by their membership. Much of its discussions are not publicised and those that are tend to be misrepresented in the press.

Despite the challenges it faces, the JLC has had some notable successes. It has enjoyed unprecedented access to the occupants of 10 Downing Street, which has allowed the pursuit of advocacy in support of shechitah, the voicing of opposition to the proposed academic boycott of Israel and ensured a positive reception to the report of the All Party Group on Anti-Semitism. The Chief Executives’ Forum permits Rabbi Danny Rich to meet his opposite numbers in a collegial manner. The JLC Commission on Schools will be a truly crosscommunal review of Jewish schooling.

Liberal Judaism fully supports the JLC, believing that it is an essential forum for building closer co-operation between the various movements that comprise British Jewry.

Nigel Cole is chairman of Liberal Judaism

November/December 2007

Page 8 LJ Today

Kosher in the Caribbean FOR THE LIBRARY

THE ISLAND OF ONE PEOPLE: A history of the Jews of Jamacia Marilyn Delevante and Anthony Alberga, Ian Randle Publishers, 2006, ISBN: 9789766372125

The fine, large synagogue building of Kingston, Jamaica, is distinguished by the sand spread all over its floor. There I attended religion school long ago together with the sister-and-brother team who have written this first modern history of Jamaica’s Jews. Richly illustrated, it provides an admirable compendium for all aspects down to the present of this significant and now Progressive community.

The Sephardi and Ashkenazi Jews, the product of successive waves of immigration, have played a much greater part in the economic and political life of Jamaica than might be expected from their numbers, but they have struggled in recent decades to preserve their Jewish identity. Currently some 250 Jews remain, about one in 10,000 of the population, whereas in the 1880s there were 10 times as many.

Jews have always integrated well with the rest of the population, engaging with distinction in agricultural, manufacturing, commercial, professional and cultural pursuits. In the first half of the 20th century, the Henriques and Matalon families were prominent in building up the country’s infrastructure.

Jews have also been government ministers, MPs, and mayors of Kingston.

Jamaican Jewish history is largely family history, which figures prominently in the volume. This integration is very Jamaican; the Jewish-sounding title of the book is taken from the country’s motto, chosen by Jamaica’s leaders when it achieved independence in 1962: ‘Out of Many, One People.’

The volume also describes the many synagogues and cemeteries opened and closed over the centuries. From 1910, reforming innovations were gradually

A life-enhancing process COMPELLING COMMITMENTS Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah, Liberal Judaism, 2007 One of the first things new members of Liberal synagogues usually ask is ‘What should I be doing as a Liberal Jew?’ Rabbis have a problem with this question because we don’t want to define people’s Judaism for them and on the other hand, we want people to be engaged, thinking, practising Jews who are committed to their religious identity and community.

Rabbi Tikvah Sarah’s pamphlet Compelling Commitments is a response to that dilemma.

Compelling implies that this is something that has relevance and meaning to us. These may change over time and so we are able to make our choices in the context of our life’s journey and its ups and downs. Commitments implies a fixed and continuous engagement in which Jewish practice is not just a fleeting experiment. I remember Linda Bayfield, z’l, setting a policy at Akiva School that encouraged girls to choose to wear a kippah but once they had done so, it became required that they wear one.

Tikvah Sarah identifies three categories of compelling commitment

each of which has two aspects: a particularistic one and a universal one emphasising the message of Liberal Judaism to both ‘a holy people’ and ‘a light to the nations’. The lists of examples are eclectic but then they could never be comprehensive as they are ever changing. We each need to produce our own list and one for children too.

Liberal Judaism has never been comfortable with producing a halachah, or rules by which to be Jewish. That would go against the essence of what Liberal Judaism is. It will remain a question whether Liberal Jews are seeking this kind of guidance or in the end will want their rabbi to tell them what to do. On the other hand, some have criticised Liberal Judaism for being too intellectual in its approach; they want something to believe in and act on that is ultimately compelling and spiritually rich. For those seeking to know what to do, Compelling Commitments is a process of decision making that will guide and enhance lives.

Michael Shire

introduced into the services, but it was not until the rabbinate of Bernard Hooker (1965-74) that the synagogue formally changed from Orthodox to Progressive. However, emigration for economic and professional advancement has long been common, there has been no rabbi for 30 years, those who stay in Jamaica have little opportunity other than intermarriage, and the outstanding Hillel Academy supported by the community never has more than 25 Jewish pupils.

Yet its leaders do not give up hope. An Israeli shaliach (emissary) has been engaged for the past two years. When the 13 scrolls were all found to be no longer fit for purpose, a new one was recently brought from the United States.

The future is uncertain, but when was it ever certain for Jews?

Henry Cohn

I ENJOYED....

Bee Season Myla Goldberg, HarperPerennial, £7.99 This is the story of a family’s struggle not only with their own personal journey of acceptance but also with their faith in and acceptance of each other.

Eliza, aged nine, is used to being ‘the one of whom great things should not be expected’. Her brother, Aaron, is the honoured guest in their father Saul’s study. Saul Naumann spent the first years of his life as Sal Newman and was 13 when he discovered his father’s birth certificate and his decision to renounce his Judaism. Saul came to embrace his heritage like a long lost friend. Their mother, Miriam, also suffered a loss, having been orphaned at a young age.

Eliza discovers a talent for words which will unite her with her scholar father but divide her from her academic mother and brother. As her displaced brother eventually finds that his Jewish faith no longer holds the answers he is searching for, he begins a new search for spiritual fulfilment and belonging.

Myla Goldberg’s first novel beautifully captures a young girl’s coming of age whilst her family spins out of control.

Lisa Baptiste

LJ Today Page 9

November/December 2007

Spotlight on Peterborough Where does the congregation meet?

The Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community meets at the Friends’ Meeting House, in the centre of the city.

What area does it cover?

Members of the community live over a big area: to the south, from St Neots in Cambridgeshire, to the east, from King’s Lynn in Norfolk, and to the north, from Boston in Lincolnshire.

How big is the congregation?

Peterborough is one of the movement’s smaller congregations. But in recent years it has experienced a resurgence due in no small part to the hard work and enthusiasm of Elisabeth (Lis) Walker, who acts as general administrator, choir and challah baker, and the support and dedication of Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, Liberal Judaism’s outreach director.

As well as having many elderly members, the community is growing as new younger people with children move into the area and join the synagogue.

When are services held?

Shabbat morning services take place on the first Saturday of the month. Services are also held for all the Jewish festivals, and a communal seder is one of the annual highlights.

Who leads services?

Recently, most services have been led by one of two longstanding community members: Lis Walker and Geoffrey Dannel. For the High Holy Days, Liberal Judaism has arranged for a student rabbi to lead services; this year’s services were led by fourth-year student Judith Levitt. For the coming year, however, Rabbi Goldstein – or another rabbi or student rabbi – will extend his support of the congregation by leading the monthly Shabbat morning services.

When was the synagogue founded?

Around 18 years ago.

What kind of feel would you say the community have?

Lis is the best person to describe this: ‘We’re very much a family, with a strong sense of mishpachah,’ she says. Though many congregants live an hour’s drive or more away, nearly all make the journey every month for the Shabbat service.

What social activities are there?

There is an annual chavurah lunch,

Elisabeth Walker with grandsons Leon, three, and Theo, two weeks. The community, supported by Liberal Judaism’s outreach director, Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, is expanding as more families move into the area

followed by a musical afternoon. For this, members are introduced to and enjoy an eclectic programme of music put together by Geoff.

Is there a cheder?

Peterborough used to have a joint cheder with the orthodox community, an arrangement which has lapsed. So there is no provision at the moment, but the community hopes to set up its own religion school at some point.

Are any of the congregants known more widely beyond Liberal Judaism?

Yes. Members include Lotte Kramer, an established poet, who came to Britain in 1939 as a child refugee, and her husband Fritz (Freddie).

Lotte has had several collections of her poetry published and a volume of her collected works, entitled Kindertransport Before and After: Elegy and Celebration, which contains poems written between 1980 and 2007, is also being published. Lotte’s poem On Shutting the Door forms part of the Yom Kippur Additional Service (page 330 of Machzor Ruach Chadashah).

Another member is Dr Dennis Guttmann, who for 25 years worked as a hospital consultant in the area, and whose father, Sir Ludwig ‘Poppy’ Guttmann, founded the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke-Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

What plans does the community have for the future?

Liberal Judaism will be continuing to support this growing community, offering new adult learning opportunities and encouraging events such as a Chanukkah party.

The community always welcomes visitors. Please telephone the Montagu Centre on 020 7631 9826 for further information.

Community Tour of Israel: 4-14 May 2008 Organised by Liberal Judaism and Birmingham Progressive Synagogue Come and celebrate Israel ’s 60th anniversary (8 May) in Israel!

Also: share Shabbat with a Progressive community; take in the beauty of the north; explore coexistence initiatives; meet a Palestinian journalist; sunbathe on Tel Aviv’s beach – and spend an optional day in Petra (£75).

The 10-day trip is £920 including flight and half-board accommodation.

For a full itinerary or to book, contact: shlicha@ liberaljudaism.org

November/December 2007

Page 10 LJ Today

Letters to the editor

Female delights

Campus efforts are timely

KOL ISHA AT THE LJS

Campus Jew-baiters recently allowed the Israeli-loathing Iranian President to debate at New York’s Columbia University. Would we want a debate of this sort to happen over here?

It is only five years since I was at university, and I recall the campus scene as having been overwhelmingly orthodox, with a dogmatic bent that allowed not even a partial flourishing or exploration of the Liberal Jewish side of things.

I applaud Liberal Judaism’s move to ensure it has a permanent presence on campus, first with the appointment of full-time fieldworker Jake Welford, and now with six student representatives.

This will be a boon. For too long, Liberal Jews on campus have been demoted to bit-players within the Jewish Society scene. Now there is the hope that J-Socs start to become more representative of the community as a whole.

Nevertheless all proponents of Judaism on campus must keep a constant watch. There is the continual threat from the academic boycott. Added to this are the extremist Muslim groups congregating in the quad, motivated by the hope that every non-Jewish student on campus will don a T-shirt that says ‘We are all Hamas now.’

What can Jewish students on campus do? They can realise and make sense of the outlets they now have for their faith.

They can be part of the invigorated Liberal Jewish presence on campus and continue their connection with the community they have at home.

Julian Hunter Harrow and Wembley Letters for publication are welcome. Email ljtoday editor@liberaljudaism.org or write to: LJ Today, The Montagu Centre, 21 Maple St, London, W1 4BE

A glance at Liberal Jewish history Forty years ago, on 28 November 1967, the Union of Liberal and Progressive Synagogues received a statement from the Chief Rabbi’s office regarding Liberal marriages.

This letter represented an important moment in the history of the relationship between the Liberal and Orthodox movements The letter, signed by Rabbi Rose, secretary to the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations, Immanuel Jakobovitz, read: Anent [concerning] the copy of your letter to Mr David J Goldberg of Dublin [the future Rabbi David J Goldberg] that you sent to the Chief Rabbi, he has asked me to confirm his agreement with your statement that ‘no responsible Orthodox authority would ever deny that where a marriage took place in a Liberal synagogue which could have just as well taken place in an Orthodox synagogue, the children of such a marriage could become members and indeed be married in an Orthodox synagogue’.’

Only two years previously, Dayan

Morris Swift of the London Orthodox Beth Din had declared that Reform and Liberal marriages were no more Jewishly valid than those performed in a register office. As a result of this, and statements by other Orthodox leaders in both Manchester and London, the controversy simmered.

The President of the Board of Deputies at that time was Solomon Teff, who chaired a committee on which Orthodox, Reform and Liberal representatives met in friendly discussion. Teff’s attitude of conciliation over Liberal marriages encouraged the ULPS leadership to propose that the ULPS itself, in addition to congregations, be represented on the board and take a larger part in its activities.

In 1966, Rabbi Sidney Brichto, executive director of the ULPS, and Trevor Chinn became the movement’s first deputies; the letter from Rabbi Jakobovitz followed discussions, instigated by Rabbi Brichto, on the validity of Liberal marriages.

The ULPS (now under the name Liberal Judaism) has been represented as a national body on the Board of Deputies ever since.

A large audience at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue was entertained and impressed by the first all-women concert in the UK featuring cantors and directors of music.

Jaclyn Chernett, Britain’s first and newly ordained cantor of Kol Nefesh Masorti Synagogue, Edgware, was joined

by Josee Wolff, the first European woman to be invested cantor at the School of Sacred Music at Hebrew Union College, New York; Vivienne Bellos (soprano), director of music, North Western Reform Synagogue, Golders Green; Cathy Heller-Jones (soprano), director of music at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue; and Zoe Jacobs, student cantor at Central Synagogue, New York.

The five singers treated us to a varied programme, ranging from beautiful ensembles to trios, duets and solos. It was devised by Cathy Heller-Jones and consisted of liturgical texts set to music by 19th and 20th century composers.

What was such a delight was that all five singers were so obviously enjoying themselves and having fun.

Dr Alexander Knapp brilliantly accompanied the singers. Dr Abigail Wood, his successor as Joe Loss lecturer in Jewish Music at Soas (the School of Oriental and African Studies), gave a stimulating pre-concert talk. It was a memorable evening, which ended with a standing ovation for the singers.

Ann Kirk

Islamic influence on Judaism Rabbi Mark Solomon is to give the second of two lectures on the influence of Islam on Judaism on Thursday 15 November. The lecture, which begins at 8pm at the LJS, will focus on philosophy and mysticism. All are welcome.

Study weekend The Eastern Counties Association of Progressive Synagogues, which includes Bet Tikvah, PJCEA in Norwich and Woodford Liberal, is holding its annual social and study weekend at St Gabriel’s, near Bunday, Suffolk, from 7 to 9 December. The theme is: Chanukkah: Religious Liberty versus Religious Extremism. Contact 01279 321665.

LJ Today Page 11

November/December 2007

LJY-Netzer is the youth movement of Liberal Judaism. It provides an opportunity for young people to develop a strong Progressive Jewish identity whilst enjoying friendships and having fun

Hadrachah Kadmites ReuNITE and recall magic of camp Sixty LJY-Netzerniks descended on Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue to ReuNITE with old and new friends from this summer’s Kadimah residential camp. This was our biggest shabbaton (overnight event) ever! Everyone chatted constantly, sharing memorable Kadimah moments.

ReuNITE, which took place during the last weekend in September, also provided an opportunity to take part in Northwood’s Sukkot services. At the end of the Shacharit service all members of the community. together with everyone at ReuNITE, attempted to get into the Sukkah during a brief spell of good weather.

Participants created booklets filled with drawings showing how much they loved Kadimah. They also went for a walk in the local woodland – and if fun can be measured in muddy shoes and trousers, then there was masses of it!

The visitors also joined the fun launch of the new LJY-Netzer Youth Club at NPLS. While this was billed as a reunion, it was great to see some new faces too. This weekend was a great end to the summer, and an even better beginning to the new LJY-Netzer year, with a ton of enjoyment ahead on 31 more events this year!

Lauren Dubell

Kadimah 08 Don’t forget: book for Kadimah 2008 before 1 December and you’ll receive a free LJY-Netzer bag! The dates are 27 July to 10 August.

Email office@ Kadimah 07... more fun ljynetzer.org. factory than charm school!

Come and build bridges by the sea In November LJY-Netzer is running its first event with LJ Students. As the title suggests (gesher: bridge) the event is part of an exciting initiative to build connections between LJYNetzer and LJ Students, which consists of some LJY-Netzer bogrim (graduates) and many people who were not involved in any Jewish youth movement.

As well as enjoying a great Shabbat spirit by the sea in Scarborough, young Liberal Jews will have a chance to talk about issues that affect them on campus and in the wider world, as well as study and have fun together.

This event is specifically for students in the North. We’re planning

partnership programmes for students in the Midlands and the South in the year to come.

Vic Kaufman

What’s next?

30 November-2 December Mini-Veidah 30 November-1 December Plagim Shabbat 27 December (Thurs) Bog Day: social event for LJY-Netzer members 18+ 28-30 December (Fri-Sun) Veidah: annual decision-making conference 18-20 January (Fri-Sun) Shabbat around Britain: synagogue residential weekends

In October, LJY-Netzer ran its most successful leadership-training seminar since the course began, with high demand warranting two separate hadrachah (leadership) weekends. The two events, which ran consecutively from 21 to 26 October, make up the movement’s training for all participants interested in becoming madrichim (leaders).

The course runs over three years, and is tiered according to age and experience. The new madrichim work as part of a tzevet (leadership team) organising and running weekends and camps across the country, from two day hiking trips in the countryside to weeklong spring camps.

Beginning hadrachah training is a milestone in the journey of any Netzernik. Up till this point, chanichim (participants) often have little insight into the workings of the movement, and events seem more like a magic show, with a ‘here’s an activity I made earlier’ kind of quality. In reality, every event is carefully planned in advance by dedicated youth workers who have volunteered time and energy to enthuse and entertain participants.

Seminar hadrachah slowly lifts the backstage curtain, allowing a little magic to remain, until the end of the three years when participants have completed the transition from chanichim to madrichim. While some things change, many things stay the same.

Just as close friendships form on camp, that same intensity, or an even greater one, can develop when leading on events too. And it’s not all work, because it’s the leaders’ time to party once all the chanichim are in bed.

And for those of us who are leading the leadership events, we know we’ve reached a whole new era. The idea of passing down what we have learned is as Jewish as any.

LJY-Netzer has existed for so long because groups of people exist who are passionate enough about our traditions to pass them on simply because they have improved our lives.

Every year we ask the new group of trainee leaders why they have given up their weekend to come and learn how to lead others, and every year we get the same answer: ‘Well, it’s obvious isn’t it? Our leaders inspired us – they ran great programmes, came up with new and inventive ways to keep us interested and were there for us when we needed them. All we can do to thank them is to pay it forward.’

Hadrachah comes from the root haderech, meaning ‘the path’ or ‘the way’. As we lead, we help others, as well as ourselves, to move in the right direction.

Amelia Viney, bogeret of LJY-Netzer

LJY-Netzer is at www.ljynetzer.org. Contact Vic Kaufman or Lauren Dubell 020 7631 0584 or office@ljynetzer.org

November/December 2007

Page 12 LJ Today

Liberal Judaism congregations Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue (Rodef Shalom), 01234 218387, bedsps@liberaljudaism.org, www.bedfordshire-ps.org.uk Beit Klal Yisrael, PO Box 1828, London W10 5RT 020 8960 5750, bky@liberaljudaism.org www.beit-klal-yisrael.org.uk Bet Tikvah Synagogue, 129 Perrymans Farm Road, Barkingside, Ilford, Essex IG2 7LX, 020 8554 9682, bttkv@liberaljudaism.org, www.bettikvah.org.uk Birmingham Progressive Synagogue Jericho House, 196-198 Edward Road, B12 9LX, 0121 446 5273, bps@liberaljudaism.org; 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 43-45 Bannerman Road, Easton, Bristol BS5 0RR bwpjc@liberaljudaism.org, www.bwpjc.org Crawley Jewish Community, 01293 534294 Dublin Jewish Progressive Synagogue, PO Box 3059, Dublin 6, 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 Eastbourne Progressive Jewish Congregation 01323 725650, fax: 01323 417645 epjc@liberaljudaism.org, www.epjcong.org.uk Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community 0131 777 8024, 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, hwps@liberaljudaism.org www.hwps.org Herefordshire Jewish Community Enquiries: 07789 218823 Kent Liberal Jewish Community 07952 242432, bulletin.kljc@liberaljudaism.org, 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, LE2 3EA, 07875 123744 lpjc@liberaljudaism.org The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St John’s Wood Road, London NW8 7HA, 020 7286 5181, ljs@liberaljudaism.org, www.ljs.org

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 www.ljynetzer.org President The Baroness Neuberger DBE Chairman Nigel Cole Vice Chairman Joan Shopper Treasurer David Pelham Officers Penny Beral; Roz Bott; William Glassman; Amanda Grant; Paul Infield; Elsbeth Mendes da Costa; Paula Scott; Stephanie Thwaites Senior Vice-President Rabbi Dr Sidney Brichto Vice-Presidents Jeromé Freedman, Louise Freedman, Rabbi Dr David Goldberg, Jeremy Jessel, David Lipman, Rosita Rosenberg, Tony Sacker, Beverley Taylor Hon. Vice-Presidents David Amstell, Geoffrey Davis, Rabbi Harry Jacobi, Willie Kessler, Corinne Oppenheimer, David Pick, Harold Sanderson, Clive Winston Chairs of Rabbinic Conference Rabbi Rachel Benjamin and Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi Chief Executive Rabbi Danny Rich Outreach Director Rabbi Aaron Goldstein Chaplain Rabbi Melinda Michelson-Carr Communications and PR Alexandra Mankowitz Shlicha Noa Marom Youth Clubs Jordan Helfman Student Fieldworker Jake Welford LJY-Netzer Victor Kaufman and Lauren Dubell Liberal Judaism promotes the religious and cultural traditions of our faith within the framework of progressive thinking and ethics. Liberal Judaism is a registered charity, number 256390.

LJ Today is edited by Beatrice Sayers The deadline for the Jan/ Feb 2008 issue is 3 December. Articles or letters for publication are welcome. Please send to: ljtodayeditor@liberaljudaism.org Printed by Freedman Bros.

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 Manchester Liberal Jewish Community, 08709 917327, mljc@liberaljudaism.org, www.mljc.org.uk North London Progressive Jewish Community 020 7403 3779, 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 Or Chadash Liberal Jewish Community of Luxembourg, 00 352 31 65 94 lljc@liberaljudaism.org Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community Enquiries: 020 7631 9826 The Progressive Jewish Community of East Anglia (based in Norwich), 01508 538666 pjcea@liberaljudaism.org, www.pjcea.org.uk Reading Liberal Jewish Community www.rljc.org 0118-375 3422, rljc@liberaljudaism.org South Bucks Jewish Community 0845 644 2370 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 Liberal Synagogue Marlborough Road, George Lane, London E18 1AR 020 8989 7619, wps@liberaljudaism.org www.woodfordliberal.org.uk Associated congregations Oxford, for details of Liberal Jewish Services: 01865 515584 or 01865 765197 www.oxford-synagogue.org.uk New communities The Suffolk Jewish Community 020 7631 9821, sjc@liberaljudaism.org

Make a date ...........

4 November (Sunday) Parenting Day Second annual event for parents and children aged 0-15, 9.30am at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue, St John’s Wood 15 November (Thursday) Islamic Influence on Judaism Lecture II: philosophy and mysticism

by Rabbi Mark Solomon. LJS, 8pm 25 November (Sunday) John Rich Memorial Event South London, 3pm 2 December (Sunday) Launch of Compelling Commitments With Rabbis Sarah and Rich. 3pm at the Montagu Centre

Liberal Jews greet Prince Rabbi Danny Rich was introduced to Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, at the Leo Baeck Education Centre in Haifa.

The occasion, in September, marked the first official visit to Israel by a member of the Royal Family. A large delegation from Liberal Judaism included the chairman, Nigel Cole, and his wife Andy, Jack Lynes and Bobbi Reisel.

The Prince’s visit was in recognition of the Leo Baeck Education Centre’s outstanding ccomplishments in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. l Leo Baeck Junior High School, acclaimed by all who visit for its high standards of achievement and the dedication of its teachers, has launched a Chanukkah appeal for new chairs. Most of its desks and chairs are old and falling apart. One chair costs £25; one desk with two chairs costs £72. Please send your cheque to: British Friends of Leo Baeck Education Centre, 4 Ben More, Oak End Way, Gerrards Cross, Bucks SL9 8DX.

New lectionary The Liberal Judaism lectionary for 5768 and 5769 (September 2007 to September 2009) is available from the Montagu Centre by email or post (contact montagu@liberaljudaism.org or 020 7580 1663). There is no charge. The lectionary lists recommended Torah and Haftarah readings for Shabbat, festivals and special Shabbatot.

Meet the author Ealing Liberal Synagogue warmly invites all Liberal Jews and friends to ‘Food for Thought: An Evening of Literature, Discussion and Meze’ with Charlotte Mendelson (author of Daughters of Jerusalem and When We Were Bad) at 7pm on Sunday 25 November. Email tracyposner@btconnect.com.

2008 7 January 2008 (Monday) Torah L’Am course starts, Montagu Centre: j.thwaites@ liberaljudaism.org

Big screen Jews

26 March to 2 April Religion school teachers’ seminar in Israel j.thwaites@liberaljudaism.org

From The Band’s Visit (2007, Arabic/ English/Hebrew with subtitles) to His Wife’s Lover (1931, Yiddish with subtitles) there are old favourites as well as new movies in this year’s UK Jewish Film Festival. It happens in London from 3 to 15 November and tours the UK from January to March 2008. Full details at www.ukjewishfilmfestival.org.uk.

4 to 6 April Biennial Weekend in Bristol.

Details from m.beral@liberaljudaism.org 4 to 14 May Liberal Judaism’s Community Tour of Israel shlicha@liberaljudaism.org 8 May (Thursday) Yom Ha’atzmaut 5768 Sixty years since Israel’s independence 15 June (Sunday) Liberal Judaism Religion Schools’ Israel Event, at the LJS