LJ Today November/December 2008

ljtoday

November/December 2008

VOL. XXXV No. 6

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

Photo: Louise Block

Three-way agreement is signed An agreement, signed by the Liberal, Reform and Masorti movements and committing the three organisations to working together, has received a warm reception from members of Liberal synagogues.

In the ‘Statement on Communal Collaboration’, each body expresses commitment to respecting the others’ traditions.

Acknowledging the ‘sincere differences’ among many of those associated with synagogue movements, Rabbi Danny Rich says: ‘The future of the community is best served under the flag of “Jewish unity, not uniformity”. This is true pluralism, which demands both integrity and a sense of the common good.’

Collaboration in practice, page 6-7

In this issue News and communities

2-3

Kristallnacht remembered 4-5 Letters to the editor

8

Now you’re talking EJ Cohen 9 on Judaism and sign language

On the website Thought for the Week; forthcoming events; Ask the Rabbi; and more www.liberaljudaism.org

Hand made in Bristol

children and parents from the community.

The hangings, pictured, were installed in August in Bristol and West’s High a window above the bimah.

Holy Day services had extra They were created at the colour this year, supplied congregation’s annual by glass hangings made by summer weekend in a

project co-ordinated by Louise Block, a glass artist working in Bristol.

Louise, together with head of cheder Iris Segall, led the project, which received funding from the Kessler Foundation.

Liberal Jews raise ‘noise’ level at child poverty rally A group of Liberal Jews, including chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich, joined 10,000 people from across the country at a demonstration in central London for an end to child poverty in Britain.

Speakers at the rally, staged by the Campaign to End Child Poverty, called on the Government to keep its promise of ending child poverty by 2020.

West Central Synagogue held a Shabbat morning service before the rally, on 4 October, themed around the campaign. Orlando de Lange and Ben Baginsky, social action and youth workers for Liberal Judaism, co-led

The campaigners at the rally in Trafalgar Square

the service with Rabbi Janet Burden.

In Trafalgar Square, the group made their their contribution to a ‘minute’s noise’, directed at Downing Street. www.endchildpoverty.org.uk

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November/December 2008

Gloucestershire is welcomed with a blessing Allison related how she had set the ball rolling for the group’s formation and David explained how it was ‘just growing on its own’, adding: ‘We hope this is the start of Allison Hyman something big.’ With some 500 Jews in the area, according to the most recent census, the community hopes to reach out to the unaffiliated.

At Gloucestershire’s first AGM, earlier

in the month, some 40 members heard that a constitution had been adopted and that 70 burial plots had been designated at a cemetery in Cheltenham. Rabbi Danny Rich, guest speaker, praised the group for having achieved so much in the few months it had been in existence.

Rabbi Rich is to conduct a consecration ceremony at the cemetery.

The community, created less than a year ago, is holding monthly Shabbat morning services during the winter months followed by a Shabbat meal.

New museum for the ‘silent messengers’

Photo: Peter Day

A superb new museum at Westminster Synagogue tells the story of the 1,564 Czech scrolls rescued from the Nazis by the London-based Memorial Scrolls Trust. The scrolls arrived in Britain from Prague in 1964.

Some 20 of the restored scrolls are on loan to Liberal synagogues in Britain, with most of the others on permanent loan to communities in Europe, Australia and America.

The exhibits include the remaining scrolls, a display of remarkable binders and other moving reminders – ‘silent messengers’ as they are described – of the destroyed

Some of the 1,564 scrolls, on their original racks, at the new museum at Westminster Synagogue

communities of Bohemia and Moravia.

The museum, in Knightsbridge, is open to the public on Tuesdays and

Join a visit to hidden treasures Following its official launch and successful Genealogy Workshop in September, Liberal Judaism’s Daytimers group has planned a visit to Bevis Marks Synagogue on 1 December, to see an exhibition of rare and beautiful textiles.

The textiles are from the collections of the Spanish and Portuguese Congregation and the Montefiore Endowment. The

sumptuous Torah mantles of Bevis Marks, founded in 1701, will be displayed for the first time in a joint venture.

The group is to meet at the synagogue, in the City of London, at 10.45am. All are welcome; there is a £3 entrance fee. To book, please contact Lina Fajerman on 020 8504 3125 or lina.fajerman@ ntlworld.com.

Passports are now available online Young adults can now apply online for a Liberal Judaism Passport, which enables them to have access to more than one community.

The scheme, for Liberal Jews aged 20

to 35, has a scale of fees according to age. To apply for a Passport, please visit www.liberaljudaism.org/passport.htm.

Alternatively, email shelley.s-d@ liberaljudaism.org.

Thursdays from 10am to 4pm. Tel: 020 7584 3741. Group visits can be arranged outside these times.

Zionists get first Liberal chair Benjy Aarons-Richardson, mazkir (general secretary) of LJY-Netzer, and one of the youth movement’s full-time workers, has been elected co-chair of the Zionist Youth Council. It is the first time the ZYC has had a Liberal chair.

The council, which represents some 10 Zionist youth movements across the British Jewish community, campaigns on issues of common concern and runs inter-movement events.

LJY-Netzer has a busy few months ahead, with two activity weekends in Feburary and Spring Camp in April.

LJY-Netzer, page 11

Birmingham’s splendid building is consecrated

Around the Communities

Rabbi pays tribute paid to founders, writes Eric Ackstine The unveiling of a commemorative plaque in Birmingham Progressive Synagogue’s new home was performed

by Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein, who grew up in the congregation and received his early Hebrew education there.

At the unveiling, following a Shabbat morning service in September, Birmingham’s rabbi, Dr Margaret Jacobi, paid tribute to those who had played an important part in the planning of the new building but had died before it was completed, in particular to Joe Wernick and Harold Inglis, after whom the synagogue’s splendid new function room is being named. The building, designed by one of Birmingham’s members, former chairman Keith Reynolds, houses the Midlands Centre for Liberal Judaism.

Rabbi Jacobi also paid warm tribute to the late Dr Heinz Shire for the important role he had played in the life of the whole Birmingham Jewish community.

Photo: Simon Williams

The newest Liberal Jewish congregation, in Gloucestershire, has formally joined as an associate constituent of the movement.

A spontaneous decision was made to say a shehecheyanu at the council meeting in September at which Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish Community’s membership request was accepted by acclamation.

Earlier, the community’s chairman, David Naydorf, and joint secretary, Allison Hyman, gave brief presentations.

LJ Today Page 3

November/December 2008

Margaret Jacobi and Andrew Goldstein with chairman Frank Maxwell, left, and architect Keith Reynolds, right

For Rabbi Goldstein, the new – albeit unpaid – job came a week after being handed a giant P45 at a weekend marking his retirement following 43 years of distinguished service at Northwood and Pinner synagogue.  In September, Liberal Judaism’s council elected Sharon Goldstein, wife of Rabbi Goldstein, to the role of vice-president; Rabbi Goldstein was elected to a similar role in June.

Midlands worker starts Liberal Judaism has appointed Sophie Stern as its Midlands development worker. The new, full-time role, based at the Midlands Centre for Liberal Judaism, was created with the aim of providing support for the growth of Liberal Judaism’s work in the region. It is being funded by the Council of Patrons and the Friends of Liberal Judaism.

Sophie, 22, pictured, will help to run and manage events, working closely with Rabbi Dr Margaret

Jacobi, of the Birmingham community.

Though from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, Sophie knows the synagogue as it was where she worshipped while a student at Birmingham University: she recently gained a BA in Islamic studies.

Asked about her job, Sophie says: ‘I felt, what better than to help out the movement in return for what I’ve gained.’

She is also involved in a video project connected to The Three Faiths Forum’s ParliaMentors project, which nurtures future political leaders from the three Abrahamic faiths.

Celebrating Liberal Judaism ‘Where we’ve been, where we are, where we’re going’ A Day of Celebration for the movement in Birmingham, 17 May 2009 Keynote speaker: Baroness Neuberger, president of Liberal Judaism Celebrating Liberal Judaism will be an opportunity for Liberal Jews from around the country to have an affordable day out celebrating, enjoying and learning a bit more about their Liberal Judaism. It will also be an opportunity to put Liberal Judaism on show at the recently opened Midlands Centre for Liberal Judaism and generate new interest in Liberal Judaism among Jews in the Midlands.

East Midlands The Hebrew crash course in Derby organised by Julian Love from the Nottingham congregation and run by student rabbi Sandra Kviat was a big success. There are plans to continue the course with monthly lessons, and hold further crash courses in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham.

Ealing The community has given Northwood and Pinner’s old ark a new lease of life by incorporating it into a new ark it has had designed and constructed. Ealing’s new ark was inaugurated at a service in September.

Kent Rachael Roberts hands Maidstone’s Mayor Denise Joy a piece of honey cake at the Maidstone multicultural Mela, held at Mote Park.

The Kent synagogue’s stall at the festival raised £158 for the Demelza House Children’s Hospice in Sittingbourne.

Edinburgh The five children at the synagogue’s cheder, who are aged between seven and 12, led a complete Friday night service themselves, reciting all prayers, in Hebrew or English. They even led a discussion of the congregation’s responses to a reading based on the parashah.

Northwood The synagogue resembled a nursery at its first joint baby blessing ceremony, for 11 babies, pictured above with their parents.

Southgate Two of the synagogue’s long-standing and very active members, Tony Halle and Vic Teacher (pictured together, with Tony on the right), shared a kiddush to celebrate their 80th birthdays.

November/December 2008

Page 4 LJ Today

Seventy years after the terror of Kristallnacht, refugees offer their personal

LJ Today Page 5

November/December 2008

recollections as Pete Tobias looks at how modern Germany handles its past

The night hopes were shattered On 9/10 November 1938, in a night of anti-Jewish violence, synagogues were burnt down and windows broken in Jewish shops and offices in cities, towns and villages throughout the Third Reich.

By the morning of 10 November, some 91 Jews had been killed and about 30,000 had been arrested.

Kristallnacht, the ‘night of broken glass’, marked the beginning of the Holocaust. Jews in Nazi Germany were already severely restricted: they were banned from using hospitals or holding professional jobs, and Jewish children could not be educated past the age of 14.

But the terror of Kristallnacht was a clear signal that the lives of these Jews – many of whom had lived in Germany for generations – were in danger.

Many managed to leave: Britain took in nearly 10,000 predominantly Jewish children from Germany and the occupied territories of Austria, Czechoslovakia and the Free City of Danzig as part of the

Kindertransport rescue mission. Many would never see their parents again.

On 9 November 2008, The Liberal Jewish Synagogue will hold a service (see box, bottom right) of readings and music to commemorate Kristallnacht. It will include recollections from those with personal experience of the tragic events, as well as a reading from Martin

Goodman’s renowned work, Kristallnacht: Prelude to Destruction.

The musical emphasis will be on composers whose music would have been familiar to the Reform congregations in the 1930s as well as music by composers who emigrated from Europe during the Holocaust, such as Max Janowski and Heinrich Schalit.

Pretext for orchestrated violence On 3 November 1938, Herschel Grynszpan, a 17-year-old Jewish student staying with relatives in Paris, received a postcard from his parents. They were among the 12,000 Polish-born Jews who, in late October, were arrested, stripped of their property and herded aboard trains to Poland. There, however, Poland refused to admit them and they were stranded at the border. In the card, Herschel’s parents asked him to help them. Herschel, pictured after his arrest, responded by walking into the German Embassy in Paris and shooting a junior diplomat, Ernst vom Rath. Two days later, vom Rath died. Hitler’s propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels, used the incident as a pretext for demonstrations against Jews: under his instructions, in the early hours of 10 November destruction broke out in cities, towns and villages throughout Germany.

‘We didn’t sleep. My father’s hair turned Ruth Shire, 87 BIRMINGHAM My family lived in Sieburg, near Bonn, a small town with about 50 Jewish families. I came to England in 1936 and lived with a nonJewish family. I had already separated myself mentally Ruth Shire; below, as a from Germany – I teenager in 1938 had to leave school there in 1935 (when I was 14) because I was Jewish.

When I was 16 years old, I went back to Germany to visit my parents for the summer holidays, but at 17 you needed a different visa to get back to England and I was stuck in Germany until January 1939.

There was a Jewish school in Köln called Yavneh school. I remember after coming back home in the car we

heard on the radio what had happened [the Grynszpan incident]. My father said: ‘That’s going to be a catastrophe. It will have terrible consequences.’

My father was taken to the local prison on the next day. All the Jewish men were. They came for him in the middle of the night. We didn’t hear from him for several days. I remember some very able ladies frying eggs and taking them in sandwiches to the men in prison so they would have something to eat.

There was a lot of terrible drama and trauma. It was not expected that this would happen, especially to families where the men had fought in the First World War – they had an Iron Cross.

We had a shop and my father had to come back to sign the papers to hand it over. Eventually we heard that he’d been taken to Dachau.

We were lucky that the family in England who had me and one other family raised £300 each to get me and my parents out of Germany. In June or July 1939 my parents came.

I’m glad to say that both my parents survived into old age. They died in their beds.

Edith Bown, 84 KENT I was a Berliner.

The flat we had was on the fourth floor.

We had a little shop in a working class district. I went to a Jewish school, the Grosse Hamburger Schule, where half of the children there Edith Bown; below, as a were Polish. It was nurse in Ireland in 1942 one of the best schools.

On 7 November 1938 it was made public that a Jew had gone into the embassy in Paris and shot one of the staff. The harassment on the radio was terrible. I can still hear that pig Goebbels.

On 9 November in the afternoon I’d come home from school and my brother – he was four years younger – went to the barber to have his hair cut. I went upstairs. I

Germans pass a shop destroyed during Kristallnacht. During the night, about 100 Jews were killed and 20,000 were arrested United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

white by the morning’ turned the radio on of course and I heard this man [vom Rath] had died. While I was still listening to this my brother came in, his hair half-cut from the barber. He had heard the same thing. We ran downstairs and went to the underground station just across the road from us. We got on the phone. I said to my father: ‘For God’s sake come home, we don’t know what they’ll do to us.’ So they came home.

I know we didn’t sleep that night. We saw the hordes of Nazi youths with axes breaking the windows of the Jewish shops and helping themselves to whatever they wanted.

My father’s hair turned white by the morning. My mother said, ‘You must go to school in the morning and find out what happened.’ So I went to school. I had quite a long tram ride. When I got there, half the children weren’t there.

Not a word was said by the teachers.

I was shaking in my shoes. The terror was such that I lived my life in fear. Fear that I’ve never forgotten.

I came home on the tram. There were shops destroyed all the way along. After giving me some lunch, my mother said,

‘Go and see how they got on at our friend’s shop.’ Off I went along the road. Of course all the windows were smashed and people were helping themselves. There was even a policeman walking up and down.

My brother and I arrived in London on 21 June 1939 [on a Kindertransport]. My parents were arrested on 5 May 1939.

My father went on a transport in 1942, my mother in 1943. According to the Berlin authorities, this was recorded in a special Berlin Memorial Book.

[Both Edith’s parents were murdered.]

Every time on 10 November, long before it was fashionable, I used to think I ought to fast on that day.

Commemoration The service at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue to mark the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht will be held on Sunday 9 November at 5pm. It will be followed by refreshments. An exhibition about Kristallnacht will also be on display. All are welcome to attend.

Why Berlin is back on the Jewish map The city that used to be the place of so many restrictions for the Jews, not just under the Nazis but throughout their time in Germany’s capital, is now an evocative and challenging place in which young Jews can explore their heritage.

Every year I take my Kabbalat Torah group to Berlin and I encourage participants to reflect on two issues. The first is to consider how easily we manage to travel into and across this city that through the ages has created so many divisions, not only between Jews and non-Jews but between Germans in the East and West while the Wall was in place. The second is a question: I ask them to consider which, if any, of the numerous memorials to the victims of the Holocaust in Berlin successfully honour the memory of those who suffered and died.

We visit what was the Jewish quarter, with brass memorial plaques dotting the cobbled pavements, the cemetery that became the deportation point for the Jews and the oppressive, incomprehensible memorial with its 2,711 concrete slabs.

Watching parties of German schoolchildren study exhibits in the Holocaust Information Centre beneath this memorial in the same way that one might look at displays in, say, the Science Museum, evokes an anger that is perhaps disproportionate. And I confess to a sense of amusement when watching my group enjoying the displays and hands-on activities in Berlin’s excellent Jewish Museum, their laughter frowned at by the museum staff who look with disbelief at my ‘Trust me, I’m a rabbi’ sweatshirt. Amidst all the numbing horror that accompanies a journey around Germany’s capital seven decades after Kristallnacht, I feel a sense of pride - defiance, even - that the next generation of Liberal Jews is able, and keen, to take in more than a thousand years of Jewish history and tradition in this country. To explore their Jewish heritage in this city, which was also the birthplace of Progressive Judaism, emphasises both the need to keep alive that Jewish heritage – particularly our Liberal interpretation of it – and our success in doing just that.

Pete Tobias is the rabbi of The Liberal Synagogue Elstree

November/December 2008

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LJ Today Page 7

November/December 2008

Movements will co-operate across three main areas You talk about the movements working together. Who is to work together: just the heads or just the rabbis?

The statement is a call not only to movement leaders but to local rabbis and congregations and to any Jew who wishes to show a commitment to a new future for the British Jewish community.

The Liberal, Masorti and Reform will now work even closer together in at least three areas: campuses, ethics and schools.

Many of our students feel under siege from cults, from anti-Israel activists and from religious fundamentalists, including Jewish ones. We will make a joint effort to encourage Jewish students to affirm

their Jewish identity and their connection with Israel in a modern manner.

and the expression that the statement can become a ‘shelf’ agreement.

I take a more optimistic view. I hope that the statement will come to be understood as a plea and as a model for a different working relationship whereby it is possible to work together when the common good requires it, and, where that is not possible or desirable, to differ and debate respectfully and even lovingly.

Won’t it be business as usual?

Even in the religious sphere cynicism holds great sway, and so it is inevitable that the Statement on Collaboration should receive a shrug of the shoulders

So far, so messianic. But what about the reality today – are all these steps the precursor to a merger?

I do not believe that there will be a merger for many reasons. First, no one

Danny Rich on what the accord means in practice

WORKING TOGETHER How Liberal Judaism already works with communal and faith bodies

Liberal Judaism plays a prominent role in the World Union for Progressive Judaism, which links 1.7 million Jews across 42 countries. Liberal Judaism, or the Jewish Religious Union as it was then, was the founding member of the World Union following an inaugural meeting at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in 1926; Dr Claude Montefiore was the union’s first president, Rabbi Israel Mattuck its first chairman and Lily Montagu its first honorary secretary.

Dr Andrew Goldstein, emeritus rabbi at Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue, chairs the European Region of the World Union, which works to promote the development of Progressive Judaism in Central, western Europe and Israel.

On the Board of Deputies, Liberal Judaism is represented by two movement delegates and 15 synagogue delegates.

Jeromé Freedman, a vice-president of Liberal Judaism, has been a member of the board’s constitution committee for the past five years.

The BoD is one of the few institutions where most sectors of the Jewish community come together.

UJIA (the United Jewish Israel Appeal) has worked and continues to work with Liberal Judaism on a range of projects, including the educator-in-residence programme at Liberal Judaism’s Biennial Weekend and its Israel tour for educators.

UJIA also provides bursaries, according to need, for individuals participating in Liberal Judaism’s activities.

In partnership with JAFI (Jewish Agency for Israel), UJIA provides superb help for Liberal Judaism’s youth movement: its JLEC (the Jewish Life Education Centre) provides staff and leaders with training, support, mentoring, guideances and materials to help them best achieve their goals; and its Israel Experience programme organises the thrilling, life-changing tours of Israel and Europe, which young Liberal Jews take part in through LJY-Netzer.

As the recent agreement states, Liberal Judaism is now working even more closely with the Reform and Masorti movements, especially in the areas of student campuses, practical Jewish ethics and faith schools. The aim is that no individual should suffer because of the differences between the three movements.

LJYNetzer represents Britain and the Republic of Ireland in Netzer Olami, the worldwide progressive Zionist organisation for youth. Together with its affiliate bodies it has about 12,000 members.

Liberal Judaism is proud to be one of the main sponsors of Leo Baeck College, the largest Jewish Progressive university and rabbinic college in Europe. The vast majority of Liberal rabbis are graduates of the college, which is based at the Sternberg Centre in Finchley.

The college provides a range of services to Liberal synagogues and religion schools through its DJE (Department of Jewish Education). It offers training to religion school teachers, provides teaching materials and serves as an examination centre for GCSEs.

Liberal Judaism’s involvement with the Council of Christians and Jews dates back to the movement’s early years, in the 1940s. Liberal Jews now chair some of the most successful CCJ branches, such as the Dittons, Hillingdon and Lincoln. It is hoped that by the end of this calendar year the CCJ’s first Liberal Jewish president will be appointed.

appears to want it. Second, the differences, for example, between the Liberal and Masorti approach to halachah probably preclude it.

In the absence of a merger, I confess that, provided there is not a wasteful utilisation of scarce resources, a little friendly rivalry probably serves everybody well. Different movements emphasise different services at different times, and all movements sharpen their acts a bit in the face of the success of others.

On ethics, it is fair to say that on a number of issues there might be agreement across the whole Jewish community. Examples would include fair business practices and support for development in the poorer parts of the globe. Nevertheless, it was the United Synagogue-controlled Jewish Association of Business Ethics (JABE) which declared

that Liberal and Reform rabbis were not ‘Torah true’ teachers and could not, therefore, appear on JABE panels or take part in schools workshops. As a result, just over a year ago a number of Liberal, Masorti, Reform and Orthodox business people formed ResponsAbility, which will have a wide area of expertise and interest.

How can we co-operate on Jewish day schools when some Liberal Jews don’t approve of Jewish schools?

Few Liberal Jews would deny that if the state is to fund Christian and Jewish schools it must in fairness make provision for Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs.

I would add a further level of fairness: if the taxpayer is to fund Jewish schools (including the Jewish Free School) for which the governing bodies decide ‘who is a Jew’ by reference to the United

Synagogue, then the state should fund other Jewish schools where the ‘who is a Jew’ question is answered by reference to Liberal, Masorti or Reform rabbinic authorities.

The statement talks about ‘respecting each others’ traditions’. Can we respect a tradition when we fundamentally disagree with it?

We differ with Roman Catholicism on the maleness and celibacy of the priesthood but we respect the Pope and Catholics and treat them accordingly. We do not require the removal of shoes or the separation of men and women in worship but if we visit the local mosque we respect its customs.

There is no religious as opposed to political reason why we could not do the same within the Jewish community.

THE STATEMENT OF COLLABORATION IN FULL Pluralism means living creatively with diversity. It is based on treating other groups and their philosophies with respect, while maintaining the right to uphold the value of one’s own position.

Diversity is a reality within the British Jewish community; true pluralism is, as yet, not. We believe that British Jewry both needs and deserves better.

Wisdom dictates that our small community (267,000 and shrinking inexorably at the rate of 1 per cent each year) is best served by a leadership which embraces the values of pluralism and acts accordingly. Pragmatically, we cannot afford to duplicate the use of resources or waste them on denominational competition. If the Jewish community is to be renewed, it is manifestly obvious that we have to plan and work together. We acknowledge the challenges faced by the British Jewish community in terms of resources, and commit ourselves to avoiding destructive competition and needless duplication.

Perhaps the most inspiring example of pluralism to benefit our community is Limmud, which began in Britain and has spread throughout the Jewish world. A key feature of its success is that it welcomes both teachers and students from all the movements within Judaism today, and from none. But there are also other examples of respectful and creative cross-communal partnership,

This is the text of the Statement on Communal Collaboration, issued on 12 September 2008 and signed by the heads of Liberal Judaism, the Movement for Reform Judaism and the Assembly of Masorti Synagogues such as the UJIA and Jewish Care.

These organisations model how we should behave towards one another.

Respect for those who hold different positions from ourselves must begin with our leaders. We, therefore, resolve to treat one another accordingly, honouring the titles and status of rabbis and teachers and instructing our communities to do likewise.

Such respect is no less the due of every individual, especially at sensitive times in the life cycle, including marriage, the celebration of namings, brit and bnei mitzvah, as well as during illness and after death. Whereas we acknowledge that there are significant differences between the movements on questions of personal status, we undertake to do our utmost to negotiate them in a spirit of respect for the dignity of each individual as created in the image of God. Whether at the chuppah or the cemetery, we resolve to work together as co-operatively as possible and to seek ways to prevent individuals from suffering because of the differences between our movements.

The values of pluralism must also influence the way in which we develop our institutions. We have every right to seek to further the goals of our own movements. But at the same time we recognise that there are many situations in which it is better to share than to squander limited financial and human resources on replication and competition. We resolve to bear this reality in mind at all times, and, even as we pursue our own objectives, to have as our primary aim the overall good of the whole community.

Pluralism is not the same as spineless acquiescence. Debate, even to the extent of impassioned argument, is not only legitimate in Judaism, it has always been considered a positive value, so long as it is for the sake of Heaven.

We therefore encourage informed and creative dialogue and disagreement.

But we undertake to do our best never to let this descend to the delegitimisation of the rights of others to hold to the integrity of their positions.

No less important than being able to disagree with dignity is our ability to agree, and to be seen to agree in public, so as to demonstrate leadership and solidarity on issues of vital and universal moral importance. These include opposition to racism and antisemitism, public stances regarding Israel, support of inter-faith initiatives, Continued on page 8

November/December 2008

Page 8 LJ Today

Letters to the editor ................

I was really encouraged to read Rabbi Danny Rich’s article (‘The earth is ours only on loan’, LJ Today Sept/Oct 2008) and to know that Liberal Judaism is committed to working to raise awareness of climate change and prevent further destruction of the natural world.

I teach at a primary school in Hackney, east London. When I asked my Year Three class ‘How many of you are worried about climate change?’ nearly all of the children put their hands up.

Since then I have been working to help my pupils see that they can have a voice and can make a difference. I took part in a series of short films about climate change, called Sisters on the Planet.

Produced by Oxfam, the films look at the lives of four women across the globe – me and three others, from Uganda, Brazil and Bangladesh. It shows clearly

how climate change is already affecting these regions, with poor people struggling with more and more extreme weather.

Readers can find out more about the work Oxfam is doing, and order a free DVD of the films, via: www.oxfam.org.uk/ get_involved/campaign/climate_change/ sisters.

Melissa Davies Oliveck Southgate Progressive Synagogue With reference to Rabbi Rich’s article, readers may be interested to know about the success of LJY-Netzer’s Fly Green project, in which participants on summer programmes abroad were asked to make a payment towards offsetting the CO2 emissions from their flights.

The project raised £500, enabling us to plant 100 trees in Neot Smadar in

the Negev. This was done in partnership with JNF. Victor Kaufman Community Youth Projects Manager for Liberal Judaism FPJ raised just over £25,000 for the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism as a result of a joint drive with the Reform movement, Liberal Judaism and Pro Zion. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this worthwhile cause.

Jane Greenfield Friends of Progressive Judaism in Israel and Europe Letters for publication are welcome. Email ljtodayeditor@liberaljudaism.org or write to: LJ Today, The Montagu Centre, 21 Maple Street, London, W1 4BE. Please supply a contact telephone number.

THE STATEMENT OF COLLABORATION IN FULL campaigns for justice, welfare, charity and the environment. We should not rely on external organisations to add us to their list of sponsors one at a time, but should be prepared, in appropriate contexts, to articulate Judaism’s prophetic vision and values openly together.

We believe that synagogue organisations need to model a pluralist manner of cooperative working in Britain, remembering the message of the midrash, that the Second Temple was destroyed on account of sinat chinam, causeless hatred between factions. Cooperation for the sake of Heaven, l’shem Shamayim, is a profound religious value.

There are many ways in which we differ. We have different approaches to that vast and distinctive Jewish inheritance – the halachic tradition. We use different prayer books and our styles of services are different. We feel ourselves to be heirs to different Jewish cultural expressions (Ashkenazi, Sephardi, German, Eastern European, and American). These differences should be seen to add to the richness and diversity from which Jews of different tastes and temperaments can choose.

AREAS FOR CO-OPERATION We believe that for this truly to succeed

we must move beyond just talking and look for areas where we can truly work together and demonstrate our commitment to these ideals. Such areas are many but would include: Schools We believe that this is one of the areas where there is a widespread consensus, namely that one of the best ways of ensuring Jewish survival, the transmission of Judaism and a knowledgeable and committed Jewish community of the future is through Jewish Day Schools for all who seek such an education.

Students and young adults Most of our students and young adults form one constituency and do not like to be ‘classified’. They are our future, and supporting and nurturing them through this formative stage in their lives is critical. By working together we can avoid wasteful duplication and finance a well resourced programme, which responds to their needs.

Jewish Ethics Judaism taught the world that God is the embodiment of the ethical and commands ethical action, the pursuit of justice and righteousness. We are committed to a Jewish ethical response to the cutting edge issues of our day:

the environment; human rights; business ethics; medical ethics; development; the eradication of poverty.

We know that no religious tradition contains all wisdom or possesses all the answers. We cannot repair the world on our own. We stress learning from others, working with others, networking and partnership in advocacy.

COMMITMENT TO ACTION This document is not just a statement of principle, however important the principle. It is a commitment to work together for the sake of the Jewish community, the future of Judaism in Britain. As leaders we have a responsibility to come together and demonstrate that we can truly work together.

Nigel Cole, Chair, Liberal Judaism Rabbi Danny Rich, Chief Executive, Liberal Judaism Michael Gluckman, Executive Director, Assembly of Masorti Synagogues Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, Senior Rabbi, Assembly of Masorti Synagogues Stephen Moss, Chair, Movement for Reform Judaism Rabbi Dr Tony Bayfield, Head, Movement for Reform Judaism

LJ Today Page 9

November/December 2008

With signs and wonder Renowned Jewish educator and sign language interpreter EJ Cohen describes how she combines two of her passions The first time I saw sign language being used, I was fascinated by the fluid movement, the expressions and the energy.

It was 1977 and I was a young teacher on a flight back home to the USA after a first visit to Israel. An accident had prevented me from extending my stay in the Jewish state, where I felt so much at home, and consequently, I cried for most of the journey. When I ran out of tissues, one of the men in the group I had been watching use sign handed me a fresh pack. I already knew the sign alphabet from reading stories about Helen Keller and I began to sign ‘thank you’ by spelling it, a laborious task because I had to start each letter from A; he taught me ‘thank you’ in American Sign Language.

Back in the States, my fascination did not dim. I joined a sign language class. At the time I was also teaching remedial mathematics and performing as a guitarist/folksinger. A year later, I started a master’s degree in Deaf Education, then continued my education and became a teacher of the Deaf.

But I wanted more. I wanted to be an interpreter, one who is the intermediary in communication between two cultures.

After years of hard work, including interpreter training courses, teaching at a residential school for the Deaf and immersing myself in Deaf culture, I am now a fully certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter. (I use an upper case D to denote a person who is

part of Deaf culture; a lower case ‘d’ to mean a person who cannot hear, and doesn’t use sign language.)

ASL is based on French Sign Language and has no similarity to British Sign (BSL), though their structures are similar. While here in the UK, I completed two levels of BSL. I work as a consultant for the Jewish Deaf Association, assisting with the Jewish signs and meanings of prayers and lifecycle events.

I use Israeli Sign sometimes, and teach the Israeli signs for words such as ima, abba, yeled and yaldah for a game based on the song David Melech Yisrael; and I have taught the Sh’ma in BSL at several synagogues in London, including Finchley Progressive, and at Limmud and LimmudFest.

Learning to sign the prayer helps to explain its meaning. But signing also adds something else: a visual

EJ pictured at the start and finish of the sign for ‘Israel’ – a movement that shows a beard

understanding. When I sign the Sh’ma, I do not sign ‘listen’, because that word is not inclusive for the Deaf, but ‘pay attention’.

It is important for people to understand that sign language is far more than just hand signals: it is an actual language, which is used to convey meaning beyond what words can express. The signs must be done accurately; a careless learner can easily sign a word that means something completely different.

My big passion, though, is being able to interpret Jewish music. Many Deaf people can feel the music but want to learn more about what is going on. I’ve worked with Danny Maseng, Arnie Davidson, Jeff Klepper, Craig Taubman and others, and even had the honour of interpreting all of Debbie Friedman’s Carnegie Hall concerts. Being able to take their lovely lyrics and melodies and transmit their meaning and kavannah – intention – into sign is very rewarding for me. Many Deaf Jews have not had the opportunity for Jewish education, because most synagogues do not have staff who are trained in educating the Deaf, or interpreters who know Hebrew or Jewish culture. My being able to provide musical insight is a stepping stone for future educational opportunities.

EJ Cohen is the director of education at Finchley Progressive Synagogue and the resource centre librarian at the Department of Jewish Education at Leo Baeck College

Young adults gather from across Europe Liberal Judaism’s ‘tent’ community together with Jung Und Judisch and Tamar Olami (the young adults movement of the World Union for Progressive Judaism) are gearing up for the first trans-European gathering for Progressive young adults, which runs from 6 to 9 November 2008 in Berlin.

Taking the form of a seminar on Shabbat Lech-Lecha, the weekend costs £145 including programme, accommodation and meals.

To book, visit www.tamar-europe.com or for more details email jewish.journeys@ gmail.com or contact Avivit Katzil: a.

katzil@liberaljudaism.org or 07866 501 787. Bursaries are available.

Looking back on a busy summer, more than 120 people attended the launch of the ‘tent’ CD at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue. A ‘tent’ musical service was led by student rabbi Anna Gerrard and Avivit Katzil. Rabbi Danny Rich praised the CD and led kiddush.

CDs are still available and can be ordered at: www.liberaljudaism.org/tent_ donations.htm.

In August, 18 young adults attended ‘tent’s’ weekend getaway, staying in a

beautiful wooden cabin in Lee Valley Park. And the first ‘tent’ service to be held at a Limmud event was a big success. More than 80 people attended the Friday night service, led by Rabbi Hillel Athias-Robles and Avivit, at Limmudfest in the Peak District.

Dates for your diary: • Chanukkah, Friday 26 December 2008: service and party • Purim, Tues 10 March: a surprise event • ‘tent’ at WUPJ Connections 2009, Israel: 23 to 28 March • Trip to Argentina, provisional dates: 30 September-12 October 2009

November/December 2008

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LJ Today Page 11

November/December 2008

Spotlight on Kingston Where is it based?

Kingston Liberal Synagogue (KLS) has used its own premises, a former school in Rushett Road, Long Ditton, since 1976.

Extensive improvements have taken place in the past two years, with the sanctuary having been rebuilt and extended in time for the community’s 40th anniversary celebrations in 2007.

When was it founded?

In 1967, by a group of local families who met initially in hired rooms. Many had been worshipping in communities in central and south London.

Who are the rabbis?

Charley Baginsky was appointed as Kingston’s rabbi in 2008, following a year as its student rabbi and several years of association with the community through its religion school. She is probably the only Liberal Jewish rabbi with her own blog: www.klsrabbi.blogspot.com.

Danny Rich is KLS’s emeritus rabbi.

Appointed in 1988, he was the community’s first full-time rabbi, leaving in 2005 to take up his current position as chief executive of the movement. During Rabbi Rich’s time at Kingston the congregation grew substantially: there are now nearly 350 members.

When are services held?

On Friday nights and Saturday mornings.

Services are intended to be inclusive and welcoming, with a mixture of Hebrew and English prayers and songs.

Special styles of service, held once a month, include a family service, a chaverah (friendship) supper service and a choral service. Services are also held for festivals and the High Holy Days, usually with a choice of family-style or more formal services. A crèche is often available for the major festivals.

Kingston hosts a popular communal seder at Passover and special events for festivals such as Purim and Chanukkah.

Is the synagogue musical?

A volunteer choir rehearses regularly, always expanding its repertoire. It draws on modern composers as well as the classics of the English and German traditions and, for family services, favourites from the Kadimah summer school.

There is a junior orchestra, made up of religion school pupils, and extensive musical support, provided by Tammy

What else is on offer?

Cultural events taking place at the synagogue include play readings, Where do its sifrei torah come from? musical recitals, discussion groups and Three of KLS’s five scrolls are guest speakers. part of the 1,564 Torah scrolls A Doroteinu Group, for collected at the Jewish older members, meets Museum in Prague during the monthly.

Nazi occupation of Bohemia KLS has a welland Moravia in Czechoslovakia stocked library and and rescued by the Memorial Judaica shop. It is Scrolls Trust. twinned with the Ner Tamid community of What else happens Simferopol, Ukraine. spiritually?

KLS is active in local Rabbinical and pastoral faith-based support is on offer for lifecycle organisations including events such as birth, bar/ the Council of Christians Rabbi Charley Baginsky batmitzvah, Kabbalat Torah, and Jews. marriage and bereavement. A funeral insurance scheme offers a choice of What other new developments have burial or cremation and the availability there been at Kingston? of plots in our own local cemetery.

The synagogue has in recent years hosted Holocaust memorial workshops What education is on offer? for schools, designed to maintain A lively cheder (religion school) is held awareness of the Shoah and its lessons on Shabbat mornings during term time. for today, in particular for young people.

Pupils typically enrol at age five and The workshops have been run jointly progress through a curriculum of with the local Orthodox synagogue.

Hebrew and religious knowledge until age 17, What about socially? when they become assistant Members of KLS organise bridge groups, teachers (the retention rate cycling outings, walks, picnics, rounders, is second to none); many quiz evenings and social evenings. students sit the GCSE in Jewish studies. Bar/batmitzvah Why should I visit? preparation is integrated into the KLS is a vibrant, happy community, schedule. which welcomes not only visitors and Before Saturday services there are prospective members but also local parallel classes for parents to keep up groups: numerous schools visit as part with their children, as well as a weekly of their studies.

Hebrew class. Recently a Shabbatots group for toddlers has also started.

How can I find out more?

Adults can attend the well-respected Visit Kingston’s website, www.klsonline.

Evening Institute, which meets weekly. org, or telephone: 020 8398 7400.

LJY-Netzer is Liberal Judaism’s Zionist youth movement. It gives young people the opportunity to develop a strong Progressive Jewish identity whilst enjoying friendships and having fun. Visit www.ljynetzer.org

Rich, for the school and for bar/ batmitzvahs.

Yes, we do achieve miracles How LJY-Netzer got on with its typically modest mission – to change the world but it is not always Every year easy to realise, a LJY-Netzer has a feeling with which different theme, I’m sure many which we use to tie people are familiar. together our We aimed in 5768 to events. It ensures combat head-on this that everyone in the tendency. youth movement Our grand project has a similar had several experience whether highlights. We they’re eight, 23 or worked really closely somewhere in Ben Baginsky (in yellow jacket) and with JCore (the between. Last year, Netzerniks at the Walk for Gilad event Jewish Council for not wishing to set Racial Equality), out sights too high, attended demonstrations such as the we proclaimed 5768 ‘The Year Walk for Gilad, lobbied MP Hilary Benn LJY-Netzer Changed the World’. about climate change, set in place a From the moment this theme campaign to offset carbon footprints on emerged at Veidah (AGM) in December 2007 people asked: ‘How can LJY-Netzer our overseas events, worked with residents at the Rubens House care change the entire world in one year?’ home in Finchley, added substantially to The answer is simple: you just have to our Tikkun Olam Social Action Fund and get out there and do it. While we’re raised plenty of awareness about the proud of our ability to educate on social many causes that concern LJY-Netzer. In issues, we don’t always translate our all these ways LJY-Netzer has changed, knowledge into action. We have a vision

Help for your synagogue Liberal Judaism hopes to take a taste of LJY-Netzer to all its communities.

Please get in touch with me for ideas on how to set up youth clubs or hold an LJY-Netzer roadshow or LJY-Netzer-style musical services in your synagogue.

I’m here to help you!

Victor Kaufman

and continues to change, the world for the better.

In 5769, we will engage with a new theme but our world-changing aspirations will remain. We hope the memories of 5768 will endure and encourage our chaverim, and all those they come into contact with, to take on the responsibility of altering the world for good.

Now for this year...

Do you want to change the world? Join LJY-Netzer’s Social Action Chain Reaction – a two-part bonanza. On Saturday 15 November polish your shoes and don your glad rags for ‘The ‘do the do’ Do: The LJY-Netzer Charity Ball’ – an evening of music, activities, dancing and games for everyone in LJY-Netzer aged 8-23; then, on Sunday 16 November, join LJY-Netzer for an inspiring social action project as part of Mitzvah Day UK. Please contact the office for more details.

So many different treats ahead Social Action Chain Reaction, 15 and 16 November, all ages Mini Veidah, 5-7 December, for school years 7-10, at the Midlands Centre for Liberal Judaism Veidah, 20-23 December, ages 15-23 Hiking weekend, 16-18 February, school years 11-13 Barging Trip, 27 February-1 March, for school years 9-10 Machaneh Aviv (Spring Camp), 14-17 April, for school years 3 to 10

Songleading Sensation, 1-4 May, school years 11 upwards Next year’s Machaneh Kadimah summer camp (for eight- to 15-yearolds) runs from 26 July to 9 August.

We’ll return to the superb Cottesmore School for two weeks of fun and learning.

LJY-Netzer Contact Benjy Aarons-Richardson or Ben Baginsky: 020 7631 0584 or office@ljynetzer.org Kingston’s popular communal seder. The synagogue celebrated its 40th anniversary last year

November/December 2008

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, 07505 477459, bky@liberaljudaism.org, www.bkylondon.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 Bishopsgate St, Roseland Way, Birmingham B15 1HD, 0121 634 3888, bps@liberaljudaism.org, www.bpsjudaism.com 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 HA3 0QH, 020 8904 8581, hwps@liberaljudaism.org, www.hwps.org Herefordshire Jewish Community, Enquiries: 01594 530721, http://members.lycos.co.uk/herefordjc/ 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, www.klsonline.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 The Liberal Synagogue Elstree, Elstree High Street, Elstree, Herts WD6 3BY, 020 8953 8889 tlse@liberaljudaism.org, www.tlse.org.uk

The Montagu Centre 21 Maple Street London, W1T 4BE Tel: 020 7580 1663 Fax: 020 7631 9838

www.liberaljudaism.org President The Baroness Neuberger DBE Chairman Nigel Cole, Vice Chairman Joan Shopper Treasurer David Pelham Officers Leon Charikar, William Glassman, Amanda Grant, Jackie Richards, Paula Scott and Stephanie Thwaites Senior Vice-President Rabbi Dr Sidney Brichto Vice-Presidents Monique Blake, Jeromé Freedman, Louise Freedman, Rabbi Dr David Goldberg, Rabbi Dr Sharon Goldstein, Jeremy Jessel, David Lipman, Rosita Rosenberg, Tony Sacker and Beverley Taylor Hon. Vice-Presidents David Amstell, Geoffrey Davis, Andrew Goldstein, Rabbi Harry Jacobi, Willie Kessler, Corinne Oppenheimer, David Pick, Harold Sanderson, Clive Winston Chairman of Rabbinic Conference Rabbi Pete Tobias Chief Executive Rabbi Danny Rich Internal Services Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer Communications and PR Alexandra Mankowitz Shlicha (Israeli Emissary) Noa Marom LJY-Netzer Benjy Aarons-Richardson and Ben Baginsky Community Youth Projects Manager Victor Kaufman Midlands Development Worker Sophie Stern

LJ Today is edited by Beatrice Sayers Articles and letters are welcome. The deadline for the January 2009 issue is 2 December. Please email: ljtodayeditor@liberaljudaism.org Liberal Judaism is the dynamic, cutting edge of modern Judaism. It reverences Jewish tradition, seeking to preserve the values of the Judaism of the past while giving them contemporary force. Registered charity number 256390.

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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, Middx HA6 3AA, 01923 822592, npls@liberaljudaism.org, www.npls.org.uk Nottingham Progressive Jewish Congregation Lloyd Street, Sherwood 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 Beit Ha’Chidush, Postbus 14613, 1001 LC Amsterdam, Netherlands, 00 31 23 524 7204 info@beithachidush.nl, www.beithachidush.nl Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish Community Enquiries: 01242 521468 or 01242 234232 Oxford Liberal Jewish Services: 01865 515584 or 01865 765197, www.ojc-online.org

Developing communities The Suffolk Jewish Community 01473 250797, sjc@liberaljudaism.org

‘tent: the meeting place’ for young adults Avivit Katzil 07866 501787

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

9 November (Sunday) Service at the LJS at 5pm to mark the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht Email kristallnacht70@googlemail.com for details or telephone Yael Shotts on 020 7631 9830 23 November (Sunday) John Rich Memorial Day at South London, with Rabbi Professor Marc Saperstein, principal of Leo Baeck College 1 December (Monday) Hidden Treasures – Sacred Textiles exhibition at Bevis Marks. Visit by the Daytimers group. Tel: 020 8504 3125 2009 17-23 March WUPJ International Convention in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Theme: Our Heart, Our Soul, Our World. Visit: www.wupj.org 11-18 March ‘Insights to Israel’ Liberal Judaism’s trip for educators 20-22 March (Friday-Sunday) Hebrew Crash Course at Northwood Telephone 01923 822592 May LJS Israel Tour Seven-day tour, open to all.

Contact Carol Roberts via the LJS office on 020 7286 5181 or email carol.a.roberts@gmail.com 17 May (Sunday) Day of Celebration for Liberal Judaism Contact: w.glassman@liberaljudaism.org 21 June (Sunday) FPJ (Friends of Progressive Judaism) AGM at the Sternberg Centre

Learn about Israel in the spring ‘Insights to Israel’, a Liberal Judaism trip for educators, will take place from 11 to 18 March 2009.

This trip, which is run by the Lokey Education Centre, Haifa, and is being heavily subsidised, is open to all those interested in education in their community, including rabbis, chairs of education and head teachers. The visit was postponed from spring 2008.

For further information, contact Yael Shotts: y.shotts@liberaljudaism.org.

A Liberal Simcha on the Square Liberal Judaism’s stall at the third annual Simcha on the Square event attracted a stream of Jews – and non-Jews – with questions about the movement and about attending High Holy Day services.

There was particular interest among those in their twenties and thirties in ‘tent: the meeting place’ and in Liberal Judaism’s new Passport scheme.

Mattuck examined Rabbi Dr Marc Saperstein, principal of Leo Baeck College, is the speaker at South London synagogue’s John Rich Memorial Day, on Sunday 23 November.

He will speak on ‘Britain’s Liberal Rabbi in the Great War: the unpublished sermons of Rabbi Dr Israel I Mattuck’.

Rabbi Danny Rich will chair the occasion, from 3 to 6pm, and there will be time for discussion and questions; an evening service will follow, conducted by student rabbi Janet Darley.

Admission is free, with refreshments provided. All are welcome.

Rabbis tour Israel Rabbi Danny Rich is to lead a six-day tour of Israel in March 2009, including a visit to Hebron, for rabbis and human rights activists. The tour will follow on from the WUPJ convention. Further details are available from Yael Shotts: y.shotts@liberaljudaism.org.

Save the date Liberal Judaism’s next Biennial Weekend will be held on 16-18 April 2010 at the Tortworth Court hotel, Wotton-under-edge, Gloucestershire.