LJ Today Sept/Oct 2022

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

www.liberaljudaism.org

ljtoday September/October 2022 VOL. XLIX No. 5

A new President Welcome for Liberal Judaism

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ABBI ALEXANDRA WRIGHT (pictured) has been elected as the new President of Liberal Judaism.

The Senior Rabbi at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS) since 2004, she was the first woman to lead a major Jewish congregation in the UK. For more than three decades, she has been an inspirational leader within Progressive Judaism – acclaimed for her work on inclusivity and education, as well as for a deep dedication to pastoral responsibilities.

Rabbi Charley Baginsky, CEO of Liberal Judaism, said: “Rabbi Alexandra Wright is without doubt a leading voice in Liberal Judaism; committed, passionate, wise and thoughtful.

“Alex will be an incredible President for Liberal Judaism, one who recognises that she is standing on the shoulders of giants, and also one who looks to bend down and stretch a hand out to others and lift them up.”

Others to hold the position of President, since the founding of Liberal Judaism 120 years ago, include Claude Montefiore, Lily Montagu, Rabbi John Rayner, Baroness (Rabbi Julia) Neuberger and outgoing President Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein.

Speaking after her election at the Liberal Judaism AGM, Rabbi Alexandra Wright said: “I feel very honoured to be elected President of Liberal Judaism, following in the footsteps of so many respected figures.

“My earliest memories are of being taken by my parents to the LJS for the High Holy Days and listening to the sonorous voice of then President, Rabbi Dr Leslie Edgar.

“I hope I can now be a worthy successor to all my predecessors who did so much to disseminate our proud heritage and the significant message of Liberal Judaism – a Judaism that aspires to be sincere in its worship, incisive in its teaching and inclusive and caring in the work of its communities.”

Reflecting on his 10 years as President and his new role as a Vice President, Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein added: “I look back with great satisfaction on all I have experienced. And I go out knowing that Liberal Judaism is in a good place with an exciting future, and that my successor Rabbi Alexandra Wright will add new blessings as we celebrate the 120th anniversary of our movement.”

Nigel Cole, Jane Greenfield, Dr Edward Kessler MBE, Josie Kinchin, Ann Kirk BEM, Bob Kirk BEM, Frank Maxwell and Baroness (Gillian) Merron were also all elected as Vice Presidents of Liberal Judaism at the AGM – reflecting their many years of service and dedication.

• RABBI Gabriel Kanter-Webber received his ordination from Leo Baeck College in a service held at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue.

He was ordained

by Liberal Judaism Vice President Rabbi Danny Rich at the service, which was attended by many Progressive rabbis and leaders, including Liberal Judaism CEO Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Liberal Conference of Rabbis and Cantors Co-Chair Rabbi Rebecca Birk. He will now serve Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue.

• DAN KYLE is Liberal Judaism’s new Membership Manager. He will be working with our communities to offer support and fulfil shared objectives. To get in touch, email d.kyle@liberaljudaism.org

Farewell • RABBI Miri Lawrence-Cohen waved a regal goodbye to Reading Liberal Jewish Community with a special service and kiddush. She remains the rabbi of Ealing Liberal Synagogue.

• RABBI Tanya Sakhnovich will be leaving The Liberal Synagogue Elstree in October to join Edgware and Hendon Reform.

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Events

September/October 2022

Lord Dubs delivers Harry Jacobi Memorial Lecture

THIS YEAR’S Rabbi Harry Martin Jacobi Memorial Lecture was delivered by his friend and fellow campaigner for the rights of refugees Lord (Alf) Dubs.

Lord Dubs (pictured above left), a child of the Kindertransport, gave an inspiring speech to more than 120 people seated in Southgate Progressive Synagogue or watching online.

Speaking from his home, via Zoom, Lord Dubs laid out a powerful case for why the way we treat refugees matters.

Watching in the synagogue were Harry’s children, Rabbis Richard and Margaret Jacobi, along with Bambos Charalambous MP, Mayor of Enfield Cllr Doris Jiagge and Mayor of Barnet Cllr Alison Moore (all pictured above right) Mark Shaw, Chair of Southgate Progressive Synagogue, said: “It was a great event and an honour to hear Lord Dubs talk about his tireless campaigning for refugees, particularly child refugees, over many decades.”

Lord Dubs, after whom the Dubs Amendment to protect the rights of child asylum seekers is named, visited Calais in 2016 with Rabbis Harry, Margaret and Richard Jacobi. He has won many awards in recognition of his campaigning.

Margaret said: “This topic would have been very close to Harry’s heart. He always supported just causes, especially the cause of refugees, drawing on his own experience as a child refugee from Nazi persecution.”

Join the Shabbat for small communities ONE SHABBAT – the annual weekend that celebrates small Jewish communities and Jews living remotely – will take place on 9/10 September.

This year’s theme - taken from the parsha for that week Ki Teitzei - is ‘of neighbours and strangers’.

Ed Horwich, Chief Executive of JSCN (Jewish Small Communities Network), said: “Our very first ONE Shabbat last year was amazing with 3,500 people taking part either online or in person.

“This year, we will continue to celebrate all the Jewish small communities right across the British Isles together.

Be a part of it, knowing that people and communities are all marking this Shabbat together with you.”

ONE Shabbat is supported across all Jewish denominations and we are proud of the involvement of Liberal Jewish communities. To find out more, please visit jscn.org.uk/oneshabbat

Events

September/October 2022

LJ Today Page 3

Pink Singers shine at Pride event Moments

The Pink Singers on stage at the LJS entertaining Liberal Judaism members and guests

By Karen Newman Deputy Chair, Liberal Judaism LIBERAL JUDAISM celebrated Pride in style during its 120th year with a PrePride Erev Shabbat Celebration hosted by the Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS). This was followed, after a chavurah supper, by a live concert by the Pink Singers.

The Pink Singers were delighted to be returning to the LJS and they put together a wonderful programme of songs from different genres.

Rabbi René Pfertzel, who was there when the Pink Singers performed at the LJS in 2017, said that watching them sing lent the Hebrew inscription above the Ark – which translates as ‘worship the Eternal One with joy’ – a new meaning.

The concert was preceded by a PrePride Erev Shabbat Celebration created

by Rabbi Indigo Jonah Raphael along with Rabbi Rachel Benjamin and myself.

Rachel ensured that the musical elements were beautifully celebratory, leading the singing in a joyous round of Hineih Mah Tov, and ending with Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu - Peace Will Yet Come To Us. Indigo read the poem Moments from his Poetry Collection (see right).

One unexpected, but unforgettable, highlight was Rabbi Mark Solomon leading the congregation in a fullthroated rendition of I Am What I Am. Other speakers, both in-person and on video, spanned the wide spectrum of the Jewish LGBTQI+ community.

They included Liberal Judaism’s Officer for Communities and Social Justice, Owen Power, and Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah, who has done so much to pioneer inclusion within Liberal Judaism.

Shaan Knan, who managed the three inclusion projects hosted by Liberal Judaism – Twilight People, Rainbow Pilgrims and Rainbow Jews – read a special prayer, Twilight People, which was written for the Trans Day of Remembrance that commemorates the victims of transphobic violence. It can be read at tinyurl.com/LJTwilightPrayer Perhaps the last word on this great celebration should be left to a Pink Singer, who put the following on his blog after the event: “As with any other performance, the choir first warmed up, got organised and then got ready to be on stage. But this time things felt different.

“I don’t know whether there is a strong connection between the LGBTQI+ and the Jewish communities but what I did see was that music and love connected us all.

The synagogue was filled with emotions from warm hearts.

“Audience members of all ages clapped, danced and sang with us and above all, joined our love.

“It was very touching that, after our performance, many people came to us sharing their feelings about our music. I realised that there should be no barriers between humanity. No one was born with prejudice and no one should be judged by their sexuality, gender or faith. I learnt a beautiful lesson on that night.”

Rabbi Indigo Jonah Raphael speaking

A time for questioning & a time for acceptance, A time to acknowledge & a time to sit in denial, A time to come out & a time to stay in, A time to fear & a time to be at peace, A time to be cheeky & a time to be demure….

A time to call people by their chosen pronoun/s & a time to be misgendered, A time for bling & a time for the mundane….

A time to be restrictive & a time to be nuanced, A time to be someone & a time to be me, A time to be a womyn & a time to be a new kind of man, A time to engage with curiosity & a time to deal with voyeurism, A time for dysphoria & a time for euphoria!

Rabbi Indigo Jonah Raphael: Oasis of Transmigration, excerpt p16.

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History

September/October 2022

The Liberal Jewish Presidents Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein looks back at the men and women who have helped lead our movement IT was a privilege, 10 years ago, to be elected President of Liberal Judaism.

I recall thinking of the day I was taken by my mother for my first day at the religion school at Birmingham Liberal Synagogue. It must have been 1950 and I have been involved in Liberal Judaism in one way or another ever since.

Now I pass on the honour to Rabbi Alexandra Wright, who has also been connected with our movement for most of her life and will bring her talents and commitment to the position.

This moment of handover made me think of all the Presidents who have preceded us.

Dr Claude G Montefiore was one of the ‘3 Ms’ who founded our approach to Judaism. He was President from the time of our first service in 1902 until 1932 (he died six years later). He was the great nephew of Sir Moses Montefiore and very much part of the Anglo-Jewish establishment.

He was a student of rabbinic literature and compiled, with the Orthodox scholar Herbert Loewe, The Rabbinic Anthology.

He was maybe the first English Jew to write seriously about Christianity and its connections to Judaism and he compiled many books explaining the tenets of Liberal Judaism and a nonfundamentalist view of the Bible.

Montefiore was a member of both The Liberal Jewish Synagogue and West London (Reform) Synagogue. He was the founding President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (1926) and President of the Anglo-Jewish Society.

He founded the League of British Jews in 1917, which became an active anti-Zionist movement and this belief came to affect Liberal Judaism’s stance for the first 50 years of its existence.

A hard act to follow but another of the ‘3 Ms’, the Hon Lily Montagu, ably filled the position from 1932 to 1962.

She had been the inspiration behind the establishment of our movement in 1902 and was a tireless worker for the development of Liberal Judaism in this country and, through the World Union (of which she was Secretary), globally.

She was a deeply spiritual person, a devoted social worker and the first woman to found a synagogue and conduct its services. Much work has been done recently to tell her story, which also formed the core of the Liberal Judaism exhibition and oral history project Lily’s Legacy, which was showcased at the recent Day of Celebration.

Rabbi Dr Israel Mattuck, the third M, would have been a distinguished President but the others held the office whilst he was active in the movement.

However his son-in-law, Leslie I Edgar, succeeded him as Senior Rabbi of the LJS and was President from 1962-65.

Two titled Liberal Jews then followed as President. Lord Cohen of Walmer (1965-72) was a leading barrister and judge and was made a King’s Counsel in 1929. He was wounded in France in the First World War and in the Second served in the Ministry of Economic Warfare.

After the war, he led various Government enquiries including those on the crashes of the Comet jet airliners. I’m told he was greatly interested in the workings of what was then the Union of Liberal and Progressive Synagogues and, as a former judge, read all the minutes sent to him with great care. I can recall him speaking at the AGM of the newly formed Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue.

He was succeeded by Eva, Marchioness of Reading (1972-73).

She was a model of many values we have come to define as Liberal Judaism.

Though her father was Jewish (Lord Melchett) she was raised as a Christian by her mother. In 1914, she married Gerald Isaacs, who became the 2nd Marquess of Reading.

After a series of trips to Palestine, she returned to Judaism and was converted

by Rabbi Maurice Perlzweig in 1933. He was an ardent Zionist and she espoused his interest. She became the President of the British branch of the World Jewish Congress and, as such, was prominent in actions to rescue Jews during the Holocaust, as well as raising money for projects in Israel. She played a major role in several secular activities, especially setting up day nurseries for working mothers, and later became the President of the National Council of Women.

Sadly this unique woman was to die after only one year as President, just three months after the death of Lord Cohen. Out of deference to them, and their illustrious predecessors, the office remained vacant for a decade until Malcolm Slowe (1983-87) was appointed.

Maybe time for a pause in this history with Lord Goodman (1988-94), Rabbi John Rayner (1994-2005) and Baroness (Rabbi Julia) Neuberger (2006-2011) to follow in a later article.

What a distinguished list of Presidents I was privileged to join.

Rabbi Dr Andrew and Sharon Goldstein with a blue plaque marking their contributions to LJ

In Memory

September/October 2022

LJ Today Page 5

‘He touched the lives of so many’ Judi Herman pays tribute to her husband Dr Stephen Herman, who died in June SO MANY members of The Ark Synagogue and Liberal Judaism will have their own memories of my beloved husband Steve.

From the day we joined Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue (as The Ark was then known) more than 40 years ago, Steve was dedicated to our community and our movement. He served in many roles at The Ark, including President.

As Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein, who led the congregation at that time, remembered in his hesped (funeral oration): “Steve was supportive in so many ways… welcoming to strangers and first-time members, interested in everybody’s story and always there to thank those making a difference.

“He was a Council member who always gave good counsel, advice given in the quietest way, never pompous or overbearing. He was involved in all aspects of our congregational life.”

Steve touched the lives of so many individuals, had a profound influence for the good on institutions, both in his professional life as an economist and leading executive in a range of companies, and in the voluntary roles he embraced so enthusiastically within Progressive Judaism.

He gave equal energy and commitment to them all of course. But it was as Chair of the Board of Governors of Leo Baeck College – where students train for the Progressive rabbinate – that his influence and support made an especially profound difference.

Rabbi Dr Charles Middleburgh, Dean of Leo Baeck College, said: “Steve cared passionately about the College. He understood it, valued it and did everything he could to support it.

“Steve selflessly gave his leisure time to working for the College, revising its ways of governance to assert its independence as a centre of excellence.

He was always at the end of the phone when counsel or consolation was needed, and he was quick to be congratulatory and appreciative when that was appropriate. Although he was softly spoken, he had real steel when it was needed, in his voice and in his backbone.”

As his adoring and adored wife of 47 years, it falls to me to fill in some biographical details.

Born within the sound of Bow Bells, at Whitechapel Hospital, so technically a true Cockney, Steve was the only child of Bert and Bette Herman.

From primary school age, living in Holborn, he went to religion school several days a week after school and on Sundays. That helps to explain his perfect liturgical Hebrew and chanting from the Torah and Haftorah.

And forget the stereotype of the spoilt only child. By age 11, now living in a council flat in Swiss Cottage, he was actually a latch-key kid with two working parents, so when he got home from school, he fended for himself – or even got the supper underway.

No wonder he was the perfect cook, latterly bread and ice-cream maker, ironing supremo, floor cleaner - and always fighting with our daughter Jess over who should do the washing up!

He chose to study for his economics degree at the brand new University of Essex, because the professor had written a book on the subject that particularly resonated with him.

His early career was in the sales and marketing team at Reuters International.

He had been working there for some years by 1975, the year when our close friendship deepened into the love that led to our marriage that November at the West End Great Synagogue in Dean Street (now the Soho Theatre).

It was there that Steve’s parents were members, for he was not brought up in the Progressive movement.

Later, Steve took on the role of Chief Executive of an international cutting-edge data company. This was a role he held for years until a hostile takeover by an American company saw him made redundant. Bloodied but unbowed, my ever-resourceful Steve worked uncomplainingly at anything and everything – and wherever the work took him to keep us, his family, secure.

Outside of work, we did everything together, especially thanks to our shared passion for theatre, comedy and music hall – both as performers and creators.

We took shows to the Edinburgh Fringe and wrote for and performed with The Ark’s Oaklands Drama Group. In Stones of Kolin, my community play telling the story of 600 years of Jewish life in the Czech town where our synagogue’s first Czech scroll came from, he played all the rabbis through those centuries, reducing the audience to tears when we actually took the play to Kolin. And together we were enthusiastic members of the synagogue’s choir, where we found both pleasure and wonderful friends.

In his last long-term employment at Business Link, Steve was a small and medium business adviser for Hertfordshire, helping, guiding, encouraging and inspiring – a real people person. His forte was practical help, which he loved to give wherever he could.

It was this role that inspired him to undertake a part-time PhD over six years, working full-time and studying evenings.

Ever modest, he was though very proud to be awarded his PhD in evolutionary economics.

At the funeral, our son Ed, daughter Jess and I gave a joint eulogy. Ed told how “dad loved to help people”, with Jess adding: “He had a desire to use his energy and life force to make a positive impact in the world.”

Institutions for which Steve volunteered in trustee and directorial roles included Religions for Peace, Watford Citizens Advice Bureau, West Herts College, The Interfaith Network, West Herts Against Crime, Jess’s company, the Sexual Health Circus and, of course, Leo Baeck College.

At home, his adoration of his children and his three grandchildren – Ed and Rachael’s Alys and Dylan, and Jess and Austin’s Myla – was mutual. He was affectionately dubbed “a play Poppa” and “the nicest man in the world”. I’m biased of course, but I cannot put it better.

Concluding his hesped, Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein listed all the words that might be used to describe Steve, saying: “Nice, good, kind, compassionate, polite… they all apply but each not strong enough.

Even mensch is too weak, for Steve was a super mensch.”

• This is an edited version of the tribute that appears in The Ark Synagogue’s magazine Davar.

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Communities

September/October 2022

Eventful times for Mosaic Liberal

By Alan Solomon THESE are exciting days for members of Mosaic Liberal, as we mark not one but two important milestones in our history.

The congregation was founded in 1947 when Max Salter, who had been a member of the South London Liberal Synagogue but had moved to Wembley, was persuaded to set about forming a Liberal community in the area.

A meeting at Wembley Town Hall resulted in the formation of the Wembley & District Liberal & Progressive Group.

A nomadic existence followed for a few years before a decision was made in 1954 to acquire a building.

Max, a long-standing member of the struggling Preston Lawn Tennis Club just off Preston Road, seized the opportunity to pay £1,700 for five hard courts, a putting green and a small wooden pavilion. The community now had a home.

A hall with a seating capacity of 200 was built with the pavilion being used for extra seating, kitchen and toilets.

As a result of the continually increasing membership, this building was demolished in 1965 and a purpose-built single storey synagogue constructed, with a major extension in 1977. By then the community was known as Wembley Liberal Synagogue. We later changed our name again to Harrow & Wembley Progressive Synagogue.

In 2000 it was decided to capitalise on the value of the site, and a large section was sold to McCarthy & Stone for sheltered housing.

The new Mosaic building on Stanmore Hill

Planning permission was obtained for a new two-storey building on the remainder of the site, and we moved seamlessly from old to new in 2004.

However, just seven years later and realising that we were now facing a serious situation with falling numbers and financial uncertainty, we took a leap of faith and decided to sell the building.

Where would we go? The powers that be at Middlesex New (Reform) Synagogue in central Harrow, knowing of our plight, were kind enough to offer us the use of some areas of their building.

So on a rather wet day in June 2011, we left 326 Preston Road, the site which had provided our home in three different buildings for 57 years, and went to Bessborough Road, Harrow, to be welcomed by our new friends.

This association strengthened in the years that followed and, in March 2014, we joined a unique partnership in AngloJewry. The three Progressive synagogues

in the area (Liberal, Reform and Masorti) agreed to become part of a pluralist Jewish association by the name of Mosaic Jewish Community. All three later changed their names to start with Mosaic – and we became Mosaic Liberal.

It gave us the best of both worlds. We preserved our identity - still having our own rabbi, holding separate services and retaining control of our finances - while uniting together to create a joint cheder, monthly magazine and regular social and cultural events.

So back to the important milestones I mentioned at the beginning. Mosaic Reform concluded some years ago that they needed to move from central Harrow to a more Jewish area in order to attract new members. After several years searching for a new site, they agreed to sell the Bessborough Road building to a residential developer who would build a synagogue, with two floors of flats above, on a site they owned on Stanmore Hill.

By September, all three Mosaic communities will have moved into this wonderful new building with its state-ofthe-art facilities.

By a happy coincidence, this year is also the 75th anniversary of the founding of what is now Mosaic Liberal Synagogue, which is being marked by a Celebration Tea in our new home on Sunday 30 October. An important milestone indeed.

With both Rabbi Rachel Benjamin and Rabbi Anna Wolfson serving us, and together with our friends in the Reform and Masorti communities, we look forward to the future with confidence.

Communities

September/October 2022

LJ Today Page 7

Commemorative plaque Kehillah anniversary for medieval Jewry Frank Maxwell on the history of Jews in Worcester

Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi, Dr Yvonne Stollard, Rabbi Danny Rich and Frank Maxwell

IN Worcester’s Copenhagen Street, a large gathering of dignitaries of all faiths and backgrounds, and from all across the country, attended the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the City’s medieval Jewish community.

During the medieval period, Worcester was one of 26 Jewish centres to have an archa or official document store for Jewish records. The archa was an official chest, provided with three locks and seals, in which a counterpart of all deeds and contracts involving Jews was to be deposited in order to preserve records.

The introduction of archae was part of the reorganisation of English Jewry ordered by King Richard I in light of the massacres of Jews that took place in 1189-1190. The massacres resulted in a heavy loss to the Crown revenue, partly as a result of Jewish financial records being destroyed to conceal evidence of debts.

The archa was intended to safeguard the royal rights in case of future disorder.

All Jewish possessions were to be registered and certain cities, including Worcester, were to serve as the centre for all future Jewish business operations.

In 1263, during the Baronial Wars, Worcester’s Jews were attacked by the Earls of Leicester and Derby.

Jews continued to live in Worcester until 1275 when Edward I drove them out of the city. Edward’s mother, Eleanor of Provence, had insisted on it – Worcester was one of the towns she held as part of her dower lands.

It was just 15 years later, in 1290, that Jews were expelled from England altogether having suffered prejudice, repression and persecution by civic and church leaders and the Crown. They were not to return for more than 300 years.

The President of the Jewish Historical Society of England, Professor Miri Rubin, outlined this history to those gathered.

Professor David Green CBE, Deputy Lieutenant of Worcestershire, apologised on behalf of Worcester Council, whose predecessors had harshly treated the Jews at the behest of Henry III. He added that Jews today played an important part in Worcester and were much appreciated.

Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue, Robin Walker MP, Dawn Waterman of the Board of Deputies and faith leaders from across the region all expressed their appreciation for Worcester Council’s decision to install the plaque.

Liberal Judaism Vice President Rabbi Danny Rich – who serves Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community, which incorporates Worcestershire – spoke about how pleased he was that Jews were returning to the area.

Ruth Jacobs, Chair of the Jewish Representative Council of Birmingham and West Midlands, expressed the gratitude of the Jewish community for Worcester’s support of Mindu Hornick MBE – a Holocaust Survivor and educator, who has received an honorary doctorate from Worcester University.

The plaque was unveiled by Professor David Green and Rabbi Yossi Hamblin.

It is inscribed with the words: “In Memory of Worcester’s Historic Jewish Community c1154-c1275 who were persecuted and driven out of the City for their faith.”

Thanks must go to Dr Yvonne Stollard – the Vice President of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue whose name is synonymous with all that is Jewish in Worcestershire – who exercised her magnificent powers of persuasion to ensure that all faiths, denominations and organisations were represented at this special event.

By Robert Freudenthal KEHILLAH North London celebrated our 20th year by holding a special event where we told the story of the community, shared anecdotes and memories, and enjoyed plenty of music, dance and food.

We were delighted to welcome our previous rabbis, local MP, councillors and neighbouring community faith leaders for this special celebration.

Kehillah North London is a growing community - and it was wonderful to hear the story of how the synagogue was first established, which laid the foundations for the congregation to continue to develop and flourish today… 20 years on!

Introducing Phase 3

By Kathy Shock WHAT on earth is Phase 3? It’s an idea that may have wings if you are interested.

Is there a place in Liberal Judaism for single retired people to get together and share some of their enthusiasms?

Restaurants, theatre, cinema, opera, travel, walking, meeting for a bring-adish, good conversation and so much more… all around the UK. If you aren’t ready for the bathchair and feel that getting together with others with similar interests might be enlivening, then please do get in touch via Dan Kyle at Liberal Judaism by emailing him on d.kyle@liberaljudaism.org Perhaps we could meet up at different places around the country once a month for a programme that excites us?

If there is enough interest we could have an initial Zoom meeting to find out what people might enjoy and see who will volunteer for a small steering group to make this fly. Over to you!

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Communities

September/October 2022

Simchas in South London Rabbi Nathan Godleman on two recent celebrations

3CLJC visit to Clifton College

By Julian Brown

Diego Giraldo Casas rehearsing his portion, and Baroness Merron with Lina and Joe Fajerman

ADULT bar and batmitzvah services have been the order of the day at the South London Liberal Synagogue (SLLS).

SLLS Council member Diego Giraldo Casas celebrated his at the age of 30, not 13, leyning from Parashat Devarim.

Diego, a data scientist who came to the UK from Peru, joined our community four years ago and has done everything from overhauling our website to raising money to renovate the building.

Newly-elected Liberal Judaism Vice President Baroness (Gillian) Merron read from Parashat Balak only a few weeks before, talking donkey and all!

The former MP for Lincoln and Chief Executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, she waited 50 years for this special moment. Gillian grew up in a secular Jewish family at a time when batmitzvah was not a popular option. She found her home in Liberal Judaism when joining Lincolnshire Jewish Community during her time as an MP. There is one more adult batmitzvah this year, coinciding with the SLLS Open House Shabbat on Saturday 29 October.

This is a trend we hope to see continue.

If someone has missed out earlier in life, for whatever reason, it’s never too late.

Kingston concert raises thousands for Ukraine

UKRAINIAN folk songs, Yiddish lullabies and songs of resistance all formed part of the programme for a Kingston Liberal Synagogue (KLS) fundraising concert.

The event included a number of solo and ensemble pieces performed by KLS members and guest musicians from other local synagogues.

An original composition by KLS’s Musical Director Rebekka Wedell was performed. Titled Nachamu (Comfort Ye), it is based on the text of Isaiah 40 and set for vocal ensemble, violin and piano.

The KLS choir also performed a number of songs. Highlights included the Jewish liturgical Oseh Shalom which segued into the Yiddish song for peace, Volt Ikh Gehot Koyekh. They also played two renditions of the Ukrainian folk number Oy U Luzi Chervoona Kalyna. A song of resistance, originally written in the early 20th century, this has become an anthem in recent months.

The performers all wore a combination of blue and yellow to represent the colours of the Ukrainian flag.

The concert raised £2,250 in ticket sales and this amount was matched by the synagogue, resulting in a total of £4,500 being donated.

Speaking after the event, Rabbi René Pfetzel said: “I am so proud of my synagogue – it was an exceptional evening of music and successfully raised a good amount of money for such a vital cause. The atmosphere was amazing and everyone’s hard work paid off.”

MEMBERS of Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community (3CLJC) visited Clifton College, Bristol, to be shown around the College synagogue and learn about its long history of admitting Jewish pupils.

We were given a tour by Rabbi Anna Gerrard, the part-time Jewish chaplain at Clifton College who will also be the visiting rabbi for 3CLJC this coming year.

In the synagogue we saw the impressive wooden ark, which houses three Torah scrolls including one rescued from the Holocaust.

We were privileged to have access to the beautiful buildings and facilities of the College, including the library and chapel, and were given a detailed and thought-provoking talk

by Anna on the school’s welcome of Jewish pupils over 150 years.

She told us about Polack House, which was the school’s former Jewish boarding house. It was initiated in the 1870s by the wealthy Jewish families in London - such as the Sebag-Montefiores, Montagus and Rothschilds - who wanted a suitable school to educate their children. It was later run by the Polack family, who managed the house for three generations until the 1960s. It closed in 2005, when there was more interest in integration than segregation.

Anna looks after 30 Jewish pupils who come from all over the world and range from Orthodox to Progressive to secular. She told how, despite differing beliefs, they all come together for regular Friday night dinners and Shabbat services.

The Polack Centre and the students are fully integrated into College life, which is to some extent a microcosm of the journey that Anglo-Jewry has taken over the last century.

The school has always had a progressive outlook. This is evident in the displays shown in the library and how the whole school celebrates Jewish festivals, as well as those of other cultures and faiths. There have of course, been occasional difficult incidents between Jewish and nonJewish pupils, but Anna was keen to stress that, overall, relations have been overwhelmingly positive.

Communities

September/October 2022

A prize winning Shabbat

EAST London & Essex Liberal Synagogue (ELELS) made the most of newly installed technology with a Shabbat to celebrate their cheder pupils and teachers.

Members and families gathered in the ELELS sanctuary, where new audio-visual equipment meant that other members and families could clearly watch and participate from home too.

At the service, all cheder pupils were awarded a certificate acknowledging the work they had completed for the year and any special qualities they bring to their class. Teachers were also recognised for their hard work and were each presented with a prize by Melissa Kaye and her daughter Grace (pictured) on behalf of the ELELS New Generations Committee.

Milo’s magnificent achievement FIVE-YEAR-OLD Milo Collins is raising thousands of pounds for charity by climbing the highest peaks in Scotland, Wales, England, Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Milo, a member of Wessex Liberal Jewish Community, is raising money for Histio UK – a charity that carries out research into rare diseases characterised by increased numbers of white blood cells – after his four-year-old friend was diagnosed with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH).

Milo’s mum Esther said: “It has been truly humbling to witness the struggle that our friends are going through.

Facing a situation like this is every parent’s worst nightmare.

The little girl and her family have been so brave.

“She became immobile as her spine is affected. She is normally very active and bouncy and was looking forward to going to school. She was confined to bed for nearly three months and cannot see friends as she is so open to infection.

“With a lot of help and courage she can now walk for short periods. She is undergoing chemotherapy and other treatment. We are hopeful that she will regain her mobility, that she will be cured and that the condition will not reactivate in the future.”

Histio UK is the only British charity working to find a cure for LCH, which is the most common of the histiocytic disorders. You can find out more about the charity and its work by visiting www.histiouk.org Milo has raised more than £2,000 so far. If you would like to sponsor him, please visit www.justgiving.com and search for ‘Milo’s Five Peaks Challenge’.

LJ Today Page 9

Save the NEW date for Jami’s Mental Health Awareness Shabbat Now in its 6th year, Jami’s Mental Health Awareness Shabbat (MHAS) historically takes place to coincide with Parashat Bo. However in 2023, Parashat Bo falls at the same time as Holocaust Memorial Day; so to commemorate this significant day Jami are bringing MHAS forward one week to Shabbat Parashat Va’eira on 20–21 January.

In Parashat Va’eira, Moses tells the Jewish nation that their woes have ended and that redemption is at hand. This should have been a time of elation, but the Israelites were too overwhelmed by their own stresses to absorb this message. They had lost hope and could not imagine a positive future for themselves.

Stresses in life may be inevitable but it is comforting to have hope that the future can bring our own personal redemption and in turn can bring us from darkness into light.

To arrange a speaker or for any further information, please contact laura.bahar@jamiuk.org

Page 10 LJ Today

News

September/October 2022

Your donations are already High Holy Days Ticket Scheme making a big difference WE are just two months on from the biggest fundraiser in Liberal Judaism’s history and there are two things that your donations have already made possible: • Thirty young people were able to go on LJY-Netzer Machaneh Kadimah summer camp and/or go to our youth leadership training camp in the autumn only because we have a big enough bursary pot.

• The first Shabbat boxes are on their way to Jewish residents in non-Jewish care homes. They’ve been designed since

Order ‘missing’ copies of lj today DURING the pandemic, with both Liberal Judaism’s head office and our communal buildings closed, it was impossible to distribute physical copies of lj today.

For two years, thousands of you continued to read our bi-monthly magazine online and we were delighted to return to print at the start of 2022.

Now, thanks to finding a new low-cost printing firm, we are able to produce a limited run of copies of those ‘missing’ issues. These will go into Liberal Judaism’s archive, as well as to The British Library, National Library of Scotland, Cambridge University Library and other institutions of record.

We also thought some of you may like copies for your communal collections.

If you’d like printed editions sent to you, please email the editor Simon Rothstein on ljtoday@liberaljudaism.org Liberal Judaism’s Archivist Alison Turner said: “I am glad that the print run of Liberal Judaism magazines that started more than 100 years ago, with the Jewish Religious Union Bulletin in April 1914, is to now be made complete with lj today issues from the time of lockdown.

“The earliest items in the archive are manuscripts by Miss Lily Montagu and the only trouble with reading them is that sometimes it can be hard to decipher her handwriting. The archive also contains floppy discs, audio cassettes and video tapes. But the last time I brought my Walkman to the Montagu Centre so someone could listen to an audio tape, that person gave me a very funny look and read the transcript. That’s why I like to have things in print.”

the campaign and will enable care home staff to help isolated elderly people to celebrate Shabbat again.

Liberal Judaism CEO Rabbi Charley Baginsky said: “From us, from the young people experiencing camp and from the isolated people who will have Shabbat again, we want to say a big THANK YOU! “Please look out for further updates as all the projects your support has made possible come on-stream.”

If you wish to make a donation, please visit www.liberaljudaism.org

LIBERAL JUDAISM has once again teamed up with the Movement for Reform Judaism to ensure that all students and young adults can attend Progressive High Holy Days services this year.

The High Holy Days 5783 Ticket Scheme enables students and young adults to attend services for free at the Liberal or Reform synagogue of their choice – giving them access to more than 80 different communities covering almost every part of the UK – including major university towns and cities.

To request a ticket, please contact Dan on d.kyle@liberaljudaism.org

Youth

September/October 2022

LJ Today Page 11

LJY-Netzer is Liberal Judaism’s Zionist youth movement. It gives young people the opportunity to develop a strong Progressive Jewish identity, make lasting friendships and have loads of fun

Israel Tour 5782 photo diary

Day 1: After saying our goodbyes, and a long flight, we landed in Eretz Yisrael!

Day 4: We wove baskets with Arab women who run their own business in Kfar Kana.

Day 7: Kayaking down the Jordan River is a Tour staple and didn’t disappoint.

Day 8: Volunteering at a soup kitchen helped us find out about Israel’s charities.

Day 9: We learned to make liquid lenses at the Weizmann Institute of Science.

Day 11: A fun day at the beach in Tel Aviv meant lots of swimming and sandcastles.

Day 14: A guided tour around Yad Vashem gave us a new insight into the Holocaust.

Day 19: A beautiful hike through Mount Tzfachot provided fantastic views of Eilat.

These are just a few of the wonderful experiences we had on Israel Tour.

From celebrating Shabbat around the campfire to underwater Israeli dancing to in-depth discussions on veganism and climate change, every day brought something different and something fun. It really was the most amazing summer of our lives.

If you’re thinking about going on Israel Tour next year or would like to know about other LJY-Netzer events, please visit www.ljy-netzer.org

Contact LJY-Netzer: Sophie Leapman (s.leapman@liberaljudaism.org ), Jess Mindel (j.mindel@liberaljudaism.org), Joe Shotton (j.shotton@liberaljudaism.org) and Director of Youth - Rebecca Fetterman (r.fetterman@liberaljudaism.org)

September/October 2022

Page 12 LJ Today

Liberal Judaism congregations The Ark Synagogue (Northwood and Pinner) T: 01923 822 592 E: admin@arksynagogue.org W: arksynagogue.org

East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue T: 0208 989 7619 E: administrator@elels.org.uk W: elels.org.uk

Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue T: 0845 869 7105 E: info@bedsps.org.uk W: bedfordshire-ps.org.uk

Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community T: 07497 401 280 E: eljc.contact@gmail.com W: eljc.org.uk

Beit Klal Yisrael (London) E: admin@bky.org.uk W: bky.org.uk

Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community T: 0131 777 8024 E: info@eljc.org W: eljc.org

Birmingham Progressive Synagogue T: 0121 634 3888 E: bps@liberaljudaism.org W: bpsjudaism.com Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue T: 01273 737 223 E: info@bhps-online.org W: bhps-online.org Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation T: 0117 403 3456 E: info@bwpjc.org W: bwpjc.org Crawley Jewish Community T: 01293 534 294 Crouch End Chavurah E: naomi@crouchendchavurah.org W: www.crouchendchavurah.org Dublin Progressive Congregation E: djpc@liberaljudaism.org W: djpcireland.com

Ealing Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8997 0528 E: admin@ealingliberalsynagogue.org.uk W: ealingliberalsynagogue.org.uk

Finchley Progressive Synagogue T: 020 8446 4063 E: fps@liberaljudaism.org W: fps.org Kehillah North London T: 07706 354 602 E: info@kehillah.org.uk W: kehillah.org.uk Kent Liberal Jewish Community T: 07384 993 553 E: enquiries@kljc.org.uk W: kljc.org.uk Kingston Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8398 7400 E: kls@liberaljudaism.org W: klsonline.org Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation E: chair@lpjc.org.uk W: lpjc.org.uk The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (St John’s Wood) T: 020 7286 5181 E: ljs@ljs.org W: ljs.org The Liberal Synagogue Elstree T: 020 8953 8889 E: office@tlse.org.uk W: tlse.org.uk

The Montagu Centre 21 Maple Street London, W1T 4BE T: 020 7580 1663 E: montagu@liberaljudaism.org W: liberaljudaism.org Liberal Judaism is the dynamic, cutting edge of modern Judaism. It reverences Jewish tradition, seeking to preserve the values of the past, while giving them contemporary force.

Charity Number: 1151090

lj today is edited by Simon Rothstein. Please send news to s.rothstein@liberaljudaism.org

Lincolnshire Jewish Community W: lincolnsynagogue.com Manchester Liberal Jewish Community T: 0161 796 6210 E: mljc@liberaljudaism.org W: mljc.org.uk Mosaic Liberal (Harrow) T: 020 8864 5323 E: office@mosaicliberal.org.uk W: mosaicliberal.org.uk Norwich Liberal Jewish Community E: nljc@liberaljudaism.org W: norwichljc.org.uk

The South London Liberal Synagogue (Streatham) T: 020 8769 4787 E: office@southlondon.org W: southlondon.org Stevenage Liberal Synagogue T: 01438 300 222 E: stevenageliberalsynagogue@gmail.com W: stevenageliberalsynagogue.org.uk Suffolk Liberal Jewish Community (Ipswich) T:01473 250 797 E: sljc@liberaljudaism.org W: suffolkljc.co.uk

W: nottinghamliberalsynagogue.com

Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community (Gloucestershire and Herefordshire) T: 07900 612 058 E: info@3cljc.org.uk W: 3cljc.org.uk

Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community T: 07561 331 390 E: info@pljc.org.uk W: pljc.org.uk

Wessex Liberal Jewish Community (Bournemouth) T: 01202 757 590 E: secretary.wljc@gmail.com W: wessexliberaljudaism.org.uk

Reading Liberal Jewish Community E: readingliberaljewishcommunity@

York Liberal Jewish Community T: 0300 102 0062 E: info@jewsinyork.org.uk W: jewsinyork.org.uk

Nottingham Liberal Synagogue T: 0115 962 4761 E: info@nottinghamliberalsynagogue.com

gmail.com

W: readingljc.org.uk Shir Hatzafon (Copenhagen) E: shir@shirhatzafon.dk W: shirhatzafon.dk South Bucks Jewish Community T: 0300 102 1506 E: info@sbjc.org.uk W: sbjc.org.uk Southgate Progressive Synagogue T: 020 8886 0977 E: office@sps.uk.com W: sps.uk.com

Developing and affiliated Beit Ha’Chidush (Amsterdam) E: info@beithachidush.nl W: beithachidush.nl Oxford Jewish Congregation T: 01865 515 584 E: connections@ojc-online.org W: ojc-online.org

Chair Ruth Seager Deputy Chair Karen Newman Treasurer Leslie Moss Youth Hannah Stephenson Communities and Social Justice Owen Power Inclusion Alexandra Boyd Strategy Alex Kinchin-Smith Education Susanne Szal Legal Governance and Small Communities Ros Clayton President Rabbi Alexandra Wright Vice Presidents Simon Benscher, Monique Blake, Nigel Cole, Lord (Stanley) Fink, Louise Freedman, Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein, Sharon Goldstein, Jane Greenfield, Lucian Hudson, Dr Edward Kessler MBE, Josie Kinchin, Ann Kirk BEM, Bob Kirk BEM, David Lipman, Frank Maxwell, Baroness (Gillian) Merron, Corinne Oppenheimer, David Pick, Rabbi Danny Rich, Tony Sacker, Joan Shopper, Phil Stone and Beverley Taylor Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors Chairs Rabbi Rebecca Birk and Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel Chief Executive Officer Rabbi Charley Baginsky Chief Operating Officer Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer Director of Youth Becca Fetterman Fundraising & Events Manager Tom Rich Executive Assistant Tanya Garfield PR Simon Rothstein Finance Janet Manderson Events & Communications Coordinator Kes Stern Membership Dan Kyle Archivist Alison Turner Honeycomb Project Coordinator Rabbi Eryn London LJY-Netzer Sophie Leapman, Jess Mindel and Joe Shotton