September/October 2007
VOL. XXXIV No. 5
ljtoday
A Jewish tree for Armenia As LJ Today went to press, Rabbi Danny Rich was on his way to Armenia, where he will become the only British Jewish community leader publicly to acknowledge the 1915 genocide. Liberal Judaism has sponsored a tree in the Genocide Memorial Forest in Yerevan, commemorating three and a half million murdered Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians. The tree that the chief executive was dedicating is believed to be the first sponsored by a Jewish community – other than by the Jews in Armenia itself. Rabbi Rich had hoped that the visit would be either under the auspices of the Board of Deputies or with his equivalents at Reform Judaism and the United Synagogue. He said: ‘It is sad that the Jewish community in this country has done so little to honour the memory of these victims, for whom, on account of our own tragic history, we ought to have such deep feeling.’ Jews and genocide, page 10
Scenes from Machaneh Kadimah, Liberal Judaism’s two-week children’s summer camp in Nottinghamshire
Kadimah keeps them smiling From football to crazy chemistry to Israeli dancing, Kadimah 2007 was an amazing experience. Alongside the fun and laughs at LJYNetzer’s flagship summer programme for 8- to 15-year-olds, each age group focused on the theme Israel: Taking a Stand. The chanichim (participants) looked at issues that affect Israel as a
Mazel tov on your ayshet mitzvah Loretta Cohn of Birmingham did not intend to become an ayshet mitzvah. Indeed, it was not a ceremony she – or many other Jews – had heard of. But she is delighted that she did, as it gave her a feeling of joy and ‘completeness’. The retired social worker, one of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue’s most active and devoted members, who did not have a batmitzvah in her teens, had decided that for her 63rd birthday she wanted to do a Torah reading. She approached Rabbi Margaret Jacobi, who
suggested that she expand the reading into an ayshet (‘woman of’) mitzvah ceremony, a term she learnt from Rabbi Henry Goldstein. Loretta joined the synagogue 27 years ago, when she and her husband, Henry, were married, and has always enjoyed taking part in services. But, recalling her big day, with family having come up from London, she said: ‘I don’t think I’ve been as nervous in my life as I was before this.’ Loretta hopes that the ceremony, a first for her community, will set a precedent.
state, a people and a land. A highlight was when all the groups came together to celebrate Am Yisrael U’maniot (The Jewish People and Arts). The day of workshops with specialist musicians and artists culminated in a huge outdoor Festival Am Yisrael, where the musical talent of the chanichim was on display. LJY-Netzer, page 11
In this issue CHESHVAN: JEWISH SOCIAL ACTION MONTH Julia Neuberger and Richard Jacobi on volunteering p6 Roger Lyons on what Trade Union Friends of Israel are doing to stop the boycotts p7 Education news High Holy Day message
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