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

www.liberaljudaism.org

May/June 2016VOL. XLIII No. 3

A CLASS of 11 teenagers celebrated their Kabbalat Torah at Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue in March, the culmination of a programme of study and participation in the religious and cultural life of their community and beyond (picture by Phil Stone)

The advance of Progressive JudaismBy Simon BenscherChair of Liberal Judaism

LIFE AT Liberal Judaism is never boring, and can be full of interesting surprises. From the precise moment

I made the mistake of publicly declaring that our movement’s previous chair, Lucian J Hudson, had possibly overstated the time and commitment required for the role, it all seemed to go crazy.

Our communities are at the heart of Liberal Judaism and their continued success is Liberal Judaism’s success.

Along with Rabbi Danny Rich, Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, I have been visiting as many congregations as possible. We are committed to even closer engagement and interaction, learning about each community as every single one has individual challenges, as well as opportunities.

I am also delighted to see so many Liberal Judaism officers and rabbis working on the Alliance for Progressive Judaism with the Movement for Reform Judaism. This project allows the two sister movements to retain their distinctive identities while achieving more together than each could on its own.

The full Alliance group meets regularly, and we have now been joined by Leo Baeck College as a partner, a living symbol of how much both movements stand to gain from collaboration. There are also informal and smaller meetings, as we seek to develop closer personal links, and to build upon the far-reaching work that Lucian started. Values and a sense of purpose drive such initiatives, but it is building and deepening relationships that make them work.

We have appointed Rabbi Charley Baginsky as the Alliance coordinator, and characteristically she has hit the ground running. Charley’s role gives us a practical way of spotting and acting on opportunities to advance Progressive

Judaism and harness the combined strengths of our two movements.

Liberal Judaism’s standing and profile within the Jewish community as a whole has also increased in recent years. One way to sustain that reputation is by demonstrating support for other Jewish organisations and building a better shared understanding. Lucian has often said how much a chair can learn doing the job, and I am learning a lot from getting to know other community leaders.

Finally, it is with excitement that I note Liberal Judaism’s showcase event, the Biennial Weekend, is getting closer. Taking place from July 1-3, the Biennial is the most wonderful opportunity for us to socialise, eat, study, eat and worship together (and did I mention, eat?).

The organising committee is in full swing, with a very exciting programme announced on page 2 of this issue of lj today. We want the Biennial to bring together the different generations that make up our marvellous movement and generate fresh ideas and perspectives. It is also an opportunity for us to celebrate our achievements at every level, and build an even more successful movement, now and for years to come.

Page 2 LJ Today May/June 2016Biennial

Biennial Weekend programme revealedRabbi Charley Baginsky announces the timetable for Liberal Judaism’s key event

Friday July 1:

16.00: Arrival and registration16.45: Choir rehearsal with Cantor and Student Rabbi Gershon Silins17.30: Welcome drinks with Simon Benscher, chair of Liberal Judaism18.15: Friday night service - a chance for us all to pray together in a creative musical environment19.15: Shabbat dinner21.00: Late night options - a selection of activities designed to make you want to stay up late

Saturday July 2:

7.30 – 8.00: Morning run (optional)7.30 – 9.00: Breakfast, including an option to join our fantastic student rabbis for some morning text study9.30: Shabbat morning service - join Rabbis Pete Tobias, Lea Mühlstein and Elli Tikvah Sarah as they take you on a prayer adventure10.50: Ba’alei Tefillah graduation11.00: Kiddush11.30: Panel discussion on the Biennial’s theme of ‘Thinking Outside the Book’, with guest speakers sharing their experience of unusual community projects whose success has enlivened, developed and challenged the communities that surround them12.50: Words from Rabbi Danny Rich, senior rabbi of Liberal Judaism 13.00: Buffet lunch13.00 – 15.00: Free time, including networking opportunities, extra workshops and the chance to meet LJ rabbis, staff and officers15.30 – 16.45: Workshop OneOptions include ‘Language and prayer’ with Rabbi Dalia Marks, ‘Media and the Jewish world’ with Daniel Finklestein, ‘Spoken word’ with Aviva Dautch and ‘Telling stories of engagement through recipes from around the world’.16.45 – 17.15: Tea and coffee17.15 – 18.30: Workshop Two Options include ‘Mindfulness – just the latest fashion?’ with Student Rabbi Danny Newman, ‘Do we need a new Siddur?’ with the chair of Liberal Judaism’s Siddur committee, Rabbi Lea Mühlstein, and ‘Responding to the Refugee crisis and the work of our communities’ with Rabbi Alex Wright19.00: Drinks reception19.30: Havdalah

19.45: Dinner and presentation of the Chair’s Awards, recognising the hard work and dedication of those special people who support Liberal Judaism and their communities21.45: ‘Evening spectacular surprise’ – compèred by Biennial favourite Daniel Cainer, pictured below23.00: More late night options, once more designed to keep you awake

Sunday July 3:

7. 30 – 8.00: Morning meditation7.30 – 9.00: Breakfast9.10 – 9.55: Shacharit (morning service) options10.00 – 11.15: Workshop ThreeOptions include ‘Food as an educational tool’ with Nic Avery and ‘Can British Jewry speak with one voice’ with Gillian Merron and David Walsh of the Board of Deputies.11.15 – 12.00: Tea and coffee12.00 – 13.15: Workshop FourOptions include ‘The elephant in the room – can we engage with Israel without turning off’ with speakers from New Israel Fund, ‘Telling our stories through music’ with Graham Carpenter and friends and ‘Leading us into the future’ with Rabbi Danny Rich13.15 – 14.15: Buffet lunch 14.30 – 15.30: ‘Sunday afternoon take away’, a spectacular closing session run by Rabbi Aaron Goldstein and Daisy Bogod bringing together everything we have seen, experienced and learned over the weekend. It will also help us think about what we are taking home for ourselves and our communities15.30 – 16.00: Closing ceremonyIncluding song from our Biennial scratch choir, words from Liberal Jewish leaders and closing blessing

LIBERAL JUDAISM is excited to release the full details of this year’s Biennial Weekend, with the final timetable in the box to the right.

The theme of the 2016 conference, as I hope you are all aware by now, is ‘Thinking Outside the Book’. This theme is a chance to think about the many different ways people engage with their communities and how one project or idea can spark other chances to attract new people and experiences.

As we begin thinking about the possibility of a new Liberal Judaism Siddur, we are given a unique chance to explore how this process itself allows us to think anew about theology and liturgy, prayer and music, as well as about identity through food, film and literature.

Before the Biennial even starts there is a chance to engage with this topic. Each congregation will soon receive materials, and a pack of educational resources, which will help your community make a tallit inspired by the Hashkiveinu prayer: “Blessed are you Eternal God, spreading the shelter of peace over us.” These unique and communal tallitot will then be used in the closing ceremony of the Biennial Weekend.

Hundreds of people have already signed up for the Biennial, and our 15 subsidised places for the special music and liturgy track have been taken. However, there is still space left and we hope sight of this jam-packed timetable will tempt those of you who have yet to book your place.

The Liberal Judaism Biennial Weekend runs from July 1-3 at the beautiful St Johns Hotel in the West Midlands. Prices are £310 for adults, £100 for children aged 5-16 and £60 for students and those under 5, including accommodation, all meals and materials. Delegates will also receive complimentary access to the luxury hotel’s health club, swimming pool and spa.

You can book your place by going to www.tinyurl.com/bien2016 or calling Aaron on 020 7631 9830.

The Biennial is the flagship event in the Liberal Judaism calendar for so many reasons. It is a great chance to meet new people and reconnect with old friends, have the experience of being part of a large dynamic Liberal Jewish community, study with great teachers, learn new tunes and challenge yourself with new ideas and experiences.

Rabbi Charley Baginsky is chair of the Biennial organising committee

LJ Today Page 3May/June 2016 News

‘Liberal Judaism is a post-Halachic movement’ RABBI DANNY RICH has told how “Liberal Judaism is a post or non-Halachic expression of Judaism”.

Speaking at the annual Oxford University JSoc Intrafaith Conference, Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi was addressing the topic of Halacha - the collective body of Jewish religious laws derived from the Written and Oral Torah.

Danny was part of a panel with Orthodox Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum, Oxford University’s Professor Hindy Najman and Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, the senior rabbi of Masorti Judaism.

He explained: “What seems to me to underpin Halacha, and indeed traditional Judaism as a whole, is a concept inimical to Liberal Judaism. Whilst I appreciate the nuances and subtleties, the idea that the Torah was given directly by God and recorded accurately by Moses – who by Divine miracle contributed its transmission through the generations – is simply untenable for a Liberal Jew.

“Even were I to ignore its underlying assumptions, there is much in Halacha which it is impossible to keep, and much that a Liberal Jew would not want to observe in any case.”

Speaking to around 50 Oxford University students and members of the local Oxford Jewish Community, Danny concluded: “Halacha as taught and practised is, in my view, pre-Emancipation and, in forging a Liberal Judaism for the 21st century, we shall seek, and I quote the late Rabbi John Rayner, ‘a form of Judaism that preserves all that remains valid of the various past phases of our heritage but without dragging along the baggage of discredited beliefs and antiquated practices.’

“I place Halacha in the category of ‘discredited beliefs and antiquated practices’, and thus describe Liberal Judaism as post or non-Halachic.”

Following his talk, Danny took part in an hour-long Q&A and debate with the other panellists at this unique Intrafaith event, featuring senior figures from both Orthodox and Progressive Judaism sharing a platform. His comments were then reported throughout the media.

You can read the full text of Danny’s speech at www.liberaljudaism.org

Liberal rabbi wins major human rights award

RABBI JANET DARLEY of South London Liberal Synagogue was part of the Citizens UK group which won the Champions of the Year prize at the Women on the Move Awards.

Citizens UK, a partner of Liberal Judaism, is the largest community organising alliance in Britain and has been campaigning on refugee and migrant issues for more than a decade.

The award recognised how Citizens UK has promoted the rights of refugees and migrants in the past year – successfully campaigning to increase the number of Syrian refugees resettled in the

UK in 2015, as well as helping to find appropriate homes for families, creating the National Refugee Welcome Board and coordinating the ‘refugees welcome’ movement in 85 towns and cities.

Most recently, Citizens UK won a major legal victory for children in the refugee camps in Calais, who have relatives in the UK, which will enable them to come and join their families and have their applications for asylum examined here.

Janet collected the trophy from the BBC’s Samira Ahmed, alongside fellow campaigners Reverend Karen Rooms, Joon Lynn Goh and Razan Al Akraa.

She told a packed crowd: “South London Liberal Synagogue is a member of South London Citizens and, since 2014, we have been campaigning for our local councils to publicly commit to take at least 50 Syrian refugees from the camps in Jordan and Lebanon, to put the pressure on our government to accept more people, and to ensure that Britain does its fair share in this crisis.

“On 36, some say 46, occasions, the Torah warns us against the wronging of a stranger. For us, this is core teaching and not an optional extra.”

The Women on the Move Awards formed part of the Southbank Centre’s Women of the World (WOW) Festival and were co-hosted by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and Migrants Organise.

Talking about the campaign to resettle refugees, Janet added: “Community organising is able to make real change in systems, not just put sticking plasters over problems. That is why I do it and why I am so proud of our achievements.”

To find out more about the great work being done by Citizens UK and South London Liberal Synagogue to help refugees and migrants, please visit www.citizensuk.org and www.southlondon.org

Oxford Intrafaith Conference panel Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum, Professor Hindy Najman, Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg and Rabbi Danny Rich with organisers Yoni Stone and Ezra Margulies

Rabbi Janet Darley and the winning team from Citizens UK at the Women on the Move Awards

Page 4 LJ Today May/June 2016Comment

Celebrating 90 years of our global movement

RESEARCHING for a session I was to present at the excellent recent Biennial Conference of the European Union for Progressive Judaism (EUPJ) in London, I became increasingly aware that it was the founders of our Liberal movement that played the key role in the establishment of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) 90 years ago.

Progressive Judaism can trace its roots back to 1810 in Germany and, in the following decades, established itself in that country, France, America and England. Though, we should record that Liberal Judaism in the UK was only founded in 1902. The West London Synagogue, set up 62 years earlier, was certainly non-Orthodox, but at that stage was still very conservative.

It took until 1914 for the Germans to attempt to form an international body, when they invited representatives from the above communities to attend their annual conference. It was unfortunate timing, for the beginning of the First World War led to cancellation.

Hardly surprising that it took some years for the idea to be resurrected and it was the founders of Liberal Judaism in London, Lily Montagu and Claude Montefiore, together with the dynamic first rabbi of their congregation, Rabbi Dr Israel Mattuck, who decided to invite representatives from existing communities to discuss the idea of a global movement.

Lily Montagu personally sent out the invitations and more than 100 people came to the first meeting in July 1926. From the United States Dr Julian Morganstern, president of Hebrew Union College; from Germany Professor Ismar Elbogen and Rabbis Max Dienemann, Georg Salzberger and Brunno Italiener - Leo Baeck could not come but sent a paper to be read out. There were several delegates from France and Sweden, as well as Dr Leah Jhirad from Bombay (now Mumbai), where a community inspired by “Miss Lily” had been established taking the then name of our British movement: Jewish Religious Union.

The gathering was a great success and indeed led to the establishment of the World Union for Progressive Judaism.

Two contentious issues had to be settled. Firstly, should it be called Liberal or Reform - the former used by the Germans, French and British, the latter by the more numerous Americans. And so Progressive became the compromise, a designation that still puzzles the Americans to this day.

More serious was the debate about Zionism. Claude Montefiore, president of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS), was strongly anti-Zionist and resisted the subject being discussed fearing it might scupper the object of the conference. However two leading Zionists – Rabbi Stephen Wise from America and Rev Maurice Perlszweig, who was the assistant minister at the LJS (must have been some tension there over this subject!) – insisted on raising the matter. Rabbi Mattuck, who was chairing the conference, allowed them to speak but then ruled that as the subject was not on the agenda, no decisions could be made and the issue would have to be discussed at a subsequent meeting.

The first formal conference took place in Berlin in 1928 – at which Lily

Montagu spoke in German – and they then occurred almost biannually, except during the years of the Second World War. Looking through reports on these conferences, I detect a continuing antipathy to Zionism from some quarters, even at the 1946 event in London.

This approach changed when the World Union moved its headquarters to New York in 1953, and subsequently to Jerusalem - where it still resides.

Finally, as well as earnest discussion in 1926, there were also social gatherings: a garden party on Shabbat afternoon at the home of Rabbi and Mrs Mattuck in Hampstead Heath, Monday night at the home of Lily Montagu’s sister Henrietta Franklin and finally a garden party at the Roehampton home of Claude Montefiore.

The first office of the World Union for Progressive Judaism was in Lily Montagu’s West Central Club and, when that was bombed out in the Second World War, she moved it to her home, the Red Lodge at 51 Palace Court, Bayswater. She worked tirelessly to expand the World Union almost until her death, ably helped by her secretary Jessie Levy, and with the intellectual support of Mattuck.

So the World Union for Progressive Judaism owes its founding to the founders of our Liberal Movement. There was a time when much of its leadership came from LJ and, as a vice president, I would like to see Liberal Jews more directly involved in WUPJ though its European arm. It is interesting and exciting work – contact me if you wish to have a greater involvement.

• There will be a full report and pictures from the EUPJ Biennial Conference in the next edition of lj today

Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein is president of Liberal Judaism. He can be contacted on agoldstein@f2s.com

Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein on how Liberal Judaism and its leaders helped to found the World Union

• THE NEXT Liberal Judaism Annual Inter Synagogue Quiz will take place on Sunday November 13 at Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue.

To get you ready for the event, Liberal Judaism vice president Rosita Rosenberg has compiled a history of LJ Quiz - featuring every winner from its inception in 1975 - which can be read at www.liberaljudaism.org • CONGRATULATIONS to Liberal Judaism’s operations director Shelley Shocolinksy-Dwyer and her partner Rosanne on the birth of baby Elliot.

• RABBIS Danny Rich and Charley Baginsky have featured in a front page article in The Jewish Chronicle, arguing that extremist stances taken by Israel’s Charedi leadership are alienating members of the Diaspora. The article was in response to recent verbal attacks by ultra-Orthodox politicians on both Progressive Jews and non-Jews.

Danny told the paper: “It saddens me that these attacks are so personal. For Israel to be a real light unto the nations, non-Jewish citizens need to feel an equal part of a country that was established less than 70 years ago.”

• LIBERAL JUDAISM warmly invites its members to attend the Twilight People Trans and Faith Symposium at the University of Warwick on Thursday May 5 from 9am until 5pm. The event is open to all and free of charge. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

The purpose of the Symposium is to set a platform for dialogue across the religious/spiritual and LGBTQI+ communities – allowing people to share experiences and discuss trans and non binary gender issues in a faith context.

For more information, or to reserve a place, visit www.twilightpeople.com

LJ Today Page 5May/June 2016 Communities

A lifetime of service

By Joe Seager

A SPECIAL kiddush took place at Birmingham Progressive Synagogue (BPS) in March to honour member Jean Bonner. The community made Jean the guest of honour, with warm tributes paid to her by prominent BPS figures including Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi and president Frank Maxwell, pictured with Jean above.

Jean has filled many key roles for BPS, always putting herself out for others. Despite recently curtailing her activities, due to a period of ill health, Jean pledged to continue to show how much the synagogue had benefited her life.

She said: “I feel blessed to have been shown so much kindness and affection. The service was a very moving and humbling experience.

“Young people from the BPS vocal group sang for me, the shul choir gave me another surprise treat by taking part, and I was overjoyed to see many of the members I have come to know as an extended family. I was also given a lovely ‘memory book’, which I will treasure.”

PLJC’s libraryMEMBERS of Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community (PLJC) have set-up a library, allowing the congregation to borrow books on topics of interest.

Secretary Janet Berkman, and her husband Graham, hosted a special Erev Shabbat during Jewish Book Week to launch the scheme. Guests packed into Janet’s study, which hosts the library and where a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony took place. The ribbon was held by PLJC president Dennis Guttmann and chair Chrissie Hassall, with the honours conducted by the community’s very own published poet, Lotte Kramer.

The library was made possible by donations of books from members.

Harry blesses his first great-grandchild

RABBI HARRY JACOBI blessed his first great-grandchild, Zachary, at a packed Woodford Liberal Synagogue (WLS).

Harry was joined on the Bimah by Zachary’s parents, Philippa and Josh Newham, and grandparents, including Woodford’s Rabbi Richard Jacobi, as he blessed the baby - who is also Richard’s first grandchild. Josh was formerly the headteacher at Woodford’s thriving cheder.

After the blessing, synagogue vice chair Bob Kamall presented a certificate, pictured left.

Bob said: “It has been a wonderful occasion and so nice to see the synagogue full of family and friends.”

Wandering scroll finds its way to Crouch EndTHE COMMUNITY at Crouch End Chavurah have welcomed a ‘new’ Torah scroll that is more than 100 years old and travels around the world.

Canadian-born soferet Avielah Barclay – the first female Torah scribe for 250 years – visited the community and revealed many interesting facts about the

scroll, which has travelled thousands of miles, pictured left.

The Torah – believed to have been written more than 100 years ago by a scribe from the Polish tradition – is handed to communities who are unable to afford their own, as a long-term loan.

The Torah has been passed on from the Danish community from where Rabbi Sandra Kviat, of Crouch End Chavurah, originates.

Sandra said: “We are honoured to be the latest recipients of this most special of scrolls. Avielah’s talk was fascinating and everyone at Crouch End Chavurah hopes she will return to continue educating us.

“I would also like to thank the NLPS Trust, without which this would not have been possible.”

To find out more about the community, visit www.crouchendchavurah.co.uk

Page 6 LJ Today May/June 2016

The Purim spiel at Bet Tikvah Synagogue was a Shakespearian spoof written to commemorate the Bard’s 400th yahrzeit

Rabbi Aaron Goldstein led a fun Megillah reading during an action-packed Purim at Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue

Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community hosted a party, Megillah reading, costume parade, team quiz and a Foodbank collection

Around the communities - Purim 5775

There were wigs galore at South Bucks Jewish Community, and costumes including fruit, superheroes and a zoo of wild animals

Kingston Liberal Synagogue had a morning of activities including hamantaschen-making, family service and Megillah reading

Members of all ages gathered at Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish Community for a fun Purim spiel and plenty of delicious food

After days spent considering Liberal Judaism’s past antipathy to Purim, Finchley Progressive Synagogue embraced it with gusto

50 members of York Liberal Jewish Community celebrated at two events, with hamantaschen brought all the way from Golders Green

LJ Today Page 7May/June 2016

Over 70 people packed into a Camden pub for the annual young adults Progressive Purim Party - with some serious fancy dress

Around the communities - Purim 5775

Oxford Jewish Congregation had their spiel at the Oxford Jewish Centre, starring OJC president Jonathan Bard as King Ahasuerus

The Liberal Jewish Synagogue asked Whatever Happened To Queen Vashti, with a play set 35 years after the original events of Purim

Members of Woodford Liberal Synagogue joined together for a bring and share supper, fancy dress parade and a Bowie themed spiel

A cast of intrepid actors at Birmingham Progressive Synagogue put Purim in the futuristic world of Star Wars/Hogwarts/Narnia/Dr Who

A ‘traditional’ Purim at The Liberal Synagogue Elstree featured stotmtroopers, Dennis the Menace and several Queen Esthers

From the famous Brixton Highwayman to Papa Smurf, everyone got into the act at the South London Liberal Synagogue Purim service

The community at Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue celebrated Purim with friends, family and plenty of hamantaschen

Page 8 LJ Today May/June 2016

Questioning our ideas of fact and truthGenes and the Bioimaginary: Science, Spectacle, Culture by Deborah Lynn Steinberg ISBN: 9781409462552, reviewed by RABBI DR MARGARET JACOBI

THE FIRST question that could be asked about this book is, “why should it be reviewed in lj today?” One possible answer is that it has a chapter called ‘Seeking the Jew’s Gene: Science, Spectacle,

Redemption.’ A deeper response is that it is a questioning, sceptical and humane enquiry into a field that, as the author makes clear, has increasingly pervaded our thinking and culture in recent years.

The author is professor of gender, culture and media studies at the University of Warwick and, for readers unfamiliar with academic terminology, the initial chapters may be daunting. However, persistence is rewarded as the book opens up ways of seeing culture and science in a new light as it reveals entirely different, and sometimes shocking, understandings of the contemporary discussion about genetics.

The first chapter depicts how genetics has had a particular impact on women and their bodies. They are seen as the mediators of disease, both as genetic carriers and through procedures such as IVF. Such procedures have an impact on women’s bodies, which is often underplayed. A further chapter discusses the underlying racism of Steve Jones’ writing about genetics, which recalls 19th century imperialism. Another chapter concerns the misuse of genetic and DNA evidence, as portrayed in the CSI television series.

Particularly relevant is the author’s analysis of the search for a ‘Jewish gene’ by Prof Tudor Parfitt. Prof Parfitt analyses the claim of the Lemba tribe in Africa to be of Jewish descent by looking for the so-called ‘Cohen’ gene. As the author points out, Jewishness is not simply inherited in one’s genes. It can be chosen or inherited culturally. In reducing the Lemba claim to Jewishness in this way, Prof Parfitt both denies the tribe’s own definition of their identity and reduces Jewish identity to a single gene. This resonates with Liberal Judaism’s long-held principles about Jewish identity,

but, despite this, I had never seen Prof Parfitt’s work in this way before.

The author admits “I have an antipathy to genes”, which may be why the book underplays the progress that has been made in understanding single gene diseases such as Huntington’s chorea and cystic fibrosis. However, it recognises that research into epigenetics – the regulation of genes and the effect of their environment on them – means that the picture that is emerging of genetics is more complex and nuanced than previously thought.

Cultural representations have yet to take these findings on board and the presentation of genetic science remains problematic. The book makes clear the interplay between science and culture. It questions our ideas of fact and truth, particularly when it comes to genetics.

The questioning and ways of seeing, which the book opens up, makes it a fascinating and important contribution to our understanding, which I hope will be read well beyond academic circles.

Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi is rabbi at Birmingham Progressive Synagogue

Books

History made in Scarborough

MORE THAN 50 people turned out for the first Jewish service in Scarborough in living memory. Held at Albermarle Baptist Church, the service was organised as part of an outreach programme by York Liberal Jewish Community (YLJC) and led by their Student Rabbi Daniel Lichman. Yasmin King, who lectures locally, helped to arrange the event.

YLJC chair Ben Rich said: “This shows that there are people identifying as Jewish in pretty much every part of the country. If our community is going to continue to grow and thrive we need to reach out to where people are, rather than waiting for them to come to us.”

After the service, some of the attendees headed to the beach, pictured above.

Natasha’s gift

LIBERAL JUDAISM’S senior rabbi, Rabbi Danny Rich, joined the community of Shenfield, Brentwood & Districts Synagogue to celebrate the contribution of lay leader Natasha Radford.

Natasha has been the congregation’s leader since its inception and was presented with a small gift by the community’s children.

Everything was kept as a surprise, leading Natasha to exclaim: “You’re very sneaky, did James know?”

James is Natasha’s husband of almost 20 years. And while he was also in the dark, the couple’s children - Alice, Holly and Max - were able to keep the secret.

LJ Today Page 9May/June 2016 Theatre

Distinctly average JewsBad Jews at artsdepot, reviewed by AARON ABRAHAM

IT IS an interesting exercise to review a play for the second time, albeit 13 months after the original. Although I didn’t look at my Bad Jews review again before I went to see it in its new home of Finchley’s artsdepot, with the LJ staff team, I did before I sat down to write this article.

In the original piece, published on the website Hot Salt Beef, I commend the ranting of the two chief protagonists – Liam, the proudly secular boy who pours scorn on his Jewish culture and arrives with pretty blonde Christian girlfriend Melody, and Daphna, his overbearing self-righteous ‘Super Jew’ cousin.

I call Joshua Harmon’s play – which also features Liam’s brother, Jonah, trying to keep the peace the day after the funeral of beloved grandfather ‘Poppie’ - “hilarious, acerbic, uncomfortable”. I note that everyone, myself included, finds it mostly hysterical.

Watching it again, in a different space, 13 months and a cast change later, the thing I note most is the absolute lack of vitriol. I don’t want to compare and contrast, and I want to caveat this by saying that I genuinely think the new cast is a great new cast.

This year, though, Liam feels snider, slightly more obnoxious: I didn’t warm to him in the same way as I did last time. Daniel Boyd seems to be exploring Liam’s privilege. His tone is spiteful, depicting Liam the snob - self-involved and, at times, a cruel narcissist. Don’t get me wrong, the acting is bang on. I know Liams. Hell, I’ve dated Liams. But the problem is that he is really difficult to root for; he’s an unpleasant character who you don’t want to spend 90 minutes with.

Ailsa Joy’s Daphna fares better. She adeptly stalks her way across the stage, in equal parts the feline predator about to pounce, and the lost young woman who too easily finds herself relying on wits that she can’t quite keep up with.

You (just about) forgive Daphna’s brutal attack on Melody, because this all-too-comfortable word play is all she has to defend herself. Even after she’s ripped Poppie’s Chai from Melody’s throat, you can’t help wanting to hug her when she asks Jonah if she’s going to be in trouble.

If she’s been faced with Boyd’s Liam for all of her life, it’s little wonder she’s shouldered her way into this dysfunctional familial interaction with every weapon she has.

The sad thing is that even after two nights and two reviews, with lots of thought and discussion in between, I still don’t know what Bad Jews is about or what it is trying to say.

It often feels like it’s trying to be ‘state of the nation’, but I’m not sure it is. The writing relies too much on surprise and provocation for that. Although the strokes are broad enough to achieve resonance, even a kind of universal appeal, they are still broad strokes nonetheless.

Much like Daphna, it can often feel like the play runs away with itself. It’s a structural problem and, no matter how entertaining the plaster covering these structural cracks are, Bad Jews relies on situational irony and spoken provocation.

Sure, that’s great on a first watch. You’re provided with your 15 seconds of shock and entertainment. But it doesn’t hold the same weight as dramatic irony. I don’t understand the decision to starve us of 15 minutes of suspense by suddenly blowing up the bus, when you could have let us know the bomb was there all along.

Fine performances, acerbic one liners, a great set and bang-on direction apart, this central hole in the very fabric of the play will always undermine everything a director or actors try to hang on it.

Bad Jews is entertaining, but I’d expect a play that prods the consequences of homogenising a culture to withstand the interrogation of a second outing.

A Run-away success

LIBERAL JUDAISM’S award-winning playwright and film-maker Aaron Abraham wowed theatre critics with his most recent show, Run. Aaron – who writes under the name of Stephen Laughton – won rave reviews for the play, which was part of the Vault Festival

Run tells the story of Yonni (Tom Ross-Williams), a gay orthodox Jewish teenager, who is exploring feelings of angst and rebellion. It was written by Aaron, Liberal Judaism’s communications, events and development manager, and directed by Oli Rose.

The Jewish News gave the play five stars, with critic Fiona Leckerman writing: “Run is a feat of astounding brilliance, it is visceral, engaging and deeply emotional. Yonni’s experience of love is relatable, relevant and tackles the zeitgeist of social media with humour. Laughton is a superb writer and, coupled with Ross-Williams disarming performance, Run is a triumph, so much so it thoroughly deserves a better venue and a wider audience.”

The Grumpy Gay Critic website was another to give a five star review, calling Run “a piece of deep emotional and cosmic brilliance”.

At the end of a lengthy, glowing, article, the site’s James Waygood concluded: “Run is an intoxicating sprint from start to finish. Ecstatic new writing, deep production, and an out-of-this-world performance will leave you gasping through your tears.”

William Howard of Exeunt also enthused about the production, describing it as “artful, honest and deeply romantic”. He continued: “Run speaks eloquently, affectingly and at times agonisingly about love and loss in a way that everyone can relate to… it’s vital viewing.”

LGBTQ Arts gave the play four stars and described it as “a phenomenal and intricately beautiful piece of writing and performance – a beautiful story, magnificently told.”

For more information on Run, go to www.run-theplay.net

Page 10 LJ Today May/June 2016

Why it’s hard to be trans and keep the faith

LAST MONTH saw Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) take place, the annual event where people show their support for the trans community.

Many in the wider Jewish community will have heard of Transgender Day of Remembrance, but TDOV is very different – it’s not a day for mourning, but one of empowerment and celebration.

This year’s day had the theme and hashtag #MoreThanVisibility – with a call to use visibility as a vital tool for justice.

But how does this theme resonate with trans people of faith? Has being more visible helped trans Jews, like me, in the UK and worldwide?

In the past two years we have seen increased global coverage of trans issues and celebrity coming out stories.

Visibility has certainly had the effect that most people nowadays would have come across the word transgender. It helps. But does it help everyone? And has this ‘mainstreaming’ made things better overall?

Amazon’s Emmy Award-winning programme Transparent – about a Jewish family coming to terms with their father’s decision to transition – has perhaps allowed viewers to develop a greater understanding of the transgender experience in a faith context.

But, despite all of this, many trans and gender nonconforming Jews have experienced first-hand that visibility is not enough.

Personally, I am probably one of the few trans Jews who is blessed enough to benefit from certain privileges.

I am an out and proud Progressive Jew, and international LGBTQI+ campaigner with my latest project being Twilight People, the UK’s landmark multi-faith heritage project exploring gender & faith beyond the binary, which is hosted by Liberal Judaism. My family, friends, work place and faith community are supportive.

So far, I have been lucky and it’s been a positive journey for me.

Yet, some participants in Twilight People had to remain anonymous. Others did not take part at all, fearing reprisal from their religious community or family.

A friend of mine, a British trans woman who came out after a long struggle within her ultra-Orthodox Charedi community, told me: “The government should demand that every school be exposed to [trans issues]. I’ve had to spend countless hours explaining to Charedi Jews that this [being trans] is not a choice, it’s real.

“I have not seen my kids for so long – the court system is too slow. I have received death threats and so have my friends. The law has to change. I had to move away; I cannot move around my hometown freely any more and feel safe.”

It really seems that visibility is currently not enough, and never was enough, for some trans and gender nonconforming people of faith.

I believe we now need better education around trans issues and improved legislation, especially when it comes to dealing with hate crime.

I am excited to be working on projects such as Twilight People, and hopefully beginning to change hearts and minds in the more conservative faith communities.

Surat-Shaan Knan on the battles faced by trans and gender nonconforming Jewish people

Comment

‘We have a duty to reject hatred’By Hannah Sanderson

BRUSSELS, Paris, Russian Flight 9268, San Bernardino. Images of smoke, wreckage, and despair come to mind when these words are spoken.

As a nation we mourn for those lost and we fear for another, seemingly inevitable, attack. Our thoughts are with the families who have suffered an unwarranted tragedy, who suffered in the face of evil.

What is just as concerning is the reaction of portions of our society, both British and Jewish. Already, sound bites of the ‘West versus the rest’ are being spewed. After the Brussels attacks, #StopIslam was trending before the dust was allowed to settle.

Today, ‘Muslim’ has become an insult, a way of legitimising policy. Not only is it offensive to suggest that Islam as a whole is targeting the West, it is incorrect.

Islamic State (IS) terrorist attacks on Muslims have gone virtually unnoticed by the majority of our media and many of the public. Ankara, Tunis, Khan Bani Saad. These words will mean nothing to most people here in Britain. Thousands of Muslims have been slaughtered by these terrorists throughout the world.

This is not a ‘clash of civilisations’, but by demonising all Muslims, we are making it one. We must unite with the vast majority of the Muslim community who are attacked not only by IS and the hate-filled ideology it espouses, but also attacked by many in our community.

We need to reflect on our own prejudices, and realise that, at this time of suffering, we must uphold our values of liberty and tolerance. We must prove these cannot be shattered by a bomb. Our values should remain a pillar of strength and guidance in this time of great pain.

Discrimination, of any kind, is unacceptable. As British Jews, we have a duty to reject hatred and discrimination – in whatever form it rears its ugly head.

Hannah Sanderson is a leader in the LJY-Netzer youth movement

Happy 80th JeroméBy Alice Alphandary

ANYONE who knows Jeromé Freedman well - and it’s hard not to if you’re at all involved with Liberal Judaism - will know he has three loves: family, Judaism and rugby.

These were all in evidence at his 80th birthday celebrations at South London Liberal Synagogue (SLLS).

Jeromé’s immediate family, and extended synagogue family, packed out our sanctuary for a special choral service in which Rabbi Danny Rich, Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, was guest preacher and thanked Jeromé for his hard work for, and commitment to, the movement.

The congregation then marked Jeromé’s passions with two books - one, a history of the Talmud and the other, Mr Men: The Rugby Match.

After the service, the Freedmans treated us all to a wonderful kiddush.

LJ Today Page 11May/June 2016 Youth

Contact the LJY-Netzer team: Anna Craven (annac@liberaljudaism.org), Sam Alston (sam@liberaljudaism.org) and Tom Francies (tom@liberaljudaism.org); office telephone 020 7631 0584

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

Hello Hannah, toodle-oo Tom

HANNAH STEPHENSON will become the newest LJY-Netzer movement worker this summer. Hannah will join Sam Alston and Anna Craven, both of whom are staying on after a very successful first year of movement work.

Hannah, a member at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, said: “After 14 years of LJY-Netzer, I still can’t get enough. I have an undeniable love for the movement. It has given me friends, values, beliefs and unforgettable experiences. It has been my life and shaped the person I am today.

“I am thrilled to be working at the Montagu Centre, making decisions, working to better what we do and facilitating similar experiences to those I enjoyed for the current participants.

“I’m now ready to take the ‘LJY-Netzer reins’ and bring all that I can in one incredibly intense year – making a difference to the movement that has made such a difference to me.”

Tom Francies is heading in the opposite direction - leaving Liberal Judaism after three years as a movement worker.

Speaking at LJY-Netzer’s Machaneh Aviv spring camp, Tom said: “Finally, it’s time to say goodbye. It was always going to happen, but it kept magically being put back by a year.

“If I were to describe the job in two words they would be ‘life changing’. I’ve been given amazing opportunities to meet new people, do new things and have new experiences. These three years as a movement worker, and the seven before them in LJY-Netzer, have been the best of my life.”

LJY-Netzer employs three movement workers each year, a team of salaried professionals based at Liberal Judaism’s Montagu Centre head office in London.

Sam Alston told lj today how he’s delighted with all LJY-Netzer has achieved during the last 12 months - and is looking forward to a bright future.

He said: “During the year I have been working for LJY-Netzer, we organised a Jewish service for refugees at Westminster Abbey, a group trip to Paris for the climate conference and have run weekends and camps where participants get to meet other young Jews for the first time, grow in confidence and develop their own Jewish identity. I have also personally been to around 20 communities, helping to run sessions.

“It is often hard to get the outside world to comprehend why what we do is so important. How do you explain why reinventing Liberal Judaism matters so much? Or the power of watching the child who is afraid of their own shadow lead their year group though the kiddush.”

Sam added: “Over the next year, we will try to find answers to basic questions, see children find a home no other Jewish space can provide, watch the next generation of Liberal Jewish leaders grow up and have a huge amount of fun.”

The incoming LJY-Netzer movement worker team of Hannah, Sam and Anna - and Tom (far right) says goodbye to LJY’s youngest members

Page 12 LJ Today May/June 2016

Printed by Precision Printing. www.precisionprinting.co.uk

CongregationsBedfordshire Progressive Synagogue T: 0845 869 7105E: bedsps@liberaljudaism.orgW: bedfordshire-ps.org.uk

Beit Klal Yisrael (Notting Hill)E: bkymailing@gmail.comW: bky.org.uk

Bet Tikvah Synagogue (Barkingside)T: 020 8554 9682E: bttkv@liberaljudaism.orgW: bettikvah.blogspot.co.uk

Birmingham Progressive Synagogue T: 0121 634 3888E: bps@liberaljudaism.orgW: bpsjudaism.com

Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue T: 01273 737 223E: info@bhps-online.orgW: bhps-online.org

Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation E: bwpjc@bwpjc.orgW: bwpjc.org

Crawley Jewish CommunityT: 01293 534 294

Crouch End Chavurah E: info@crouchendchavurah.co.ukW: crouchendchavurah.co.uk

Dublin Jewish Progressive CongregationE: djpc@liberaljudaism.orgW: djpcireland.com

Ealing Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8997 0528E: els@liberaljudaism.orgW: ealingliberalsynagogue.org.uk

Eastbourne Liberal Jewish CommunityT: 01323 725 650E: eljc@liberaljudaism.orgW: eljc.org.uk

Edinburgh Liberal Jewish CommunityT: 0131 777 8024E: info@eljc.orgW: eljc.org

Finchley Progressive Synagogue T: 020 8446 4063E: fps@liberaljudaism.orgW: fps.org

Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish CommunityT: 01242 609 311E: shalom@gljc.org.ukW: gljc.org.uk

Herefordshire Jewish CommunityT: 01594 530 721E: hjc@liberaljudaism.orgW: herefordshirejc.org

Kehillah North London T: 020 7403 3779E: knl@liberaljudaism.orgW: nlpjc.org.uk

Kent Liberal Jewish Community T: 07952 242 432E: enquiries@kljc.org.ukW: www.kljc.org.uk

Kingston Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8398 7400E: kls@liberaljudaism.orgW: klsonline.org

Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation T: 0116 271 5584E: lpjc@liberaljudaism.orgW: lpjc.org.uk

The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (St John’s Wood)T: 020 7286 5181E: ljs@liberaljudaism.orgW: ljs.org

The Liberal Synagogue Elstree T: 020 8953 8889E: tlse@liberaljudaism.orgW: tlse.org.uk

Lincolnshire Jewish CommunityT: 01427 628 958 E: ljc@liberaljudaism.org W: lincolnshirejc.co.uk

Manchester Liberal Jewish CommunityT: 0161 796 6210E: mljc@liberaljudaism.orgW: mljc.org.uk

Mosaic Liberal Synagogue (Harrow)T: 020 8864 5323E: office@mosaicliberal.org.ukW: mosaicliberal.org.uk

Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue T: 01923 822 592E: npls@liberaljudaism.orgW: npls.org.uk

Norwich Liberal Jewish Community E: nljc@liberaljudaism.orgW: norwichljc.org.uk

Nottingham Liberal Synagogue T: 0115 962 4761E: nls@liberaljudaism.orgW: nottinghamliberalsynagogue.com

Peterborough Liberal Jewish CommunityT: 07561 331 390E: info@pljc.org.ukW: pljc.org.uk

Reading Liberal Jewish CommunityT: 0118 942 8022E: readingliberaljewishcommunity@gmail.com W: www.readingljc.org.uk Shenfield & Brentwood SynagogueT: 01277 888 610E: tikvahchadasha@gmail.comW: roshtikvah.com

South Bucks Jewish Community T: 0845 644 2370E: sbjc@liberaljudaism.orgW: sbjc.org.uk

Shir Hatzafon (Copenhagen) T: +45 2370 9757E: shir@shirhatzafon.dkW: shirhatzafon.dk

South London Liberal Synagogue (Streatham)T: 020 8769 4787E: slls@liberaljudaism.orgW: southlondon.org

Southgate Progressive SynagogueT: 020 8886 0977E: sps@liberaljudaism.orgW: sps.uk.com

Stevenage Liberal SynagogueT: 01438 300 222E: stevenageliberalsynagogue@gmail.com

W: stevenageliberalsynagogue.org.uk

Suffolk Liberal Jewish Community (Ipswich)T:01473 250 797E: sjc@liberaljudaism.org

Wessex Liberal Jewish Community (Bournemouth)T: 01202 757 590E: info@wessexliberaljudaism.org.ukW: wessexliberaljudaism.org.uk

West Central Liberal Synagogue (Central London)T: 020 7636 7627E: wcls@liberaljudaism.orgW: wcls.org.uk

Woodford Liberal SynagogueT: 020 8989 7619E: info@woodfordliberal.org.ukW: woodfordliberal.org.uk

York Liberal Jewish CommunityT: 07469 159 134 E: york@liberaljudaism.orgW: jewsinyork.org.uk

Developing communities and affiliated congregations

Beit Ha’Chidush (Amsterdam)T: +31 23 524 7204E: bhc.informatie@gmail.comW: beithachidush.nl

Lancashire & Cumbria Liberal Jewish Community E: robertash1954@gmail.com

Oxford Jewish CongregationT: 01865 515 584 E: progressive@ojc-online.orgW: ojc-online.org

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 Send your news to ljtoday@liberaljudaism.org

President Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein Chair Simon Benscher Deputy Chair Lucian J Hudson Vice Chair Jackie RichardsTreasurer Rosie Ward Israel and the Diaspora Tamara Schmidt Communications Ed Herman Social Justice Amelia Viney Youth and Education Robin Moss Music and IT Graham Carpenter National Officers Dr Howard Cohen, David Hockman and Ruth Seager Vice Presidents Monique Blake, Henry Cohn, Nigel Cole, Geoffrey Davis, Lord Fink, Jeromé Freedman, Louise Freedman, Rabbi Dr David Goldberg, Sharon Goldstein, Rabbi Harry Jacobi, Willie Kessler, David Lipman, Corinne Oppenheimer, David Pelham, David Pick, Rosita Rosenberg, Tony Sacker, Harold Sanderson, Joan Shopper, Beverley Taylor and Clive WinstonCo-Chairs of Rabbinic Conference Rabbis Richard Jacobi and Alexandra Wright

Senior Rabbi and Chief Executive Rabbi Danny RichStudent & Young Adult Chaplain Rabbi Leah Jordan Education Rabbi Sandra Kviat Music Cantor Gershon Silins Interfaith Rabbi Mark Solomon Operations Director Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer Archivist Alison Turner Director of Youth Becca Fetterman LJY-Netzer Sam Alston, Anna Craven and Tom Francies