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September/October 2014VOL. XLI No. 5

‘It is not enough to pray for peace’By Simon RothsteinEditor, lj today

THE CURRENT situation in Israel and Gaza has proved a very important and far-reaching issue for the entire

British Jewish community. Colleagues, congregations and even families have been split by a multifaceted conflict that changes with every passing hour.

For these reasons, the leadership of Liberal Judaism took some time to formulate a full response. There were many discussions within the Liberal Judaism Board of National Officers, as well as in communities up and down the country, as to the significance of the conflict and responses to it.

The first public pronouncement came when Liberal Judaism chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich and chairman Lucian J Hudson joined with the leaders of the Movement for Reform Judaism, Masorti Judaism and the Spanish and Portuguese Jews’ Congregation to release a short statement. It read: “In these painful times we regret the loss of all innocent life. Our thoughts are with all those who grieve and we fervently pray that we soon see a just and lasting peace for all in the region.”

Danny then followed this up with a lengthy pastoral letter, sent to every member of a Liberal Judaism constituent community on Tisha B’Av 5774 and the 100th anniversary of the declaration of Britain’s entry into the First World War.

After discussing the events of the past, Danny used the letter to fully break his silence on the escalation of tension and ultimately war between Hamas located in Gaza and the State of Israel. The letter has won praise from across the religious spectrum and can be read in full by visiting www.liberaljudaism.org

Danny started by explaining why he had been “uncharacteristically quiet”. He wrote: “In truth the reason I have been silent is because, like so many, I am conflicted. My friends and family in Israel tell me they are scared and will support their Government in ‘ending the threat of rockets’ but any decent human being is anguished by the death, destruction and humiliation inflicted on the Palestinians by Israeli armoury.

“In these circumstances it is hardly surprising that an estimated 90 per cent of the Israeli population supports its Government’s actions or that Hamas receives heroic press from Palestinians and others. Fear breeds hate and ignorance nurtures extremism.”

Danny then laid out six Liberal Jewish values that must be upheld. These include the belief that “no people should live under occupation and no country’s right to exist should be constantly challenged”, as well as the promotion of the idea of two narratives – one Jewish Israeli and the other Palestinian/Arab – which both must be acknowledged in a just and lasting resolution.

Danny concluded the letter with a fitting quote from the late Rabbi John Rayner: “It is not enough to pray for peace. We have to work for it: to challenge those who foster conflict and refute their propaganda; to ascertain and make known the truth, both when it confirms

and when it runs counter to conventional views; to denounce injustice, not only when it is committed against us but also when it is committed against others; to defend human rights, not only our own but also theirs; to insist that peace requires sacrifice – of pride, or wealth, or territory; to practise and promote the way of moderation, compromise and reconciliation; and to build bridges of respect and understanding, trust and friendship, across the chasms that divide humanity.”

While Danny has been the public face of Liberal Judaism’s response to the conflict – including making many media appearances – Lucian has been an active influence behind the scenes.

He has played a key role in shaping the debate within the Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council to ensure that whatever position the UK Jewish community takes on the conflict, it reflects our distress at the loss of human life on both sides and the range of views in the community.

Liberal Judaism’s rabbis have also been highly active, speaking to members in sermons, conversations and actions. Rabbi Neil Janes, of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, explained how he has tackled the issue. Neil told lj today: “I have sought to connect us to the history and future of the Jewish people, recognising that the State of Israel is part of that. Liberal Judaism also demands the universal, recognising that we do not have a monopoly on suffering and war takes its toll on innocent lives on both sides.

“This war has brought a spiritual crisis too: how do we have faith in human progress when so many people seem hell bent on evil? I have also tried to show how we can have strongly-held opinions and still be judicious and respectful in our choice of language.”

Page 2 LJ Today September/October 2014Chairman’s Actions

Lucian J Hudson sets three key challenges for Liberal Judaism in his last year as chairman

Liberal Judaism offers a third way

ON PAGES 6-7 of this issue of lj today, you will find a summary of the annual report presented to this year’s Liberal Judaism AGM detailing the achievements of, and challenges facing, our movement. It shows much good news. Membership numbers are up, engagement is growing and finances are robust.

But the impact of Liberal Judaism is about more than just numbers. It is about principles, tested in good times and bad. Our ethical voice on big issues of the day – whether it is the Israel-Gaza conflict or assisted dying – can only help sustain our future as a religious movement.

We also need to respond appropriately to long-term demographics. This is partly why I put such emphasis on engagement with the Liberal Judaism Strategic Plan. Choices now determine future outcomes.

Much of the interest and response to the recent community survey by the Institute for Jewish Policy Research focused on the growth of the Charedi and secular sections of British Jewry. Much less noted has been the growth, by almost a third, of those identifying as Progressive. These figures hide a huge ‘churn’. Nevertheless, they demonstrate the ability of Liberal Judaism - in the words of a once famous beer advertisement - to reach the Jews other denominations cannot reach.

This trend is confirmed by the increase in the number of Liberal Jewish communities. This year we have seen new Liberal communities established in Suffolk and York, bringing our total number to 40. More than 300 people attended the largest Biennial Weekend in our movement’s history.

Over the years, Progressive Judaism has broken numerous taboos: appointing the first women rabbis; the first openly LGBT rabbis; providing mixed-faith blessings and welcoming the children of such couples on an equal basis, regardless of the gender of the Jewish parent. Most recently, in the debate on changes in legislation on assisted dying, the public mood and parliamentary voices are moving in the direction that some Liberal Jewish leaders originally advocated.

I have supported this stance in Liberal Judaism, not to annoy more traditional sections of the community nor to modernise for modernity’s sake, but because I believe Judaism must be about positive action that speaks to the reality of our times.

It was not enough for Liberal Jews to bless same-sex couples in our synagogues. We put our values into action by playing a leading role in the campaign that has led to the introduction of equal marriage legislation for everyone. It is a matter of great pride for us that one of the country’s very first same sex marriages was blessed by a Liberal rabbi.

It is the same commitment to put Jewish values into action that has led us to become the first Living Wage certified synagogal movement in the country, for our communities to sign up for Fairtrade goods and for our synagogues and head office to go green.

This is a manifesto which may alarm other sections of the community. I hope that they will understand that, whatever our disagreements, they are “for the sake of heaven”.

The challenge that Liberal Judaism has accepted for itself and which, during my five years as its chairman, has shaped my actions, is to offer a form of Judaism which ‘opts in’ to the modern world. But we cannot opt in at the expense of opting out of the Jewish community. That is why I have made it a key tenet of my approach that Liberal Judaism plays its full part in the communal world.

So, as I enter my last year as chairman, these are the challenges I set for Liberal Judaism. First, we need to collaborate better within our own Progressive community - Liberal and Reform. Already, we represent over a third of affiliated Jews; the more we work together, the stronger our voice.

Second, we need to provide support for our young people premised not on what we are against but what we are for, the positive role of Judaism in society.

And third, we need to resist the temptation to see the Jewish community as a continuum from strictly Orthodox to secular, with Progressive Judaism somewhere along the route. Instead, Progressive Judaism has the potential to offer the ‘third way’, which enables Jews, wherever they live and however they identify with their religion, to continue to be fulfilled as both Jews and participants in the wider world.

• Lucian J Hudson is chairman of Liberal Judaism. This article is based on one published in The Jewish Chronicle and now updated in the light of recent developments and feedback.

CONGRATULATIONS to Progressive Judaism’s three newest rabbis. Leo Baeck College graduates Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel, Rabbi Dr Kate Briggs and Rabbi Julia Grischchenko, who are pictured above, were ordained in the summer.

Save the dateLIBERAL JUDAISM’S Day of Celebration 2015 will be held on Sunday June 7 at Southgate Progressive Synagogue.

In the years when Liberal Judaism does not hold a Biennial Conference, we use the opportunity to come together to celebrate the best of our movement and its communities in a day-long showcase.

Rabbi Charley Baginsky, chair of the organising committee, said: “We’re really excited to begin planning this event, inspired and charged by the energy of the Biennial just gone. We are looking to create a day that will continue to celebrate the achievements and future development of Liberal Judaism.”

LJ Today Page 3September/October 2014 News

Learning from AmericaBy Rabbi Richard Jacobi

WE BRITS have a historical ambivalence towards the American help and support we have received, especially during the 20th Century. On the other hand, Jews have a long history of consulting the scholars of Judaism wherever they may be in the world. Among the leaders of Liberal Judaism and its Rabbinic Conference, the Movement for Reform Judaism and Leo Baeck College, the opportunity to learn with and from Rabbi Professor Larry Hoffman, pictured below, was one that everyone wanted to grab.

Why? Well, maybe it is eased by his Canadian roots, but it is primarily because he has accumulated a rich catalogue of research and authorship in areas of great importance to all involved in leading synagogue communities. Who wouldn’t want to get the benefit of Larry Hoffman’s 31 years’ of experience researching, teaching and writing about liturgy, prayer, worship and the future of synagogues at the Hebrew Union College.

Liberal Judaism already has an exceptional heritage in terms of liturgy. The early prayer books of our movement, associated with Rabbi Dr Israel Mattuck, were radical in their approach to meeting the needs of the congregants of his day. Service of the Heart was the first new prayer book produced anywhere in the diaspora after the Second World War and the Shoah. Siddur Lev Chadash took us all further in applying our egalitarian principles. Now, a new generation of Liberal Jews and your rabbis need to work on a Siddur that will take us towards the middle of the 21st Century.

Therefore when Larry Hoffman spent a day with Liberal Judaism’s rabbis, we explored two other main themes. The first was the place of religion in an increasingly secular developed world. We concluded, paradoxically, that there might be greater freedom for our type of religious belief and practice in this environment. It is medieval religion that

is in conflict with secularity, not our modern Judaism. The dividing line we need to draw is between moderates and extremists, whether religious or secular. By offering a moderate Jewish response to the world, which blends tradition with contemporary, we respond to the needs of people for calm and clarity in a busy and confusing public space.

Secondly, we explored our relationship with ritual. One of the mantras of Liberal Judaism has been its emphasis on the ethical rather than the ritual. But we concluded that this phrasing created a false polarity. Some of our most ethical actions are ritualised - the giving of tzedakah on a Friday night or in response to the High Holy Days’ Appeal, Fairtrade Fortnight, Mitzvah Day (coming up in November), the regular visit to an elderly relative and so on. So, when we find ourselves at ‘nodal points’ in our lives, where our energy might change direction, a ritual to clarify or mark that change can be incredibly helpful. We learned that ritual is a both pathway through the familiar and a gateway to the new. We Liberals are expert at creating new rituals - the ceremonies for mixed-faith and same sex couples are but one example - and we should use this expertise more often.

Representatives from several Liberal communities, both rabbinic and lay, then joined Larry Hoffman for this year’s Leo Baeck College Summer Institute, hosted by Finchley Progressive Synagogue. There, we extended our thinking through Larry’s teachings about the ‘Jewish Conversation’, which has been continuing for well over 3,000 years. Here are a few questions we discussed, that might stimulate your own Jewish conversation:

• For what profound values does my synagogue stand?• “We make progress not by arguing better, but by talking differently.” (Richard Rorty). How can we make new sentences that open the world up for us?• What is the Jewish purpose through history that we, here (in our congregation), will advance this year?• How are we the moral and spiritual centre for the 21st Century?• How do we find out what each person’s gifts are, what their greatest talent is and what they feel most passionate about?

As Larry Hoffman also taught us, if you cannot speak it, you do not know it. So, take any one of these and discuss them - then you’re creating the newest generation of the Jewish conversation.

Dates for your diaryAugust 31 - September 30 Rainbow Jews Travelling Exhibition Leicester LGBT Centre, LE1 6HH Dennis on 0116 254 7412

September 7 (11am-4pm) Sunday Seminar – Finding the Flocks The Montagu Centre, London, W1T 4BE a.jacobi@liberaljudaism.org

September 7 (from 3.30pm) Liberal Judaism Inter-Synagogue Quiz Finchley Progressive Synagogue quiz@fps.org

September 10-11 Unifest JW3, London, NW3 6ET info@jw3.org.uk

November 16 Mitzvah Day

June 7, 2015 Liberal Judaism Day of Celebration Southgate Progressive Synagogue y.shotts@liberaljudaism.org

Annual Memorial Services - Sep 21Edgwarebury Cemetery12:30 - Rabbi Aaron Goldstein

The Western Cemetery, Cheshunt13:00 - Rabbi Richard Jacobi

Pound Lane14:00 - Rabbi Alexandra Wright

Golders Green Crematorium15:00 - Rabbi Lee Wax

Play the LJ QuizCALLING ALL COMMUNITIES. The Liberal Judaism Inter-Synagogue Quiz will be taking place on Sunday September 7, from 3.30pm, hosted by Finchley Progressive Synagogue (FPS).

FPS invites your congregation to send a team to compete against other synagogues to see who can take home the coveted trophy. Don’t worry if you don’t have a full side as there will also be cross-community teams.

Rounds will be based on famous TV shows including Mastermind, Have I Got News For You, A Question of Sport, Horrible Histories and Tomorrow’s World. The maximum number of adults per team is eight and there will be a separate youth quiz too – so bring the kids.

For more details and an entry form, please email quiz@fps.org

Page 4 LJ Today September/October 2014Communities

Join the BoardTHE BOARD OF DEPUTIES OF BRITISH JEWS (BoD) is the representative voice of British Jewry. Founded more than 250 years ago, it comprises nearly 300 ‘Deputies’ - each elected by his or her constituency, be it a synagogue or communal organisation.

It is this long history, coupled to its democratic legitimacy, which means that – despite numerous competitors for the title – the Board of Deputies remains the first port-of-call for Government, the media and others wanting to understand Jewish communal opinions and concerns. It is to the Board that the Government turns when formulating its response to the Middle East crisis, determining policy on faith education or promoting community cohesion.

It is therefore crucial that Liberal Jewish voices are large in number and effectiveness on the Board, being heard loud and clear in meetings and when determining policies.

For example, shortly the Board will decide whether to allow the pro-Israel, pro-peace, lobby group Yachad to become a member. Hardliners have already made clear their determination to block entry, denying a voice in the democratic process to an organisation which shares the views of many Liberal Jews. But even when we disagree with others, as Liberal Jews, we would still want all voices to be heard. We cannot defend a democracy unless we are one ourselves.

The outcome of that vote is on a knife-edge. Yet there will be Liberal communities that are unrepresented and underrepresented at this and future debates. As a result there is a real danger the Liberal Jewish voice will not be heard.

What is more, soon the Board will be electing its new president, the face of British Jewry. The candidates are yet to declare and anyway each Deputy must decide for him or herself how to vote. What would be unforgiveable, however, would be not to have a vote at all.

So we urge all readers: check that your synagogue has elected its full quota of potential Deputies in good time for the various crucial decisions the BoD will be taking over the next six months; if there are spaces to be filled, consider if you would yourself welcome the opportunity to play a part in shaping the policies of our community; contact the Board to find out the rules for elections; and most of all do not leave it to someone else.

• Each Liberal Judaism constituent is entitled to a Deputy and, although there is a fee, if there is a problem please contact Danny Rich on d.rich@liberaljudaism.org

Anyone else for cricket?

By Hilary Fox

BEDFORDSHIRE PROGRESSIVE SYNAGOGUE took part in a cricket competition with a difference in August. The fourth annual Bishops Multi-Faith Cricket Cup Tournament saw teams made up of Christians, Muslims and Jews all playing harmoniously together and sharing ethnic refreshments.

You didn’t have to play to participate; picnicking spectators from the different communities added to the genteel

atmosphere of the event, into which so much thought and preparation had gone.

There were many great efforts during the eight-hour-long tournament, which culminated in a win for Watford with Luton as runners-up. Canon John Kiddle presented the cup as the light faded on a great day devoid of politics and war.

Andrea Berry, of St Albans Masorti Synagogue and the only batswoman present, said: “It’s such an easy, effective way of promoting harmony in these troubled times.”

Cantors unite in Lincolnshire

LIBERAL JUDAISM’S Cantor Gershon Silins was joined by Cantor Lisa Levine for a very special Shabbat at Lincolnshire Jewish Community. Lisa had come from America for the service, where is she a nationally-known cantor, composer, author and worship artist. A congregation of more than 30 people enjoyed the service at Jews’ Court.

Joe publishes first book at 76

BET TIKVAH founding member Joe Fajerman has just published his first novel, at the age of 76. South By High Noon, which Joe began writing more than 20 years ago, is now available as an eBook for download via Amazon. Subtitled The Foodies’ Guide to Space, he describes his work as Jewish science fiction.

Joe said: “I’m proud and delighted to see the book in print at last and I must thank my family for their encouragement to get it finished.”

LJ Today Page 5September/October 2014 Communities

SUNDAY SEMINARSLiberal Judaism, The Montagu Centre, 21 Maple Street, London, W1T 4BERegistered Charity: 1151090

At the Montagu Centre Sunday 7 September 11am - 4pm

Seminars are free to members of Liberal Judaism communities

We welcome a £5 donation towards the cost of a light lunch.

Booking in advance is essential.

Contact Abigail Jacobi to confirm your place or for further information a.jacobi@liberaljudaism.org

SESSION ONE Getting the Word OutLearn and share diverse ideas for reaching out to unaffiliated Jews and making sure your name is on the tip of their tongues for all things Jewish.with Rabbi Anna Gerrard, Outreach Director, Liberal Judaism

SESSION TWO Connecting People with PeopleA practical workshop about converting interest into membership by building releational power through interpersonal networking.with Charlotte Fisher, Community Organiser

SESSION THREE Reaching the Difficult to ReachAn opportunity to ask questions of and learn from a panel of young leaders from post-denominational Jewish groups, working with 18-40 year olds.with Rabbi Leah Jordan, Student Rabbi Daniel Lichman and Gabriella Pomeroy

Family affair at Woodford Fayre

RABBI RICHARD JACOBI takes great delight in hitting his son, cheder headteacher Josh Newham, with a wet sponge at the Woodford Liberal Synagogue Summer Fayre. Richard, Josh and other senior members of the community took turns in the stocks on a fun-filled day that raised more than £2,000 for the shul.

Children and adults were able to try their hand at everything from teddy tombola and hook-a-duck to necklace

making and a bake-off. There were plenty of sporting activities too ranging from golf and football to table tennis and pool. All the games were accompanied by a sizzling BBQ.

Richard said: “Blessed with a lovely British summer afternoon, I was able to enjoy three, if not four, generations mingling, smiling, laughing and chatting with each other. On such a day, even having wet sponges thrown at me was an uplifting communal experience!”

Rainbow Jews seeks fundingLIBERAL JUDAISM’S ground-breaking LGBT history project Rainbow Jews is looking to raise at least £5,000 via online crowdfunding to continue its great work.

During the last two years, this unique volunteer-led initiative has amassed more than 40 personal testimonies from British LGBT Jews; exploring the struggles, changes and issues experienced by the community from the 1950s to today. A collection and exhibition have been created and put on display.

Rainbow Jews Project manager Surat Knan said: “We believe in community spirit and want to keep making a difference. This is why we are asking our friends and supporters to help us continue this legacy.

“We’ve had so much interest in the exhibition, youth groups want us to run sessions and people have asked us to record their stories – but we need funds.

“Please donate, so that our history will not become our past.”

Donations can be made directly via http://igg.me/at/rainbowjewslegacy or by contacting s.knan@liberaljudaism.org

Page 6 LJ Today September/October 2014News

Annual Report 2013 - a year in the life of Liberal JudaismAchievements

LIBERAL JUDAISM exists to provide education, religious and community services to its constituents and to the wider community.

The last year was a further year of modest progress. Membership, as notified by constituent communities, increased by four per cent and the number of member communities increased with the affiliation of Suffolk Liberal Jewish Community (Ipswich). Rabbi Leah Jordan also joined the Liberal Judaism Rabbinic Team as our first full-time chaplain to students and young adults.

The Liberal Judaism Day of Celebration at Birmingham Progressive Synagogue, which was attended by 250 people from 24 communities, saw the launch of the Outreach Team’s Resource Bank and the beginning of a major consultative piece of strategic thinking.

For the first time ever the Israeli Ambassador to the Court of St James, His Excellency Daniel Taub, addressed the Liberal Judaism Patrons’ Dinner, pictured above.

Other highlights included more than 420 young people participating in LJY-Netzer activities, the launch of the Learning Network and regular media coverage of our movement.

Liberal Judaism, represented by its chief executive, was the only Jewish religious organisation to give evidence to the House of Commons Public Bill Committee tasked with considering the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013. This continued the lead that Liberal Judaism has taken in the campaign for equal marriage.

A further moments of pride came with the appointment of Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein as our president.

Liberal Judaism Outreach TeamTHE LAST YEAR was a busy one for the Liberal Judaism Outreach Team, providing rabbinic support to communities, an on-going Outreach Consultation and a new website. Liberal Judaism said goodbye to its student and young adult team – Rabbis Benji Stanley and Ariel Friedlander – and welcomed its first full-time student and young adult chaplain, Rabbi Leah Jordan. Abigail Jacobi started work in the role of outreach coordinator and the Outreach Team undertook the following projects:

Rabbinic servicesTwenty-eight communities benefited from one or more visits from a member of the Outreach Team, including for Shabbat services, festival events, adult and cheder education, music workshops and strategy meetings.

Youth workCommunity youth coordinator Sam Grant worked with 19 communities to develop and run youth clubs or cheder activities.

Outreach Consultation A two-year consultation with the leadership of Liberal Judaism communities was completed and the data was compiled into an Outreach Report and new strategy, looking at ways for Liberal Judaism to work with its constituent communities.

Resource BankThe new Resource Bank website was built and launched with content under the headings of leadership, learning and library. Highlights include liturgical recordings, the Jewish Pathways cheder curriculum, customisable publicity posters and a DVD library.

Sunday SeminarsIn response to the Outreach Consultation, the Sunday Seminars programme was launched to provide relevant training opportunities to community leaders on different aspects of congregational life. Seven Sunday Seminars in 2013 covered topics including synagogue music, publicity and social media, fundraising, safeguarding and governance.

Regional ShabbatonThe Regional Shabbaton took place in Eastbourne in March 2013 with participants from 11 Liberal Judaism communities and members of the local Orthodox community. Sessions and services were run by Rabbis Danny Rich, Anna Gerrard and Sandra Kviat, amongst others.

Israel Tour Voucher ProjectMore than 100 young people in 17 Liberal Judaism communities received cards on the occasion of their barmitzvah or batmitzvah, including a voucher for £50 off a future LJY-Netzer Israel Tour. Learning Network The Learning Network was launched and run by Rabbi Sandra Kviat, providing networking opportunities and training seminars to Liberal Jewish educators.

Ba’alei TefillahA third cohort of 15 Ba’alei Tefillah students from 11 Liberal Judaism communities completed the lay leadership training programme, which covers liturgy, reading Torah, homiletics, practical skills and a residential weekend at Barnes Close Retreat Centre.

Student packsWith the support of the NLPS Trust, more than 150 students received Chanukkah packs and ‘exam stress’ packs from Liberal Judaism’s student and young adult chaplain, containing candles, dreidels, stress balls, herbal tea and much more.

RoutesThese monthly events for young adults included Shabbat dinners, study sessions and festival celebrations in collaboration with Jeneration.

Living WageThe Outreach Team worked with Citizens UK organiser Charlotte Fischer to launch Liberal Judaism’s Living Wage campaign. In December 2013, Liberal Judaism became the first synagogal movement to become certified as a Living Wage employer.

LJ Today Page 7September/October 2014 News

Annual Report 2013 - a year in the life of Liberal JudaismFinancesTHE CHIEF EXECUTIVE is charged by the Board of National Officers (BoNO) with balancing the budget. An operating surplus of £13,220 in a total budget that is in excess of £1.5million is a sound result, primarily achieved by good fiscal control and budgeting.

Although there has been some upturn in the economy, the charitable sector is still reporting a challenging environment. Liberal Judaism’s total income was down by some £80,000 from 2012, half of which is a drop in cemetery income which relates simply to a fall in the death rate.

It is disappointing to report that despite an increase in membership, congregational subscriptions fell by some £30,000. There were some other areas where income dropped, but these were matched by increases and savings elsewhere. Readers might wish to note that the sale of rabbinic services also increased.

In addition to the generosity of our Patrons and donors, a number of specific grants were received from the NLPS Trust for Progressive Judaism, UJIA, The Children’s Aid Committee, Jewish Child’s Day, the Shoresh Trust and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

There were no dramatic surprises in expenditure. Staff are charged with minimising unnecessary expenditure and wastage and it is pleasing to note that office and general costs dropped by some nine per cent.

Once again, Liberal Judaism was proud, and able, to maintain its grant of £150,000 to Leo Baeck College.

As a major initiative, Rabbi Anna Gerrard led the six-strong Outreach Team, the funding for which came from our Council of Patrons. The total costs of outreach and community work was £395,000.

As for the future, there are many initiatives that can be undertaken. Our ability to fulfil these depends on the amount of money available. The Council of Patrons has proved invaluable for raising funds and it is anticipated that every effort will be made to raise money through this and other sources.

Youth and LJY-Netzer

AN EXCITING combination of well-attended new events and old classics meant that 2013 was a stellar year for LJY-Netzer. As the chart above shows, the number of participants on both main camps grew and there were also record numbers on other events. The key LJY-Netzer achievements were:

• An interfaith tour to Morocco in partnership with Salaam Shalom. This saw a mix of more than 20 LJY-Netzer and Salaam Shalom members travel around Morocco learning about tolerance and coexistence. One key outcome was a video documenting the trip, which is now on the LJY-Netzer website and being used in schools.

• The first ever youth High Holy Days event. Requested by those who live in smaller communities, 50 LJY-Netzer members from the ages of 16–23 held a High Holy Days service, including tashlich, in Regents Park.

• The launch of a brand new hadracha course. As well as having a leadership seminar, the LJY-Netzer movement workers also ran leadership days based around different topics, bringing in outside speakers who are experts in their field. Leaders were also required to complete 10 hours of work in a Liberal Jewish community.

• A record number of members attending Machaneh Aviv spring camp (81) and an increase in participants on Machaneh Kadimah summer camp (133) and LJY-Netzer’s unique Europe tour Kayitz Netzer (23). Israel Tour numbers stayed steady (31).

• Five Shnatties (compared to two in 2012) took part in the Shnat-Netzer gap year programme in Israel.

• LJY-Netzer’s shorter weekend events have also been a massive success, helping to engage members throughout the year, whether from ages 7-16 as a participant or from 17-25 in a leadership capacity.

• LJY-Netzer worked with a number of outside organisations to fulfil the theme of last year – ‘tzedek, tzedek tirdof – justice, justice you shall pursue’, including Citizens UK and Yachad. The movement also facilitated two members undertaking internships with the charity Tzedek, whose aim is to get the Jewish community actively involved in the reduction of poverty.

• LJY-Netzer’s social action partner last year was Norwood Ravenswood. Members volunteered there on Mitzvah Day, pictured above, where they planted bulbs in order to create a better environment for residents.

• LJY-Netzer’s charity of the year last year was Windows for Peace, which facilitates dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian youth, helping young people to find someone to talk to on the ‘other side’ of the divide. Liberal youth raised money and educated on this topic on every event during 2013.

All in all, 2013 was a fantastic year and bodes extremely well for the future of LJY-Netzer. The youth movement is growing, both in terms of numbers of participants and the number of events held. This increase not only means that members are engaging more continuously throughout the year, but also that older members are staying engaged more than ever before. This is especially important as LJY-Netzer recently voted to increase membership age from 23 to 25 years-old.

Page 8 LJ Today September/October 2014News

Social action at home and abroad

LIBERAL JUDAISM has teamed up with Citizens UK on two social action projects – fighting for a Living Wage and helping to resettle more refugees from Syria.

Rabbi Janet Darley, of South London Liberal Synagogue, is one of many Liberal rabbis and members leading the way by fighting for fair wages. During the summer, she was joined by cleaners of Government departments and more than 100 activists to protest along Whitehall and launch the Living Wage League Table.

The focus of the protest was those Government departments and associated Ministers paying poverty wages and languishing at the bottom of the table. The team ‘cleaned up’ outside the worst offending departments armed with mops, brooms and dusters before Rabbi Janet, Father Simon Cuff and Mohammed, a cleaner at the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, delivered a letter and wooden spoon to DEFRA, the department at the bottom of the league table. A winner’s cup was awarded to the Department for Energy & Climate Change.

The Whitehall Living Wage League Table, launched by Citizens UK, reveals the hourly rates that cleaners are currently paid in each Government department. While some departments now pay the London Living Wage of £8.80 per hour, others are far behind on the minimum wage of £6.31.

Janet said: “They told me it was difficult because cleaners are outsourced. I responded that with Lambeth Citizens, South London Liberal Synagogue has made sure that Lambeth Council’s outsourced cleaners are paid a Living Wage. This is a Jewish value - a full day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay. That is why Liberal Judaism has committed to the Living Wage, the first of all synagogal movements to do so.”

Liberal Judaism chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich was involved in a totally different, but equally important, project when he joined other community leaders at the Citizens UK Civil Society Summit to announce a Sanctuary Manifesto.Speaking at the event, Danny pledged to support a call for the resettlement of

more refugees, particularly from Syria, in solidarity with Nebal Istanbouly, a Syrian refugee who also spoke.

Danny said: “Nebal, we will stand with you. We in the Jewish community know the perils and indifference that people face in trying to find sanctuary.

“What will we do? We will act to help more Syrian refugees who cannot return home to be resettled in the UK. And we will also pledge to support them when they get here.

“We need to approach local councils up and down the country and ask them to pledge to accommodate 750 additional refugee families. Jews will be using the festival of Sukkot in October - when we build temporary shelters - as a hook for this campaign. Perhaps Muslims could focus their efforts during Eid al Adha, and Christians at Christmas.

“Alone we are weak, but Christians, Muslims, Jews and people of no faith standing together would be unstoppable.”

For more information on these campaigns, or to get involved, contact charlotte.fischer@citizensuk.org.uk

Rabbi Janet Darley leads a team campaigning in Whitehall for a Living Wage, while Rabbi Danny Rich pledges to help resettle more refugees

• THE CHEDER class at Birmingham Progressive Synagogue (BPS) ended their academic year by leading the community’s Shabbat service. With a mix of firm assurance and skilful application, the children excelled in the most challenging test of collective Jewish observance and understanding they have faced in their young lives.

Joel Drapkin, head of cheder at BPS, told the children: “You have maintained a high level of continuity and progress in your religious studies and developed your own sense of identity within the community. All this bodes well for the future of this shul and for generations to come.”

• EASTBOURNE LIBERAL JEWISH COMMUNITY (ELJC) celebrated the 13th anniversary of its founding by holding a communal bnei mitzvah. Four adults and one 13-year-old boy became barmitzvah or batmitzvah along with the Community. One batmitzvah was Angela Jay who, with her late husband Andrew, founded ELJC in 2001. The others were Suzanne King, the chair of ELJC, Yvonne Greene, vice chair, Ben Occadi (aged 13) and Russell Brenda Waffel.

• IF YOU’VE enjoyed our lj today features on Rabbi Danny Rich’s book about Rabbi Dr Israel Mattuck, then buy your copy by calling Chris on 020 7580 1663.

• LEO BAECK COLLEGE is now offering courses for all those who wish to discover more about Judaism. The Leo Baeck Lehrhaus adult learning programme will take place in the evenings, with topics including Biblical Hebrew, Kabbalah, sacred music and Bible stories. For more information, contact Jarek on 020 8349 5600.

• EUROPEAN JEWISH HERITAGE DAYS are cultural events held by Jewish communities in the UK and Europe. This year’s event takes place from September 14-21, with the theme of Women in Judaism. To find out more, email office@bnaibrithuk.org

LJ Today Page 9September/October 2014 Comment

Liberals in Brandys

IN EARLY JULY the small town of Brandys nad Labem, a few miles north east of Prague, held its first Shabbat services since the Shoah. What’s more, they were Liberal services attended by four different Liberal communities.

Back in 1978, I preached what was probably my most effective sermon at Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue – challenging the congregation to begin researching the history of the now defunct community of Kolin, whence came one of our Czech Torah scrolls.

Since then the research and contacts with Kolin, and other scroll towns, has come to be woven into the identity of the congregation. Other communities have been inspired to undertake similar projects, especially those in Nottingham, Kingston and Birmingham. Dublin Jewish Progressive Synagogue has a scroll from Brandys nad Labem and three years ago, in another sermon, I urged them to research the history of its now defunct Jewish community in order to honour fully the memory of the community murdered in the Holocaust.

So it was that Hilary, David, Leonard and Tim Abrahamson, along with David and Carla Goldberg, travelled to Prague on a long weekend tour organised by my wife Sharon and me. We were joined by four members of Amsterdam Liberal Congregation, which also has a Czech Torah scroll from Brandys.

My initial research told me there was a synagogue building in Brandys currently being renovated and a Jewish cemetery with some notable tombstones.

It was our good luck that the renovation of the synagogue had been completed a month before our visit and I got permission to hold services there. Our small group was given a tremendous welcome: a civic reception in the Town Hall by the mayor and MP, a wonderful Shabbat dinner in the impressive castle and a guided tour of the adjoining town of Stare Boleslav, one of most important Christian sites in the Czech Republic.

Our hosts took us to the historic Jewish cemetery and then to the synagogue, the real highlight of our visit. It was built in 1829 and flourished until its congregation was deported to Terezin in February 1943. After the war, the communists turned the empty synagogue into a warehouse for storing chemicals. But recently the Federation of Czech Jewish Communities started a programme called ‘The Ten Stars’ to restore 10 significant synagogues around the country in towns without Jews, installing exhibitions on aspects of Judaism and making them available for local cultural events.

The Brandys synagogue restoration project – largely funded by the EU – had been led by Jan Kinderman and he was present at our services along with Petr Papousec, the current president of the Federation. Both have strong links to Liberal Judaism. I also invited members of the two Liberal communities in Prague, Bejt Simcha and ZLU, who cancelled their own Erev Shabbat services to attend. The next morning, although we didn’t have a Torah, we read the sedra from a photocopy the Dubliners had made of their Brandys Torah scroll.

After years in disrepair, the Jewish sites of Brandys nad Labem make the town well worth a visit: it can be reached by a short bus ride from Prague. I intend taking the Kabbalat Torah classes from Northwood and Finchley to hold a service there and the Prague communities have already promised to join us.

The visitors from Dublin and Amsterdam went home eager to continue their research into the history of the Brandys’ Jewish community and to redouble their efforts to keep alive the memory of those murdered in the Shoah. My project is to research a Brandys rabbi, Dr Filip Bondy (1830-1907), who was the first to introduce reforms in the Czech services, including a sermon in Czech. Perhaps he would have been happy that the first services in his restored synagogue were Liberal.

Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein is president of Liberal Judaism

Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein on an inspiring visit to a restored synagogue in the Czech Republic

The first service in the restored synagogue

Become a service leaderBy Rabbi Sandra Kviat DO YOU want to explore prayers and service leading? Then please get in contact, as Liberal Judaism is recruiting applicants for the fourth cohort of the Ba’alei Tefillah programme, which will launch in January 2015. This lay leadership training programme is perfect for those who wish to improve their capability to take Shabbat services in their own congregation. If you are interested, then please contact me on 020 7631 1663 or s.kviat@liberaljudaism.org

So far, 44 participants from 29 different Liberal congregations have graduated Ba’alei Tefillah. The programme includes leading and choreographing Shabbat and festival services, an exploration of the structure of the liturgy, opportunities to write sermons and the chance to practice reading Torah. The programme is mostly distance learning and working within your community, as well as two check-in days in London and one residential weekend outside of London.

The best way to find out more is to hear what previous participants and sponsoring rabbis have said:

“As a severely sight impaired person, the additional challenge of reading Hebrew was something I thought I’d never be able to do. However, it’s amazing how motivating taking part in this programme proved to be. I’ve amazed myself, by reading - yes I do mean reading - the Torah blessings on Rosh Hashanah.”Second cohort participant

“The course provided structures and space to relate, reflect and practice. Leading services gives me the motivation to stretch myself in areas that I enjoy and find personally enriching.”Third cohort participant

“Ba’alei Tefillah participants are more personally engaged with, and have a greater understanding of, prayer. I watched them grow in confidence, skill, and awareness, which has enhanced our community’s worship experiences.”Rabbi Monique Mayer

“I greatly enjoyed not only the Ba’alei Tefillah programme, but also the chance to meet with such lovely people from the various communities. Being part of the programme helped me explore Jewish life… and for that I thank you.”Third cohort participant

Page 10 LJ Today September/October 2014Outreach

Outreach Team Bulletin Board

SEARCHING for musical resources to enrich your High Holy Days services? Look no further than the LJ Resource Bank, where you will now find a number of musical recordings of liturgy from Liberal Judaism’s Machzor Ruach Chadashah. If your community has festival resources that you are willing to share, then please get in touch – the Resource Bank is a great example of the Philosophy of Cooperation in action.

Abigail a.jacobi@ liberaljudaism.org

ON A SUNNY Shabbat in July, I joined York Liberal Jewish Community for their second ever service. The congregation consisted of about 35 people of a wide variety of ages. Since I, a cantor, took the service, it was a very musical one and there was enthusiastic participation from all. There was also a wonderful Kiddush lunch, pictured above. York is an exciting, growing community with a lot of energy. I can’t wait to return.

Cantor Gershon g.silins@liberaljudaism.org

IS ANYONE in your community heading to university in September? If so, I would like to hear from them. As part of my student chaplaincy work, I will be visiting a number of university campuses this year and sending out our special student packs. If you have suggestions for particular campuses or students you would like me to visit, please let me know. Send suggestions and contact details to the email address below so I can get in touch.

Rabbi Leah l.jordan@ liberaljudaism.org

IT WAS A great pleasure to finish and publish the Outreach Report and Strategy, pictured below. Two years’ worth of conversations with synagogue councils formed the basis of an overriding set of aims for the central movement’s work with communities: facilitate sharing; empower leadership; develop community; create connections; enable sustainability. The hard work of putting these into action continues.

Rabbi Anna a.gerrard@liberaljudaism.org

SUFFOLK LIBERAL JEWISH COMMUNITY is a young congregation with a creative soul. In June I visited them for a Shabbat morning explanatory and explorational service. We focused on a few key prayers, especially the Shema, and looked at different ways to translate it into our own words and experiences. One beautiful interpretation went something like this: “Pay attention, people who struggle, the unknown is present, the Eternal One is unique.” The outcome was meaningful, personal and touching, and after a lively Torah

discussion, we shared a delicious pot luck lunch. My visit finished with a short impromptu Hebrew class for a few new members who had never read Hebrew before. As always, my trip to Suffolk was a lovely and rewarding experience.

Suffolk Liberal Jewish Community is based in Ipswich and meets once a month to celebrate Shabbat, festivals and other events. For more information email sjc@liberaljudaism.org

Rabbi Sandra s.kviat@liberaljudaism.org

LJ Today Page 11September/October 2014 Youth

Contact the LJY-Netzer team: Tom Francies (tom@liberaljudaism.org), Tamara Silver (tamara@liberaljudaism.org) and Gabriel Webber (gabriel@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

Meet the new LJY-Netzer team

By Tom Francies

THIS TIME last year, Bethany, Graham and I had just completed two months of handover and were looking forward to becoming your new LJY-Netzer movement workers.

Only now, looking back, can I appreciate what a year it has been – we’ve run 23 events and engaged more than 500 young Liberal Jews from 4-25 years-old. This year has made me realise just how special LJY-Netzer is. It gives people opportunities and responsibilities that they aren’t given in their regular life, allowing them to grow and develop as people.

I am looking forward to my next year as a movement worker not only with more confidence than 12 months ago, but also with more excitement about the amazing work that LJY-Netzer is doing.

As Bethany and Graham move on to pastures new, I would like to thank them for being two of my best friends and pushing myself and LJY-Netzer to reach new highs. Finally, I’d like to give a very warm welcome to my two new colleagues Gabriel and Tamara and am looking forward to a remarkable year with them. Here I have asked them a few questions, so you can get to know them too:

Gabriel Webber

Where did you grow up? Outside north-west London, controversially, in Kingston upon Thames. Rabbi Danny Rich was my rabbi and I distinctly remember once hitting him with a lulav when I was quite small. Hopefully he doesn’t remember... oh, whoops.

When did your LJY-Netzer journey begin? My first event was Machaneh Aviv spring camp in 2006.

What’s your favourite Jewish festival? It has to be Pesach. From my traditional last minute pasta to every delicious matzah pizza throughout the week, it’s a great time of year and also one where we really can think about how fortunate we are to be Jewish in such a tolerant society.

What are you most excited about for this year? One of my big tasks this year is organising Israel Tour. It’s a huge project but also a really inspiring one. What is your favourite cheese? Mozzarella. Although my favourite cheese joke is: “How do you hide a horse behind some cheese? Mask-a-pony.”

Tamara Silver

Where did you grow up? In Oxford as part of a thriving pluralist Jewish community. I both attended and taught at the Oxford Jewish Congregation cheder, ran youth clubs and regularly enjoyed Liberal services and events.

When did your LJY-Netzer journey begin? I joined LJY-Netzer when I was 14. My first event was Machaneh Kadimah summer camp and I never looked back.

What’s your favourite Jewish festival? Ever since I was little my favourite festival has always been Chanukkah. I love lighting the candles every evening and the festive feeling of the winter months.

What are you most excited about for this year? Running new events and revamping classic old-school LJY-Netzer ideas to make them even more fun. I also can’t wait for this year’s Veidah, our decision making forum where participants decide the direction of the movement.

What is your favourite cheese? I am a huge fan of all types of cheese; however Saint Agur Blue has always had the X-Factor for me.

Departing LJY-Netzer movement workers Graham and Bethany play tug of war with newcomers Tamara and Gabriel over Tom, who is staying

Page 12 LJ Today September/October 2014

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Liberal Judaism congregationsBedfordshire Progressive Synagogue T: 01234 218 387E: 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: bhps@liberaljudaism.orgW: brightonandhoveprosynagogue.org.uk

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

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

Crawley Jewish CommunityT: 01293 534 294

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

Harrow and Wembley Progressive SynagogueT: 020 8864 5323E: hwps@liberaljudaism.orgW: hwps.org

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 242432E: kljc@liberaljudaism.orgW: tinyurl.com/kentljc

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: 08432 084 441E: mljc@liberaljudaism.orgW: mljc.org.uk

North Herts Liberal Jewish Community (Stevenage)T: 01438 300 222E: northhertsljc@gmail.comW: northhertsljc.org

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

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

Nottingham Liberal Synagogue T: 0115 962 4761E: nls@liberaljudaism.orgW: www.norwichljc.org.uk

Peterborough Liberal Jewish CommunityT: 020 7631 9822E: 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

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

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

Developing communities

The Liberal Jewish Community of Weymouth, Portland and West DorsetE: wpwd@liberaljudaism.org

York Liberal Jewish CommunityE: york@liberaljudaism.org

Affiliated congregations

Beit Ha’Chidush (Amsterdam)T: 00 31 23 524 7204E: bhc.informatie@gmail.comW: beithachidush.nl

Oxford Jewish CongregationT: 01865 514 356W: 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 Chairman Lucian J Hudson Vice Chairs Simon Benscher and Jackie RichardsFinance David Pelham Israel and the Diaspora Tamara Schmidt Communications Ed Herman Social Justice Amelia Viney Youth and Education Robin Moss National Officers Dr Howard Cohen, David Hockman, Ruth Seager and Rosie Ward Vice Presidents Monique Blake, Henry Cohn, Nigel Cole, Geoffrey Davis, Lord Stanley Fink, Jeromé Freedman, Louise Freedman, Rabbi Dr David Goldberg, Sharon Goldstein, Rabbi Harry Jacobi, Jeremy Jessel, Willie Kessler, David Lipman, Corinne Oppenheimer, David Pick, Rosita Rosenberg, Tony Sacker, Harold Sanderson, Joan Shopper, Beverley Taylor and Clive WinstonChair of Rabbinic Conference Rabbi Charley Baginsky

Chief Executive Rabbi Danny RichOutreach Director Rabbi Anna Gerrard Outreach Coordinator Abigail Jacobi Student & Young Adult Chaplain Rabbi Leah Jordan Education Rabbi Sandra Kviat Music Cantor Gershon Silins Interfaith Rabbi Mark Solomon Operations Director Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer PR Alexandra Ben-Yehuda Archivist Alison Turner LJY-Netzer Tom Francies, Tamara Silver and Gabriel Webber