March/April 2010

VOL. XXXVII No. 2 ljtodayLiberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism

In this issueNews and ‘Around the Communities’ 2-3

The UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen What did campaigners achieve? Report by our delegates 6

Viewpoint Remembering the miracles pf the Exodus 10

LJY-Netzer Youth activities 11

Vindicated by the Supreme CourtLiberal Judaism is the only movement to have fought consistently to end JFS’s discriminatory entry criteria

When the Supreme Court upheld the Court of Appeal’s judgment that the entry criteria for pupils at JFS contravened the Race Relations Act, Liberal Judaism’s position throughout the 18-month series of hearings was vindicated.

It was the only Jewish movement in Britain that welcomed the Court of Appeal ruling overturning a High Court judgment that enabled the school to deny entry to a boy because it did not recognise his mother’s conversion.

‘We have taken the clearest and outspoken position on this,’ said Rabbi Danny Rich, who has been forthright in his assertion that JFS, a state-funded school, had been selecting applicants on the basis of religious politics.

‘The Orthodox definition of Jewish excludes 40 per cent of the Jewish community in this country,’ he added.

‘Judaism is transmitted not by birth, but by identity and upbringing.’

Following the Supreme Court ruling, the Board of Deputies began to put into action a plan to press for a change in the law. But this plan collapsed partly because more thought neded to be given to any change in legislation, and because of a lack of support from Liberal Judaism.

Dinah Rose QC, who represented the father of a boy denied entry to JFS, gave a talk to rabbis and staff members at the Montagu Centre. She reflected on the implications of the ruling, and the long path to victory. Asked what the atmosphere during breaks in court sessions had been like – considering the deep oppositions between the all-Jewish litigants – she said there had been no hostility, adding: ‘It was just like a kiddush.’ Our vision of Judaism, page 5

Lifeline for Ukraine as movement backs WJR Liberal Judaism is proud to be involved in an exciting new initiative with World Jewish Relief, the UK-based international development charity, supporting its programme in the city of Kharkov, Ukraine. The project will be launched formally at Liberal Judaism’s Biennial Weekend in April.

In Ukraine, the fallout from the collapse of Communism, compounded during recent months by the recession in western Europe, has had a devastating effect, particularly on the elderly. Up to three million pensioners in the country face dire poverty, and are now more dependent on welfare support than ever.

Kharkov is in the industrial north-east of Ukraine, its ‘rust-belt’. The city depended on the USSR’s high military spending to

End of rabbinic lawIn our second article marking 200 years of Progressive Judaism, Rabbi David Goldberg examines the changes in theological beliefs that flowed from the emancipated approach of the early 19th century. Sacrifice is history, page 9

Order your haggadahLiberal Judaism has published its exciting Haggadah B’chol Dor Va-Dor (a haggadah for all generations). Order form, page 4 Many in Kharkov, Ukraine, face a daily struggle

Continued on back page

Page 2 LJ Today March/April 2010 March/April 2010 LJ Today Page 3

Around the Communities

Shenfield Rabbi Danny Rich led the singing at Shenfield, Brentwood and Districts’ Chanukkah party. He also preached at the synagogue’s formal inauguration service in January. The community has begun providing a cheder and adult education classes, held at a local primary school premises.

Lincolnshire The community formally dedicated its new library to the memory of Michael Snell. Until his sudden death in 2008 at the age of 71, Michael had been a vital part of the community, and had been working on the project of creating a library at the medieval Jews’ Court, where prayer services are held.

Edinburgh Thirteen children were accompanied by seven adults for a ‘cheder seder’ for Tu B’Shvat.

Woodford The synagogue presented a cheque for £770 to Rabbi Aryeh Sufrin, the director of Drugsline, a charity taken up as part of the community’s Kol Nidre appeal.

Southgate In a sermon on the morning of Tu B’Shvat, the headteacher of JCoSS, Jeremy Stowe-Lindner, said 20 per cent of the energy for the new school building near the synagogue came from a biomass store, and JCoSS was one of the first schools in the country to be built with a top rating for environmentalism.

Harrow & Wembley Mary Banks is the new director of music, taking over from Susan Slade, who had held the post since 1992. Mary, a American by birth, has sung at synagogue services for more than 20 years and says she is delighted to be part of the HWPS family.

South London The synagogue hosted 50 children from Dunraven School for a Holocaust Memorial Day education project. The year 9 and 10 pupils heard Polish-born Mala Tribich talk about her childhood in hiding, later caring for herself and her cousin in Ravensbrück and Bergen-Belsen camps.

Speakers include Rabbi Naamah Kelman, left. Simon Selmon, founder of the London Swing Dance Society (far left, pictured with Kirsty), will present a session on The Art of Swing

Entertainers, exhibits and top class speakers

With just weeks to go before Liberal Judaism’s Biennial Weekend, which promises to be one of the biggest and busiest ever, the organisers say there has been a rush of bookings, with only a few residential places left.

The Biennial is again being held at the stunning Tortworth Court Hotel, near Bristol, which is always very popular with participants. Programming runs from 6pm on Friday 16 April to 4pm on Sunday 18 April 2010.

Among the speakers will be Rabbi Naamah Kelman, the dean of Hebrew Union College’s Jerusalem school. It is hoped that further speakers will be confirmed shortly on the Biennial website (www.liberal judaism.org/biennial).

The Biennial will also host three launches:

Liberal Judaism’s Ideas Forum project (see page 5), its joint project with World Jewish Relief and a first CD from Finchley Progressive Synagogue’s Shabbat Resouled band. The band, led by Dean Staker (see below), will showcase their spiritually uplifting Friday night service at the weekend.

All those attending the Biennial are promised an intellectual adventure. Families can feel especially welcome: there will be a full programme of activities for under-8s and LJY-Netzer will run a programme for youngsters aged eight to 15. Use the ‘online booking’ facility or contact Mike Beral: m.beral@liberaljudaism.org or 01923 855367.

Music Fund to help community nusachThe movement is delighted to announce the creation of the Liberal Judaism Music Fund, established as the result of a generous donation.

The fund is aimed at supporting and advising the movement’s communities on the development of styles of music played at services. Dean Staker has been appointed consultant to the fund.

Liberal Judaism is pleased to be able to offer Dean to congregations to lead workshops and services. Dean, a member of Finchley Progressive, has led the synagogue’s acclaimed Shabbat Resouled band since its formation in 2007.

Previously, he had a 21-year career

writing and performing contemporary secular music in Australia.

As well as composing music for the Shabbat Resouled Friday night service from which the band takes its name, Dean has given workshops in contemporary Jewish music,

Nearly 200 congregants attended the induction of Rabbi Tanya Sakhnovich at Nottingham. The service had a special resonance for the city, which is twinned with Minsk in Belarus, the town of Rabbi Sakhnovich’s birth. Last year, as a student rabbi, she did a placement with Nottingham Progressive.

Rabbis Alan Mann – who served as an honorary rabbi to the congregation for many years – Nathan Alfred and Richard Jacobi led the service, with Rabbi Danny Rich giving the address.

Representatives from at least six Liberal, one Reform and the local orthodox synagogue attended along with the Lord Mayor and Sheriff of Nottingham.

Also present were Rabbi

Nottingham welcomes the rabbi from Minsk

Dean Staker, of Shabbat Resouled

Rabbis Danny Rich (left), Tanya Sakhnovich and Alan Mann after the induction

Sakhnovich’s parents, who travelled from Belarus. Rabbi Sakhnovich said after the service, held on 31 January – the day after Tu B’Shvat: ‘I feel honoured to be the rabbi of such a wonderful community, one which is open-minded and welcoming, a community which copes with my energy and enthusiasm without complaints.’

The children of the community presented Rabbi Sakhnovich with a welcome banner and a series of

greetings cards they had made to mark her induction.

The card from her eight-year-old son, Artur, read: ‘Dear Mummy, I hope the community will be kind to you. PS Happy

Tu B’Shvat.’

Jews debate among the spiresLiberal Judaism is one of the sponsors of this year’s Oxford Literary Festival. The festival runs from Saturday 20 to Sunday 28 March. The events associated with Liberal Judaism are: 23 March, 4pm, Christ Church Rabbi Danny Rich in conversation with Brian Klug: It is possible to talk about Israel and Palestine without the conversation collapsing? Can progress be made unless we can find a way of making

each side listen to the thoughts and fears of the other? Chaired by Yasmin Alibhai-Brown. 25 March, noon, Christ Church Anthony Julius: Trials of the

Diaspora – A History of Anti-Semitism in England

Please contact Liberal Judaism’s chairman, Lucian J Hudson (l.hudson@liberaljudaism.org) if you are planning to attend so that we can arrange to welcome you at the festival in Oxford.

Biennial 201016-18 April

Roll up for the annual quiz, and next year’s Cyber Quiz

Book a place at youth Brochures for this year’s spring and summer camps for young people, Machaneh Aviv and Machaneh Kadimah, are out now. If you aren’t on LJY-Netzer’s mailing list and would like a copy, or

would like details of either camp, please contact

the youth department: 020 7631 0584 or

office@ljynetzer.org. Machaneh Aviv runs

from 6 to 11 April and Machaneh Kadimah runs

from 25 July to 8 August.

25 July -

8 August

2010 | Cotte

smore

School, W

est Su

ssex

The Youth M

ovement

of Libera

l Judaism

6 - 11 April 2010

22-27 Nisan 5770

Cottesmore School, West Sussex

The Youth Movement

of Liberal Judaism

Liberal Judaism’s annual Inter-Synagogue Quiz will be hosted by last year’s winner, Elstree, on Sunday 6 June 2010.

The quiz will be in the usual format: teams will consist of eight members, competing for the Geoffrey Davis trophy (right); there will be 10 rounds of 10 questions – with a chance to play a joker to double your points in one round – and a marathon round.

The quiz will start at 3pm, with a break midway for refreshments.

If your synagogue would like to enter a team, please contact David Steinberg at office@tlse.org.uk. More information will be sent out closer to the date to the participating teams. The organisers say they hope to see as many communities taking part as possible. Birmingham, Brighton, Gloucester and South Bucks competed in January in the movement’s first Cyber Quiz.

Teams from the first three synagogues entered their scores on an e-scoresheet in the project – an extension of South Bucks’s annual quiz night – which was hailed as a great success.

‘The technology was perfect and we are capable of including many other communities,’ says organiser Dr Philip Goodwin, a member of South Bucks, which fielded 10 teams, one of which was declared the winner after a tie-break finish. He hopes to repeat the quiz next year, with involvement from many more Liberal synagogues.

led musical services for communities at home and abroad and performed at Limmud events.

Dean says: ‘I hope to bring the enthusiasm that has made Resouled such a success to other communities,

help them to add a new dimension to their music in worship and realise

their potential in creating a nusach – musical style – that they can call their own.’

Congregations will be expected to meet his expenses and may wish

to make a donation to the fund. They are encouraged to contact Dean directly at: d.staker@liberaljudaism.org.

Susan King reports on the induction of Tanya Sakhnovich

Photo: G

eoff Hulm

an

Page 4 LJ Today March/April 2010

Please send me ....... copy(ies) of Haggadah B’chol Dor Va-Dor at £7.50 before 31 March 2010 / £8.50 after 31 March 2010 (delete as appropriate) plus £1.50 per copy p&p

Name ....................................................................................................... Tel ..............................................................................

Address ............................................................................................................................................................................................

.............................................Postcode ........................ E-mail ................................................ Date ...............................................

I enclose a cheque for ....................... payable to Liberal Judaism (alternatively, please contact Selina O’Dwyer on 020 7631 9822 to pay by debit/credit card). Return this form to: Liberal Judaism, Montagu Centre, 21 Maple Street, London W1T 4BE

Liberal Judaism’s exciting new haggadah, edited by Rabbis Andrew Goldstein and Pete Tobias, is now available. It promises to enable users to fulfil the biblical obligation to pass on the story of the Exodus in a dynamic, informative and challenging way.

Haggadah B’chol Dor Va-Dor (a haggadah for all generations) is two haggadot in one as it offers at one end of the book a full seder with optional additional readings and

commentaries; and at the other end a child-centred family seder. Younger participants can open the book from left to right to find their haggadah, subtitled V’higgad’ta l’vin’cha – ‘And you shall tell your child’.

This is thought to be the first British haggadah to offer transliteration to assist with participation.

The movement is encouraging all congregants to use this new haggadah, both in families and in their communal Sedarim, and several synagogues have already ordered theirs.

Published in February 2010 by Liberal Judaism, 104pp, 255x180mm, pbk, ISBN 978-0-900521, £8.50

Order the new Liberal haggadahHaggadah B’chol Dor Va-Dor

Transliteration helps all at your Seder to take part

Jewish-Christian studies offered at Ammerdown in the summer Rabbi Mark Solomon, interfaith consultant for Liberal Judaism, and Sister Margaret Shepherd, Sister of Sion, former director of the Council of Christians and Jews, are leading the annual Jewish–Christian study week and study weekend at the Ammerdown Centre, near Bath.

Topics relevant to both Christians and Jews will be considered from both faith perspectives, and scriptural themes, as well as social and ethical issues, will be explored.

The idea is that academic rigour, combined with energetic discussion, study groups and socialising, fosters mutual appreciation of the treasures of each other’s cherished faith traditions.

JEWISH–CHRISTIAN STUDY WEEKEND Jews, Christians and God Friday 27-Sunday 29 August Both Christians and Jews proclaim belief in one God, but what does that oneness mean? Can a single Being encompass both absolute justice and boundless love, fill all creation but be totally other? We will explore diverse views of God both in our two traditions and in our own lives.

JEWISH–CHRISTIAN STUDY WEEK Hotlines to Heaven: The Bible, Prayer and Us Monday 30 August-Friday 3 SeptemberThe bible contains a wealth of prayers, both lengthy and concise, prayed by both men and women. Through studying these prayers from both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures, we will consider their impact on the church and synagogue and their inspiration for us today.

Prices (residential, all meals included): weekend £185, week £339, with a 5 per cent discount for people booking for both

the weekend and the week. In addition, Ammerdown (www.ammerdown.org) is offering the special rate of £45 for dinner, bed and breakfast on the Sunday for those staying over to take part in the study week.

For details, please contact Rabbi Solomon: m.solomon@liberaljudaism.org.

Rabbi Tobias goes on tourRabbi Pete Tobias, author of the bar/batmitzvah guide Never Mind the Bullocks and co-editor of Liberal Judaism’s new haggadah (see below), will be visiting several Liberal Jewish congregations in March to introduce the haggadah and advise congregants of the variety of possible Pesach celebrations it offers. Orders have already exceeded expectations and Haggadah B’chol Dor Va-Dor promises to make this year’s Seder a rewarding, inclusive experience for all participants.

March/April 2010 Page 5 LJ Today

Recent commemorations of the Holocaust help us to remember the past. But they also inspire us to make the most of the present and live for a better future. One Holocaust survivor who has had an impact on how I think about the world is the psychoanalyst Viktor Frankl, particularly his book Man’s Search for Meaning.

Frankl said a human being is a deciding being, ‘Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.’

My wife, Margaret, and I discussed the other day what is the difference between optimists and pessimists. Are optimists luckier than pessimists? Research suggests that pessimists on the whole are more accurate than optimists. But optimists achieve more than pessimists- because they set themselves goals, and deal better with set-backs. They are not necessarily luckier than pessimists.

At their best, Jews, I think, are learned optimists, rather than naive optimists. The Torah and other sacred writings are as much an inspiration to live positively as they are a history. And I read the Torah as inspiration to live more strategically, which means being strategic and not just

having a strategy: making decisions thinking about the consequences and the impact on oneself and others. Our world is growing too interdependent for any of us not to take greater responsibility for our futures and those of others.

Liberal Judaism is a can-do movement. But activity without purpose is not action. A decapitated cockroach apparently can still move around for up to eight days. So going through the motions is no indication of mindfulness.

The best way to think about strategy is to see it as the means to support making a vision real. Without it, vision is at best aspiration, and at worst irrelevance. Without it the urgent and unimportant crowds out the less urgent but more important.

The Strategy for Liberal Judaism, which will culminate at the 2012 Biennial, will involve an engagement inside and outside our movement on the issues that matter

or should matter most to us, with interaction within and between congregations, between our rabbinic and lay leadership, with other Jewish communities in the UK and internationally, and with other faith and social action groups.

In a changing and uncertain world,

strategy that is only driven from the top has limited impact or is counter-productive. So our chief executive, Rabbi Danny Rich, the Rabbinic Conference, our Council and board of national officers – and all the Montagu Centre team – will work with congregations to support a range of initiatives that are driven by our members.

The main areas will cover increasing membership; raising funds; improving communication; and developing leadership and succession planning. Liberal Judaism in its 23rd affirmation recognises the dynamic and developing character of Judaism. We need to bring in fresh ideas, but also go back to ideas that might be worth trying again. We need to put as much value on embracing and working through difference as on finding commonality. The collaboration that we seek with other movements must be based on authentic engagement, not cosy or complacent compromise.

Whichever way our members vote in this year’s general election, we want to restore the human dimension in everything that we do and gets done in our name, and challenge the cynicism and fatalism of our times. ‘It was ever thus’ must give way to ‘It doesn’t have to be this way.’

Lucian J Hudson is the chairman of Liberal Judaism

For more information about the Strategy for Liberal Judaism, please contact Lucian (l.hudson@liberaljudaism.org) or his deputy, Amanda Grant (a.grant@liberaljudaism.org).

We’re asking you, our members, to drive our vision of Judaism forward

‘The Torah and other sacred writings are as much an inspiration to live positively as they are a history’

CHAIRMAN’S ACTIONS

Don’t leave your brains at the door! We plan to set up a Panel of Experts for the movement and its congregations

As part of refreshing our strategy and improving the services available to congregations, Lucian J Hudson is aiming to work with a Panel of Experts to provide information and advice to communities.

If you have ideas or experience of how this could work – perhaps you have a background or expertise in policymaking, accountancy, event management, marketing, architecture or plumbing – we would like to add your name to our list of individuals that communities or the Montagu Centre might be able to call on for help or advice. To get involved, please contact Lucian: l.hudson@liberaljudaism.org.

Liberal Judaism’s Ideas ForumAn online forum where ideas can flourish will feature on the new-look website

Liberal Judaism is a questioning and questing Judaism but even progressive movements can become stale unless their ideas are periodically reassessed and challenged. With this in mind, our relaunched website will soon also offer the Ideas Forum, which has now finished its pilot stage. This is a virtual space for debating any topic in religious or current affairs. It will be a distinctive Liberal environment where we can express our ideas and examine them with others.

At the Biennial Weekend, Lucian Hudson will facilitate a discussion about the website and Ideas Forum. Lucian now has a blog: visit www.liberal-judaism-chairman.blogspot.com and share your comments.

Lucian J Hudson has initiated a programme to formulate a strategy for the movement

I would like to use Haggadah B’chol Dor va-Dor this Pesach

INTRODUCTORY OFFER: £7.50 plus £1.50 p&p per copy if purchased before 31 March 2010. To take up this offer, use the form below. ALTERNATIVELY, order through your congregation to avoid the p&p charge.

March/April 2010 LJ Today Page 7

is no exception. Each of the UK visitors was hosted by a family for the weekend.

We met up at Shabbat morning services. Rabbi Danny Rich gave an enlightening sermon on the origins of the celebration of Chanukah and the service was followed by a shared meal.

Our group, joined by Shir Hatzafon members, then went to the gathering point for the march, a highlight of our participation in the conference events of the weekend.

The

assembly area for the march was a seemingly endless sea of people, signs and banners, all gathered to press the governments of the world to be accountable and to take steps to reduce the human contribution to climate change. We walked within a mass of people from across the world – including Bangladesh

and Cameroon; some estimates were as high as 100,000. As darkness fell, some of our group agreed that three hours of marching was dayenu and went back to

Arne and Hetty’s house; the others continued to the end, about half an hour more.

Eventually, 15 hungry marchers were seated at Arne and Hetty’s long dinner table enjoying a festive

meal of salmon and all the trimmings.

On Sunday,we took part in the Climate Change rally, where speakers, including Archbishop

Desmond Tutu, inspired the crowd to

continue to press the world powers to take climate change seriously. Signatures from half a million people were presented to the UN.

Our next stop was to regroup at the statue of Moses near Vor Frue Kirke, and from there to take the short train ride back to Osterbrohuset for a Chanukah party. During the party we joined in a gesture organised by churches across Denmark, which were ringing their bells 350 times, 350 being the maximum parts per million of carbon dioxide that the atmosphere can handle without harm. At the prearranged time we went outside to blow shofars and even play a saxophone while the church bells were ringing.

Back at Copenhagen airport, we reflected on the consequences of climate change, what can be done about it, and how wonderful it is to visit like-minded members of the Liberal Jewish community.

Maxine Tomashefsky is secretary of Lincolnshire Jewish Community

L’Ovdah u-l’Shomrah The first humans were put on the earth ‘l’ovdah u-l’shomrah’, to serve it and to protect it, (Gen. 2:15), a sacred principle which is the title of an ambitious new environmental project.

L’Ovdah u-l’Shomrah is being developed by organisations including the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Social Action Forum. It is aimed at encouraging Jewish communities to pledge themselves to work towards total carbon neutrality. Liberal Judaism has signed up to the project, which has three strands: commitment to a cross-communal sustainability plan; commitment to developing its own sustainability plan; and being a partner in the 10:10 campaign to reduce carbon emissions. It is hoped that as the project develops, more communities and rabbis will sign up.

Liberal Judaism’s delegates to the UN Climate Change Conference were as disappointed as any at the failure by world leaders to agree to significant cuts in global emissions. But the movement is building on the links it has made with other campaigners and, by spreading the message of hope and conscience, is determined that the important grassroots fight really takes off

target, but for most of us it’s an achievable one, and is in line with what scientists say we need over the next 18 months. Unless we act quickly to reduce our use of fossil fuels, humanity will face terrible problems in the years to come. Politicians have so far failed to do what

needs to be done, so it’s time for ordinary people to step in and show that we’re ready to defend our children’s futures. It’s now or never for the climate.’

Sandra Kviat is a Danish-born student rabbi at Leo Baeck College in London

Page 6 LJ Today March/April 2010

‘For us, the most important thing here is that Copenhagen was a success. Not there in the Bella Centre [where the UN climate negotiations were taking place] but outside.’ (Pablo Solón, Bolivian ambassador to the UN).

The UN Climate Change Conference fizzled out a couple of months ago. Cries of outrage, disappointment and frustration have been heard in the media. America and the UK blamed China, China blamed the America, others blamed the Danish government or the decision making process, which let the economically wealthy nations dominate the talks. The result was that no significant cuts in the global emissions were agreed on formally nor any real kind of time schedule.

So what is the success that Pablo Solón spoke of on that last night of the conference?

After cheers from the campaigners he was addressing had died down, he explained: ‘Because there has been a lot

of awareness, a lot of conscience, and now we have to build a very big movement... If we are able to demonstrate that we can mobilise 50 or 100 million people saying “this is the kind of agreement that we want” then the situation can change. Sometimes, you cannot win the first battle but we are going to win this war because it’s the only way we can save our own lives and our Mother Earth.’

What has changed is the level of grassroots activity before and after the conference. Campaigns such as 10:10, aimed at reducing 10 per cent of UK carbon emissions in 2010, have more than 60,000 pledges from hospitals, businesses, local councils, academic and other bodies (including Liberal Judaism) and individual families (www.1010uk.org).

You might ask what difference it makes if all of the UK cuts its emissions by using low energy light bulbs, saves on water and turns down the thermostat by one degree, but no one else does? What did

We succeeded – by ensuring that our voices were heard

I arrived in Copenhagen with my husband, Steve, and Sandra Kviat on a flight from Stansted. We received a warm welcome at the airport from Sandra’s dad, Arne.

We were soon having tea at the Kviats’ home. Among the biscuits on offer were Jodekager, ‘Jew cakes’, in reference to the use of cinnamon, brought to Denmark by the Jews centuries ago. While it was freezing outside, it was warm inside: Arne described how advanced many Danish homes are in heating and insulation.

A couple of hours later Rabbi Danny and Laura arrived from London with Tim

Bergman, Liberal Judaism’s social action assistant and Nigel and Anne Varndell, from Christian Aid. Last to arrive, and the most eco-friendly of our group, were Baron and Elsbeth from Birmingham, arriving after a 24-hour bus journey.

After lunch, we all headed to the city centre for a two-hour walking tour, visiting the Orthodox synagogue, which Sandra attended as a child, the cathedral, church and tower. We also visited exhibits that formed part of the Climate Change Conference, including the polar bear carved from nine-ton block of ice.

Re-energised following a stop for tea and cakes, we set our sights on getting to shul for Friday evening services, which were being held at

Osterbrohuset, a cultural and sports centre, large enough to host the local and visiting Jewish communities.

Shir Hatzafon, the vibrant and growing progressive community in Copenhagen, welcomed its visitors from Britain like old friends. We felt like one large family. A native of southern California myself, I remarked on how many ex-New Yorkers there were in the community and was told that most had married Danes and been living in Copenhagen for years; the New York accents hadn’t faded a bit.

Our first evening in Copenhagen was also the first night of Chanukah, so alongside prayers chanukiot were lit , and the evening included Chanukah songs and a wonderful dinner. I have always found Liberal Jewish communities very warm and welcoming, and Shir Hatzafon

I marched, learnt and got a tasty Danish welcome, says Maxine Tomashefsky

Nachshon ben Aminadav, the little-known hero of the crossing of the Red Sea, think when he dared to take the first step? The first steps are the hardest, but once one person dares and does not drown others will follow. As the 10:10 campaign puts it: ‘Cutting 10 per cent in one year is a bold

My Chanukkah in Copenhagen as a climate change campaigner

Sandra Kviat on invisible shofar, Rabbi Rich on the real thing and Arthur Buchmann, from Shir Hatzafon, on saxophone join the call to action in Copenhagen; right, Liberal Judaism’s delegates prepare to march

LJ Today Page 8 March/April 2010

It was in July 1810 that the first Reform synagogue, built at his own expense by Israel Jacobson in Seesen, Westphalia, was dedicated. The opening ceremony was described, somewhat bombastically, as ‘the festival of the Jewish Reformation’.

That deliberate allusion to the Protestant Reformation of Luther is significant. At this distance of time, with Progressive Judaism having become a major force in worldwide Jewry, we can be confident enough to acknowledge that, in its German beginnings, reform was primarily motivated by the desire to make Jews more socially acceptable to their Christian neighbours.

Emancipation was the spur. It was the goal of civic equality that prompted Jacobson and his followers to introduce the first organ in a Jewish house of worship, pioneer the rite of confirmation and recite prayers and hymns in German. In the words of the article on Reform

Judaism in the 1905 edition of the Jewish Encyclopedia (the greatest work of Jewish scholarship yet produced), these aesthetic enhancements were a ‘...thoroughly executed attempt to regulate public worship in the direction of beautifying it and rendering it more orderly’.

To that end, the length of services was reduced drastically, piyyutim (largely unintelligible mediaeval poetic compositions) were excised from the prayer book, sermons were preached in the vernacular, and German choral pieces sung. As traditionalists sneered, it was chukkat ha-goy (‘imitating the gentiles’) with a vengeance.

Only later, with the development of Wissenschaft des Judentums (‘the scientific study of Judaism’) under a group of brilliant, secularly educated Jewish scholars influenced by Hegel, did the emphasis shift to a critique of Judaism’s inner content, its theology. The Bible, and rabbinic law (halachah), as codified in the Mishnah and Talmud, were subjected to

exhaustive historical research and reasoned analysis.

Orthodox Judaism (and it must be stressed that ‘orthodox’ in this context does not mean ‘authentic’ or ‘hallowed by age’, but was the label adopted only afterwards by those who opposed the original reforms) held that rabbinic law is sacrosanct. Judaism was a divine legislation, and every ceremony had eternal validity. All those laws about sacrifice and the priestly caste were, therefore, merely in abeyance, until God redeemed Israel through the agency of a personal messiah who would lead us out of exile and back to the Holy Land, where the Temple would be rebuilt and sacrifices and priesthood resume.

Reformed Judaism, on the other hand, taught that Israel’s destiny as God’s ‘chosen people’ did not depend on a return to Zion; the Jewish mission is a universal one, to spread God’s teachings wherever providence has dispersed us. Ritual observances were not divinely mandated, but the transitory expression of the zeitgeist, which, as human understanding developed, might no longer

be required. The second day of festivals was a case in point, since the calendar was now fixed in perpetuity. Therefore, the reformers edited all references to a personal messiah, substituting the hope for a messianic age of peace, justice and harmony. They eliminated every mention in the liturgy of bodily resurrection, rebuilding the Temple and restoration of the priesthood and animal sacrifice.

It was in the United States that reform

principles received their fullest, most decisive expression as a break from the tenets of Rabbinic Judaism. In 1841, the rabbi of America’s oldest Reform synagogue, in Charleston, South Carolina,

declared: ‘This synagogue is our Temple, this city our Jerusalem, this happy land our Palestine.’ As Reform temples proliferated, organs and mixed choirs became the norm, prayers in English predominated, tallit and head-covering were dispensed with, the requirement for 10 men to make up a prayer quorum was ignored, and only ‘morally elevating’ passages from the Torah were read at Sabbath services.

In this country, as befitted the English empirical tradition, the pace of reform was slower and more pragmatic. The wealthy Sephardi gentlemen who petitioned the Elders of Bevis Marks in 1836 and 1839 for liturgical modifications ‘in line of [sic] the changes introduced in the Reform synagogue in Hamburg and other places’ had no wish to secede; they simply wanted to set up a West End branch nearer their residences, which they did in 1840, and were briefly excommunicated for their pains.

The innovations introduced at the West London Synagogue of British Jews were largely cosmetic. It was frustration at the lack of genuine reforms and concern at the continuing drift away from Judaism that prompted Lily Montagu to write her famous article in the Jewish Quarterly Review of January 1899 entitled ‘The spiritual possibilities of Judaism today’. This led to the establishment of the Jewish Religious Union, forerunner of Liberal Judaism, in 1902. Finally, Anglo Jewry had a genuinely radical alternative to Orthodoxy, one that proclaimed its commitment to ethics above ritual and informed reason above unthinking tradition.

David J Goldberg is emeritus rabbi of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, St John’s Wood

Making sacrifice a thing of the past

In the second of six articles marking the anniversary of the first Progressive Jewish service in Europe, David Goldberg looks at how the early reformers made a decisive break with the past by tackling Judaism’s inner content – its theology

‘Traditionalists sneered that it was chukkat ha-goy (‘imitating the gentiles’) with a vengeance’

‘As befitted the English empirical tradition, the pace of reform was slower and more pragmatic ’

200 YEARS Progressive Judaism1810-2010

Beth Elohim in Charleston, South Carolina, whose rabbi, Gustavus Poznanski, made a firm break from Rabbinic Judaism in 1841 when he declared: ‘This synagogue is our Temple, this city our Jerusalem’

March/April 2010 LJ Today Page 9

Winnie-the-Pooh author visits South London

David Benedictus, author of Return to The Hundred Acre Wood, the authorised sequel to Winnie-The-Pooh, will be visiting South London Liberal Synagogue to talk about his life, his work and, of course, Winnie the Pooh.

A member of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (St John’s Wood), David describes himself as an ‘author, director, drama teacher, tour guide and racing tipster’.

The event, which is part of London’s Open Jewish Culture month, is at 6pm on Saturday 20 March, Prentis Road, Streatham; £10 for adults, £5 for children aged 10-16, under-10s free.

For further information, and to book a ticket, contact 020 8769 4787 or office@southlondon.org.

Liberal Judaism’s Biennial Weekend

16-18 April 2010 at the Tortworth Court

Hotel, near Bristol

Don’t miss your big chance to meet other Liberal Jews from right across the country. Whether you’re a first-timer or a veteran, you’ll enjoy the Biennial’s uniquely warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Stay for the weekend or be a day visitor. In either case you can enjoy the hotel’s superb food, pool, fitness centre and stunning grounds.

DON’T

MISS OUT!

‘Thank you – what a truly

fantastic weekend I had’

participant in the 2008

Biennial

To find out more or to book a place, visit www.liberaljudaism.org/biennial

David Benedictus and his authorised sequel

Yom HaShoah to be marked in London and BirminghamCommemorations are being organised to mark Yom HaShoah, on Sunday 11 April.

Several members of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue are involved in organisating a local event, including graphic designer Jessica Glaser, who has created this striking advert. It takes place at 3pm at Witton Jewish Cemetery.

In London, Dana Friedman, shlicha (Israeli emissary) to Liberal Judaism, is helping to organise

a day of discussions, activities and learning, followed by a memorial service. The event will be open to all sections of the community. For further information, please contact d.friedman@liberaljudaism.org.

YOMHASHOAHANNUAL HOLOCAUST COMMEMORATION

11 APRIL 20103.00PM

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Youth support for asylum seekersAt its Veidah (annual conference) in December 2009, Liberal Judaism’s youth movement, LJY-Netzer, chose the African Refugee Development Centre (ARDC) as its charity for the year.

Each year, LJY-Netzer adds an optional £1 plus the last two digits of the Jewish year (this year, £1.70) to the price of all its events. At the end of the year, the total amount is donated to its chosen cause.

The Israeli charity, based in south Tel Aviv, supports the thousands of Africans who are seeking asylum in the country,

having fled their homes in Sudan, Eritrea or Ethiopia. The ARDC helps these people to survive in Israeli society and lobbies the government to introduce legislation giving rights to asylum seekers.

But money isn’t all that’s needed. LJY-Netzer wants to make sure that its youngsters remain aware of the situation of asylum seekers in Israel, make others aware and ensure that it promotes in every way the idea that all people deserve to be treated with respect and love. LJY-Netzer, page 11

Two free events during the day Liberal Judaism’s Daytimers group has two events in London planned for March and April.

On Wednesday 10 March there is a visit to the Czech Scrolls exhibition at Westminster Synagogue. There is no charge, and anyone interested can book with Alex Wakely: a.wakely@liberaljudaism.org at the Montagu Centre.

On Thursday 29 April, there is a walk on the subject of Jewish women in London, led by Philip Walker. For details or to book, contact Lina Fajerman: lina.fajerman@ntlworld.com or 020 8504 3125.

Daytimers is for anyone who is free in the daytime. The project is run by Lina, Louise Freedman and Judy Thwaites.

‘tent’, the young adults communityHere is a list of our forthcoming events: • ‘tent’ and Liberal Judaism are sponsoring a screening at the Jewish Museum in London of Margate Exodus (www.themargateexodus.org.uk), a contemporary retelling of the Book of Exodus, on Thursday 1 April, 7.30pm; followed by a Q&A with the director, Penny Woolcock, chaired by Rabbi Pete Tobias. Tickets: 020 7284 7384• Second night Seder, 30 March, at the Montagu Centre with student rabbi Lea Mühlstein • One Night Stand: a Tikkun Leyl Shavuot, 18 May, 6.30pm till dawn• ‘tent’ trip to Israel,1-11 July

Contact Avivit, young adults worker: 07866 501787 or a.katzil@liberaljudaism.org

March/April 2010 LJ Today Page 11

LJY-Netzer Contact Ben Baginsky, Shira Conradi or Robin Moss: 020 7631 0584 or office@ljynetzer.org

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

Why we are all pioneers now

By Corinne Sheratte, 18 Shnat has been amazing! I’m now in Karmiel, in the north, working for a charity called Pitchon Lev. It has a food department, where I pack food into individual bags, and a secondhand shop, where I’m sorting clothes or cleaning.

I love the job, and we’re like a family. At work only two of us speak English so I have to speak Hebrew, and it’s really improved.

The idea is that we are helping people only until they can help themselves. At Tu B’Shvat we potted plants and decorated them and gave them out. I feel we really make a difference. A lot of the people we help are Arabs who live in the poor villages nearby. Sometimes it’s the children who come in because their parents are ill and cannot work.

Jerusalem was a big city but here it’s quiet, with a healthier lifestyle. Next it’s Kibbutz Lotan. I won’t want to leave Karmiel but I know I’m going to love Lotan!

Corinne is one of LJY-Netzer’s participants on Shnat Netzer, the Progressive Jewish gap year programme in Israel

Shnat

5770

Spot

Robin Moss expresses his hope that the movement’s chosen theme for the year will inspire and empower all youngsters joining its eventsEvery year, at LJY-Netzer’s annual Veidah (conference), we select an educational theme that will guide our programming for the following year. The 2009 theme was ‘the hidden Jewish world’, and as a movement we explored those Jews and Jewish communities that are not as well known as they should be. For 2010, we have chosen the theme of ‘Chalutzim: past, present and future’.

Chalutzim is Hebrew for pioneers, and this year we hope to explore Jewish

pioneers in many contexts: pioneers in the Tanakh; pioneers in Jewish history; Zionist pioneers; progressive Jewish pioneers; and pioneers within our own communities today.

We’ll also be looking to the future, encouraging our members to learn from the amazing people of the past and present to make a real difference to the future of Liberal Judaism, whether by becoming more involved in their home communities, or by tikkun olam and practical social action, or by further

educating themselves and others about the difference individuals can make. We hope the theme will empower our members, and inspire them to do some good in the world.

The theme of the year will be used on all of our events for 2010, and our madrichim (leaders) will be working hard to make it accessible and exciting.

The chorus of the Netzer song goes ‘Anachnu hachalutzim shel Netzer’ – ‘We are the pioneers of Netzer’ – and in 2010, LJY-Netzerniks definitely will be!

March/April 2010Page 10 LJ Today

25 July - 8 August 2010 | Cottesmore School, West Sussex

The Youth Movementof Liberal Judaism

LJY-Netzer’s brilliant, fun-filled Machaneh Aviv (spring camp, 6-11 April), and Machaneh Kadimah (summer camp, 25 July- 8 August) will take place at Cottesmore School, West Sussex, and are open to school years 3-10. Undecided about whether to book? Here’s what two of our parents say...

‘We were struck by the enthusiasm and love of the madrichim [leaders], and the care and attention that had clearly gone into the event’ Abi Walton

‘Kadimah was brilliant for my daughter. She came back happy, excited and with so much enthusiasm. Thanks for helping her to experience her roots and rediscover her spark’ Lara Kiltie

Have you got a point of view on an aspect of Jewish life or worship? Email the editor: ljtoday@liberaljudaism.org, including your telephone number

Tefillin or not tefillin?God’s messages can be bound to our beings without any little black boxes, says HILLEL ATHIAS-ROBLES

YOUR VIEWS ON JANUARY’S LIBERAL VIEWPOINT

Minyan, modernised

I agree with a great deal of Laura’s article (Minyan, modernised, lj today, January/February 2010), but for me there is no point in attending a service unless I wish to go. The idea of a feeling of duty to ensure that the number is sufficient is abhorrent. And supposing you attend and there are fewer than 10, or find that there is a good number so that your presence was unnecessary? In either case, is that likely to encourage you to go again when there is no particular enthusiasm?

I have, at Finchley, attended many Friday evening services when there has been only a handful of people present, for instance on 25 December. Invariably, I am aware that that is likely to be the situation but am sure that there will be a service, that I will know most if not all of those attending, that the atmosphere will be intimate and friendly and that all be truly participating and singing. Yes, had one to choose, one would opt for a busy, bustling service but we need to face reality.

Happily, at Finchley recently many Friday services have had excellent numbers because congregants wish to come to the particular service. But I cannot see any change in pattern were a compulsory minyan to be introduced.CLIVE WINSTON, Finchley Progressive Synagogue

As someone brought up in the United Synagogue who welcomed with open arms the common sense approach of Liberal Judaism when I first encountered it, I disagree entirely with the conclusions that Laura Lassman draws. I recognise the challenges she refers to, but imposing a minyan goes against the grain of all that the movement stands for.

Of course, we would all like more people to attend services, and sense of community is vital, but how can imposing the requirement of a minimum number help inculcate the latter? A handful of people praying, singing and discussing together can often be just as spiritual, meaningful and supportive as a synagogue full of people, albeit in a different way.

Let’s find other ways to encourage more to attend: prearranged mitzvot, interesting advertised speakers, study sessions or chavurah meals, for example.ROSITA ROSENBERG, The Liberal Synagogue Elstree

Send your comments on this edition’s Viewpoint to ljtoday@liberaljudaism.org

‘For some it is a time of spiritual communion, for others it’s no more than tying yourself up with pieces of a dead cow’

After God was speaking to Moses about the miracles of the Exodus, he told him: ‘And it shall be for a sign for you upon your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that the law of the Eternal One may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand did the Eternal One bring you out of Egypt (13:9).’

We also read about the miracles during the Sh’ma, where we are told that the precept to love God shall be bound as a sign upon our arms and as a frontlet between our eyes. Rabbinic tradition interpreted that all these biblical verses were to be written on parchment, and literally wrapped round the arm and head inside little black boxes. These little black boxes were already in

common use by the time of Jesus, who criticised those who ‘do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments’ (Matt 23:5).

Maimonides says: ‘The sanctity of tefillin is very great. As long as the tefillin are on the head and on the arm of a man, he is modest and God-fearing. Therefore, every man ought to try to have the tefillin upon him the whole day.’ (Mishneh Torah). Except not the whole day, for if you needed the lavatory you were not allowed to have your tefillin on. For this reason, just in case, the rabbis later said it was best to wear them only for prayer. Tefillin were meant to be worn only on weekdays and not on Shabbat and festivals. Since it was a commandment which applied only at specific times, women were exempt.

Nonetheless, we find mentions of famous women wearing them, like Michal, the daughter of King Saul, and the daughters of the medieval rabbi Rashi. But the rabbis said women could not be trusted to wear tefillin correctly, so in Orthodoxy it became a taboo.

It is rare to find tefillin-users within Progressive circles. Many point out that it is now women who don tefillin more often than men, affirming their equality in ritual. There is a drawing that I love which circulates the internet. It is a version of the Second World War propaganda poster showing a female factory worker with a bare bicep flexed and the caption ‘We Can Do It’. In the drawing, the worker is wearing tefillin.

Many take this old ritual and imbue it with new meaning: as a way of forming a bond with God and others, or exploring spiritual possibilities once barred by the sexist monopoly on religion. I once saw an exhibition by an HIV+ artist. He needed continually to strap his arms for medicinal injections, and it reminded him of the strapping of tefillin during his barmitzvah. Laying tefillin brought him consolation in his situation, and he created a series of photos based on that theme.

For some, wearing tefillin is a time of spiritual communion, for others it’s simply tying yourself up with pieces of a dead cow. But in any case, I think it important that we at least take the approach of the Karaites, the ancient Jewish ‘heretical’ sect, for whom the Torah was speaking metaphorically: we must take its ethical messages and tie them close to our being, till they become part of us, and we must always have them between our eyes, that is, inside our brains and in our perception of the world. This form of tefillin I think is grand.

Hillel Athias-Robles is assistant rabbi at Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue

OPINION

Page 12 LJ Today March/April 2010

Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue (Rodef Shalom), 01234 218387; bedsps@liberaljudaism.org; www.bedfordshire-ps.org.uk Beit Klal Yisrael, PO Box 1828, London W10 5RT; 07505 477459, bky@liberaljudaism.org; www.bky.org.ukBet Tikvah Synagogue, 129 Perrymans Farm Road, Barkingside, Ilford, Essex IG2 7LX; 020 8554 9682, bttkv@liberaljudaism.org; www.bettikvah.org.ukBirmingham Progressive Synagogue 1 Roseland Way, Birmingham B15 1HD; 0121 634 3888; bps@liberaljudaism.org; www.bpsjudaism.com Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue 6 Lansdowne Road, Hove BN3 1FF;01273 737223; bhps@liberaljudaism.org;www.brightonandhoveprosynagogue.org.ukBristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation 43-45 Bannerman Road, Easton, Bristol BS5 0RR bwpjc@liberaljudaism.org, www.bwpjc.orgCrawley Jewish Community, 01293 534294Dublin Jewish Progressive Synagogue, PO Box 3059, Dublin 6, 00 3531 2856241, djpc@liberaljudaism.orgEaling Liberal Synagogue Lynton Avenue, Drayton Green, W13 0EB; 020 8997 0528, els@liberaljudaism.org; www.ealingliberalsynagogue.org.ukEastbourne Progressive Jewish Congregation01323 725650; fax: 01323 417645epjc@liberaljudaism.org; www.epjcong.org.ukEdinburgh Liberal Jewish Community0131 777 8024; info@eljc.org; www.eljc.orgFinchley Progressive Synagogue Hutton Grove, N12 8DR; 020 8446 4063; fps@liberaljudaism.org; www.fps.orgGloucestershire Liberal Jewish CommunityEnquiries: 01242 521468 or 01242 234232 Harrow and Wembley Progressive Synagogue 326 Preston Road, Harrow HA3 0QH; 020 8904 8581; hwps@liberaljudaism.org; www.hwps.orgHerefordshire Jewish Community 01594 530721; hjc@liberaljudaism.org Kent Liberal Jewish Community07952 242432; bulletin.kljc@liberaljudaism.org;www.jewishkent.org.uk/communities/KLJC/kljc.htmlKingston Liberal Synagogue, Rushett Road, Long Ditton, Surbiton, Surrey; KT7 0UX; 020 8398 7400; kls@liberaljudaism.org; www.klsonline.org Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation The Synagogue, 24 Avenue Road, LE2 3EA; 07875 123744; lpjc@liberaljudaism.orgThe Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St John’s Wood Road, London NW8 7HA; 020 7286 5181; ljs@liberaljudaism.org; www.ljs.orgThe Liberal Synagogue Elstree, Elstree High Street,

Liberal Judaism congregations

MAKE A DATE ...........The Montagu Centre

21 Maple Street London, W1T 4BE

Tel: 020 7580 1663Fax: 020 7631 9838

President The Baroness Neuberger DBEChair Lucian J Hudson Deputy Chair Amanda Grant Vice-Chairs Simon Benscher and Jackie Richards Treasurer David Pelham Officer for social action and disability Leon CharikarVice-Presidents and Honorary Vice-Presidents David Amstell, Monique Blake, Henry Cohn, Nigel Cole, Geoffrey Davis, Stanley Fink, Jeromé Freedman, Louise Freedman, Rabbi Dr David Goldberg, Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein, 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, Clive WinstonChairman of Rabbinic Conference Rabbi Pete Tobias Chief Executive Rabbi Danny Rich Internal Services Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer PR and Communications Alexandra Ben-Yehuda Education Sandra Kviat Interfaith Rabbi Mark Solomon Shlicha Dana Friedman LJY-Netzer Ben Baginsky, Shira Conradi, Robin Moss

lj today is edited by Beatrice Sayers Articles and letters are welcome. The deadline for the May/June 2010 issue is 1 April. Please email: ljtoday@liberaljudaism.org. Letters may be edited.

Liberal Judaism is the dynamic, cutting edge of modern Judaism. It reverences Jewish tradition, seeking to preserve the values of the Judaism of the past while giving them contemporary force. Registered charity number 236590.

4-7 March Connections Europe 2010 Convention in Paris of the European Region of the WUPJ

10 March (Wednesday) Visit to Czech Scrolls exhibition: a.wakely@liberaljudaism.org

12-14 March Hebrew Crash Course at Northwood. Fri 6pm-Sun 4pm; 01923 822592

20 March (Saturday) An Evening With David Benedictus South London, 6pm. 020 8769 4787

1 April (Thursday) Screening of Margate Exodus at the Jewish Museum, London; 020 7284 7384

6-11 April Machaneh Aviv (spring camp) for school years 3-10. Contact LJY-Netzer: 020 7631 0584; office@ljynetzer.org

29 April (Thursday) Guided walk: Jewish women in London. Email lina.fajerman@ntlworld.com

6 June (Sunday) Annual Inter-Synagogue Quiz hosted this year by Elstree: office@tlse.org.uk

1-11 July ‘tent’ trip to Israel Contact Avivit: a.katzil@liberaljudaism.org or 07866 501787

25 July-8 August Machaneh Kadimah (summer camp) for school years 3-10; 020 7631 0584

Elstree, Herts WD6 3BY; 020 8953 8889;tlse@liberaljudaism.org; www.tlse.org.ukLincolnshire Jewish Community01427 628958; ljc@liberaljudaism.org Manchester Liberal Jewish Community, 08432 084441; mljc@liberaljudaism.org; www.mljc.org.uk North London Progressive Jewish Community 020 7403 3779; nlpjc@liberaljudaism.org; www.nlpjc.org.ukNorthwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue, Oaklands Gate, Northwood, Middx HA6 3AA; 01923 822592, npls@liberaljudaism.org; www.npls.org.ukNottingham Progressive Jewish Congregation Lloyd Street, Sherwood NG5 4BP; 0115 9624761; npjc@liberaljudaism.org; www.npjc.org.ukOr Chadash Liberal Jewish Community of Luxembourg, 00 352 31 65 94; lljc@liberaljudaism.orgPeterborough Liberal Jewish CommunityEnquiries: 020 7631 9822The Progressive Jewish Community of East Anglia (based in Norwich); www.pjcea.org.ukReading Liberal Jewish Community 0118 942 8022; rljc@liberaljudaism.org; www.rljc.orgShenfield, Brentwood & Districts Synagogue 01277 888610; info@roshtikvah.com; www.roshtikvah.comSouth Bucks Jewish Community 0845 644 2370; sbjc@liberaljudaism.org; www.sbjc.org.ukSouth London Liberal SynagoguePO Box 14475, London SW16 1ZW; 020 8769 4787;slls@liberaljudaism.org; www.southlondon.orgSouthgate Progressive Synagogue75 Chase Road, London N14 4QY; 020 8886 0977;sps@liberaljudaism.org; www.sps.uk.comWest Central Liberal Synagogue21 Maple Street, London W1T 4BE; 020 7636 7627;wcls@liberaljudaism.org; www.wcls.org.ukWoodford Liberal Synagogue, Marlborough Road, George Lane, London E18 1AR; 020 8989 7619; wps@liberaljudaism.org; www.woodfordliberal.org.uk

Associated congregationsBeit Ha’Chidush, Postbus 14613, 1001 LC Amsterdam, Netherlands, 00 31 23 524 7204;info@beithachidush.nl, www.beithachidush.nlOxford Liberal Jewish Services: 01865 515584 or 01865 765197; www.ojc-online.org

Developing communitiesThe Suffolk Liberal Jewish Community (based in Ipswich), 01473 250797; sjc@liberaljudaism.org

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

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

www.liberaljudaism.org

Biennial 201016-18 April

keep its factories working at capacity. The move to a free market economy hit all sectors of society equally hard, including the 60,000-strong Jewish community.

WJR is providing communal hot meals to pensioners via the Kharkov Jewish Community Centre and, by working with a local partner, is alleviating hunger among pensioners in the wider society, providing meals on wheels and food packages.

At Liberal Judaism’s Biennial Weekend in April, WJR will be giving a presentation on this project, delivered by Paul Anticoni, chief executive, and Paul Stein, director of fundraising and communities.

The project focuses not solely on raising money, although that of course will be welcome, but on practical ways, including the giving of goods and time, in which all, from young to old, synagogues and individuals, can help. Liberal Judaism is will be asking synagogues to support WJR in their Kol Nidre or Pesach appeals, and encouraging individuals to consider a donation, a regular gift or some form of celebratory giving. Rabbi Danny Rich says: ‘“Justice, justice shall you pursue” (Deut 16:20) is a key message of Judaism; Liberal Judaism is delighted that by supporting WJR, a renowned specialist agency, we have an opportunity to play our part.’

On the back of the flyer enclosed with this edition of lj today you can find details about the project and the ways in which you can help. If you do not have a flyer or would like additional copies, please contact Chris Walters on 020 7631 9832.

Movement links with WJRcontinued from page 1

Be briefed by the BoardA new-look Community Briefing, previously known as Bulletin Board, is being published by the Board of Deputies of British Jews. The briefing updates readers on the work of the Board as well as key issues of importance to the Jewish community.

The January edition noted that, combined with lobbying and diplomacy work, the Board is concentrating on galvanizing readers: though its Buycott and Universal Jurisdiction campaigns.

To read the latest and previous versions, visit www.boardofdeputies.org.uk and click on ‘community briefing’.