September 2019 Ellul 5779 / Tishri 5880

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE LIBERAL JEWISH SYNAGOGUE J News LJS

Igor Zinkov’s rabbinic ordination

Photograph: Zoë Norfolk West London Synagogue was packed with guests from France, Russia and Israel for the ordination of four new rabbis on 7 July. Rabbi Igor Zinkov, who Inside this issue was one of the four and who joins the LJS full-time on 1 September, began his sermon with the words Bereavements 2 from the Shema: ‘You shall love the Eternal One Shabbat Services and Festivals 3 your God with all your heart, with all your soul and Council Report 4 all your might…’ and ended with another well- known quotation on love: I come to you, he told Tribute to Walter Wolfgang; 5 Social Action us, ‘From Russia with Love’. A few days earlier Igor had presented the subject of Forthcoming Events 6-7 his highly-regarded MA dissertation to colleagues Preparing for the 8-9 and faculty at Leo Baeck College. Entitled ‘Guard Days of Awe my tongue from evil (Berachot 17a): Jewish The Learning Circle 10-12 Concepts of Ethical Communication and Social Media’, he explained how he had developed Jo Kessler’s special birthday 13 social media guidelines for Jewish organisations Community Events 14 drawing on classical rabbinic texts and principles. Rimon Corner 15 We look forward to hearing more about this important work. For now, we say mazal tov to Raymon Benedyk’s 16 Bar Mitzvah Rabbi Igor, and wish him all the very best. A Walk was held in July to remember and honour the 8,500 Muslim men and boys who were murdered for their religion in Srebrenica in 1995. The walk started with a visit to the LJS, and there were further stops at St James’s Church, Piccadilly and Al-Manaar Mosque.

High Holy Day tickets High Holy Day 5780/2019 tickets will be posted at the beginning of September. If you do not receive your tickets by 10 September please call the o› ice on 020 7286 5181 or email: [email protected]

Bereavements Drop-In for Asylum-Seeker We extend our sympathy to those who mourn: Families Eric Blaire husband of Trixi and father of The Drop-In dates for the rest of 2019 are the Camie and Felicity following Sundays: Henry Carr husband of Jan and father of 8 September, 13 October, 10 November and Ollie, Harry, Charlie and Lily 8 December from 2.00pm-5.00pm. David Ive brother of Martin Volunteers are asked to arrive at 1.00pm to help set up. Volunteers are also needed from Willie Kessler husband of Jo and father of 5.00pm on the Thursdays a› ernoons prior to George, Charles, James and Edward the Drop-In dates to sort clothes. Michael Salmon husband of Jill and father of Paul, Caroline and Andrew VOLUNTEERS PLEASE The Drop-In has now been running for Rosie Saunders mother of Sylvie and five years and is as much needed as ever. Laurence If you are interested in volunteering once a month or a few times a year, please contact [email protected] for more details. May God comfort you and all who mourn We are especially looking for younger members of the community who can help us 2 A tribute to Willie Kessler, our former President, with some of the heavier work. will appear in the October issue of LJS News. Shabbat and Festival services: September and early October 2019 Friday evening services are at 6.45pm. Shabbatmorning services are at 11.00am unless otherwise stated. Please note special timings for Festival services.

DATE RABBI/SPEAKER AND NOTES Friday 6 September Elana Dellal Co-led by Bat Mitzvah Emily Cooper

Shabbat 7 September Elana Dellal Bat Mitzvah Emily Cooper Shof’tim

Friday 13 September Igor Zinkov

Shabbat 14 September Igor Zinkov Turi Munthe Bar Mitzvah Ki Tetze Nosh ‘n’ Drosh with Raficq Abdullah and Dr Mohamed Keshavee on Sharia law Friday 20 September Alexandra Wright

Shabbat 21 September Alexandra Wright Bat Mitzvah Fanny Mendelsohn Ki Tavo

Saturday evening LJS Rabbis Selichot service preceded by a panel discussion 21 September on Food Sustainability with Professor Geraldine 8.30pm (but note the van Bueren, Dr Anna Isaacs and others at 6.30pm 6.30pm start for the (see page 9) panel discussion) Friday 27 September Alexandra Wright

Shabbat 28 September Alexandra Wright Victor Maxwell special birthday Nitzavim

Sunday 29 September Igor Zinkov Erev Rosh Hashanah 6.45pm Monday 30 September Alexandra Wright Service in the sanctuary Rosh Hashanah 10.30am Elana Dellal and Igor Zinkov Family Service in the Montefiore Hall Friday 4 October Alexandra Wright

Shabbat 5 October Danny Rich Denise Asserson special birthday Vayelech/Shuvah Tuesday 8 October Elana Dellal Kol Nidre 7.00pm Wednesday 9 October Alexandra Wright Service in the sanctuary Yom Kippur 10.30am Elana Dellal and Igor Zinkov Family Service in the Montefiore Hall

Shabbat morning services are streamed live via the internet. If you would like to follow a service on your computer or tablet, please phone the LJS o‹ice to get your user name and password. Please refer to the High Holy Day Information Booklet available with your tickets for details about times of individual services, children’s services and activities. See page 10 for information about the High Holy Day Preparation Course. 3 Council Report ‘For Everything there is a Season…’ (Kohelet, Chapter 3)

I would like to thank everyone involved: Lysa Schwartz, our Executive Director, the caretakers and o¦ice sta¦ for working to ensure the LJS runs as smoothly as possible during this period. We are aware that some of our regular activities are being disrupted and are grateful to everyone for being so patient: it will all be worth it!

August is also the time of preparation for the autumn and the High Holy Days. Because of changes in the law relating to charities’ eligibility to claim Gi› Aid, we have had to alter our pricing policy for the High Holy Days visitors’ tickets. This means that we will be implementing a mandatory administration fee of £45 per ticket and will be asking visitors to make a donation of £200 to support the work and activities of the LJS. If we do not carry out these changes, we will no longer be entitled to claim Gi› Aid, resulting in the loss of substantial revenue for us. Members are welcome to apply for tickets for friends and family (but will not be able to purchase visitor tickets in lieu of membership fees).

This Chairman’s Report is written during the The charities for the Yom Kippur Appeal 2019 Council’s summer break and looks ahead to have now been chosen and thanks go to Tim the new year and back to our previous Council Simon and the committee who consider the meeting held in July. At that meeting, we many applications received by the LJS. This welcomed Simon Van Someren and Harriett year the charities are Noah’s Ark Children’s Goldenberg as new Trustees. As has become our Hospice in Barnet; Liberal Judaism’s proposal to practice, we opened the new Council (for 2019- raise money for bursaries for Leo Baeck College 2020) with a prayer in front of the open ark in the rabbinic students; and Leket Israel, a National sanctuary, reminding us of our underlying values Food Bank scheme supporting the very large as progressive Jews. numbers of poor people in Israel. More details on these will be shortly sent out to you. The July meeting itself was a preparation for the coming year. We took part in a brainstorming Council returns to its regular monthly meetings session ready for the updating of the strategic in September when our first focus will be on plan: more on this next month when we will be planning for the year ahead. September also asking for your views. brings the start of the High Holy Days with Erev Rosh Hashanah on Sunday evening, 29th The summer, when the Nursery School is not September. Please check you have paid your in session, is the opportunity for the LJS to membership fees in order to receive your High undertake any major rebuilding works and as I Holy Day tickets. write, the toilet refurbishment is well underway. 4 It is too early for me to comment on progress, but Sue Head, Chairman of Council Tribute to Walter Wolfgang 23 June 1923 – 28 May 2019 Many of us still remember watching the news in 2005, and seeing an elderly man ignominiously ejected from the for shouting out ‘Nonsense!’ in response to ’s justification of the . We admired his courage, were shocked by the way he was treated, and then we realised this was none other than LJS Member, Walter Wolfgang, a long-time regular at Shabbat morning and festival services. Born to Jewish parents in Frankfurt in 1923, a teenage Walter was sent o¦ to the UK in 1937 to escape from Nazi Germany. Joined by his parents Photograph: Peter Marshall in 1939, Walter was to take over the family leather socialist and peace activist throughout his long factory business, later becoming an accountant. life. An indefatigable campaigner and passionate speaker, Walter was a Labour Party member Walter’s political beliefs were underpinned by for 70 years, served on the National Executive his Jewish faith, and he drew inspiration from Committee, and stood as a Labour candidate in the story of the Exodus. It was fitting that the Croydon. He was one of the founding members last service Walter attended at the LJS, only a of the Campaign for , month before he died, was the Pesach morning becoming its Vice-President, and was Chair of service. Walter was also inspired by the teachings Labour CND. of the Hebrew prophets with their ideals of equity, justice and peace for all. This thinking Thoughtful, kind, generous, and capable of great propelled him to the political views he not only friendship, Walter was a man of integrity who held but acted on, remaining a committed showed true moral courage.

Social Action Food is an ever-present theme of the High Holy bank on the Edgware Road that we are now Days: apples and honey, family recipes for honey supporting and collecting for. Last year The cake, sharing our table with family and friends; Avenues, a local Youth Club, was one of the then the absence of food – voluntary fasting beneficiaries of our High Holy Day Appeal. They going hand in hand with contemplation and are one of the few remaining youth facilities personal reflection ten days later on Yom Kippur. in London. We are hoping to be involved with providing monthly teas for the 30-40 children So as we enter into the spirit of the High Holy aged 8 to 13 who regularly attend. Day season on 21 September at Selichot, we are presented with a logical moment to launch our And this is just a beginning. Do watch this Food Sustainability campaign and projects. Prior space and Shalom LJS for further Social Action to the service, a panel of speakers, including our activities. If you’d like more information or own Geraldine van Bueren, will address issues of would like to be involved please contact me at: food sustainability and child poverty. [email protected] And there’s more. You may have noticed the Shanah Tovah to all. yellow wheelie bin from Sufra, a local food Harriett Goldenberg (Chair of Social Action) 5 Forthcoming Events

Concert at the LJS: Piano & Tenor Selichot Seminar and Service Thursday 5 September at 7.30pm Saturday 21 September at 6.30pm (panel (drinks reception from 6.30pm) discussion) and 8.30pm (service) The Nicholas Roth Memorial Trust Please see pages 3 and 9 for details. in partnership with Myisrael and the Forgotten People Fund bring Annual Memorial Service you ‘Piano & Tenor’ – an evening Sunday 22 September at 11.00am of sparkling entertainment by at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue Cemetery, highly-acclaimed musicians Pound Lane, London NW10 2HG Chris Hamilton (top) and Shimi Goodman (below) who will It is traditional to visit graves or memorials of Rosh Hashanah perform a range of glorious loved ones before , and this is operatic arias as well as songs from an opportunity for family and friends to gather the musicals and original songs together with Rabbi Alexandra Wright. The El Malé Rachamim by Chris Hamilton, a multi-award- service will include and Kaddish winning composer. . A›er the service you will have the opportunity to visit the final resting place of your A voluntary donation of £35.00 is suggested loved ones. for what promises to be a very special evening which will include refreshments. To register, visit: www.myisraelcharity.org/events Film Club at the LJS Israeli films in Hebrew with English sub-titles Wednesday 16 October at 7.00pm for 7.30pm Beyond Coexistence: interfaith in action Ushpizin Sunday 8 September at 11.45am – 4.15pm – Sukkot at a venue in Golders Green (the precise address Guests directed will be provided a›er registration) by Gidi Dar The Board of Deputies of British Jews invite us to A comedy drama about a half-day conference in which some of the most the custom of receiving Sukkot topical questions in interfaith relations will be visitors at . addressed: Moshe and Mali, an How can we challenge racism together? Orthodox Jewish couple How should we talk about the Israeli-Palestinian in Jerusalem, are childless conflict? and without means to celebrate the week-long How can we act together for social justice? holiday of Sukkot. A›er much prayer, they receive Attendance costs £5.00 and includes a kosher lunch. unexpected money, and Moshe is told about an To register, go to: abandoned Sukkah where the couple can celebrate https://bodinterfaith.eventbrite.co.uk Sukkot and receive guests. However, they are visited by two ex-convicts with an unexpected link Lecture on Universal Human Rights to Moshe’s past, and the celebration becomes a Tuesday 10 September at 7.00pm series of emotional trials. (refreshments from 6.30pm) Drinks and popcorn served from 7.00pm; Speaker: Professor Francesca Klug OBE screening at 7.30pm; post-film discussion 6 Please see page 10 for details. till 9.30pm. THE LIBERAL JEWISH SYNAGOGUE PRESENTS ALL THAT... THE LIBERAL JEWISH SYNAGOGUE PRESENTS ALL THAT... Sunday 3 November THE LIBERAL JEWISH SYNAGOGUE 7.00pm at the LJS PRESENTS JAZZALL THAT... ‘All that Jazz’ – an evening of live jazz with An evening of live jazz with PETER WERTH, his Jazz Crew Peter Werth, his Jazz Crew and award-winning and award-winning vocalist SARA DOWLING vocalist Sara Dowling FEATURING JAZZPAUL ELDRIDGE PIANO | DARIO DE LECCE BASS | PETER WERTH DRUMS | An evening of live jazz with PETER WERTH, his Jazz Crew Music – socializing – bu¦ et of Lebanese mezze MICHAEL COATES TENOR SAX/FLUTE | ANDY DAVIES TRUMPET and award-winning vocalist SARA DOWLING Tickets £35.00 in aid of our building renewal Sunday 3rdFEATURING November @ 7pm JAZZat For tickets: allthatjazzatljs.eventbrite.co.uk PAULAn ELDRIDGE evening of PIANO live | DARIOjazz with DE LECCEPETER BASS WERTH, | PETER his WERTH Jazz Crew DRUMS | MICHAEL COATES28 StTENOR John’s SAX/ FLUTEWood | ANDY Road DAVIES TRUMPET and award-winningLondon vocalist NW8 7HA SARA DOWLING Introducing jazz musician Peter Werth Sunday 3rdT:FEATURING 020November 7286 5181 @ 7pm PAUL ELDRIDGE PIANOin aid| DARIO of our DE building atLECCE BASSrenewal | PETER WERTH DRUMS | MICHAEL COATES28 StTENOR John’s SAX/ FLUTEWood | ANDY Road DAVIES TRUMPET LJS member Peter Werth, who is performing for London NW8 7HA us on 3 November, has been playing drums since Sunday 3rdT: 020November 7286 5181 @ 7pm at the age of 18. His first engagement was at the Astor in 28aid St of John’sour building Wood renewal Road Club in Berkeley Square, followed by gigs in a London NW8 7HA T: 020 7286 5181 cabaret band touring the US Air Force bases across TICKETS £35 Buffetin aid of ofLebanese our building meze renewal included the UK, and a year as a dance band drummer at the famous Lyceum Ballroom (now a theatre) in Covent allthatjazzatljs.eventbrite.co.uk Company No. 9113305 Charity No. 1159292 TICKETS £35 Garden. A› er many years as a (hungry) jobbing Buffet of Lebanese meze included musician, he ventured into fashion design and ran allthatjazzatljs.eventbrite.co.uk a successful menswear business till 10 years ago. Company No. 9113305 Charity No. 1159292 TICKETS £35 Throughout his business career he played drums Buffet of Lebanese meze included as a semi-pro in function bands until he caught the allthatjazzatljs.eventbrite.co.uk jazz bug and studied for five years with renowned Company No. 9113305 Charity No. 1159292 drummer Mark Fletcher who encouraged him to start up his own jazz ensemble in 2015. The band he formed boasts some of the best musicians and vocalists on the London jazz scene. Peter and his Jazz Crew specialise in what is known as straight- ahead bebop consisting of tunes written by some of the jazz legends of the 60s and songs from the Great American Songbook. They have played at Ronnie Scott’s and many jazz gigs across the country, and have a monthly residency at The Scolt Head jazz venue in north London.

Piano recital at the LJS – Angela Hewitt Wednesday 13 November at 7.30pm The LJS is delighted to be hosting a piano recital given by the internationally renowned pianist Angela Hewitt, who will be playing a programme of Bach and Beethoven. This event is part of the Hampstead Arts Festival, and tickets can be bought via their website: http://www.hampsteadartsfestival.com/whats-on/angela-hewitt.html Please note that a 20% discount is being o¦ ered to LJS Members – during the ticket purchase process, simply enter the discount code: LJS 7 Preparing for the Yamim Nora’im – the Days of Awe

We live in a time when human actions “are the cause of great su‹ering, a source for unimaginable destructive power, and the reason for irreversible environmental damage. And yet we also live in a time of hope. A time when young people are engaged more than ever in cultivating their minds, their compassionate hearts and mindful action. (Ogyen Trinley Dorje,” quoted in Generation Y, Spirituality and Social Change, edited by Justine Afra Huxley, 2019) The month of Ellul, which began on 1 September fail to pass on to the next generation the powerful and which provides four weeks of preparation message of these Yamim Nora’im. Because we for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, is a time need them: our beaten up souls require the for introspection and self-examination. In healing and interior convalescence that prayer traditional communities, Selichot – prayers for o¦ers. We need to sit with our community on forgiveness – are recited on a daily basis. In our these occasions, to be in silence, to listen to the own congregation, the beautiful service on the beating of our heart, to the beating of the heart Saturday night, a week before Rosh Hashanah, of a su¦ering world, and take ourselves away is held in the Sanctuary, distilling the prayers from the constant battering of bad news. What is and music of the festivals in an hour of quiet the health of our hearts and spirits as we witness meditation and reflection. It is here that we millions su¦ering because of poor leadership, attempt to drive our attention away from the economic hardship, civil war, humanitarian external chaos and anxieties of our world and crises? How can we have hope for a better future give ourselves time to think about our human when women and children su¦er from sexual existence, how we can change and become more abuse and violence on a daily basis, when new true to ourselves. revelations of incest, paedophilia and brutality are brought to light? What does it do to our sense It is hard to be engaged in this annual check-up of hope to see voters choose populist leaders, of spiritual health. We have squeezed the time coalitions of ambitious and elitist individuals, we used to have to prepare for Yom Kippur into scarcely in touch with those they lead? a few hours snatched away from work, college, school and other claims on our attention. In Pittsburgh, the Philippines, Christchurch, Sri Stefano Massini’s beautifully written play, The Lanka - these are the names of the places where Lehman Trilogy, a character reflects on the hundreds were killed this past year because of practice of sitting shiva for seven days for a family bigotry and hatred: Jews, Muslims and Christians member, whittled down to three days in the next in their places of worship, ordinary men, women generation, and then to three minutes for his and children, peaceful and hard-working, descendants. whose lives were cut down or forever changed by a single individual, pedalling hateful and It would be desperately sad to lose our festivals of murderous ideas. 8 repentance and atonement in a similar way and Preparing for the Yamim Nora’im In our own country, the drive towards a ‘no- We cannot be fearful, for nothing positive comes deal’ Brexit fills many with a visceral fear that out of a space of fear. Generation Y are helping – the Days of Awe good money is being thrown a›er bad, that the us to acknowledge that many remarkable ever-widening gap between rich and poor won’t things are happening: eco projects, working in abate, that where resources are needed – early refugee camps, tackling racism and sexism – we childhood centres, youth provision for young need to remember that there are individuals people to get o¦ the streets during holidays and and communities who come together to form a›er school, pastoral support in schools and powerful networks that deal with the issues much-needed money to reduce austerity – will of our times, all feeding into something that is be side-lined and forgotten as we prepare to much greater. leave the EU. And at the heart of this sacred activism – whether And hanging above all this, determining the small networks and groups or Extinction future of our planet and the age in which Rebellion, or the voices of young people like we live, is global warming and the climate Greta Thunberg – where the pain lies deep within emergency, the legacy we have bequeathed us, grief for the state of the world, for its social thoughtlessly to our children in the last 50 years inequalities, the catastrophe that is engulfing as our consumption of the earth’s resources the environment and the chaos of our politics, has risen and now imperils the very existence there is a desire to transform that pain into action. of numberless species, endangers lives and Pain makes us vulnerable and open; it connects threatens to bring this age to an end. us to a profound awareness of what is blessed and what is cursed. Beyond our di¦erences, ‘There are days when it all feels like too much – the beyond our religious institutions and the political violence, injustice, inequality and exploitation of gulfs that separate us, we must realise that we humans, our home, and the other species we share inhabit the same universe and join forces to resist this home with… But I have to remind myself that domination, oppression and violence. we’re on a journey and it’s not just downhill…’ (Vero Lopes da Silva, in Generation Y, Spirituality May our preparation for the Yamim Nora’im fill and Social Change). These words come from a us with purpose and hope, and enable us to book that is full of hope, full of stories of success find a spiritual space that will promote deeper and positive examples of change. It is a book understanding, more listening and mutual of young people’s voices, Generation Y, whose learning now and in the future. L’shanah tovah motivation for change is more powerful, more tikkateivu – May you and your dear ones be upli›ing, more willing to break down boundaries inscribed for a good year. and build bridges, more courageous about facing Alexandra Wright the future together. Ellul 5779

Selichot Seminar and Service Saturday 21 September 6.30pm Geraldine van Bueren QC, Professor of International Human Rights Law at Queen Mary University of London and Visiting Fellow, Kellogg College, Oxford, together with Dr Anna Isaacs, Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Centre for Food Policy at City University, London, and other speakers will be opening up a discussion about poverty and food sustainability. 8.00pm Havdalah and refreshments 9 8.30pm Selichot service in the Sanctuary led by the rabbis and musicians from the LJS Choir The Learning Circle Adult education classes at the LJS

Launching the New Year’s Learning Circle programme We begin the new academic year with a special lecture the evening of Tuesday 10 September, with sessions on High Holy Day preparation on the two subsequent Tuesday evenings. Lecture on Universal Note: For those less acquainted with Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Rabbi Igor o¦ers Human Rights introductory sessions in his ‘Exploring Judaism Tuesday 10 September classes’ (see pages 11 and 12) which run in 6.30pm refreshments; 7.00pm lecture parallel with those led by Rabbi Alex. Speaker: Professor Francesca Klug OBE 80 years a›er the start of World War II and 70 years on from the adoption of the Universal Declaration Sukkot term classes of Human Rights, where are we heading now? TUESDAY MORNINGS 11.15am-12.30pm Academic and human rights activist Francesca Klug explores the origins of this landmark document, Classes run 17 September – 10 December its roots in Jewish experience and the influence of (no half-term break) Jewish values on its vision for a better world. TUESDAY TEXTS This event is a joint initiative of the LJS and René This friendly group is led by our rabbis. We study Cassin, the Jewish voice for human rights. biblical and rabbinic texts, modern poetry and Get your free tickets via Eventbrite at: short stores, and enjoy sessions on Jewish art https://universal_human_rights.eventbrite.co.uk and music. The starting point is always a text or painting, whether ancient or modern, but the class is based around discussion on a variety of di¦erent High Holy Day topics. New students are always welcome. Preparation Course Led by Rabbi Alexandra Wright TUESDAY EVENINGS 7.00-8.00pm In these two sessions we will look at the interface Classes run from 17 September – 10 December between our beliefs or unbeliefs and the liturgy of (no class on Kol Nidre, Tuesday 8 October or during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and suggest ways half-term on 22 October) of understanding the texts through the prisms of history and memory, music and poetry, community Classical and Prayer Book Hebrew for Beginners and tradition. Tutor: Susannah Alexander Tuesday 17 September 8.00-9.00pm Have you tried to get your head around Hebrew Preparation for Rosh Hashanah: Traversing the letters for years and never quite achieved landscape of awe and reverence on Rosh Hashanah success? If so, join this fun and supportive class, morning. where we use a tried-and-tested method to get Tuesday 24 September 8.00-9.00pm you reading faster than you thought possible. Preparation for Yom Kippur: ‘Let me teach you the Beginning with Jonathan Romain’s Signs and meaning of faith’: Can our language, thoughts and Wonders, we move on to a taste of grammar, 10 actions lead to atonement? liturgy and the Bible. Next Steps in Prayer Book Hebrew TUESDAY 12 NOVEMBER 8.00-9.15pm Tutor: Dr Sally Gold This course is to improve your understanding and Seminar on antisemitism confidence in Hebrew. We will be learning the ‘A noxious weed’: antisemitism in a Hebrew of the Tanakh (Bible) on the path towards disturbed political environment greater enjoyment and participation in synagogue services. We practise reading simple Hebrew from the This is the first of two seminars with Siddur and the Hebrew Bible, building reading skills, distinguished academics and authors knowledge of vocabulary and simple grammar at an who have written recently on the subject unhurried pace. of antisemitism. Dr Keith Kahn-Harris and Dr Dave Rich will address the Reading the Psalms in Hebrew following questions: Where has the rise Tutor: Rabbi Alexandra Wright of antisemitism in the 21st century come The Psalms are intensely personal songs of praise, from? How do we distinguish between lament and yearning. Many are familiar to us – ‘The antisemitism and anti-Zionism? Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…’; ‘I will li› And what can our communities and faith up mine eyes to the hills…’. Some are read or sung groups do to combat the rise of racism in in our Friday evening, Shabbat morning or festival the current political climate? liturgies. But how are they constructed, how do Keith Kahn-Harris they sound in Hebrew, and what are they really is a sociologist and saying? Join a class for Hebrew readers (at any writer. He is a Senior pace that is comfortable for you) which will help Lecturer at Leo you with your reading and understanding, and Baeck College and open up one of the most beautiful books in the runs the European Bible in its original language. Jewish Research Archive at the Institute TUESDAY EVENINGS 8.00-9.00pm for Jewish Policy Classes run from 17 September – 10 December Research. Strange Hate: Antisemitism, (no class on Kol Nidre, Tuesday 8 October or Racism and the Limits of Diversity is his during half-term on 22 October) sixth book. Exploring Judaism Dave Rich is Tutor: Rabbi Igor Zinkov Director of Policy for Exploring Judaism is for people, including non- Community Security Jewish family members, who wish to know more Trust (CST), and an about Judaism or who would like to brush up on Associate Research their Hebrew knowledge. It is also an essential Fellow at the Pears programme of instruction for people choosing Institute for the Study Judaism by conversion. Class members are of Antisemitism, encouraged to read the materials made available Birkbeck, University online during the year. In addition to o¦ering of London. He is the author of The Le•’s knowledge of Judaism, the course encourages Jewish Problem: , Israel practical experiences of Liberal Judaism and space and Antisemitism, and writes regularly for reflection within the group. Resources can be about antisemitism and extremism for found on: www.ljsexploringjudiasm.wordpress.com newspapers and journals both nationally and internationally. 11 See the top of page 12 for details of Sukkot term classes. Exploring Judaism Sukkot term 2019 SHABBAT MORNINGS 9.45-10.45am 10 September: Lecture on Universal Human Rights Classes run from 14 September – 7 December with Francesca Klug; Registration for 2019/20 (no classes on 19 and 26 October during half-term) 17 September: Beginners’ Hebrew Exploring Rosh Hashanah Tutor: Naomi Brightwell 24 September: This class uses Jonathan Romain’s Signs and Wonders Exploring Yom Kippur to help absolute beginners decode Hebrew. Classes 1 October: include a little bit of grammar and vocabulary, the Exploring Sukkot and Simchat Torah structure of the liturgy, plenty of off-topic conversations 8 October: on Jewish food, and anything else that helps us have No session – Kol Nidre fun while learning. No previous knowledge is required. 15 October: Former students have even gone on to lead Shabbat What is Judaism? Overview of Jewish Values morning services! and Beliefs Key to Understanding Classical Hebrew 22 October: Tutor: Dr Dov So© i No session – half-term This class is designed to increase students’ 29 October: understanding of classical Hebrew as used both in Jewish Ethics Shabbat 9.45-10.45 Until 7 July Beginners’ Hebrew with Naomithe Torah Brightwell and the Siddur. Hal We term: study 2 June using Prayer Book 5 November: Naomi Brightwell’s class uses JonathanHebrew Romain’s the Signs Easy and Wonders Way to(available help complete beginners for purchase £27.00) Overview of Jewish History decode the squiggles and start tackling what they’ve always been araid o. With a little bit o grammar, a sprinkling o vocabularyand and aim plenty to o o-topic complete conversations it by on Jewish the ood, end the of the academic structure o the liturgy and anything else that helps us have un while learning. No previous 12 November: knowledge required. Previous studentsyear. haveEach even lessongone on to leadinvolves Shabbat morning a mixture services. of reading, Tanakh Sefer Torah and Moving up in Hebrew withlearning David Strang vocabulary and grammar, and translating 19 November: The aim o this class is to help students to understand the Hebrew prayers and songs in our services. New students will needform basic readingHebrew skills but to we English. will spend some Students time increasing are expected to Rabbinic Literature reading luency. We will also look at the basics o Hebrew grammar using the textbook Prayerbook Hebrew the Easy Waybewhich able will to be availableread orwith purchase. reasonable We will build up fluencyyour and to know 26 November: vocabulary too, and there will be ive words a week to learn. We will also start learning how to write the Hebrew letters, usinghow simpliied to versions write o inthe block letters Hebrew in the siddur. script. New students are Liturgy and Prayer Book Intermediate Hebrew withparticularly Nitza Spiro welcome. 3 December: The aim o these sessions is to explore the Hebrew texts which the learners will come across Israel – People and Land in synagogue services on ShabbatotIntermediateand estivals. Hebrew Some o the texts which will beTutor: introduced Nitza and studied Spiro in preparation or each estival (like 10 December: the Passover Haggadah, the Book o Esther, and the Book o Ruth with some verses rom the Book o Proverbs) might even Thebe sung aim at times. of Hopeully this class this knowledge is to willallow also be theshared students to explore Exploring Chanukkah with amilies at home. The class will be working on luency in reading but at the same time will also be learning about the historical, ethical, philosophical, and ideological messages o the texts. di¦ erent Hebrew texts which they will come across in synagogue services on Shabbatot and festivals – from Shabbat 9.45-10.45 Until 7 July Full details of all LJS adult education the morning blessings of the Tefillah to the Books of Torah study and Jewish thought Hal term: 2 June courses can be found in The LearningThis term Circlewe will continue to studyRuth the teachings and Esther, o Moses Maimonides, and much the Rambam. more. We have The a class will work diverse range o leaders including Rabbi Alex and Rabbi Rachel. Rabbi Dr Michael Hilton, our brochure: download your copy fromscholar inwww. residence, will be leadingon twoincreasing classes. We are fluencyalso maintaining in our reading, contributions but rom at the same time members o the class and others. We have a nucleus o regulars and also welcome new ljs.org and click on Learning. students. Why not come and samplewill aalso class? Forexplore urther inormation the historical, contact Michael Romainethical, at philosophical [email protected] or Harriettand Goldenberg ideological at [email protected] messages of the texts. HebrewExploring and Yiddish the lessons Psalms rom thein EnglishSpiro Ark A variety o daytime and evening Hebrew and Yiddish classes are run at The LJS Hebrew and Yiddish by the educationalTutor: organisation Michael Spiro Ark Romain on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Levels range rom ‘Beginners’ and ‘Not quite beginners’ to ‘Intermediate/Advanced’.Addressing For ull the details question o lesson times and as charges, to how please reading the Psalms lessons with Spiro Ark visit www.spiroark.org/classes or phone 020 7289 6321. can help us in ’s world, we will be looking at a For details of lesson times and12 charges, number of di¦ erent Psalms, led by our rabbis and please visit www.spiroark.org/classes or other teachers. No previous knowledge is required. If contact Spiro Ark on 020 7794 4655 or at: [email protected] you would like to know more, please contact Michael 12 Romain on 07818 000849. Celebrating Jo Kessler’s special birthday

Jo Kessler is not one to seek the limelight. She is one of those unassuming people who quietly and e›iciently make things happen behind the scenes. She has contributed hugely to the LJS and the wider community in countless practical ways, and in 1996 was awarded an MBE for her services to the community in London. In celebration of her 90th birthday, we hear Jo’s story. Jo’s connection with the LJS goes back to Drosh sessions, helping organise the Communal December 1938 when she arrived in the UK from Seder, establishing Video and Tea, and assisting Vienna on one of the early Kindertransports. at the Out and About Club as well as Restaurant A meeting had been held at the LJS calling on Tuesday. In addition to all this, when rabbis Members to sponsor refugee children, leading to from the USA joined the LJS, Jo helped their Jo being supported by three LJS families. families find accommodation and schools for their children. During her time at boarding school in Kent and subsequent evacuation to Dorset, Judaism Although Jo has helped people across the age didn’t play a prominent part in Jo’s life, though range, she has always taken a special interest in she somewhat reluctantly completed her weekly the elderly. She would invite older Members to her correspondence course. Returning to London in home for lunch and arranged outings – known as 1946, she attended Confirmation classes at the ‘Jo’s Journeys’ – to places of interest. A particular LJS and started to have Jewish friends. She met enterprise, the Peggy Lang House – the very Willie Kessler, our much-loved former President first Jewish Abbeyfield Society Home – played a who sadly died in July, at evening classes at the prominent part in Jo’s life. She was a key player LSE, and they were married at the LJS in 1952 in the team who ensured the smooth running of by Rabbi Leslie Edgar – the Edgars having been this successful project which expanded to include one of the three families who had originally two further Abbeyfield Homes o¦ering residents sponsored her. It was a›er the birth of their four accommodation, meals, care and entertainment. sons, each of whom attended Religion School to In recent times, with Willie having been unwell Confirmation, that Jo and Willie became heavily before his death, and Jo now advancing in years, involved with synagogue life. An invitation it’s been the LJS’s turn to o¦er support, and Jo arrived from the LJS inviting them to join the says this is being done beautifully. But even so, Younger Members’ Organisation, which they duly Jo – who remains unbelievably youthful – is did, and which changed their lives dramatically. still visiting the sick and is still very much the Jo joined the Women’s Society, later becoming matriarch of the Kessler family. its Secretary, and was instrumental in setting up Everyone at the LJS congratulates you, Jo, the Community Care group, now an integral part on your special birthday, and sends heartfelt of the LJS. Jo’s many and various volunteering thanks for your decades of selfless volunteering tasks included running the Nursery School, which has greatly enhanced the lives of so many providing tea parties, setting up Friday night in our community. 13 dinners, involvement with the initial Nosh ‘n’ VIDEO AND TEA welcome. This is a social For more details contact From 13.30-16.30 on the aernoon rather than a [email protected] ourth Wednesday o each competitive one. There is a month. Just come along – riendly atmosphere and ^*] no need to book. Enjoy help ul suggestions. The cost soup on arrival then a DVD (including tea or coee) is £2. SINGING FOR THE MIND ( ilm classics, musicals, New members are welcome: etc) ollowed by a delicious or more details leave a This is a popular weekly tea including home-made message or Neil Levitt or activity or people with Our Community Our coee ice-cream. William Falk at 020 7286 5181. memory problems who come Donation o £2. with a amily member, riend or carer. Music brings un, 27 June: Genevieve ^*] con idence and a time to relax 25 July: Seven Brides or Seven among new ound riends. Brothers ARCHIVE TUESDAYS To apply, email s [email protected] or 22 August: Whisky Galore The Archive team works in the phone 020 7286 5181. For urther in ormation pick up a 26 September: Meet Me in St Louis Assembly Hall on most Tuesdays. Activities include lea let or visit the LJS website. 24 October: Brie Encounter sorting historical papers, 28 November: The Snowman and cataloguing and photo ^*] Father Christmas preservation. I you’d like to help with this important work, ^*] please contact Cinde Lee at LOCAL WALKING GROUP [email protected]

RESTAURANT TUESDAY ^*] Restaurant Tuesday meets on the third Tuesday o every month and is an in ormal lunch COMMUNITY CARE club or the more elderly Aviva Sha ritz, our Community members o the congregation. Care Co-ordinator, is ready to help with diŽculties Please let the oŽce know i experienced, not only by our you are coming or the irst older members, such as time or i you are a regular and illness and provision o care, cannot come (020 7286 5181). but also across the spectrum o li e. Community Events^*] The LJS local walking group is ^*] planning its next outing or Thursday 14 June, leaving rom The LJS at 11.30. Walks adopt a BRIDGE CLUB BRIDGE CLUB TheSINGING Bridge FOR THE MIND Club meets YOUNG ADULTS’ DINNERS riendly pace and last no more The Bridge Club meets at romSinging 14.00 for theAre Mindyou between is open the to agesanyone o withthan an hour and a hal . 2.00pm every Monday (except to memory17.00 problems25 and 35 or – in or the thereabouts? early stages of Future walks are scheduled or Jewish and Bank Holidays) and everydementia. WeDo meetyou have once children a week, or grandserving- tea5 and and 26 July. All members and finishes at 5.00pm with a break Mondaybiscuits as peoplechildren arrive o a similar to allow age? participants riends are welcome. To ind for refreshments. The standard at andThe LJS.their companionsOr riends whom the chance you would to chatlike beforeout more, please contact Jody to introduce to The LJS? Friday of Bridge playing is average, but Anyonewe start singing. The hour-long singing sessionGraham ([email protected]) with any evening dinners or Young or Michael Romain players should know the basics knowledge o the gameis ledis most by a trainedAdults aremusic held leader, once a supportedmonth. ([email protected] ). of the game. This is as much a social14 a› ernoon as volunteers, A dementia specialist is available for a competitive one. Cost is £2.00 per person. We help and advice. For further details and advice welcome new members. For more details please on joining the group, please email [email protected] or contact the LJS (020 7286 5181). phone the LJS on 020 7286 5181.

VIDEO AND TEA NOSH ‘N’ DROSH The LJS warmly invites you to this monthly event Shabbat lunchtimes 1.15-2.15pm on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 1.30- 14 September 4.30pm. Just come along – there’s no need to Raficq Abdulla and Dr Mohamed Keshavee, both book. Cost is £2.00 for the film and refreshments. highly distinguished lawyers and writers, will Enjoy soup on arrival then a DVD (film classics, speak about Sharia law. musicals, etc) followed by a delicious tea including home-made co¦ ee ice-cream. Future Nosh ‘n’ Drosh dates: 9 November with We are looking for new volunteer helpers, and Dr Edie Friedman talking about why asylum seekers would appreciate hearing from you. Please should have the right to work, and 14 December contact the o¦ ice on 020 7286 5181. with Suzanne Higgott, Curator at the Wallace Collection, speaking about Sir Richard Wallace: Forthcoming screenings: connoisseur, collector and philanthropist. 25 September: Blithe Spirit 23 October: Quartet LOCAL WALKING GROUP 27 November: Coppélia (ballet) Our next walks will be on Thursday 12 September and Thursday 10 October, meeting COMMUNITY CARE at the LJS at 11.15am. All members and friends Aviva Shafritz, our Community Care Co-ordinator, are welcome. We walk in Regent’s Park for an is ready to help with difficulties experienced not hour or so and aim to end up at a café for co¦ ee only by our older members, such as with illness and or lunch. To find out more, please contact Jody provision of care, but also across the spectrum of life. Graham on [email protected] / 07765 214867 or You can contact Aviva on email: [email protected] or contact Michael Romain on romain@netgates. by telephone on 020 7286 5181. co.uk / 07818 000849.

RESTAURANT TUESDAY – relaunched! This is an informal lunch club for the more elderly members of the congregation. Everyone is welcome! Join us at 12.45pm on the third Tuesday of every month for a chance to meet and chat and have a delicious meal, hosted by our delightful team of volunteers. We suggest a donation of £5.00. Our next lunches are on 14 17 September, 15 October and 19 November. Please call the o¦ ice on 020 7286 5181 to let us know if you are coming. Rimon Corner Winners of the LAFTA! Congratulations go to everyone at the LJS, especially Rimon students, who were involved in We wish these young members of the the short documentary film which was joint winner LJS a very happy birthday in September with & Hove Progressive Synagogue of Aman Abib Rachel Kops this year’s LAFTA (Liberal Academy for Film and Torah Awards). This is a competition where Liberal Edoardo Armstrong Talia Ting Hui Kriegel Judaism religion schools are asked to make a Brooke Behr Electra Levi-French short film on a Jewish topic, the theme of which is Max Daals Heath Rosenblatt linked to that selected for the LJ Day of Celebration. Cedric Ginsberg Brooke Shipman This year the theme was ‘the individual and the Leila Goldstone Claudia Spanier community’, and the LJS film focusses on the Joshua Gulperin Zachary Wald activities of the Drop-In for Asylum-Seeker Families for which Rimon students volunteer. In it they Charlotte Korn explain with great thoughtfulness why they choose to volunteer and what they get out of it. To watch the film, go to: https://youtu.be/ZIVAW3z0F1o The values of the Drop-In are: Tiny To t s Community, Openness, Mutual respect, at the LJS Meaningful, Understanding, Non-judgemental, Inclusive, Trust and Yes – an a¦ irmation of support These sessions for little ones between the for our social justice programme. ages of 0 and 4 with their parents, Together these values build the word ‘Community’, grandparents or carers are held at which is at the heart of Liberal Judaism. This 11.00am on Shabbat mornings wonderful film shows this in action. during term times. Tiny Tots restarts on Shabbat 14 September. The Nursery is always available for children to play or read on every Shabbat with a parent or other carer present. Email [email protected] if you would like to be added to the Tiny Tots email circulation list.

Please note: Rimon classes start on Shabbat 14 September

Kiddush Celebrations If you would like to take part in the service or contribute to the Kiddush to mark a special occasion – such as a birthday, anniversary, baby blessing or Bar/Bat Mitzvah – please contact Felicia Beder on This beautiful camel is the mascot for the Drop-In for 020 7432 1283 or at: [email protected] Asylum-Seeker Families 15 Bar Mitzvah Boy Raymon Benedyk The Liberal Jewish Synagogue Patrons When a 13-year-old Raymon Joy and Richard Desmond Benedyk, later to become our Jo and the late Willie Kessler Synagogue Secretary, was asked Suzy and Peter Osband Martin Slowe by his father whether he wanted Michele and Rick Senat a Bar Mitzvah, the answer was Janine and Michael Sternberg a resounding ‘no’. The negative Christine Stevenson experiences recounted by some six The Liberal Jewish Synagogue is or seven older male cousins had a company limited by guarantee put him o¦ the idea. But a mere 80 (Company No 9113305) and a years later, he changed his mind, registered charity in England and Wales (Charity No 1159292). and so it was that the Benedyk family and the LJS congregation Registered o¦ice: had the great pleasure of attending 28 St John’s Wood Road London NW8 7HA Raymon’s delayed Bar Mitzvah Tel 020 7286 5181 ceremony on 13 July. Fax 020 7266 3591 A›er Kiddush, Raymon addressed a very well-attended Nosh ‘n’ Drosh Linked to Typetalk session, focussing on his time as a ‘Bevin Boy’ – a largely unacknowledged Email [email protected] aspect of World War II. By 1943 Britain was becoming desperate for coal Website www.ljs.org required both for the war e¦ort and for keeping homes warm. To address the Senior Rabbi Alexandra Wright manpower shortage, Ernest Bevin, Minister of Labour and National Service, Rabbis implemented a scheme whereby one in ten young men called up for service Elana Dellal would be randomly selected to work in the mines even if they had, as was Igor Zinkov the case with Raymon, volunteered to serve in the fighting forces. Scholar in Residence Raymon was one such recruit and was dispatched to Doncaster. The vivid Rabbi Dr Michael Hilton description which he gave of just how arduous and dangerous this work President Martin Slowe was made a great impression on us. We learned that a high proportion of Chairman of Council the 48,000 ‘Bevin Boys’, as they became known, su¦ered terrible and long- Sue Head lasting injuries, and many died. They additionally had to bear hurtful and Executive Director completely unjustified accusations that they were deliberately avoiding Lysa Schwartz military conscription. Indeed, it wasn’t until 1995, the 50th anniversary of Vice Principal Rimon Religion School VE Day, that the Queen gave them proper recognition for their crucial role Elana Dellal in helping win the war. Nursery Head Teacher Caroline Villiers Despite so much darkness in his story, Raymon nevertheless delivered it with great wit. Everyone present was moved both by Raymon’s later-in-life Community Care Co-ordinator Aviva Shafritz Bar Mitzvah and his gripping account of his wartime service. Director of Music We salute you, Raymon. Cathy Heller Jones Organist Tim Farrell Final copy date for the October edition of LJS News is Monday 9 September.

Copy and ideas should be emailed to: [email protected] LJS News Team Editor: Judith King Printed by Premier Print, Artwork: Tingle Design 38-40 London Industrial Estate, London E6 6LP In case of bereavement: The paper which LJS News is printed on comes from a sustainable source. In o¥ice hours, call 020 7432 1298 © The Liberal Jewish Synagogue 2019 At other times, call 020 8958 2112 (Calo’s) The LJS is a constituent synagogue of Liberal Judaism 16