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July/August 2015 VOL. XLII No. 4 Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism www.liberaljudaism.org ljtoday Liberals elected ‘Hope is a mitzvah’ to key positions SUCCESSION of speakers at Liberal Judaism’s Day of Celebration urged A British Liberal Jews to get more involved in Israel. Rabbi Miri Gold – the ‘poster girl’ of the fight to recognise non-Orthodox rabbis in Israel – and Anat Hoffman, executive director of the Israel Religious Action Center, both stressed how important the support of the Diaspora was to those fighting for religious pluralism and Rabbi Danny Rich continues his global role human rights inside of the country. Keynote speaker Miri said that support LIBERAL JUDAISM chief executive from the UK greatly helped as she battled Rabbi Danny Rich and Liberal Jewish to become the first Progressive rabbi Synagogue member Stuart MacDonald to have her salary paid by the Israeli have been voted into key roles in world government, as well as in the continuing Anat Hoffman at the Day of Celebration 2015 Jewry. Danny was re-elected to the fight for equality for non-Orthodox Jews. Executive Board of the World Union for She poignantly added: “I remind myself Other speakers included Liberal Rabbis Progressive Judaism (WUPJ), while Stuart that hope is a mitzvah, a commandment, Harry Jacobi, Shulamit Ambalu, Sandra has been elected as treasurer of the and one which sustains me.” Kviat and Alexandra Wright, as well as Board of Deputies of British Jews. Anat, who is also a founding member representatives from the New Israel Stuart said: “The Board of Deputies of Women of the Wall, then urged British Fund, UK Task Force, Yachad, JW3, UJIA, is the primary public voice of the Jews to write to Israeli Ministers and the the Centre for the Study of Jewish Culture Jewish community in Britain. Its Embassy to add to the growing pressure at Durham University, Leo Baeck College activities encompass areas as diverse for a pluralistic, open and inclusive Israel. and the Movement for Reform Judaism. as interfaith work, defending against Responding to the issues raised, Rabbi An engaging, educational and fun antisemitism, opposition to the campaign Charley Baginsky said: “Israel and the youth programme, run by LJY-Netzer, to delegitimise Israel by boycott and other Diaspora need to seek a new relationship saw young Liberals enjoy ‘Israel Tour means, the promotion of women and that has at its core mutuality. A sense in a Day’, while Gloucestershire Liberal support for smaller communities. not only that we need each other but that Jewish Community were celebrating after “The voluntary communal levy that this relationship has the potential to be their cheder won the LAFTAs competition appears on our annual synagogue mutually beneficial and creative.” for best short film. subscriptions is not paid by all Liberal Three hundred people from more than Liberal Judaism chief executive Rabbi congregants. Equally, not every Liberal 30 communities gathered at The Liberal Danny Rich said: “This was Liberal community takes up its full rights to Jewish Synagogue (LJS) for the Day of Judaism at its best. A sizeable but send representatives. If we want to have Celebration. It was the first ever Liberal friendly crowd came together to discuss appropriate influence within the Board, it Judaism event to be streamed over the an issue, the Israel/Diaspora relationship, is essential that these gaps are filled.” internet, with members watching via a that can be divisive and controversial, but The WUPJ serves 1,200 Progressive live feed in America, Italy, Germany, the which we all agree needs to be examined. congregations with 1.8 million members Czech Republic and all around the UK. “As a result of this day, Liberal in more than 45 countries. Danny was Guest presenters from Israel included Judaism’s policy towards Israel will re-elected to its operational, decision- Reut Michaeli, the CEO of the Hotline continue to be supportive but nuanced, making body, at the WUPJ’s Connections for Refugees and Migrants, and Gusti principled and occasionally critical.” 2015 conference, which was held in Rio Yehoshua-Braverman and Nir Cohen de Janeiro, Brazil. There will be a full from the World Zionist Organisation. • Pages 6/7: Picture special report in the next issue of lj today. Page 2 LJ Today News July/August 2015 Patrons praised at Lords dinner Progressive rabbis at the House of Lords and special guest speaker Baron Finkelstein of Pinner. Pictures by John Bernard and Abigail Jacobi EIGHTEEN Progressive rabbis joined the “Let me begin with students, where for regular coverage in The Jewish Chronicle, Patrons of Liberal Judaism at the House two years, supported by Patrons’ funds, as well as a multitude of national of Lords, where they were entertained we have provided the only Progressive newspaper, radio and TV appearances. by The Times columnist and Newsnight student chaplaincy resource on campus. He also celebrated a new community regular Baron Finkelstein of Pinner. Rabbi Leah Jordan, working with affiliating to Liberal Judaism in eight Guests at Liberal Judaism’s 11th volunteers and staff from the Reform of the last nine years – all “founded by annual Council of Patrons’ Dinner and Masorti movements, has supported charismatic Liberal Jews with a few also heard from the movement’s chief egalitarian minyanim, Jewish societies friends and the support of our outreach executive Rabbi Danny Rich, president and individual students in campuses up department” and all now growing fast. Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein, chair Lucian and down the country. Danny concluded: “Friends, you are J Hudson, deputy chair Simon Benscher, “The greatest tribute to pioneering leaders of Liberal Judaism and none of Rabbis Lea Mühlstein and Charley work is when others follow and I am this would have been possible without Baginsky and event host Lord Haskel. delighted to report that, under the new your emotional and practical support, the Addressing the gathering, Danny said: Alliance banner, Liberal Judaism with the work of our Board of National Officers, “When we set up the Council of Patrons, Movement for Reform Judaism and the the dedication of our staff and the I promised that the funds raised would West London Synagogue have this week generous funding of the Patrons.” only be used for three agreed purposes: placed an advert for a second Progressive The Council of Patrons dinner was to increase the profile of Liberal Judaism, Jewish chaplain to work alongside Leah.” organised by Joan Shopper. To find out for the support and development of Danny then discussed how Liberal more about becoming a Patron of Liberal new communities and to pioneer new Judaism’s profile has been raised with Judaism, please contact Yael Shotts on initiatives, particularly with students. a weekly page in The Jewish News and [email protected] Keep in touch with • BREAKING NEWS 1: The Liberal Shabbaton heads Judaism Biennial Weekend will take Liberal Judaism place from July 1-3, 2016, with the to the South West theme Thinking Outside The Book. THERE ARE plenty of way to keep up with AFTER the incredible success of the what is happening in Liberal Judaism, • BREAKING NEWS 2: Rabbis Midlands Regional Shabbaton last between copies of lj today. Alexandra Wright and Richard November, with almost 100 participants Our e-bulletin goes out via email each Jacobi have been elected as co- from seven Liberal communities, we week, keeping members informed with chairs of Liberal Judaism’s Rabbinic are pleased to announce that the 2015 news stories and upcoming events from Conference. They will take over from Shabbaton will be held in the South West. the movement and our communities. Rabbi Charley Baginsky this summer. Taking place on Saturday November You can subscribe to the e-bulletin by 28, at the Jurys Inn in Swindon, the day visiting the Liberal Judaism website – • BRYAN DIAMOND is gathering is open for anyone to attend. It will be www.liberaljudaism.org – which is also material for a biography of Claude jointly hosted by the Bristol & West, regularly updated with news, pictures and Montefiore, one of the founders Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Reading, even a digital version of lj today. of Liberal Judaism. Bryan will Oxford and Wessex Liberal communities. For those on social media, you can join investigate archival sources, so if you The day will include study sessions led the hundreds following Liberal Judaism know of any material not featured by rabbis, lay leaders and educators, a on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ in previous works about Montefiore, Shabbat service and a youth programme LiberalJudaism and via @LiberalJudaism email [email protected] run by LJY-Netzer. There will be full on Twitter. details in the next issue of lj today. July/August 2015 Chairman’s Actions LJ Today Page 3 The spirit and character of Liberal Judaism Liberal Judaism is political with a It is healthy to be business-like and Lucian J Hudson lower case ‘p’, working in a new political I hope a bit of this has rubbed off in pens his final landscape across the UK, ensuring my approach to leading a civil society the voice of our movement is heard organisation. Too many internal issues column as chair and contributes to building a tolerant, arise from members not accepting or of LJ and looks cohesive and sustainable community, in appreciating the importance of fulfilling back at his six which our type of Judaism can flourish defined roles and managing boundaries. for generations to come. Our very informality can be as much of years in the role There are those who say that the a curse as a blessing. I hope whoever difference between Liberal Judaism and revises our Siddur in years to come Reform is so minimal on doctrine that creates enough space for silence and IN MY FINAL article for lj today as Liberal other differences are negligible.