EUPJ-Newsletter-2017
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European Union for Progressive Judaism October 2017 Newsletter © European Union for Progressive Judaism Chairman’s message EUPJ establishes EU Office The chaggim inaugurating 5778 have past and we The European Union for can now resume our focus on the tasks ahead. As Progressive Judaism usual, there are many of them! (EUPJ) is delighted to The Strategic Plan, which was launched at our announce that it has Executive Board meeting in Lyon last December, is opened a European Union being implemented. As you know, there is more to Office (EUO). The office do in some countries than in others, but the EUPJ has been established in leadership is determined to ensure that all our Brussels and is located at constituents are stronger and even more successful the building housing both within the next couple of years. We welcome Beth Hillel and the feedback and any suggestions, as always. International Jewish The establishment of a formal presence at the Center, our EUPJ affiliate William Echikson European Union headquarters in Brussels is congregations in Brussels. something that has been on our minds for some This action has been contemplated for a number time. Until now, Judaism of years. With the ever-expanding presence of has been represented by Progressive congregations in the EU, it was decided the ultra-Orthodox and, for that the time is now right to establish such an office. most of the elected EU It follows various meetings of EUPJ rabbinic and lay representatives and leadership with senior EU officials during the course administrative staff, there of this year. The objectives of the EUO are as was little, or no, awareness follows: of other legitimate strands To ensure that whenever the EU seeks Jewish of Judaism. You can read representation, calls for a Jewish opinion on more about this initiative on various matters and provides the opportunity this page. for Jewish expert contribution in religious, social, If you have been educational and cultural matters, there will be a reading recent editions of the EUPJ Newsletter, you Progressive Jewish presence. will know that Arthur Buchman has retired. He was To ensure that EU leadership and affiliated an outstanding editor of our newsletter for more than bodies are made aware of Progressive Judaism a decade and he will be missed. However, I am as a vital component of pluralistic Jewish life in delighted to announce the appointment of Darryl Europe. Egnal as his successor. Darryl is an experienced To participate in EU projects that will benefit journalist who has worked with Progressive Jewish EUPJ affiliates and institutions by making use communities all over the world, but she’ll tell you of our unique network of communities in 17 about herself in this issue. The newsletter’s email European countries. address will remain the same so you’ll be able to To make the EU aware of specific situations reach her easily. We look forward to working with affecting our communities in various countries. her in the future and we wish her luck with the To provide a conduit for our local communities newsletter. Miriam Kramer to make their voices heard in the EU and for the EU to reach out to our communities. The EUO will be led by William Echikson, Director, October 2017 Contents and Rabbi Ira Goldberg, Rabbinic Director. They will work in close collaboration with each other and will 1 EUPJ 10 Spain 3 EUPJ Conference 11 France be accountable to the EUPJ leadership through a 4 Community Connections 13 Germany nominated officer, Leslie Bergman (Honorary Life 5 United Kingdom 14 Switzerland President). The Rabbinic Director will work closely 7 Italy 14 The Netherlands with Rabbi Ruven Bar-Ephraim, the EUPJ Rabbinic 8 Hungary 14 Austria Adviser, who also chairs the European Rabbinic 9 Portugal 15 EUPJ, WUPJ Continued on page 15 EUPJ Newsletter October 2017 1 EUPJ EUPJ Honorary Editor’s Note Officers Working with the EUPJ is an exciting new opportunity for me. I attended the World Union’s Beutel Leadership Seminar in and Staff 2017 Israel in 2006 and since then I’ve been working with Honorary Life Presidents Progressive Judaism’s leadership and different communities Leslie Bergman, UK around the world. It all started in my home country with the Ruth Cohen, Israel South African Union for Progressive Judaism (SAUPJ). Jeffery Rose, UK Not only did I President manage the marketing Gordon Smith, UK of the organisation Vice-Presidents and its affiliates Alex Dembitz, Switzerland internationally, but I Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein, UK also created its website Rabbi Dr Walter Homolka, Germany with a colleague and Rabbi Dr Deborah Kahn-Harris, UK produced an annual Chairman 80-page, High Holy Miriam Kramer, UK Days magazine for the Vice-Chairmen Johannesburg and Stéphane Beder, France Pretoria communities. Sonja Guentner, Germany In addition, I produced a magazine in honour Michael Reik, UK th Honorary Secretary of the 70 anniversary John Cohen, UK of Temple Israel, the mother synagogue of Progressive Honorary Treasurer Judaism in South Africa. David Pollak, UK I decided to make Aliyah in 2009 and not long after, Rabbinic Adviser got involved with marketing Arzenu and helping out with its Rabbi Ruven Bar-Ephraim, Switzerland conferences, and took over as editor of the World Union’s EUPJ Rabbinic Assembly fortnightly newsletter, which I produced for a few years. Rabbi Ruven Bar-Ephraim, Chairman Since moving to Israel, I’ve written articles for many European Beit Din organisations, including the Jewish National Fund (JNF), Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein, UK, Chairman Naale Elite Academy, Ha’aretz’s English supplements, the Rabbi Dr Jackie Tabick, UK, Convener Jerusalem Post magazine, and many Jewish magazines Administrator internationally. Personal reasons took me back to South Africa at the Deborah Grabiner, UK th [email protected] end of 2015. Last year was Temple Israel’s 80 anniversary Newsletter Editor and it was serendipity that I was in the country at the time. I was honoured to be asked yet again to produce a magazine Darryl Egnal, Israel for the occasion. This made me realise how much I had missed being involved with the Progressive Jewish community. So when I was getting ready to return to Israel a few months ago, I was surprised and pleased to receive an email from Leslie Earn priority status Bergman, a long-time friend of my parents, asking me if I’d be interested in editing the EUPJ newsletter when Shorashim-Israel with Israelis allows all Arthur retired. applicants to customise their Birthright Israel Well, you’re reading this so the answer is obvious. adventures and travel with Israelis for the I look forward to working with the EUPJ leadership and entire experience. Spread the word so communities, and getting to know all of you. Feel free to people eligible for Birthright Israel complete email me your news or just send comments and feedback early sign up for a journey with Shorashim! ([email protected]). Darryl Egnal History of the Progressive Movement A two-part conversation between Judaism Unbound and WUPJ President Rabbi Daniel Freelander explores changes to Reform Judaism over the past two centuries. “Reform Judaism is that meeting point between the culture that we live in and our inherited tradition. It is our constant desire to reconcile the two -- not to reject either,” Rabbi Freelander said. Listen to the first part here and the second part here. EUPJ Newsletter October 2017 2 EUPJ Biennial Conference Regeneration: Building the Future EUPJ Biennial Prague * Thursday 26 - Sunday 29 April 2018 It’s six months and counting till the EUPJ Biennial we hope will Conference. When we started planning and be the largest preparing for it back in April, there were 12 months number of to go. Now there are six months left and before you young people know it, we’ll be packing our bags. Have you ever to attend one wondered why time passes so quickly? It’s because of our we lead such busy lives doing things that are conferences fulfilling and spending time with our families and for many friends in addition to our hectic work schedules. years, will We opened registration for the Biennial at the ensure some beginning of September and the early bird rate will lively debate, motivating addresses and an energy end on December that cannot fail to affect everyone present. 31. Over 50 The conference committee, made up of people from 14 members with many years of experience in planning countries have and attending conferences around the world, is signed up excited by Regeneration and what it will offer. Now already, more it’s up to you to share this experience and make your than double the contribution to a conference which is sure to be number that informative, instructive, inspiring and memorable for signed up during all the right reasons. the same period But remember, while there might be six months before our to go, they’ll disappear very quickly. So don’t delay! London conference. Our hopes and ambitions are REGISTER NOW and ensure that when, in years to more than fulfilled by this unprecedented demand, come, your children and grandchildren talk about and it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that we Regeneration 2018, you can say, “ I was there,” will be sold out well before registration officially and your memories will be like the city… beautiful, closes. In other words, there is only one way to lasting and unforgettable! avoid disappointment – REGISTER NOW. Registration is simple and takes no time at all, so don’t wait around? Since my last article, we have confirmed several charismatic, stimulating and inspirational key note speakers and we are looking forward to their valuable contributions.