European Union for Progressive Judaism August 2012 Newsletter

© European Union for Progressive Judaism Leo Baeck College ordains at West London Three exceptional rabbis from three different countries were ordained Leo Baeck College at West London Synagogue on Sunday 1st July. Baroness Julia Neuberger, the Senior Rabbi at West London, began the service with Rabbi Dr Deborah Kahn-Harris, Principal of Leo Baeck College, giving an inspirational and heart- warming address. The three rabbis were Lea Mühlstein from , Andrea Zanardo from Italy and Peter Radvanszki from Hungary. Lea has now taken up a post at West London Synagogue. Remarking on the achievements of the three ordinands, Rabbi Dr Kahn-Harris, using the garden as a metaphor, said that the new rabbis were ready "to inspire others with love of Torah, to tend their congregations, to sink their roots deep into the Jewish community and in so doing sustain a healthy Jewish eco- system." The music for the occasion was provided by Rabbi Mark Solomon and the service was followed by a Kiddush for 250 guests. For the first time highlights of the Leo Rabbis Lea Mühlstein, Andrea Zanardo and Peter Radvanszki Baeck College ordination ceremony were streamed live on the internet. Progressive and Pro Israel Advocating for Israel, Combating Anti-Israel Bias in Europe The EUPJ seminar originally planned for November has now been rescheduled for 18 – 20 January 2013 in . The seminar is intended to bring together leaders from Progressive Jewish communities throughout Europe to better understand how to defend against political, religious, social and media pressures aimed at Israel and its supporters. Presentations will be made by international experts from Israel, United Kingdom, United States, Switzerland and . Workshops and interactive discussions will be held between the speakers and the delegates about how the changing situation within the Middle East is affecting views towards Israel within Europe. Local issues affecting the delegates within their own countries will be addressed, especially anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism, and Israel. Shabbat Services will be held at each of the major Progressive communities in Paris and there will be an opportunity to meet at places of Jewish interest on Shabbat afternoon. We are anticipating a seminar cost of about €160 to cover all sessions and meals, excluding Saturday night. Airfare, local transport and accommodation will be extra. Community leaders: hold the dates free for the weekend of 18-20 January 2013. More details and application forms will be provided in the next newsletter. Michael Reik, EUPJ Vice Chairman Joel Oseran, WUPJ Vice President Fred Bouzy, MJLF Past President

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EUPJ & WUPJ EUPJ Honorary Officers From the Chairman and Staff 2012 This time of year is for many people a time of holiday and Honorary Life Presidents travel. I write this within four Jeffery Rose hours of returning to London from Ruth Cohen Buenos Aires where I attended President the annual conference of the Leslie Bergman WUPJ-Latin America. Before the Vice-Presidents actual conference there was a Alex Dembitz three-day tour of Jewish colonies Sonja Guentner founded in the late 19th century in Rabbi Dr Walter Homolka a wide area of the pampas; the Rabbi Dr Deborah Kahn-Harris settlers were fleeing the pogroms Willem Koster in eastern Europe. Most of these Jonathan Lewis settlements no longer contain Félix Mosbacher significant Jewish inhabitants, but Miriam Kramer Gordon Smith there are still some small com- Chairman munities sprinkled in the region. In most places there isn’t a Miriam Kramer synagogue, and there are no resident rabbis, but people Joint Vice-Chairmen there are committed to keeping non-Orthodox Judaism alive. Stéphane Beder It was a very moving experience. Michael Reik As we near the end of summer, and some of us in north- Honorary Secretary ern Europe will ask ‘What summer?’, we also approach the Andrew Hart Days of Awe. My wish to everyone is for 5773 to be year of Honorary Treasurer peace, health, and thriving Progressive Judaism. David Pollak Miriam Kramer, Chairman Administrator Deborah Grabiner [email protected] Newsletter Editor Arthur Buchman [email protected]

Subscribe to our monthly EUPJ Newsletter here. WUPJ 36th International Convention Connections 2013 - Being the Difference Visit the EUPJ website 1 – 5 May 2013 in Go to www.eupj.org. Lamed vav tsadikim – According to Jewish tradition, the Read our 2011 Annual Report and the world rests on 36 righteous individuals but none of them are EUPJ Newsletter archives here. aware that they are among the 36. Send us your feedback here. The 36th International Convention of the World Union for Progressive Jews offers the opportunity to be part of that difference that can change the world. Torah from around the World Connections 2013 - “Being the Difference” invites you to learn, explore, question, get involved and be inspired to- gether with our WUPJ family from across the globe. Save the dates! Subscribe to WUPJnews Send a blank e-mail (no text or subject) to [email protected] .

Please support Friends of Every week, WUPJ emails Torah from Progressive Judaism around the World, a commentary on the Torah portion (Parashah) of the week by a in Israel and Europe - rabbi from one of its congregations. they support us. Click here to subscribe. www.fpjie.org.uk

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France, Spain Liberal Jewish centre inaugurated A sermon from Spain in Toulouse

New home of the Toulouse Liberal Community Rabbi Pete Tobias I was delighted to attend the inauguration, on 24 I recently returned from an extraordinary trip to June, of the new premises of the Toulouse Liberal Barcelona where I had been asked by the European Community, AJLT-CJLT, both personally and repre- Union for Progressive Judaism to be part of a Beit Din senting the Lyon Liberal Synagogue. to meet with a number of Spanish people who had First we toured the new home of the Toulouse a sense of connection with Judaism – perhaps a community, the Roger Zimermann Centre. Patrick grandmother who lit candles on a Friday night, or the Laskar, the president, then briefly traced the steps presence of a menorah in the cupboard full of old that led to the fruition of the project and outlined the family heirlooms. development of the life of this community. Next I have heard stories from many sincere, devout spoke Rabbi Pauline Bebe, who has served the individuals moved and affected by this mysterious AJLT-CJLT since its beginnings twenty years ago. connection they have felt, often since their childhood. She presented the Liberal Jewish Movement, a Now, living in an age of relative religious tolerance, it movement in Judaism alongside others. She high- is possible for these people to explore what they lighted the notion of revelation through time, allow- believe to be their Jewish past, and to reconnect with ing for evolving interpretations as opposed to the a heritage that had, perhaps, been transmitted in notion of a sole revelation at Mount Sinai. She secret for generations, across five centuries…. recalled that Talmudic and other interpretations of With these stories I have been given numerous the basic tenets of Judaism have always been influ- glimpses into the memories of the people whom it has enced by the local context in which Jews have lived been my privilege to meet in these past few days. A and underlined the fact that Liberal and Progressive grandmother’s insistence that it was forbidden to pre- Judaism invite us to question what we do and to pare a milk marinade for a piece of beef... A father’s modify our practices when appropriate. Rabbi Bebe story to his young son of how his grandmother would and Rabbi Tom Cohen then answered questions light candles on a Friday evening… A strange nine- from the audience. branched candelabra at the back of a shelf in a cup- Next Dr Georges Benayoun, President of the board, hidden from view… Friends of the AJLT Association, gave a detailed But the one line that stands out the most for me presentation of the support that culminated in the came from one young man who has now chosen to new centre. Then several local VIPs were intro- join himself and his family to duced: Madame Nicole Belloubet, representing the the emerging Jewish commu- Midi-Pyrenees Region, MPs Madame Martine nity in a small town in north- Martinel and Monsieur Jean Luc Moudenc and ern Spain. When asked Madame Nicole Yardeni, President of the CRIF whether his parents had giv- Midi-Pyrenees. I noted the great warmth, simplicity en any indication that there and sincerity of the speeches. might be a family connection The tragic events in Toulouse last March could to the Conversos of five hun- not be forgotten, but in the words of all who spoke, dred years earlier, he shook they became a further reason to go ahead with his head. ‘Not really,’ he re- determination. The overall impression was one of plied. ‘But my mother told me joy at this step forward for the AJLT-CJLT. of a recurring dream that she Old Spanish synagogue Toulouse will host the next meeting of the experienced. She dreamed French-speaking European Liberal Jewish commu- that she was barefoot in a synagogue…’ nities in 2013 and all were invited to attend. The This sermon… is dedicated … to all those who afternoon was rounded off by music with drinks and have preserved their faith and their hope and who a sweet buffet, a fitting ending for this happy seek to keep alive our Jewish heritage. Amen. occasion. Celia Naval Rabbi Pete Tobias

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United Kingdom Imams and Rabbis visit Liberal Judaism’s Chief Executive Wandsworth prison together Leads Munich Memorial Service The first ever joint prison visit by a group of imams Liberal Judaism’s and rabbis took place Sunday 5th August. The visit chief executive Rabbi was organised by the Council of Imams and Rabbis, Danny Rich led a an initiative of the Joseph Interfaith Foundation, as special memorial part of its commitment to take positive interfaith rela- Shabbat service in tions to every stratum of society. Four rabbis and six Stevenage on 31 imams took part. July in honour of the Mehri Niknam, executive director of the Joseph 11 Israeli athletes Interfaith Foundation and convener and co-chair of murdered in Munich the Council of Imams and Rabbis, said: “The Council in 1972. The service, of Imams and Rabbis is expanding its work and this at North Hertford- Rabbi Danny Rich was the first time that such an initiative has taken shire Liberal Jewish place. Because of the very positive response the visit Community, included Kaddish, Yizkor and the Hatik- received, the Council is now planning visits to other vah, as well as a special prayer for the occasion - prisons.” written by Woodford Liberal Synagogue’s Rabbi Rabbi Danny Rich, Liberal Judaism’s chief executive, Richard Jacobi - during which the athletes’ Hebrew who was part of the group, said: “This visit of imams names were read, followed by a minute’s silence. and rabbis was an opportunity to demonstrate good Rabbi Rich and the Stevenage community were relations in practice. It surprised some inmates who joined by 21 other Liberal Jewish congregations need to be challenged in their thinking and attitudes.” which also held special prayers for the murdered athletes that Shabbat, praying – in the words of Our Olympic chaplains Rabbi Jacobi – that the victims’ families’ “forty years Rabbis Maurice Michaels and Deborah Kahn- in the wilderness of loss may be helped in some Harris were accredited chaplains to the recently way by the knowledge that so many congregations concluded London Olympic Games. around the world are thinking of them on this Shabbat.”

Liberal Judaism calls for greater effort in interfaith relations In the wake of the recent upset in Jewish/ Anglican relations when the Anglican Synod en- dorsed the World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI), Liberal Judaism’s Board of National Offic- ers is calling on the Board of Deputies of British Jews to redouble its efforts in the field of interfaith relations. Liberal Judaism’s Rabbis Deborah Kahn-Harris and Maurice Michaels chairman, Lucian J Hud- son, and chief executive, Click for news of our UK movements Rabbi Danny Rich, have made a joint statement

in which they lament that Liberal Judaism the rift came at a time of immense progress in interfaith matters. Movement for Liberal Judaism has always placed great emphasis on the im- Weekly D’var Torah portance of interfaith work, and employs an Rabbi Mark Solomon from Leo Baeck interfaith consultant, Click here to read and to Rabbi Mark Solomon, to develop, maintain and subscribe to the weekly D’var build on the movement’s relationships with other Torah from Leo Baeck Col- faiths. lege rabbinical students and Email him at [email protected] . faculty.

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Germany, United Kingdom Rabbi Homolka gives sermon in Chagigah 2012: the happiest Germany’s National Cathedral Reform conference ever Rabbi Professor Dr Walter Homolka, Rector of the Abraham Geiger College, was invited to deliver the sermon on Israel in Germany’s National Cathedral (the former Imperial Chapel) in on Sunday, 12 August. Rabbi Homolka sketched the varied relationship between Judaism and Christianity over the centuries and the lack of tolerance exerted by Christianity even after the enlightenment. In the 19th century, the concept of the “Christian State” proved prohibitive in granting Chagigah 2012 Judaism a somewhat equal position in the theological dialogue. Many Christian theologians held the position Chagigah 2012 saw over 270 people gather in at the time that Jewish theology was not worth giving Northamptonshire over the weekend, celebrating equal academic value and status. This is the reason Reform Judaism together. In the words of Rabbi why both the Breslau Jewish Theological Seminary and Lionel Blue, it was "the happiest Reform confer- the Berlin Lehranstalt für die Wissenschaft des Juden- ence ever," and a strong sense of warmth, pride, tums did not gain access to German universities as the- optimism and inclusion permeated the event - ological departments. which was also the biggest MRJ conference in a Only now decade. has it been Representatives from three quarters of MRJ possible with communities attended Chagigah, which featured the help of wonderful, music-filled services and varied many Christian sessions with inspiring speakers and educators dignitaries to offering learning opportunities for all ages and come to the levels. There were innovative and practical ideas point where a and resources to take back to communities, with Jewish theo- a strong focus on education and learning. logical depart- Shown at the closing of Chagigah 2012, here ment at Pots- is a short film featuring the work of the Movement dam University for Reform Judaism and our 42 communities is about to be across the country. established. View a gallery from Chagigah; you can also This is a late order prints and downloads of photographs. but welcome Read more here. fulfilment of the request of German Parliament supports Rabbi Abra- religious circumcision for boys ham Geiger The World Union for Progressive Judaism, who held the representing 1.8 million Jews in 45 countries opinion that around the world greets with joy and gratitude Jewish eman- the resolution of the German Parliament support- cipation will ing religious circumcision of boys. Such a law will only be com- bring great comfort to Jews around the world, plete after rab- Rabbi Professor Dr Walter Homolka and sends the important message that Jews will binical training preaching in the ‘Berliner Dom’ remain comfortable living in Germany and contin- will have uing to practice our ancient rite of initiation into gained equal status to Christian ministerial training our sacred Covenant with God. within the German university system. The World Union wishes to express its partic- Rabbi Homolka pointed out Schalom Ben-Chorin’s ular gratitude to Chancellor Angela Merkel and reasoning that Judaism needs to learn to cherish God’s those lawmakers who supported her for the sen- revelation in the Christian context as much as sitivity that led to her quick intervention on this Christianity needed to respect God’s everlasting matter. covenant with the Jewish people. On this basis Jews Rabbi Stephen Lewis Fuchs, President, WUPJ and Chrsitians will be able to form an alliance for the Michael Grabiner, Chair, WUPJ betterment of the world (tikkun olam). Leslie Bergman, President, EUPJ This occasion was the first time ever that a rabbi was Dr Philip Bliss, Chair of Advocacy Committee, WUPJ given the privilege to preach from the pulpit of the Sonja Guentner, President, “Berliner Dom”. Union of Progressive Judaism (UPJ), Germany

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Germany 15th anniversary for the Union for Jewish Community of Hamelin Progressive Judaism (UpJ Germany) Fifty days after Passover we celebrated The annual conference of the Union for Progressive Shavuot. As always it was a joy having our Judaism (UpJ Germany) was an exciting celebration of Rabbi, Irit Shillor, who is always eager to join us past achievements, current programs, and a glimpse to in the happiness of the holidays and share with the future of Progressive Judaism in Germany. This us the spirit of the Jewish festivals. On Shavuot tri-lingual conference (in German, Russian, and English) we celebrate the giving of the Ten Command- was held from July 19–22 in Berlin/Spandau, with close ments. which over generations have become the to 230 people gathering to celebrate the 18th annual cornerstone of every modern society. conference marking 15 years of Progressive Judaism in Rabbi Shillor presented each commandment Germany. Over 30 workshops were offered to confer- during our breakfast after morning services, ence participants, as well as inspiring worship services, helping us to find a personal connection to each truly “something for everyone”. one. This offered new dimensions and insights One of the highlights was the opening session on for every participant. We also shared traditional Thursday evening when Dr Jan Muehlstein, a long-time holiday dairy foods, such as cheesecake, adding president of UpJ Germany, and Dr Leo Hepner, a a delicious touch to food for thought. supporter over many years of the Progressive Jewish Our rabbi also took part in the international Communities in Germany and a former Chair of the women's meeting, which our community hosted. European Union for Progressive Judaism (EUPJ), re- The topic was “Moses.” Jewish, Christian and ceived the Israel Jacobson Award for their influential Muslim women exchanged their views on the work on Progressive Judaism in Germany. historic figure Moses, and it was fascinating to hear the different perceptions in each religion. Our community offers every member a place to gather spiritual strength through our Kabbalat Shabbat and Shabbat morning services. Coming into the quiet, peaceful and beautiful sanctuary adds to the joy of Shabbat. Meeting other mem- bers, singing and pray- ing together, and laughing and eating gives us gives us strength for the coming l-r: Dr Verena Muehlstein, Dr Jan Muehlstein, week. Our community Dr Leo Hepner, Regina Neupert-Hepner blossoms with joy when Rabbi Shillor, The World Union was represented by Rabbi Joel rabbinical student Adri- Oseran, VP-International Development, who led several an Schell or community workshops and also spoke at the opening event. Miriam members lead them in Kramer, Chairman of the European Union for Progres- prayer. Therefore, we sive Judaism (EUPJ) and State Secretary of Saxony, Mr invite everyone to join Erhard Weiman also spoke at the opening. us for regular Shabbat Rabbi Oseran, brought greetings to the gathering on prayer! behalf of the World Union's leadership, and praised the The English textile two honourees for their life-long service to Progressive artist Jane Hewison Rabbi Irit Schillor Judaism in Germany, Europe, and throughout the world. visited us in June. "It has been my honour to work with both Jan and Leo Jane’s work graces our synagogue, and her for over 15 years", commented Rabbi Oseran, "two embroidered blue velvet pieces are a delight. On more dedicated, committed and modest role models for this visit she added a new element to our Torah future generations to emulate could not be found. The reading table. Thank you very much, Jane, for EUPJ and the WUPJ have been truly blessed by their your lovely work! presence in our movement." Faina Pelts organized a very interesting According to Irith Michelsohn, UpJ’s executive direc- presentation on “Jews in Bad Pyrmont.” Together tor, “the conference was a huge success, not only in the with our sister community, we learned important interesting and inspiring workshops, but also during the historical facts from city archivist Mr Willicke. breaks the participants had a lot of possibilities to Presentations such as this one remind us that we discuss issues.” The worship services were well- are descendants of Jews who once lived in this attended, and – as is customary in Progressive Jewish very region and were Judaism’s witnesses long conferences – lively and spirited. The next annual con- before us. ference is July 11–14, 2013, also in Spandau/Berlin. Read our full newsletter here. Rachel Dohme

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FSU, Hungary Twinning & Sim Shalom Budapest member Peter other news Radvanszki ordained as rabbi Following up on last month's report on the Members of our Community Connections simcha's of two adult Bar Mitzvah's in Sim Shalom, twinned communities in the UK, Russia, the news this month is of an even bigger simcha, the and Belarus have had a busy year. Each of our 17 ordination of a Sim Shalom member as a Progressive twinnings operates in its own way as there are so rabbi, plus the pro- many possible aspects to these relationships. spect that this will What everyone seems to value is the opportunity it happen again in just gives them to learn about a Progressive Jewish a few years. community in a distant country – to see how On July 1, Peter Shabbat and festivals are celebrated there, to find Radvanszki, having out how the synagogue is run, what activities or completed the rab- study opportunities are available, and of course to binical course of get to know the people there. study at Leo Baeck Some of our UK are able to help by College, was or- collecting and sending items of Judaica or educa- dained as a rabbi in tional materials to their twin communities. Others the West London have fundraised for specific projects such as Synagogue. enabling seminars for lay leaders or youth Peter's parents members to take place, sponsoring Bar/Bat Mitzvah and grandparents Kiddushim, or even contributing to the renovation of were important dilapidated rooms. founding members Rabbi Peter Radvanszki Group visits are very popular and these provide of Sim Shalom Con- a wonderful opportunity to meet and get to know gregation. His grandparents were Holocaust survi- twinned community members. In April, a large vors. The meeting in 1992, where it was decided to group from apply for government recognition of the community as Maiden- an association, was held in his grandparent's flat. So head visit- Peter grew up in the middle of the early development ed Lviv, of Sim Shalom. Ukraine; in After graduating from the Gymnasium of the June a Lauder Jewish Day School, Peter earned a university group from degree as an electrical engineer and then turned Odessa slowly toward Jewish studies. He first studied in came on a Israel, learning Hebrew on a kibbutz and then turning memorable to more serious Jewish studies at Pardes in return visit Jerusalem. Following that he was accepted at the Leo to their Baeck College in London, which has trained many of twin com- the rabbis of the Progressive movement in Europe, munity in “Clowning around” at Beit Simcha in including our own Rabbi Kelemen. As a practical part Minsk (Photo: Trenton Talbot) Edgware. of his studies, he often led services at various And last synagogues in London. And then during the past month, Rabbi Sasha Lyskovoy and Rabbi Leonid year, Peter served as the rabbi of the Progressive Bimbat, two -based rabbis who both trained congregation in Toulouse, France, gaining further ex- originally at the Leo Baeck College in London were perience. Soon there will be more information about hosted at the Middlesex New Synagogue (MNS). Peter on Sim Shalom’s website, www.sim-shalom.org MNS has links with the Moscow communities and is And, as if producing one new rabbi were not now looking to develop these further, so they were enough for such a small congregation, Armin Langer delighted to meet the two guest rabbis over announced at his Bar Mitzvah last month that he in- Shabbat. tends to enroll next year in the rabbinical program at There are many small communities in Russia, the Abraham Geiger College in Berlin, which also Belarus and Ukraine who would love to have a trains Reform rabbis. So in another 5-6 years we can twinning link with a European synagogue communi- expect that another freshly minted rabbi will appear ty. Please can visit our website and read our on the European scene to help rebuild the greater newsletters at http://www.eupj.org/exodus-2000 or Jewish community that was so nearly destroyed contact us at [email protected] for more in the Shoah. information. We look forward to hearing from you. Sim Shalom is very proud to be contributing in this Ann Etkind way to the revival of Jewish religion, culture and life in Community Connections National Co-ordinator Europe. Jess Weil

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Poland Hundreds experience new Jewish collaboration of Beit Krakow artists based on true stories of Beit Krakow members and friends dealing culture in Poland through the Beit with the complexity of the Polish-Jewish reality and Krakow Progressive Community Jewish identity in today’s Poland. The 22nd Festival of Jewish Culture – the In addition to Rina Schenfeld's peformance, the largest European Jewish culture festival – took audience also had the opportunity to experience this place in July in Krakow, Poland. This was not the unique artist during two lectures and a dance work- first time that Beit Kraków participated in this festival, but it was the first time that progressive services were officially included and advertised in the Festival program along with Orthodox services. The two Shabbatot of the Festival drew over 800 people who celebrated Progressive Shabbatot in Krakow and helped inaugurate Beit Krakow’s new project – the Musical Shabbat, which was joined by visiting NFTY groups. The Musical Shabbat project aims to create spiritual musical reflections deeply rooted in chazanut, texts and contemporary music.

Rina Shenfeld with captivated audience in Krakow. Photo by Elzbieta Schonfeld

shop. Beit Krakow's initiative to invite Rina to Poland in celebration of her 70 years on the stage was pos- sible thanks to the support of the Israeli Embassy. Beit Krakow’s participation in the Festival was very successful in gaining the recognition for the community by the organizers and partners and in creating interest from the Polish and international audience in the rich program we put together. Encouraged by these successes Beit Krakow is increasing efforts to secure the future and long-term sustainability of the Jewish Progressive community Musical Shabbat with Rabbi Tanya Segal and the in Krakow and will focus its energies on raising funds Mojse Band in Galicia Museum. Click for YouTube clip to renovate the Beit Midrash and turn it into a home for community life, living Judaism, modern Jewish During the Festival, Beit Krakow (with the art, and creative study. To join us in our efforts support of the L A Pincus Fund for Jewish please contact us at [email protected] and Education in the Diaspora) presented Midrash Lab, become part of the Jewish renewal in Krakow! Any which comprised five modern art midrashim support makes a great difference here. (interpretations) conceived by young Jewish Beit Krakow artists via drama, photography, film, music and graphic arts and corresponding to one of the Five Megilot. The installation was shown in the unique space of the Galicia Jewish Museum, with each midrash set in its own niche and also forming a dialogue with the other installations. The audience experienced the Eikha through music, the Book of Ruth through a film, paintings entitled "The Words of Kohelet in Images", photographs relating to the Song of Songs, and an actress improvising on themes from Esther. The Midrash Theatre segment included two performances: "To dance with Chopin in Galicia" by Israeli dance legend Rina Schenfeld, in which the famous 73-year-old Israeli dancer and choreographer of Polish roots brought unmatched energy and artistic skill that transformed the space of the Galicia Museum into a world of dance and Future appearance of the Beit Midrash in Krakow poetry – and "The Mysteries of My Grandma" – a

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Poland, Belgium Summer at Beit Warszawa Rabbi Gil Nativ and Zivah Nativ In July we had the pleasure to present Gosia arrive in Poland Margalit Kordowicz with a The Boards of certificate confirming her Beit Warszawa and graduation from the second Beit Polska are year of the lay cantor’s proud to announce program. From now on, that on August 13 Gosia will be able to lead we welcomed Rab- not only Shabbat services, bi Gil Nativ and his but also other High Holy Days celebrations. We are wife Zivah. We look very proud of her and wish her all the best in her forward to their studies in the Jewish Theological Seminary. work with us over Mimi Sheffer, Cantor, Shatz.pl the next three years and perhaps, beyond. With Rabbi Nativ's arrival we open a new chap- ter in the history of Progressive Juda- Rabbi Gil Nativ ism in Poland. We express our thanks to Rabbi Burt Schuman for his work. Rabbi Schuman continues to follow our activities from his new home in Pittsburgh, PA. Rabbi Nativ is an accomplished teacher and congregational leader. Among his specialties is his teaching of Talmud. For many years he taught rabbinical students at the Reform movement's Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati and Jerusalem and the Masorti-Conservative movement's University of Judaism (now, American Jewish University) in Los Angeles. He has led Israeli and American congrega- Rabbi David Seidenberg at the tions in both movements. Mrs Nativ is an accom- March of Remembrance plished teacher specializing in Hebrew language and in teaching children with learning challenges. We also had the wonderful opportunity to host The Nativs are avid folk dancers and active in the Rabbi David Seidenberg in Beit Warszawa. Rabbi work of Limmud. During the month of July the Nativs Seidenberg held Step by Step and Shatz.pl classes, were preparing to move to Warsaw. Rabbi Nativ also as well as Shabbat and Tisha b’Av services in attended the prestigious Hartman Seminar in which many had the chance to participate. On July Jerusalem. 22, the anniversary of the beginning of the We welcome them and wish them every success deportations from the Warsaw Ghetto, he took part in their work. Piotr Stasiak in the March of Remembrance organized by the Chair, Fundacja Beit Warszawa Jewish Historical Institute. Jewish Progressive Community of Poland

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Italy, Switzerland, of Milan

Liberal Jews in Switzerland The Platform of Liberal Jews in Switzerland (www.liberaljews.ch) is the national organization representing our constituent Progressive Jewish communities in Switzerland and is active in all matters affecting the public position on Liberal Judaism in Switzerland. In its July newsletter it summarised recent Yad Vashem seeks Dutch items activities together with other Jewish organizations for identifying and archiving  meeting with the Swiss supermarket chain Migros The Yad Vashem, The Holocaust Martyrs' and re contentious labelling issues of West Bank / Heroes' Remembrance Authority in Jerusalem, is Palestinian products looking for reels of film taken in Holland between  meeting with government representatives on 1933 and 1945, Jewish or not. issues of religious freedom, laws on asylum, The Yad Vashen films archive seeks materials security about Jewish communities, shops, people known as  Inter-religious dialogue with Swiss women’s Jewish, family films, ceremonies, parties, holidays – organizations or anything else. From these reels we hope to find  communication with the President of the Interna- Jewish persons’ names and identify them. tional Olympic Committee (based in Switzerland) We really need your help to spread this request on recognizing the terrorist attack on Israeli for this great purpose. Please send all replies to athletes at the Munich Olympic Games in 1972, [email protected] by a minute’s silence at the London Games Sima Moass, Yad Yashem Films Archive Leslie Bergman, President, EUPJ

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