European Union for Progressive Judaism January 2016 Newsletter © European Union for Progressive Judaism Dr Leo Hepner, 1930 - 2015 He was both President of his congregation, West Central Liberal Synagogue, as well as shaliach In Memoriam tzibur, leading services. Our past Chairman, Leo In his EUPJ activities Leo was associated with the Hepner died suddenly early development of post-war liberal Judaism in and unexpectedly on th Germany – which was recognised by his receiving November 25 . Leo was the Israel Jakobsohn Prize. Leo had a particularly Chairman of the EUPJ close relationship with the Hanover Liberal (then called the European Congregation and the Progressive community of Region of the WUPJ) Copenhagen, Shir Hatzafon. In recent years Leo was from 1998 to 2004. His active on behalf of the EUPJ in developmental colleagues and friends activities in Spain. share with his wife Leo was fluent in half dozen languages and could Regina and his siblings a get by in others. He and Regina, whom he married in profound sense of loss. 2006, were deeply involved in every form of cultural Leo was a highly distinc- activity. A visit to their flat is an immersion into art, tive individual whose literature and music. Some years ago Leo decided to presence was always search for the picture of his maternal grandfather keenly felt; sadly now so painted in the early 1920s by the eminent German will his absence. artist, Lovis Corinth. This painting had disappeared Leo Hepner z”l Leo was born in Leipzig in the Nazi era. Leo found this picture and into a deeply orthodox presented it to his mother for her 100th birthday, just family. His parents brought their family to Britain via in time, as she died a few weeks later. Switzerland in 1939 - fortuitously his father had Leo played the viola. – that understated instrument, established a branch of the family fur business in so fitting to his character. He knew his Bach, London, and this provided access to Britain when it Beethoven and Brahms, but for Leo this was “pre- became necessary to leave Germany. Leo was music”. Real music began with the contemporary educated in London, ending with a PhD in Chemistry composers of the second half of the 20th century. In from Imperial College. He practiced as a chemical music, Leo checked in where we check out. He and engineer with his own consultancy in the Regina sponsored a festival of contemporary biochemical field. He was a world authority on chamber music every two years, initially in fermentation processes in the food industry and had Switzerland, now in Germany. clients in many countries. Even when he “retired” he The term “Renaissance man” is overused and mostly received requests for specialised advice and under- flattery. In Leo’s case it was “the real McCoy”. Add to took those projects which he felt to be interesting that his utterly distinctive personality – a central and challenging. European intellectual rigour overlaid with British In my many discussions with Leo, I neglected to ask whimsical self-effacement and the occasional him what drew him away from his orthodox upbring- sprinkling of schoolboyish mischief – and you have ing to Liberal Judaism. It somehow seemed a non the truly unforgettable character that was Leo sequitur. To Leo, Liberal Judaism was authentic and Hepner, and whom we will dearly miss. We share unapologetic. He could read the Torah scroll and our loss with Regina, who was always at his side at discourse on Jewish teachings and teachers (as a EUPJ events, and extend to her our hand of ongoing boy he was tutored daily before school in Hebrew friendship. Leslie Bergman, January 2016 and Jewish studies). Register now for early bird rates. 14-17 April in London Click here and see page 3 for more information. EUPJ Newsletter January 2016 1 EUPJ EUPJ Honorary Officers We want your photos! and Staff 2015 Almost every day we receive emails containing the wonderful news stories which you read in this newsletter. We are very Honorary Life Presidents grateful, and do our best to include as many stories as Jeffery Rose possible, and at least to represent every EUPJ community Ruth Cohen that sends news. We also receive excellent stories from President outside our European region, and regrettably it is impossible Leslie Bergman to include them. Vice-Presidents A number of news stories and newsletters arrive without Alex Dembitz photographs, so this is a special request to please send Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein photos to [email protected] or [email protected]. Sonja Guentner Many times it is necessary to search the web for pictures of Rabbi Dr Walter Homolka guest rabbis, and we would much prefer photographs of your Rabbi Dr Deborah Kahn-Harris community events with the rabbi and your members. Anyone Jonathan Lewis can send photos, this is not a leadership function. Whenever Félix Mosbacher your EUPJ community has a newsworthy event, ask Gordon Smith whomever is there with a camera or smart phone to mail one Chairman or more snapshots. They will be thanked personally and can Miriam Kramer be mentioned as photographer if desired. Our newsletter and Vice-Chairmen the entire EUPJ community will benefit. Stéphane Beder Arthur Buchman, Editor Michael Reik Honorary Secretary Letters John Cohen Just wanted to say what a great issue this was. Leslie Honorary Treasurer Bergman’s report on the award to Angela Merkel by Geiger David Pollak College was absolutely excellent. Many thanks for all the EUPJ Rabbinic Adviser hard work to produce such an excellent newsletter. Rabbi Ruven Bar-Ephraim Judy Smith Administrator Deborah Grabiner [email protected] Newsletter Editor Good news for Catholics and Jews Arthur Buchman [email protected] A pronouncement against converting Jews came in a major Gillian Thomas, Assistant Editor Catholic document released in December 2015 by the Vatican’s Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews. It was issued to mark the 50th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, a See the EUPJ website: www.eupj.org. declaration promulgated in 1965 by the Second Vatican Subscribe to the EUPJ Newsletter here. Council that opened the door to formal Catholic-Jewish dialogue. Read & download EUPJ Newsletter A new Vatican document, titled “The Gifts and Calling of God archives in English and French here. are Irrevocable,” discussed at length how Christianity is Send us your feedback here. rooted in Judaism. Because of this, it said, the Church is “obliged to view evangelisation to Jews, who believe in the one God, in a different manner from that to people of other Synagogues everywhere religions and world views.” It added, “In concrete terms this Progressive congregations and Shabbat means that the Catholic Church neither conducts nor services can be found nearly supports any specific institutional mission work directed everywhere during your travels. Click on a towards Jews.” blue link to find a synagogue near your destination: Europe — Worldwide Please support Friends of Progressive Judaism in Israel and Europe. They support us. www.fpjie.org.uk ATID, Barcelona EUPJ Newsletter January 2016 2 EUPJ European Union for Progressive Judaism Biennial Conference Less than three months to go and there are just This is not a Conference that anyone should a few days before the early bird rate ends on miss. We’ve tasted the food, chosen the menus 31st January. Nearly 200 delegates from over 16 and settled the venues. We’ve also selected the countries have already made the decision to workshop titles that you have asked for. Never attend the historic first EUPJ Biennial before have we received so many offers to Conference in London and we confidently participate in and talk about subjects that you expect more than 300 want to discuss, learn about and debate. Click here or on any picture to go to the registration page. Is Anti-Semitism on the rise and if so, how can we combat this threat? Should we give greater emphasis to interfaith relationships, and how can Christians, Muslims and Jews work together? How do we define our identity, and what unites and divides us? How can we make Judaism attractive to young people and persuade them to engage in Jewish communal life? How important is it to achieve a true lay leader-rabbinic partnership to ensure sustainable communities? These are just five of the many topics that we’ll be considering during a packed programme which offers something for everyone. For more of the highlights go to page 4. A glittering opening ceremony at the Guildhall and traditions, there will be an innovative Lunch with all the pomp and pageantry that is unique and Learn – with food and topics both tasty and to London will launch a weekend which will easy to digest. Tours to the City of London and celebrate the World Union’s 90th anniversary in its West End as well as the Museum District and the very city in which it was born as well as the to Westminster Synagogue to see the priceless 60th anniversary of Europe’s oldest rabbinic collection of Czech scrolls should guarantee college named after one of our most charismatic that nobody should be lost for something to do and inspirational rabbinic leaders, Leo Baeck. before Havdalah and an evening which On Shabbat afternoon, after our service which promises to be surprisingly entertaining will be a celebration of our many nationalities (remember Dresden?) In response to popular demand we have also added another option to the wide selection of registration choices by offering a combined ticket to attend the opening ceremony and the Kabbalat Shabbat service and dinner for £150, a discount of 25% on the price of attending each event separately.