European Union for Progressive Judaism June-July 2014 Newsletter © European Union for Progressive Judaism President ’s A prayer for the three kidnapped message yeshiva students In my opening address Late Thursday night, June 12, terrorists kidnapped at our recent conference three yeshiva students near a hitchhiking point in in Dresden I made Gush Etzion, south of Jerusalem. In response Israeli reference to positive security forces have launched a massive m anhunt progress in the area which continues to this day. As the search for the of recognition of abducted boys intensified some 25,000 people the legitimacy of attended a mass prayer rally Sunday night June 15 at Progressive Judaism - Jerusalem's Western Wall for the kidnapped teenagers. both within the general Jewish community and in relationships with Leslie Bergman the State. I particularly referred to the important recent ruling of the European Court of Human Rights, which ruled that discrimination by the Hungarian Government against our affiliates in Hungary was illegal and ordered the Hungarian Government to take steps to remedy the situation. I am happy to report that this process has already started. Since then there have been new events - positive, negative and worrying - in the “recognition” arena. Positive: The British Board of Deputies, the Eyal Yifrach, Naftali Frenkel and Gil-ad Shaar umbrella organisation of British Jewry (equivalent The World Union for Progressive Judaism and the to CRIF in France and the Zentralrat in Germany) European Union for Progressive Judaism, along with has just appointed a prominent Liberal Jew as its the entire State of Israel and Jews around the world, next Chief Executive. Gillian Merron is on the pray for the safe return of Gil-ad Shaar (16) from Executive Board of Liberal Judaism. This Talmon, Naftali Frenkel (16) a dual Israeli-American appointment – a woman, a prominent Liberal Jew, citizen from Nof Ayalon, and Eyal Yifrach (19) from appointed to the most senior professional position Elad to the warmth of their families. in British Jewry, could not have happened a We hope that you will consider reading the following decade ago. prayer at an upcoming service, based upon the Negative: A prominent New York Haredi Rabbi suggestion of our Israeli Progressive rabbinic made a speech in which he said that Reform and colleagues (MARAM). See the prayer text in Hebrew here. Conservative Judaism were ”not Jewish”, would soon be forgotten and consigned to the “dustbin of May this prayer and supplication be heard by You, the Jewish history.” Quite frankly – who cares what Eternal our God and God of our ancestors. May the people of that ilk say. These views are not new, kidnapped boys, Eyal Yifrach, Gil-Ad Shaar and Naftali they are un-Jewish and bigoted, and we should not Frenkel be returned home, in peace and in full health, respond; that is the appropriate way of treating to their families and loved ones. Help and sustain all them with the contempt they deserve. those entrusted with the task of finding the captives, Worrying: Some years ago I was part of a delegation removing them from danger and returning them to of WUPJ leadership that called on the then safety. We pray that you hear our voices and the President of Israel who had previously indicated prayers of all who seek peace and justice, life and that whereas he had no problem with Reform loving-kindness. Jews, he could not bring himself to call a Reform Praised are You, O God, who redeems the captives. Amen. rabbi “Rabbi” because he practiced “the Judaism I learnt in the court of my father”. He is presently Rabbi Daniel H Freelander, WUPJ President-Elect serving a prison sentence for rape. A few years Michael Grabiner, WUPJ Chairman later I was part of a similar delegation calling on Leslie Bergman, EUPJ President the then Prime Minister who started off by berating Miriam Kramer, EUPJ Chairman continued on page 2 EUPJ Newsletter June-July 2014 1 EUPJ EUPJ Honorary Faith in Action conference on line Officers and We are delighted to invite you to visit EUPJ’s website by clicking here to view some of the speeches, sermons and PR Staff 2014 materials from our Dresden conference. To access photographs of the event, please click on the following two Honorary Life Presidents links. The first link contains photographs taken by Tobias Jeffery Rose Tanzyna/Hocktkultur who was employed by the EUPJ and Ruth Cohen the second link contains photographs taken by Tobias President Barniske for Abraham Geiger College. When using any Leslie Bergman photograph, please credit the photographer. Vice-Presidents A short video from the conference is also available here and Alex Dembitz can also be downloaded direct from YouTube . Sonja Guentner Also please note that the EUPJ Annual Report is on the Rabbi Dr Walter Homolka website here. Deborah Grabiner, Administrator Rabbi Dr Deborah Kahn-Harris Jonathan Lewis Félix Mosbacher President’s message continued Gordon Smith us for some position or other that our American movement Chairman had taken which he did not like. He has just been sentenced Miriam Kramer to imprisonment for bribery and corruption. Vice-Chairmen The new President of Stéphane Beder the State of Israel is to Willem Koster be Reuven Rivlin. In his Michael Reik time as Speaker of the Honorary Secretary Knesset, President-elect John Cohen Rivlin won plaudits Honorary Treasurer for his open-mindedness David Pollak and recognition of the EUPJ Rabbinic Adviser validity of all streams of Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein political expression. This Administrator pluralistic approach has Deborah Grabiner [email protected] not as yet extended to President-elect Reuven Rivlin Newsletter Editor the religious arena, Arthur Buchman [email protected] where Mr Rivlin, a secular Jew, is on record with remarks on Reform Judaism that are highly offensive and quite Visit the EUPJ website at www.eupj.org. unacceptable. Following his election Mr Rivlin made a statement that might Subscribe to the EUPJ Newsletter here. indicate that he may now hold broader views on the question Read & download EUPJ Newsletter of the legitimacy of all steams of Judaism. We congratulate archives in English and French here. Mr Rivlin on his election to this high office, one that is seen as having a symbolic leadership role for world Jewry. We Read the Community hope that in the months ahead, in both word and deed, Mr Connections Newsletter here. Rivlin will need give no concern that in welcoming a future Send us your feedback here. delegation of WUPJ leadership, he will do so with the full respect that the holder of the highest office in the State of Israel must accord to all streams of Judaism – particularly the Synagogues everywhere largest with its international headquarters in Jerusalem. Progressive Shabbat Leslie Bergman services can be found nearly every- where during your Judaica Europeana Jewish collections online travels. Click on a Click here for the Judaica Europeana blue link to find a Newsletter with news and collection synagogue near your highlights from our network of heritage destination. institutions. Europe Jüdische Liberale Gemeinde Emet Please support Worldwide weSchalom Nordhessen Friends of Progressive Judaism in Israel and Europe. EUPJ Newsletter takes a holiday They support us. Our next issue will be in August. Have a www.fpjie.org.uk good summer! Arthur Buchman, Editor EUPJ Newsletter June-July 2014 2 EUPJ, WUPJ, Israel Israel Mattuck The Inspirational Voice of Liberal Judaism Rabbi Danny Rich's book about Israel Mattuck is now available. To order your copy please call Chris at the Montagu Centre on +44 (0)20 7580 1663. Bridges on the Elbe Reflections on “Faith in Action” European Union for Progressive Judaism Conference in Dresden This lyrical reflection on the European Union for Progressive Judaism conference "Faith in Action" conveys some experiences of our 11-person delegation. Summer seminar July 20-31 This summer the Daniel Centers for Progressive Judaism, the leading Reform institution in the Tel Beit Polksa delegation in Dresden Aviv–Jaffa area, is teaming up with BINA Center for The powerful experience of recovering an Jewish Identity and Hebrew Culture in a new awareness of the great diversity in the Jewish two -week seminar. This seminar will bring to life people as well as the clashing of ideas opens the current critical social issues facing Israeli society and path to a profound sense of connection. Thanks to matters of Judaism and social justice for Jewish our delegation who represented us so strongly. educators, leaders, rabbis and rabbinical students We are grateful to the EUPJ for extending to Beit from all denominations and affiliations. Polska formal recognition as the umbrella We offer the opportunity to live in Tel Aviv-Jaffa and organisation for Progressive Judaism in Poland. We learn from some of are now nine communities. Israel’s top scholars From the bridge over the river Elbe I fell head over including our own heels in love with my people, yet again. One Jew, Senior Rabbi Meir overawed, grateful to God for enabling the words in Azari. Experience it our mouths. Read the full blog here. all through hands- Rabbi Haim Dov Beliak on volunteering as well as encounters with Israelis and enjoyable educational Daniel Center residence tours. Over the fortnight, participants will delve into topics including social justice through both ancient and modern lenses, while simultaneously completing social action. Please contact Yonatan Sacker with any question, big or small at [email protected]. More information here. Download an application here. EUPJ Newsletter June-July 2014 3 Belgium, France EUPJ Newsletter en français Click here for the French edition of past EUPJ Newsletters, translated by Celia Naval. Being Indian, Being Israeli Bringing Out a Voice of Hope Kehilat Gesher with the Liberal Despite our shock and utter Jewish Community - Ile de desolation at the murderous France and J'OSE held a attack at the Jewish Museum special joint event in English at the Maayan Centre on June in Brussels, in its immediate st aftermath our community 1 at 5:30.