ljtoday

March/April 2017
VOL. XLIV No. 2

Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the

World Union for Progressive Judaism

www.liberaljudaism.org

Refugee plan goes global Rabbi Lionel Blue

A
PROJECT
by South
London
Liberal
Synagogue
(SLLS) to turn
part of the
shul into a
flat to house
a refugee
family has won
attention and
support across the UK, Europe and Israel.
The community is working hard to raise
£50,000 in order to refurbish a disused
caretaker’s flat, which will then house a
family from Syria. The project is called
Abraham’s Tent, recalling the Midrash:
“Abraham always kept all four sides of his
tent open, for guests to easily enter.”
After The Observer ran a story on
the plan, SLLS was also featured by
publications including The Evening
Standard, Haaretz, The Times of Israel,
The Independent and Huffington Post, as
well as papers in Germany and France.
(1930 - 2016)
SLLS chair Alice Alphandary (pictured
left) wrote a powerful opinion piece for
the euronews website, saying: “Our
members have parents and grandparents
who themselves were refugees. This
motivates so many of the project team,
myself included, as my own father was a
refugee from Egypt in the 1950s.
“One project team member has a
grandfather who was a Kindertransport
child, put up by Christians in a church in
Durham. Another team member has a
grandmother who fled Nazi Germany in
the 1930s thanks to a Birmingham couple
who employed her as a housekeeper. She
was later able to arrange safe passage
for her brother, who was just a child, and
then her parents. LIBERAL JUDAISM is remembering
“There is a strong sense among us that Rabbi Lionel Blue OBE, a pioneering
if Britain had not provided sanctuary to rabbi, teacher and media star.
our families, we would not be alive today. Lionel was a mentor to so many,
And we are now determined to show that both through his role lecturing at Leo
welcome to others.” Baeck College and his own example.
As the first British rabbi publicly
• To donate to this important project, to come out as gay, in 1980, Lionel
please visit cafdonate.cafonline.org/5968 paved the way for many others.
Rabbi Charley Baginsky said:
“Lionel’s courage and pioneering
spirit have created a more equal
Judaism, and a more equal world.”

Picture by Ajamu of fineartphotography

• WE APOLOGISE that some communities

will be receiving this edition of lj today
around two weeks later than planned.
This is due to a burst water pipe at
Liberal Judaism’s head office, which
ruined many copies and meant a reprint
LIBERAL JUDAISM’S senior rabbi, Rabbi Danny Rich (pictured second from was required. We hope you are still able
right), helped to rededicate a plaque commemorating the Kindertransport in the to enjoy the news and views inside.
Houses of Parliament. Danny joined Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Archbishop of The office will remain closed until
Canterbury Justin Welby, the Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow, Pesach. Staff are working from home
Lord (Alf) Dubs and Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, the senior rabbi of Masorti and can be contacted via email or mobile.
Judaism, at the event, which took place on Holocaust Memorial Day. For general enquiries, email montagu@
liberaljudaism.org or call 07375 817 190.
Page 2 LJ Today Day of Celebration
Lord Dubs to speak at Day of Celebration
Get the latest news and information on Liberal Judaism’s biggest event of 2017
Keynote speakers
Liberal Judaism is delighted to announce
that Lord (Alf) Dubs and Susie Orbach
will be the keynote speakers at this year’s
Day of Celebration - held at Northwood
& Pinner Liberal Synagogue (NPLS) on
Sunday June 11 from 9:30 to 16:30.
Lord Dubs, a Kindertransport child,
has done an incredible job campaigning
for the rights of child refugees. With
his Dubs Amendment – to allow 3,000
unaccompanied children into the
UK – recently being reversed by the
Government his, and our, fight is now
more vital than ever. Lord Dubs will
speak about the campaign and how it was
inspired by his own experiences.
Susie Orbach is a psychotherapist,
writer and co-founder of The Women’s
Therapy Centre. She is the author of
numerous books including Fat is a
Feminist Issue, her first book, which has
been continuously in print since 1978. Her
most recent book In Therapy is based on
her acclaimed BBC Radio 4 series.
Theme
The theme for this year’s Day of
Celebration – ‘Is Liberal Judaism Political
Judaism?’ – will inspire many discussions
throughout the event, and beyond.
The great parliamentarian Edmund
Burke famously said: “The only thing
necessary for the triumph of evil is for
good men to do nothing.” We Liberal
Jews are particularly concerned with the
triumph of good over evil, adding to a
social conscience and common humanity,
a particular theology that helps us define
a purpose for our lives.
It is difficult to separate politics from
virtually every aspect of society. Our Day
of Celebration will explore, amongst
much more, how Liberal Judaism
intersects with the politics of care and
the politics of sport; how politics is
part of our identity as an individual and
community. There will be those who will
contend that politics is fun, and others
who question whether politics and
religion should mix at all. And there’s a
question we will be posing throughout - is
merely being Jewish a political act?
Youth
LJY-Netzer has, in various incarnations,
been running youth events for the last 70
years, and counts among its alumni many
of the voices of today’s Liberal movement.
But what is it like to be at an LJY-
Netzer event? Come on the Day of
Celebration and get the chance to a be
a participant for a day, in a camp-style
session, run by our youth leaders.
Art exhibition
It is a well-known adage that Jews are
‘People of the Book’. It turns out that
some of us are not too shabby as people
of the canvas – or whatever other media
we choose to work with – either. There
are so many great works exploring our
traditions, history and culture, and our
personal Jewish identity.
That’s why we now invite you to submit
your work, based on the event’s theme
or even just being part of the Liberal
Judaism family, which we will then
exhibit in the NPLS Etz Chayim Gallery
throughout the Day of Celebration.
This exhibition space will be dedicated
to works by members of all Liberal
Judaism communities and, depending on
size, it should be possible to hang around
25 pieces.
We will also be collecting photos
and videos from all our communities
to highlight the range and depth of our
activities and our tradition of inclusivity.
Do also share them with us.
For more details, please contact Tom
on montagu@liberaljudaism.org
Tickets
Tickets for the Liberal Judaism Day of
Celebration cost £35 for adults and £15
for students and children. A family ticket
(for two adults and up to three children)
can be purchased for £70. Lunch is
provided and there are travel subsidies
available for those outside London.
Tickets can be purchased now from
www.doc2017.eventbrite.co.uk
More than just a day
This year we will be hosting a whole
weekend of celebration, for those who
desire it. Everyone is invited to an
Erev Shabbat at Finchley Progressive
Synagogue, showcasing Shir Brittania,
while a special event exploring and
sharing Liberal Jewish music will take
place on Saturday at NPLS.
As reported in the last lj today,
multimedia musical sci-fi production
2067 - Hard New World will be performed
at 7pm on Saturday and Sunday nights in
the Methodist Church next door to NPLS.
March/April 2017
Celebrating Liberal Jewish Music
For those who are looking to make a
weekend of it, tickets are now available
for the first Liberal Jewish Music
Celebration Day, taking place on Saturday
June 10 at Northwood & Pinner Liberal
Synagogue and costing £20 for adults and
£10 for children. Tickets can be bought
from www.tinyurl.com/ljmusic
The programme includes an
opportunity to learn and perform the
winning entries from the Liberal Judaism
Music Composition Competition, a song-
writing skills session with Dean Staker,
classic and creative choir workshops,
sharing ideas and resources and more.
We will also be preparing pieces to
perform at the Day of Celebration, the
next day. If you are travelling from outside
London, accommodation can be arranged
with NPLS members. Please contact Ruth
Colin on music@npls.org.uk for details.
A final word
The extract below, from the Liberal
Judaism Affirmation 23, indicates that,
without a doubt, Liberal Judaism is
political Judaism. It is however up to
each one of us to decide on our level
of engagement. We would like you to
consider the following:
“As Liberal Jews we constantly
question. We have a sense of purpose and
are engaged in community life and social
action… Walking in the footsteps of the
Prophets we can be constructive irritants
to the mainstream… We engage with
society as we find it and lead from the
front… We have been an active participant
in all of the key intellectual, political and
religious discussions of British Jewry
over the last 100 years.”
Whether you agree, disagree or don’t
know how you feel, we encourage you to
join us to listen, learn and participate.
ENTRIES for the Liberal Judaism
Music Composition Competition
close on May 11. Liberal Judaism
officer Graham Carpenter said:
“The judges are looking for music
that really captures our sense of
a holy community, that drives our
spirituality, and elevates us to the
next level at the forefront of the
dynamic, cutting edge of Judaism.”
For details, and to enter, email
g.carpenter@liberaljudaism.org
March/April 2017
70 years of Liberal Jewish youth
Liberal Judaism youth at camp in 2016 (left) and conference in 1956 (above right), and Rabbi Lionel Blue at a World Union youth event in 1957
ON January 19, 1947 a meeting was held
that would establish a national Liberal
Jewish youth movement. Although it
has gone through many variations and
names, the movement now known as
LJY-Netzer has had a profound influence
on thousands of lives. Here, four Liberal
Jewish leaders give their reflections:
Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Liberal
Judaism’s director of strategy and
partnerships: “So much of where I am
today began with what was then called
ULPSNYC Netzer. It was my first taste
of what it meant to be Jewish 24/7. It
gave me friends, rabbis and teachers.
Dynamic leaders taught me about Jewish
philosophy, theology and practice in
ways which were accessible, relevant
and exciting and made me want to know
more. But even more than all of that it
made me understand why I was a Liberal
Jew and committed me to wanting to be
part of an inspiring movement.”
Liberal Jew to Undiscovered history at the LJS
chair Limmud
LIBERAL JUDAISM’S Abigail Jacobi will
be co-chair of Limmud Conference 2017.
Working alongside Anna Lawton, Abigail
will be responsible for the overall event
through the management of the team
who make it happen.
Abigail said: “Anna and I are really
excited to be collaborating again after co-
chairing the families team in 2015. Having
both grown up attending Limmud events,
our shared vision is strongly influenced
by the Limmud values and our passion for
the organisation.”
BBC presenter Jo Coburn: “I joined when
I was 12 years old and it was a formative
part of my growing up. The religious
side of all the youth activities was more
of a backdrop to a vibrant social and
cultural scene. I cut my teeth debating
politics, religion, social affairs and other
issues with my peers on weekends away,
summer camps and educational trips to
Israel. I learnt how to run conferences,
put together charitable campaigns and
become a reasonable public speaker…
preparing me well for later life. I made
friends for life, had many memorable
experiences and learnt the importance of
building a community. Most of all, I had a
bloody great time.”
Walter Woyda, the first chair of the first
Liberal youth movement, writing in
1997: “What effect did it have on me? It
certainly helped to give me confidence
in public, to gain leadership experience
and to meet and work with many fine,
A VIRTUALLY unseen archive from 1914-
1918, belonging to The Liberal Jewish
Synagogue (LJS), has been brought into
public view for the first time in a century.
It is running on the The Heritage
Lottery Fund’s London Jews in the First
World War: We Were There Too project
website at www.jewsfww.london
In the late 1980s, former honorary
archivist at the LJS, Sharon Lewison,
discovered two bound manuscripts of
stories, essays, poetry and drawings
compiled by young people during 1915/6.
After the war, the books were lost for
decades until she found them.
News LJ Today Page 3
like-minded young people. It was very
rewarding to see the growth of an exciting
youth movement and eventually seeing
many of my contemporaries fulfil their
promise by becoming the leaders of
congregations and of Liberal Judaism.”
Current LJY-Netzer movement worker
Hannah Stephenson: “Our members and
volunteers constantly inspire me to make
the change I want to see in the movement
and the world. As a movement, for the
last 70 years, we have been unafraid to
make bold choices and live a life through
the lens of our Liberal Jewish values.
We have also played a key role in the
global Progressive youth movement. We
are now going to spend 2017 celebrating
this wonderful anniversary – with alumni
events and programmes at our camps.”
• Thanks to Bryan Diamond and Rosita
Rosenberg for their help securing archive
material and photos for this article.
Eventually, having been restored, the
volumes were returned to secure boxes
where they have remained until now.
The books are now part of an archive
which, back in 2013, the National Archive
at Kew deemed “a crucial source for the
history of modern Judaism.”
The LJS’s Rabbi Alexandra Wright,
commented: “Hostilities, whether
between warring gangs, adults or
countries, inevitably impact on children.
These extraordinary volumes reveal
the views and thoughts of young LJS
Londoners a century ago. We should
listen to their voices.”
Page 4 LJ Today Communities
Compassion in times of horror
Rabbi Pete Tobias on his community’s Kabbalat Torah programme
TRADITIONALLY a Kabbalat Torah
ceremony would take place on the
festival of Shavuot, since this was the
occasion when the Israelites made their
commitment to God and the Torah at
Mount Sinai.
In our times, however, the pressures of
school exams have made this unsuitable
and, here at The Liberal Synagogue
Elstree (TLSE), we made the decision
to hold it on the Shabbat closest to
National Holocaust Memorial Day and the
liberation of Auschwitz.
This timing dictates the focus of the
Kabbalat Torah course, which looks at
aspects of the Holocaust, but always
concentrates on an element of this
horrific time that demonstrates the
potential for human compassion.
In the months leading up to the
Kabbalat Torah service, Amber-Jade,
Gabby, Lottie, Alice, Chloe, Molly and
I (pictured above) enjoyed a variety
of discussions on the Holocaust and
other aspects of Judaism, and they also
participated in the latest edition of the
‘Almost Legendary KT trip to Berlin’. We
also ate lots of crisps and biscuits.
Picture by John Bernard
The service, especially designed for
this group of teenage girls, focused on
the lives of two other young girls – whose
lives began almost a century ago.
Anne Frank was born in Frankfurt-am
Main, Germany in 1929; Lisa Jura was
born five years before her in Vienna,
Austria’s capital. These two talented girls
– one a musician, one a writer – both
experienced Nazi rule in the countries
in which they made their homes. One
escaped to safety in England and lived
until 1997; the other perished just weeks
before World War Two ended.
The service told their stories. Some of
the elements were read aloud by the girls
of the Kabbalat Torah group; others left
for congregants to read in silence. The
accompanying music was Grieg’s Piano
Concerto, one of Lisa’s favourite pieces.
I would like to thank Mike Walton, who
each year takes on an ever greater role
in teaching the course, and Deborah
Gabbay, who bravely endured the
ridiculous rigours of the Berlin trip.
I know that everyone involved, and in
attendance, truly got something out of
this course and this service.
THIRTY FIVE Kabbalat Torah
participants from Birmingham,
Finchley, Northwood and Woodford
shared a Shabbaton at Northwood &
Pinner Liberal Synagogue (NPLS), with
superb support from Liberal Judaism’s
youth movement LJY-Netzer.
March/April 2017
Bernie’s special
second barmitzvah
THE OLDEST male member of Tikvah
Chadasha (Shenfield, Brentwood &
Districts Synagogue) celebrated his
second barmitzvah… with slightly more
time to prepare than for his first.
Eighty-three year-old Bernie Jackson
(pictured) was evacuated during the war,
and upon returning home, at age 12, was
thrust into learning his barmitzvah piece
– having never even been to cheder.
Seventy years later, he celebrated again,
surrounded by family, friends and his
fellow congregants.
Tikvah Chadasha’s Jan Feldman
said: “Bernie’s first barmitzvah was no
easy feat, but we are told he rose to the
challenge. This time around, as expected,
a somewhat older Bernie led the service
beautifully, again watched over by
community leader and second cousin
Natasha, and accompanied by his wife
Lola and their family.”
Faiths unite to
help the homeless
LEICESTER PROGRESSIVE JEWISH
CONGREGATION has teamed up with
six other faiths in the area for a unique
project to help the city’s homeless.
A night shelter – providing bed, board
and support for 10 homeless men – will
rotate between the synagogue, Anglican
and Catholic churches, a Muslim
community centre and a Hindu temple.
Quakers and Sikhs will provide meals and
additional support. It is the first multi-
faith venture of its kind in the UK.
More than 200 people of all faiths, and
none, have volunteered to support the
project – which is managed by One Roof.
NPLS’s Rabbi Aaron Goldstein
said: “Highlights – apart from the
inspirational prayer services, virtual
Israel Tour and lack of sleep – were
the reintroduction of ‘cool frisbee’ and
volleyball into the LJY-Netzer canon.
Next year in Nottingham!”
March/April 2017
Nottingham welcomes Austerlitz scroll after 50 years
THE CONGREGATION at Nottingham
Liberal Synagogue (NLS) have welcomed
a Torah scroll from Austerlitz, in the
Czech Republic, finally putting an end to a
50-year mix up.
The community was founded in 1965
as Nottingham Progressive Jewish
Congregation and immediately applied
for, and received, a Torah from the
Westminster Synagogue Czech Memorial
Scrolls Trust, on permanent loan.
They were given scroll number 886
– of the 1,564 that survived the Nazis –
which was believed to have originated in
Austerlitz, now known as Slavkov.
Rabbi Anna painted for
cathedral exhibition
A PAINTING of Gloucestershire Liberal
Jewish Community’s Rabbi Anna Gerrard
hung in Gloucester Cathedral throughout
January and February, as part of an
exhibition entitled ‘Faith’.
The community spent decades visiting
Austerlitz and forging links with the
town’s people. Ruth Matiovska, the one
remaining Jewish resident, even became
an honorary member of NLS.
However, one year ago, the community
discovered that their Czech scroll was
actually number 887; not from Austerlitz,
but the small Moravian town of Kamenice
nad Lipou, about 80km to the west.
Neil Pike, a member of the NLS
Austerlitz group, said: “It emerged that
back in 1964, two scrolls were inscribed
with the same number, 886, and the
number 887 was omitted. This came as a
Artist Russell Haines (pictured with
Anna and her picture) spent 18 months
producing 37 large portraits for the
exhibition, each of which portrays an
individual from a different faith.
Communities LJ Today Page 5
rude shock! However, through our links
with another ‘Austerlitz community’ in
the United States, we discovered that
there was another scroll of undoubted
provenance. A big thank you is due to the
Memorial Scrolls Trust, whose strenuous
efforts led to the retrieval of this second
scroll, from Leeds University, and its
placing in our safekeeping.”
The community are planning to visit
both Austerlitz and Kamenice nad Lipou
in the summer of 2018.
Neil added: “We will ensure that the
memory of those who once used these
scrolls will always be honoured.”
Essex underway
THE SHOFAR was sounded as the new
community at East London & Essex
Liberal Synagogue (EL&ELS) held
inaugural Shabbat services in their two
homes. A Friday evening service was
held at the former Bet Tikvah Synagogue,
followed by Saturday morning prayers at
the former Woodford Liberal Synagogue.
Both services were jointly led by
Rabbis David Hulbert and Richard Jacobi,
pictured here with EL&ELS co-chairs Bob
Kamall and Shirley Forbes and Liberal
Judaism chair Simon Benscher.
Page 6 LJ Today Communities
Do you need a grant? Streaming
success
The ark in Edinburgh and keyboard in Southgate were made possible thanks to the NLPS Trust
IS YOUR community or organisation Former Sukkat Shalom chair Prof
looking for funding? If the funds you need Gillian Raab said: “It’s made such a
will help support ‘the advancement of difference to have a ‘proper’ ark, and our
Progressive Judaism’, then the NLPS thanks go to the NLPS Trust and all those
Trust may be able to help. who made it possible.”
The Trust was established in 2004, At Southgate, the grant enabled the
following the closure of the North London synagogue to replace its worn-out organ.
Progressive Synagogue. The synagogue’s The community’s Jane Greenfield says: “I
financial assets were transferred to applied to the NLPS Trust, and I was so
the Trust, which invested the capital excited when I got the letter back saying
and uses the income to award grants to they would pay for an electronic keyboard.
communities or organisations in need. We found one that does everything an
Grants can be provided for items or organ can do and more. We can even do
projects large or small, and the average Oseh Shalom to a samba now!”
grant size is £3,500. The Trust regards it Whether you represent an established
as a strength if you have raised, or will be or emerging Liberal Jewish community,
able to raise, part of the funds you seek you can apply to the NLPS Trust and it
from within your own organisation or is very easy to do. You just download a
from other sources. form from www.nlpstrust.org.uk – then
Two good examples of congregations complete it and send it back with the
recently benefiting from Trust grants latest published/audited accounts of your
come from Sukkat Shalom – the community or organisation.
Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community – Phil Stone, chair of the NLPS Trust,
and Southgate Progressive Synagogue. told lj today: “We have about £60,000
Sukkat Shalom had been ‘getting by’, to donate in grants each year. We
placing its Torah scroll on a table and meet every six months to make grant
covering it with a tallit – but it wanted to decisions. Whether or not you’ve applied
house the scroll properly. The NLPS Trust to the Trust before, we are keen to hear
grant contributed to a new portable ark, from you and hopefully help.”
designed by community members Lauren To be considered for a grant at the next
Fox and Katy Bromberg, constructed from NLPS Trust meeting, which takes place
local wood by Scottish craftsmen and in April, you must apply before March 24.
completed with doors made from laser- Full information about the Trust’s funding
cut aluminium. The inscription and the policy and how to apply can be found at
ark curtain reflect the tree of life. www.nlpstrust.org.uk
THE FIFTIETH anniversary year of
Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue
began with Rabbi Danny Rich, Liberal
Judaism’s senior rabbi, presenting Julie
Mitchell-Middleton with her conversion
certificate and welcoming her in to the
“Jewish family”. We will have lots more
on the Bedfordshire anniversary year in
upcoming issues of lj today.
March/April 2017
THE Northwood & Pinner Liberal
Synagogue (NPLS) streaming service has
now surpassed 1,000 viewers, since it
started just over a year ago.
All Shabbat services are streamed,
as well as festival services held in
the sanctuary and the monthly Tots’
Shabbat. NPLS streaming group leader
Richard Conradi says the facility has
been a great success, pointing to an
average ‘attendance’ of 10 connections
each Shabbat and a recent record of 35.
The most popular services are bar and
batmitzvahs, where family and friends
overseas are able to watch.
Richard adds that these connections
– one or more people watching from a
smart device such as a smart TV, phone
or tablet – have come from the UK, USA,
Russia, Australia, Israel, France and
some 20 other countries.
Some of the feedback the community
has received includes:
• “I’ve just followed the Kristallnacht
service, which is the first time I’ve been
able to ‘attend’ synagogue for years.
It’s fantastic watching from my home in
Germany and, given the topic, particularly
poignant to view it with my young family.”
• “We streamed the Friday night service
and watched it together as a family in
France. We were touched that the rabbi
mentioned our dad.”
• “As I was unwell this morning, we
decided to watch the live stream. This
way we would not miss our prayer
service. The streaming was absolutely
perfect and the prayers most enjoyable.”
NPLS has also just started a forum for
all synagogues streaming, or thinking
of streaming, their services in the UK
so they can learn from each other,
benchmark and adopt best practice.
For further information please contact
Richard at streaming@npls.org.uk or, to
watch a NPLS service, visit their website
www.npls.org.uk and follow the links.
March/April 2017
Interfaith guests help celebrate Asylum win is
25 years of Peterborough Liberal ‘Liberal Jewish
values in action’
Rabbi Danny Rich, Jaspal Singh, Di Nicholas and Zahid Akbar enjoy an anniversary kiddush
GUESTS from all of the region’s faith
groups helped Peterborough Liberal
Jewish Community (PLJC) celebrate its
25th anniversary.
Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, Rabbi
Danny Rich, led a specially tailored
service – explaining the origin and
significance of the various aspects of
Shabbat. It was followed by a kiddush
with a range of traditional Jewish foods.
Invited guests from local civic
and faith organisations included
Nav Malik, assistant chief constable
of Cambridgeshire, Jawaid Khan,
Peterborough City Council’s community
cohesion manager, and friends from the
Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and Christian faiths
and PLJC venue hosts, the Quakers.
Holocaust Memorial Day in pictures
YORK LIBERAL JEWISH COMMUNITY’S
Czech Memorial Scroll was on public
display in the Chapter House at York
Minster, as members of all faiths in the
city commemorated the Holocaust in
prayer, remembrance and by lighting
candles. Founder member Ros Clayton,
pictured here with the scroll, gave a
moving address at the event.
They were joined by community
members, family and friends, Liberal
Judaism chair Simon Benscher, officer
Ruth Seager and members of Liberal
communities in Leicester, Norwich, York,
Essex and London.
PLJC’s communications officer Di
Nicholas said: “As a small community,
this Shabbat service was a wonderful
opportunity for us to build on our
commitment to interfaith partnerships
in the city, and strengthen our links with
other Liberal Judaism congregations.
“Our guests had a great time at what
was, for many, their first ever Jewish
service. They made the most of the
opportunity to learn something new and
enjoy enquiring conversations.
STEVENAGE LIBERAL SYNAGOGUE
worked with Stevenage Borough Council
and Hertfordshire County Libraries to
commemorate Holocaust Memorial
Day. The principal event (pictured)
was a Service of Remembrance held
in Stevenage Council Chamber, which
was opened by the Mayor of Stevenage,
Cllr John Lloyd. The keynote speaker
was Robert Voss DL, who told the
harrowing story of his parents’ escape
from Germany and the murder of family
members by the Nazis.
Communities LJ Today Page 7
A JEWISH Iraqi family has been granted
the right to remain in the UK by the Home
Office, after their cause was taken up by
York Liberal Jewish Community (YLJC).
Sinan and Dena Nuuman, along with
daughters Yara, seven, and Liza, 19
months, have been granted asylum in the
country for the next five years. The family
converted to Judaism after becoming
part of YLJC in June 2014. They are
regulars at services, playing a full role in
synagogue life. Liza’s baby blessing was
one of the community’s first.
YLJC, along with York University JSoc,
set up a crowd funding website to help
the family after they applied for asylum,
and were made homeless, last August. It
raised £5,000 in one month.
Chair Ben Rich said: “We are all
absolutely delighted that Sinan, Dena
and their girls have been granted leave to
remain in the UK. This is wonderful news.
Now Sinan and Dena will be able to work
and resume their normal lives.
“On a personal level it has been
amazing to see the whole community
coming together to support them in their
hour of need. This has been a spectacular
example of Liberal Jewish values in
action, making a real difference to
people’s lives. It makes me so proud.”
TIKVAH CHADASHA (Shenfield) joined
with Christian Friends of Israel to hold
a Service of Commemoration. Several
of the community’s children came
together to lay six stones, in memory
of the six million Jews who perished.
Twelve year old Nathan Murphy did one
of the readings, to an audience in excess
of 200 people (pictured).
Page 8 LJ Today Comment
A personal view on Liberal kashrut
Rabbi Dr Andrew
Goldstein on his
‘common sense’
way of keeping
kosher and the
rules he follows
I HAVE ‘kept kosher’ all my life, but
a sort of Liberal kashrut. When my
grandmother was alive, I think my mother
bought kosher meat, but that certainly
stopped after she died when I was six.
Since that time, my family kept what
has been called ‘Biblical kashrut’. We
never had any meat from a biblically
forbidden animal in the house… no pig,
rabbit or shrimp. But we did eat beef
or chicken, and we did follow it with
desserts made from milk.
At Pesach, we had no leaven in our
meals, but didn’t fall for the marketing
trap of buying salt or butter or jam
‘Kosher L’Pesach’. Of course, we had
‘Palwins’ for Kiddush on Shabbat, but
otherwise the concept of ‘kosher wine’ I
find insulting.
These were the rules in or out of the
house. And I think I have kept to them
ever since. There was, and is, I believe,
a common sense about my kashrut
observance.
End of Dubs How should we react to Trump?
Amendment Rabbi Charley Baginsky on the challenges we face
is shameful
By Rabbi Danny Rich
Senior rabbi of Liberal Judaism
LESS than a year ago, the Dubs
Amendment offered the promise of hope
to as many as 3,000 refugee children.
This figure was already far fewer than the
estimated 95,000 children seeking refuge
from the horrors of war and poverty. We
have now seen that hope ripped away.
Little more than a tenth of the proposed
number have been given refuge in the UK.
It amounts to around 350 children.
This is not only a terrible tragedy, but
it is a betrayal of the British sense of
justice, and Jewish values. This is a
shameful decision by the Government.
On an aeroplane, if the vegetarian
breakfast runs out, I am happy to discard
the slice of bacon and just eat the rubbery
egg and tepid tomato. It’s the symbolism
of it, not the possible contamination.
I find it amusing, when at ‘strictly
kosher’ banquets, they serve cod dyed
pink to replicate shrimp or, after a meat
meal, use chemical goo that looks like
cream on the dessert. It is cheating. I find
it a joke to see ‘McDonalds’ Big Macs’ in
Israel on Pesach in a strictly Pesachdik
bun. For me, Pesach eating is about doing
something different for a week – not
trying to replicate everyday menus.
Regarding the slaughter of animals,
I think that the kosher method of
slaughter, if done correctly, is more
humane than the method requiring
pre-stunning. But a far more important
consideration is the way the animals are
allowed to live.
Many Liberal Jews keep a vegetarian
or vegan diet. It is popular with our youth
movement and members of my own
family. I myself eat less and less meat,
though I will be honest and say this is on
health grounds rather than for any moral
or religious purpose.
It is true that we live at a time of debate
about sustainability of the environment
and many would claim that a purely
vegetarian diet is the only way forward.
But I am not totally convinced and many
AS YOU may expect from a London-
based Liberal rabbi, I live in a sheltered
community – on and offline – where most
people seem to have voted neither for
Brexit nor for Donald Trump. It’s a world
of liberal, and Liberal Jewish, values.
So when we awoke to the news that
someone who shares none of those
values had become president of the USA
- shock, upset and distress overflowed on
my social media platforms, interspersed
with joy from the few Trump supporters.
But this was an election where millions
of voters turned out. As with Brexit, we
can see that large swathes of people
rejected the political establishment and
economic system.
The question for many of us is what
next? Trump was democratically elected.
Whatever our feelings, the time has come
to rebuild a divided and fractured world.
March/April 2017
other factors are involved in the debate:
over-population, over-eating, wastage,
industrialisation of the food chain etc.
I try to keep an open mind but I will
admit to a weakness: I like the occasional
steak or lamb chop.
I do not think it liberal or ‘Liberal’ to
force others not to eat meat by banning
it from Liberal Jewish community
functions. So long as a vegetarian option
is always offered, I feel that true liberals
should be able to cope with other people’s
choices. And though I have known many
sincere Liberal Jews, regular synagogue
goers and great humanitarians, who
have eaten pig all their lives, I hope they
realise that eating pork with other Jews
who find it abhorrent can give offence. It’s
all a matter of balance and consideration
for the other.
And why do I keep my ‘Biblical
kashrut’? I keep it not because I believe
God will punish me if I have a bacon
sandwich, but because I see it as a
discipline and each time I deliberately
refuse the ‘treif’ I remind myself of
my Jewish identity; and it is an act of
solidarity with the traditions of my people.
Maybe not a logical argument, but then
is any kind of kashrut logical for a non-
fundamentalist Jew?
• Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein is president
of Liberal Judaism
As my colleague Rabbi Alexandra
Wright so wisely said recently: “Now is
not the time to abandon our liberalism,
nor our Judaism.”
While we honour the outcome of the
election, we must once again stand by our
values to fight bigotry, campaign for the
rights of minorities and not stand silently
by words and actions driven by hate.
But most of all, we must model ways of
talking to each other from a place of care
and love, a place that embraces diversity
and differing opinions and a place that
believes this world can be full of hope
and unity.
I was brought up with the Jewish value
of engaging in discussion to understand
and be understood. This is the world I
want for my children, one where we offer
solutions to improve the lives of all and
not one that creates division and fear.
March/April 2017
Montagu Centre launches RUN returns
Monday morning services
LIBERAL JUDAISM is hosting Monday
morning Torah services and Tuesday
lunchtime study sessions for the first
time. They are open to all, taking place in
West Central Liberal Synagogue, which
is on the lower floor of Liberal Judaism’s
head office – The Montagu Centre, 21
Maple Street, London, W1T 4BE.
The Monday morning Torah service
(pictured) starts at 7.45am and includes
personal prayer and reflection, as well as
the traditional Liberal Judaism liturgy.
Led by Rabbi Danny Rich, Liberal
Judaism’s senior rabbi, upcoming
services will take place on March 20,
April 24, May 22, June 19 and July 17.
Liberal duo honoured
JOYCE ROTHSCHILD, of Birmingham
Progressive Synagogue, and Southgate
Progressive Synagogue’s Gerald Granston
were awarded British Empire Medals in
the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.
Joyce received the honour as a result of
her annual quiz, which has been running
for 20 years and has raised more than
£120,000 in the fight against cancer.
She said: “I am very honoured, but feel
my many loyal helpers also deserve a
medal for making this possible.”
Danny said: “This will give members,
and indeed anyone who wants to pray in
an inclusive and engaging environment,
the chance to enjoy a full egalitarian
Torah service before they start their day.”
Mishnah study sessions will take place
at lunchtime on the third Tuesday of each
month. The group will study Mishnah
Sanhedrin, led by Rabbis Danny Rich
and Neil Janes, executive director of the
Lyons Learning Project and a lecturer
at Leo Baeck College. Neil is part of the
rabbinic team at West London Synagogue.
If you would like more information, or
to confirm your attendance, please email
Daisy on d.bogod@liberaljudaism.org
Gerald, a Holocaust survivor, travels
around the country speaking to schools
and youth clubs about being a young
child in Nazi Germany and the state
persecution he suffered.
Gerald said: “British schools have very
little knowledge of what life was like for
Jews from 1933 to 1945. I emphasise
that the students listening to me are the
future of our country and how essential it
is for them to stand up and fight prejudice
wherever it raises its head.”
News LJ Today Page 9
THE critically
acclaimed show
RUN, by Liberal
Judaism’s
award-winning
playwright
Stephen
Laughton, is set
to return to the
stage in March
2017 after a
sell-out stint at
last year’s Vault
Festival.
RUN opens at JW3 – the Jewish
community centre on Finchley Road – on
March 8 as part of the GayW3 Festival.
It can then be seen at the Marlborough
Theatre in Brighton from March 12-15,
before returning to the capital from
March 20 for a two week stint at the
Bunker Theatre in London Bridge.
Filled with school riots, first loves,
beached whales, cinema, space and
sex, RUN tells the story of Yonni (Tom
Ross-Williams), a gay Orthodox Jewish
teenager, who sneaks out on Shabbat and
causes a world of trouble.
RUN is being brought to the stage by
up-and-coming independent production
company iN BLOOM. Due to the quick
turnaround of the project, the team are
fundraising to cover production costs. As
such they are running a crowdfunding
campaign on new platform PHUNDEE
with exciting rewards including bespoke
art work, exclusive special edition play
texts, meteorites and stars from space
and even acres of land on the planet
Venus. All come beautifully packaged
with specially selected passages from
the play. To find out more, search RUN at
www.phundee.com
Any Questions
FIVE of the country’s leading Progressive
rabbis – representing Liberal, Reform
and Masorti Judaism – took part in a
special panel debate to mark the 60th
anniversary of Leo Baeck College (LBC).
Liberal Judaism was represented by
Rabbi Richard Jacobi, who was joined by
LBC principal Rabbi Dr Deborah Kahn-
Harris, Rabbi Michael Foulds OBE and
Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain MBE. The
panel was chaired by Rabbi Larry Becker.
The discussion lived up to its title of
‘Any Questions’ with topics including
LBC’s remarkable history and fundraising
needs, Jewish schools, interfaith work
and the relationship between Progressive
and Orthodox Judaism.
Page 10 LJ Today Obituaries
Remembering David Jacobi Joan Finkel
DAVID JACOBI, who died in December
2016 at the age of 54, after a long
illness, was active in Liberal Judaism
as a lay service leader and a teacher in
synagogues and, especially, at Limmud.
A chemical engineer by profession, he
was a gifted amateur cellist and a lover
of Israeli poetry and song.
David was the son of Rabbi Harry
and Rose Jacobi and, like his sister and
brother, Margaret and Richard, grew up
as a deeply committed Liberal Jew. As a
student, he was active in what was then
PJS (Progressive Jewish Students) and
made life-long friends. He organised
weekends and formed a small Jewish
Society at Bath University. He was also a
much-loved and enthusiastic supervisor
at Kadimah Holiday School, then run by
Rabbi Dr Andrew and Sharon Goldstein.
As part of his degree in chemical
engineering, David spent a year in Haifa
and there became fluent in Hebrew and
developed his life-long interest in Israel.
After his degree, he completed a PhD
about the disposal of nuclear waste.
At the same time, he helped organise
‘Bayit’, the Liberal and Reform campaign
for the homeless.
David then began work for British
Gas and, when they relocated to
Loughborough, became involved
in Leicester Progressive Jewish
Congregation, where he led services.
David began to attend Limmud, sharing
his passion for Israeli song and poetry.
His sessions were popular and he was
invited to day Limmuds around the UK.
David was also involved in the European
Union for Progressive Judaism and
supported communities in the Czech
Republic and Hungary. Everywhere he
went, David made friends. He had a gift
for friendship, an ease with people and an
infectious enthusiasm.
David’s other great passion was his
cello. He played in semi-professional
orchestras and also quartets, duos
and trios and had a wide knowledge of
classical music. He had many interests,
from film to railways to politics.
David ended his working life at the
Environment Agency, as a pollution
inspector. When he was 47, he was
diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia,
a form of dementia that affects language
early on. He made his last presentation
at Limmud soon afterwards, about
environmental protection in Israel. He
continued to play the cello when he could
no longer communicate in other ways.
David will be greatly missed by his
father Harry, sister Margaret and brother
Richard, together with their partners
David and Lyn, and by his nephews and
nieces, to whom he was a loving and fun
uncle, as well as his many friends.
His memory will endure as a gentle,
kind and enthusiastic man who lived life
to the full as long as he was able.
March/April 2017
By Rabbi Alan Mann
HOW do
you sum up
the life and
achievements
of Joan
Finkel in a
few hundred
words? You
can’t.
Near the
entrance to the Dublin Progressive
Jewish Congregation (DPJC) building
there is a photograph of the founding
members of the DPJC taken in 1947;
at the front is the figure of the 14
year old Joan Morris, later Finkel.
She was in at the beginning.
From then, until health prevented
her in the last few years, Joan sang
in the choir, took services and taught
the children. There was no position
in the synagogue which she did not
fill, except, perhaps, treasurer, which
was held for many years by her
husband John.
She was president, secretary and
chair of rites and practices. For many
years she ran the burial scheme.
Joan represented Dublin at Liberal
Judaism conferences, even when
most members did not know what
the national movement was all about.
Hers was the name and face of
Liberal Judaism in Ireland.
But her life was not confined to
the synagogue. She ran a successful
business and was devoted to her
family. She looked after her parents
in their later life and enjoyed a
beautiful partnership with John. They
brought up three healthy boys - all
of whom are now playing important
parts in their own synagogues, one in
Holland Park, London, one in Austin,
Texas, and the third in Swansea,
South Wales.
Joan took an active part in
interfaith activities. She went into
schools to talk about Judaism, spoke
at churches and welcomed people to
the synagogue. She was active in the
local residents’ association. She had
been a Girl Guide leader in her youth.
Joan covered everything in her life.
The measure of the woman is in the
number of people needed to take
over the work she did.
We offer our condolences to
husband John, sons Andrew, David
and Nigel and their families.
March/April 2017 Youth LJ Today Page 11

LJY-Netzer is Liberal Judaism’s

Zionist youth movement. It gives
young people the opportunity
to develop a strong Progressive
Jewish identity, make lasting
friendships and have loads of fun

Decisions, decisions, decisions Netzer news

Hannah Stephenson reports from an inspiring Veidah
and notes
By Sam Alston
• LJY-NETZER’s first Choref event,
for ages 8-12, was a great success.
A team of leaders gathered from
all across the country to run an
exciting and engaging sleepover
at Northwood & Pinner Liberal
Synagogue, featuring games and
learning about Tu Bishvat.
We met a penguin, learnt some
songs and enjoyed a treasure hunt
around the synagogue - making so
many new friends along the way!

• OUR February event for older years

AS AN LJY-Netzer movement worker, I
am proud that our members have chosen
‘Reclaiming Zionism’ as their Theme of
the Year for 2017.
The theme was picked at LJY-Netzer’s
annual decision-making event, Veidah,
which sees our youth movement’s
members aged 15 upwards decide the
direction in which they want to see it go.
One decision we made was to focus
in on our pillar of Reform Zionism and
remember why it is so important to us.
Veidah also included motions and
discussions covering everything from
feminism to sustainable living, as well
as some fantastic guest speakers from
Keshet, UJIA and Liberal Judaism.
Motions passed included one to
improve hadracha (leadership) training
and another – brought by Kinus, a similar
event for 11-14 year-olds – to institute a
Pyjama Day on camps.
LJY-Netzer will also change the
language used at camps and events after
a successful motion. Our movement
prides itself on being as inclusive as
possible. We have found that using terms
such as madrich/madricha (leader)
means that those who do not identify as
male or female are wrongly addressed.
We are therefore adopting Habonim
Dror North America’s new grammar
rules in Hebrew of a gender neutral
singular ‘ol’ and plural ‘imot’.
LJY-NETZER alumni enjoyed drinks
at Limmud (pictured) to kickstart the
youth movement’s 70th anniversary
celebrations. If you attended LJY-
Netzer, please keep an eye on
www.liberaljudaism.org for details of
more alumni events coming in 2017.
at Southgate Progressive Synagogue
saw them take on a hike and choose
which causes to raise money for.
Despite occasionally adverse
weather conditions, everyone had
a brilliant time hiking around north
London. Evenings were spent playing
imaginative games in the synagogue.
• OUR spectacular spring camp,
Machaneh Aviv, will run from April
4-9, 2017. The camp, run by trained
staff and experienced leaders,
provides an exciting chance to
explore Jewish identity, play fun
games and be part of the young
Liberal Jewish inclusive community.
Our unforgettable summer camp,
Machaneh Kadimah, takes place
from August 14-27 and is a two week
immersive experience, creating
friendships that last a lifetime.
For more details, or to apply,
please visit www.ljy-netzer.org
• HANNAH STEPHENSON, Simon
Lovick and Ellie Lawson will be next
year’s movement work team. We’ll
have full profiles in the next lj today.

Contact LJY-Netzer: Sam Alston (sam@liberaljudaism.org), Anna Craven (annac@liberaljudaism.org) and Hannah
Stephenson (hannah@liberaljudaism.org); Director of Youth - Rebecca Fetterman (r.fetterman@liberaljudaism.org)
Page 12 LJ Today March/April 2017

Liberal congregations The Liberal Synagogue Elstree

T: 020 8953 8889
E: tlse@liberaljudaism.org
Southgate Progressive
Synagogue
T: 020 8886 0977
Bedfordshire Progressive Eastbourne Liberal Jewish W: tlse.org.uk E: sps@liberaljudaism.org
Synagogue Community W: sps.uk.com
T: 0845 869 7105 T: 01323 725 650 Lincolnshire Jewish Community
E: bedsps@liberaljudaism.org E: eljc@liberaljudaism.org T: 01427 628 958 South London Liberal
W: bedfordshire-ps.org.uk W: eljc.org.uk E: ljc@liberaljudaism.org Synagogue (Streatham)
W: lincolnshirejc.co.uk T: 020 8769 4787
Beit Klal Yisrael (Notting Hill) Edinburgh Liberal Jewish E: slls@liberaljudaism.org
E: bkymailing@gmail.com Community Manchester Liberal Jewish W: southlondon.org
W: bky.org.uk T: 0131 777 8024 Community
E: info@eljc.org T: 0161 796 6210 Stevenage Liberal Synagogue
Birmingham Progressive W: eljc.org E: mljc@liberaljudaism.org T: 01438 300 222
Synagogue W: mljc.org.uk E: stevenageliberalsynagogue@gmail.com
T: 0121 634 3888 Finchley Progressive Synagogue W: stevenageliberalsynagogue.org.uk
E: bps@liberaljudaism.org T: 020 8446 4063 Mosaic Liberal (Harrow)
W: bpsjudaism.com E: fps@liberaljudaism.org T: 020 8864 5323 Suffolk Liberal Jewish
W: fps.org E: office@mosaicliberal.org.uk Community (Ipswich)
Brighton and Hove Progressive W: mosaicliberal.org.uk T:01473 250 797
Synagogue Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish E: sjc@liberaljudaism.org
T: 01273 737 223 Community Northwood and Pinner Liberal
E: info@bhps-online.org T: 01242 609 311 Synagogue Tikvah Chadasha Synagogue
W: bhps-online.org E: shalom@gljc.org.uk T: 01923 822 592 (Shenfield)
W: gljc.org.uk E: npls@liberaljudaism.org T: 01277 888 610
Bristol and West Progressive W: npls.org.uk E: tikvahchadasha@gmail.com
Jewish Congregation Herefordshire Jewish W: roshtikvah.com
E: bwpjc@bwpjc.org Community Norwich Liberal Jewish
W: bwpjc.org T: 01594 530 721 Community Wessex Liberal Jewish
E: hjc@liberaljudaism.org E: nljc@liberaljudaism.org Community (Bournemouth)
Crawley Jewish Community W: herefordshirejc.org W: norwichljc.org.uk T: 01202 757 590
T: 01293 534 294 E: info@wessexliberaljudaism.org.uk
Kehillah North London Nottingham Liberal Synagogue W: wessexliberaljudaism.org.uk
Crouch End Chavurah T: 020 7403 3779 T: 0115 962 4761
E: info@crouchendchavurah.co.uk E: knl@liberaljudaism.org E: nls@liberaljudaism.org West Central Liberal Synagogue
W: crouchendchavurah.co.uk W: nlpjc.org.uk W: nottinghamliberalsynagogue.com T: 020 7636 7627
E: wcls@liberaljudaism.org
Dublin Jewish Progressive Kent Liberal Jewish Community Peterborough Liberal Jewish W: wcls.org.uk
Congregation T: 07952 242 432 Community
E: djpc@liberaljudaism.org E: enquiries@kljc.org.uk T: 07561 331 390 York Liberal Jewish Community
W: djpcireland.com W: www.kljc.org.uk E: info@pljc.org.uk T: 07469 159 134
W: pljc.org.uk E: info@jewsinyork.org.uk
Ealing Liberal Synagogue Kingston Liberal Synagogue W: jewsinyork.org.uk
T: 020 8997 0528 T: 020 8398 7400 Reading Liberal Jewish
E: els@liberaljudaism.org E: kls@liberaljudaism.org Community Developing and affiliated
W: ealingliberalsynagogue.org.uk W: klsonline.org T: 0118 942 8022
E: readingliberaljewishcommunity@ Beit Ha’Chidush (Amsterdam)
East London & Essex Liberal Leicester Progressive Jewish gmail.com T: +31 23 524 7204
Synagogue Congregation W: www.readingljc.org.uk E: bhc.informatie@gmail.com
T: 020 8554 9682 (Bet Tikvah) T: 0116 271 5584 W: beithachidush.nl
T: 020 8989 7619 (Woodford) E: lpjc@liberaljudaism.org Shir Hatzafon (Copenhagen)
E: eastlondonandessexliberal@ W: lpjc.org.uk T: +45 2370 9757 Lancashire & Cumbria Liberal
gmail.com E: shir@shirhatzafon.dk Jewish Community
W: eastlondonandessexliberal The Liberal Jewish Synagogue W: shirhatzafon.dk W: www.northwestjews.org
synagogue.org (St John’s Wood)
T: 020 7286 5181 South Bucks Jewish Community Oxford Jewish Congregation
E: ljs@ljs.org T: 0845 644 2370 T: 01865 515 584
W: ljs.org E: sbjc@liberaljudaism.org E: progressive@ojc-online.org
W: sbjc.org.uk W: ojc-online.org

The Montagu Centre President Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein

21 Maple Street
London, W1T 4BE
T: 020 7580 1663
E: montagu@liberaljudaism.org
W: liberaljudaism.org
Liberal Judaism is the dynamic, cutting edge
of modern Judaism. It reverences Jewish
tradition, seeking to preserve the values of the
past, while giving them contemporary force.
Charity Number: 1151090
lj today is edited by Simon Rothstein
Send your news to ljtoday@liberaljudaism.org
Chairman Simon Benscher Deputy Chair Lucian J Hudson Vice Chair Jackie Richards
Treasurer Rosie Ward Secretary Dr Howard Cohen Israel and the Diaspora Tamara Schmidt
Communications Ed Herman Social Justice Amelia Viney Youth and Education Robin Moss
Music and IT Graham Carpenter National Officers David Hockman and Ruth Seager
Vice Presidents Monique Blake, Henry Cohn, Nigel Cole, Geoffrey Davis, Lord Fink, Jeromé
Freedman, Louise Freedman, Rabbi Dr David Goldberg, Sharon Goldstein, Rabbi Harry Jacobi, Willie
Kessler, David Lipman, Corinne Oppenheimer, David Pelham, David Pick, Rosita Rosenberg, Tony
Sacker, Harold Sanderson, Joan Shopper, Beverley Taylor and Ken Teacher
Co-Chairs of Rabbinic Conference Rabbis Richard Jacobi and Alexandra Wright
Senior Rabbi and C hief Executive Rabbi Danny Rich PA to Senior Rabbi Daisy Bogod
Strategy Rabbi Charley Baginsky Student Chaplain Rabbi Leah Jordan Education Rabbi Sandra
Kviat Music Cantor Gershon Silins Interfaith Rabbi Mark Solomon Operations Director Shelley
Shocolinsky-Dwyer Director of Administration Alexandra Simonon Archivist Alison Turner
Communications Aaron Abraham Website and eBulletin Yszi Hawkings Reception Thomas Rich
Director of Youth Becca Fetterman LJY-Netzer Sam Alston, Anna Craven and Hannah Stephenson

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