Rabbi Larry Hoffman came to London several years ago.
On a hot Thursday in July quite a few rabbis, student rabbis and Reform and Liberal lay leadership crammed into our synagogue in Hutton Grove and heard him expound on the essence of Jewish identity. It was, he explained; “Jewish conversation”.
There was a pause, we’d anticipated something more erudite, more esoteric perhaps. But no, it turns out that that is what Rabbi Larry Hoffman believes is “the essence, the heart of Jewish life and identity. Jews talking, friends of Jews talking, all can have a Jewish conversation, and such a discussion, chat or conversation needs to be about something Jewish. That’s it.” He continued to say that the topics can be learning, music, food, memories, Israel, family, preoccupation, even Jewish anxiety. As long as you are talking, then you are engaging. In his clear but far from simplistic way Hoffman captured everything.
Just “keep talking” he told us. Like Tess and Claudia on Strictly… but instead of Dancing, it’s Talking.
I was reminded of that summer as we invite you this week to two very interesting conversations.
The first will be tonight 6pm with, soon-to-be Baroness Gillian Merron, in her final months of leading the Board of Deputies. Do join this conversation about why BOD needs all parts of the Jewish community. And why we as a community should be at the table. We will hear some highlights of her time there, and maybe some of its challenges.
The second conversation will be on Israel, Thursday 7.30pm. My colleague Rabbi Lea Muhlstein in her role as chair of Arzeinu, the Progressive Zionist International organisation has much to say about talking and listening and being at the table. Again please join us for what promises to be an informative and important conversation.
I know many who excel and have excelled at Jewish conversations. Rosita Rosenberg z”l was one. was one. She died this week, and we are poorer for her loss. Rosita led Liberal Judaism for nearly a decade and brought much history, sensibility and menschlikeit to the conversations she enabled. Zichrona L’vracha.
Wishing you Shabbat Shalom,
Rebecca
I met the Conservative former immigration minister Caroline Nokes with a group of rabbis two years ago. Mike Freer MP set up the meeting for us to talk about settling refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. He knew we cared about it deeply.
Now a back bencher Nokes has accused the Home Office of trying to make our country seem as “difficult and inhospitable as possible”. She says by using inhumane accommodation like the Napier Barracks in Kent or a new barracks style unit close to Yarl’s Wood; we are causing immense suffering. There is often no running water, food so bad no-one can eat, and obviously huge outbreaks of Covid. In isolated spots the residents have no access to support or connection. Instead they are living in ghetto-like settings where previous trauma is relived and renewed daily.
Why do I write of this in a weekly synagogue message? Our Judaism rests on the pillar of engagement with the world we live in, not separation from it. Lo Tuchal L’hitalem -You cannot be indifferent – Deuteronomy chides us from the archaic conversation of lost oxen, but the challenge has survived. Lily Montagu’s legacy informs and inspires the heart beat of Liberal Judaism, the young women known as her girls who flocked to the afternoon service at West Central. A service she fought to provide for them.
Caroline Nokes is quoted this week saying of her government, “We as a nation can do better than this.” It is true. And calling out is important.
This week in Parashat Yitro the Ten Commandments are given. The rules that guide us as Jews and indeed most people in living a just and safe life, certainly the last five of them speak particularly to this. The portion contains the covenant moment at Sinai and the enthusiastic commitment by Israel to take the commandments on; “naaseh v’nishmah” we will do it and then understand it…
The name is taken from Moses’ father-in-law Yitro, an outsider, a Midianite Priest. Yet he’s the one to feedback to Moses about the congregation and about God “Blessed be the Eternal”.
May we never stop working towards that.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rebecca
You can’t do it all yourself . Italian commentator Sforno c.15th paraphrases Yitro’s advice to Moses. Lo tov hadavar asher ahah oseh, he tells him. Create, he suggests, a team of reliable people anshei chayl to share the leading, the judging and the listening. This must be the favourite parasha for rabbis and synagogue councils. How to create engaged and expansive shared leadership in our congregations, so all are invested and part of the work. Yitro was surely the first management consultant of ancient times, and in ‘not for profit’ religious communities. I intend to open Yitro’s conversation this week and beyond!
Following my sermon last Shabbat on our obligation to support those who need help to feed their families and themselves: First time users of food banks have emerged these past months. People who managed cars, holidays and jobs now in brutally different circumstances and relying on Food Banks, as others are.
Today is Holocaust Memorial Day. The anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and so many Genocides that tragically happened since, despite the Never Again. It is also Tu B’Shevat, the New Year of Trees. So as we anticipate the coming of Spring and the joy of trees and their fruit, we remind the community of what is needed and how to give in the easiest way. We honour those who died and knew well the preciousness of enabling others to eat. Please give: 100,000 victims lost this pandemic and this is a palpable way to help those who have been affected brutally by the collateral damage. It feels profoundly Jewish to look back, to remember and to act.
Bo – The Heart is a Strange Muscle
One of the strangest things these past 10 months or so has been the doubters:
From the flamboyant conspiracy theorists, (‘this virus is fantasy designed to control us’), to the flagrant rejection of science, (as evidenced by those buying bleach to flush their bodies), to those resisting guidelines and safety measures, believing they know better.
As a keen rule follower I’m intrigued.
Parashat Bo this week continues the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart even as he watches those ten plagues ravage his people and country.
Last week’s “Pharaoh hardened his heart” (Exodus 8:28) and now
“God says “I have stiffened his heart and the hearts of his courtiers.” (Exodus 10:1)
It meant he refused to respond to the suffering reality around him. As Dr Aviva Gottleib Zornberg observed, ‘a kind of spiritual rigor mortis set in’ for him. Pharaoh couldn’t empathise. Have we seen something similar during ‘our’ plague of COVID? It’s striking that so far that there have been over 2 million deaths worldwide and over 89,000 in the U.K alone. Yet many hearts remain hardened to this.
What’s an antidote to a hardened heart? The silent prayer at the end of the Amidah can give some encouragement. Mar bar Ravina, a fourth century sage wrote Patach Libi: “Open my heart (to Your teaching)”. An open heart responds to learning. An open heart responds to the news from the COVID wards, to data, medical evidence and to the uncontroversial hope the vaccines bring.
Pharaoh, with his hardened heart, is an unlikely teacher as he refuses to see a possible end to suffering. It’s surely incumbent on us to welcome the vaccine with an open heart and an open arm outstretched. As Winston Churchill declared November 1942 three years into the war, eighteen months after the Blitz “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” The vaccine is just that. Be ready for yours.
Shabbat Shalom to all,
Rebecca
My co-chair Rabbi Rene Pfertzel and I chaired our first CoLRaC this week; the monthly meeting of Liberal Clergy so essential to the activities of Liberal Judaism. There were several firsts; Rabbi Charley Baginsky CEO, and Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer shared their vision for Liberal Judaism for the next two years. They are looking towards a financially stable, vibrant and expansive movement that builds on partnerships with its congregations and the superb youth movement at its heart. It was an auspicious start to 2021, with the added request of rabbis taking part in a collective stance of encouraging the vaccine.
We heard also today that Gillian Merron, great friend of FPS will be stepping down from the Board of Deputies at the start of April. As the BOD is a non political organisation, her recent elevation to the House of Lords as a Labour Peer presents a conflict. So Gillian, after six years in post, will step down. I am sure you will all join me in warm congratulations to her and gratitude for her time at the helm of the Board of Deputies and the important work she did there.
These past ten months have demanded such close attention to our own members and the structures within our community, it is a nice moment to recognise our place within Liberal Judaism and indeed British Jewry. We have much to appreciate.
I couldn’t be prouder of Gillian, or more hopeful for this new period for Liberal Judaism where Rene and I hope to play our part in leadership and collaboration. This week’s Haftarah from Ezekiel finishes with the words from God to Moses about his role with the Israelites: I will give you courage to speak in their midst. Then shall they know that I am the Eternal. (29:21)
Let’s hope for the elevation of our voices and LJ going from strength to strength.
Shabbat Shalom to all,
Rebecca
I’m always struck by the first line of the Book of Exodus; A new king arose in Egypt who did not know Joseph. Torah gives us this verse as an explanation for the change of mood and attitude towards the Hebrew population living in the suburb of Goshen. For me it’s redolent of the power of memory to hold in mind gratitude or resentment. This is so relevant for our contemporary existence too. This new king, for some reason, decides that this guest nation is a threat and wants to suppress them. And Moses, this child saved from the water by the king’s daughter, who defies her father and raises this ‘hidden child’ in the palace as an Egyptian.
Then comes a very significant moment. We’re told Moses grew up, vayigdal, as if there are stages of maturing. There comes a certain moment where things open up for him and he notices what has been there all along. He is connected viscerally with the people now hated and abused in Egypt. This is our story, not just the coming out of Egypt but the idea of growing up to notice and have a mature view of the world. To see suffering and to see the complexity of who we are.
Despite his maturity Moses is reluctant, he describes himself as slow to speak kaved peh which is literally heavy mouthed. the same adjective to describe Pharaoh’s heart when he repeatedly says no.
These next few weeks of reading Exodus (Shemot) go to the heart of our Jewish story, our Jewish identities and our Jewish conversations. What’s more we have a great deal of time (at home) to do so. v’at p’tach lo Open for them, we say about the child at the seder asking about identity.
Maybe this is a moment for all of us. As we work communally to be responsible and safe. As we have the time to consider our Jewish lives. As we wait for the Board of Deputies much awaited Commission by Stephen Bush on Racial Inclusivity in the Jewish community.
Shabbat Shalom to all,
Rebecca
Winnie the Pooh (a very wise leader) said “People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day”.
It feels like we have been told to do the impossible this past week. To do nothing – even when all we want to do is celebrate the small joys this year has brought. But instead we are doing very little, sitting tight, and knowing that this too shall pass.
This Shabbat we get the opportunity to celebrate a huge joy from the safety of our homes. It is the 10th anniversary of Rabbi Rebecca’s work with FPS. Please join us on Saturday for a celebratory service – with some surprises along the way!
Christmas coincides with Shabbat; We look forward to seeing you for a Shabbat service on Friday 25th December.
I’m very aware that the new restrictions under Tier 4 mean some of you will be unexpectedly alone this weekend, please let us know if you need anything. I’m around this week and over Christmas.
If you were part of a post code group, you’ll receive a message offering support. Change of expectation is is always hard to negotiate, this year has been full of uncertainty.
I attended the community briefing this morning with the Chief Nurse of the NHS (intriguing title), explaining the processes of vaccinations and who will receive when. Vaccination in earnest is likely to begin fully in February. He said he, his family and colleagues breathed a sigh of relief at the new restrictions put in place over Christmas.
Following Saturday’s announcement, we have decided the best course of action is to return to exclusive streaming of services. Although places of prayer are technically allowed to be open we believe this decision is the safest and most prudent for our congregation at this time. Join us as you have been doing.
We manifestly coped well as a Jewish community through all our festival restrictions and the new congregation we built online, I’m hoping our Christian colleagues manage similarly over Christmas.
This is our penultimate message of 2020 so I wanted to thank those in particular who have reached out and supported during the year.
Thank you so much to Jacqui Fawcett and Corinne Oppenheimer for the dedicated phone calls they make to many FPS folk, reinforcing their connections to our congregation.
Thank you to those who led in our postcode groups and reached out when you could.
Thank you for the meals and cakes delivered by the Laikin family.
Thank you to our Chanukah deliverers who brought homemade treats to so many.
Thank you to those who have enabled online services, learning and events and made us grow into that phrase “more than a building”.
Thank you to Dean and Franklyn for our phenomenal music.
Thank you to our wonderful and flexible teachers who took Ivriah online so thoughtfully .
Thank you to Zoe and Pauline for all they do to enable FPS to function well and with warmth.
Thank you to our Council who guide and keep FPS going.
And thank you to our Exec who have steered us through so much this year with such dedication.
I’m so grateful.
Wishing you Shabbat Shalom and a safe end of the year.
Rebecca
Chanukah
I keep thinking of Andrew’s words as we finished our Chanukah party last Sunday; “this extraordinary community wishes you Happy Chanukah”. Thank you to all for this most unusual and frankly extraordinary Chanukah. Thank you to all those who led lighting and who contributed such joy to these past eight nights. Zoe’s creativity knows no bounds. We did usher in a little light into these dark days. Chanukah Sameach to all and thank you.
This Shabbat
And Joseph was overcome with feelings towards his brother and wanted to weep, so he went into his chamber and wept there. And he washed his face and came out, and now in control of himself said; “Serve the food.”
Genesis 43:30-31
I’m moved by these words that finish the portion of Miketz. Joseph demonstrates such familiar emotions, it all gets too much for him as he reunites with his brothers (but doesn’t yet reveal himself). His tears are described with such attention, his washing of his face to hide evidence of his distress, his effort to restrain himself. Torah captures this scene with such sensitivity.
Can you say you have not known similar moments in your life, possibly even during this past year? A yearning for family or just the experience of overwhelm whilst trying to protect others. Reading this scene in its intimacy affirms and even amplifies our own emotional lives. I can safely say these past months, unprecedented in so many ways, have evoked such moments.
As we go back into Tier 3, and do a lot more restraining and restricting ourselves to keep family safe, I wish you strength and calm.
Shabbat Shalom
Rebecca
A warm Mazal Tov to the Beach family on Rafi’s Bar Mitzvah, we are delighted to celebrate, in a restricted fashion, in the synagogue this Shabbat.
Chanukah begins on today (Thursday 10 December), which is 25 Kislev.
We recall the very unexpected defeat of the Seleucid Greeks by the Hellenist Jews. A rededication (Chanukah means dedication) of the temple long unavailable to the Jews of that period and a purification of Judaism practiced at that time.
So a victory for the Chasadim, purist Jews of that time, 164 BCE.
A great story. Although surely one to discuss and interpret for contemporary times. But in terms of the message of religious freedom it’s important Today is another important anniversary, that of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights agreed 10 December 1948 after the devastating atrocities of the Holocaust.
There was a hope that the tyranny experienced there would never be repeated, but of course it was. And the UDHR has been a map and a reminder of what humans (should) strive for.
In a year where our shared experience with other people, no matter who or where, has been unprecedented, the link between Chanukah and this anniversary is important.
The work establishing Human Rights continues and is as needed as ever. Just think of this year. Hate crime leading to Genocide is the focus of the Human Rights organisation Rene Cassin. And here we are arriving at Chanukah 2020 with respect and safety for all very much on our minds; amongst others our eyes are on and hearts leaning towards the Uyghur Muslim Community in China being brutalised still. Mosques desecrated and their religion and culture assaulted daily. Let’s pick this thread of awareness from our celebration, amongst the joy and the moments of light, that religious freedom is still compromised for many.
This whole year due to Covid regulations we have had to restrict all our festival celebrations. From Seder to Rosh Hashanah to now. As we ‘dedicate’ ourselves for this Chanukah let’s hold that balance; creative celebrations, generosity for those celebrating Christmas this year, allowed a few days of togetherness whilst holding that consciousness for the brutality of those still suffering under brutal regimes.
I look forward to seeing you at our Chanukiah lightings on each day of Chanukah, all in purple below. Whether you know the hosts or not, do join any and every night you fancy! Plus I’ll see you at our Big Chanukah Event on Sunday!
Shabbat Shalom to all and a particular Mazal Tov to the Angels on Lucy’s Bat Mitzvah inside our synagogue this Shabbat. There are spaces still to book for Friday or Saturday.
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Rebecca
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