Weekly e-bulletin from Liberal Judaism – 19^th August 2010

NEWS

An Israel State of Mind (Jewish News)

Lucian J. Hudson, Chairman of Liberal Judaism, writes in the Jewish News this week: “The vehemence over the debate about Israel should give every member of the British Jewish community pause for thought. Are Israel’s defenders and detractors, and its critical friends in between, locked into a dynamic aimed at winning the argument or winning the people? … Many Progressive Jews in Israel and the Diaspora take issue with particular Israeli policies and actions precisely because of a love for Israel and what the country stands for.”  Read the full article in this week’s Jewish News (or see attachment) and email l.hudson@liberaljudaism.org if you’d like to discuss what you’ve read.

EVENTS

Jewish Journeys in a Secular World (Berlin seminar)

The last weekend of October is your chance to study, worship, socialize, network and sightsee alongside some of the brightest Progressive Jewish  young adults in Europe at the annual ‘tent’ / TaMaR / Jung und Judisch Jewish Journeys seminar in Berlin.  28^th – 31^st October for ages 18 – 35.  Cost: €180 including programme, accommodation and vegetarian meals (flights/travel excluded).  Registration opens on 1st September 2010 at www.jewish-journeys.org.  For more information email info@jewish-journeys.org or see attachment.  Bursaries are available.

ACTION

List High Holy Days Events and Services on Jeneration
You are strongly encouraged to make sure that your community’s High Holy Day services and events (such as shiurim) are listed on Jeneration’s popular website, which is already packed with events from across the community.  Email martin@jeneration.org with details and visit jeneration.org to find out more.

LJ Today September / October Edition
The September / October edition of LJ Today has gone to the printers and should be arriving with your community early next week.  Please contact the editor, Beatrice Sayers, on ljtoday@liberaljudaism.org with any news, views or letters for the November / December edition.

Sign Up for Mitzvah Day 2010

The countdown to Mitzvah Day 2010 has begun and now is the time to make sure that your community is registered.  Don’t worry, you still have plenty of time to register your projects; all you are asked to do at this stage is simply to register your community online, which only takes a few minutes.  See the attachment for further information or contact Michelle on michelle@mitzvahday.org.uk or 020 7443 5160 for help.

Mattuck Sermons

A collection of sermons by Rabbi Dr Israel Mattuck dating from 1912 has been made available for public viewing in the London Metropolitan Archives.  Liberal Judaism’s Honorary Archivist, Bryan Diamond, is looking for a volunteer to catalogue these by date and subject so that they can be compared with the collection at Leo Baeck College library.  If you think you can help please email bryan@bjdiamond.plus.com.