Weekly e-bulletin from Liberal Judaism

URGENT: Justice for Jeremiah Duggan - All

It has been 5 years since Jerry Duggan, a committed member of ULPSNYC-Netzer (now LJY-Netzer) from childhood, was killed in Germany aged 22.  There has still not been a full investigation into his death.  On 3rd April a small group of delegates from the Justice for Jeremiah campaign will present a petition to Gordon Brown, urging him to intervene and see that justice is finally done.  You may not have known Jerry, but please take a minute to sign this petition from this link: http://www.petitionthem.com/default.asp. 

For more information on the case and the campaign please go to www.justiceforjeremiah.com.

Please pass this on to any friends, family or colleagues who might also wish to sign.

Is your community a company registered by guarantee? - All

One of our communities is looking into whether they wish to become a company limited by guarantee.  If there is another community who has gone through this process they would like to talk to you about how the application process progressed and how this has worked.  If you have applied for this status and would be happy to discuss it with another Liberal Jewish community, please contact Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer at Liberal Judaism – phone number is 020 7631 9835, email shelley.s-d@liberaljudaism.org.  If you’ve now read this and are curious about what this means, please visit voda.org.uk/infosheets and select info sheet 1.3 for a basic introduction.

IMPORTANT: Voter registration urged by Board of Deputies - All
Greater London Authority and London mayoral elections, as well as  English local government elections, will take place on 1st May.  The deadline for voter registration and postal vote applications is 16 April.  The Board encourages all those who are entitled to vote in these elections to make sure they are registered to vote, particularly in light of the current threat from extremist parties and candidates.  Click here to read more about the Board's campaign and about how to register to vote.

Actuarial Review of Burial Fund Provision - All

Woodford Liberal Synagogue is currently considering undertaking an actuarial review of its burial fund provision.  Have any other communities been through a similar process?  If so could they kindly get in touch with Jonny Hurst, Burial & Cremations Secretary at Woodford on jonnyhurst@hotmail.com.

NEWS and EVENTS

STOP PRESS: Education Events - Chairs of Education, Head Teachers, Rabbis

1. Educator in Residence Sessions (free)

Last chance to attend one of Shelley Kedar’s Educator in Residence sessions next week. No charge but please let Judy know via email j.thwaites@liberaljudaism.org if you plan to attend.  Click here for session details.  Shelley will be delivering a session at the Montagu Centre on 1st April called 'Israel Counts' - click here.

2. Yom Chinuch

Reminder to head teachers to complete the Yom Chinuch application form & return to j.thwaites@liberaljudaism.org as soon as possible to confirm Religion School participation.  Click here for form.

3. Flying the Flag for Israel Challenge

Closing date for the competition is Tues 6th May so please plan a session for making your flags on your return from spring holidays. Email j.thwaites@liberaljudaism.org for ideas for topics and click here for form.

Celebrate Israel's 60th Anniversary at the LJS - All

Liberal Judaism, The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, West London Synagogue, Belsize Square Synagogue, Westminster Synagogue, New London Synagogue andThe Movement for Reform Judaism request the pleasure of your company at a Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration for Israel's 60th Anniversary with guest speaker Rabbi Michael Boyden on Sunday 11th May, 2008 at 3.00pm at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St John's Wood Road, London NW8 7HA.  Click here for invitation and RSVP details.

TIME CHANGE: To Learn and to Teach - All

To Learn and to Teach will now be held from 11.30am - 3.30pm on Monday 19th May. The workshop, led by Gaby Ruppin and Janet Berenson Perkins from Leo Baeck College, will be of particular interest to those who wish to run text study groups in their communities or explore texts, increase their own knowledge and learn about facilitating groups.  Click here for information or email j.thwaites@liberaljudaism.org.

LAST 5 PLACES for Liberal Judaism / Birmingham Israel Tour - All

4th - 14th May 2008.  Join Liberal Judaism and Birmingham Progressive Synagogue on this 10-day trip to Israel.  Share Shabbat with a Progressive community; get your hands dirty with Tikkun Olam; take in the beauty of the north; explore dialogue and coexistence initiatives; meet a Palestinian journalist; dazzle your taste buds; sunbathe on Tel Aviv's beach and even take in an extra day in Petra. Click here for more information or email shlicha@liberaljudaism.org  £920 including flights and half-board accommodation.