Dear Julie Burchill,
It saddens me to read that you have given up with attending synagogue and converting to Judaism. I can see how you would be put off after what you have experienced. You are not alone.
I am a Jew who attends a Liberal Synagogue and I too feel put off sometimes. So do many others that I know.
There are times that I leave synagogue on Shabbat feeling frustrated and angry rather than at peace and happy.
I know that the rabbi that you are referring to is Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah. You will find her name in the “About Us” section of the Jews for Justice for Palestinians website of which she is a signatory among a few other “progressive” rabbis.
On the 27th of this month, there will be a protest vigil in front of the Israeli Embassy where according to Jews for Justice for Palestinians 'Between 27 December 2008 and 18 January 2009, over 1400 Palestinians were killed by Israel in a brutal and illegal attack on the Gaza Strip, destroying lives and infrastructure”.
They will be there alongside Palestine Solidarity Campaign who believe that all of Israel is illegitimate and that 'from the river to the sea' is all Palestine. Their goal is the destruction of Israel.
Why our Liberal “leaders” choose to stand with those that wish our destruction just does not make sense.
I am not writing this out of spite, but out of frustration. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt and hope that they are just being naive.
Among many of their misguided and hateful campaigns, the Jews for Justice for Palestinians believe in boycotting Ahava, they have a campaign on their site called Stop Arming Israel, they support the Russell Tribunal.
They also really push Palestinian olive oil which you can by at Liberal Judaism's headquarters in London, the Montagu Centre.
Liberal Judaism also runs a social group called Tent. On a recent Social Action Trip to Israel organised by Tent, participants were invited to go do the following “walk beside the separation wall, visit the growing Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem and participate in the weekly vigil in the Arab neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarah”
It seems as if the leaders of Liberal Judaism are more interested in Islam and putting Israel in a bad light. I cannot speak for all of them, but there are a few.
They seem to have an obsession with Islam as the subject of Islam is brought up too often. I sometimes wonder why they don't just convert and be done with it.
Whenever I read LJ today there is usually something in regards to Islam in there, usually to do with interfaith. Interfaith is fine, but how about mingling with other Jews once in a while too.
I think by opening us up to the Islamic community, they are also endangering us.
Some of the organisations that they have interfaith with have been documented to be antisemitic.
I have visited the Montagu Centre in London a couple of times and you would never know there was a synagogue there the way it blends in with all the other office blocks.
Quite recently, the police were called there when a Moslem woman was banging on the front door screaming that she wanted to come in there and kill Jews.
Earlier this year, many of the congregation of a Liberal Synagogue walked out of their Rosh Hashannah service when Danny Rich decided to spend most of the time talking about the wonders of Islam and the Moslem holiday of Eid.
It also made the paper when Jews for Justice for Palestinians had Jeff Halper speak at the Montagu Centre. Jeff Halper supports the boycott of Israel.
What about how Rabbi David Goldberg embarrassed our community when on national television he claimed that there is an apartheid state in Israel that defies international law on human rights.
To be a Zionist or to support Israel in Liberal Judaism feels taboo. Whenever the subject has been brought up with a certain rabbi in regards to support for Israel, their reaction has not been very positive. Their open support for organisations that demonise Israel make us uncomfortable
Why don't I leave Liberal Judaism? Believe me, there are times that I really do think about it.
I don't leave because of my many friends and families who the leaders and representatives do not speak for, the kind people that I know and that support Israel and want to hear about Judaism.
I stay because I am a progressive Jew and I and believe women have equal rights and that halakah does not always have to be so stringent. I support Women of the Wall, I don't care what colour you are, what your sexuality is or how you want to practise Judaism, but I am not interested in Islam or anti Israel propaganda. No matter how peaceful some Moslems seem, you cannot erase what it says in their books about us, the Jews.
I can understand that people in Liberal Judaism want to question things in regards to Israel, but there are those that cross the line and support their own enemies. They are supporting their own destruction with their alliances.
I want to go to synagogue and learn about Judaism, I want to buy Israeli olive oil. I get jealous when I learn of other branches of Judaism saying prayers for the IDF, why can't we?
When they have an Israeli flag at other Synagogues, why can't we?
Why can't our trips to Israel be about our Jewish heritage? Where is the pride?
I stay in hope that things will change, that the Rabbis will listen to their congregation, that they will be real supporters of Israel and will stop shoving Islam down our throats.
Danny Rich has been appointed to five more years as chief Executive.
Maybe I am the one that is naive?
Julie, don't let your experience at that synagogue put you off. As I am sure you know, not all synagogues are that way. There is also Reform, Masorti and Orthodox. Don't give up. You are an inspiration and a mensch, we would be quite happy to have you.
