WUPJ News # 424

Issue 424 24 November 2011 / 27 Heshvan 5772

In this issue:
Rabbi Steve Burnstein welcomed by WUPJ as new Saltz Director
WUPJ’s Machon program given top marks by MASA
FSU Jewry Renaissance communities featured at URJ Biennial
HUC – JIR ordains new Israeli rabbis
UJCL prepare for uplifting Biennial
Presidential reflections

News in brief
Temple Israel to mark 75th anniversary on December 3, 2011
Liberals adopt Beit Din title


Upcoming events




Rabbi Steve Burnstein welcomed by WUPJ as new Saltz Director

The Anita Saltz International Education Center of the WUPJ looks forward to a new and exciting phase in its growth and development as Rabbi Burnstein takes up his post as the new Director.

Rabbi Burnstein has more than 25 years in Jewish education in both the US and Israel. After making aliyah in 1996, he served until 2003 as the Associate Director of the "Pinat Shorashim" Israel-Diaspora Seminar Center exploring the role of Israel in Jewish life.  For the past five years he has been Director of Education and Marketing at "IsraelExperts" where he helped people explore the centrality of Israel in Jewish Life through seminars, tours and educational materials. He is a member of Kehilat Birkat Shalom in Kibbutz Gezer, led by Rabbi Miri Gold and also serves as assistant Rabbi and cantor for the community. All of this makes him the ideal person for this position.

Rabbi Burnstein joins Saltz at a busy time in its calendar with upcoming activities in 2012 such as a celebratory 10th anniversary seminar of the Beutel Leadership Seminar (12-22 January), the Bergman Educators Seminar in the summer, various communal and international groups, and international seminars in Europe, Latin America and elsewhere.  A priority will be to further develop the distance-learning programs and other virtual services, as well as ensuring that the Saltz brand is promoted as widely as possible.

To that end, Steve will be joining the WUPJ delegation to the upcoming URJ Biennial in Washington.

Burnstein sees opportunities to engage with Diaspora communities to help develop “Israel Engaged Communities”. “As part of the WUPJ, the Saltz Educational Center has the potential to impact progressive communities around the world in a meaningful way. By offering tailor-made programs and resources, communities around the world could find a ‘one stop shop’ in Israel for cross-generational educational initiatives. I’m excited at the opportunity to strengthen connections between our communities and deepen our Jewish knowledge".

Shai Pinto, WUPJ VP and COO, adds “Rabbi Burnstein brings with him a unique blend of educational, business and spiritual skills, which will help us develop the Saltz Center and the service it offers our global constituents. The WUPJ sees its educational work as a core strategic area, using Israel and our center in Jerusalem as a key component in offering high quality educational programs which provide a global forum for Reform Jews to engage in serious, quality Jewish study in Israel.”

For more details on upcoming Saltz activities visit our website. You can contact Rabbi Burnstein at saltz@wupj.org.il.


SALTZ Director, Rabbi Steve Burnstein



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World Union’s Machon program given top marks by MASA

The Machon (Institute for Modern Jewish Studies in the FSU) program, a three year paraprofessional community worker training program has been highly evaluated by MASA, a venture jointly run by the Jewish Agency and the Israeli Government.  The Machon program has been operating for over 17 years, and has academic recognition, having been integrated with RGGU (Russian State University for the Humanities) in Moscow.

The Machon offers Jewish and Zionist education and leadership training to young students, strengthening their sense of Jewish identity, increasing their commitment to the Jewish community and ties with Israel.

The Machon has provided the FSU communities with a large cadre of capable and motivated community workers and leaders. Five of the six Progressive rabbis working as community leaders were trained by the Machon. In addition it also produces a cadre of qualified para-rabbis.

The program’s first year of studies takes place in Moscow. Students spend two days a week studying at the RGGU, the remainder of the week is spent in the regular Machon program. In addition, they are required to volunteer with the local community.

In their second year they spend one semester (five months) in Israel, and the remaining seven months are devoted to studying and doing practical community work in the FSU. While in Israel, they tour the land, experience the local culture and flavor, study Hebrew, volunteer, and have classes in Progressive Jewish thought, Zionism, history, and culture, as well as workshops in leadership training. At the end of the second year the students are evaluated again before they are able to continue their studies. The third year students work in their respective communities while attending three seminars.

The Machon program is one of 150 MASA accredited programs currently offered to young Jewish men and women. MASA – meaning “journey” in Hebrew – is a joint venture between the Jewish Agency and the Israeli Government and offers these students a unique personal life journey in Israel. Each year, MASA evaluates the various programs. This year, the World Union’s Machon program was awarded top scores in all evaluation sections and achieved exceptionally high scores when compared to all the MASA programs.


Having fun while learning about the local culture and history

Rita Fruman, the World Union’s FSU Netzer coordinator, who oversees the Machon program in Israel, believes that the program is “significant and interesting to the participants. We feel that it enriches the students both academically and in forging connections between them and the State of Israel”. Fruman is extremely proud of the high academic standards of the program, and points out that “we put forth much effort in continuing educational programs for the teachers and staff in order to maintain and further develop the program’s high standards.”

Alex Kagan, FSU Director, notes the hard work and dedication by all staffers involved in this program, and says that “the success of the Machon-MASA program would not have been possible without the commitment and support of the World Union staff, the cooperation of the IMPJ staff and congregations, and above all, the tireless dedication and enthusiasm of the programs’ coordinator – Rita Fruman – who demonstrates a warm and professional relationship with each and every participant and continuously promotes the program towards new academic achievements”.

WUPJ Vice President and COO, Shai Pinto, adds: "the Machon program is a cornerstone in building the future leadership of the FSU region and its communities, as well as our global future. The outstanding quality of this program over the years is a source of pride to us all, and a clear example of the role the WUPJ plays in its mission to enhance and develop global reform Jewry. Maintaining this quality and vision is an ongoing challenge which forces us all to work harder for our shared cause, whilst allowing us to continue believing in a brighter future for our regions and our global family.”


Participants working hard at their studies in Israel



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FSU Jewry Renaissance communities featured at URJ Biennial

"After the Iron Curtain – Russian Jewry Confronts a New Order and New Opportunities" is the title of an exciting workshop at the Biennial.  For decades, the Jewish community was systematically oppressed by successive Soviet governments, yet the tenacity of the Jewish spirit was not broken.  When Communism fell, and many Jews made aliya, others wanted to build and rebuild vital Jewish communities in Russia, the Ukraine and Belarus.  Miraculously, with a new synagogue building in Moscow, another in St Petersburg, the Sandy Breslauer Beit Simcha Centre for Progressive Judaism just dedicated in Minsk, and plans to find a site in Kiev, Jewish life is thriving.

The World Union is proud to share its expertise on Russian Jewry at the upcoming Union for Reform Judaism’s (URJ) Biennial.  This session takes place on Friday, December 16 at 3:15 p.m. and explores the growth and development of Reform/Progressive congregations in the Former Soviet Union (FSU).


St. Petersburg Congregation spiritual leader, Rabbi Helena Rubinstein

This session is not to be missed! Our featured panel of experts includes:

Rabbi Alexander Duhkovny is the Chief Progressive Rabbi of Kiev and the head of the FSU Rabbinic association. He was among the pioneers who started the Progressive movement in Ukraine.

Rabbi Michael Farbman attended the World Union’s Machon Institute for Modern Jewish Studies -- an intensive two-year program to train leaders for Reform congregations in the FSU. He became a rabbi graduating from Leo Baeck College, the Reform movement’s seminary in London. Together with his wife Olga (also a Machon graduate) he helped create educational resource material still used in all FSU liberal congregations. After serving for several years as a rabbi in St. Petersburg, Rabbi Farbman is now a rabbi at Temple Emanuel of Greater New Haven in Orange, CT.

As Director of the World Union’s FSU program, Alex Kagan will give a perspective of the entire FSU program including youth and Netzer Olami, the Zionist youth movement of Progressive Jews throughout the World.

Zachary Rolf and Samantha Bretton-Granatoor, both staff members at Central Synagogue in New York City, will discuss experiences with our WUPJ camps in the FSU and the role of Central Synagogue with our work in FSU.

Anne Molloy is Chair of the World Union’s FSU Committee and a truly dedicated and energetic leader. She has been supporting our movement in the FSU for many years.

Sign up to attend this workshop! We look forward to seeing you in December.
"After the Iron Curtain - Russian Jewry Confronts a New Order and New Opportunities", Friday, December 16 at 3:15 p.m.


Shacharit morning worship at Belarus summer camp



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HUC – JIR ordains new Israeli rabbis

In a moving ceremony held this past Friday at Beit Shmuel/Mercaz Simshon's magnificent Blaustein hall, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Jerusalem celebrated the ordination of 3 new Israeli rabbis – Shai (Jeshayahu) Beloosesky, Ariella Graetz-Bartuv, and Gila Caine.


Newly ordained rabbis Shai Beloosesky, Ariella Graetz-Bartuv,
and Gila Caine

The Rabbinic Ordination and Academic Convocation ceremony, now a highlight on the Israeli reform calendar, also included conferring the degree of Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa on Rabbi Uri Regev, former WUPJ President and now CEO of Hidush, as well as Doctor of Education, honoris causa to Sally Klein-Katz, Doctor of Music, honoris causa to Cantor Mikhal Shiff Matter, and the Presidential Medallion to Lia van Leer, founder of the Jerusalem cinemateque. It also celebrated the graduation of the Mezorim program and the Life Texts – Talmudic Bibliotherapy Program of the Blaustein Center for Pastoral Care and Counseling.

The ordination ceremony was eloquently hosted by HUC – JIR Dean, Rabbi Naama Kelman. The high point was the moment the three new rabbis received their ordination from HUC Vice President for Academic Affairs, Rabbi Michael Marmur. The graduates were also greeted by WUPJ VP and COO, Shai Pinto, IMPJ Chair, Yaron Shavit and Rabbi Maya Leibovitz, Chair of MaRaM (Moetzet Harabanim Hamitkadmim, Council of Progressive Rabbis in Israel).


(left to right): Rabbi Michael Marmur, Dr. Sally Klein-Katz,
Rabbi Dr. Uri Regev, Cantor Dr. Mikhal Shiff Matter, Rabbi Naama Kelman,
and Mr. Irwin Engelman, Chair, Board of Governors of HUC

Pinto called upon the newly ordained rabbis and future leaders to skillfully nurture the renewed seeds of hope planted within our communities and the Israeli society at large during this summer of social demonstrations, as quoted in Deuteronomy 16 “Tzedek tzedek tirdof” - Justice justice you shall pursue” and carry with pride and might, but also with wisdom and sensitivity, the flags of egalitarianism, morality and compassion, the acceptance of the “other”, the desire for tikkun olam, the responsibility for this land that we have inherited, and our hope and prayers that as we look unto the walls of the Old City destroyed through brotherly hate, our message of brotherly love will prevail.


WUPJ’s COO and VP, Shai Pinto addresses the graduates

Rabbi Kelman eloquently summed this event up by saying that “Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion is proud and inspired by our three newest ordinees, who join the ranks of some 70 Israeli trained rabbis, changing the face of Israel and the Jewish world.”


Rabbi Naama Kelman, Rabbi Michael Marmur, Rabbi Dr. Uri Regev
and Rabbi Gilad Kariv

During the ordination ceremony, Rabbi Gila Caine spoke beautifully about her vision of a rabbi. She does not see herself as an intermediary between Judaism and Jews, but rather as a road sign to help them find their own way.

Rabbi Gila Caine is the serving rabbi for Kehilat Brit Olam in Kiryat Ono. Rabbi Ariella Graetz Bartuv serves as the spiritual leader of the community at Kibbutz Hanaton, and Rabbi Shai (Jeshayahu) Beloosesky will continue incorporating his spiritual and social values in the IDF.




Post ordination celebration


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UJCL prepare for uplifting Biennial

The UJCL’s (Union of Jewish Congregations of Latin America and the Caribbean) preparations for its upcoming biennial convention are in high gear. The central theme chosen for the conference is: “Judaism for Adults: Complex Questions, Honest Answers.”

The Biennial will be held in Guadalajara , Mexico , January 25 - 29, 2012, which at 1,566 m (5,138 ft.) above sea level should provide a literally, figuratively  and metaphorically uplifting experience.

“This bilingual (Spanish, English) event, is by far the most important and exciting Jewish event in the northern part of Latin America”, says Rabbi Joshua Kullock, UJCL Executive Director. “It will be attended by professionals and lay leaders from all over the region and from other parts of the world”.


UJCL board at historic Curucao Synagogue

Due to the sui generis configuration of the UJCL, the convention will gather representatives from Progressive and Masorti/Conservative congregations in a unique balance that has fostered the growth and development of Judaism in the region during the recent years. Some of the remarkable speakers for the convention include Rabbi Stephen Fuchs, the newly elected President of WUPJ; Rabbi Joel Oseran, International Development Director of WUPJ; Rabbi Elliot Dorff, Rector at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles; Dr. David Breakstone , Executive Vice President of WZO, and Dr. Fabian Triskier, Associate Director of JDC for Latin America . As of now, 19 rabbis have signed up for the convention, in what is an outstanding achievement for the organizing committee. We will have plenty of Torah discussions during these upcoming days.

Yet, the 13th UJCL Convention will not be just about remarkable speakers and lectures. It will be also about networking and engagement in meaningful connections between peers and partners. It will give us the opportunity to build new relations and to strengthen old friendships while having a great time in a blossoming city. It will let the participants think about those challenges lying ahead of us that mark the future of small and medium size congregations both in Latin America and worldwide.

You are more than welcome to join us and get to know a vibrant region. You can find more information about the Convention in our website: http://ujcl.org/ingles/guadalajara/guadalajara.htm. If you use twitter, you can receive the latest news and updates of our event following the hashtag: #ujcl2012 (which by the way explains the title of this article).


Previous UJCL Biennial in Panama


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Presidential Reflections - From Lutsk with Love
Rabbi Stephen Fuchs



All of the values, all of the hopes and all of the ideals for which the World Union stands shine forth from the Lutsk Congregation for Progressive Judaism which is in Ukraine. In this city there are only 1000 Jews and almost all of them affiliate with our congregation.

Vickie and I arrived in Lutsk with Rabbi Alexander Dukhovny, Chief Rabbi of the 47 Progressive congregations in Ukraine and Alexander Haydar, Executive Director of our movement in Ukraine, and experienced an amazing day and a half.  We entered a beautifully equipped building that under one roof houses a synagogue, cultural center, Kindergarten, welfare offices, Ort school, Sisterhood (called Kesher), NETZER, Yachad, (a magnificent club for senior citizens) and the office of the Jewish Agency for  Israel.   As Sergei Shvardovsky, the Executive Director of the congregation showed us the carols offices and equipment; our mouths dropped open in amazement.  But that was just the beginning.

We enjoyed a lovely reception (featuring delicious dark chocolate) and saw a wonderful slide show of a year in the life of the congregation.  The vitality and creativity of the holiday programming was an inspiration to us.

But even that was not all.  We were guests of honor at a wonderful musical variety show with performers from under eight to over eighty years old singing songs in Hebrew, Ukrainian, Russian and Yiddish.

When invited to address the assembly after the performance I shared how inspiring it was to see Jewish life flourishing once again in a place where it had been repressed for so long.  The very word "Ukraine" once symbolized for Jews only anti-Semitism and pain.  I then proudly presented a World Union mezuzah to Boris Karp, Chair of the community's Board of Patrons, and there were tears in his eyes as he accepted it.

The next day we were received by Boris Klymchyk, Governor of the Volyn Region where Lutsk is located, and I had the privilege of thanking him for restoring Jewish property to the community.  We shared the fervent hope that the future will be much better than the past.

Before World War II there were 28 synagogues in Ukraine.  Now there is only one.  But that synagogue is blossoming with the vibrant rebirth of Jewish life.  Seeing their exuberant brand of Progressive Judaism in action is a privilege I shall cherish all my life.



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News in Brief

Temple Israel to mark 75th anniversary on December 3, 2011

Temple Israel, one of the oldest Reform congregations in South Africa will celebrate its 75th anniversary on the December 3.

South Africa’s first Progressive congregation, Temple Israel was founded in 1936, by Progressive Jews who had fled Germany following the rise of Nazism. The congregation was established in Hillbrow, then one of Johannesburg’s most Jewish neighbourhoods.

At its peak it had almost a thousand members, however at the moment it has less than a hundred, reflecting the neighbourhood’s changing demographics over the past 2-3 decades.


Liberals adopt Beit Din title

The Liberal Movement in England has given a nod towards tradition by deciding to rename the rabbinic board that supervises its conversions as its Beit Din. This brings it into line with the European Progressive and Reform movements.

The Beit Din's main role is to approve conversions, although it occasionally issues a document of divorce. The name change does not indicate any shift towards tradition in the content of the conversion process, which remains a clearly defined Liberal conversion approved by a Liberal Beit Din.

Approximately 100 people in the UK undergo a Liberal conversion every year. Most are young women planning to marry Jewish men, but an increasing number of converts are people who married Jews without converting, and have subsequently decided to convert.



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Upcoming events

December 14-18, 2011 – Union for Reform Judaism Biennial, Washington D.C

January 25-29, 2012 - Union of Jewish Congregations of Latin America and the Caribbean (UJCL) Biennial Convention, Guadalajara, Mexico

March 13-15, 2012 - WUPJ Executive Board Meetings, Netherlands

March 15, 2012 – WUPJ International Assembly Meetings, Netherlands

March 15-18, 2012 – Biennial Conference of the European Union for Progressive Judaism, Amsterdam

June 1-2, 2012 – Biennial Conference of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ), Israel

June 8-10, 2012 – 80th Anniversary and Biennial conference of the South African Union for Progressive Judaism (SAUPJ), Johannesburg

August 8-12, 2012 – World Union for Progressive Judaism-Latin America (WUPJ-LA)'s 4th Conference of Jewish Communities, Buenos Aires

October 25-28,  2012 - UPJ Biennial Conference, Sydney, Australia

April 28-30, 2013 – WUPJ Executive Board Seminar and International Assembly Meeting, Jerusalem, Israel

May 1-5, 2013 – WUPJ "Connections 2013", Jerusalem, Israel





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