All Change in Paris for Progressive Judaism
Written by Rabbi Dr. Andrew Goldstein Thursday, 18 March 2010
Rabbi Dr. Andrew Goldstein, Chairman of the European Union for Progressive Judaism, formerly the European Region of the World Union for Progressive Judaism reports on the recent Paris Conference and some major changes for the organisation:At our Paris Conference (4 – 7 March 2010), we voted to change our name to 'European Union for Progressive Judaism' reflecting the fact that we no longer felt just a 'region' of the World Union for Progressive Judaism. Since given that name decades ago we have expanded greatly with communities in 15 European countries and other groups being formed all the time.
Our Paris Conference was a great success with over 150 delegates from outside of France and up to a hundred attending from within Paris and France. Over 500 gathered for the opening reception at the Hôtel de Ville, Paris' town hall. We were hosted by the mayor and our outgoing president Ruth Cohen (a former chair of Alyth Gardens and RSGB) delivered a speech in French on our behalf.
Conference sessions were held at the Mouvement Juif Libéral de France (MJLF) synagogue and Shabbat services took place in four Progressive synagogues in Paris. Amongst the speakers from the UK were Professor Marc Saperstein, Rabbi Mark Goldsmith, Rabbi Tony Bayfield, Rabbi Mark Winer and Michael Grabiner. Stephen Moss chaired a session and Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand attended the rabbinic kallah that preceded the Conference (attracting 30 rabbis from all over Europe).
At the AGM, as well as changing our name, we voted in Leslie Bergman (West London Synagogue) as President, Gordon Smith (Alyth) as a Vice-President and Michael Reik (Middlesex New Synagogue) as Treasurer. We admitted a new member: Beth Shalom of Barcelona, a second community in the city. The Annual Report mentioned growth in many other areas including Poland and Hungary. The Conference marked the first significant event arranged by all 4 Paris congregations with a joint committee and was part of our efforts to form a strong Progressive movement in France.
We are now seeking bids from cities and countries interested in hosting the 2012 Conference and planning is proceeding on our tour to Berlin and Seesen to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the first Reform service on 17th July 1810.
Do look at the website of the European Union for Progressive Judaism for more information.
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