Jew Know What

The spotlight is thrown on one of our hosts when Leo’s three sisters join us on the virtual couch.  Hear how brilliant he was growing up and why his three sisters think he is the best sibling ever* Use the following links to find out more on social media https://twitter.com/JewKnowWhatLeo - https://twitter.com/WFCKeegoCharley - https://twitter.com/RabCharleyRebecca - https://twitter.com/RSingerman or https://twitter.com/KingstonLibShulFind out more about Liberal Judaism, the home for your Jewish story here: https://www.liberaljudaism.org/*Rebecca who normally writes the show notes would like to apologise for the fact Leo wrote these notes and all points said may not be as factual as he thinks when he takes off his Rose Tint glasses.

In the opening episode of our second season, it’s just the three of us.  We hear about co-host Rebecca’s adult Bat Mitzvah at Kingston Liberal Synagogue and how her background led to her becoming Bat Mitzvah at the age of 50 - and the benefit of having Bar/Bat Mitzvahs - at any age!We also hear about the inauguration of Rabbi Leah Jordan at Kehillah North London and the extent to which our communities are truly inclusive.  We touch about coming out of lockdown and have our usual cultural chat - which bandwagon has Rebecca jumped upon?To read more about Rebecca’s Bat Mitzvah, including a link to her Dvar Torah, see here: https://klsonline.org/everyone-suddenly-burst-out-singing/https://twitter.com/JewKnowWhat Leo - https://twitter.com/WFCKeegoCharley - https://twitter.com/RabCharleyRebecca - https://twitter.com/RSingerman or https://twitter.com/KingstonLibShulFind out more about Liberal Judaism, the home for your Jewish story here: https://www.liberaljudaism.org/

We’re joined in this episode by Tal Ofer who moved to the UK from Israel over 14 years’ ago and in our conversation he reflects on his experiences as an Israeli in the UK in the time of Brexit, Corbyn and Covid.  He tells us about how he became actively involved in the UK’s Jewish community through Synagogue membership, his time being the elected representative of his Synagogue on the Board of Deputies of British Jews  - and we hear about recent changes in this aspect of his life.  We also talk about whether it is possible to heal the world via Twitter……And, as always, we share some great Netflix recommendations!Find us on social media:https://twitter.com/JewKnowWhatTal - https://twitter.com/TalOferLeo - https://twitter.com/WFCKeegoCharley - https://twitter.com/RabCharleyRebecca - https://twitter.com/RSingerman or https://twitter.com/KingstonLibShulFind out more about Liberal Judaism, the home for your Jewish story here: https://www.liberaljudaism.org/

Our guest this week is Joanna Lovell - a member of the Unitarian Universalist Faith, who lives in Pennsylvania, US.  Jo met Leo through the Hybrid Ministries Tech Forum - an international body bringing people of all faiths together to share best practice around delivering religious services online.Jo tells us about the Unitarian universalist faith and we discuss some similarities with Liberal Judaism.  As a former Choir Director we also compare notes about the role of music and music leaders in religious services.  Jo tells us about the annual Summer camps that take place in the US and we muse about holding something similar for LJ.We also touch upon anti-vaccination conspiracy theories, compare lockdowns in the US and UK - and hold our usual cultural conversation about what we’ve been watching / reading / listening to.Find us on social media:https://twitter.com/JewKnowWhatJo - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlovellctsproavsales/Leo - https://twitter.com/WFCKeegoCharley - https://twitter.com/RabCharleyRebecca - https://twitter.com/RSingerman or https://twitter.com/KingstonLibShulFind out more about Liberal Judaism, the home for your Jewish story here: https://www.liberaljudaism.org/

We are joined in this episode by Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying for a fascinating and really important conversation. Dignity in Dying is national campaign and membership organisation, arguing in favour of the option of assisted dying for terminally ill, mentally competent adults. Sarah explains about the work of the organisation, including its Religious Alliance for Dignity in Dying, chaired by Rabbi Dr Jonathan Remain MBE.  We discuss the choices made at the end of life and the role of the medical profession - and Leo speaks very movingly about the loss of his mother and his sister. We also talk about the role of religious leaders and institutions in the campaign and the issue more broadly.You can read more about Dignity in Dying here: https://www.dignityindying.org.uk/ And the Religious Alliance:https://www.dignityindying.org.uk/religiousalliance/You can find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JewKnowWhat Rabbi Charley - https://twitter.com/RabCharley Leo - https://twitter.com/WFCKeegoRebecca - https://twitter.com/RSingermanSarah - https://twitter.com/Sarah_WoottonDignity in Dying - https://twitter.com/DignityinDyingFind out more about Liberal Judaism, the home for your Jewish story here: https://www.liberaljudaism.org/

We’re really excited this week to be joined by Stephen Bush from the New Statesman.  As well as discussing his recent report into racial inclusivity within the Jewish community we also hear about Stephen’s upbringing and the role of his Jewish heritage.  Stephen also tells us about life as a left-leaning journalist during a time when antisemitism is a political football, and how he decides if and when to engage in discussions on this thorny issue.   And we try to persuade him to train as a Rabbi, and to watch Schitt’s Creek….. Find us on Twitter:https://twitter.com/JewKnowWhatStephen - https://twitter.com/StephenKBLeo - https://twitter.com/WFCKeegoCharley - https://twitter.com/RabCharleyRebecca - https://twitter.com/RSingerman or https://twitter.com/KingstonLibShulFind out more about Liberal Judaism, the home for your Jewish story here: https://www.liberaljudaism.org/