In the last few weeks, Sinai Synagogue has been subjected to a range of distressing and vitriolic comments, primarily through Facebook. The language has, on occasion, regrettably been extremely personal and offensive. It has also become, for some, a witch hunt of individuals in Sinai.
We absolutely condemn this vitriol. No matter what our discussions, debates or even arguments may be, whether in the Sinai community or wider Jewish community, there is no place for the exceptionally offensive language being used. The Jewish community, as a whole, faces many external challenges without us seeking to do the same to each other internally.
One of the things that Sinai holds proud is being the leading Progressive Jewish voice in the city and region. For eighty years we have been able to demonstrate how our millennia of Jewish learning and values can be lived and experienced in a modern age. Reform values such as inclusion, compassion and תיקון עולם (tikkun olam - repairing the world) have always been central to Sinai.
Included in those values is our unshakeable belief in the very Jewish tradition of debate. We read in our texts about the debates between Rabbis and scholars. These debates are the very heart of Judaism: whether it is the ancient belief in מחלקת לשם שמים (makhloket l'shem shamayim - arguments for the sake of heaven) or simply two Jews and three opinions: we value having open debate.
This extends to difficult debates too. Sinai has always found safe spaces to have difficult conversations. And it will always continue to do so. Without these difficult conversations we would not be able to see the growth, development and learning of our religion or of Sinai Synagogue. We recognise, of course, that such debates will generate strong feelings for people who find themselves on one side or other of a debate. This puts a responsibility on us to ensure that we are active in ensuring there is balance from those speaking on issues.
As previously noted, this balance was missed in the recent decision to host Rabbi Lev Taylor at an event at Sinai. It is clear that we ‘jumped the gun’ in inviting Rabbi Taylor before having a fuller programme of speakers in place. Again, we apologise for this error. We are in the process of not just inviting alternative viewpoints and, following the discussions at our AGM, seeking to create a programme of learning.
There has also been a lot of concern and, in some cases, anger expressed following recent social media postings about an event Cantor Weston is pictured attending six years ago. The event, organised by a group of individuals, was titled as Kaddish for Gaza by the organisers. It has also been alternatively titled as Kaddish for Hamas. If you wish to read more about the event, this article: https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-jewish-prayer-for-gaza-victims-rally-makes-british-jews-lose-their-cool/, gives an account aiming to represent voices from both sides.
We understand that members have found it concerning that Cantor Weston attended. The event, of course, happened many years before she started her role here at Sinai. During her time here she has empathetically and sensitively led our community through the heartbreak, distress and anguish following the barbaric actions of Hamas on 7 October, which led to the current war. She represented Sinai with great compassion at the Millenium Square vigil, with over 1,000 attendees, on 11 October. She continues to offer support and solace to all members of Sinai who are still in pain following 7 October, and seeks to reach out to those outside the Jewish community to find space to share common grief.
Cantor Rachel said: “As you may know, I attended the ‘Kaddish for Gaza’ event in 2018 with other participants from progressive Jewish backgrounds. This was before I began my cantorial studies and far before my time as Cantor of Sinai. I attended because like so many of us, I believe in dialogue, human rights, mourning the loss of all human life, the power of communal ritual, freedom, and kindness. These are the values I am committed to bringing to the Sinai community. However, I am deeply cognisant and saddened by the divisiveness and pain it caused in the Jewish community.
“Today, with my responsibilities as a Cantor leading a congregation with many diverse views, I would not attend such a gathering, because at this deeply volatile time, my role as a spiritual leader is to provide solace and sanctuary to all those feeling the pain of myriad and profound trauma, both current and historic.
“I am grateful that many value the work I have been doing in Leeds in the present time across the Jewish and wider Leeds community. Since 7th October I have been privileged and moved to sit alongside congregants across the spectrum of political, cultural and religious persuasions, respecting and listening to them to create a safe, kind, and strong community.
“I remain deeply committed to a קהילה קדושה (kehilla kedosha - holy community) which navigates the complexity and pain experienced in the Leeds and wider Jewish community, and in our current, fractured world.”
Sinai will always remain a place of open debate, in the best traditions of Judaism. It is what makes us a unique voice in the city. We have made an error in not living up to this recently, and not only apologise for this but are addressing it. Cantor Weston has also been open and clear about how she seeks to lead our community, both in her actions as our Cantor in a very challenging year, as well as in this statement.
Our hope is that those who may not have considered how their words seek to harm Sinai will now seek to engage positively with us; and that they stop the language and rhetoric used to debase and attack Jews. And that, likewise, Sinai continues to reach out into the Leeds Jewish community to play its full role, continuing to be a strong and proud Progressive Jewish voice.