Unleash your Matisse

We're looking for people to help us design the T-shirt for this summer. If you want to enter the competition, see below for further details:

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Election special

Passover may seem like a distant memory, as might the subsequent matzah fest, but at this point in the Jewish calendar we are still very much thinking about the transition from slavery to freedom. What does it mean to be free? Popular culture might extol the virtues of a Lennonesque anarchy, with no borders, religion, posessions or inequality of outcome. However, if freedom isn't expressed in those terms, and we assume that rules do protect us from the abuse of power, then we bear certain responsibilities also. In my humble opinion, nothing could express a more profound commitment to that freedom, and its value in our lives, than voting. Today is the day people, when we decide on our collective future. Given your stake in it, I very much suggest that you have your say.

If you're still undecided, then take a look at the Reform Movement's website. You can see letters written by the three party leaders to the Reform Jews of Britain. On a related note, you might also want to check out their recent speeches made at a General Election Assembly Citizens UK event (which I was at - it was pretty cool!)

The ARDC Seder

Written by Daniella Persaud and Emma Weleminsky-Smith

The ARDC (African Refugee Development Centre) is an organization that helps the refugee community in Israel. It offers shelter to the most vulnerable, provides food and other basic resources, assists asylum seekers in their applications for visas and refugee status and runs English and Hebrew classes.

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A liberal's argument for same-sex marriage

Kieth Olberman, a famous American news anchor and left-wing political commentator, is a long-standing advocate of same-sex marriage. This thought-provoking plea to the people of California was largely drowned out of the news cycle by Obama's election a little over a year and a half ago. I wanted to shine a light on it once more. Some background info: gay marriage was made legal in California in June 2008. 4 months later however, a change in the law called Proposition 8 meant that the right for same-sex couples to marry was repealed. This angered the gay community, and is the subject of Olberman's disappointment. To watch the broadcast, click here. Alternatively, you can read the transcript below:

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The benefits of failure and the importance of imagination by J.K.Rowling

In her commencement address at Harvard University's graduation ceremony, J.K. offers some words of wisdom. A really good 20 minutes worth of procrastination if you have time. To watch click here.

Maidenhead Pulls Spiel Off

In another thrilling RSY-Netzer Purim Spiel-off competition, Maidenhead claimed outright victory. The fifth annual competition held at Alyth, winners in 2009, saw five teams from Alyth, Finchley Reform, Sinai (Leeds), Wimbledon Reform and Maidenhead compete for the RSY-Netzer Community Cup. This is Maidenheads second win, after triumph at the first Spiel-off back in 2005.

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