On the 15th February, The Jewish Historical Society of England and GRADS held its first meeting of 2009 in a compact top floor of The Old Post Office in Moseley, the room was buzzing in anticipation of a talk by Dr Daniel Langton from The Centre for Jewish Studies at The University of Manchester.
Dr Daniel Langton spoke about 'Grace Aguilar (1816-47): Anglo-Jewish Theologian, Novelist, Poet and Pioneer of Interfaith Relations' which seemed very pertinent to a city as rich as Birmingham in the area of interfaith.
Daniel's presentation was very thorough and well structured, he spoke with great passion about Grace Aguilar's short but active life, that spread a mere thirty one years. Her life was portrayed as a vehicle for developing Jewish identity; from her own instincts, having been based in Devon and Brighton far from the vibrant communities of London, Manchester and Birmingham. Her Jewish identity had been groomed by her Father and Mother (the maternal guidance and role of women being positively emphasised by Daniel).
The talk described how Grace integrated with the local Christian community - as a tool to understand her own faith. As Langton highlighted, Grace did not simply take on Christian ideals and for example when praying alongside her Christian worshippers she adapted her prayers to take on a Jewish ideals. Her role seemed to be in creating a platform for Christians to better understand Jews. At this point, I feel it worthy to contribute a thought from a book I recently read "Jewish with Feeling" by Rabbi Zalman Schacter-Shalomi; who likewise suggests we as Jews learn from our Christian, Muslim, Buddhist neighbours etc, and their methods of spirituality and prayer to better understand our Jewishness; for example the bowing of the Islamic community being something rooted in Jewish worship. So in turn, Grace pulled the two communities together.
What strikes me as interesting was her rejection of Rabbinic values and placing the Talmud outside of the inner circle of The Jewish faith. As a student of Rabbi Tann, this was a key talking point - the role of Rabbinical Judaism with the late Rabbi, the name Karrite springs to mind. Grace seemed focused on the idea of placing the Bible at the centre of the Jewish faith. Daniel suggested this as an evangelical approach.
The talk was pulled together very well and had many of our minds springing with ideas. Grace Aguilar was a one person programme of reform. Her early death was followed by the developments in the reform movement and a springboard for interfaith dialogue. The question that has to be asked today - is what can we as a community learn from Grace Aguilar? Is our Judaism being reflected in our synagogues? Are we living the Judaism that we want?
Grace lived a short life but her attitude will never die - it is in each of us!
Thursday, 19 February 2009
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
Sunday, 14 December 2008
David Beckham
Fredrik Ljunberg's photograph of David Beckham that forms part of a Calvin Klein underwear advertising campaign pulls the readers attention through the eye contact that David makes with the reader, the sweat on his body also attracts the viewer and his overall body pose.
The sweat and his hands direct the reader to the reason for the advertisement - the underwear.
Image: images.blog-24.com
Raghu Rai
Raghu Rai is well known for taking the world into the life of one of the angels of the world, Mother Teresa (known for her great work with the Mission of Charity). I like this picture because it focuses on Mother Teresa as she visits a mission in Shillom, India. It humanises the saint like lady, she looks like a grandmother visiting her family, with peace. Not simply a church representative.. she carries dignity and angelic wisdom.
She is a message of hope to us still, the need to return to doing charity.
Image:
janellesphotography.blogspot.com/
She is a message of hope to us still, the need to return to doing charity.
Image:
janellesphotography.blogspot.com/
James Nachtwey
www.coreykoberg.com
James Nachtwey is known for being the loner of photography, his ambitious way of life to get to the core issue of the photograph is by placing the viewer at the forefront of the story - so they can feel the emotion, the historic moment firsthand (through his lens). His images from the tragic 9/11 event back in 2001 -- records this awful event but captures the former beauty whilst it stood before time took it from our world.
Above pic: www.coreykoberg.com
Luc Delahaye
Image: LSE.AC.UK website
LUC DELAHAYE is an artist photojournalist, he adds to his photographs an artist flair to give a wider picture or added push to give the reader a better or refined understanding of the story.
The dead Taliban soldier (2001) in Kabul, the soldier oddly looks blessed and happy. Is it because he has done his duty, why is seemingly happy.
Another image that I liked was the image of the surrendering Taliban soldiers. They seem like a family heading towards an unknown destiny, the smashed car window is like the prison cell of an old life being broken, and a new unknown life taking form.
Margaret Bourke-White
Bourke-White is known for taking some of the most memmorable images of the 20th century.
The picture that I liked the most was of Mohatma Ghandi. He is shown reading at home, I liked the picture as you have a well known man looking so ordinary -- too often we see leaders in a fake light, a television set like not homely manner. Hence, I would be a fan of the David Cameron Christmas card this year.
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