On Sunday 11 September 2005 we were privileged to attend a memorable celebration of the life of our late president, John Rich.  The evening commenced with a lecture by Dr Eddie Kessler - founder and executive director of the Cambridge Centre for the Study of Jewish Christian Relations.  Dr Kessler spoke vigorously of the need for all religions to discard those aspects of their theologies which spoke of violence towards their fellow man.  He told of the need for respectful dialogue between Jews and Christians, Christians, Jews and Muslims, and the necessity for all peoples to realise wars inspired by religion had no place in the modern World. He explained how mainstream Christianity now accepted the legitimacy of Judaism, and the corresponding realisation that we had more in common that that which once divided us.

Dr Kessler had been a student of John Rich during his time as a pupil of the Religion School of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, and his ideas were inspired by the thoughts and deeds of the founders of Liberal Judaism: Israel Abrahams, Claude Montefiore, Israel Mattuck, and Lily Montagu.  Click here to read Dr Kessler's lecture

The second part of the evening consisted of a professional recital of synagogue music for a Shabbat evening service.  This music was composed in 1934 by Jakob Dymont.  The original handwritten manuscript had recently been rediscovered and, with help from Rabbi James Baaden, transcribed into the wonderful music performed at South London Liberal Synagogue on the evening of 11 September 2005.

Jakob Dymnot had been the choirmaster of the Adass Yisroel Synagogue in Berlin.  He composed Yiddish songs, cantorial and liturgical music before he and most of his family left Berlin in 1938.  In 1934 his Friday evening service was performed at the Adass Yisroel and Rykke Strasse synagogues.  It was reviewed in German newspapers in 1934 -1936 when Nazi restrictions, including the Nuremberg Laws, tightened their grip on Germany's Jewish Community. 

 These voices from a lost generation of our people were truly evocative, splendid and poignant.

Jakob Dymont was the father of concert pianist Lily Dumont and grandfather of Paul Mindus, a member of SLLS.  Lily Dumont, now in her 90's, attended the evening, together with her son Paul, granddaughter Sophia and other members of the family.

The following selection from Jakob Dymont's music was performed: Ma Tovu and Ashrei, L'Cha Dodi, Barchu, Hashkiveinu, V'Shamru, Kiddush.  The performance has been professionally recorded on CD and we hope to make this available to interested parties soon.

(Please place your mouse over the photos to read the captions, and click on them to enlarge)