Un rabbin heureux quand même

Why publish this collection of Rabbi Williams' major sermons ? Because he has been a great voice for reform Judaism in France; and for 36 years he has marked the life of the synagogue in rue Copernic in Paris, bringing great happiness to his congregation. Because Michael Williams' sermons – on the parasha, the Holidays or the trauma of the bombing of our synagogue in 1980, on the assassination of Ytzhak Rabin or the centenary of ULIF-Copernic... always based on current events, left their mark on us. Because we think that it is high time to put them in writing, to keep a record of them and to publish them so that the “elders” can remember them and the younger generation discover them… What do you know about Michael Williams? An Englishman, he obtained an MA in history from Oxford, and then started Jewish studies at Leo Baeck College in London. In 1976, after graduation, he was appointed Rabbi of the synagogue on rue Copernic. It was the beginning of a long love story which lasted until 2012. For 36 years, he never ceased to be the one who tirelessly gave, listened, encouraged and challenged the members of his congregation. This charismatic man, a lover of art and classical literature, keen on Asian culture, awarded an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997, committed himself with dedication, loyalty and a keen sense of British humor. Michael is also a rabbi not afraid to disagree with his congregation, outspoken, sometimes angry. We often saw him walking around the synagogue, muttering in English, thinking... He is not afraid to show weakness, to question himself. But what really characterizes him is his keen sense of self-deprecation and his desire to make people laugh. He loves his congregants and his congregants, seduced by his English accent and his sermons peppered with rabbinical and Jewish jokes, return his love. Our project We propose to present in a book a number of Michael Williams’ sermons to give you the joy of rediscovering his unique style and also enable you, through his sermons, to immerse yourselves in major events of the past and give you matter for reflection. An editorial committee therefore began to select his most emblematic sermons. The choice of sermons was guided by the desire to address a wide variety of subjects and to cover as wide a period as possible. The first texts date from 1977 and the last one from 2012. Needless to say how difficult it was to choose certain texts because they were all interesting, funny, sometimes sad or worrying... all of them sparked questions and thoughts in us that we wanted to share with you. The editorial comittee Isabelle In April 2023, the “rue Copernic Trial” took place before the Cour d'Assise spéciale de Paris. Many of the congregation who were in the synagogue on October 3, 1980, the Shabbat of the attack, attended this trial, they drew closer and expressed their regrets that there was no published record of my husband's sermons. As a grand daughter, daughter and wife of prominent officers of the ULIF congregation it was with pleasure that I responded to that regret. Three women “pillars” of the Copernic congregation and I formed a steering committee. We have worked regularly and steadily since since September 2023, selecting, reading, re-reading and editing a number of texts, to arrive at the work that we are offering you today. A story of family and community. Muriel Our grandchildren are the fourth generation to come to pray and study at the Copernic Synagogue. It was our children who pushed me to get involved in this project. It is obvious that this work is essential to thank the man who has always been there for us in joy or in sorrow, even after 2012. Ariane Since my grandfather, who had arrived from Salonika, chose the synagogue on Rue Copernic, we have never left it, as it corresponds so much to our way of living and understanding Judaism. Four generations of “Copernicans” at heart, faithful to the values tirelessly defended by Michael Williams. An attachment that I had the great pleasure of realizing for 25 years as director of the Talmud Torah ( religion school). Corinne I loved Isabelle’s project when I first heard of it. Bringing together the sermons of her husband Michael's more than 30 years of service to our community meant sharing so much of our history with our friends, members of our congregation, and many other people. My parents were part of this congregation before I was born. My father, a member of the board, set up its parents' association. I taught there for ten years and many of my friends today come from this wonderful community. Michael and I established a very strong friendship soon after he arrived at Copernic. His visit with Isabelle to refuzniks in the USSR, my wedding with Alain, our children's bar mitzvahs, and his presence at the sad times when our parents died ; a whole shared Jewish life. Isabelle and her family have always been friends of my family. Her project for her husband's 80th birthday is a historical testimony and a profound reflection of Michael's time at Copernic. I am so grateful to both of them, it will be a wonderful gift. Some specifics about the book We are fortunate and happy that Séverine, also a member of the congregation and daughter of Danièle Charbonnel, a devoted and dynamic administrator of Copernic for many years, agreed to provide us with her invaluable help and advice to enable this book to be published. We wanted a book that will be easy to read, and also a book that will be passed on to young people, so we chose: • a format of 170 x 240 mm • a cardboard cover • a black print for the text and the few photos which illustrate the sermons. The book will be published in October 2024, the month our rabbi will celebrate his 80th birthday; We have, therefore, decided to launch this pre-order campaign to allow us to finance its printing. All we need now is your support to bring this project to fruition. Un rabbin heureux quand même ? More than a book, it marks an era in which you can immerse yourself. It is also a beautiful book to give as a gift! Share this around you without moderation!