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EDITORIAL

This year's Joan Gooman Lecture which took place on December 5th, given by Simon Goldhill, Professor of Greek at Cambridge University and Director of the Research Centre at King's. The evening was a great success, with a record turnout. A transcript of Simon's talk would in no way have done justice to his bravura performance. And, of course, no such transcript exists. Not true of the welcoming address, given by yours truly — a stilted effort in comparison but nevertheless something which I should like to share. Here it is:

"GOOD EVENING everyone and thank you for coming this evening, in order to attend this year’s Joan Goodman Lecture. My name is Byron Simmonds and I am the Chair of the Progressive Jewish Community of East Anglia. This evening, here in this beautiful synagogue, we are the welcome guests of the Norwich Hebrew Congregation.

"FOR THOSE OF YOU who are members of neither Jewish congregation here in Norwich, it might seem strange that with so few Jewish people in the region, there should be not one but two Jewish congregations in the City. Well, as you might expect, there are theological differences. But at the same time we do have much in common. For many years members of both congregations have actively sought ways to bridge the inevitable gaps which do exist. The Joan Goodman Lecture gives us just such an opportunity.

"It also gives us the opportunity to reach out to the wider community — something both congregations are particularly keen to do. And so, with this in mind, I have to say how satisfying it is to see so many new faces here this evening.

"AS INCONGRUOUS AS IT MAY SOUND, Joan Goodman was very much a committed member of both congregations. Joan sadly passed away in the year 2000. In life she always encouraged friendship between the two congregations. And it is in her memory that her cousin, Simon Goodman, generously endowed the Joan Goodman Lecture.

"In order to make it happen, in the spirit in which it was intended, a joint committee was formed, made up of members of both congregations. And I should like to take this opportunity to thank the members of that committee for all their efforts over the years in consistently “coming up with the goods.”

"I have no doubt that tonight will be no exception.

"TONIGHT'S TALK IS ENTITLED “Jerusalem and the Cotswolds: why does Jerusalem look the way it does?”

"According to the flyer, and I quote: [The talk] will explore the history of the changing face of Jerusalem. It promises to be both sexy and fun...” Well, I can’t wait!

"TONIGHT'S SPEAKER, Simon Goldhill, is Professor of Greek at Cambridge University and Director of the Research Centre at King’s. He has published widely on all aspects of Greek Literature and Culture. His books include ‘Reading Greek Tragedy’, ‘The Poet’s Voice’, ‘Foucault’s Virginity’, ‘Who Needs Greek?’, ‘Love, Sex and Tragedy’ and, most recently, the best-selling ‘The Temple of Jerusalem’.

I read “The Temple at Jerusalem” around the middle of last year and found it to be an exceptionally good read. (It had been recommended to me by my friend Peter Croghin whom I am very pleased to see here tonight.)

"A couple of months later I was at the Cambridge Day Limmud, which I subsequently discovered, had been co-organized by Professor Goldhill.

"For those who don’t know about such things, Limmud (which is Hebrew meaning “to learn”) is something of a Jewish institution here in the UK: an ongoing series of weekend and day conferences held right across the country and attracting Jews of all persuasions — orthodox, progressive, secular. Limmud remains a beacon of light to all those who value a pluralistic approach to the survival of the Jewish diaspora in this country. And it is in the spirit of Limmud that I like to think of the Joan Goodman Lecture and this evening’s talk.

"BEFORE I FORMALLY WELCOME Professor Goldhill, I should just like to add that his talk will be followed by a short question and answer session. After which there will be tea and biscuits in the Communal Hall, where you will have the opportunity to chat and ask further questions.

"AND SO, WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, and on behalf of the Progressive Jewish Community of East Anglia, and our hosts the Norwich Hebrew Congregation, it is with great pleasure I ask that you please give a very warm welcome to the 2007 Joan Goodman lecturer, Professor Simon Goldhill."

— Byron Simmonds