Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
www.liberaljudaism.org
An update on the Path to Progressive Judaism
WE ARE excited to share a new important document with you – a 16-page booklet outlining where we are in the process of bringing Liberal Judaism and The Movement for Reform Judaism together as one Progressive Judaism, and where we’re heading.
We have spent much time and resource putting this together, as we know that many of our communities and members have important questions.
It will also act as a historical document, which will be added to our movement archives and national libraries, and used for any future histories of this moment.
The booklet – which can be read at the link below – describes all the wonderful things currently happening as our movements, staff teams and clergy bodies begin to work together. It then sets out the practical tasks around the merging of two organisations, the important discussions on the name of the new movement and the practical steps ahead.
In a note of welcome, Dr Ed Kessler – the Chair of the Progressive Judaism Advisory Board – said: “The coming together of The Movement for Reform Judaism and Liberal Judaism into one single movement is the most significant development in British Judaism for 80 years.
“Our voice will be heard not only in the UK, but all around the world.
“Our Judaism – one that is inclusive, musical, thoughtful, creative and egalitarian – will flourish and grow, helping more people in more places enjoy rich and vibrant Jewish lives.”
Later on, in an article about the next steps in the process, Progressive Judaism Co-Leads Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy write: “We hope that this booklet helps you to understand better the complexities taking place, and also allows us all to take stock and see just how much has already been achieved.
“We believe wholeheartedly in all that one combined movement will make possible. Now we want to hear from you so that we can move forward together.”
Paying tribute to Simon Benscher
SIMON Benscher – one of the most important figures in the modern history of Liberal Judaism – has died.
A former Chair of the movement, his passion was building real connections with Liberal communities and members. He also played a vital role in merger conversations between Liberal Judaism and The Movement for Reform Judaism in the 2010s, and was an ardent advocate for the formation of one united Progressive Judaism for the UK today.
Simon’s love of Liberal Judaism began when he joined Woodford Liberal Synagogue (now part of East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue) at the age of nine. Throughout his life, he served both the synagogue and the movement at all levels and was also very engaged with the World Union for Progressive Judaism.
Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein - who served as President of Liberal Judaism when Simon was Chair - said: “Simon was a devoted supporter of, and worker for, Liberal Judaism. His behind the scenes discussions to bring Liberal and Reform Judaism together gave impetus to the unification project now underway.”
• Read a full obituary in the next lj today
Simon at the 2016 Liberal Judaism Biennial
Finding meaning in the heart of trauma
Rabbis Charley Baginsky and Josh Levy reflect on the anniversary of 7 October
MORE than a year has now passed since the events of 7 October 2023 – a day that profoundly altered the landscape of Jewish identity and our relationship with Israel.
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel famously wrote that Jews construct “Cathedrals of time rather than space”.
This observation resonates deeply as we navigate the ongoing trauma; as we grapple with the challenge of how we mark a year since that fateful day, while the events it unleashed continue around us. There is, as yet, no cathedral in time, nor any ritual capable of transporting us from this moment of grief into a brighter future.
The last year has revealed a collective struggle within the Jewish community. Recently, we had the opportunity to meet Ami Ayalon, former head of the Shin Bet, who referenced Brian Michael Jenkins’ concept of “incremental tyranny”. He explained how Israel’s psyche has adapted to terrorism by developing an unyielding fear and an obsessive need for safety.
As Diaspora Jews, we find ourselves caught in our own version of incremental tyranny, marked by apprehension about how we discuss our relationship with Israel and how we live as Jews in the UK. We often fear speaking openly and personally about this connection with Israel and what it means to us.
What we can articulate in private can feel stifled in public, which itself risks creating alienation within our own communities.
This struggle transcends political affiliations; it is not merely a left or right issue. Across campuses and communities, we grapple with differing articulations of our relationship to Israel.
Some believe we need a singular, normative voice and that multiplicity of voice equates to dangerous division. Yet this restricts our ability to engage authentically, especially in times of crisis.
We must resist the urge to remain silent, lest we inadvertently validate the notion that criticism of the Israeli government equates to a lack of commitment to Zionism.
As Progressive Jews living in the UK, we face a particular challenge – our Zionism is deep and authentic, yet can be in tension with the definition held by others of what it means to be a Zionist, both outside and inside the Jewish community.
We both have deep intimate current and historical relationships with Israel. On a recent trip together to Israel, we visited places from our family and personal lives, shared stories and saw friends.
Yet, a willingness to critique the Israeli government, and public calls for an end to the Occupation, can lead to marginalisation in the Jewish community outside of Israel. This has deepened over the past year, as many of us have sought to reclaim our voices, echoing Yuval Noah Harari’s sentiment that our Jewish democracy – the Zionist dream – also resides in our hands.
At the recent conference of the The Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism, discussions resonated deeply with our own experience.
Hearing narratives from Israeli Progressive leaders highlighted a societal fracture – a trauma that is often labelled as “theirs” rather than “ours”.
The realisation that we, too, have a share in this trauma was both painful and liberating.
Sessions explored the intersection of despair and belief through music and poetry, weaving together the old and the new, acknowledging collective grief.
As a thousand voices joined in Kabbalat Shabbat, we were struck by the growth and strength of the Israeli Progressive movement. Despite the challenges, there is hope within this community –an understanding that our identities as Progressive Jews are intrinsically linked to the future we envision for Israel.
In the UK, discussions around our identity and relationship to Israel have often been oversimplified, with a dominant communal normative position that does not recognize the lived complexity of most Israelis.
We returned committed to drawing attention to the hostages’ plight, while seeing from our Israeli colleagues that this must sit alongside deep pain at the lack of a ceasefire – and that we have permission to raise our voices on both.
Our hearts and heads are strong enough to bear this. Our Zionism can bear the complexities of this moment. The struggle for a balanced narrative and renewed complexity must be reclaimed, to ensure that we tend to our Zionist story with care and intention.
As we reflect on this year since 7 October, we recognise that the journey ahead demands courage and authenticity. It calls for open dialogue that embraces our differences while fostering a shared commitment to a hopeful future. In doing so, we can honour the memory of those lost and reaffirm our responsibility as Progressive Religious Zionists.
Through our tears and our fears, we can forge a path toward understanding and healing, lifting our eyes to a tomorrow that is yet unwritten.
PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM CoLeads Rabbi Josh Levy and Rabbi Charley Baginsky visited the Israeli Embassy to sign the Book of Reflection that was created to mark the anniversary of 7 October.
They shared how our thoughts are continually with Israel’s people – and especially with those still being held hostage and their families.
You can read their message, on behalf of Progressive Judaism, on the left.
Commemorations held around the country
LIBERAL and Reform community
members from all over the country came to London for a memorial event in Hyde Park to mark the one-year anniversary of the 7 October terrorist attacks, mourn the victims and call for the return of the hostages still being held by Hamas.
Progressive Judaism Co-Leads Rabbi Josh Levy and Rabbi Charley Baginsky addressed the event, including contributing a prayer for the strength to make peace and for the wellbeing and release of the hostages (written by Rabbi Chen Ben Or Tsfoni).
Rabbis Charley and Josh said: “It was a privilege to speak at the memorial. This important event was testament to the resilience of the UK Jewish community and the strength of our ongoing commitment to Israel.”
Around 20,000 people attended the memorial – both members of the UK Jewish community and our friends of all faiths and none – showing unity in the face of hate.
The most powerful speaker was Mandy Damari, the mother of 28-year-old British Israeli hostage Emily Damari. Emily was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists from Kibbutz Kfar Aza on 7 October and is still being held in Gaza.
Speaking publicly for the first time about her daughter, Mandy said: “Soon, there will be nothing left of my heart. Diplomatic pressure, negotiations, humanitarian efforts, whatever it takes… we cannot let another day pass. We cannot afford to lose any more lives to this nightmare. We don’t need tea and sympathy; we need actions, not words.”
Communal memorial events were also held in Manchester, Leeds, Brighton and elsewhere around the country.
On Monday 7 October itself, many of our synagogues hosted their own services of commemoration – often uniting with neighbouring Progressive communities.
The community at Kingston Liberal Synagogue were joined by Sir Ed Davey.
He heard KLS members Shimon Morad and Andree Frieze talk about their family’s experience in Israel. Rabbi Lev Taylor, and synagogue Chairs Craig Simmons and Rebecca SingermanKnight, then explained what the last year has been like for the KLS community and spoke about their adopted hostage Omri.
The Liberal Democrat leader said: “I was reminded of the strength that comes from standing together.”
Share your materials with National Library of Israel
OVER the last 12 months, the National Library of Israel (NLI) has led a national and international effort to create a massive archive documenting 7 October and its aftermath.
The ‘Bearing Witness’ project seeks to build a comprehensive, state-of-theart archive that will be the authoritative historical record of this crucial period in Israeli and Jewish history, and also an essential resource for future generations.
NLI is collecting everything: sermons, lamentations, advocacy, advertisements, archival materials, oral and written testimonies, video and audio clips, photos, diaries, eulogies, podcasts, websites, social media posts, commemoration materials, music, posters and more.
To date, more than 300 documentation initiatives have been gathered under the NLI umbrella, as well as 500 million internet posts, two million digital files, and more than 1,000 print publications.
The National Library of Israel is asking for the following from our British Progressive Jewish communities as part of the ‘Bearing Witness’ campaign:
• Documentation of expressions of solidarity and support in communities immediately after the October events.
• Documentation of manifestations of antisemitism and extreme statements against Israel, as well as the reactions to them from all parts of the political spectrum and society.
• Documentation of the impact of the events of 7 October, and the war in Gaza, on our Diaspora communities.
• Information is also being collected on campuses to document the impressions and actions of Jewish and non-Jewish students, faculty members and various organisations.
NLI CEO Oren Weinberg said: “Your photos, videos, social media posts and more are an important part of the story we want to preserve and tell. We invite you and your community to share them, for now and future generations.”
• Find out more and share your materials at www.nli.org.il/en
Rabbi Josh Levy and Rabbi Charley Baginsky at the London memorial event, and Sir Ed Davey visiting Kingston Liberal Synagogue
Rabbi Anna Wolfson joins TLSE
THE Liberal Synagogue Elstree (TLSE) has appointed Rabbi Anna Wolfson as its Director of Community Development.
Rabbi Anna (pictured) will take up the newly-created role in November, as part of TLSE’s ambitious plans to become a leading community centre for Progressive Judaism in South Hertfordshire.
She will work alongside Rabbi Gershon Silins – as well as TLSE’s trustees, staff and volunteers – to further develop the thriving community.
Her key responsibilities will be the development of TLSE to meet the needs of its current membership, and
identifying and encouraging new people to join in a region that has Europe’s fastest-growing Jewish population.
Rabbi Anna moves to TLSE from Mosaic Jewish Community, where she spent three years predominantly as Mosaic’s Development Rabbi, working across its Liberal, Reform and Masorti synagogues to increase both membership and engagement. She previously served Norwich Liberal Synagogue and Beit Klal Yisrael and is Co-Chair of the Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors.
TLSE chair Leigh Renak said: “Anna is one of Progressive Judaism’s most recognised young rabbis and will bring a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to TLSE as we plan a truly exciting future.
“In her previous roles she created initiatives to engage congregants –including young adults, new parents with young children, and families with teenagers. We are looking forward to her building on this in our community over the coming months and years.”
Rabbi Anna added: “Elstree and Borehamwood is a flourishing Jewish area. I’m looking forward to working with the team at TLSE to help the community grow and thrive.”
• Picture courtesy of Gary Italiaander
Mosaic appoints Rabbi Daisy Bogod
RABBI Daisy Bogod has been appointed as the new rabbi of Mosaic Liberal Synagogue. She will take up the role in November, following the retirement of Rabbi Rachel Benjamin.
Ordained by Leo Baeck College earlier this year, Rabbi Daisy (pictured) has a long connection to Liberal Judaism. She grew up in LJYNetzer and has previously worked as an educator, teacher and student rabbi in several Progressive communities.
Her LBC dissertation was on rabbinic work through the lens of feminist disability theory and her own experiences as an ambulant wheelchair user.
Mosaic Liberal Synagogue Chair Adrian Cohen said: “While we are very sorry to lose Rabbi Rachel to retirement, we are really looking forward to Rabbi Daisy joining our synagogue.
“Daisy is a young and a committed liberal through and through. She will lead our community forward in these challenging times.”
A Memorial Stone for Lincolnshire
MEMBERS of Lincolnshire’s Jewish communities took part in a heartfelt dedication service for the Lincoln Jewish Memorial Stone (LJMS) at the International Bomber Command Centre just outside of the city (pictured)
This significant memorial commemorates the Jews who served and died in the RAF during the Second World War and pays homage to the Medieval Jewish history of Lincoln.
The LJMS is hand-carved and modelled on the 2,000-year-old Magdala Stone, discovered in Israel in 2009. It stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Jewish history and sacrifice.
Paul Hyams, a member of Lincolnshire’s Progressive Jewish Community, was on the planning committee. He acknowledged the support that made it possible, saying: “We are indebted to the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem, who have been the driving force of the project, and to Phil Kerry, owner of Goldstone Quarry, who donated the stone from its carving in Jaipur, India, to its installation today.”
The dedication of the LJMS marks a significant moment for Lincolnshire’s Jewish Communities, ensuring that the contributions and sacrifices of Jewish servicemen and women are remembered and honoured.
Project co-leader Tim Collis said: “It is our prayer that the Memorial will be a cornerstone of remembrance in the city of Lincoln and beyond. I believe it will cry out its message of reconciliation and hope for generations to come.”
High Holy Days and Sukkot around our communities
A three-page picture special of your festival celebrations, photos and stories
Those still being held hostage were in the minds of all those marking Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur this year. In many of our communities, seats were left empty. At The Ark Synagogue, a photograph of the congregation’s ‘adopted’ hostage Karina Ariev was placed on the bimah
Bradford Synagogue, which dates back to 1873, held a moving and meaningful Rosh Hashanah service (photo by Martin Williams)
The Liberal Synagogue Elstree held a Rosh Hashanah challah bake where participants baked enough for kiddush and to take home
York Liberal Jewish Community had some very talented shofar blowers for their HHDs
Sha’arei Tsedek North London Reform Synagogue continued a tradition of delivering Rosh Hashanah gifts to older members
LJY-Netzer’s HHDs Kabbalat Shabbat service included a delicious Friday night dinner with homemade apple and honey cake for dessert
After the Rosh Hashanah service at Hull Reform Synagogue, everyone went for a communal fish and chips lunch over the road
Both the High Sheriff and Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire joined Nottingham Liberal Synagogue on Rosh Hashanah morning
The community of Finchley Progressive Synagogue were wandering Jews these High Holy Days, as their building gets refurbished. They held Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services at Sha’arei Tsedek and then joined with Southgate Progressive Synagogue for Sukkot
Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah (centre) led tashlich by the Water of Leith for Sukkat Shalom: Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community
Thanet and District Reform Synagogue organised a reverse tashlich on the beach –picking litter and tidying the environment
Student Rabbi Yael Tischler and Sam Glatman sing the final niggun on Yom Kippur at Makor Hayim, as part of a vibrant day of activities
Rosh Hashanah services at Birmingham Progressive Synagogue were led by Student Rabbi Emily Carp and followed by a kiddush
Sukkat Shalom Reform Synagogue and Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue joined with other local communities for tashlich in the park
Students in universities across the UK were able to enjoy Rosh Hashanah festive meals supported by Progressive Jewish Students
Sinai Synagogue, Leeds hosted ‘Rosh Fest’ –study sessions followed by a chavurah supper cooked by amazing inter-generational chefs
The cookalong crack team at Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue produced as many honey and apple cakes as they could
Julian Levy, the father of Progressive Judaism Co-Lead Rabbi Josh Levy, led the Menorah Synagogue tashlich service and walk with three rabbis in attendance – Rabbis Reuven Silverman, Lisa Barrett and Barbara Borts – plus lots of members along with their pets
The shofar was blown by the pond as The South London Liberal Synagogue celebrated Rosh Hashanah (photo by Steph Black)
The Liberal Jewish Synagogue held their Rimon Religion School activities and synagogue services in the sukkah
East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue held Sukkot events under the stars, including a ‘challah cutting in the twilight zone’
The youth club of Kol Chai Hatch End made its Sukkot sleepover an annual event – and raised more than £100 for a local shelter
Over 30 people from Stevenage Liberal and Radlett Reform came together as North Hertfordshire Progressive Jewish Community
The Wimbledon Synagogue were joined by members of North West Surrey Synagogue for Sukkot to sit, pray and eat in the sukkah
Norwich Liberal Jewish Community held an Interfaith Sukkot - led by Rabbi Martina Yehudit Loreggian - with many faith guests
Rabbi Anna Gerrard led prayers and study at Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community over the High Holy Days and Sukkot
Young and old at Harlow Jewish Community came together to decorate the sukkah and enjoy a fun family festival celebration
The cheder of Southend and District Reform Synagogue brought in fruit and collected tinned food, which will go to a local food bank
Finchley Reform Synagogue celebrated diversity, inclusion and the spirit of Sukkot as it welcomed Raymond Zachary – also known as Miss Livinya Karr – for the debut of Rainbow Shabbat. The event highlighted the importance of creating safe and welcoming spaces
Thank you to all those congregations who sent in so many wonderful festival pictures for us to choose from. With around 80 Progressive communities all across the UK, unfortunately we weren’t able to use every one. If your photograph didn’t appear in this issue, please email SimonR@progressivejudaism.org.uk so we can ensure you are featured in the next lj today
Rabbi and priest walk to fight hunger
RABBI Neil Janes of South Bucks Jewish Community and Father Stuart Owen of St Peter’s Church, Berkhamsted, walked more than 50 miles in a pilgrimage to give thanks for the people and organisations that build bridges, heal rifts and feed the humanity of everyone who lives locally. Together they raised more than £2,000 for the Trussell Trust and the Hunger Project UK – to provide support for food poverty locally and around the world.
The two clergy hiked through the countryside of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire and met with those involved at Wycombe Wanderers Football Club, Buckinghamshire New University, Stoke Mandeville Hospital and Tring Brewery along the way – talking to everyone about the valuable role that people in organisations can play in feeding their souls and those of the wider community.
Titled the Soul Food Walk – and taking place during the celebrations of Sukkot and the Christian Harvest Festival –Rabbi Neil and Father Stuart trekked from Wallingford Castle in Oxfordshire to Berkhamsted Castle in Hertfordshire. The walk retraced the steps of a historic event that took place almost 800 years ago when, in 1242, the Jews of Berkhamsted were forcibly moved to Wallingford.
Rabbi Neil and Father Stuart said: “We were overwhelmed by the human spirit, which transcended faith, culture, race or creed. Thank you to everyone who came to talk to us and share how their humanity is fed and communities are served. In a time when the world can feel very bleak, there are so many people working to remove divisions, challenge hate, nurse one another’s sorrow and care for each other. It was inspiring.
“After around 140,000 steps and 3.5 days of each other’s company, we are also still talking, laughing together and learning from each other – trying to model shared humanity.”
We are pleased to report that Father Stuart and Rabbi Neil already have plans for their next adventure!
• To see more pictures from the walk and/or if you wish to make a donation, please visit soulfoodwalk.wordpress.com
Examining the impact of 7 October on communities
Alison Turner reports from the Jewish Small Communities Network Summit
THE Jewish Small Communities Network works on behalf of 100 small communities, representing a quarter of British Jewry. Their Second Annual Summit, held in September, was attended by people from 30 different communities ranging from Totnes to Edinburgh, and the Loire Valley to Berlin.
The summit concerned 7 October – its fallout in the UK’s small communities, the challenges faced and how we are responding. It was preceded by a survey asking about differences we had seen in our lives, with friends and family in Israel and in the areas where we live.
There were 81 responses, highlighting good practice and worrying developments across the United Kingdom. The report is now available at www.jscn.org.uk/survey – and first highlights were presented at the summit. It found that nearly half of us have been affected by street protests and by items in the press and on social media.
The Summit’s keynote speaker was documentary maker Itay Ken-Tor, who presented the Israeli project ‘Edut710’, which records testimonies from survivors and others affected by the attacks on 7 October. He stressed how they had learned from Holocaust survivors how important it was for people to look survivors in the eye and listen without interruption, so that the survivors have control over their words.
The stories can be read on the website www.edut710en – and will be preserved for present and future generations at the National Library of Israel.
The second speaker was Timna Abramov of the Bearing Witness project, also at the National Library of Israelwhich you can also read more about on page 3 of this issue of lj today
Timna is looking to the diaspora and collecting anything that documents the experience of Jewish individuals or
communities across the diaspora as a consequence of 7 October and the war.
This is deliberately widely based to take in many media, sermons, advertisements, photographs and much more. I hope many of our communities will contribute to this massive effort to conserve and create a historical record.
The third speaker was Claire Mandel of the Jewish Leadership Council giving an update on their Forging the Future Summit. She outlined various projects including those to strengthen young people, cultivate allies, be proactive in messaging and establish a Legal Action group. Finally we heard from Miriam Levene on the Leicester community’s experience, followed by a panel discussion including the Community Security Trust and Jewish Care.
• Alison Turner is the Archivist for Liberal Judaism
Rabbi Neil Janes and Father Stuart Owen at St Peter’s Church after their Soul Food Walk
Mosaic’s new home dedicated
IN a landmark event for Judaism in Britain, nearly 200 attendees – including prominent religious and civic leaders – celebrated the dedication of Mosaic Jewish Community’s new home in Stanmore, north London.
The service was a testament to Mosaic’s unity and diversity, and how it brings together three different Jewish congregations into a single community under one roof.
Harry Grant, Chair of Mosaic Reform Synagogue, said the dedication of the state-of-the-art building – which it shares with Mosaic Liberal Synagogue and Mosaic Masorti Synagogue in a unique partnership – was a “major milestone” for Anglo-Jewry.
Guests of honour included: Co-Lead of Progressive Judaism Rabbi Josh Levy; Bishop of Willesden Rt Rev Lusa N’Senga-Ngoy; Mayor of Harrow Cllr Salim Chowdhury; and Senior Rabbi of Masorti Judaism, Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg. They were joined by other clergy, councillors and representatives from the Metropolitan Police.
The service was led by Mosaic’s four clergy – Rabbi Rachel Benjamin (Liberal), Rabbi Kathleen de Magtige-Middleton (Reform), Rabbi Anthony Lazarus Magrill (Masorti) and Rabbi Anna Wolfson (Mosaic Development Rabbi).
It included the parading of the community’s Torah scrolls under a traditional chuppah (pictured), as well as prayers, songs and poetry readings.
Rabbi Rachel said: “This was a very special and moving occasion to formally recognise our arrival in the building in Stanmore by, among other things, bringing the Torah scrolls from all three communities into the synagogue.
“MJC is an example of how Jewish communities of different denominations can work successfully together and create a setting and programmes that benefit both our members and the wider community of which we are a part.”
Rabbi Kathleen added: “The dedication was a beautiful and joyful culmination of a process of realising a dream spanning more than a decade. It was also a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and thank those who have worked so tremendously hard as we look forward to the future with confidence.
“The symbolic act of lighting the Ner Tammid by our member Mark Phillips, who ignited the first spark of the idea of Mosaic, was particularly poignant.”
The new Mosaic Jewish Community building, which was completed in 2022, serves as a vibrant centre for worship, education and community activities – fostering a spirit of inclusivity and collaboration. The synagogue hall has a capacity of 600 people and can be reconfigured to provide up to 12 classes for the combined religion school.
The facility has also become a vibrant hub for the local community in Harrow, Bushey and beyond, hosting concerts, films, lectures and exhibitions.
Honour for Leo Baeck Principal
RABBI Deborah Kahn-Harris (pictured), the Principal of Leo Baeck College, has been awarded the title of Professor. This achievement reflects Rabbi Professor Deborah’s research accomplishments, teaching, management in her role as Principal, and sustained contributions to our wider Progressive Jewish community. She said: “I stand on the shoulders of those who have come before me, particularly the two Emeritus Principals of Leo Baeck College, Rabbi Professor Jonathan Magonet and Rabbi Professor Marc Saperstein. Through our scholarship, the UK Progressive Jewish community continues the long tradition of having serious, engaged rabbi-scholars at the helm of our rabbinic training seminary, Leo Baeck College.”
A GRASSROOTS organisation formed by Liberal Jews to campaign for human rights, justice and peace in Israel/Palestine has opened its doors to Reform members.
Progressive Jews for Justice in Israel/Palestine (PJJIP) was set up in 2021 (and was then known as LJJIP). It has organised a wide range of nationwide Zoom discussions with British, Israeli and Palestinian speakers including Rabbi Mark Solomon, Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah, Rabbi Gabriel Kanter-Webber, West Bank Palestinian journalist Basel Adra, former Israeli Ambassador Ilan Baruch and ex-Palestinian Minister Ashraf al Ajrami.
Maurice Naftalin – Co-Chair of Sukkat Shalom: The Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community and a member of PJJIP’s Organising Group – said: “We felt that, with Liberal and Reform moving towards the formation of Progressive Judaism, it was also important that we, as a grassroots campaigning movement, should do likewise. We will be stronger together than apart.
“We have members in just over half of UK Liberal communities and are working hard to get similar levels of support in Reform ones. Please visit www.ljjip.org to find out more.”
Be part of our Joint Progressive Educators Conference
Join us for the Joint Progressive Educators Conference on 5 January 2025 – an event that promises to inspire and empower those shaping the future of Jewish education in the UK!
Designed for headteachers, school administrators, rabbis and cantors, educators, teaching assistants and other academic leaders – this conference is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow professionals, exchange ideas, and strengthen our Progressive Jewish education network across the country.
With an impressive lineup of speakers, this conference promises a dynamic programme filled with expanded sessions and new topics to enhance your educational journey.
Each of the three educational blocks will offer a variety of engaging sessions to choose from – ensuring you leave with practical insights and new skills.
The cost for delegates from Liberal and Reform communities is only £5. While lunch won’t be provided, you’re welcome
to bring a packed lunch and dive into a day of learning, networking and growth.
To register and be part of this exciting event, visit www.reformjudaism.org.uk
Speakers include:
Bradley Conway
Cantor Tamara Wolfson
Cantor Zöe Jacobs
Dalia Wittenberg
Danielle Petar
Dora Hirsh
Jo-Ann Myers
LJY/RSY Movement
Workers and Shinshinim (Israeli gap-year students)
Rabbi Debbie YoungSomers
Rabbi Rebecca Birk
Rabbi René Pfertzel
Robin Moss
Tania Townsend
Starting your learning journey
LEHRHAUS, the adult learning programme at Leo Baeck College, offers highly informative and enlightening online courses that meet a diverse range of interests, levels and goals.
Lehrhaus courses encompass a rich array of topics in Jewish Studies, Jewish Education and old and new languages connected to Judaism, all of which are delivered by our knowledgeable and expert teachers.
Lehrhaus offers an extensive roster of Jewish Studies courses ranging from ‘David becomes King’ to ‘Bringing the Wisdom of Kabbalah into your Life’.
This Autumn semester, Lehrhaus will be collaborating for the first time with BINA, the Jewish Movement for Social Change in Tel Aviv, who will be running both a one-off talk ‘Beyond the Headlines: What’s Happening with Religion and State in Israel?’ and a four-week course titled ‘Jewish and/or Democratic? The Past, Present and Future of Jewish Democracy in Israel’, which will investigate what it means to be a Jewish and a democratic state.
Lehrhaus also offers many language courses. These include ‘Modern and Biblical Hebrew’, ‘Yiddish’ and ‘Classical Greek and its meeting with Judaism’. These courses cater for beginners, intermediate and advanced learners. For those working and teaching in chedarim, Lehrhaus also runs courses in Jewish Education.
All courses are online and interactive, allowing Lehrhaus to reach people from across the globe.
To see the full range of online Lehrhaus offerings, please look at lbc.ac.uk/lehrhaus or contact Lisa Taub, Lehrhaus Coordinator, at lisa.taub@lbc.ac.uk
LJY-Netzer is Liberal Judaism’s Reform Zionist youth movement. It gives young people the chance to develop a strong Progressive Jewish identity, make lasting friendships and have lots of fun!
Meet your LJY Movement Workers for 5785
A NEW Jewish year means a new set of LJY-Netzer Movement Workers. Here they (re)introduce themselves and outline some of what they hope to achieve over the coming 12 months:
Jess
Community: The Liberal Jewish Synagogue
First LJY-Netzer event: A February weekend sleepover at Nottingham Liberal Synagogue when I was 12 years old. I remember feeling how special the atmosphere was when we all sat down to have Friday night dinner. I can picture us dancing around the cheder classrooms… laughing and smiling the whole time!
Favourite LJY moment so far: Kabbalat Shabbat this year on Machaneh Kadimah, our summer camp, was so special. All 150 of us sitting on the grass and singing together in the sunshine was so beautiful and just made me feel so grateful to have been a part of the LJY community for so long. I might even have shed a tear when we sang Landslide by Fleetwood Mac, it made me reflect on how much I’ve grown up since I started on LJY.
What inspired you to apply for this role: LJY means so much to me and has done so much for me. It is where I have made some of my closest friends, learned how to be a better person and started to form my Jewish identity. I wanted to give back and help create these same wonderful experiences for our younger members.
What do you hope to achieve this year in the role: I want to recruit new members! I want young Liberal Jews from across the UK to experience the magic of our events and to feel how special and welcoming our community is. I want to help young people, especially those who haven’t had much experience with Judaism before, to form a connection to their faith and meet all our incredible and creative members.
Favourite song in the shiron: Elohai
Tali
Community: Birmingham Progressive Synagogue
First LJY-Netzer event: A spring camp in 2010, when I was eight years old. I have such happy memories of making my first LJY friends, who I am still close with now.
Favourite LJY moment so far: It’s so difficult to choose, because so many of the favourite memories in my life have been on LJY. Bogrimot (18+) Kabbalat Shabbat services – where we all dress up for Shabbat and come together to pray and sing – are definitely some of my favourite moments. They give a special sense of spirituality and community. Nothing beats it!
What inspired you to apply for this role: I want to give back to the movement and enthuse our members so LJY can continue to flourish and provide the beautifully creative, thoughtful and inclusive space it does.
What do you hope to achieve this year in the role: This year I hope to look more deeply in to the meanings of the tefillot (prayers) we do and continue to be even more intentional with our praying. I want our younger leaders to become more confident song leaders too. Linking to this year’s theme of the year, ‘Tradition and Renewal’, I also hope for our members to continue to explore their liberal Jewish identity and practices.
Favourite song in the shiron: Lechi Lach. I even got my uncle to play it on guitar at my Bat Mitzvah.
Mia
Community: Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation
First LJY-Netzer event: This was when my older cousin was leading on a sleepover at my shul. I was super young and remember being so excited.
Favourite LJY moment so far: I have had so many amazing experiences it is impossible to narrow down. But I particularly loved seeing the people who I led a few years ago becoming amazing leaders themselves this summer.
What do you hope to achieve this year in the role: In this, my second year of movement work, I hope to enhance the creativity of our programming to make sure our chanichimot (participants) leave every event feeling not just engaged, but genuinely excited about our values: especially Liberal Judaism and tikkun olam. I want them to feel inspired to live out these values in their everyday lives.
Favourite song in the shiron: I love singing The Circle Game. It makes me feel like part of such a beautiful community and gives me the warm and fuzzies every time we sing it.
Contact LJY-Netzer: Email Tali Ehrlich (t.ehrlich@liberaljudaism.org), Mia Harris (m.harris@liberaljudaism.org) and Jess Spanier (j.spanier@liberaljudaism.org) or visit our website www.ljy-netzer.org
Liberal Judaism congregations
The Ark Synagogue (Northwood and Pinner)
T: 01923 822 592
E: admin@arksynagogue.org W: arksynagogue.org
Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue T: 0845 869 7105
E: info@bedsps.org.uk W: bedfordshire-ps.org.uk
Beit Klal Yisrael (London) E: admin@bky.org.uk W: bky.org.uk
Birmingham Progressive Synagogue T: 0121 634 3888 E: bps@liberaljudaism.org W: bpsjudaism.com
Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue T: 01273 737 223
E: info@bhps-online.org W: bhps-online.org
Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation T: 0117 403 3456
E: info@bwpjc.org W: bwpjc.org
Crawley Jewish Community T: 01293 534 294
Crouch End Chavurah E: naomi@crouchendchavurah.org W: www.crouchendchavurah.org
Dublin Jewish Progressive Congregation
E: djpc@liberaljudaism.org W: djpcireland.com
Ealing Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8997 0528
E: admin@ealingliberalsynagogue.org.uk W: ealingliberalsynagogue.org.uk
East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue T: 0208 989 7619
E: administrator@elels.org.uk W: elels.org.uk
Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community T: 07376 916 920
E: eljc.contact@gmail.com W: eljc.org.uk
Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community T: 0131 777 8024
E: info@eljc.org W: eljc.org
Finchley Progressive Synagogue T: 020 8446 4063
E: fps@liberaljudaism.org W: fps.org
Kehillah North London T: 07706 354 602
E: info@kehillah.org.uk W: kehillah.org.uk
Kent Liberal Jewish Community T: 07384 993 553
E: enquiries@kljc.org.uk W: kljc.org.uk
Kingston Liberal Synagogue T: 020 8398 7400
E: kls@liberaljudaism.org W: klsonline.org
Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation
E: chair@lpjc.org.uk W: lpjc.org.uk
The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (St John’s Wood) T: 020 7286 5181 E: ljs@ljs.org W: ljs.org
The Montagu Centre 21 Maple Street London, W1T 4BE T: 020 7580 1663
E: montagu@liberaljudaism.org W: liberaljudaism.org W: pathtoprogressivejudaism.org.uk
Liberal Judaism is the dynamic, cutting edge of modern Judaism. It reverences Jewish tradition, seeking to preserve the values of the past, while giving them contemporary force.
Charity Number: 1151090
lj today is edited by Simon Rothstein. Send news to SimonR@progressivejudaism.org.uk
The Liberal Synagogue Elstree T: 020 8953 8889
E: office@tlse.org.uk W: tlse.org.uk
Lincolnshire Jewish Community W: lincolnsynagogue.com
Mosaic Liberal Synagogue (Stanmore) T: 020 8864 0133 E: office@mosaicliberal.org.uk W: mosaicliberal.org.uk
Norwich Liberal Jewish Community E: nljc@liberaljudaism.org W: norwichljc.org.uk
Nottingham Liberal Synagogue T: 0115 962 4761
E: info@nottinghamliberalsynagogue.com W: nottinghamliberalsynagogue.com
Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community T: 07561 331 390 E: info@pljc.org.uk W: pljc.org.uk
Reading Liberal Jewish Community E: readingliberaljewishcommunity@ gmail.com W: readingljc.org.uk
Shir Hatzafon (Copenhagen) E: shir@shirhatzafon.dk W: shirhatzafon.dk
South Bucks Jewish Community T: 07377 157 261 E: info@sbjc.org.uk W: sbjc.org.uk
Southgate Progressive Synagogue T: 020 8886 0977 E: office@sps.uk.com W: sps.uk.com
The South London Liberal Synagogue (Streatham) T: 020 8769 4787
E: office@southlondon.org W: southlondon.org
Stevenage Liberal Synagogue T: 01438 300 222
E: stevenageliberalsynagogue@gmail.com W: stevenageliberalsynagogue.org.uk
Suffolk Liberal Jewish Community (Ipswich) T:01473 250 797
E: sljc@liberaljudaism.org
W: suffolkljc.co.uk
Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community (Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire)
T: 07900 612 058
E: info@3cljc.org.uk
W: 3cljc.org.uk
Wessex Liberal Jewish Community (Bournemouth) T: 01202 757 590
E: secretary.wljc@gmail.com
W: wessexliberaljudaism.org.uk
York Liberal Jewish Community T: 0300 102 0062
E: info@jewsinyork.org.uk
W: jewsinyork.org.uk
Affiliated
Oxford Jewish Congregation T: 01865 515 584
E: connections@ojc-online.org W: ojc-online.org
Chair Karen Newman
Deputy Chair Alex Kinchin-Smith Treasurer Leslie Moss Inclusion Alexandra Boyd
Youth Hannah Grant Communities and Social Justice Owen Power
Officers Penny Beral, Amanda McFeeters and Tommer Spence
President Rabbi Alexandra Wright
Vice Presidents Monique Blake, Nigel Cole, Lord (Stanley) Fink, Louise Freedman, Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein, Sharon Goldstein, Jane Greenfield, Lucian Hudson, Dr Edward Kessler MBE, Josie Kinchin, Ann Kirk BEM, Bob Kirk BEM, David Lipman, Frank Maxwell, Baroness (Gillian) Merron, David Pick, Rabbi Danny Rich, Tony Sacker, Joan Shopper, Phil Stone and Beverley Taylor Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors Chairs Rabbi Alexandra Wright and Rabbi Anna Wolfson
Chief Executive Officer / Progressive Judaism Co-Lead Rabbi Charley Baginsky
Director of Development and Membership Alexandra Gellnick Youth Director Becca Fetterman
Head of Comms Simon Rothstein Lifecycle Administrator Lisa Godsal Finance Janet Manderson
Senior Executive Assistant Kathryn Forro Administration Manager Tanya Garfield Archivist Alison
Turner Student Chaplain Rabbi Leah Jordan LJY-Netzer Events Coordinator Jess Mindel
LJY-Netzer Movement Workers Tali Ehrlich, Mia Harris and Jess Spanier