23 March 2018 Liberal Judaism rabbis and officers have contributed to a unique project offering communities a human rights commentary on each weekly Torah parasha. Put together by René Cassin – the human rights NGO that draws on Jewish experiences and values – the free resource offers 54 thoughts written … Read More
Why I had to walk out of the Zionist Federation’s dinner
Rabbi Lea Mühlstein 13 March 2018 The Jewish Chronicle “With no opportunity to voice my opposition to the guest speaker’s comments on asylum-seekers in Israel, I was left with no choice.” Sometimes enough is enough. I am a deeply committed Zionist and I believe that British Jewry must take a … Read More
Better Know a Jewish Charity – Memorials Scrolls Trust
Ben Crowne 6 March 2018 Better Know a Jewish Charity The story of the Memorial Scrolls Trust, and the 1,500+ Czech torah scrolls (“sifrei torah” in Hebrew, singular “sefer torah”) they administer, is a really remarkable one which it is worth going into in some detail (1). Put in the … Read More
[Blog] Celebrating diversity in LGBT History Month – a personal perspective
Karen Newman 23 February 2018 Board of Deputies website I joined the Jewish Gay and Lesbian Group (now Jewish LGBT+ Group) in 1999. I was reasonably secure in both identities, although I had never felt the need to manifest both in the same nano-second – I joined together with my … Read More
As a young Jewish woman, I want my voice heard
Lauren Keiles 14 February 2018 The Jewish News As a young, Jewish, women, with a deep passion to take an active part in our vibrant Jewish community, having the opportunity to become a Deputy for Liberal Judaism was something I was extremely eager to take on. Being a cheder teacher … Read More
Liberal Judaism supports organ donation consultation
18 January 2018 The British Government has begun a consultation over its plans to change the way organs are donated by introducing an ‘opt-out’ system. Under current rules in England, a person who has died can only be an organ donor if they have agreed to it when they were alive, usually by … Read More
Jewish sexual ethics for the 21st century
Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah 31 December 2017 The Jewish Chronicle Understanding the Torah can help us find a contemporary code of sexual ethics Sexual harassment has been in the news in the past few weeks, and the #MeToo campaign in social media has revealed just how widespread it is. Of … Read More
[Blog] My gap year volunteering in Calais
Jessica Baker, LJY-Netzer member 7 December 2017 I’m watching the sun rise as we drive to the warehouse. I’m measuring 3.5 litres of oil into eight huge pots to start the process of cooking 160kg of rice. I’m crying as I watch two small boys play in a carpark. I’m … Read More
A year on from the Calais Jungle
24 October 2017 The Jewish News Imagine being your 14-year-old self again. Imagine being alone, frightened, sleeping rough. Imagine being hit by pepper spray from riot police. Now look at your own children, your nephews and nieces, your friends’ children. Imagine them suffering the same abuse. Unimaginable? Not for hundreds … Read More
[Blog] Celebrating the High Holy Days as a community
Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein 19 September 2017 As Liberal Jews around the UK prepare for our High Holy Days, this is a time for reflection. Mine begin by looking back to the summer and a holiday we enjoyed in Gozo, Malta – a beautiful island where the towns and villages … Read More