Liberal Judaism - Communities - Congregations


 

Beit Klal Yisrael

 

 

Beit Klal Yisrael (BKY) was established in March 1990 by a group of lesbian feminists, amongst whom was Rabbi Sheila Shulman.  The latter came to the rabbinate out of a long experience of secular Judaism, political activism and radical feminism.  Sheila worked with us as our rabbi for almost 20 years until her retirement.  

 

Who are we? 

We are a congregation committed to a creative engagement with contemporary Judaism, which recognises the true diversity of Jewish experience.  We welcome all new members and participants, especially those who are distanced or estranged from many facets of contemporary Jewish community life.  Many people have found that life in and around traditional synagogues offers only a conditional welcome, no real place and no recognition of their legitimate needs as Jewish people.  Hence our name, Beit Klal Yisrael, House of ALL Israel.  Many of us feel, or are told, that we are on the periphery, that the centre of Judaism is somewhere else.  If our congregation has any single purpose it is to establish firmly that the centre is equally in each and every committed Jew, in each of us as much as it is anywhere, because: "It is … a matter ..of finding the way …into the heart of our life.  And of being confident that this heart is a Jewish heart.  For we are Jews."  Beit Klal Yisrael is affiliated to Liberal Judaism, and is a member of the World Congress of Gay and Lesbian Jewish Organisations.

 

What do we do?

  • We hold regular services
  • We hold secular events
  • We celebrate all the major festivals and hold communal Seders on the second night of Pesach and at Tu B'Shvat.
  • Our festival celebrations are known for their richness and intensity, and the warm welcome they offer our members, friends and guests
  • There are opportunities for Jewish study and learning, which allow people to encounter Judaism freshly, or for the first time, as an adult
  • We have a varied cultural programme including discussions, after-service speakers, lesbian and gay men's events
  • We mark life cycle events for all members of the community in ways that are Jewishly meaningful

 

Whom do we welcome? 

Everyone, but especially: 

  • Lesbian and gay Jews
  • Jewish women and men who may not think of themselves as formally religious, that is, as pious or observant, but who do have Jewish issues, questions and concerns (spiritual / existential / ethical / moral) they want to engage with
  • Patrilineal Jews (children of Jewish fathers and non-Jewish mothers)
  • Jewish women who want to work out an independent and challenging relation, as women, to Judaism and being Jewish
  • Jewish women and men who regard themselves as secular
  • People who are for one reason or another on their own and who would feel more comfortable in an organisation which emphasises individual presence and participation
  • Jewish women and men whose partners, though not Jewish, wish to be supportive and participate in the life of the congregation as "Friends of the Congregation"

 

Contact us

Ring the phone line: 07505 477 459

(10am – 10pm except Shabbat and festivals). The phone line is maintained by members of the community, who may not always be able to respond immediately to calls. 

Visit: www.bkylondon.org.uk

Write to:  BKY, PO Box 1828, London, W10 5RT

8  E-mail:  info@bkylondon.org.uk

Join the BKY email list by sending a message to our email address giving details of yourself and requesting to subscribe.

 
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