Birmingham Progressive Synagogue

BIRMINGHAM PROGRESSIVE SYNAGOGUE is the only Liberal Synagogue in the West Midlands, and its membership is spread throughout the area and beyond. Our rabbi is Dr. Margaret Jacobi, who joined the community in 1994 after a career in medical research.

Our Synagogue was founded in 1935 and moved into a building in Sheepcote Street in 1938. We moved out of Sheepcote Street at the end of 2005 and are currently meeting in temporary accommodation whilst awaiting the building of a new, purpose-built Synagogue in Bishopsgate Street in the city centre, which will be completed early next year.

We have a membership of about 350 people and provide a variety of services, educational and social activities. We hold regular Shabbat evening and morning services, festival services and celebrations such as Passover and Tu Bishvat sedarim (special services and meals).  Our services are conducted in both English and Hebrew, to ensure understanding of the prayers. We welcome visitors of other faiths who wish to learn about Judaism.

We have a variety of classes for adults , including an introduction to Judaism,  Hebrew, study and discussion groups. We have a Cheder (school) on Sundays for children aged 4 to 16, who are introduced to Hebrew and Judaism in a way that is informal and fun.  The classes for older children are more discussion-based.

We have a variety of social and cultural activities, including community weekends away in the country.

In common with other Liberal Jewish communities, we welcome people who sincerely wish to join the Jewish faith, a process which takes at least a year so they can experience Jewish life. We also welcome people whose partners are not Jewish, and their children can become part of our community.

Further information is available on our web-site: www.bps-pro-syn.co.uk

Visitors are welcome – contact us:

e-mail office@bps-pro-syn.co.uk, tel. 0121 446 5273