Liberal Judaism, 22nd November 2011

 Liberal Judaism’s chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich is playing a major role  during Interfaith Week 2011, attending events all around the UK.

 Danny was one of four rabbis to speak at the East London Mosque  yesterday, addressing a crowd of imams and other prominent Muslims and  giving them a brief guide to Judaism and the Torah.

 He was joined on a panel by senior members of the three other main  branches of Judaism – Rabbi Dayan Binstock (Orthodox), Rabbi Danny Smith (Reform) and Rabbi David Lister (Masorti) – and Labour MP Stephen Timms.

In a wide-ranging discussion hosted by the Joseph Interfaith Foundation, the rabbis answered questions on topics including fighting anitsemitism, Israel and Palestine, the role of women within religion and conversion to Judaism.

Later that evening Danny spoke at an event at Suffolk University, before heading to Norwich where he today delivered a talk on ‘Jesus the Jew’. On Monday, he will be participating in an event with the Bishop of Sherborne.

Liberal Judaism’s chief executive also paid tribute to the Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ), as the interfaith body celebrated its 70th anniversary.

Danny said: “Founded in 1942 during one of humanity’s darkest periods, the CCJ was, and remains, a symbol of the ability of hope and decency to overcome centuries of intolerance and worse.

“Judaism and Christianity are siblings.  Siblings often experience rivalry especially when they are young but in maturity they are able to appreciate their common heritage valuing their similarities and at the same time their uniqueness.

“The work of the CCJ continues to have value, both in combating antisemitism and religious prejudice, and in promoting a shared vision of a society in which diversity is a gift and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”