The recently formed Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish Community (GLJC) has welcomed people from small Jewish communities throughout the country to a Communities' Shabbaton, a day of culture, learning and prayer. More than 60 Liberal and Reform Jews joined together for the 9th annual Leo Baeck College Communities' Shabbaton this weekend - a day of culture, learning and prayer. The event was a collaboration between Leo Baeck College's Department of Jewish Education and Liberal Judaism, and took place at the Gloucester Guildhall on Saturday 14th January.

An action packed programme began with a Study Breakfast, lead by Liberal Judaism's Chief Executive, Rabbi Danny Rich and a Shabbat Morning Service, lead by GLJC's Rabbi Anna Gerrard together with visiting Cantor Gershon Sillins. After lunch, the day continued with a range to suit every taste of practical leadership workshops, fun and creative art, dance and music session and some more cerebral offerings, including text study.

The annual event is hosted by a different community each year and, for the first time and at GLJC's request, a special programme was offered for 6-16 year olds, run by LJY-Netzer, the youth movement of Liberal Judaism.

Rabbi Anna Gerrard, newly appointed rabbi of GLJC, commented "The Shabbaton is a celebration of small Jewish Communities and an opportunity to share ideas and be inspired by each other. It is such an honour for GLJC to host everyone in Gloucestershire where our community is growing and thriving. An event like this shows how much small communities can do and brings new learning opportunities to the region."

Enthusiastic participants said about the day:
"It has been a warm, inclusive and fascinating. A really lovely experience for adults and children"
"The Shabbaton has provided the support, not only of learning new skills that will prove immensely useful, but also talking to people from other communities has given me some brilliant ideas to take back to Hertfordshire "

Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish community runs a wide range of Jewish events for all ages in Gloucestershire. For more details see www.gljc.org

If you are a member of a small Liberal or Reform community and would like to host a Communities' Shabbaton, please contact Debi Penhey at the Leo Baeck College on 020 8349 5632 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

You can read the coverage of this event in The JC  by clicking here: Liberal helping of culture for small communities