Liberal Judaism launches Council of Patrons

February 2005

Liberal Judaism launched its Council of Patrons at a dinner in the House of Lords hosted by Lord Stone of Blackheath.

Rabbi Danny Rich, Chief Executive of Liberal Judaism, spoke of his delight in gaining the support of so many Liberal Jews. “With the backing of the Council of Patrons, Liberal Judaism can approach the future with new-found confidence and continue to provide a sound spiritual home meeting the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s Jews, including those who are disaffected with the other strands of mainstream Judaism.”

The Council of Patrons has been established to provide long term stable donor funding for the movement’s ambitious development plans so that Liberal Judaism can continue to grow, and offer a sound, strong, open, relevant and modern spiritual home for all Jews, both in Britain and beyond. In seeking backing from individuals who are financially in a position to help the movement, Liberal Judaism intends eventually to reduce the increasing fiscal demands on its constituent synagogues and communities, allowing them to devote more of their incomes to front line services. To date, over £500,000 has already been raised, over a five-year period. Liberal Judaism aims to double this total by the next Council of Patrons Dinner.

Stanley Fink, Chairman of the Council of Patrons, introduced Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, the guest of honour. Mr Fink reported that 22 patrons have currently been recruited. He thanked the founding patrons and expressed the hope that more committed individuals will join the Council, thus ensuring “that the vision of our founders can be realised: to make the ancient faith of Judaism a religion, not just of the past but of the future.”

In his address, Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, a Patron of the Interfaith Foundation, spoke of the need to bring people of all faiths together. Sir Evelyn urged Liberal Jewish Rabbis, and leaders of communities, to work with leaders of other faiths, to educate young and old alike to promote the cause of interfaith harmony and understanding.