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by Rabbi Chaim Wender
It is widely recognised that the average life-span in contemporary western society is increasing dramatically, largely as a result of advances in medicine, nutrition and working conditions. This has led gerontologists to speak in terms of a ‘grey population explosion’.For the Jewish population, in Great britain and elsewhere, these trends are even more pronounced than in the general population, due to such factors as a relatively low birth rate and delayed marriages related to the pursuit of higher education.Such societal patterns may call for us, and for other Jewish communities as well, to re-examine the allocation and priorities of our resources, be they financial, personnel or programmatic.
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by Rabbi Hillel Avidan
Judaism moved early to protect the rights of animals and to the extent that Christianity and Islam express concern for animals, they have usually borrowed from Jewish sources. Yet Jews have been reluctant to proclaim this fact or to demonstrate how modern animal welfare societies have been inspired (albeit unconsciously or indirectly) by the teachings of our faith. Jews have cause to feel both pride and great sadness when they consider the exacting moral standards of Jewish animal welfare legislation and homily, and compare those standards with the neglect and abuse of animals so characteristic of most societies and legal systems, past and present. Genesis 1:26 states that man may dominate all other creatures (which would appear inevitable, given superior human intelligence) but the dominion intended is a caring and responsible paternalism rather than a callous exploitation. In the Talmud (Sanhedrin 59b) "dominion" is interpreted as the privilege of using animals for labour. |
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by Rabbi Dr Charles H Middleburgh
For many centuries Jews regarded the Hebrew Bible as ‘Holy Writ’ and therefore studied it uncritically, as a sacrosanct document whose narratives are all historically true and whose commandments are all divine and therefore to be obeyed. This philosophy, known as Fundamentalism, is not exclusive to Judaism, but in our context it quintessentially expresses the view that the Five books of Moses are the word of God revealed on Mt. Sinai. as a result, those who espouse this view say that everything in the Torah must be obeyed, and nothing may be denied or ignored. Read more
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by Rabbi Margaret Jacobi
Circumcision is an ancient sign of identity for Jewish males, which has been practised throughout the generations. However, it is a mitzvah(commandment) which is being questioned increasingly, within and beyond the Jewish community. Liberal Judaism has always recognised the importance of circumcision as a symbol of the covenant and a mark of Jewish identity. However, it also accepts that there are grounds for questioning the practice, and that some parents choose not to circumcise their sons for reasons of conscience. Read more (pdf) |
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by Rabbi Alexandra Wright
"Man's days are as grass; he blossoms like a flower of the field. For the wind passes over it and it is gone, and its place knows it no more." All religions come to terms with the mortality of human beings in their own way. For some, it is the prime concern of their spiritual exploration; for others, such as Judaism, it is a matter on which little time is spent. This is because, underpinning the vast structure of Jewish law and thought, there lies the strong belief that this world, this life, this tangible existence is the experience to which we must address our energies; the next life, with all its uncertainties, is not for too much speculation. With this attitude firmly entrenched, Jewish law makes admirable provision for those who mourn, whilst the person who is dying receives somewhat less attention in the traditional sources.
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by Rabbi Hillel Avidan
Threats of global destruction, through pollution and exhaustion of the earth
For the Jew, ecological awareness should be prompted by more than self interest, because Judaism has ever expressed profound concern for environmental well-being. Such concern is a concomitant of the cardinal belief in One Creator who is anxious to include humanity in an ongoing programme of planetary care. The first chapter of Genesis (verse 26) grants humankind dominion over the rest of creation but that word
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by Rabbi Janet Burden
Kashrut is the Hebrew name for the traditional system of Jewish dietary laws. based in Torah and developed by the rabbis, these laws, together with our observance of the Shabbat, have been the primary distinguishing ‘hallmarks’ of Jewish identity throughout much of our people’s history.
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by Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi MD PhD
Genetic research has received considerable attention in recent years, as a variety of new techniques has been developed and come to public notice. Its potential has been explored in science reporting and in fiction. However, genetic research itself is not a new phenomenon. Humans have long explored the potential of animal and plant breeding and the complexities of their own genetic inheritance, even if unaware of what genes were. There is evidence that maize was the product of early experiments in plant breeding, created as a new crop some 10,000 years ago. It could be said that the first genetic research described in the Bible is Jacob’s breeding of speckled goats and dark sheep (Genesis 30:25-43).
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by Rabbi David Goldberg
Marriage has always been highly valued in Jewish tradition. To marry was deemed an obligation, and celibacy, as practised by such minority sects as the Essenes, has never been favoured by mainstream Judaism. The priests of old usually married, as did the rabbis who succeeded them in ministering to the people.
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Lesbian and Gay Jews and Same Sex Relationships |
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by Rabbi Roderick Young
The last half of the twentieth century saw an extraordinary shift in public and private attitudes towards homosexuality. With the passing of the Sexual offences act of 967 private homosexual acts between consenting adults were decriminalized and the gradual process began whereby gay men and lesbians adopted a more visible profile. Today being lesbian or gay is no bar to holding public office and there are openly gay and lesbian people working in nearly every walk of life, including the rabbinate. Today lesbians and gay men are raising children and having marriage ceremonies. Liberal Judaism is proud to have been in the vanguard of this change of attitude.
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Liberal Judaism & Jewish Identity |
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by Rabbi John D Rayner
Judaism is not transmitted genetically but culturally and within families through example and influence. The process of transmission is one of education in the broadest sense, so that what is transmitted is not merely knowledge but beliefs and values, attitudes and ideals, and above all, a sense of identification and commitment.
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by Rabbi Stephen Howard BSc MA
Usually we think of miracles as wonderful events which happen contrary to the laws of nature. These are the ‘supernatural’ miracles with which the bible abounds: talking animals, seas and rivers dividing affording dry passage to the israelites ,water turning to blood, Jonah’s whale, resurrection of the dead, the list goes on and on. Still, today, it is seen by some as a test of one’s faith that one must believe in these miracles. if one does not, it is felt, one does not truly believe in God or in one’s religion.
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Overview Of Liberal Jewish Values and Practice Leaflets |
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In every age, in every society, people confront issues which affect their lives. Today, we not only encounter age-old issues made more complex by a rapidly changing world but also new issues created by those changes. Whether they be matters relating to our family, community or the wider society, we are called upon to decide Liberal Jewish Values and Practice Leaflets.
In accordance with Jewish tradition, the Rabbis of Liberal Judaism provide guidance for dealing with these events and situations of everyday life. The Rabbinic Conference of Liberal Judaism produces a series of pamphlets under the overall title Liberal Jewish Values and Practice Leaflets. There are currently thirteen pamphlets affirming our position as Liberal Jews.
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by Rabbi Helen Freeman and Rabbi Marcia Plumb
We affirm the equal status of men and women in synagogue life. The Liberal Jewish movement has been the pioneer in that respect in Britain. There is no sex segregation in our synagogues. Women may lead services, become rabbis and hold any synagogue office. Read more |
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by The Rabbinic Conference of Liberal Judaism
We recognise the unique role which the Land of Israel has played in the history, prayers and hopes of our people through the ages. We also acknowledge that the discrimination and persecution, culminating in the Shoah (Holocaust), which have so often been the lot of our people during the centuries of this dispersion, have made the reestablishment of an autonomous Jewish community in our ancient homeland a matter of absolute necessity. We therefore salute the Pioneers of Zionism and the founders and defenders of the State of Israel whose vision and courage have turned that dream into reality.We reaffirm our love for the Land of Israel, our solidarity with our brothers and sisters who dwell within its borders, and our commitment to the State of Israel. We rejoice in its existence, delight in its future, and hope for the ever fuller realisation of the ideals of justice and equality for all its citizens set forth in its Declaration of Independence, so that it may become more and more a force for good in the life of the Jewish people, of the Middle East region and of humanit
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