Across the UK and Ireland, our Liberal and Reform communities came together to celebrate Pesach with a variety of lively and meaningful Seders, services and matzo rambles. Each one reflected their individual blend of tradition and creativity with memorable photos to capture some special times and reflect the diverse and welcoming spirit of Progressive Judaism.
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Sixty people attended the Passover celebration at Menorah Synagogue where it was an occasion for all generations, and a special individual moment for Rabbi Kath Vardi, marking her first week in her new position as the community’s minister. Community Chair Jen Barnet joins them in this picture.
Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue and Milton Keynes and District Reform Synagogue were blessed with good weather for their matzo ramble. Led by Paul Freeman, the group walked a 3.5-mile route from the River Flit to Flitwick Moor. Back at the home of the event’s hosts – Rosie and Paul and one year old Esther Comb-Clark – tea was enjoyed by all.
Children played an active role in the Wessex Liberal Jewish Community Seder celebrations. There were magical props and even a model of the parting of the Red Sea. Rabbi Miri Lawrence also laid a place for Nimrod Cohen one of the hostages held captive in Gaza.
The seder service at Blackpool Reform Synagogue added a special section to remember the Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza, who were unable to celebrate together this Pesach.
The Liberal Synagogue Elstree communal seder was attended by over 80 people, including guests from the Jewish LGBTQI+ group and Mosaic Liberal Synagogue, led by Rabbi Cantor Gershon Silins and Rabbi Anna Wolfson.
More than a hundred people attended Leeds Sinai Synagogue’s first night communal Seder. Members and guests of all ages took part in a collective reading of Reform Judaism’s Haggadah with Cantor Rachel Weston enlivening the night with some new and old songs and melodies.
Finchley Reform Synagogue enjoyed a beautifully blended seder service of custom and tradition with not a spare seat in the house.
The ever-popular Communal Seder at East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue attracted 110 members and friends including the Bishop of Chelmsford Bishop Guli, her husband Lee, and the Archdeacon of West Ham Mike Power. The service was led by Rabbi Richard Jacobi and Emeritus Rabbi David Hulbert. Community Chair Jen Barnet is also picture.
Rabbi Warren Elf led a Southend and District Reform Synagogue in a Shabbat/Yom Tov seder after the morning service on the seventh day of Pesach, accompanied by the traditional Seder plate, with some well known songs, plus some more modern ones.
Rabbis Paul Freedman and Danny Rich joined members of North Herts Progressive Jewish Community for a matzah ramble around the lakes in Stevenage.
A feather on the Seder plate at the Bristol and West Progressive Synagogue service was added to represent disabled people and how they do not always enjoy the freedoms the rest of us might take for granted.
Rabbi David-Yehuda Stern led the second night communal seder at Radlett Reform Synagogue where an intergenerational gathering joined in song, dramatic re-enactments and some “yummy food!”
There was a full house of 120 people at the Wimbledon Synagogue Seder with the younger members enthralled by the stories told by Rabbi Adrian Schell.
York Liberal Jewish Community’s splendid Seder was led by Rabbi Elisheva Salamo, combining a meaningful evening with a scrumptious buffet.