The participants on the Ba’alei Tefillah lay service leadership programme enjoyed an engaging and educational residential weekend, where they bonded as a group and left with a renewed sense of spirit and purpose.

Ba’alei Tefillah Hagbah training

Originating in Liberal Judaism, the course is currently led by Rabbi Anna Gerrard and organised by Alexandra Gellnick. Attendees also have the chance to learn from many different Progressive clergy and student clergy.

Linda Albin, of Norwich Liberal Jewish Community, said: “It was an amazing weekend. There were tears and laughter and lots of learning – not to mention some heavy lifting as our strength was put to the test in Hagbah (raising the Torah) training.

“We celebrated Shabbat together, choreographed and conducted services, wrote and delivered D’vrei Torah (interpreting weekly Torah portions), read from the scroll, came together for Havdalah and an Oneg Shabbat, and were joined by three student rabbis who helped us navigate our incredible journey.

“We came with our different experiences, customs, and beliefs, and left having forged a supportive network of committed Progressive Jews ready to take what we’ve learned back into our own communities, but also to those small Progressive communities that may not be able to afford a rabbi.”

While the residential weekend was a powerful milestone, it is just one part of the 15-month journey, with much more learning, growth, and connection to come, both within the group and in the participants’ home communities, culminating in a final study day in December, and graduation in 2026.