South London Liberal at the heart of interfaith dialogue


10 November 2025 – 19 Heshvan 5786
Rabbi Nathan Godleman with the Bishop of Kingston, the Rt. Rev. Dr Martin Gainsborough, and Geshe Tenzin Namdak

The South London Liberal Synagogue (SLLS) played a key role in two important interfaith events this month.

The synagogue’s Rabbi Nathan Godleman took part in a discussion, organised by Faiths Together in Lambeth, on the subject of universal responsibility at the Jamyang Buddhist Centre in Kennington.

Rabbi Nathan and his discussion partners the Bishop of Kingston, the Rt. Rev. Dr Martin Gainsborough, and Geshe Tenzin Namdak (all pictured above) discussed a number of topics – including compassion in the three respective traditions, and how one may develop the quality.

Rabbi Nathan summarised the evening as one of “gentle exploration and mutual appreciation, wherein everyone there was able to advance their own thinking and feeling on the subject”.

Further discussions are planned, widening the number of faiths involved and at different venues in the borough, including the synagogue, hopefully.

Carrying on the interfaith theme, SLLS member and prayer leader, Emma Butler, attended the ‘2025 Joining Hands for Peace’ conference in Mitcham.

Emma Butler

Emma Butler

Organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association, Emma joined representatives of Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Christianity at the women’s only event, which began with a recitation of the Quran, followed by presentations, poetry and a Q&A.

Emma said: “It was such an honour to join with ordinary women from other faiths doing the extraordinary work of peace-building in the local community.

“There was a real spirit of openness, inquisitiveness and pluralism amongst all the attendees – children included.

“Events like these bridge the gaps in knowledge that our polarised media landscape feeds on, and provide space for much deeper discussions and relationships to grow.”

Rabbi Nathan Godleman, in addition, also attended the Remembrance Day event in Brixton and a community cohesion fair at the Lambeth Town Hall to mark the beginning of Interfaith Week.

At the Remembrance event, he spoke about peace and quoted directly from Rabbi John Rayner in Siddur Lev Chadash. The annual gathering in Windrush Square focuses on the contribution of African and Caribbean personnel in both world wars, and includes a parade of those currently serving.