In a landmark moment for interfaith dialogue in the UK, Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Co-Lead of Progressive Judaism, took the pulpit at King’s College Chapel, Cambridge.

Rabbi Charley delivered the ‘Annual Sermon Before the University’ alongside two equally distinguished women faith leaders, the Reverend Prebendary Dr Isabelle Hamley, Principal of Ridley Hall, Cambridge, and Zara Mohammed, former Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain (all pictured above)

Rabbi Charley Baginsky outside the chapel before her sermon

They each addressed the theme of ‘Finding Beauty, Inviting Joy’, offering perspectives from the three Abrahamic faiths in a first-of-its-kind interfaith sermon. Their presence marked a major milestone in the chapel’s long history, reflecting a growing commitment to inclusivity and diverse theological voices in the academic and religious worlds.

Becoming the first ever rabbi to deliver a sermon in this historic Christian chapel, Rabbi Charley explored how faith can illuminate harmony, and encourage unity, even in these most uncertain times.

She said: “Progressive Judaism must not only speak of God. It must amplify the voices through which God might still be heard. This is how we find beauty in uncertainty and invite joy amid fragmentation: by widening the frame of who tells the story.”

Speaking of the importance of the moment, she added: “To stand here, with a Muslim and a Christian woman of faith, is itself an act of hope. We represent traditions that have, at times, wounded one another. And yet, we also carry with us the best of what our communities can offer: language for compassion, rituals for repair, stories that stretch the imagination. We do not dissolve our differences. We honour them.”

You can read Rabbi Charley’s full speech here.

The event was also attended by Rabbi Robyn Ashworth-Steen, Co-Chair of the Assembly of Reform Rabbis and Cantors, who said: “Sitting in the splendour of King’s College’s Chapel, I felt very moved to hear Rabbi Charley articulate the richness of Progressive Judaism. To hear the names and teachings of Judith Plaskow, Leo Baeck, Rachel Adler and others, echo through the chapel, weaving with the choristers’ voices, was remarkable.”