Helen Stone 31 July 2018 When my phone rang one evening last February the voice was anxious and the tone urgent. The caller was one of the organisers of Northwood Holocaust Memorial Day Events educational sessions. “Our speaker is unwell,” they explained. “Can you take her slot tomorrow morning?” As … Read More
Finchley mark Tisha B’Av with powerful play
30 July 2018 More than 70 people were wowed by a performance of Hyam Maccoby’s play The Disputation, staged by members of Finchley Progressive Synagogue (FPS). The play is a powerful re-enactment of the Barcelona Disputation of 1263, when Rabbi Moses ben Nachman (later known as Nachmanides) was pitted against … Read More
Chuppah protest highlights call for equality in Israel
24 July 2018 Liberal Judaism rabbis came together with Reform and Masorti colleagues to erect a chuppah outside of the Israeli Embassy in Kensington to protest last week’s detention of an Israeli Conservative (Masorti) rabbi for performing non-Orthodox weddings. The British rabbis smashed a glass – the symbolic ritual that … Read More
Kingston ‘Pride Seder’ attracts guests from all over London
23 July 2018 Kingston Liberal Synagogue (KLS) held a special ‘Pride Seder’, attracting 30 people from all over London to a celebratory Friday night service and dinner. A joyous occasion – led by Rabbis Dr René Pfertzel and Janet Darley – it saw KLS members joined by friends and guests … Read More
Rabbi Gilad Kariv responds to Israel’s Nation State Law & Tisha B’Av
Rabbi Gilad Kariv 19 July 2018 Israel Movement for Reform & Progressive Judaism In a few days, the Jewish people will mark exactly 1948 years since the second destruction of Jerusalem. The historians of the time left us with powerful descriptions of the political and military struggle between the … Read More
Big numbers at small Reading community’s big birthday
19 July 2018 The Reading Liberal Jewish Community proudly celebrated its 40th birthday with a special Shabbat service and celebratory lunch. The small community’s numbers were swelled for the event as current members were joined by old friends, officers and dignitaries of Liberal Judaism and no less than seven rabbis. … Read More
LJY-Netzer announces new movement workers
18 July 2018 LJY-Netzer, the youth movement of Liberal Judaism, is proud to announce its fantastic new movement worker team for 2018/19. Ellie Lawson (pictured centre) is staying on after a very successful year of movement work, and will be joined by Ben Combe (right) and Helen Goldhill (left). Together … Read More
Progressive Jews unite against Israel’s Basic Law Bill
17 July 2018 Liberal Judaism and other Progressive Zionist groups have called on the Israeli government to drop the “dangerous” Basic Law Bill currently being considered by the country’s Knesset (Parliament). Working with other groups, including Reform Judaism, we yesterday delivered a strongly-worded letter to Israel’s Ambassador to the UK … Read More