November 26 2019 A statement from Rabbi Aaron Goldstein (Chair of the Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors) on behalf of Liberal Judaism: When a Rabbi speaks up over an issue that crosses into the political sphere we recognise that it is difficult for them to do so and not … Read More
Statement on persecution of Uyghur Muslims in China
26 November 2019 Jane Drapkin – LJ Social Justice National Officer Rabbi Aaron Goldstein – Chair, Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors As Jewish Communities around the country begin planning and training for education around Holocaust Memorial Day, we cannot ignore a potential genocide unfolding in plain sight right now … Read More
Spring camp dates change to incorporate Shabbat
10 October 2019 The dates for LJY-Netzer’s Machaneh Aviv have changed so that the spring camp will now include Shabbat. The camp will take place from Tuesday 14 to Sunday 19 April, after overwhelming feedback from LJY-Netzer members and their parents that Shabbat on camp is a very special time … Read More
Progressive student rabbi appears in British Library film
8 October 2019 Student Rabbi Lev Taylor appears in a new video as part of the British Library’s Discovering Sacred Texts series. The latest episode, focused on Judaism, explores what it means to be Jewish today through some of our faith’s most important texts including the Torah, Talmud and Haggadah. … Read More
Israeli and Palestinian peace activists speak at KLS
2 October 2019 By Rebecca Singerman-Knight Around 100 people attended an event at Kingston Liberal Synagogue (KLS) to hear two peace activists – one Israeli and one Palestinian – speak about their hopes for reconciliation. The event was co-hosted with St Mary’s Church, Long Ditton and was attended by the … Read More
Enter René Cassin’s ‘Human Writes’ essay competition
2 October 2019 Human rights charity René Cassin has launched its annual essay competition, which this year has the theme ‘Social media: friend or foe of human rights?’ The winner of the ‘Human Writes’ contest will receive £100 and a copy of East West Street, Philippe Sands‘ acclaimed account of … Read More
Former LJY-Netzer leader is new UJIA CEO
1 October 2019 Liberal Judaism has welcomed the appointment of former LJY-Netzer youth leader Mandie Winston as the new CEO of UJIA. Mandie becomes the first ever woman to hold the role, which she will take up in January. She was raised in London and is remembered as a popular … Read More
Birmingham Progressive members on BBC Radio 4
27 September 2019 Members of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue, including Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi, appeared on a BBC Radio 4 programme titled ‘The Syrians and the Kindertransport’ in which new and old refugees in the city met and compared experiences. Margaret was interviewed during the show about her campaigning work with … Read More
A fierce but friendly debate on faith schools
24 September 2019 Panellists and audience members clashed over faith schools in a fiery but good-natured debate in the latest of Liberal Judaism’s Hot Potatoes dialogue events. Chaired by sociologist and author Dr Keith Kahn-Harris, the evening saw a frank exchange of views from experts on all sides of the … Read More
Humanists UK dialogue officer joins our faith schools debate
16 September 2019 Jeremy Rodell, the dialogue officer for Humanists UK, is the fourth and final panellist to be announced for this week’s Liberal Judaism Hot Potatoes debate on faith schools. Jeremy has been a school speaker for both Humanists UK and the Faith & Belief Forum for many years. … Read More