27 July 2016 South London Liberal Synagogue (SLLS) gave departing rabbi, Rabbi Janet Darley, the perfect farewell present – a promise to continue her award-winning work with refugees. The community has vowed to convert a space in the synagogue into a two bedroom flat to house a refugee family. Plans … Read More
The benefits of Ba’alei Tefillah
25 July 2016 Liberal Judaism administration manager, and Ba’alei Tefillah graduate, Alexandra Simonon took her first full Torah service this weekend, spending Shabbat with Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish Community (GLJC). Alexandra – who graduated Liberal Judaism’s lay leadership course with 16 others at the Biennial Weekend earlier this month – led … Read More
Twilight People impresses at LGBT Police Conference
21 July 2016 Liberal Judaism’s Surat-Shaan Knan has addressed the National LGBT Police Conference (pictured), the first time the annual event has tackled the subject of faith. Police attending the conference were also able to view the ground-breaking Twilight People: Stories of Gender and Faith Beyond the Binary exhibition, which … Read More
Liberal Judaism welcomes scheme to help refugees
19 July 2016 Liberal Judaism has warmly welcomed a new Government website and initiative to support refugees – encouraging its communities and members to get involved. The ‘Help Refugees in the UK’ site is being piloted in nine local authorities, including Lambeth, Nottingham City and the City of York. You … Read More
How to be part of the Open Talmud Project
Rabbi Leah Jordan 19 July 2016 The Open Talmud Project (OTP) is now entering its seventh summer – and this year’s annual weekend is set to be bigger and better than ever. Founded in 2009, the Open Talmud Project is a growing cross-denominational, grassroots initiative for close encounter with Talmud … Read More
Norwich Jews support Romanian arson victims
18 July 2016 Members of Norwich Liberal Jewish Community (NLJC) have played a key role in supporting a Romanian family, whose village shop was firebombed. NLJC chair Annie Henriques – pictured here with the shop owner’s daughter Andrea Abraham – addressed a rally in support of the family. A public appeal … Read More
York cake sale raises £200 for Israel’s food bank
18 July 2016 York Liberal Jewish Community (YLJC) raised £200 for Israel’s national food bank, Leket Israel, by selling ‘hot cakes’ at a local fete. A new venture for the fast-growing community, more 300 baked items were sold in just three hours. They were all donated by YLJC members and friends. … Read More
[Sermon] Shabbat Balak 2016/5776 – Terrorism
Rabbi Alexandra Wright 2 July 2016 This sermon is offered as a reflection on terrorist events that have happened, not only in recent days but in over the past two years. It was a sermon given on Shabbat Balak, July 4th, 2015 and has been slightly amended to include recent events. … Read More
Twilight People makes headlines as tour moves to Manchester
12 July 2016 Surat-Shaan Knan, the project manager of Liberal Judaism’s ground-breaking Twilight People initiative, has appeared on the front page of The Guardian newspaper. He featured in an article titled ‘Transgender stories’, where five people told the paper about their experiences. Surat-Shaan said: “Being trans and Jewish seemed a … Read More
Liberal Judaism appoints director of strategy and partnerships
12 July 2016 Rabbi Charley Baginsky has been appointed as Liberal Judaism’s first director of strategy and partnerships. Charley, who is also part-time rabbi at South Bucks Jewish Community and coordinator for the Alliance for Progressive Judaism, took up the role this week. Charley will be responsible for completing and … Read More