Progressive Judaism Co-Lead Rabbi Charley Baginsky gave a blessing on behalf of the Jewish community at Westminster Abbey – as part of a Service of Thanksgiving in the 30th Year of South Africa’s democracy. The event marked three decades since the ending of Apartheid in South Africa and honoured Nelson … Read More
Kehillah North London hosts first ever Yiddish Bas Mitsve
The thriving congregation of Kehillah North London has celebrated what is believed to be the first Yiddish Bas Mitsve service in a British Progressive Jewish community. In recent years a number of members from Mizrahi, Sephardi, Ashkenazi and mixed-heritage backgrounds at Kehillah have had an adult B’nai Mitzvah, but 39-year-old … Read More
High Holy Days Ticket Scheme 2024/5785
We are proud to once again launch the Progressive Judaism High Holy Days Ticket Scheme for young adults. This allows any young person, aged 18 to 26, to attend Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services free of charge at any Reform or Liberal community of their choice. Covering 80 congregations, … Read More
Brighton and Hove Progressive wins Gold EcoJudaism Award
Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue (BHPS) have won a prestigious EcoJudaism Gold Award. They were presented with the accolade at last week’s EcoJudaism Awards ceremony, which honours the steps being taken by congregations across the Jewish community to move towards an environmentally responsible future. The award was collected by Mara … Read More
Chief Operating Officer leaves Liberal Judaism
Liberal Judaism’s Chief Operating Officer Shelley Shocolinsky-Dwyer is leaving the movement, after more than 16 years of exemplary service. Shelley has worked for Liberal Judaism since 2008 and has managed every department and function of the organisation at some point during that time, including as COO for the last four … Read More
Jewish Living Experience Exhibition comes to Essex
Two Progressive Jews helped to bring the Jewish Living Experience Exhibition to Chelmsford, Essex, for the first time. Hanan Charles and Progressive Judaism’s Head of Communications Simon Rothstein – both of East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue – are part of the team who ran the week-long Board of Deputies exhibition … Read More
Sermon on the thinking of Rabbi John Rayner and the General Election
By Rabbi Aaron Goldstein (The Ark Synagogue) This week, Liberal Jews celebrate the life of the foremost influential Liberal Rabbi of his generation, Rabbi John Rayner (z”l). Born in Berlin in 1924, he came to England in 1939 on one of the Kindertransports. He is most well- known or his … Read More
Prayers and sermons to welcome a new Government
Progressive Judaism (Liberal Judaism and the Movement for Reform Judaism) congratulates Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party on their victory in the UK General Election. We look forward to working with them to ensure that the role of faith in society continues to be recognised and valued, and that … Read More
Five new Progressive Rabbis ordained by Leo Baeck College
Leo Baeck College (LBC) ordained five new Progressive Rabbis in a service held at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS). Rabbi Daisy Bogod was ordained by Rabbi Charley Baginsky, CEO of Liberal Judaism and Co-Lead of Progressive Judaism. Rabbi Eleanor Davis was ordained by Rabbi Danny Smith, Emeritus Senior Minister of … Read More
Prayer for His Majesty’s Opposition
By Rabbi Gabriel Kanter-Webber (Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue) This prayer for His Majesty’s Opposition accompanied the regular Shabbat prayer for the Royal Family and Government, as both parties enter their new roles. Eternal God, who has never been out of power, who has never lacked influence, we ask Your … Read More