Liberal Judaism
Navigation
  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • What is Liberal Judaism?
    • Who’s Who
    • Governance
    • Work & Volunteer With Us
  • Where We Are
    • Communities
    • The Montagu Centre
  • What We Do
    • LJY-Netzer
    • Progressive Jewish Students
    • LGBTQI+ Projects
    • Fundraising
    • Education
      • Education Hub
      • The Honeycomb Project
      • Judaism in Plain Sight – Kabbalat Torah Programme
    • Social Justice
    • Chaplaincy
    • Interfaith
    • Music
    • Community Development
    • Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable People
  • Lifecycle
    • Children
    • Coming of Age
    • Marriage & Blessings
    • Divorce
    • Joining a Community
    • Jewish Status & Conversion
    • Illness & Pastoral Care
    • Death & Mourning: Funeral Services
      • Non-member Jewish funerals
  • News & Views
    • News
    • Thought for the Week
    • LJ Today
    • In The Media
    • Statements
    • Opinion & Comment
    • Sermons
    • Press Enquiries
  • What’s On
    • Calendar
    • Liberal Judaism at Home
    • Live Streamed Services
    • Biennial Weekend
    • Jewish Dates
  • Resources
    • Resource Bank
    • Lectionary
    • Archive
    • Live Streaming
    • Links
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Search
  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • What is Liberal Judaism?
    • Who’s Who
    • Governance
    • Work & Volunteer With Us
  • Where We Are
    • Communities
    • The Montagu Centre
  • What We Do
    • LJY-Netzer
    • Progressive Jewish Students
    • LGBTQI+ Projects
    • Fundraising
    • Education
      • Education Hub
      • The Honeycomb Project
      • Judaism in Plain Sight – Kabbalat Torah Programme
    • Social Justice
    • Chaplaincy
    • Interfaith
    • Music
    • Community Development
    • Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable People
  • Lifecycle
    • Children
    • Coming of Age
    • Marriage & Blessings
    • Divorce
    • Joining a Community
    • Jewish Status & Conversion
    • Illness & Pastoral Care
    • Death & Mourning: Funeral Services
      • Non-member Jewish funerals
  • News & Views
    • News
    • Thought for the Week
    • LJ Today
    • In The Media
    • Statements
    • Opinion & Comment
    • Sermons
    • Press Enquiries
  • What’s On
    • Calendar
    • Liberal Judaism at Home
    • Live Streamed Services
    • Biennial Weekend
    • Jewish Dates
  • Resources
    • Resource Bank
    • Lectionary
    • Archive
    • Live Streaming
    • Links
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Search

Previous Day of Celebration Events

2019
Location: The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS), London
Date: Sunday 23 June 2019

Theme: If I am only for myself

Attendance: 180

Keynote Speakers: Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge and Jean Gaffin OBE

Details: Throughout the day there were 19 sessions for delegates to choose from covering a diverse range of topics such as teenage mental health, social work, death and mourning, the experiences of carers, including those with additional needs, and creating a volunteer culture.

There were also singing and dancing workshops and a parallel programme of LJY-Netzer youth activities including art, games and a ‘Kindness Olympics’.

Did you know? Over lunch, in a first for Liberal Judaism, delegates were able to vote on what they would like to see as the movement’s next big social justice campaign – with the choices being climate change, child poverty, disability and inclusion, domestic violence and dignity in dying.

Quote: Liberal Judaism’s director of strategy and partnerships Rabbi Charley Baginsky said: “There is perhaps no greater area of concern within our congregations than that of how we care for our members and how we can use our positive influence on the wider community. The Day of Celebration tackled these vital questions, while providing the opportunity to celebrate both voices that too often do not get heard and the incredible work that is being done within our congregations already.”

2017
Location: Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue, London
Date: Sunday 11 June 2017

Theme: Is Liberal Judaism Political Judaism?

Attendance: 250

Keynote Speakers: Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin and Lord Alf Dubs

Details: No topic was off the table at the Liberal Judaism Day of Celebration 2017, as 250 impassioned Jews of all ages debated everything from the impact of the recent UK general election to fighting antisemitism to how to use faith as a force for good. Delegates from 32 communities around England, as well as Edinburgh and Copenhagen, packed into Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue (NPLS) for the event.

LAFTA Winners: Crouch End Chavurah – watch the winning entry here
Music Composition Competition Winner: Phyllis Alden’s composition of the Aleinu – View a performance of the piece and download the music here

Did you know? 2017 saw the first Liberal Judaism Day of Music take place at Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue the day before the Day of Celebration, preceded by a Shabbat Britannia Kabbalat Shabbat service at East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue which also celebrated British Liberal Jewish music.

Quote: Rabbi Rebecca Birk, chair of the Day of Celebration organising committee, said: “Liberal Judaism has always been at the vanguard spiritually and ethically – punching well above our weight in the Jewish community and beyond. The Day of Celebration was truly that, as 250 of us recognised the progress and tradition that animates our prayer, our learning, our music and our just action.”

Photos: You can view a selection of photos from photographers Yakir Zur and Victor Shack as well as others online here.

2015
Location: The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, London
Date: Sunday 7 June 2015

Attendance: 300

Keynote Speakers: Rabbi Miri Gold and Anat Hoffman

Details: A succession of speakers at the Israel-themed 2015 Day of Celebration urged British Liberal Jews to get more involved in the country’s politics. Rabbi Miri Gold – the ‘poster girl’ of the fight to recognise non-Orthodox rabbis in Israel – and Anat Hoffman, executive director of the Israel Religious Action Center, both told delegates how important the support of the Diaspora was to those fighting for religious pluralism and human rights inside of Israel.

Did you know? This was the first ever Liberal Judaism event to be streamed over the internet, with members and friends watching via a live feed in America, Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic and all around the UK.

Quote: Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, Rabbi Danny Rich, said: “This was Liberal Judaism at its best. A sizeable but friendly crowd – representing more than 3/4 of our congregations (30) – came together to discuss an issue, the Israel/Diaspora relationship, that can be divisive and controversial, but which we all agree needs to be examined and thought about. This was a great showcase for the Liberal Jewish family.”

2013
Location: Birmingham Progressive Synagogue
Date: Sunday 9 June 2013

Attendance: 250

Details: An uplifting day, Liberal Jews celebrated a year of membership growth, rabbinic appointments and success in the fight for equal marriage. The day had four themes – parenting, community, study and art & music – and featured a musical extravaganza, which brought together the Birmingham, Kol Kinor and Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue choirs.

Did you know? The 2013 Day of Celebration saw the launch of the LAFTAs (Liberal Academy for Film and Torah Awards), a competition where Liberal Judaism religion schools are asked to make a short film on a Jewish topic. The inaugural LAFTA went to South Bucks Jewish Community.

Quote: Rabbi Charley Baginsky, chair of the Day of Celebration organising committee, said: “This was an incredible and inspiring day for the future of Liberal Judaism. The huge number of congregations and rabbis involved testifies to the sheer reach of our message and to the massive groundswell of commitment to help our movement grow and grow.”

2011
Location: The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, London
Date: Sunday 22 May 2011

Attendance: 500

Keynote Speakers: Jo Coburn and Daniel Finkelstein

Details: Offering something for all, seminars at the 2011 Day of Celebration covered everything from Torah study to salsa dancing and discussions on Jewish identity to a fun inter-generational quiz. A highlight for many was watching former Liberal Judaism chair Lucian J Hudson, and an eager audience, quizzing The Times executive editor Daniel Finkelstein for two hours on his personal Liberal Jewish journey and views on making the case for Israel.

Did you know? The centrepiece of the Day of Celebration was the graduation of a group of new lay leaders, who successfully completed Liberal Judaism’s Ba’alei Tefillah programme – with the training course being brought back after a 23 year absence.

Quote: BBC political correspondent Jo Coburn said: “This Day of Celebration has demonstrated that Liberal Judaism is in good shape. That is due to its strong leadership, the contribution made by many of its members and the recognition that it has to reach out to groups in every part of the UK.”

Return to Day of Celebration
Return to Calendar
Contact the Day of Celebration team
Visit Biennial Conference

Liberal Judaism

Tel: +44 (0)20 7580 1663
The Montagu Centre
21 Maple Street
London
W1T 4BE

Company Reg: 08281223
Charity No: 01151090

Legal & Privacy

Click Here for Ts & Cs

Safeguarding

Click Here for our statement

Contact Us Online

Click Here to get in touch
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this. ACCEPTRejectPrivacy policy