By Annie Talbot Religious perspectives on disability have often been confusing, conflicting, and complicated. Whilst each religion has a unique approach to understanding disability, there are often contradictions within a single religion’s approach to disability – conflicting messages within religious texts, or different interpretations of disability by scholars. Whilst these … Read More
22/23 July: Birmingham Progressive Synagogue Open House Shabbat
Liberal Judaism’s series of 120th Anniversary Open House Shabbats continues this Friday and Saturday with two special services at Birmingham Progressive Synagogue (BPS). An alternative Kabbalat Shabbat service begins at 6.30pm on Friday 22 July and will be followed by a chavurah supper where everyone brings a dish to share. … Read More
Another Birmingham simcha as Olivia and Ilana marry
By Joe Seager Ilana Davis, of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue (BPS), and her partner, Olivia Dyke, have given the community another reason to celebrate by getting married. The two first met when they were students at the University of Birmingham in 2013, with their friendship growing into love. They said: “We … Read More
Birmingham’s bumper toast to mainstay Frank
By Joe Seager A landmark birthday kiddush for Birmingham Progressive Synagogue (BPS) President Frank Maxwell was held… a year after it was meant to happen. Plans to celebrate Frank’s 85th birthday last year were side-lined by Covid-19, with restrictions preventing services being held in shul. So, instead, a celebration took … Read More
Birmingham Progressive Head among LBC graduates
Four graduates received their MA in Jewish Educational Leadership award at Leo Baeck College’s first in-person ceremony for more than two years. Adela Kobic (Head Teacher at Birmingham Progressive Synagogue), Frankie Gruzd (Head Teacher at Bromley Reform Synagogue), Avi Marco (a member of Finchley Reform Synagogue Council) and Oren Giorno … Read More
Joyce’s fundraising for cancer support surpasses £200,000
By Joe Seager Joyce Rothschild, Birmingham Progressive Synagogue’s award-winning charity fundraiser, has given Macmillan Cancer Support a massive financial boost. Proceeds from the annual quiz she launched 24 years ago have now climbed beyond the £200,000 mark – a monumental milestone. Joyce, 65, began fundraising after recovering from an aggressive … Read More
Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi celebrates second batmitzvah
Birmingham Progressive Synagogue (BPS) held a special service to mark 50 years since the batmitzvah of Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi. Margaret read her original Torah portion again, as well as the sermon that her rabbinic mentor Rabbi John Rayner had given on that occasion. The service was a double special … Read More
Join Joyce’s quiz to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support
By Joe Seager Birmingham Progressive Synagogue (BPS) member Joyce Rothschild has paved the way for another of her trail-blazing drives to give Macmillan Cancer Support a massive financial boost. So light up your time in lockdown by taking part in the legendary quiz Joyce launched 24 years ago to show … Read More
Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi featured in Southbank exhibition
A portrait of Liberal Judaism’s Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi is being featured as part of the Everyday Heroes exhibition at the Southbank Centre. Everyday Heroes is an outdoor exhibition celebrating the contributions that key workers and frontline staff have made during the pandemic. It contains artworks and poems by 21 … Read More
Kabbalat Torah programme launches with weekend sleepover
26 November 2019 Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi The new Liberal Judaism Kabbalat Torah programme ‘Judaism In Plain Sight’ launched with a weekend sleepover in Birmingham. Ten teenagers from our Birmingham, Kingston, Nottingham and York congregations came together to welcome Shabbat together and spend the weekend thinking about what Judaism has … Read More