Progressive Jews celebrate LGBTQI+ identities at Pride events

Pride Group

A joyful and proud group of Jewish participants from Southwest London – including members of Kingston Liberal Synagogue, The Wimbledon Synagogue and North West Surrey Synagogue – took part in this year’s London Pride, standing in solidarity with the LGBTQI+ community and affirming the importance of Jewish visibility in public … Read More

Rabbinic reunion for Kingston civic service

Rabbinic Reunion

Multiple rabbis, two local mayors, numerous interfaith leaders and the whole congregation of Kingston Liberal Synagogue (KLS) came together to celebrate the community’s newly refurbished sanctuary at a special Shabbat civic service. Kingston’s Rabbi Lev Taylor led the joyful service, joined by his predecessors Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel, Rabbi Charley … Read More

A wonderful night of revelation and discussion

Kingston, Weybridge and Wimbledon

Kingston Liberal Synagogue, North West Surrey Synagogue and The Wimbledon Synagogue joined together for a Shavuot night of revelation. Rabbi Adrian Schell led a session exploring what revelation actually means; Rabbi Lev Taylor revealed his Shavuot Island Discs with some fascinating insights into his family and reasons for joining the … Read More

Kingston members journey through centuries of Jewish history

A group of Kingston Liberal Synagogue (KLS) members undertook a remarkable journey through Central and Eastern Europe, visiting some of the most significant sites of Jewish medieval, modern and contemporary history. Led by KLS Council Member and historian Dr Alexander Heinz – together with Craig and Mary Simmons, Sara Alston, … Read More

Kingston Liberal Synagogue unveils its refurbished sanctuary

KLS new Ark and Bimah

Kingston Liberal Synagogue has unveiled a brand new redesigned Bimah and Ark – part of the community’s ambitious refurbishment project. A grant from the NLPS Trust for Progressive Judaism enabled the work to be carried out and, after extensive consultation with members, it has been opened for services ahead of … Read More

Kingston events educate hundreds on horrors of the Holocaust

HMD event in Kingston 1

More than 900 school pupils in Kingston-upon-Thames attended events marking Holocaust Memorial Day at the local Progressive and Orthodox synagogues. The educational workshops were organised by Kingston Liberal Synagogue (KLS) and Kingston, Surbiton and District Synagogue (KSDS), with funding by the Royal Borough of Kingston Grant. They marked the 19th … Read More

Kingston member’s art exhibition to explore the Jewish body

Art - Ali Simmons - While Leaning To The Left

Kingston Liberal Synagogue member Ali Simmons, and her co-curator David Hochhauser, have created a new exhibition entitled People of the Body: Contemporary Artist Explorations of Jewish Embodiment. Ali – an arts educator, organiser and maker – and David were awarded a microgrant by Limmud to fund the free exhibition, which … Read More

Kingston Liberal Synagogue appoints Rabbi Lev Taylor

Rabbis Lev and Rene cut the cake

Rabbi Lev Taylor has been appointed as the new rabbi of Kingston Liberal Synagogue, taking over from Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel. The KLS community celebrated with a very well-attended installation service and party. Rabbi Lev (pictured cutting his welcome cake alongside Rabbi René) said: “Kingston’s reaction to my appointment has … Read More

Mitzvah Day Award wins for Liberal volunteers

Owen Power with his Mitzvah Day Award

Owen Power, the Deputy for York Liberal Jewish Community and a member of the Liberal Judaism Board of National Officers was a winner of the Mitzvah Day Individual Award (pictured). Owen was honoured alongside six others for their personal contributions to the day of social action. He was part of … Read More