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
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
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
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
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
Sir Ed Davey thanks Liberal Judaism for giving ‘voice to humanity’
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey joined the Shabbat service at Kingston Liberal Synagogue for the commemoration of its three Czech Torah scrolls. The scrolls are on loan from the Memorial Trust and the annual service remembers the Czechia communities of Tabor, Rychnov and Blatna all of whom perished in … Read More
Mitzvah Day Award wins for Liberal volunteers
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
The circus comes to Kingston Liberal Synagogue
Kingston Liberal Synagogue (KLS) was transformed into a circus when a team of performers visited to tell the story of a German Jewish circus family through narrative, performance and music. The event was the brainchild of Rabbi Miri Lawrence (pictured), from Ealing Liberal Synagogue, who has a keen interest in … Read More
Kingston member wins competition to mark HMD
A member of Kingston Liberal Synagogue (KLS) is one of the winners of a national competition marking Holocaust Memorial Day 2023. Ali Simmons, 25, entered the competition with her portrait of fellow KLS member and survivor Bronia Snow. Bronia came to the UK on the Kindertransport from Prague aged 11 … Read More
Kingston concert raises thousands for Ukraine
Ukrainian folk songs, Yiddish lullabies and songs of resistance all formed part of the programme for a fundraising concert held by Kingston Liberal Synagogue (KLS). The [rogramme included a number of solo and ensemble pieces performed by KLS members and guest musicians from other local synagogues. An original composition by … Read More