20 November 2018 Liberal Judaism rabbis and staff members held a short service today in commemoration of Transgender Day of Remembrance (#TransDayOfRemembrance). Rabbi Sandra Kviat read a traditional Jewish kaddish, while Shaan Knan said the Twilight People prayer written by Rabbi Reuben Zellman. They were joined in leading the service … Read More
Rabbi Janet Darley leads blessing at PinkNews Awards
19 October 2018 Liberal Judaism’s Rabbi Janet Darley was one of four clergy to lead an interfaith blessing at this year’s PinkNews Awards. Janet was joined on stage by Bishop of Buckingham Dr Alan Wilson, Bishop of Manchester David Walker and Imam Mohamed Patel. She said: “It was a privilege … Read More
Help Liberal Judaism support trans equality
18 October 2018 Since its formation 116 years ago, Liberal Judaism has provided a home for everyone’s Jewish story. We are proud that everyone is considered equal in our communities – and always has been – and that where we lead others eventually follow. In recent decades, one of the … Read More
Liberal Judaism welcomes new LGBTQI+ guide for schools
Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, Chair of the Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors 7 September 2018 Liberal Judaism welcomes the new guide for Orthodox Jewish schools to improve the wellbeing of LGBTQI+ pupils. Many members of Liberal Jewish families attend these schools, while more still are proud members of both the … Read More
Kingston ‘Pride Seder’ attracts guests from all over London
23 July 2018 Kingston Liberal Synagogue (KLS) held a special ‘Pride Seder’, attracting 30 people from all over London to a celebratory Friday night service and dinner. A joyous occasion – led by Rabbis Dr René Pfertzel and Janet Darley – it saw KLS members joined by friends and guests … Read More
[Blog] Mental Health Awareness Week
Rabbi Alexandra Wright 15 May 2018 Two weeks ago, the Liberal Jewish Synagogue held its annual Kabbalat Torah service – one of the highlights of our year and always a source of great pride for any Liberal Jewish congregation. The class of nine fifteen year olds led the Friday evening … Read More
Rainbow Pilgrims calls for repeal of anti-gay laws in the Commonwealth
24 April 2018 Liberal Judaism’s pioneering LGBTQI+ project Rainbow Pilgrims has joined the call for the repeal of anti-gay laws in the Commonwealth. To coincide with the discussions on overturning global homophobic and transphobic legislation at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London, Rainbow Pilgrims teamed up with … Read More
In The Media: First gender-neutral B’nei Mitzvah
05 March 2018 Take a look at some of the fantastic press coverage of the first Liberal Judaism gender-neutral B’nei Mitzvah, which took place at York Liberal Jewish Community in February 2018: UK Jewish Media Jewish News: “This teen had a gender neutral b’nei mitzvah” Jewish Chronicle: “Torah and togetherness … Read More
[Blog] Celebrating diversity in LGBT History Month – a personal perspective
Karen Newman 23 February 2018 Board of Deputies website I joined the Jewish Gay and Lesbian Group (now Jewish LGBT+ Group) in 1999. I was reasonably secure in both identities, although I had never felt the need to manifest both in the same nano-second – I joined together with my … Read More
Torah and togetherness – a gender-neutral bnei mitzvah
Miriam Taylor Thorpe 21 February 2018 The Jewish Chronicle We live in Otterburn, Northumberland and the [gender-neutral] bnei mitzvah took place at York Liberal Jewish Community, at the Quaker Meeting House. It was such a big day, not just for us but also for our community. When Esther read the … Read More