20 September 2018 Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue (NPLS) recruited seven young shofar blowers this Rosh Hashanah. The youngsters – who were all trained by regular shofar blower Carole Kettle – showed off their skills at a special afternoon tea held at the synagogue. Northwood’s Rabbi Aaron Goldstein said: “As … Read More
An interfaith Rosh Hashanah at Mosaic Liberal
19 September 2018 Mosaic Liberal Synagogue welcomed guests from Wembley Central Masjid over Rosh Hashanah. The Jewish and Muslim communities joined together to celebrate the New Year with a special service led by Rabbi Dr Frank Dabba Smith. Frank said: “We have a long and good relationship with our friends … Read More
New scroll mantle honours leading Essex Liberal Jew
17 September 2018 A new year has meant a new mantle for the Czech Torah Scroll at East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue (ELELS). The new mantle was used for the first time on Erev Rosh Hashanah 5779, keeping with the tradition to dress the Torah in white on the … Read More
Statement on demolition of Khan al-Ahmar
Rabbis Danny Rich & Laura Janner-Klausner 13 September 2018 Liberal Judaism and Reform Judaism stand united in condemning the Israeli Government’s proposed demolition of the Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar, in the West Bank, and the forcible transfer of its residents. Despite almost universal international condemnation – including from the … Read More
Celebrate 80 years of the Leo Baeck Education Centre
11 September 2018 Liberal Judaism and Reform Judaism are proud to support a special concert to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the oldest Progressive Jewish institution in Israel. The evening of music and celebration will mark 80 years since the founding of the Leo Baeck Education Center, Haifa. The concert … 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
Rabbi Danny Rich calls for ‘civilised debate’ in our community
Rabbi Danny Rich 6 September 2018 The Jewish News Rabbi Danny Rich, the senior rabbi of Liberal Judaism, has criticised the Jewish community for its inability to tolerate difference within – and called for the return of civilised debate as we enter 5779. You can read Danny’s thoughts, published as … Read More
Northwood members join historic memorial swim in Kolín
5 September 2018 Sixty-seven men, women and children – including many from Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue (NPLS) – took part in a wild river swim in the Czech Republic in memory of an incredible woman who survived the Holocaust. The large group swam down the River Elbe in Kolín, … Read More
[Blog] An ‘opt out’ organ donation system will save lives
Rabbi Danny Rich, Senior Rabbi of Liberal Judaism 4 September 2018 The National Health Service (NHS) Blood & Transfusion Service has a national Organ Donation Week – which started on Monday and ends just as Rosh Hashanah begins. The purpose of the campaign is to “raise awareness of the important … Read More
Preparing for the High Holy Days and year ahead
Liberal Judaism President Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein September 2018 Moses Ben Abraham of Premsla wrote: “The wise prepare themselves with teshuvah, prayer and charity during the month of Elul”. I started thinking about the coming High Holy Days two weeks earlier than usual, in the middle of Av, to meet … Read More