Rabbi Anna Gerrard welcomed back as Three Counties’ Lead Rabbi

Rabbi Anna Gerrard Induction Service

Faith leaders from across Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire joined together to celebrate the return of Rabbi Anna Gerrard as Lead Rabbi of Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community (3CLJC). It was a case of ‘welcome back’ for Rabbi Anna (pictured) – who had previously served 10 years in the post, before … Read More

Rabbi Golan Ben-Chorin is new Principal Rabbi of Alyth

Rabbi Golan Ben-Chorin

Rabbi Golan Ben-Chorin has been appointed as Principal Rabbi of Alyth (North Western Reform Synagogue). Rabbi Golan (pictured) has more than 17 years of experience serving in communal and wider rabbinic roles all around the world, including as Rabbi of Rosh Pina – Israel’s northernmost Reform congregation – Temple Judea … Read More

Progressive Judaism backs calls for new deal on refugee integration

Commission on the Integration of Refugees

Two prominent Progressive Jews have played a key role in a report calling for a new deal on refugee integration that works for both refugees and wider British society. Progressive Judaism Advisory Board Chair Dr Ed Kessler MBE is Chair of the Commission on the Integration of Refugees, which spent … Read More

Sending our prayers to the Princess of Wales

Princess of Wales

Progressive Judaism (The Movement for Reform Judaism and Liberal Judaism) sends thoughts and prayers to Catherine, Princess of Wales, and to all the Royal Family. We know that many of our members, whose own lives and families have been touched by cancer, will appreciate her message of faith and hope … Read More

Progressive Co-Lead joins Archbishop to launch Big Help Out

Rabbi Charley Baginsky with other faith leaders at Big Help Out launch

Progressive Judaism Co-Lead Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby have led the calls for members of British faith groups to get involved with the Big Help Out – a weekend of volunteering that will take place in June. A launch event took place at an interfaith iftar … Read More

Shirei met Chagigah and welcomed in the future

Uplifting, joyous, meaningful, and musical were some of the comments at the end of the Movement for Reform Judaism’s flagship event, Shirei meets Chagigah. It was an all-singing, all-learning four days away with rabbis, cantors, leaders, community members, and speakers from around the world, all coming together to enjoy and … Read More

Jewish community unites to call for hostages release

Israel in our Herts event

More than 1,000 people from across Hertfordshire and London joined together to call for the immediate return of the 134 hostages who remain in Hamas captivity. The ‘Israel in our Herts’ event spanned the entire Jewish community, and beyond, with speakers including Progressive Judaism representative Rabbi Gershon Silins, Chief Rabbi … Read More

National press cover Alyth Iftar as faiths come together

Imam Mehmed Stublla gives the call to prayer from the Alyth Bimah

Alyth Synagogue hosted its 11th annual fast-breaking Ramadan Iftar meal for Muslim friends and neighbours. A key part of the Alyth calendar, this year’s event had the theme of ‘friendship across difference’ and looked at how to maintain good relations between Jewish and Muslim communities in the UK at a … Read More

Birmingham Progressive hosts Friday Night Iftar for asylum seekers

Birmingham Progressive Synagogue Iftar

Birmingham Progressive Synagogue hosted an interfaith ‘Friday Night Iftar’ – in partnership with a number of local mosques and community groups – to focus on bringing people together in Birmingham and welcoming asylum seekers to the city. It combined a traditional Jewish Friday night dinner, to mark the start of … Read More

Jewish teens lead Ark Synagogue Kabbalat Torah

Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, Rabbi Lea Mühlstein, teacher Anna Masters and the KT students

This Shabbat saw a special celebration for 10 young members of The Ark Synagogue, marking the culmination of their Kabbalat Torah programme. Kabbalat Torah seeks to engage teenagers in exploring and building a positive Jewish identity as they mature and grow together – keeping them invested in their synagogues and … Read More