By Rabbi Josh Levy and Rabbi Charley Baginsky It’s hard to imagine that this time a year ago, as we prepared for Rosh Hashanah, we had no comprehension that just a few weeks later we would experience the tragedy of 7 October. The last year has been one of complex … Read More
Reflection from Co-Leads of Progressive Judaism on meetings with UK government
A reflection from Progressive Judaism Co-Leads Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy: As leaders of Progressive Judaism, alongside senior leadership from across the Jewish community, we met yesterday with the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, and the Attorney General, Richard Hermer, following the suspension of some arms export licenses to … Read More
Engaging with the UK Government on Israel/Palestine
Statement from Progressive Judaism Co-Leads Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy: We were pleased to meet today with Hamish Falconer, Minister for the Middle East, and then with the Solicitor General, Sarah Sackman, to hear about the Government’s approach to Israel/Palestine and the relationship with the Jewish community. As … Read More
Five new Progressive Rabbis ordained by Leo Baeck College
Leo Baeck College (LBC) ordained five new Progressive Rabbis in a service held at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS). Rabbi Daisy Bogod was ordained by Rabbi Charley Baginsky, CEO of Liberal Judaism and Co-Lead of Progressive Judaism. Rabbi Eleanor Davis was ordained by Rabbi Danny Smith, Emeritus Senior Minister of … Read More
Jerusalem Interfaith March gives ‘hope for the future’
Progressive Judaism Co-Leads Rabbi Josh Levy and Rabbi Charley Baginsky took part in the Jerusalem Interfaith March for Human Rights and Peace. Rabbis Charley and Josh joined hundreds of people of all faiths and backgrounds – including colleagues from the Israel Movement for Reform & Progressive Judaism and the Israel … Read More
Monthly online catch-ups expanded
Two monthly online catch-ups for communities have been expanded and opened across all Reform and Liberal communities. Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy, the Co-Leads of Progressive Judaism, will host Open House on the second Thursday of every month at 8pm, with the first taking place on Thursday 13 … Read More
Progressive Judaism statement on Iran’s attack on Israel
Last night, Israel found itself under attack once again. We are grateful that Israel has such developed measures to keep its population safe, and for the support it received from other nations. It is important to recognise, though, that it should not be normal for any country to have to … Read More
Community united at Downing Street vigil for the hostages
More than 1,500 people from across the Jewish community, and beyond, came together in a vigil to support the 133 hostages still held captive in Gaza. Taking place opposite Downing Street, crowd members were visibly moved as the families of those taken and murdered by Hamas spoke about the pain … Read More
Progressive Judaism Co-Leads join Mayor for Trafalgar Square Iftar
Rabbis Charley Baginsky and Josh Levy, the Co-Leads of Progressive Judaism, joined London Mayor Sadiq Khan for a large scale open-air interfaith Iftar held in Trafalgar Square. Despite bad weather, thousands gathered for the Ramadan fast-breaking event. Rabbis Josh and Charley were joined by many others from the Jewish community … Read More
A reflection six months on from 7 October
By Rabbis Josh Levy and Charley Baginsky Co-Leads of Progressive Judaism In October of last year, together with other communal leaders, we produced a set of principles about how to respond to the emerging crisis in Israel and Gaza. It was called ‘Our Jewish Values’ and spoke for many in our … Read More