8 November 2016 Liberal Judaism’s newest community has been given its English name – East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue. The community will officially form on January 1, 2017, after members of the area’s two current Liberal Judaism congregations – Bet Tikvah and Woodford Liberal Synagogues – voted overwhelmingly to … Read More
[Sermon] Words and Deeds, Yom Kippur 2016/5777
For those who missed it, last night I talked about our inner selves, about our thought and feelings, about our emotions, prejudices and fears, and about how mental health and well being need our focus and our commitment. I ended by suggesting that the important reason why we should … Read More
A new Jewish community for East London as Bet Tikvah and Woodford Liberal Synagogues vote to unite
26 September 2016 A new Liberal Judaism community for East London and West Essex will be formed, after members of its two existing synagogues voted overwhelmingly to unify. In parallel EGMs on Sunday September 25, members of Bet Tikvah and Woodford Liberal Synagogues voted in favour of the dissolution of … Read More
“Whoever saves a single human life, it is as if they have saved a whole world”
Rabbi Richard Jacobi, Co-Chair of Rabbinic Conference of Liberal Judaism 9 September 2016 This famous statement, from the second century Mishnah (Sanhedrin 4:5) occurs in the context of ensuring witnesses in the trial of someone accused of a capital crime. There its purpose is to demand that any such witnesses … Read More
Liberal rabbis take lead on refugees
6 September 2016 Liberal rabbis have been at the forefront of a campaign to speed up the arrival of lone refugee children to the UK – visiting Calais, holding a memorial event at the Home Office and delivering a letter to the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd. Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, … Read More
Rabbinic Conference Report to Liberal Judaism’s AGM July 2016
Rabbi Richard Jacobi 5 July 2016 I am writing this report in the wake of the Biennial Weekend 2016, and this report will briefly review key points of 2015, and make some comment about where Rabbinic Conference and the movement are now. Some Key Highlights of 2015 This is not … Read More