21 March 2017 Rabbis Charley Baginsky and Dr René Pfertzel will be part of a panel discussion tomorrow (Wednesday 22nd March) entitled The Queer Torah: Exploring LGBTQI+ Themes in the Bible. They will be joined by Liberal Judaism’s LGBTQI+ project manager Surat-Shaan Knan and activist Zach Polanski, as they discuss … Read More
Archbishop of York outlines the ‘voice of religion in the 21st century’ at inaugural Lionel Blue Memorial Lecture
Leo Baeck College 20 March 2017 More than 230 people packed into the North Western Reform Synagogue (Alyth) in Barnet to hear the Rt Rev & Rt Hon Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, deliver the first Lionel Blue Memorial Lecture. The event was part of the 60th anniversary celebrations for … Read More
The best Purim pictures from our communities
14 March 2017 From children walking the walls of York to a Cockney Megillah reading in Finchley, Purim 5777 was an action packed one in Liberal Jewish communities. Liberal Judaism’s newest congregation at East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue celebrated their first Purim, with our oldest, The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, … Read More
Lord Dubs to deliver keynote at Day of Celebration
13 March 2017 Liberal Judaism is delighted to announce that Lord (Alf) Dubs will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Day of Celebration – held at Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue (NPLS) on Sunday June 11 from 9:30 to 16:30. Lord Dubs, pictured here with Liberal Judaism vice president Rabbi … Read More
[Blog] Why today’s Liberal Jews have reclaimed Purim
Rabbi Leah Jordan 13 March 2017 It’s hard to imagine now – with our synagogues full of spiels, fancy dress and hamantaschen – but for much of our movement’s early history, Liberal Judaism downplayed the festival of Purim. The reason is because the Book of Esther, the Megillah, ends in … Read More
[Sermon] It’s a Topsy Turvy World!
10 March 2017 As published in the Crouch End Chavurah magazine Purim (meaning ‘lots’) falls this year on the evening of Sunday 12 March. The biblical book of Esther is the source of Purim. Although lacking any historicity, the Book of Esther tells of a Persian King, Achverosh, his Jewish … Read More
East London & Essex create a diverse tree of life
9 March 2017 Liberal Judaism’s newest community – East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue – hosted 40 people for their latest inclusive Shabbat service. The congregation included a number of people with disabilities, accompanied by family members and/or carers. The focus of service, led by Rabbi Richard Jacobi, was on … Read More
Do you need a grant? Apply before March 24
8 March 2017 Is your community or organisation looking for funding? If the funds you need will help support ‘the advancement of Progressive Judaism’, then the NLPS Trust may be able to help. The Trust was established in 2004, following the closure of the North London Progressive Synagogue. The synagogue’s … Read More