First services held by new East London community
11 January 2017 East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue (EL&ELS) enjoyed a “wonderful” turnout for its inaugural Shabbat services this weekend. The new community formed on January 1, after members of Bet Tikvah and Woodford Liberal Synagogues voted to unite. It will operate over the two sites, while a search for a … Read More
A statement on the Jerusalem terrorist attack
8 January 2017 A statement from Liberal Judaism’s Rabbi Charley Baginsky on the terrorist attack in Jerusalem, earlier today, that killed four soldiers and injured a dozen others: We were all saddened by the news of this most recent terror attack. Happening in Jerusalem, a place so familiar to many … Read More
Birmingham’s Joyce honoured with British Empire Medal
6 January 2017 Joyce Rothschild, of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue, has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list. Joyce received the honour as a result of her remarkable annual quiz, which has been running for 20 years and has raised more than £120,000 in the fight … Read More
Jewish boys get their names at their bris. But how and when do we name our daughters?
Jessica Weinstein 5 January 2017 The Jewish Chronicle When Jewish parents have a baby daughter they have a dilemma. Do they hold a ceremony to name her? Picking a baby’s name is a tricky business. There are the grandparents that need to be honoured, family traditions and the double whammy … Read More
Liberal Jewish youth promise to ‘Reclaim Zionism’ in 2017
5 January 2017 Members of LJY-Netzer, the youth movement of Liberal Judaism, have chosen ‘Reclaiming Zionism’ as their Theme of the Year for 2017. The theme was picked at LJY-Netzer’s annual decision-making event, Veidah, which sees the movement’s members, aged 15 upwards, decide the direction in which they want to … Read More
Standing in solidarity with Hebrew Union College
4 January 2017 Liberal Judaism and Leo Baeck College (LBC) stand in solidarity with America’s Hebrew Union College (HUC) and denounce the defacement of HUC’s Cincinnati campus with a swastika on Tuesday. Rabbi Dr Deborah Kahn-Harris, principal of Leo Baeck College, said: “Current political trends appear, over recent months, to … Read More
Seven faiths unite to help Leicester’s homeless
4 January 2017 Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation, also known as Neve Shalom, has teamed up with other faiths in the area for a unique project to help the city’s homeless. A night shelter – providing overnight bed, board and support for 10 homeless men – will rotate between the synagogue, … Read More
Last day of Chanukah is last day for Woodford
3 January 2017 Woodford Liberal Synagogue held its final service, on the last day of Chanukah. The special inclusive service – which is welcoming of all and caters for many forms of disability – marked the last for the community, which has now united with Bet Tikvah to form the … Read More