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
Nottingham welcomes Austerlitz scroll after 50 years
3 January 2017 The congregation at Nottingham Liberal Synagogue (NLS) have welcomed a Torah scroll from Austerlitz, in the Czech Republic… finally putting a 50-year mix-up to an end. The community was founded in 1965 as Nottingham Progressive Jewish Congregation and immediately applied for, and received, a Torah from the … Read More