Rabbi Leah Jordan 19 July 2016 The Open Talmud Project (OTP) is now entering its seventh summer – and this year’s annual weekend is set to be bigger and better than ever. Founded in 2009, the Open Talmud Project is a growing cross-denominational, grassroots initiative for close encounter with Talmud … Read More
Norwich Jews support Romanian arson victims
18 July 2016 Members of Norwich Liberal Jewish Community (NLJC) have played a key role in supporting a Romanian family, whose village shop was firebombed. NLJC chair Annie Henriques – pictured here with the shop owner’s daughter Andrea Abraham – addressed a rally in support of the family. A public appeal … Read More
York cake sale raises £200 for Israel’s food bank
18 July 2016 York Liberal Jewish Community (YLJC) raised £200 for Israel’s national food bank, Leket Israel, by selling ‘hot cakes’ at a local fete. A new venture for the fast-growing community, more 300 baked items were sold in just three hours. They were all donated by YLJC members and friends. … Read More
[Sermon] Shabbat Balak 2016/5776 – Terrorism
Rabbi Alexandra Wright 2 July 2016 This sermon is offered as a reflection on terrorist events that have happened, not only in recent days but in over the past two years. It was a sermon given on Shabbat Balak, July 4th, 2015 and has been slightly amended to include recent events. … Read More
A response to the massacre in Nice
Rabbi Alexandra Wright 15 July 2016 Just over a week ago, we marked the eleventh anniversary of the July 7th bombings in London. That day is etched deeply forever in the memories of those who live and work in London, especially for those who lost members of their family and community, our … Read More
‘Intermarriage is not only inevitable, it can be a blessing’
Rabbi Aaron Goldstein 14 July 2016 The Jewish Chronicle Intermarriage in the UK is broadly stable at just over a quarter of the Jewish population and those that marry non-Jews are less likely to bring up their children as Jewish than those that marry Jews. These are the headline findings of the … Read More
Twilight People makes headlines as tour moves to Manchester
12 July 2016 Surat-Shaan Knan, the project manager of Liberal Judaism’s ground-breaking Twilight People initiative, has appeared on the front page of The Guardian newspaper. He featured in an article titled ‘Transgender stories’, where five people told the paper about their experiences. Surat-Shaan said: “Being trans and Jewish seemed a … Read More
Liberal Judaism appoints director of strategy and partnerships
12 July 2016 Rabbi Charley Baginsky has been appointed as Liberal Judaism’s first director of strategy and partnerships. Charley, who is also part-time rabbi at South Bucks Jewish Community and coordinator for the Alliance for Progressive Judaism, took up the role this week. Charley will be responsible for completing and … Read More
Heritage Award for Brighton & Hove
11 July 2016 Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue (BHPS) has won a prestigious Sussex Heritage Award for its state of the art building. The synagogue, which recently re-opened after redevelopment, has a new layout and beautifully designed interior to follow the community’s ethos of inclusivity and diversity. The community received … Read More