By Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy At Pesach, we told the story of Nachshon ben Amminadav, the one who stepped into the sea before it split. He didn’t wait for certainty – he moved because the moment demanded courage. That act has shaped our journey from the start: … Read More
Progressive communities honoured at Mitzvah Day Awards
The incredible impact made by our Liberal and Reform communities and members on Mitzvah Day, and all year round, was celebrated at the annual Mitzvah Day Awards. Southgate Progressive Synagogue (top image) were presented with the Outstanding British Mitzvah Day prize, after holding a month of activities with 140 charitable … Read More
Nominations are open for the Mitzvah Day Awards
The highly anticipated Mitzvah Day Awards return on Thursday 27 March 2025. The evening will celebrate the incredible individuals, organisations, communities and beneficiary charities that made Mitzvah Day 2024 such a success. This is a chance to honour everyone who took part – and we hope that many of our Reform and Liberal communities will nominate themselves, and each … Read More
Brighton and Hove Progressive wins Gold EcoJudaism Award
Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue (BHPS) have won a prestigious EcoJudaism Gold Award. They were presented with the accolade at last week’s EcoJudaism Awards ceremony, which honours the steps being taken by congregations across the Jewish community to move towards an environmentally responsible future. The award was collected by Mara … Read More
Advisory Board Chair wins the 2024 Seelisberg Prize
Dr Ed Kessler MBE, Chair of the Advisory Board overseeing the unification of Reform and Liberal Judaism, has been awarded the 2024 Seelisberg Prize. Granted annually by the International Council of Christians and Jews (ICCJ), and the Centre for Intercultural Theology and Religions at the University of Salzburg, it honours … Read More
Young Norwich member wins political journalism award
Rosie Anfilogoff of Norwich Liberal Jewish Community has won a prestigious journalism award for her article on the exclusion of disabled people from higher education. Rosie was named as the winner of The Guardian Foundation’s Hugo Young Award (19-25 age category), which was created to recognise young talent in political … Read More
Maidenhead and Birmingham win at Mitzvah Day Awards
Two Progressive communities won prestigious Mitzvah Day Awards for their interfaith social action on the day… and all year round. Maidenhead Synagogue picked up the Outstanding British Mitzvah Day prize with Birmingham Progressive Synagogue walking away with Outstanding Interfaith Partnership. Other communities receiving nominations included North West Surrey Synagogue, Menorah … Read More
Mitzvah Day Award wins for Liberal volunteers
Owen Power, the Deputy for York Liberal Jewish Community and a member of the Liberal Judaism Board of National Officers was a winner of the Mitzvah Day Individual Award (pictured). Owen was honoured alongside six others for their personal contributions to the day of social action. He was part of … Read More
Kingston member wins competition to mark HMD
A member of Kingston Liberal Synagogue (KLS) is one of the winners of a national competition marking Holocaust Memorial Day 2023. Ali Simmons, 25, entered the competition with her portrait of fellow KLS member and survivor Bronia Snow. Bronia came to the UK on the Kindertransport from Prague aged 11 … Read More
Finchley Progressive’s Dr Robert Bud receives MBE
Dr Robert Bud, a member of Finchley Progressive Synagogue, received an MBE for Services to the Science Museum and Northern Industrial Heritage in the recent New Year’s Honours list. Robert is Emeritus Keeper at the Science Museum, London, where he was a senior curator for 40 years. He said: “I … Read More