Reading community welcome back Rabbi Willy Woolf

15 July 2019 Rabbi Willy Woolf returned to visit Reading Liberal Jewish Community more than 40 years after he originally helped to set up the congregation. The Shabbat service for his return was given added meaning as it was led by Rabbi Rachel Benjamin, who was herself ordained by Rabbi … Read More

Rabbi David Hulbert retires after 30 glorious years

Rabbi David Hulbert retirement service

10 July 2019 Rabbi David Hulbert, the longest serving rabbi in Redbridge, has retired after three decades in the pulpit. A special service was held at East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue (ELELS) to mark the occasion, where it was standing room only as rabbis and faith leaders from around the … Read More

More than 150 attend ‘best ever’ Pride Shabbat at FPS

Pride Shabbat at Finchley Progressive Synagogue FPS

10 July 2019 A Pride Shabbat service at Finchley Progressive Synagogue (FPS) honoured the trailblazers of LGBTQI+ rights in the Jewish community and around the world. More than 150 people attended the service, which was themed l’dor v’dor (from generation to generation) and led by Rabbi Rebecca Birk, Cantor Tamara Wolfson, Student … Read More

Liberal Judaism Music Day 2019 report

Liberal Judaism Day of Music

Report by Rachael Block and Sue Bard 3 July 2019 Taking place 24 hours before the Day of Celebration, the Liberal Judaism Music Day 2019 started with a warm welcome from volunteers helping to orientate attendees. Of course there were also refreshments – and the little pastries were especially welcomed … Read More

Anne Frank commemorated by Three Counties community

Anne Frank memorial service

2 July 2019 Members of Liberal Judaism’s new Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community came together in June to honour Anne Frank with a special Shabbat service to commemorate what would have been her 90th birthday. The annual memorial has become a tradition at Herefordshire Jewish Community, with prayers and readings … Read More

Young Adult High Holy Day Ticket Scheme 5780

High Holy Day Ticket Scheme 5870

1 July 2019 Liberal Judaism and Reform Judaism are happy to announce that we will once again be providing a joint High Holy Day Ticket Scheme for young adults, enabling them to attend High Holy Day services at a community of their choice for free. To be eligible for this … Read More

New Passport Scheme launched at Patrons’ Dinner

Rabbis Danny Rich and Charley Baginsky with young people who will benefit from the new Passport scheme

21 June 2019 Liberal Judaism has announced a new form of centralised membership for young adults – providing them with access to all events and services at Liberal communities across the country for an affordable cost. The new Liberal Judaism Passport Scheme was unveiled at this year’s Patrons’ Dinner, the … Read More

Syrian refugees enjoy Shabbat at Kingston Liberal Synagogue

Refugees at Kingston Liberal Synagogue service

18 June 2019 Syrian refugees spoke about their experiences of settling in England at a special Shabbat service at Kingston Liberal Synagogue (KLS). Journalist and Arabic teacher Hasnaa Omar left Syria in 2013 and arrived in London in 2016. She was subsequently able to bring her husband, an IT manager, … Read More

York Liberals proud to take part in Pride

York Liberal Jewish Community

17 June 2019 A dozen York Liberal Jewish Community (YLJC) members joined thousands of others in braving the rain to march in this year’s York Pride parade. The group proudly carried the community’s banner, made especially for the occasion, in the colourful annual celebration of North Yorkshire’s LGBTQI+ community. They … Read More

Edinburgh member awarded OBE for services to classical philosophy

Sarah Broadie OBE

16 June 2019 Sukkat Shalom: Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community member Professor Sarah Broadie has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to classical philosophy. Sarah is professor of moral philosophy at St Andrews University. Regarded as the world’s foremost authority on Aristotle, her 50 year … Read More