23 October 2018 A special walk will take place on Sunday 2 December to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Kindertransport. Those taking part will walk 10,000 steps (approximately five miles) from The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS) in St John’s Wood to Liverpool Street station. The distance was selected in … Read More
Rabbi Danny Rich presents Community Sponsorship Award
10 October 2018 Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, Rabbi Danny Rich, was one of the presenters at the UK’s first Community Sponsorship Awards. The ceremony was created by Citizens UK to recognise the quiet British heroes who have responded to the refugee crisis by welcoming Syrian families into their communities. Awards … Read More
‘I can’t believe the coincidence’
By Alison Turner Liberal Judaism Archivist This is a remarkable story from the archives of war-time memoirs returned to the family that wrote them. Vanessa Wolfman of Rye, East Sussex, phoned me offering books and papers from her late father, Mr J Wolfman of Liverpool. I was glad to have … Read More
New Jewish exhibition tells the story of loss and rediscovery
3 October 2018 A member of Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish Community (GLJC) has put together a new exhibition of work by Jewish artists which explore the struggle and challenge of living a life fully. Titled Life, it will run at the Lansdown Hall & Gallery, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 1BB, from Wednesday … Read More
Leicester Council makes refugee pledge at Sanctuary Sukkot event
2 October 2018 Leicester City Council has pledged to accept and support at least five child refugees each year, for the next 10 years, after the Sanctuary Sukkot event at Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation (LPJC). Around 70 people attended, with LPJC’s Rabbi Mark Solomon joined in the Sukkah by Reverend … Read More
The sounds of Peace mark a special anniversary
27 September 2018 More than 100 British Progressive Jews enjoyed a special performance by the Peace Drums Youth Band to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Israel’s Leo Baeck Education Center. The concert was held at Alyth Synagogue in North London – a fitting venue as the late Rabbi Dr Leo … Read More
Finchley Sukkot event wins refugee pledge from Council
25 September 2018 Finchley Progressive Synagogue (FPS) has won a pledge from Barnet Council to take more refugees from war-torn countries. At a ‘Sanctuary Sukkot’ event held in the synagogue, Council leader Richard Cornelius agreed that the borough will take three refugees each year over the next 10 years, and … Read More
Seven new shofar blowers at Northwood & Pinner
20 September 2018 Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue (NPLS) recruited seven young shofar blowers this Rosh Hashanah. The youngsters – who were all trained by regular shofar blower Carole Kettle – showed off their skills at a special afternoon tea held at the synagogue. Northwood’s Rabbi Aaron Goldstein said: “As … Read More
An interfaith Rosh Hashanah at Mosaic Liberal
19 September 2018 Mosaic Liberal Synagogue welcomed guests from Wembley Central Masjid over Rosh Hashanah. The Jewish and Muslim communities joined together to celebrate the New Year with a special service led by Rabbi Dr Frank Dabba Smith. Frank said: “We have a long and good relationship with our friends … Read More
New scroll mantle honours leading Essex Liberal Jew
17 September 2018 A new year has meant a new mantle for the Czech Torah Scroll at East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue (ELELS). The new mantle was used for the first time on Erev Rosh Hashanah 5779, keeping with the tradition to dress the Torah in white on the … Read More