15 February 2017 The Jewish Chronicle newspaper has run a three-page feature on a major historical find at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS). The virtually unseen archive from 1914-1918, belonging to the LJS, has been brought into public view for the first time in a century. It is running on … Read More
Liberal Jews get muddy for Tu Bishvat mitzvah
13 February 2017 Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue members, including Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, braved bitter sleet and wicked thorns for a special Mitzvah Day project on Tu Bishvat. The group helped support the Friends of Croxley Common Moor clearing scrub and tidying the common. A very muddy Aaron said: “It … Read More
[Blog] We must keep talking about mental health
Helen Goldhill 6 February 2017 This weekend saw the start of a brilliant initiative, Mental Health Awareness Shabbat. More than 60 synagogues and communities, across all denominations, took part. It was coordinated by Jami UK, the mental health service for the Jewish community. The aim of the Shabbat was to … Read More
Rabbis discuss future at LBC 60th anniversary event
30 January 2017 Five of the country’s leading Progressive rabbis – representing Liberal, Reform and Masorti Judaism – came to Sukkat Shalom Reform Synagogue in Wanstead for a special panel debate to mark the 60th anniversary of Leo Baeck College (LBC). Liberal Judaism was represented by Rabbi Richard Jacobi, who … Read More
South London refugee flat plan hits the headlines
24 January 2017 South London Liberal Synagogue’s plan to turn part of the shul into a flat to house a refugee family has made headlines across the UK and Israel. The Observer ran a lengthy article in this Sunday’s newspaper, which is also available on the website. South London Chair … Read More
Tikvah Chadasha celebrates a special second bar mitzvah
22 January 2017 The oldest male member of Tikvah Chadasha (Shenfield, Brentwood & Districts Synagogue) has celebrated his second bar mitzvah – with slightly more time to prepare than for his first. Eighty-three year-old Bernie Jackson was evacuated during the war, and upon returning home, at age 12, was thrust … Read More
Southgate’s Gerald awarded British Empire Medal for his Holocaust education work
16 January 2017 Gerald Granston, a long-standing member of Southgate Progressive Synagogue, has been awarded the British Empire Medal for his work in Holocaust Education Gerald, a Holocaust survivor, travels around the country speaking to schools and youth clubs about being a young child in Nazi Germany. He talks about … Read More
Rabbi Anna Gerrard painting to be featured in ‘Faith’ exhibit
15 January 2017 A painting of Liberal Judaism’s Rabbi Anna Gerrard will hang in Gloucester Cathedral throughout January and February, as part of an exhibition entitled ‘Faith’. Artist Russell Haines (pictured with Anna and her portrait) has spent the last 18 months producing 37 large portraits for the exhibition, which … Read More
First services held by new East London community
11 January 2017 East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue (EL&ELS) enjoyed a “wonderful” turnout for its inaugural Shabbat services this weekend. The new community formed on January 1, after members of Bet Tikvah and Woodford Liberal Synagogues voted to unite. It will operate over the two sites, while a search for a … 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