21 April 2016 Rabbi Harry Jacobi has given testimony to the House of Commons about his refugee journey to the UK, escaping Nazi persecution in May 1940, in order to help politicians understand the experience of today’s young refugees. Harry spoke powerfully alongside former Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Lord … Read More
Liberal and Reform Jews: Our formula for Jewish life is a ‘magnet’ for all
20 April 2016 The Jewish News The heads of Liberal and Reform Judaism in the UK have told progressive European Jews that their formula for Jewish life acts as a “magnet” for couples, families and unaffiliated Jews. Liberal Judaism’s chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich and Senior Reform Rabbi Laura-Janner Klausner … Read More
Celebrating 90 years of our global movement
Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein 20 April 2016 Researching for a session I was to present at this weekend’s excellent Biennial Conference of the European Union for Progressive Judaism (EUPJ) in London, I became increasingly aware that it was the founders of our Liberal movement that played the key role in … Read More
Wishing The Queen a happy 90th
20 April 2016 The leadership of Liberal Judaism has praised Her Majesty The Queen on the occasion of her 90th birthday. The Queen reaches the landmark on Thursday, with celebrations being planned around the country in April, May and June. Rabbi Danny Rich, Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, said: “I salute … Read More
Record numbers attend EUPJ Biennial Conference
18 April 2016 A record number of delegates took part in the 2016 European Union for Progressive Judaism (EUPJ) Biennial Conference. Held in London from April 14-17, the event was attended by more than 350 people from 29 countries, including 86 rabbis and student rabbis. The conference was an opportunity … Read More
A weekend of celebration at Woodford
12 April 2016 Three rabbis, two Christian clergy and a police officer were among 100 people celebrating the 50th anniversary of Woodford Liberal Synagogue’s building on Sunday. Woodford’s Rabbi Richard Jacobi put together a special civic service, which contained some of the community’s favourite prayers from the last half century. … Read More
The history of the LJ Quiz
4 April 2016 It’s one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the Liberal Jewish calendar – where communities from all over the country battle it out in a test of knowledge. The 2017 Liberal Judaism Annual Inter Synagogue Quiz will take place on at Southgate Progressive Synagogue. Full details, … Read More
Wandering scroll finds its way to Crouch End
21 March 2016 The community at Crouch End Chavurah have welcomed a ‘new’ Torah scroll that is more than 100 years old and travels around the world. Canadian-born sofer Avielah Barclay – the first female Torah scribe for 250 years – visited the community at Shabbat and revealed many interesting … Read More
Behind the headlines as LJS makes history
Jeanne Myers 15 February 2016 You may have seen some of the recent media coverage about The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS) holding Friday evening services in French. ‘Sacrebleu’, you might have thought… what’s all this about?! Around a year ago, it occurred to me that, with the large number of … Read More
Liberal Judaism welcomes first Scandinavian member synagogue
2 February 2016 Shir Hatzafon synagogue – ‘The Song of the North’ – has become the first Scandinavian member of Liberal Judaism, increasing the movement’s number of members to 42 communities over five countries. Started informally in 1998, Shir Hatzafon was officially recognized by the Danish Government in 2004. Today, … Read More