19 September 2016 Finchley Progressive Synagogue’s Rabbi Rebecca Birk has been named as one of London’s most influential people. Rebecca was featured in The London Evening Standard’s Progress 1000 list, praised by the newspaper for leading a campaign to persuade Barnet Council to take in refugees. Rebecca said: “I am … Read More
Rabbi Charley Baginsky to lead global Shabbat
16 September 2016 Rabbi Charley Baginsky – Liberal Judaism’s director of strategy and partnerships – will lead the Shabbat service at next year’s World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) conference. Held in Jerusalem from May 17-20, the Connections 2017 event promises to be an exciting and inspiring gathering of the … Read More
“Whoever saves a single human life, it is as if they have saved a whole world”
Rabbi Richard Jacobi, Co-Chair of Rabbinic Conference of Liberal Judaism 9 September 2016 This famous statement, from the second century Mishnah (Sanhedrin 4:5) occurs in the context of ensuring witnesses in the trial of someone accused of a capital crime. There its purpose is to demand that any such witnesses … Read More
A response to the massacre in Nice
Rabbi Alexandra Wright 15 July 2016 Just over a week ago, we marked the eleventh anniversary of the July 7th bombings in London. That day is etched deeply forever in the memories of those who live and work in London, especially for those who lost members of their family and community, our … Read More
Liberal Judaism appoints director of strategy and partnerships
12 July 2016 Rabbi Charley Baginsky has been appointed as Liberal Judaism’s first director of strategy and partnerships. Charley, who is also part-time rabbi at South Bucks Jewish Community and coordinator for the Alliance for Progressive Judaism, took up the role this week. Charley will be responsible for completing and … Read More
BoNO Chair Report for AGM July 2016
Simon Benscher 5 July 2016 Someone was once quoted as saying “a week is a long time in politics”. A year as chair of LJ seems to have flown by. I guess the fact that I have enjoyed pretty much every minute of these past 12 months has a … Read More
In the media: Rabbi Danny Rich on Brexit
5 July 2016 Rabbi Danny Rich, Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, has made a number of media appearances over the last few days talking about Brexit and how to respond to the result of the EU referendum. In an interview with Victoria Derbyshire on BBC 2, Danny made a post-Brexit plea … Read More
Rabbinic Conference Report to Liberal Judaism’s AGM July 2016
Rabbi Richard Jacobi 5 July 2016 I am writing this report in the wake of the Biennial Weekend 2016, and this report will briefly review key points of 2015, and make some comment about where Rabbinic Conference and the movement are now. Some Key Highlights of 2015 This is not … Read More
In the media: Rabbi Danny Rich fights anti-Semitism on CNN and BBC Radio
1 July 2016 Rabbi Danny Rich, Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, has made a number of media appearances over the last few days talking regarding Jeremy Corbyn’s comments at the launch of the anti-Semitism report yesterday. Jeremy Corbyn’s comment at the Labour Party anti-Semitism report launch, which paralleled Israel and Islamic … Read More
Rabbi Danny Rich statement on Labour Party anti-Semitism report launch
Rabbi Danny Rich 30 June 2016 Whilst I have never believed that the Labour Party is institutionally anti-Semitic, in May I called for an independent report because the bizarre comments of Ken Livingstone and anecdotal evidence of rhetoric that sailed very close to anti-Semitism – and the perception amongst many … Read More