When the Liberal Jew turns the page from the closing verses of Exodus to begin Sefer Vayikra, the Book of Leviticus, a very great challenge lies ahead. The founders of Liberal Judaism, even if they studied the first half of the Book of Leviticus, in all likelihood, excluded it from … Read More
Liberal Judaism is a post-Halachic movement
8 March 2016 Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, Rabbi Danny Rich, has told how “Liberal Judaism is a post or non-Halachic expression of Judaism.” Speaking at the annual Oxford University JSoc Intrafaith Conference, Danny was addressing the topic ‘why and how is Halacha relevant nowadays and how and why does Halacha … Read More
[Speech] Why and how is Halacha relevant nowadays and how and why does Halacha change?
Rabbi Danny Rich 7 March 2016 Note: This speech was originally given by Rabbi Danny Rich, the senior rabbi of Liberal Judaism, to the Oxford Jewish Intra-faith Conference As the senior rabbi and chief executive of Liberal Judaism, it would be fair to say – independently of my personal views … Read More
Parashat Pekudei 5776
This week’s Torah portion is the final weekly section of the Book of Exodus. It is called Pekudei as it begins with a statistical record of the materials used for constructing the Mishkan (Tabernacle), moving through to its completion, God’s approval sealed with a cloud descending on the Tent. One … Read More
Parashat Ki Tissa 5776
This week, I do not want to talk about our concerns regarding our world. I do not want to talk about social justice, the migrants’ crisis, the challenges faced by our society in a world run by neo-liberal politicians. We are all too aware of them, and of our responsibility … Read More
Parashat Tetzavveh 5776
Clothed in Divine Light What is the connection between the ner tamid, the eternal light and the priestly garments in this sidrah? In a midrash, a Rabbinic interpretation of the Torah, we find a comment on the verse from Genesis (3:21): “And the Eternal God made for Adam and his … 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
Parashat Terumah 5776
To do or not to do that is the question This week’s Torah portion, T’rumah, which begins at Exodus chapter 25, introduces a theme that dominates the remaining portions of the Book of Exodus: the building of the mishkan, the tabernacle in the wilderness, by the ex-slaves, who took flight … Read More
Eight centuries after the pogrom, pride flickers again in York’s Jewish community
13 December 2015 The Guardian / Observer Liberal Judaism has given the city’s Jews a chance to uphold their faith while accepting the realities of modern life. In March 1190, the entire Jewish community of York – about 150 people – barricaded themselves inside the castle as antisemitic riots raged … Read More
Liberal Judaism welcomes report on religion and belief in public life
7 December 2015 Today’s report from the Commission on Religion and Belief in Public Life, recognising the growing diversity of religious and non-religious belief in Britain, has been welcomed by Liberal Judaism as a “significant step forward”. Commenting on its recommendations, Rabbi Danny Rich, the chief executive and senior rabbi of … Read More