Ba’alei Tefillah is Liberal Judaism’s lay leadership programme, training members so that they can lead all aspects of a service in their community – including reading from the Torah and delivering a sermon.
 
From its origins, Liberal Judaism has always celebrated the partnership of a professional rabbinate and committed lay men and women. The movement is committed to strengthening local communities by nurturing the skills and commitment of individuals.
 
Since 2010, the Ba’alei Tefillah programme has given participants the opportunity to meet and work with fellow Liberal Jews from all over the UK, to study and discuss the rich tradition and meaning of Jewish liturgy and its role in modern Jewish communities.
 
Participants learn about the essential elements of the Jewish prayer service and speaking confidently in front of others, as well as ways in which they can serve their communities as informed and engaged members.
 
The course includes a mix of distance learning, group get-togethers and a summer residential retreat.
 
Please email Sandra Kviat for more details.

The LJ Learning Network was created in 2013 as a response to the need of community educators for training, networking, and sharing of resources and experiences in our movement.

On this background we have run a plethora of seminars for everyone involved in children’s learning on subjects like: Safeguarding, Learning Disabilities, especially autism, creative curricula, sensitive teenage Holocaust education, Israel and Hebrew. The seminars are suitable for all levels of teaching experience.

We currently run a yearly educators seminar together with MRJ, as well as providing curricula, and support for headteachers and chedarim.

In addition, we share external courses which may be of interest to Jewish educators:
Teaching Animation
BimBam are offering their first ever professional development course to teach Jewish educators stop motion animation and how to bring it into the classroom. The free, self-paced online course means you can take the course whenever and wherever you want.
Click here to be notified when the programme launches.

If you would like support, have an idea or would like to get involved please contact our Education Consultant.

Lyons Learning Project – Talmud Course
Wednesdays, September & October 2018 (except 19 & 26 September)
7pm
London
£70
Course Tutor: Rabbi Neil Janes
The Talmud is our inheritance and in these weeks we’ll peek into its world. No previous knowledge of Talmud or ability to read Hebrew needed, but an interest in life and moral and ethical dilemmas may get you hooked.
Click here for details and to apply
 
Lyons Learning Project – Sister Suffragette Course
Wednesdays, 3-17 October 2018
7pm
London
£30
Course Tutor: Rabbi Sybil Sheridan
Discover the Jewish contribution to the suffrage movement in Britain. As we mark the beginning of women’s right to vote 100 years ago, what was the contribution of Jewish women to women’s suffrage? Join Rabbi Sybil as we journey our way through the incredible contribution to the women’s suffrage movement that was made by Jewish women, frequently connected West London Synagogue. The course will include a walking tour of significant sites.
Click here for details and to apply
 
Lyons Learning Project – Images of God Course
Mondays, November 2018
7pm
London
£40
Course Tutor: Professor Andrew Benjamin
How do we think about theology in the 21st Century? Join Professor Andrew Benjamin as we journey through the Book of Genesis, Greek Philosophy and modern Jewish philosophy. We will deal with questions of imitatio Dei, the Image of God and lots more. This will be a brilliant opportunity to learn about classical philosophy, Jewish thought and share your own ideas!
Click here for details and to apply
 
Lyons Learning Project – My Jewish London Course
Wednesdays 26 September, 7 November, 5 December 2018
7pm
London
£40
Course Tutor: Searle Kochberg
After researching and creating a series of mini-documentaries of Jews like you and me walking their London to tell their biography Searle brings this unique narrative form to students of the Lyons Learning Project. Learn how to create your own understanding of ‘My Jewish London’.
Click here for details and to apply
 
Lyons Learning Project – Israeli Literature as a Window to Israeli Society Course
Wednesdays 6, 13 & 27 February | 6 & 13 March (Followed by 5 sessions on the West London Synagogue Israel Tour: 27 March – 3rd April)
7 – 8:30pm
London
£200
Course Tutor: Rabbi Neil Janes
A literary journey that offers a fresh and fascinating examination of Israeli society since the birth of the State in 1948. An encounter with Israeli society through the pens of Israel’s leading writers, where students will discover an Israeli society that is original, contemporary, honest, and proud. Profound insights into the Israeli national psyche as reflections of the mythic Israel are matched by poetry and prose that is challenging and self-critical.
Click here for details and to apply
 
Lyons Learning Project – Jewish Mysticism: Tracing the History of Kabbalah Course
Wednesdays, 15 May – 26 June 2019
7 – 8:30pm
London
£200
Course Tutor: Rabbi Neil Janes
Getting beyond Madonna, red strings, and hocus pocus, this study provides a deep, accurate, and intellectually honest understanding of the historical backdrop that led to the birth of an esoteric Jewish tradition, alongside the societal and cultural changes that shaped and reshaped that tradition throughout the centuries, until this very day.
Jewish Mysticism: Tracing the History of Kabbalah offers students the framework to understand the development of Jewish mysticism while utilising the primary texts that have been central to that tradition. While grounded in scholarship, each class will include discussions that address the timeless mysteries of human existence and many of life’s eternal, universal questions.
Click here for details and to apply
 
West Central Liberal Synagogue Beginner’s Hebrew
Tuesdays, Weekly
7:30-8:15pm
Montagu Centre
Contact Rabbi Jackie Tabick for details and to join.
 
West Central Liberal Synagogue Judaism 101
Tuesdays, Weekly
8:15-9:30pm
Montagu Centre
A weekly exploration of the Jewish festivals, traditions and history.
Contact Rabbi Jackie Tabick for details and to join.
 
Leo Baeck College Lehrhaus
Various dates and times
Leo Baeck College, London or Online
Prices vary for each course (Please check the website to confirm exact prices)
The Lehrhaus is the Leo Baeck College’s programme in adult Jewish lifelong learning. The programme has been operating for a number of years with great success. The courses include study in Bible, Talmud, philosophy, Biblical Hebrew, Midrash, sacred music, Jews and art, ulpan and others.
Click here for details
 
Hebrew Ulpan
Thursdays, Weekly
October 2017 – July 2018
Westminster Synagogue, London
Westminster Synagogue or LJ members: £240 | Non-members: £280
A Hebrew Ulpan Course with both beginner and intermediate classes hosted by Westminster Synagogue and WZO. Taught by Shai Grosskopf, an experienced teacher, the programme is suitable for everyone from those who want to make Aliyah to those who just want to learn a new language.
Please email Nick Young to register and more information.
 
Teaching Animation
Online, self-paced
BimBam Online
Free
BimBam are offering their first ever professional development course to teach Jewish educators stop motion animation and how to bring it into the classroom. The free, self-paced online course means you can take the course whenever and wherever you want.
Click here to be notified when the programme launches.
 
 
 
If your community has an adult education programme you’d like to be included in our listings please email ebulletin@liberaljudaism.org.

Liberal Judaism’s Resource Bank is your essential guide to running a community, containing invaluable advice, downloadable template documents and training opportunities.
 
You will find teaching resources for the whole community, including cheder and adult learning curricula, service booklets for every occasion, sermons to share, musical recordings, PR templates and a library of books and DVDs you can borrow.
 
Click here to visit the Resource Bank

The 2013 Day of Celebration saw the launch of the LAFTAs (Liberal Academy for Film and Torah Awards), a competition where Liberal Judaism religion schools are asked to make a short film on a Jewish topic, linked to the biannual Day of Celebration theme.
 
The 2017 LAFTAs theme was: What would your community look like in the Messianic Age?

The 2017 theme made communities to think about creating an ideal world. Imagine a world where everyone is working together towards social justice, environmental stability, global harmony – what are the issues that matter to your community specifically, and how are you using Liberal Jewish values to work on them? How does your community envision the Messianic Age?
 
Click here to find out more