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.
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.
The Learning Circle – Exploring Judaism
Tuesdays, 4 September – 11 December 2018 | 8 January – 2 April 2019 | 30 April – 9 July 2019
8-9pm
Liberal Jewish Synagogue, London
Free for LJS members, friends and registered proselytes, £10 per week for non members
Teacher: Student Rabbi Igor Zinkov
Designed to offer knowledge about aspects of Judaism to encourage practical experiences of Liberal Judaism and space for personal reflection within the group. It is for anyone who would like to know more about Judaism or to brush up on their Jewish knowledge.
Resources can be found online here.
Click here for details
The Learning Circle – Classical Hebrew Classes
Tuesdays, 4 September – 11 December 2018 (except 30 October) | 8 January – 2 April 2019 (except 19 February) | 30 April – 23 July 2019 (except 28 May)
7-8pm
Liberal Jewish Synagogue, London
Free for LJS members and registered proselytes, £10 per week for non members
Teachers: Susannah Alexander, Sally Gold and Rabbi Alexandra Wright
A new beginners’ reading course, as well as for those who would like to improve their Hebrew reading and learn to navigate their way around the Siddur.
Click here for details
The Learning Circle – Hebrew Classes & Torah Study
Saturdays, 15 September – 8 December 2018 (except 20 & 27 October) | 12 January – 30 March 2019 (16 & 23 February) | 27 April – 6 July (except 25 May, 1 June & 8 June)
9:45-10:45am
Liberal Jewish Synagogue, London
Free
Teachers: Naomi Brightwell, David Strang, Nitza Spiro, Michael Romain
These shabbat morning classes include Hebrew classes for those at all levels and Torah study and Jewish thought.
Click here for details
The Learning Circle – Tuesday Texts
Tuesdays, 25 September – 11 December 2018 | 8 January – 2 April 2019 | 30 April – 23 July 2019
11:15-12:30am
Liberal Jewish Synagogue, London
Free for LJS members and friends, £10 per week for non members
Teachers: LJS Rabbis, Rabbi Dr Michael Hilton, Dr Dov Softi & Susannah Alexander
Study biblical texts and commentaries and enjoy sessions on Jewish art and music. Previous classes have examined the influence of Jewish texts on Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan, Maimonides and Jewish Rationalism, and an introduction to Kabbalah.
Click here for details
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 – 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
Love of Lieder – Tracing the Jewish Journey through 19th and 20th century German Song
Tuesdays, November 2018
8-9pm
Liberal Jewish Synagogue, London
Free for members & friends of the LJS, £10 per session for non-members (£40 for full course)
Teachers: Norbert Meyn and Cathy Heller-Jones
Incorporating live performance, this study course will explore the role of Jewish figures in the development of the art of Lieder. Each session will focus on a small group of composers from a particular period. It will examine how their creativity and professional careers were affected by the political, social and religious climate of their time.
Featuring young singers and pianists from the Royal College of Music and Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
Click here for details
Please email Debi Penhey to register and more information.
The Trolley Problem for Jews: How Judaism (maybe) Answers Ethical Dilemmas
15 November 2018
7pm
The Garden Room, Friargate Meeting House, York
Teacher: Student Rabbi Gabriel Webber
If you’re trapped on a lifeboat, can you eat your fellow passengers to stay alive? Who should you throw off a sinking hot air balloon? And if a thug demands, “Your money or your life!”… which should it be? This session explores Jewish responses to ethical dilemmas: come along prepared to disagree!
Please visit the community’s website for more information.
Sunday Lecture & Lunch Series – Not All Wounds are Visible: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Sunday 2 December
11:30am – 3pm
Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue
£22.50 including lecture & two-course lunch. £100 for whole series of five lectures.
Lecturer: Dr Wilfred Assin
Contact the synagogue to book by email or at 01273 737 223.
The Real Story of Channukah (or one of them)
13 December 2018
7pm
The Garden Room, Friargate Meeting House, York
Teacher: Student Rabbi Gabriel Webber
We light eight candles, but there are probably more than eight versions of the Channukah story. Were the Maccabees heroic or were they the first terrorists? Was it an invasion or a civil war? Come and learn how a Jewish festival was created and then adapted to serve the needs of different periods of history. (Latkes optional but strongly encouraged.)
Please visit the community’s website for more information.
Sunday Lecture & Lunch Series – Preview of Sir Anthony Seldon’s new book
Sunday 27 January
11:30am – 3pm
Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue
£22.50 including lecture & two-course lunch. £100 for whole series of five lectures.
Lecturer: Sir Anthony Seldon
Contact the synagogue to book by email or at 01273 737 223.
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
Sunday Lecture & Lunch Series – The Remarkable Isaac Rosenberg: WW1 Poet & Painter
Sunday 24 February
11:30am – 3pm
Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue
£22.50 including lecture & two-course lunch. £100 for whole series of five lectures.
Lecturer: Dr Aviv Dautch
Contact the synagogue to book by email or at 01273 737 223.
The Learning Circle – Deep Calls to Deep: Transforming Conversations Between Jews & Christians
Tuesdays, 5 March – 2 April 2019 | 30 April – 21 May
7-9pm
Liberal Jewish Synagogue, London
Free for LJS members and friends, £10 per week for non members
In partnership with the London Society of Jews and Christians & the Council of Christians and Jews
A timely course for anyone who would like to explore what it means for Jews and Christians to live side-by-side, facing a post-modern, secular world but emerging from different asymmetrical past histories.
Click here for details
Sunday Lecture & Lunch Series – Herod’s Temple: The Most Remarkable Building of the Roman Empire
Sunday 31 March
11:30am – 3pm
Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue
£22.50 including lecture & two-course lunch. £100 for whole series of five lectures.
Lecturer: Dr David Jacobson
Contact the synagogue to book by email or at 01273 737 223.
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
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.
Tuesdays, 4 September – 11 December 2018 | 8 January – 2 April 2019 | 30 April – 9 July 2019
8-9pm
Liberal Jewish Synagogue, London
Free for LJS members, friends and registered proselytes, £10 per week for non members
Teacher: Student Rabbi Igor Zinkov
Designed to offer knowledge about aspects of Judaism to encourage practical experiences of Liberal Judaism and space for personal reflection within the group. It is for anyone who would like to know more about Judaism or to brush up on their Jewish knowledge.
Resources can be found online here.
Click here for details
The Learning Circle – Classical Hebrew Classes
Tuesdays, 4 September – 11 December 2018 (except 30 October) | 8 January – 2 April 2019 (except 19 February) | 30 April – 23 July 2019 (except 28 May)
7-8pm
Liberal Jewish Synagogue, London
Free for LJS members and registered proselytes, £10 per week for non members
Teachers: Susannah Alexander, Sally Gold and Rabbi Alexandra Wright
A new beginners’ reading course, as well as for those who would like to improve their Hebrew reading and learn to navigate their way around the Siddur.
Click here for details
The Learning Circle – Hebrew Classes & Torah Study
Saturdays, 15 September – 8 December 2018 (except 20 & 27 October) | 12 January – 30 March 2019 (16 & 23 February) | 27 April – 6 July (except 25 May, 1 June & 8 June)
9:45-10:45am
Liberal Jewish Synagogue, London
Free
Teachers: Naomi Brightwell, David Strang, Nitza Spiro, Michael Romain
These shabbat morning classes include Hebrew classes for those at all levels and Torah study and Jewish thought.
Click here for details
The Learning Circle – Tuesday Texts
Tuesdays, 25 September – 11 December 2018 | 8 January – 2 April 2019 | 30 April – 23 July 2019
11:15-12:30am
Liberal Jewish Synagogue, London
Free for LJS members and friends, £10 per week for non members
Teachers: LJS Rabbis, Rabbi Dr Michael Hilton, Dr Dov Softi & Susannah Alexander
Study biblical texts and commentaries and enjoy sessions on Jewish art and music. Previous classes have examined the influence of Jewish texts on Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan, Maimonides and Jewish Rationalism, and an introduction to Kabbalah.
Click here for details
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 – 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
Love of Lieder – Tracing the Jewish Journey through 19th and 20th century German Song
Tuesdays, November 2018
8-9pm
Liberal Jewish Synagogue, London
Free for members & friends of the LJS, £10 per session for non-members (£40 for full course)
Teachers: Norbert Meyn and Cathy Heller-Jones
Incorporating live performance, this study course will explore the role of Jewish figures in the development of the art of Lieder. Each session will focus on a small group of composers from a particular period. It will examine how their creativity and professional careers were affected by the political, social and religious climate of their time.
Featuring young singers and pianists from the Royal College of Music and Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
Click here for details
Please email Debi Penhey to register and more information.
The Trolley Problem for Jews: How Judaism (maybe) Answers Ethical Dilemmas
15 November 2018
7pm
The Garden Room, Friargate Meeting House, York
Teacher: Student Rabbi Gabriel Webber
If you’re trapped on a lifeboat, can you eat your fellow passengers to stay alive? Who should you throw off a sinking hot air balloon? And if a thug demands, “Your money or your life!”… which should it be? This session explores Jewish responses to ethical dilemmas: come along prepared to disagree!
Please visit the community’s website for more information.
Sunday Lecture & Lunch Series – Not All Wounds are Visible: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Sunday 2 December
11:30am – 3pm
Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue
£22.50 including lecture & two-course lunch. £100 for whole series of five lectures.
Lecturer: Dr Wilfred Assin
Contact the synagogue to book by email or at 01273 737 223.
The Real Story of Channukah (or one of them)
13 December 2018
7pm
The Garden Room, Friargate Meeting House, York
Teacher: Student Rabbi Gabriel Webber
We light eight candles, but there are probably more than eight versions of the Channukah story. Were the Maccabees heroic or were they the first terrorists? Was it an invasion or a civil war? Come and learn how a Jewish festival was created and then adapted to serve the needs of different periods of history. (Latkes optional but strongly encouraged.)
Please visit the community’s website for more information.
Sunday Lecture & Lunch Series – Preview of Sir Anthony Seldon’s new book
Sunday 27 January
11:30am – 3pm
Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue
£22.50 including lecture & two-course lunch. £100 for whole series of five lectures.
Lecturer: Sir Anthony Seldon
Contact the synagogue to book by email or at 01273 737 223.
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
Sunday Lecture & Lunch Series – The Remarkable Isaac Rosenberg: WW1 Poet & Painter
Sunday 24 February
11:30am – 3pm
Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue
£22.50 including lecture & two-course lunch. £100 for whole series of five lectures.
Lecturer: Dr Aviv Dautch
Contact the synagogue to book by email or at 01273 737 223.
The Learning Circle – Deep Calls to Deep: Transforming Conversations Between Jews & Christians
Tuesdays, 5 March – 2 April 2019 | 30 April – 21 May
7-9pm
Liberal Jewish Synagogue, London
Free for LJS members and friends, £10 per week for non members
In partnership with the London Society of Jews and Christians & the Council of Christians and Jews
A timely course for anyone who would like to explore what it means for Jews and Christians to live side-by-side, facing a post-modern, secular world but emerging from different asymmetrical past histories.
Click here for details
Sunday Lecture & Lunch Series – Herod’s Temple: The Most Remarkable Building of the Roman Empire
Sunday 31 March
11:30am – 3pm
Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue
£22.50 including lecture & two-course lunch. £100 for whole series of five lectures.
Lecturer: Dr David Jacobson
Contact the synagogue to book by email or at 01273 737 223.
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
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
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 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
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