25 April 2016

Members of Liberal Jewish communities around the UK came together this weekend for special services and Seders for Pesach.

You can see a slideshow of the best pictures here.

Many Liberal communities, as well as youth movement LJY-Netzer, held first or second night communal Seders with record attendances.

Local MP Catherine West (Hornsey and Wood Green) was one of more than 100 people at Crouch End Chavurah – speaking about the plight of the refugees and connecting it to the Pesach story. Councillors Peray Ahmet and Emine Ibrahim were also guests.

A similar theme ran through many Liberal Seders. At Woodford Liberal Synagogue, Rabbi Richard Jacobi addressed 90 members and friends – in some cases families spanning three generations – and highlighted the plight of others who are unfortunately still not free from slavery.

York Liberal Jewish Community’s Seder was led by student Rabbi Daniel Lichman, telling the story of the historic exodus and escape from Egypt but with relevant comments to more recent times such as the Holocaust and the current Syrian crisis.

Meanwhile, the communal first night Seder at Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue had a Royal theme, following the Queen’s birthday the day before. The community’s oldest member, Harry Rappaport, sang a tribute which he had composed specially for her Majesty’s 90th.

Seders also took place in Nottingham, Stevenage and Northwood (pictured). See all the photos here.