13 June 2016

Liberal Judaism members and communities around the UK joined in the 90th birthday celebrations for Her Majesty The Queen.

Rabbi Alexandra Wright – the co-chair of Liberal Judaism’s Rabbinic Conference and rabbi at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue – wrote a special prayer for the occasion.

Other communities and rabbis, including Rabbi Aaron Goldstein at Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue, used this weekend’s ‘Royal Shabbat’ to look at The Queen’s rule in relation to Jewish values.

At South London Liberal Synagogue there was a red, white and blue Kiddush. In a D’var Torah, lay leader Sara McConnell said: “The Queen is, as I think even most ardent republicans would acknowledge, an example of a ruler who takes her responsibilities seriously. When she dedicated herself to the service of this country on her 21st birthday, she promised a life of service – and she has done this.”

Rabbi Danny Rich, Liberal Judaism’s senior, played an important role in the national faith celebrations. He was part of a group of rabbis and imams presenting a birthday card at St James’s Palace, took part in the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral and wrote an article celebrating her life for The Jewish News.

In the Jewish News piece, Danny said: “In Her Majesty The Queen, Britain has a monarch with a clear personal faith combined with a sensitivity to the other faiths practiced by her subjects.”

Finally, Liberal Judaism’s newest vice president Kenneth Teacher, along with his wife Marilyn, represented the movement at the Buckingham Palace garden party (pictured above).