20 September 2016

Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Student Rabbi Deborah Blausten have been welcomed at South Bucks Jewish Community (SBJC) and York Liberal Jewish Community (YLC).

South Bucks inducted Charley in a moving Shabbat service on Saturday, which was attended by dignitaries including Cheryl Gillan, MP for Chesham and Amersham, and Councillors Duncan Smith, Katrina Wood, Mark Vivis and Mimi Harker OBE.

Members of other faiths in attendance included Rev. Ian C Green, of Amersham Free Church, Quaker elder Andrew Clark, and Imams Abdul Dayan and Arif Hussain Ashrafi, of Aylesbury and Chesham Mosques.

Charley was inducted by Rabbi Danny Rich, senior rabbi of Liberal Judaism, and supported by Liberal Judaism’s chair Simon Benscher, officer Robin Moss and Rabbis Rachel Benjamin and Harry Jacobi.

SBJC chair Amanda McFeeters said: “It was a wonderful service and a lovely way to welcome Charley to our community. I was particularly moved to not only see so many people from our own community at the service, but to have the chance to welcome all the visitors who joined us from the wider local community.

“Charley spoke in her sermon about the importance of home. I believe, at SBJC, we have created a place where we can welcome all.”

This weekend also saw Deborah officiate at her first York service, with more than 60 members in attendance. The Shabbat morning service included an admission ceremony for two congregants who have recently converted to Judaism.

Deborah, a rabbinic student at Leo Baeck College, said: “I feel it’s a privilege to be here in this historic city and to share this special day with members of this community. I am very much looking forward to my time in York.”

Rabbi Danny Rich, senior rabbi of Liberal Judaism, added: “The partnership between Liberal Judaism and York continues to bear fruit. I am delighted, with the support of the Leo Baeck College and our Patrons, to allocate Student Rabbi Deborah Blaustein to York where she will both teach and learn, offer inspiration and receive support.”

For more information on YLC, please visit www.jewsinyork.org.uk
For more details of SBJC, please visit www.sbjc.org.uk

[Photo: Deborah Blausten, Student Rabbi]