9 May 2017

The newest Liberal Judaism community – East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue (EL&ELS) – continued its series of firsts in 2017, as it celebrated Yom Ha’atzmaut for the first time.

There was standing room only at the EL&ELS Marlborough Road site for a musical family service, led by Rabbi Richard Jacobi and the community’s children.

As well as song and prayer, the congregation celebrated Israel’s birthday by looking at the ways it leads the world in water wastage. Members of the community each read short passage on some of Israel’s innovations including drip irrigation, water waste recycling and taking the salt out of sea water.

The service was followed by an appetising Israeli themed Kiddush, donated and prepared by the Charles Family.