28 November 2018

More than 140 people attended the first Liberal Judaism fundraising dinner for a generation as our movement seeks to build for the future.

Guests were able to enjoy the splendour of Goldsmiths’ Hall and a fascinating insight into leadership from guest speaker Julia Middleton, CEO and Founder of Common Purpose, a British charity that runs leadership programmes around the world.

But even more importantly, they were able to celebrate the long history of Liberal Judaism’s youth movement with members and leaders from throughout the decades mingling, swapping anecdotes and enjoying the photos and stories placed around the venue. Many of the guests were under 25 and part of today’s LJY-Netzer generation.

The evening raised money for the LJY-Netzer bursary fund – which helps young people attend Liberal Judaism youth events whatever their financial situation – and the new Liberal Judaism education hub, which will launch in January.

Seventeen-year-old Mia Bogod gave an emotional speech telling how LJY-Netzer helped her find a home for her Jewish story, saying: “I now hope to inspire and empower the next generation of Liberal Jews, giving them the experience I am so lucky to have had.”

The room was also addressed by LJY-Netzer movement worker Ellie Lawson, Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, Rabbi Danny Rich, chair Simon Benscher and director of strategy and partnerships Rabbi Charley Baginsky.

Making the night’s appeal, Liberal Judaism president Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein said: “It gives me such great pride and pleasure to see so many young people who will be future leaders of our movement.

“It is essential that we ensure a Liberal Jewish education and our excellent programmes are available to benefit as many young people as possible, whatever their background and wherever in the country they may be.

“We also know that adults of all ages enjoy, and crave, a Jewish education if offered in a quality format. An education hub will help us become the centre of Progressive Jewish learning in the UK.”

Andrew added: “The need to preserve and expand our Liberal Jewish identity is as necessary as ever, maybe more so, in this confused world. We need to keep the heart and soul of Liberal Judaism alive and flying to give us a present and a future.”

To donate to Liberal Judaism and help us ensure our movement becomes a home for even more Jewish stories, please click here.

Photos from the evening can be viewed our facebook page here.

You can view the video celebrating LJY-Netzer’s wonderful work in the video from the dinner below.