The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS) were delighted to host the President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) at their Simchat Torah service.

Rabbi Sergio Bergman, who took up the role in 2020, was given the honour of Chatan Bereshit – the person who reads the first portion of the new year’s Torah, from the Book of Genesis. After the service, he gave a speech on the aims and goals of the World Union.

Those in attendance included Liberal Judaism CEO Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbis Alexandra Wright and Igor Zinkov of the LJS.

Charley said: “To be back together dancing with the Torah at the LJS, after three years of pandemic restrictions, and to have the President of the WUPJ with us, made this a very special evening.

“It was good to hear that the aims of Liberal Judaism are also the aims of the WUPJ – to build communities and a global platform in order to raise our voice and the voice of Progressive Jews all over the world.”

The WUPJ is the umbrella organisation for Liberal, Reform and other Progressive Jewish communities in more than 50 countries around the world. To find out more, please visit wupj.org.

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Picture 1: Rabbi Sergio Bergman speaking, accompanied by Rabbi Igor Zinkov
Picture 2: Rabbi Sergio Bergman chats to long-time LJS members Bryan and Judith Diamond