By Rabbi Josh Levy and Rabbi Charley Baginsky

It’s hard to imagine that this time a year ago, as we prepared for Rosh Hashanah, we had no comprehension that just a few weeks later we would experience the tragedy of 7 October. The last year has been one of complex emotions, difficult conversations and extraordinary moments of togetherness as we hold our shared pain.

As a Jewish people we went through an unprecedented horror.

And we also saw an unprecedented response – within and across our community – with people reaching out, caring and supporting each other.

In doing this, we took our inspiration from Israel – seeing how our colleagues, friends and family in the country have looked after those who have been bereaved and displaced, and never stopped fighting for the return of those taken hostage.

This time also showed the importance of community and of movement. Not only in mourning the lives and communities lost on 7 October, but also standing up against hatred at home – whether coming from the far right or far left.

Another emotion we have been through is one of excitement and hope as we continue the work of bringing Britain’s Reform and Liberal movements together into one single Progressive Judaism for the UK.

This time, one year ago, we were just starting out on this process. Now, although there is still a lot of work to do, we are coming closer to its fruition.

We have spent much of our time over the last 12 months visiting communities all around the UK – hearing about why movement is so vital to them, the importance of the Progressive Jewish voice in society and, above all, their vision for the future.

In a year that has had so much tragedy, it has been a true joy to see how our 80+ Liberal and Reform communities have all responded to this coming together in creative and dynamic ways… showing that a movement can be so much more than the sum of its parts.

As we enter 5785, we are left with the thought that if we can achieve so much as two separate entities starting to come together… how much more can we accomplish when being one is our new reality?