This weekend saw the first LJ@120 Open House Shabbat take place at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS).

Liberal Judaism’s rabbis gave speeches outlining the history and achievements of the last 120 years, which concluded with Chief Executive Rabbi Charley Baginsky reflecting on our movement’s past, present and future. You can read Charley’s speech below:

Rabbi Dr John Rayner Z’l wrote, in an article on Progressive Judaism and Jewish unity, that: “Unity in diversity: that is the only kind of unity worth having, and it is certainly the only kind that is realistically attainable.”

As we begin this year of celebrating the last 120 years of Liberal Judaism, we must also look forward and commit ourselves to the next 120 years.

Liberal Judaism was a necessary addition to the Jewish world, providing a home for so many Jewish stories. Over the years our necessity has only grown and become more evident.

As we look forward I am excited to plan for the new stories we will tell, of the new liturgies and rituals we will embrace, our continued commitment to a relevant and inspired religious experience, grounded in deep Jewish tradition and learning, for the voices we will lift up to ensure that the prophetic calls to justice are heard, for the Jews we will open doors for, for the Judaism we will learn, experience and share.

But today, more than any other day, I am also excited to be part of a movement that is unified by our diversity.

Here at the LJS we bring together so many different voices, each of our communities unique with something to offer and yet united by being part of this movement.

Over the last two years we have learnt even more so how much we need each other and how much stronger we are when we collaborate.

The next 120 years will no doubt bring its own challenges and will bring changes we cannot even imagine today. However, our commitment to a multiplicity of voices being heard, to the beauty of being able to disagree well, to the creativity of shared leadership will I have no doubt give us the strength to face the future with a courage and a hope… chazak, chazak, v’nitchazeik  – ‘be strong, be strong, and we will strengthen one another’.

The next issue of LJ Today will feature more speeches, photos and reports from this special service.

Picture: Rabbi Charley Baginsky (centre) with Rabbi Rachel Benjamin (left) and Oxford Jewish Community President Kathy Shock (right), who read at the service.