Rosh Hashanah 5785 was celebrated in Reform and Liberal communities all across the country with an array of meaningful and accessible services, children’s activities, study sessions, challah bakes, tashlich walks and communal meals.

Here we bring you a round-up of pictures and stories.

If your synagogue is missing, please send a photo to SimonR@progressivejudaism.org.uk so we can add it.

The community of Finchley Progressive Synagogue are wandering Jews these High Holy Days, as their building gets refurbished. They held their Rosh Hashanah services at Sha’arei Tsedek North London Reform Synagogue (who in turn were at JCoSS) and enjoyed a local tashlich walk.

Families at Kol Chai Reform Synagogue enjoyed two children’s services at Rosh Hashanah – one for pre-schoolers and primary school children, and a youth service for the community’s older kids. During the services, the youngsters made their own shofarot services and then blew them in the main service.

Those still being held hostage were in the minds of all those marking Rosh Hashanah this year. At The Ark Synagogue, a photo of the community’s ‘adopted’ hostage Karina Arievwas placed on the bimah. More than 500 people attended in-person and via Zoom, with another 500 watching live or after the service on YouTube.

Students in universities across the UK – including bogrimot (over 18 members) of RSY-Netzer and LJY-Netzer – were able to enjoy Rosh Hashanah festive meals supported by Progressive Jewish Students and a donation from the Shoresh Charitable Trust.

Julian Levy – the father of Progressive Judaism Co-Lead Rabbi Josh Levy – led the Menorah Synagogue tashlich service and walk in Cheadle with three Rabbis in attendance – Rabbis Reuven Silverman, Rabbi Lisa Barrett and Rabbi Barbara Borts – as well a large group of members… and some pets too!

Norwich Liberal Jewish Community enjoyed tashlich at the river in Norwich. They are also planning for an interfaith Sukkot celebration that will include a visit from the city’s Mayor.

Sukkat Shalom Reform Synagogue and Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue joined with other local Progressive communities for their annual tashlich service in Wanstead Park.

Nottingham Liberal Synagogue hosted the High Sherriff of Nottinghamshire Nick Rubins, who is a member of the community, and the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire is Veronica Pickering on Rosh Hashanah morning.

Thanet and District Reform Synagogue did a reverse tashlich on the beach – picking litter and tidying the environment. The 25+ people in attendance included probably the youngest ever litter picker, aged just two and a half days!

East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue had a full hall and multiple Zoom screens for their Rosh Hashanah services. The community’s Vice Chair, Josh Newham, was the designated shofar blower for the children’s service.

Bradford Synagogue, which dates back to 1873, held a moving and meaningful Rosh Hashanah service. Picture by Martin Williams.

The Liberal Synagogue Elstree held a Rosh Hashanah challah bake where participants baked enough challah for the congregation to enjoy for kiddush following Rosh Hashanah services and for everyone to take one home for their families.

LJY-Netzer welcomed in the new year with a lovely Friday night dinner for its galimot (ages 16-18). The evening included a Kabbalat Shabbat service, dipping apples in agave (to be vegan) and a delicious dinner with homemade apple and honey cake for dessert.

Sha’arei Tsedek North London Reform Synagogue continued a proud tradition of delivering Rosh Hashanah gifts to older members of the community – ensuring that everyone, especially those who may feel isolated or face challenges, has the opportunity to celebrate the festival.

The Liberal Jewish Synagogue hosted Rosh Hashanah services – led by Rabbis Elana Dellal, Igor Zinkov and Alexandra Wright – that were described by congregants as “deeply moving and very beautiful”.

It was Bake Off eat your heart out as the cookalong crack team at Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue produced as many honey and apple cakes as they could for the community’s Rosh Hashanah services.

Rosh Hashanah at York Liberal Jewish Community involved a jam-packed service and lunch, including hearing the sounds of some very talented shofar blowers.

After the Rosh Hasanah service at Hull Reform Synagogue, everyone went for a communal fish and chips lunch at the restaurant opposite the shul.

Over 30 people from both Stevenage Liberal Synagogue and Radlett Reform Synagogue came together as North Hertfordshire Progressive Jewish Community for a pre Rosh Hashanah tea and songs with Rabbi Paul Freedman.

Brighton and Hove Reform Synagogue marked Rosh Hashanah with a variety of services and activities that were so well-attended, by people of all ages, that the community ran out of machazorim.

Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community celebrated Rosh Hashanah with a Sephardic Seder ceremony, offering traditional and symbolic tasty morsels such as pomegranates, dates, apples and honey, lettuce, carrots and beans – accompanied by the appropriate prayers.

Intrepid members of Radlett Reform Synagogue braved local floods for a tashlich walk.

Southend and District Reform Synagogue was busy all over Rosh Hashanah – both in the building and on Zoom – including with guests from the nearby Chelmsford Jewish Community.

Sinai Synagogue, Leeds hosted ‘Rosh Fest’ – two study sessions followed by a chavurah supper for 60 people, cooked by an amazing inter-generational team.

Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah (centre) led tashlich celebrations by the Water of Leith in Edinburgh with Sukkat Shalom: Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community. Rabbi Elli also led the congregation’s Rosh Hashanah services.

Rosh Hashanah services at Birmingham Progressive Synagogue were led by Student Rabbi Emily Carp and followed by a kiddush of apple, honey and honey cake in the synagogue dining room.

Shenfield and Brentwood Reform Synagogue enjoyed a well-attended Rosh Hashanah service.