More than 400 schoolchildren, the Deputy Mayor of Redbridge, several local councillors and other dignitaries visited East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue (ELELS) during a week of civic activity. The synagogue hosted the Board of Deputies Jewish Living Experience Exhibition, which ran from Monday to Friday. Pupils from six different … Read More
Jewish Living Experience Exhibition comes to Essex
Two Progressive Jews helped to bring the Jewish Living Experience Exhibition to Chelmsford, Essex, for the first time. Hanan Charles and Progressive Judaism’s Head of Communications Simon Rothstein – both of East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue – are part of the team who ran the week-long Board of Deputies exhibition … Read More
Pride Award for mixed faith couple whose wedding was led by Rabbi Rebecca
A Jewish-Muslim gay couple, whose wedding blessing ceremony was led by Rabbi Rebecca Birk, have won a prestigious award. Adam Imber, who is a Progressive Jew, and his Muslim husband Ali Najjar were celebrated at the PEUGEOT Attitude Pride Awards 2024 – which, each year, honour 10 everyday LGBTQI+ heroes … Read More
‘Historic day’ as ELELS fully includes non-Jewish members
The members of East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue (ELELS) have voted overwhelmingly to offer full membership to any non-Jewish person who commits to the principles and values of the community. Both ELELS as a synagogue, and Progressive Judaism as a whole, have long welcomed mixed faith couples and families, … Read More
Community forums in Manchester, Leeds and East London
As the Movement for Reform Judaism and Liberal Judaism unite into one Progressive Judaism for the UK, we are holding Community Forums with all 80+ of our Progressive congregations. These are a chance for members to meet with Progressive Judaism Co-Leads Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy, find out … Read More
Why Progressive Judaism exists by Rabbi Richard Jacobi
This sermon was given by Rabbi Richard Jacobi at East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue (ELELS) on Erev Rosh Hashanah 5784: When we welcomed in the new year and announced its number, 5784, I’m pretty sure that no-one here thought that we were stating that the world is celebrating its … Read More
The Ark Synagogue re-launches lunchtime recital programme
By David Pearl Around 100 people attended a lunchtime recital by the Kinneret Ensemble at The Ark Synagogue in Northwood. Led by violinist David Richmond – with David Silkoff (piano), Rabbi David Hulbert (violin), Lynette D’Souza (viola, piano) and Francesca Fenn (‘cello) – the Ensemble played Haydn, Mozart, Schubert and … Read More
Honeycomb Project Bereavement Support Group
The new Honeycomb Project Bereavement Support Group is open to all Liberal Judaism and Movement for Reform Judaism members who have experienced a recent loss. Sessions will be on Zoom on Tuesdays 21 March, 18 April, 2 May, 16 May and 30 May from 7.30pm-8.30pm. Each session is designed to stand … Read More
Rabbi Harry Jacobi Memorial Lecture – Restoring Kindness
The fourth Rabbi Harry Martin Jacobi Memorial Lecture will take place on Sunday 26 March 2023 from 2.30-4.00pm at Southgate Progressive Synagogue (SPS). Members and friends of Liberal Judaism can attend for free in person or via Zoom. To book, please email office@sps.uk.com. This year’s lecture will be given by … Read More
Friday 16 September: ELELS Open House Shabbat
Liberal Judaism’s series of Open House Shabbats continues this Friday (16 September) at 8pm with a special Zoom service hosted by East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue (ELELS). As the Shabbat before Selichot, and with the focus on the start of the High Holy Days, the service will take time … Read More