A new Jewish community for East London as Bet Tikvah and Woodford Liberal Synagogues vote to unite
26 September 2016 A new Liberal Judaism community for East London and West Essex will be formed, after members of its two existing synagogues voted overwhelmingly to unify. In parallel EGMs on Sunday September 25, members of Bet Tikvah and Woodford Liberal Synagogues voted in favour of the dissolution of … Read More
Mayor of Redbridge attends Bet Tikvah service
5 September 2016 The Major of Redbridge, Councillor Gurdial Bhamra, enjoyed a Shabbat morning service at Bet Tikvah. The mayor, who is Sikh, has been visiting many different religious places of worship in the London Borough of Redbridge to promote his message that “we are all one community”. On his … Read More
Woodford Shabbat accessible to all
7 August 2016 Woodford Liberal Synagogue (WLS) has held its fourth Shabbat Shelanu, an inclusive Saturday morning service, accessible for people with learning disabilities and welcoming to all. Led by Rabbi Richard Jacobi, Shabbat Shelanu services provide an opportunity to celebrate Shabbat in a relaxed and friendly environment, through music, … Read More
Pesach in pictures
25 April 2016 Members of Liberal Jewish communities around the UK came together this weekend for special services and Seders for Pesach. You can see a slideshow of the best pictures here. Many Liberal communities, as well as youth movement LJY-Netzer, held first or second night communal Seders with record … Read More
A weekend of celebration at Woodford
12 April 2016 Three rabbis, two Christian clergy and a police officer were among 100 people celebrating the 50th anniversary of Woodford Liberal Synagogue’s building on Sunday. Woodford’s Rabbi Richard Jacobi put together a special civic service, which contained some of the community’s favourite prayers from the last half century. … Read More
Rabbi Richard Jacobi welcomes first grandchild
21 March 2016 Woodford Liberal Synagogue was full to capacity on Shabbat for the baby blessing of Rabbi Richard Jacobi’s first grandchild. Family, friends and congregates gathered for a Purim family service and the ceremony for baby Zachary, whose great-grandfather, Rabbi Harry Jacobi, carried out the blessing. The community’s youth … Read More
Rabbi Richard Jacobi welcomes first grandchild
21 March 2016 Woodford Liberal Synagogue was full to capacity on Shabbat for the baby blessing of Rabbi Richard Jacobi’s first grandchild. Family, friends and congregates gathered for a Purim family service and the ceremony for baby Zachary, whose great-grandfather, Rabbi Harry Jacobi, carried out the blessing. The community’s youth … Read More
The History of Israel in 18 Objects
Bet Tikvah Synagogue, in conjunction with Woodford Liberal Synagogue, is hosting a unique event next Shabbat. Taking inspiration from the BBC and British Museum’s ‘History of the World in 100 Objects’, Robin Moss will tell the story of the State of Israel by looking at 18 items that represent multiple … Read More
A festschrift for Rabbi Harry
4 November 2015 Rabbi Harry Jacobi was surprised with a festschrift written in his honour, as he celebrated his 90th birthday at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS). Harry, who was born as Heinz Martin Hirschberg in October, 1925, and grew up in Auerbach, Germany, twice fled the Nazis to become … Read More