By Rabbi Rebecca Birk I wasn’t born into Liberal Judaism. I have truly chosen it for me, and then of course for my family. My parents, who were Orthodox, even chose it too. There are so many reasons why I admire the lineage of proud, curious Jews who wanted their … Read More
[Sermon] Rabbi Lea Mühlstein: Responsibility for our own actions
In a new series of articles, Liberal Judaism is reproducing sermons given by our rabbis on important current issues. Here is the sermon given by Rabbi Lea Mühlstein of The Ark Synagogue (given on the occasion of barmitzvah of Edward Archbold) looking at how we should react to Government plans … Read More
[Sermon] Rabbi Sandra Kviat: The Forgotten Matriarchs
How many women are named in the Torah? If you were to count, one answer is 111. Sounds a lot, yet most are either unknown or ignored. Interestingly, the number of men varies between 1,700-3,000. Joseph and his journey is the longest running single person narrative in the Hebrew bible. … Read More
[Sermon] Rabbi Lea Mühlstein: Equity not Equality
In a new series of articles, Liberal Judaism is reproducing sermons given by our rabbis on important current issues. Here Rabbi Lea Mühlstein of The Ark Synagogue discusses food poverty and why we must open our eyes and demand more fairness: The selection of verses from the book of Amos, … Read More
Watch Rabbi Janet Darley support refugees on BBC2
Liberal Judaism’s Rabbi Janet Darley appeared on BBC2’s Sunday Morning Live this week. In a special edition based around refugees, Janet looked at the moral dimension and faith response to the current crisis and opposition to current Government plans that will no longer guarantee many refugees safety in the UK. … Read More
[Opinion] It is our Jewish duty to oppose this refugee bill
By Rabbi Charley Baginsky (This article first appeared in The Jewish News) Last week, in among all the excitement over EURO 2020 and the debates on ending COVID restrictions, a very worrying new bill was being introduced by the Government. One which, if it were in place in the early … Read More
[Blog] The challenge we face 25 years after Rabin’s assassination
By Rabbi Ofek Meir Headmaster and managing director of the Leo Baeck Education Center, Haifa This year, as an educator, I have a heightened sense of responsibility because we are living in times of crisis and difficulty. Our world fell apart in one fell swoop with the outbreak of the … Read More
‘There is no greater mitzvah than saving a life’
26 August 2020 By Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi As we approach the High Holy Days, we are confronted by profound questions about life and death and of the legacy that we wish to leave behind us. it is therefore appropriate that the week before Rosh Hashanah is Organ Donation Week … Read More
Statement on China’s oppression of Uyghur and other Muslims
22 July 2020 This is not the first time that Liberal Judaism’s clergy and lay leaders have tried to draw attention China’s oppression of millions of Uyghur and other Muslim minorities, but we refuse to be silenced and will not be indifferent. In Xinjiang, Western China, millions of Uyghur adults … Read More
[Comment] It is our Liberal Jewish obligation to speak out
By Rabbi Charley Baginsky On one of our Facebook groups for clergy, an American Rabbi tried to articulate their shock following the murder of George Floyd. She noted that it reached the proof required by the rabbis of old for a murder conviction. Why is this significant? For the same … Read More