20 May 2002 By Rabbi René Pfertzel (on behalf of the Biennial At Home Committee) We are now just two days away from Liberal Judaism’s Biennial At Home – our movement’s flagship event of 2020. It may be taking place entirely online, rather than in the usual venue of a … Read More
[Blog] Don’t stone the blasphemer: Theology in times of crisis
Rabbi Aaron Goldstein 12 May 2020 Leviticus 24:1-14 The lampstand, the shewbread and the blasphemer: Sounds like the beginning of a joke and what an odd combo, as our Sages throughout time have noted. What is the connection, the rationale for being placed in this order, particularly following the central, … Read More
[Blog] How do we acquire a shem tov (good name)?
21 April 2020 By Rabbi Aaron Goldstein Unavoidably, all professionals engaged in lifecycle events have been extra busy during the coronavirus pandemic. Baby blessings, Bnei Mitzvah, Kabbalat Torah and weddings have all had to be postponed. Deaths from the virus and those coincidental to this time have meant that we … Read More
[Reflection] When does the day begin?
21 April 2020 By Rabbi Elana Dellal In the Talmud, Berakhot 9b we find a discussion around how to determine the start of the day. This is in the midst of a conversation around when one should say the morning Shema. Much of the text focuses on the logic that it … Read More
[Blog] Sometimes there is no easy answer
13 April 2020 By Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel In the Talmud (Berakhot 4b), King David is praised by the Rabbis for being able to say that he doesn’t have an answer to an important question about his own behaviour: is he really righteous? I don’t know, he says. Being able … Read More
[Blog] Daf Yomi with Rabbi Aaron Goldstein – Part 3
Rabbi Aaron Goldstein 1 April 2020 Shabbat 21b The Sages taught in a baraita: The basic mitzvah of Hanukkah is each day to have a light kindled by a person, the head of the household, for himself and his household. And the mehadrin, i.e., those who are meticulous in the … Read More
The opportunity to re-connect in these challenging times
26 March 2020 By Rabbi Tanya Sakhnovich I am writing to you from Nottingham, on behalf of my community, at the very beginning of the month of Nisan with greetings of hope, friendship and the good news of a coming Exodus both from slavery, when it comes to our sedarim, … Read More
The coronavirus pandemic: A personal response
26 March 2020 By Rabbi Danny Rich Outgoing Senior Rabbi and Chief Executive of Liberal Judaism On one thing we can be agreed: we are living in an extraordinary and challenging moment and each one of us faces one or more difficulty: our own mortality and the possible death of … Read More
Hold a Second Seder once this is all over
20 March 2020 Liberal Judaism is encouraging its members and communities to hold a Second Seder once this period of uncertainty and isolation/social distancing ends. Liberal Jews will be holding a Seder on the first night of Pesach this year as usual, but these will now be either virtual or … Read More
[Reflection] A new heaven and a new earth?
20 March 2020 By Rabbi Alexandra Wright, The Liberal Jewish Synagogue As I write, an eerie silence has fallen on the capital. I hear nothing. No cars, no trains, no voices; not even the sound of a midnight bird warbling his song of love to a mate. I try to … Read More