A response to the massacre in Nice

Rabbi Alexandra Wright 15 July 2016 Just over a week ago, we marked the eleventh anniversary of the July 7th bombings in London. That day is etched deeply forever in the memories of those who live and work in London, especially for those who lost members of their family and community, our … Read More

Liberal Jews join The Queen’s birthday celebration

13 June 2016 Liberal Judaism members and communities around the UK joined in the 90th birthday celebrations for Her Majesty The Queen. Rabbi Alexandra Wright – the co-chair of Liberal Judaism’s Rabbinic Conference and rabbi at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue – wrote a special prayer for the occasion. Other communities … Read More

Rabbis and Imams send joint card to Queen for 90th birthday

Jack Mendel 9 May 2016 The Jewish News   A specially commissioned birthday card was delivered to Her Majesty the Queen by Jewish and Muslim faith leaders last week.   Presented at St James’s Palace, the framed message written by a calligrapher to celebrate the Monarch’s historic 90th birthday was … Read More

We must help child refugees find their families

23 April 2016 The Telegraph Sir – We were shocked by the entirely preventable death of Muhammad Hassan, a 17-year-old asylum-seeker. He died on April 1 while trying to reach his uncle in Manchester. Despite having a legal right to join his family while his asylum claim was processed, he … Read More

A prayer to mark the Shabbat following the Queen’s 90th birthday

by Rabbi Alexandra Wright 21 April 2016 Eternal God, whose dominion embraces the universe, we ask for Your blessing on our Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth, who this week celebrated her 90th birthday. We give thanks for the precious gift of years and health, for her unwavering duty and dedication with … Read More

A festschrift for Rabbi Harry

Rabbis Dr Margaret, Harry and Richard Jacobi

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

St John’s Wood community offers lifeline to asylum seekers

The JC 27 August 2015 Member of a Liberal Jewish community have spent the past year offering legal, financial and practical help to hundreds of asylum seekers. Here they explain why. It was a Sunday and inside the usually quiet St John’s Wood Liberal Jewish Synagogue members were franticly organising … Read More

Liberal Judaism on Jewish status and equilineal descent

Rabbi Alexandra Wright 21 July 2015 Liberal Judaism recognises equilineal descent: namely, that individuals born of a Jewish father and non-Jewish mother should be treated in exactly the same way as individuals born to a Jewish mother and non-Jewish father. The Affirmations of Liberal Judaism state that children of mixed … Read More