Liberal leaders contribute to René Cassin parashiot project

23 March 2018 Liberal Judaism rabbis and officers have contributed to a unique project offering communities a human rights commentary on each weekly Torah parasha. Put together by René Cassin – the human rights NGO that draws on Jewish experiences and values – the free resource offers 54 thoughts written … Read More

A year on from the Calais Jungle

24 October 2017 The Jewish News Imagine being your 14-year-old self again. Imagine being alone, frightened, sleeping rough. Imagine being hit by pepper spray from riot police. Now look at your own children, your nephews and nieces, your friends’ children. Imagine them suffering the same abuse. Unimaginable? Not for hundreds … Read More

[Blog] How to support refugees during the election

Rabbi Janet Darley 10 May 2017 For all those of us, in Liberal Judaism and far beyond, who care about the resettlement of refugees in the UK, the upcoming election can feel threatening. In 2015, then Prime Minister David Cameron made a promise to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees and 3,000 … Read More

Progressive rabbis write to Prime Minister over Brexit

2 April 2017 More than 50 Liberal and Reform Judaism rabbis have written to Prime Minister Theresa May asking her to always put human beings first in the conversations she will be having over Brexit. The Progressive rabbis – who represent more than a third of British Jews – urged … Read More

Refugee flat project launches with special Shabbat

27 February 2017 A special Shabbat service and lunch was held at South London Liberal Synagogue (SLLS) on Saturday, as the community launched a fundraising appeal to turn part of their building into a home for a refugee family. The event was attended by faith and community leaders from across … Read More

Liberal Jews nominated as Community Heroes

19 November 2016 Liberal Judaism’s Rabbi Janet Darley, Simon Cooper and Rebecca Woolfe have all been nominated as Community Heroes by The Jewish News and Mitzvah Day. Siblings Simon Cooper and Rebecca Woolfe have been nominated for the tireless charitable work. Before his death from lung cancer in July this … Read More

Liberals take action as Calais camp closes

25 October 2016 Liberal Jewish rabbis and members were part of a number of important Citizens UK actions for refugees over Sukkot. Liberal Jews, working alongside those of all and no faith, were seeking to ensure that unaccompanied children would continue to arrive from France, despite the clearance of the … Read More

Liberal rabbis take lead on refugees

Citizens UK deliver letter at Home Office

6 September 2016 Liberal rabbis have been at the forefront of a campaign to speed up the arrival of lone refugee children to the UK – visiting Calais, holding a memorial event at the Home Office and delivering a letter to the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd. Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, … Read More

SLLS honours Rabbi Janet Darley by planning refugee flat

Louise Freedman and Alice Alphandary present Rabbi Janet Darley (centre) with a leaving gift

27 July 2016 South London Liberal Synagogue (SLLS) gave departing rabbi, Rabbi Janet Darley, the perfect farewell present – a promise to continue her award-winning work with refugees. The community has vowed to convert a space in the synagogue into a two bedroom flat to house a refugee family. Plans … Read More

A Shabbat welcome for refugees in South London

29 June 2016 Laura Griffiths, from SafePassage UK, was the guest speaker as South London Liberal Synagogue (SLLS) observed Refugee Week with a special Refugees Welcome Shabbat. Laura spoke about the work being done to find safe and legal routes for refugees to come to the UK. SLLS is part … Read More