A Jewish-Muslim gay couple, whose wedding blessing ceremony was led by Rabbi Rebecca Birk, have won a prestigious award. Adam Imber, who is a Progressive Jew, and his Muslim husband Ali Najjar were celebrated at the PEUGEOT Attitude Pride Awards 2024 – which, each year, honour 10 everyday LGBTQI+ heroes … Read More
Faiths unite in solidarity for silent peace walk
More than 500 people from all faiths and backgrounds took part in a peace walk in London. Rabbi Rebecca Birk represented Progressive Judaism at the event, offering a prayer for peace on behalf of the Jewish community alongside clergy and representatives from the Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Zoroastrian, Baha’i, Brahma … Read More
‘The world must not stay silent about sexual violence’
By Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Rabbi Rebecca Birk and Student Rabbi Daisy Bogod Today, 19 June, is the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. As Rabbis we bear witness and encourage others to do so. We call out the use of rape and sexual violence in … Read More
‘Historic’ Passover service unites Progressive communities
The final day of Pesach at Southgate Progressive Synagogue (SPS) brought together three Progressive communities for a service that the synagogue’s Chair has described as “a historic occasion”. SPS, Finchley Progressive Synagogue and Shar’arei Tsedek North London Reform Synagogue united for the service led by their respective clergy – Rabbi … Read More
Progressive values put into action at Mayoral Assembly
Rabbi Rebecca Birk (pictured) of Finchley Progressive Synagogue (FPS) Co-Chaired the London Citizens Mayoral Accountability Assembly, which was addressed by London Mayor Sadiq Khan. More than 2,000 people attended the event, where the Mayor was invited onstage to commit to pledges on work and wages, migration and housing. His election … Read More
Discovering Progressive Judaism at FPS Open Day
Finchley Progressive Synagogue (FPS) held an Open Day for all those who are Jewish, Jew-ish or just wanting to discover more about our faith or their own Jewish heritage. A day for all the family, it gave guests a sense of both Progressive Judaism and the FPS community. Events included … Read More
‘Inspiring’ Progressive Iftar supports asylum seeker campaign
An Iftar at Finchley Progressive Synagogue (FPS) marked an important moment in a day of action campaigning for free bus travel for asylum seekers. The evening was the final stop on Barnet Citizens’ ‘Iftar for the Bus’, which saw a vintage bus travel across London to raise awareness for the … Read More
‘Inherited Jewish status can be gained from any parent’
By Rabbi Rebecca Birk, Finchley Progressive Synagogue Writing in The Jewish News One of the many things that sets Progressive Judaism apart from the other branches of Judaism is our approach to Jewish status. In British Progressive Judaism, a child is able to gain inherited Jewish status if any parent is … Read More
Standing together in solidarity and shared values
Progressive clergy and members were among the thousands of people of all faiths and none who took part in the Together for Humanity vigil in London this Sunday. Rabbi Rebecca Birk (pictured above) and Rabbi Shulamit Ambalu stood alongside other senior faith leaders as they lit lanterns in a stand … Read More