Finchley son and mum barmitzvah covered by the JC

Rabbi Rebecca Birk and Rafael at FPS

It might not have been what Finchley Progressive Synagogue (FPS) member Rafael expected for his big day. But with his mum and FPS minister, Rabbi Rebecca Birk, beside him, Rafael became barmitzvah in front of 14 close friends and family in the synagogue building – and hundreds more tuned in … Read More

Join our ‘In Conversation’ event on marriage this Sunday

5 October 2020 Liberal Judaism will be hosting a very special ‘In Conversation’ event with four rabbis to discuss our movement’s groundbreaking changes on mixed faith weddings. From next weekend couples where one partner is Jewish and one is not can now, at rabbinic discretion, have a wedding blessing conducted … Read More

Jews and Muslims unite for care worker blessing

Care home blessing

6 July 2020 Jews and Muslims in Barnet got together at a care home to bless those who work there and demand a real Living Wage for the care sector. The group, who are all members of Citizens UK in Barnet, recited a special joint prayer for the carers at … Read More

Faith leaders united for Iftar to help those in need

Faith leaders unite to help those in need

02 June 2020 Rabbi Rebecca Birk of Finchley Progressive Synagogue joined with other faith leaders last month for a special celebration towards the end of Ramadan to help those in need. Rebecca teamed up with Mother Carol Barrett Ford and Imam Muhammed Bodrul Haque for the ‘Iftar For All’ at … Read More

Liberal Judaism Biennial At Home – Shabbat service details

Rabbi Rebecca Birk

11 May 2020 We are less than two weeks away from Liberal Judaism’s Biennial At Home – bringing all the best bits of our movement’s flagship event directly to you. We are now delighted to announce the services for the weekend, which will be led by some of the most … Read More

Mitzvah Day brings faiths (and even rabbis) together

Mitzvah Day 2019

19 November 2019 Liberal Judaism’s senior rabbi, Rabbi Danny Rich, was part of a unique and moving Mitzvah Day event that saw all sections of the Jewish community in Finchley unite with their Muslim neighbours. Danny teamed up with Finchley Progressive Synagogue’s Rabbi Rebecca Birk – as well as Rabbi … Read More

Liberal rabbis lobby Government on refugees and LGBTQI+ inclusion

LJ Statement Logo Star

12 August 2019 Liberal Judaism’s rabbis have called on the UK Government to take action on offering sanctuary to more refugees and the promotion of LGBTQI+ inclusion. An open letter on refugees, organised by Safe Passage and covered in The Guardian, was signed by 100 faith leaders including Liberal Judaism’s … Read More

More than 150 attend ‘best ever’ Pride Shabbat at FPS

Pride Shabbat at Finchley Progressive Synagogue FPS

10 July 2019 A Pride Shabbat service at Finchley Progressive Synagogue (FPS) honoured the trailblazers of LGBTQI+ rights in the Jewish community and around the world. More than 150 people attended the service, which was themed l’dor v’dor (from generation to generation) and led by Rabbi Rebecca Birk, Cantor Tamara Wolfson, Student … Read More

Finchley Sukkot event wins refugee pledge from Council

Rabbi Rebecca Birk at Finchley Progressive Synagogue (FPS) action for refugees

25 September 2018 Finchley Progressive Synagogue (FPS) has won a pledge from Barnet Council to take more refugees from war-torn countries. At a ‘Sanctuary Sukkot’ event held in the synagogue, Council leader Richard Cornelius agreed that the borough will take three refugees each year over the next 10 years, and … Read More