By Rabbi Rebecca Birk and Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel Co-Chairs of the Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors This week’s inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris glowed both with diversity and possibility; of age, gender and background. We welcome their spirit and expression of collaboration and … Read More
Statement on new practices for mixed faith marriages
4 October 2020 At its recent meeting, the Liberal Judaism Conference of Rabbis and Cantors (CoLRaC) reviewed and made alterations to its practices in cases where a Jew is partnered with a person who does not identify as Jewish. The most significant change is that, at the rabbi’s discretion and … Read More
Statement on reforming the Gender Recognition Act
23 September 2020 By Rabbi Charley Baginsky In failing to introduce meaningful reforms to the Gender Recognition Act, the Government is not only ignoring the wishes of trans and non-binary people but also the overwhelming majority of those who responded to the Government’s own consultation supporting self-identification. Liberal Judaism will … Read More
Statement about the refugees crossing the English Channel
13 August 2020 The rabbis and leaders of Liberal Judaism view with great concern the vilification of the refugees taking huge risks to get across the English Channel. We know that many of them are seeking the love and care of relatives in the UK, and that every avenue to … Read More
Faith leaders speak out against potential genocide of Uyghurs
10 August 2020 Liberal Judaism’s interim director Rabbi Charley Baginsky has joined with 75 other faith leaders to call for urgent action to prevent “the potential genocide of Uyghurs and other Muslims in China”. Twenty rabbis from across the denominations – including Liberal Judaism’s Rabbis Aaron Goldstein, Richard Jacobi, Margaret … Read More
Wiley, Twitter and why there must be #NoSafeSpaceForJewHate
26 July 2020 Liberal Judaism statement on Wiley, Twitter and why there must be #NoSafeSpaceForJewHate: For a long time now various hashtags about Jews have been trending on Twitter – and almost always for negative reasons. One only has to spend a few minutes on the platform to see a … Read More
Statement on China’s oppression of Uyghur and other Muslims
22 July 2020 This is not the first time that Liberal Judaism’s clergy and lay leaders have tried to draw attention China’s oppression of millions of Uyghur and other Muslim minorities, but we refuse to be silenced and will not be indifferent. In Xinjiang, Western China, millions of Uyghur adults … Read More
Liberal Judaism statement on reopening of synagogues
23 June 2020 By Rabbi Charley Baginsky Interim Director of Liberal Judaism Although Government advice is that places of worship can physically reopen from 4 July 2020, this is not something Liberal Judaism will be rushing to do. We are speaking with our communities, all of which have different and … Read More
Statement on the Gender Recognition Act and trans rights
17 June 2020 In 2018, Liberal Judaism urged its members to participate in the consultation for reforms of the Gender Recognition Act to ensure vital new rights for trans (including non-binary) and intersex people. This would including simplifying the process of changing one’s legal gender and extending that right to … Read More
Liberal Judaism update/statement on COVID-19
21 March 2020 By Rabbi Charley Baginsky Director of Strategy and Partnerships, Liberal Judaism Along with all faith organisations, Liberal Judaism is determined to do our part to help limit or slow down the transmission of COVID-19, while maintaining support for our communities and members in these unprecedented and unsettling … Read More