Pesach in pictures

25 April 2016 Members of Liberal Jewish communities around the UK came together this weekend for special services and Seders for Pesach. You can see a slideshow of the best pictures here. Many Liberal communities, as well as youth movement LJY-Netzer, held first or second night communal Seders with record … 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 weekend of celebration at Woodford

12 April 2016 Three rabbis, two Christian clergy and a police officer were among 100 people celebrating the 50th anniversary of Woodford Liberal Synagogue’s building on Sunday. Woodford’s Rabbi Richard Jacobi put together a special civic service, which contained some of the community’s favourite prayers from the last half century. … Read More

The history of the LJ Quiz

4 April 2016 It’s one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the Liberal Jewish calendar – where communities from all over the country battle it out in a test of knowledge. The 2017 Liberal Judaism Annual Inter Synagogue Quiz will take place on at Southgate Progressive Synagogue. Full details, … Read More

A community library for Peterborough

30 March 2016 Members of Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community (PLJC) have set-up a library, allowing the congregation to borrow books on topics of interest. Secretary Janet Berkman, and her husband Graham, hosted a special Erev Shabbat during Jewish Book Week to launch the scheme. Members packed into Janet’s study, which … Read More

Jean honoured for lifetime of service in Birmingham

Joe Seager 22 March 2016 Picture by Peter Noons A special kiddush was held at Birmingham Progressive Synagogue (BPS) to honour member Jean Bonner for her many years of outstanding service. The community made Jean the guest of honour over Shabbat, with warm tributes paid to her by prominent BPS … Read More

A special KT celebration at Northwood

21 March 2016 Pictures by Phil Stone A class of 11 teenagers celebrated their Kabbalat Torah at Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue (NPLS) this Shabbat. The youth – three of whom are fourth generation Liberal Jews – took part in the Kabbalat Torah ceremony, which was the culmination of a … Read More

Rabbi Richard Jacobi welcomes first grandchild

21 March 2016 Woodford Liberal Synagogue was full to capacity on Shabbat for the baby blessing of Rabbi Richard Jacobi’s first grandchild. Family, friends and congregates gathered for a Purim family service and the ceremony for baby Zachary, whose great-grandfather, Rabbi Harry Jacobi, carried out the blessing. The community’s youth … Read More

Wandering scroll finds its way to Crouch End

21 March 2016 The community at Crouch End Chavurah have welcomed a ‘new’ Torah scroll that is more than 100 years old and travels around the world. Canadian-born sofer Avielah Barclay – the first female Torah scribe for 250 years – visited the community at Shabbat and revealed many interesting … Read More

Liberals help plan Birmingham’s first one-day Limmud

8 March 2016 Three members of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue (BPS) are helping to organise the city’s first one-day Limmud. The full-scale celebration of Jewish learning and culture will take place at Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s educational facility on Sunday July 10, 2016. A programme of sessions will be presented by prominent … Read More