14 March 2017 From children walking the walls of York to a Cockney Megillah reading in Finchley, Purim 5777 was an action packed one in Liberal Jewish communities. Liberal Judaism’s newest congregation at East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue celebrated their first Purim, with our oldest, The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, … Read More
[Blog] Why today’s Liberal Jews have reclaimed Purim
Rabbi Leah Jordan 13 March 2017 It’s hard to imagine now – with our synagogues full of spiels, fancy dress and hamantaschen – but for much of our movement’s early history, Liberal Judaism downplayed the festival of Purim. The reason is because the Book of Esther, the Megillah, ends in … Read More
[Sermon] It’s a Topsy Turvy World!
10 March 2017 As published in the Crouch End Chavurah magazine Purim (meaning ‘lots’) falls this year on the evening of Sunday 12 March. The biblical book of Esther is the source of Purim. Although lacking any historicity, the Book of Esther tells of a Persian King, Achverosh, his Jewish … Read More
Liberal youth raise hundreds for refugees
15 February 2017 LJY-Netzer’s Yamim (school years 9-10) have raised £240, and counting, to help young refugees as part of their annual charity weekend. The Liberal youngsters set up a fundraising page for RefugeeYouth.org – a charity that provides a happy and welcoming environment for refugees who have entered the … Read More
Join us for Shabbat Resouled’s 10th birthday
15 February 2017 Liberal Judaism members and friends are invited to Shabbat Resouled’s 10th birthday party on the third Friday of April at Finchley Progressive Synagogue (FPS). The band was formed in 2007 with the combined talents of Dean Staker and Rabbi Neil Janes, along with a bunch of the … Read More
Liberal Jews get muddy for Tu Bishvat mitzvah
13 February 2017 Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue members, including Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, braved bitter sleet and wicked thorns for a special Mitzvah Day project on Tu Bishvat. The group helped support the Friends of Croxley Common Moor clearing scrub and tidying the common. A very muddy Aaron said: “It … Read More
Last day of Chanukah is last day for Woodford
3 January 2017 Woodford Liberal Synagogue held its final service, on the last day of Chanukah. The special inclusive service – which is welcoming of all and caters for many forms of disability – marked the last for the community, which has now united with Bet Tikvah to form the … Read More
Chanukkah at Christmas time in 2016
23 December 2016 While much of the country is preparing for Christmas this Saturday evening, Jews will be declaring ‘Goodbye to Shabbat –the Sabbath- and Welcome Chanukkah!’ Chanukkah is an eight day Jewish festival which falls somewhere between mid-November and late December – and this year its beginning coincides with … Read More