Progressive communities around the UK welcomed members, friends and others in the local community as they hosted meaningful and uplifting Passover Seders, services and events. While Pesach was joyful in our homes and communities, our thoughts were also with those currently being held hostage by Hamas. Many of the Pesach … Read More
Advisory Board Chair on continuing our work to build bridges
Dr Ed Kessler MBE, the Chair of the Progressive Judaism Advisory Board, appeared on The Rest is Politics to discuss the war in Israel and Gaza and what happens next both there and for interfaith work in the UK. Ed is Founder President of the Woolf Institute and a leading … Read More
Progressive Judaism Co-Leads join Mayor for Trafalgar Square Iftar
Rabbis Charley Baginsky and Josh Levy, the Co-Leads of Progressive Judaism, joined London Mayor Sadiq Khan for a large scale open-air interfaith Iftar held in Trafalgar Square. Despite bad weather, thousands gathered for the Ramadan fast-breaking event. Rabbis Josh and Charley were joined by many others from the Jewish community … Read More
EHRS joins with Faiths Forum for London to host inaugural Iftar
Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue (EHRS) joined with Faiths Forum for London to host their first Iftar – which saw 100 people from local Jewish and Muslim communities come together to eat, learn, pray and listen to one another. The meal was prepared and served by a dedicated team of … Read More
Packed Purim parties show growth of our communities
Progressive communities around the country enjoyed fetes, spiels, fancy dress parades, parties, Megillah readings and more this Purim. Many of our Reform and Liberal congregations enjoyed record attendances as the festival was celebrated in true Progressive style. At Bromley Reform Synagogue, 250 people – including more than 100 potential new … 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
Progressive Co-Lead joins Archbishop to launch Big Help Out
Progressive Judaism Co-Lead Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby have led the calls for members of British faith groups to get involved with the Big Help Out – a weekend of volunteering that will take place in June. A launch event took place at an interfaith iftar … Read More
National press cover Alyth Iftar as faiths come together
Alyth Synagogue hosted its 11th annual fast-breaking Ramadan Iftar meal for Muslim friends and neighbours. A key part of the Alyth calendar, this year’s event had the theme of ‘friendship across difference’ and looked at how to maintain good relations between Jewish and Muslim communities in the UK at a … Read More
Birmingham Progressive hosts Friday Night Iftar for asylum seekers
Birmingham Progressive Synagogue hosted an interfaith ‘Friday Night Iftar’ – in partnership with a number of local mosques and community groups – to focus on bringing people together in Birmingham and welcoming asylum seekers to the city. It combined a traditional Jewish Friday night dinner, to mark the start of … Read More
Progressive rabbi gives blessing at Commonwealth Service
Rabbi Debbie Young-Somers (pictured) offered the blessing on behalf of the Jewish community at the Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey, broadcast on BBC1. Explaining how, in the Torah, our ancestors are shown as flawed leaders who learn and grow on their journey, Rabbi Debbie quoted the Book … Read More