‘The best Jewish schools are open, inclusive and modern’

18 February 2016 Rabbi Charley Baginsky appeared on the six o’clock ITV News on 17 February speaking about Jewish education. She was responding to the report released earlier that day, by the schools’ watchdog Ofsted, which criticised an ultra-Orthodox Jewish boys’ school, where pupils believe the role of women is … Read More

One big Friday night dinner

Gloucestershire Dinner

8 February 2016 The Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish Community (GLJC) gathered most of its members together in January for a simultaneous Friday night dinner party. Eighty people united in nine houses around Gloucestershire, enjoying home cooked food contributed by those taking part. Members were grouped together into convenient geographical locations to … Read More

How synagogues can make transgender Jews feel welcome

Rabbi Leah Jordan 29 October 2015 The Jewish Chronicle In the past few months, transgender people have moved from the twilight into the spotlight. Thanks to celebrities including Laverne Cox, Caitlyn Jenner and Kellie Maloney, transgender people and issues have found their way into the mainstream press and have been trending … Read More

Liberal Judaism on Jewish status and equilineal descent

Rabbi Alexandra Wright 21 July 2015 Liberal Judaism recognises equilineal descent: namely, that individuals born of a Jewish father and non-Jewish mother should be treated in exactly the same way as individuals born to a Jewish mother and non-Jewish father. The Affirmations of Liberal Judaism state that children of mixed … Read More

[Speech] Citizens UK’s Day for Civil Society

Rabbi Danny Rich 2 May 2011 Note: This speech was originally given by Rabbi Danny Rich, the senior rabbi of Liberal Judaism, at Citizen UK’s Day for Civil Society which took place at the Methodist Central Hall, Westminster Friends, members of many faith communities, followers of no religious tradition: What … Read More

Death need not disorient us

Lucian J Hudson 6 March 2010 Around 70% of people say they want to die at home, yet around 60% currently die in hospital. Why is there such a discrepancy between hope and reality? The speed of life in the 21st century creates a momentum that makes us oblivious to … Read More

Shabbat – the Heart of Jewish Life

Rabbi Janet Burden 14 December 2006 The New Statesman The rabbi explains the sabbath – a day of rest and worship Ethical monotheism is indisputably the foundation of Judaism, its intellectual core. No matter how pure and grand that concept is, however, I do not believe that it alone would … Read More