October 4 2020 Mixed faith couples can receive a wedding blessing from a rabbi under the traditional Jewish chuppah (canopy) in a groundbreaking first from Liberal Judaism. The Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors (CoLRaC) came to the decision, after much discussion, in order to recognise and celebrate the diversity … Read More
[Blog] Don’t stone the blasphemer: Theology in times of crisis
Rabbi Aaron Goldstein 12 May 2020 Leviticus 24:1-14 The lampstand, the shewbread and the blasphemer: Sounds like the beginning of a joke and what an odd combo, as our Sages throughout time have noted. What is the connection, the rationale for being placed in this order, particularly following the central, … Read More
[Blog] Daf Yomi with Rabbi Aaron Goldstein – Part 3
Rabbi Aaron Goldstein 1 April 2020 Shabbat 21b The Sages taught in a baraita: The basic mitzvah of Hanukkah is each day to have a light kindled by a person, the head of the household, for himself and his household. And the mehadrin, i.e., those who are meticulous in the … Read More
The coronavirus pandemic: A personal response
26 March 2020 By Rabbi Danny Rich Outgoing Senior Rabbi and Chief Executive of Liberal Judaism On one thing we can be agreed: we are living in an extraordinary and challenging moment and each one of us faces one or more difficulty: our own mortality and the possible death of … Read More
[Sermon] Shabbat in the Coronavirus Crisis
Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah 21 March 2020 Shabbat Shalom. The physical congregation that usually inhabits the synagogue is absent and the hum of people gathering to celebrate Shabbat has been replaced by silence. And yet, hinneinu, here we are, sharing this sacred moment across the ether. Before we begin our … Read More
[Blog] Daf Yomi with Rabbi Aaron Goldstein – Part 2
Rabbi Aaron Goldstein 17 March 2020 Berachot 62a “The Gemara relates: There was a particular eulogiser who went to eulogise an important person in the presence of Rav Nachman. Of the deceased, he said: This man was modest in his ways. Rav Nachman said to him (the eulogiser): did you … Read More
[Blog] Daf Yomi with Rabbi Aaron Goldstein – Part 1
Rabbi Aaron Goldstein 13 February 2020 Moses was up Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights, Noah was cooped up in an Ark while it rained for 40 days; and the ancient rabbis (Pirkei Avot 5) understood 40 to denote an age of wisdom. So it seemed appropriate to count … Read More
[Sermon] Mental Health Awarness Shabbat 2020
Rabbi Monqiue Mayer 31 January 2020 Three final, devastating plagues laid waste to the land of Egypt: locusts, darkness, and the slaying of the firstborn. The eighth plague of locusts stripped the land of all remaining crops, eating up all the grasses and fruit while the tenth plague stripped the … Read More
Last chance to share your Jewish story with Lily’s Legacy
8 January 2020 Our Lottery Heritage Fund supported oral history and archive project – Lily’s Legacy: The Radical History and Heritage of Liberal Judaism – is soon entering its next phase, meaning this is the last chance to share your story or object. We’re still looking for a range of … Read More
[Sermon] Working well together for a better society – Human Right Shabbat 2019
Rabbi Aaron Goldstein 7 November 2019 Laban, Rebekah’s brother, Jacob’s uncle says to him after a month’s stay, “Just because you are my brother, should you serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?” (Gen 29:15) René Cassin was a French-Jewish jurist, law professor and judge. He … Read More