Seeing the rallies in Israel and London regarding the Israeli government’s controversial judicial reforms, does protest or people power matter or ever work? My grandfather is one of my personal heroes. He coined the word refusenik, and was at the forefront of the UK part of a worldwide movement campaigning to free Jews who had become political prisoners in the USSR simply for wanting to leave and go to Israel. In the 1970s and 80s, the protests of students, synagogue groups, women’s guilds, and many others may not have been the only thing that achieved the freedom of the Refuseniks, but it was ..read more

Last Sunday the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Frank Martin, with the Mayors of Ramsgate, Margate and Broadstairs, joined over 50 members and friends of the Thanet Jewish Community for a special and rare celebration – a Siyyum. The siyyum (completion) is an event which celebrates the writing of a new Torah scroll, or on this occasion, the completion of repairs to an existing one – a very special Czech Memorial Scroll which was owned by the Jewish Community of Klatovy in the Czech Republic. A Jewish businessman visiting Prague discovered a cache of over 1,500 Torah scrolls that had been stole ..read more

The Movement for Reform Judaism in the UK mourns the death of Donald Black a former employee of the organisation. Donald worked at RSGB as it was then, in the 1980s with the small and embryonic communities serving as the part-time congregational development coordinator. Donald offered physical support and general encouragement as well as being simply ‘in touch’ with the men and women in these communities in leadership positions. Donald and his wife Ena had been very active in YASGB the RJ’s youth movement in the 1950s and it was the experiences that they both gained in its activities provided ..read more

Rabbi Kathleen Middleton, co-chair of the Assembly of Reform Rabbis and Cantors joined The President of the Board of Deputies, Marie van der Zyl, at a delegation of Jewish communal representatives to petition His Majesty, King Charles III, ahead of his coronation, describing it as a “tremendous privilege”. An address was given, in the name of the Board of Deputies and the Anglo-Jewish Association, congratulating the King following his accession to the throne. “Each week our synagogues pray that the Almighty bless the entire Royal Family and that Your Majesty be delivered from all trouble ..read more

Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue held the dedication of the new Senitt Sensory Room in early February. As the first synagogue in the UK to have a purpose-built sensory room this evening marked a culmination of much hard work by the Youth and Education team. The reception was attended by current and former Rabbis and staff, council members as well as friends and family of the Senitts.   The room is dedicated in loving memory of Jack Senitt who was both a member and active volunteer at EHRS as well as at Middlesex New Synagogue. Ben Konyn, EHRS Council representative for Youth & ..read more

‘Find a man to lead you through the famine. With a flair for economic planning’ These lines from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s telling of the Joseph story, as Joseph tells Pharoah that his dreams predict a serious disruption in the supply chain, could easily also be speaking in our political moment. When Joseph interprets Pharoah’s dream, he proposes a plan forward that elevates him to lead advisor status, and lifts biblical Egypt up from sure disaster to the ability to navigate expected shortages effectively. The Joseph story reminds us that the question of how to plan for and manage the supply, stor ..read more

Today we celebrate IWD 2023, and just yesterday we were immersed in Purim festivities, remembering two incredible women – Vashti and Esther who defy their circumstances to bring about systemic change.  Their actions and subsequent stories echo the foundation of IWD – a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. A day when we look to the many trailblazing women who have gone before us, and in whose gratitude we now stand, to face and confront the challenges of modern life. IWD reminds us that it is the worldwide efforts of wome ..read more

This weekend marks the one year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Since war broke out, World Jewish Relief has supported over 187,918 Ukrainians and provided safe passage, medicine, food, power, support and basic hygiene products. That’s one Ukrainian helped every three minutes. Another family by the time you’ve finished reading this sentence. And they need more.  Needs in Ukraine remain overwhelmingly complex and multifaceted; food, hygiene and winter packages remain a priority. In many locations there are great number of displaced people and the need to support them to integr ..read more

The word “Ukraine” is probably derived from the old Slavic meaning “borderland”, and while its size cannot be compared to the diminutive territory of Israel, there are many resonances between the two countries. The deep spiritual attachment to their own land – from the flag depicting sunflowers and sky, to the testimony of Ukrainian people fighting to live peacefully in historically disputed territory, the echoes keep on coming. Ukraine finds herself sandwiched between the global powers of “The West” and “The East”, an uncomfortable place to be. Israel has also historically found itself uncomf ..read more

Following the decision taken by West London Synagogue (WLS) to suspend its membership of the Movement for Reform Judaism (MRJ) in February 2020, MRJ and WLS have engaged in amicable discussions. Because of the passage of time, however, MRJ will inform its general meeting of members on 26 February 2023 that WLS’s membership of MRJ is automatically terminated.   This is due to a provision in MRJ’s constitution (Articles of Association) which stipulates that if a member synagogue of MRJ is in arrears with payment of fees for more than two years it will forfeit its membership at the next ..read more