Finchley Reform Synagogue (FRS) was featured as part of BBC One’s Growing Up Jewish programme. The show looked at four young people preparing for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah, including FRS members Eve and Dylan. Eve is from a dual heritage family. Her mum describes herself as a secular Jew and her dad is an atheist. They became members of FRS after Eve made the decision to have a Bat Mitzvah in order to connect with her heritage and share her Jewish identity with non-Jewish relatives. Dylan and his family also recently joined the community, moving from an Orthodox congregation because they felt ..read more

Sir Keir Starmer recorded his annual Passover message this year at Alyth Synagogue. The Labour leader broadcast a discussion about Pesach he had with leaders and members of the Progressive community, including Rabbi Golan Ben-Chorin, Rabbi Elliott Karstadt and Student Rabbi Nicola Feuchtwang. Part of a mixed faith family – who are members of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue – Sir Keir spoke about their own Seder and how his Jewish wife Vic is determined that their two children “know and understand” their roots and culture. Read more in the Jewish News here and watch the video below. The post Sir ..read more

RSY-Netzer are aiming to collectively cover the distance between Reform Judaism’s most northern and southern synagogues to raise £5,000 for their Bursary Fund. It is around 500 miles from Glasgow in the north to Brighton and Hove in the south, and RSY are looking for volunteers to walk, cycle, dance or move in any other way to hit the target. The fundraising will take place throughout May, in order to give every young person the chance to join the range of RSY life-changing experiences. Last year more than 60 young people were helped by the Bursary Fund, which has provided ..read more

The Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue is seeking a warm and welcoming rabbi or cantor to work with our Senior Rabbi, Rabbi Jordan Helfman, to help steward our community through this summer and upcoming High Holy Day period. Interim Rabbi Oaks LaneDownload The post Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue: Interim Part-time Clergy appeared first on The Movement for Reform Judaism ..read more

By Rabbi Anna Wolfson and Rabbi Robyn Ashworth-Steen “In every generation, everyone is obligated to see themselves as though they personally left Egypt.” As we each return to the Seder table this year, this line of liturgy from the Haggadah may resonate more strongly. The Seder table is a powerful space and, perhaps, one of our most beloved rituals. It infuses food with story, links the young to the old, the public story of the Jewish people to our own personal family stories and customs. In the last few years. we have navigated small Sedarim when lockdown restrictions meant we could not open ..read more

Two Progressive communities won prestigious Mitzvah Day Awards for their incredible interfaith social action on the day… and all year round. Maidenhead Synagogue picked up the Outstanding British Mitzvah Day prize with Birmingham Progressive Synagogue walking away with Outstanding Interfaith Partnership. Other communities receiving nominations included Menorah Synagogue, Southgate Progressive Synagogue, Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue, Kingston Liberal Synagogue, Alyth Synagogue, York Liberal Jewish Community and Progressive Jewish Link Northern Ireland – as well as Owen Power of York, Al ..read more

The latest Kivunim B’nei Mitzvah weekend for young people from the smaller Reform communities was held at Whitemoor Lakes Activity Centre in Lichfield. Twenty-four children from years 7 and 8 were involved, as part of a two-year programme to learn about Progressive Judaism and prepare for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah, along with peers from up and down the country. The syllabus focuses on Jewish identity, tikkun olam, community, Jewish ritual and informed decision making. Elena Izmailova – the Movement for Reform Judaism’s Community Youth and Education Coordinator – said: “It was an amazing weekend f ..read more

More than 1,500 people from across the Jewish community, and beyond, came together in a vigil to support the 133 hostages still held captive in Gaza. Taking place opposite Downing Street, crowd members were visibly moved as the families of those taken and murdered by Hamas spoke about the pain and suffering they and others in Israel are going through. The rally was addressed by the leaders of all of Britain’s Jewish denominations, including Progressive Judaism Co-Leads Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Josh Levy – who called for the return of the hostages and reflected on the six months since 7 Octo ..read more

Rabbi David-Yehuda ‘DY’ Stern led a Tolkien themed Shabbat service at Radlett Reform Synagogue. Reflecting on the themes of The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings and Middle-Earth, the ‘Shacharit in the Shire’ service explored life’s journey, the loss and hope for nature and parallels between Lord of the Rings and Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible). Rabbi DY (pictured right) said: “By blending Tolkien’s own writing and artwork together with music and song inspired by his books, I hope that we helped to transport attendees from our synagogue to Hobbiton, Lothlorien and the very edge of Mount Doom ..read more

Why will this year’s Seder night be different from all other Seder nights? Because this year there’ll be an online opportunity for anyone curious about this most famous Jewish ritual. Aimed at those who may have recently converted, or are in the process of converting, it’s also open to everyone – as explaining Judaism can be challenging to all of us on the learning journey. You can expect a friendly and relaxed Pesach Seder that will celebrate and demystify the Haggadah liturgy, routines, and songs. And there will be ample opportunity to ask your own questions as the evening progresses. The O ..read more