Mazal Tov on her birthday to Sylvia Kemp.

Liberal Judaism’s Education Hub has a new term of sessions examining Liberal Jewish Thought.

Taking place via Zoom on Wednesday nights at 7.30pm, the full calendar for this term is below. All sessions are designed to stand alone, so you can attend as many evenings as you’d like.

To register for the Education Hub and receive the Zoom links, please click here

Wednesday 18 May: Rabbi Lea Mühlstein and Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah – Why Liberal Jews pray
Taking a closer look at the evolution of specific prayers over the past 200 years, as well as explore trends in the evolution of our prayerbooks more generally.

Wednesday 25 May: Rabbi Dr Judith Rosen-Berry and Rabbi Charley Baginsky – What’s new? Progressive thought and Liberal Judaism
This session will discuss the positive influence that ‘progressive/new’ thinking has always had on Liberal Judaism and why, in the current political and religious context, this must continue to be the case.

Wednesday 1 June: Rabbi Nathan Godleman – Ceremony in Liberal Judaism, a contradiction in terms?
Would you walk out if the Torah scroll were processed? This session will explore whether the classical Liberal aversion towards ceremony is a thing of the past, or whether it is based upon a misconception that still restricts us.

Wednesday 8 June: Rabbi Michael Shire – Encountering Liberal Judaism and a new Hasidism
The new Hasidism of the 21st century has taken old pathways and reinvigorated them for our post-modern times. How do these intersect with an evolving Liberal Judaism?

Wednesday 15 June: Rabbi Richard Jacobi – Say Goodbye to ‘woolly Liberalism’
Wider events within the UK and around the world have revealed in the starkest terms why we and our world can no longer afford woolly Liberalism. But how do we toughen up our principles?

You can watch all previous sessions on Liberal Judaism’s YouTube channel, here.

Liberal Judaism is proud to make Education Hub classes available for free, to ensure that everyone has access. However, if you are able to, please consider making a donation to Liberal Judaism.

Mazal Tov on their birthdays to Mary Vulkan, Benjamin Hipgrave.

Mazal Tov on their birthdays to Victor Seedman, Graham Trafford, Jennifer Carter, Jane Lesser, Tony Lesser, Avril Leon

The May/June edition of LJ Today is now available.

To view a high resolution copy, as if it were a printed magazine (even with page turning noises) please go to:

LJ Today – May / June edition

(Note that if you visit this site LJ will track and measure interaction and reading times)

LJ Day of Celebration: Where Liberal & Judaism Meet

Sunday 22nd May 2022 09:30-16:30

The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St Johns Wood Road, NW8 7HA

After more than two years of the pandemic, we are opening our doors for a major event once again. You can join us in person at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue or online via Zoom, Facebook and YouTube.

The Day of Celebration is a festival of people, knowledge and culture. It is a space for all Liberal Jewish communities to meet and celebrate each other.  This year Liberal Judaism celebrates its120th anniversary. With this in mind, the theme of the Day of Celebration will be ‘Where Liberal and Judaism Meet’. We will look at our past, present and future. We will reflect and explore what it means to be Liberal, to be Jewish, and to be a Liberal Jew.

The Day of Celebration is designed to have something for everyone, so come and celebrate with us!

• To register to join in person, visit https://tinyurl.com/ydhkfjjj
• To register to join online, visit https://tinyurl.com/ykwpetnb

The diverse and engaging programme will include sessions, workshops and discussions led by Liberal Judaism rabbis and outside experts in nine varied tracks:

• Judaism and Social Responsibility: Hearing from those involved in social justice, what guides them and how this is both a social and Jewish responsibility.
• Inclusion in Action: Looking at ways to make our spaces more welcoming, accessible and inclusive.
• Culture and Art: World leaders in art, music and culture will be sharing their stories and their secrets.
• Hot Potatoes: The track for those open to having difficult conversations and engaging with controversial topics.
• Communities & Covid: Until recently, Covid was the main topic of conversation. Now, as the pandemic enters the next stage of its existence, this is a chance to reflect on it again.
• What Does Liberal Judaism Think? Exploring theological, intellectual and practical views on contemporary issues.
• Spiritual Possibilities of Judaism Today: Discussing our fresh and relevant Jewish spiritual life in 2022.
• Ask The Rabbi: Have a cuppa and discuss your questions with Liberal rabbis in an informal atmosphere.
• Youth Programme: An energetic, fun and meaningful programme for all ages, prepared by LJY-Netzer.

We also have exhibitions, book stalls, a professionally staffed creche and the conclusion of our exciting creative competition (visit https://tinyurl.com/3rw2mean for more information)

With the current crisis in Ukraine, the Day of Celebration’s keynote session will be dedicated to the topic of refugees. It will ask what we can do to help Ukrainian, Syrian, Afghani and other people who had to flee their country and begin their lives in a new place. Our keynote speakers this year are Sara Nathan and Paul Anticoni. Sara is the Co-Founder of Refugees at Home. Paul is the Chief Executive of World Jewish Relief. They will share their expertise and the lessons they have learned over many years of tireless and successful work with refugees.

Mazal Tov on their birthdays to Paul Zatz, Linda Baum, Mimi Rotbart, Stephen Bach, Julie Palos, Maria Landau.

We regret to announce the death of our member, Eva Revesz, and offer condolences to her daughter, Katharine, her son, Peter, and their families.

There will be an Erev 7th Day Pesach service in solidarity with the Ukrainian Jewish Community, led by Rabbis and Cantors from Ukraine, Europe and all over the world.

Service starts at 6:00 pm UK time (Thursday 21st April) – to register click here: www.tinyurl.com/pesach5782

For more details, click here to download: Seventh Day Pesach – Solidarity with Ukraine

There will be zoom services for 7th day Pesach, Friday 22nd April.

On Wednesday 4th May there will be a zoom talk for Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut.

Please save the dates.  Further details to follow.