Reform Open Meeting re Progressive Judaism

Members are reminded about this open meeting.

You are aware of the process started nearly 2 years ago looking at bringing the Movement for Reform Judaism (MRJ) and Liberal Judaism (LJ) closer together under a new Movement to be known as ‘Progressive Judaism’.

The latest development is that the two Movements have jointly developed a website including a detailed information pack, which you can reach simply by clicking: https://pathtoprogressivejudaism.org.uk/

The intention is for each of the two Movements to hold its own General Meeting in May 2025 to seek approval to move forward with the creation of Progressive Judaism. The membership of each Movement is made up of the Synagogues belonging, and each Synagogue will vote at their own Movement’s general meeting to decide on the way forward.

Mosaic Reform Synagogue’s Council will decide how to cast its vote at the MRJ general meeting, and wishes to get a wide indication of the views of our members to facilitate making that decision.
To this end I would ask you to look at the documents included in the information pack, and consider how you would like to see this process develop.

Interestingly the documentation says little about the Halachic differences between Reform and Liberal, primarily because we have moved very much closer together organically over the past 40 years. There will be no immediate operational changes to be seen at communal level, where each individual Synagogue will continue operating as it has done previously, deciding for itself what changes, if any, to make to its minhag.

Any changes which do arise, be they to prayer books, Halacha, or our Beth Din, will only develop organically over a significant time, with member approval, as changes over the past few decades have done.

This meeting will be an opportunity for us all to meet in the Synagogue, to air views and raise questions on any aspects of these proposals,  so as to give your Shul council awareness of your feelings.

Rabbi Mark Goldsmith, senior Rabbi of Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue has agreed to join us at that meeting, deputising for Rabbi Kathleen who is on Sabbatical.

Please make every effort to attend, so as to give your Council a wide view of feelings on this matter within the Congregation.