Rabbi Rich was preceded in this role by Harriet Karsh, who had assumed the role from … Liberal Judaism affirms the dynamic, developing character of our Jewish religious tradition. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. Liberal Judaism is the dynamic cutting edge of modern Judaism. This re-evaluation of scripture doesn't devalue the Torah. Not only do we maintain a solid presence in all of British Jewry’s major forums – for instance the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Jewish Leadership Council – but we also face outwards, contributing to society, working alongside other faiths to foster peace. Liberal Judaism will allow the pioneering mixed-faith ceremonies following unanimous support from its rabbis. An article looking at Liberal Judaism, including information about the ideas and philosophies of Liberal Jews, worship, customs and identity. Liberal Judaism’s Resource Bank is your essential guide to running a community, containing invaluable advice, downloadable template documents and training opportunities. This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Liberal Judaism has 40 communities, and three additional developing/affiliated congregations, covering all parts of England, as well as in Scotland, the Republic of Ireland, Holland and Denmark. The movement is strongly peace oriented and firm in the belief that there must be good relationships between Arabs and Jews in the Holy Land. They accept that while the Torah contains much that is spiritual and inspiring, it also contains 'plenty that is flawed, petty, and rooted in ancient politics and culture.'. They seek to live according to the prophetic ideal - to do justice, love kindness and to walk humbly with God. As of 2010, it was the second-largest Jewish religious group in the United Kingdom, with 19.4% of synagogue-member households. AUD - Australian Dollar. We are a movement with a sense of purpose, engaged in community life, study, spirituality and social action. She also wished to help protect Jewish people living in East London from anti-semitism and enable them to blend more successfully with the community. Founding and history of Liberal Judaism in the UK. Liberal Judaism is non-authoritarian and the congregations that make up the movement are self-governing. CHF - Swiss Franc. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Men and women are accorded completely equal status in Liberal Jewish marriage law and ritual.   Liberal Jews regard the Torah, together with Mishnah, Talmud and Midrash, as an inexhaustible source of wisdom, guidance and inspiration. Working together, we can produce a result which no one person or organisation could have achieved alone. She was one of ten children of a Jewish banker and Liberal MP, Samuel Montagu and was brought up in a strictly Orthodox home. One and indivisible, transcendent and immanent Creator and sustainer of the universe, Source of the Moral Law, a God of Justice and mercy who demands that human beings shall practise justice and mercy in their dealings with one another. At 19 she co-founded an educational institution for women that grew into the West Central Jewish Day Settlement, based in the West End of London. Liberal Judaism was the pioneer of gender equality in British Judaism. Liberal Jews permit a choice of cremation or burial, counter to the Orthodox prohibition of the former. So, for example, Liberal Jews don't accept that God was responsible for some of the ancient concepts and laws, such as the stoning to death of a rebellious son or the permanent ostracism from the community of Israel of the members of ancient Canaanite tribes. Liberal Jews regret the rigorous pro-Orthodox direction that religious (and indeed secular) life has taken in Israel and hope for an ultimately greater tolerance. BBC © 2014 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Liberal Jews consider this law to be one-sided. Judaism in Plain Sight – Kabbalat Torah Programme, Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable People. The first Liberal synagogue outside London was opened in Liverpool in 1928. Liberal Judaism, as the name suggests, is a progressive form of Judaism that aims to bring Judaism and modernity together. EUR - Euro. Liberal Jews don't believe that the Torah was written by God on tablets of stone and given to Moses. It began in Britain in 1902 with the founding of the Jewish Religious Union by Lily Montagu (1873-1963) and Claude Montefiore. 08098379 Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue is a registered Charity No 1149342 We want Judaism to be a positive, joyous and active part of our members’ lives, and for them to use it to enrich their relationships with those around them. 12 were here. A part of the service is usually in English (although Liberal synagogues now use more Hebrew than in the early days of the movement). Elana Dellal The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (St John’s Wood) Nathan Godleman South London Liberal Synagogue. Membership of Liberal congregations in 2016 (including the unaffiliated Belsize Square Synagogue ) constituted some 8.2% of synagogue membership in the United Kingdom. . Questing and questioning, Liberal Judaism is an authentic and modern form of Judaism, rooted in a deep and meaningful engagement with Jewish texts, values, culture and history. Liberal judaism has encouraged such a development for many years by making Girls can go through the Bat-Mitzvah ('Daughter of Duty') ceremony, which is equivalent to the traditional male Bar-Mitzvah, when they're 13. However, they believe that the Torah and other works should be interpreted in the context of the present day, rather than literally. She felt that Orthodoxy was over-formal and that the demands of its rituals were too difficult for working people, who found it so hard to combine with their everyday lives. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Children also receive equal treatment, with girls and boys having equal parts in religious rituals and equal status in religious education. Effective collaboration is about finding common ground and embracing, accepting or working through differences. Lily Montagu was a remarkable woman. Discussions focused on the next steps in liturgy, theology, policy, outreach work and shared values that will drive Progressive Judaism forward both in Britain and around the world. We work closely with Liberal Judaism as part of the Alliance for Progressive Judaism. Liberal Jews apply Judaism's religious and cultural tradition in the framework of modern thinking and morality. LiberaL Judaism in Practice LIBERAL JUDAISM and JEWISH IDENTITY 5 circumstances it is a matter of utmost importance that everything possible be done to maximise the chances that the children of such marriages will identify with the jewish community. Her religious instincts developed early; by the age of 15 she was having difficulty with the Orthodox line and by 17 had started to run Sabbath classes for children. Liberal Judaism. Most Liberal Jews reject the idea of a personal Messiah at whose coming all the righteous dead would arise and live in unadulterated bliss and also reject the idea of physical resurrection. Other Liberal Jews regard the rules as a significant part of Jewish tradition and choose to obey them for one or more of the following reasons: Liberal Judaism is highly supportive of Israel, but regards the Diaspora as continuing to have a vital part to play in the present and future of the Jewish People. Questing and questioning, Liberal Judaism is an authentic and modern form of Judaism, rooted in a deep and meaningful engagement with Jewish texts, values, culture and history. Questing and questioning, Liberal Judaism is an authentic and modern form of Judaism, rooted in a deep and meaningful engagement with Jewish texts, values, culture and history. Read more. Reform Judaism, is one of the two World Union for Progressive Judaism–affiliated denominations in Britain. There may also be a choir and instrumental accompaniment. The Union of Liberal and Progressive Synagogues was founded in 1944. Reform is relatively traditional in comparison with its smaller counterpart, Liberal Judaism, though it does not regard Jewish law as binding. We are a movement with a sense of purpose, engaged in community life, study, spirituality and social action. to identify with the Jewish past and with contemporary Jews who observe these rules, to have a home where strictly observant Jews might eat, to practise the ethical discipline of limiting appetite in a world where many go hungry and where many forbidden foods (frogs' legs, lobster meat etc) are obtained at the cost of intense animal suffering, as an expression of the belief in one creator who, in Genesis (verse 26), granted man dominion over nature and thus to work in accordance with other attempts to promote animal rights and safeguard the environment. So, for example, there is no obligation to obey Jewish dietary laws, but one can do so if it helps one's internal feeling of 'Jewishness' to do so. UK liberal rabbis allow interfaith couples to marry under a traditional canopy Becoming first Jewish movement in Britain to permit interfaith nuptials … Click here for a list. Many Liberal Jews do acknowledge that much of the Torah was divinely inspired. Liberal rabbis are trained at the Leo Baeck College - Centre for Jewish Education, the main rabbinic seminary for progressive Rabbis. Donate to Liberal Judaism. Ms Montagu was the first Jewish woman to serve as a lay minister. "So he became president [of the movement] and she did all the work.". Liberal Judaism is the home for your Jewish story. Liberal Judaism, a grouping of liberal and progressive congregations, is the most radical of the various synagogue movements in the United Kingdom. This innovation is now available across most Jewish denominations. We play an active role in building collaboration across the Jewish community and with other faiths and causes. A constituent member of Liberal Judaism. It believes this way of life is the best for raising children and for the practice and transmission of faith. Company No. Liberal Judaism in the United Kingdom dates from 1902, when the movement was founded as the Jewish Religious Union (JRU). Roberta Harris-Eckstein Eastbourne Liberal Jewish Community. While it is possible to be converted to Judaism by the Liberal movement, and the process is likely to be warm and welcoming, converts are not accepted as Jews by Orthodox Jews. Currency GBP - Pound Sterling. Liberal Judaism disapproves of promiscuity or adultery and expects that both heterosexuals and homosexuals should restrict sexual activity to a context of lasting love and fidelity. Jewish and LGBT people share many parallels of oppression and of triumph over adversity. The new policy will come into effect from the … We believe in personal freedom and responsibility and the shared and collective bonds that unite us as Jewish people and members of humanity. Liberal Jews affirm the traditional view of humanity as that which is: created in the Divine Image, endowed with free will capable of sublime goodness but also of terrible evil, mortal yet with a sense of eternity, able to enter into a direct personal relationship with their Creator, and to restore that relationship when it is broken, through repentance (t'shuvah). We actively choose to live out our Judaism as part of a community, and welcome those who grew up as Jewish and those who, later in life, have become accepted into Judaism. Liberal Judaism. These include the carrying out of appropriate rituals pertaining to birth, circumcision, baby-naming, coming of age and marriage (see gender issues below), the consecration of a new home and death and mourning (see funerals). Liberal Judaism members from all around the UK and beyond took part in an inspirational Biennial Weekend at the end of June. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so. Men and women have equal rights to play a part in funeral and mourning rituals. The first public service was held on October 18 1902 at the Great Central Hotel in Marylebone Road, London.