January/February 2025 VOL. LII No. 1
Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
www.liberaljudaism.org
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Taking the national stage this Chanukah
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HANUKAH is a time when our leadership represent Progressive Judaism and our values on the national stage - showing the vital and mainstream role we play in British life. Throughout the month of December, Progressive Judaism Co-Leads Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy spoke and lit candles at a number of important civic events. These included the celebrations at 10 Downing Street, the first hosted by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. They were joined at No10 by Leo Baeck College Principal Rabbi Professor Deborah Kahn-Harris, and Liberal/ Reform clergy Rabbi Lea Mühlstein (The Ark), Rabbi Kathleen de MagtigeMiddleton (Mosaic), and Rabbis Hannah Kingston and Elliott Karstadt (Alyth).
Rabbi Charley represented Progressive Judaism at The Jewish Labour Movement (JLM) Chanukah reception, where she urged all those present to “be the light” in what are often dark times. She said: “Our hearts will remain heavy for those impacted by war in Gaza, for the hostages still waiting for freedom, for lives lost and for families grieving unimaginable losses.” Rabbi Josh Levy addressing the CCJ, Rabbi Charley Baginsky speaking at the JLM event, and together in Downing Street Rabbi Josh Levy spoke at the shared Chanukah and Christmas celebration of the Council of Other events attended over the festive Christians and Jews (CCJ) - underlining period included celebrations hosted by the importance Progressive Judaism the House of Commons Speaker and the places on interfaith work. Board of Deputies of British Jews.
Welcoming new Jews RECORD numbers of people have been converting to Judaism through both the Liberal and Reform Batei Din. Their reasons are rich and varied, often including the discovery of Jewish ancestry or heritage, a search for spiritual meaning, or a connection to the religion through their partner. At Sukkat Shalom, Edinburgh, Rabbi Mark Solomon recently conducted a welcome ceremony for five new admissions (pictured). One of those, Shlomo ben Avraham, told us: “It was a beautiful event. There were 40 people in attendance, plus many more via Zoom. To have five people simultaneously admitted was, we think, a community record.”