ljtoday Progressive Judaism is coming together

THE co-creation of one Progressive Jewish movement has taken a series of big steps forward. Throughout this edition of lj today, you will read about joint Liberal and Reform Judaism celebrations, services, conferences and events.

At the LJ Biennial Weekend 2023, hundreds of Liberal Jews came together to reflect on what matters most to them and used that to look ahead to a unified future with Reform Judaism.

Guest speakers included Reform Judaism CEO Rabbi Josh Levy, who delivered a session with Liberal Judaism CEO Rabbi Charley Baginsky to outline their vision for Progressive Judaism and the process ahead as it becomes a reality.

He said: “This is a time that is calling out for Progressive religion. We live in a liberal and tolerant country and together we have a unique religious offering which speaks to that.

“There is a calling for us to create something different and be something different. This is our moment and we are best placed to do this if we do it together.”

Liberal Judaism Chair Ruth Seager ran a session with Reform Judaism Chair Paul Langsford where delegates could share their excitement, thoughts and feelings about this shared future.

She said: “The Biennial was warm, engaging and meaningful. People told me they were excited that a single Progressive Judaism will have a strong voice and clear brand. There is much that I will take away from the Biennial as we continue to develop our new movement.”

Another key part of the process was the first joint meeting of the Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors with the Assembly of Reform Rabbis and Cantors. More than 30 Progressive clergy gathered in London, with a similar number joining via Zoom from all parts of the country.

Assembly Co-Chair Rabbi Kathleen Middleton said: “There was a tremendous sense of excitement in the room as the rabbinic bodies came together to discuss the future of our new, joined movement.”

Conference co-chair Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel added: “Our new Progressive Judaism has so much to offer the world.”

The last two months have also seen Liberal and Reform Officers attend each others’ Board meetings and a ‘get to know you’ joint staff lunch.

Rabbis Charley Baginsky and Josh Levy have spoken with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Shadow Health Minister Wes Streeting at the Jewish Care Annual Dinner, met with CST to discuss the concerns of our communities and were invited to Lambeth Palace by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

The invitation from the Archbishop was an acknowledgement of the changing demographic of the Jewish community and the role Progressive Judaism – which will represent around 35% of UK Jews –will play in British religious life.

The meeting, which lasted an hour, included the start of an important dialogue on how the Archbishop and Church of England can support the diversity of the British Jewish community. There were also discussions around how Progressive Jews engage with scripture, our core beliefs and response to modernity, and the situation in Israel.