A warm welcome from all quarters

“This is a remarkable and breathtaking achievement. The creation of this new movement will bring a renewal of spirit and ideas to Progressive Judaism. While there have been attempts to bring our two movements together over many years, I believe that this new creation will work because it conceives of our joint and shared endeavours in a completely innovative and different way. And it will work because of a leadership that has steadfastly pushed forward this new vision, gathering grassroots support as well as support from partners.”

Rabbi Alexandra Wright President of Liberal Judaism

“It has always been one of the great mysteries of British Jewry as to why we have two Progressive movements. We not only share the same values and largely have the same practices, but our rabbis are trained at the same institution and many of them have served congregations in both movements. Progressive Judaism mixes the best of the traditions of the past with the realities of today. There has been talk of combining into a new entity for many years and the arguments for doing so are now overwhelming. I am sure we will look back and ask why on earth did it take us so long?”

Rabbi Jonathan Romain Maidenhead Synagogue

“As the chair of Arzenu, the Zionist movement to which both Reform and Liberal Judaism are affiliated, I very much welcome the announcement that the two movements are pursuing plans to create one single unified Progressive Jewish movement for the UK. I have seen first-hand how the impact of our movements can be amplified when we work together closely as we have been doing regarding our relationship with Israel and our joint concerns about some proposals of the current Israeli government. As a Liberal rabbi, who previously worked in a Reform synagogue, I look forward to supporting this important process and hope to contribute to a successful outcome.”

Rabbi Lea Mühlstein Chair of Arzenu

“We are deeply sad that Rabbi Josh Levy is leaving our community, but are enormously excited for the future of Progressive Judaism and the commitment both movements are making to this new project.”

Justin Wise Chair of Alyth

“The World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) celebrates and enthusiastically supports this Liberal/ Reform union, which will strengthen our entire global movement. The WUPJ was founded by British Progressive Jewish leaders and now, as we move towards the 100th anniversary of that moment, we are delighted to see them leading the way again. This is a real display of a different type of leadership; one that is collaborative and unified, while at the same time committing to diversity and difference – an example to imitate in other countries and regions.”

Rabbi Sergio Bergman President of the WUPJ

“B’sha’ah tovah - which means ‘at a good hour’ - is the traditional greeting on hearing news of forthcoming great joy. From everyone at Leo Baeck College, we wish Liberal Judaism and The Movement for Reform Judaism - Rabbis Charley Baginsky (LBC class of 2008) and Josh Levy (LBC class of 2007) - b’sha’ah tovah! We look forward to working in close partnership over the months and years to come to co-create the next chapter in Progressive Jewish life in the UK.”

Rabbi Dr Deborah Kahn-Harris Principal of Leo Baeck College

“Congratulations to our friends in the The Movement for Reform Judaism and Liberal Judaism on this exciting news. We wish them luck on this journey and look forward to continuing to work together to bring modern values to the British Jewish community and beyond.”

Masorti Judaism

“This moment feels ripe with possibilities. When I was an LJY-Netzer Movement Worker, almost 15 years ago, I always saw the Reform Movement as the ‘other’ which had made different choices around Jewish identity. When I sought to return to the UK last year, I found a Reform Judaism aligned with Liberal Judaism on every important issue, and became rabbi of a Reform synagogue seeking to be an increasingly welcoming community. The ideological space between our movements has evaporated and now we are standing at the cusp of something truly exciting. I already feel part of a larger movement with our voices starting to become stronger, together.”

Rabbi Jordan Helfman

South West Essex and Settlement Reform Synagogue

“What an exciting time to live in! The prospect of building together a stronger Progressive movement, bringing together a third of the British Jewish community, is for me a dream come true. We have so much to offer to the world: a vision of an inclusive society; our positive values for a community and a world rooted in diversity; openness and togetherness; an approach to the Jewish tradition that is inquisitive, questioning and yet filled with respect. I am very much looking forward to the next steps.”

Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel

Co-Chair of the Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors

“Not only will I be reunited with my former classmates from Leo Baeck College, who now work in Reform synagogues, but creating a new Progressive entity will be an exciting challenge. The values that Liberal and Reform Jews hold dear won’t be going anywhere, but instead will together form the foundations of what we now build.”

Rabbi Gabriel Kanter-Webber

Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue

“The planned unification of The Movement for Reform Judaism and Liberal Judaism is a rare instance of sense triumphing over turf. All too often, organisations which perform almost exactly the same function cling to a separate existence for no reason other than sentiment and self-preservation. The example Progressive Judaism has set should be followed by others. Unity is, after all, needed now more than ever in our community, and this would be a good place to start.”

Jewish Chronicle Editorial