A celebration of community at Northern Chagigah
Progressive congregations from across the Midlands, North of England and Scotland joined together for an incredible Northern Chagigah weekend of learning, prayer and celebration of community spirit.
Members came from as far north as Glasgow Reform and south as Nottingham Liberal for a programme that blended tradition with modernity, hosted by Hull’s enthusiastic Ne’ve Shalom community.
The event was organised by Sarita Robinson, Director of Community Partnership at The Movement for Reform Judaism, who emphasised the importance of connection across communities.
She said: “Northern Chagigah is about strengthening bonds between congregations, sharing ideas, and celebrating our collective Jewish life. Hull is home to the longest established continuous community of Jews in the country. Indeed, many who came had family who migrated from Eastern Europe through the port of Hull which provided the perfect backdrop for a weekend that was one of joy, reflection, and renewal.”
Services were led collaboratively, with voices from different congregations enriching the liturgy. Workshops ranged from text study and interfaith dialogue to creative sessions on music and artificial intelligence to discussions on contemporary Jewish identity and community leadership.
Feedback from attendees was hugely positive. Jane said: “I wouldn’t have missed Northern Chagigah for the world. It was energising and inspiring at a very difficult time for Jews in the UK and around the world.”
Rachel added: “Networking, being together, learning, singing, just everything. I loved it all!”
And John commented: “I met with others from different communities, learned new tunes and overall enjoyed a wonderful weekend away to focus on Jewish life.”
Another participant said: “It was inspiring to see so many communities come together. The sessions gave me fresh ideas to take back home. The atmosphere was warm and inclusive. I felt part of something bigger than my own congregation.”
The inclusion of cultural programming, alongside music and shared meals, added to the sense of celebration. “Even with the serious discussions, there was a real joyfulness throughout the weekend,” was a further feedback remark.
Sarita added: “We know that Progressive Judaism thrives when communities collaborate. Northern Chagigah is a representation of us being stronger together, and that our diversity is in fact our remarkable strength.”
- Pictures by Simon Marcus / Addictive Media
