The Movement for Reform Judaism

Just over a year ago Mr Charles Golding was appointed Editor in Chief of the group of newspapers of which The Jewish News is a part. Since that time there has been an ongoing dialogue between The Movement for Reform Judaism and The Jewish News.

The dialogue has covered such issues as the institution of a Torah page, the affiliation of regular columnists and writers, comments critical of Reform made by regular contributors, lack of take up of press releases from the Reform Movement and lack of regular access to the columns of The Jewish News by Rabbi Bayfield and other potential Reform contributors.

We have come to the conclusion that The Jewish News is essentially a paper of the Orthodox community, for the Orthodox community, by the Orthodox community. This does not mean that The Jewish News is hostile or excluding but it does describe the lens through which we are seen.

We do not in any way challenge the right of The Jewish News to be what it is, admire its development as a newspaper and wish that our section of the community had an equally effective voice. However, we find it hard to see why The Jewish News should be of particular interest to members of our synagogues and what benefit there is to our synagogues in acting as distribution points.

Each synagogue will, of course, make its own decisions but we would suggest that constituents of the Movement for Reform Judaism consider ceasing to act as distribution points for The Jewish News. We will, however, continue to send The Jewish News information about Reform Judaism in Britain and respond positively to invitations to write, if requested.

Rabbi Tony Bayfield
Head and Chief Executive
Movement for Reform Judaism

June 2006

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