Reform Judaism in 1000 Words offers short but deep articles written by rabbis from across the country to explore and expand your engagement with Reform Jewish thought and practice in the 21st century.
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Each of us has an individual relationship with Judaism, with our own theology and passions. Similarly, every community will define many of its own boundaries. This diversity of approaches is integral to what makes Reform Judaism so special. Uniting us are shared values, common challenges, and a core ideology and approach. In this series, we address those commonalities, while recognising our diversity of voices. Each essay is written by one member of the Assembly of Reform Rabbis UK , addressing one area of being a Jew today.
The articles are introduced by the editors, Rabbis Josh Levy of Alyth Synagogue and Debbie Young-Somers, Reform Judaism’s Community Educator. We would not all have written the same article, and will not all choose the same journey through the materials. The hope is that they help you to express your own Judaism more clearly.
Faiths united at Hull Peace Vigil
Sarita Robinson, the Movement for Reform Judaism’s Director of Community Partnerships, represented Progressive Judaism at a special peace vigil at Hull Minster. Organised by the Reverend Canon Dr. Dominic Black,…
Join us on Sunday for #Together4Humanity vigil
Progressive Judaism is proud to be part of the #Together4Humanity vigil this Sunday (3 December) at 3pm opposite Downing Street. Please save the date, spread the word and join us…
Statement in support of March Against Antisemitism and the Board of Deputies
The march yesterday in support of the Jewish community and against antisemitism was a wonderful expression of people coming together. We were delighted to see thousands of Progressive Jews marching…
This isn’t an excuse to hibernate
Written by Rabbi Miriam Berger I wanted to use this space to say thank you. Thank you to those communal organisations that are tempting us out from behind the…
Jewish Women’s Aid Shabbat 2023
Progressive communities come together on Mitzvah Day
From Edgware to Edinburgh, and even inside 10 Downing Street, Progressive Judaism communities and members all across the country did good deeds to help others on Mitzvah Day. Movement…
Progressive Jews ‘Side by Side’ at this year’s AJEX Parade
Progressive Judaism’s rabbis and members came out in force at the weekend for the AJEX Remembrance Parade and Ceremony. Taking place at The Cenotaph, the theme for this…
Pioneering Rabbi Dr Jackie Tabick set to retire
Rabbi Dr Jackie Tabick, Britain’s first female rabbi, is to retire after stepping down from her current role as Convenor of the Reform Judaism Beit Din after 11 years. …
Briefing from Head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing
Pictured: Matt Jukes, Head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing A full Zoom room of 100 people joined a special Progressive Judaism Community Briefing with Matt Jukes, Head of UK Counter…
Supporting our Jewish children in non-Jewish schools
Written by Rabbi Neil Janes I think all the children at South Bucks Jewish Community, where I am the rabbi, attend non-Jewish schools. Based on the most recent census, there…
Progressive leaders at Humanity Not Hatred vigil
Progressive Judaism clergy, lay leaders and members were among the hundreds of people at the Humanity Not Hatred vigil in Westminster. Rabbi Josh Levy spoke alongside Imam Ibrahim Mogra and…
Statement on Supreme Court ruling that Rwanda deportation policy is unlawful
Progressive Judaism (The Movement for Reform Judaism and Liberal Judaism) welcomes the decision of the Supreme Court to reject the Government’s plan to deport some of those seeking asylum in…
Standing with other faiths at The Cenotaph
Rabbi Josh Levy represented Progressive Judaism this past Sunday at The Cenotaph, standing together with other senior faith leaders, veterans and members of the Royal Family, to commemorate all those…
Menorah members at Nisa-Nashim peace event
Members of Menorah Synagogue took part in a Peace Vigil for Palestine and Israel in Manchester’s Glade of Light Garden, organised by the Jewish-Muslim women’s network Nisa-Nashim. The Progressive women…
A message from Progressive Judaism this #InterFaithWeek
"We are each created in the image of God. Each of us with infinite dignity, and a significance we cannot measure. Our different paths to the Divine do not divide…
Why we need our heart of many rooms
Written by Rabbi Deborah Blausten - Finchley Reform Synagogue After a month of trauma, loss, and being forced to confront our own vulnerability in the most bracing of ways, the…
New Rabbi for Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue
Tanya Sakhnovich has been inducted as full-time Rabbi at Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue. Rabbi Tanya was born in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, and graduated from the Belarusian State…
Monday Media Masterclass: Mitzvah Day
The next Progressive Judaism Media Masterclass will take place on Monday (13 November) at 7pm. Hosted by Simon Rothstein and Graham Miller of the Progressive Judaism comms team it will…
Northern Chagigah is a weekend success
The ‘sold out’ signs were needed at the Hawkhills Conference Centre at Easingwold north of York for this weekend's Northern Chagigah. 130 adults, teenagers and families from Progressive Judaism’s northern…
Statement on pro-Palestinian protests in the UK
By Rabbi Josh Levy and Rabbi Charley Baginsky We recognise the diversity of voices on the pro-Palestinian protests and demonstrations - which are taking place in London and around the…
Rabbi Josh’s farewell
L'chaim Josh Fifteen years to the day since he joined Alyth (North Western Reform Synagogue), Rabbi Josh Levy this week said farewell to the community to take up his new role as CEO of the…
Isaac and Esau
Written by Rabbi Shulamit Ambalu Abraham throws a party to celebrate a bittersweet moment of completion. Isaac is weaned. No longer a dependant infant, he is a sturdy child, ready…
Receiving support from political leaders
The leaders of Progressive Judaism have met with Ministers, Mayors and MPs from across the political spectrum, all of whom have shown support for Israel and the Jewish community in…
Responding to this conflict: A statement of Jewish values and core principles
Leaders, rabbis and members from across the Jewish community have signed a statement of Jewish values and core principles in response to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The statement…
RSY-Netzer Memorial & Shabbat
Since the brutal terrorist attacks on the 7th October, RSY-Netzer have been doing their best to support their members and the Israeli community. Yesterday morning, RSY-Netzer held their first of two Gathertown…
Sowing in Tears
Written by Rabbi Shulamit Ambalu This doesn’t feel like a time for singing, but we have to eat! There is a psalm that is sung at the beginning of grace…
Rabbi Neil Janes leads peace vigil in Aylesbury
On 26 October 2023 in the Bucks Council Chamber in Aylesbury, Rabbi Neil Janes of South Bucks Jewish Community led a call for peace and against hate in the county,…
Young people awards for Finchley and Bromley synagogues
A senior youth worker at Finchley Reform Synagogue and the Chair of Education at Bromley Reform Synagogue have been recognised by the Jack Petchey Foundation Leaders Awards Scheme for their…
Charity Commission Chair visits Alyth
Left to right: Thomas Yih (Head of Charities Engagement, Charity Commission) Simone Proskewitz, Noeleen Cohen (Alyth trustees) Orlando Fraser KC (Chair, Charity Commission) Adam Martin (Alyth Community Director) Alyth (North…
“Beit Yorkshire” weekend celebrates Huddersfield’s first Shabbat service in 60 years
The Progressive Jewish Communities of Sinai Synagogue in Leeds, Bradford Reform, York Liberal and the Holocaust Centre North joined together at the weekend to recognise and celebrate Yorkshire’s vibrant Jewish…
Rabbi Robyn welcomes Lisa Nandy for interfaith Friday night dinner
Progressive Judaism’s Rabbi Robyn Ashworth-Steen was joined for Shabbat dinner in Manchester this Friday night by guests including Lisa Nandy MP and community organiser Furqan Naeem. The Shadow Secretary of…
Tears and Language
Written by Rabbi Shulamit AmbaluThe events of the past week leave us without language, without even single words, sometimes even without the capacity to think. It is simply over whelming.…
Responding to this moment by Rabbis Charley Baginsky and Josh Levy
Written by Rabbis Charley Baginsky and Josh Levy, CEOS of Progressive Judaism As we met with the most senior leadership in the Jewish world earlier this week, looking around the…
Maidenhead Reform Synagogue help tackle hunger and food poverty
Maidenhead members and guests including friends from Liberal Judaism The congregation of Maidenhead Synagogue helped to tackle hunger and food poverty in their local area, as they put on their…
Progressive Jewish Leaders meet with Met Police
Pictured (left to right): Commander Colin Wingrove, Board of Deputies Vice President Amanda Bowman, Rabbi Josh Levy and Rabbi Charley Baginsky Progressive Judaism CEOs Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh…
“Your pain is my pain” – Julie Siddiqi assures Jews in Leeds that they have friends and supporters among UK Muslims
left to right: Sinai Community Director, Becky Teiger; Julie Siddiqi MBE; Cantor Rachel Weston Last Shabbat, Sinai Synagogue in Leeds welcomed Julie Siddiqi MBE to address the congregation during this devasting…
A Shabbat Reflection
As Shabbat is soon to descend, we pray for a sukkat shalom – a shelter of peace. Our heart bleeds. Tears flow. For the lives lost. For the kids who…
A Time to Listen
Written by Rabbi Shulamait Ambalu Jewish custom teaches us that when visiting a mourner, we should not begin the conversation. We should simply sit alongside, in silence, until the mourner…
Israel: Information and how you can help
We know that many people will be looking for ways to help those in Israel and to find out more on what is happening. Here are a list of resources,…
Statement on Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel
What should have been a day of joyful celebration – as Jews in the UK, Israel and around the world mark Simchat Torah – has instead become a day of…
When water wasn’t on tap we shook the lulav
As published in the Jewish News, written by Rabbi Sylvia Rothschild The rainy season in Israel begins with Shemini Atzeret, the last day of Sukkot. In the temple, a libation…
Progressive Judaism tour hits Finchley
Rabbis Josh Levy and Charley Baginsky visited Finchley Reform Synagogue to meet members and share exciting updates as the Movement for Reform Judaism and Liberal Judaism unite to create one…
German Ambassador visits LBC
Leo Baeck College was visited by Miguel Berger, Germany's Ambassador to the UK accompanied by Dr Susanne Frane, Germany's Head of Culture and Education, during the break between Rosh Hashanah…
Simchat Torah – The Space Between Scrolls 5784
Written by Rabbi Shulamait Ambalu You can find the first proper reference to Simchat Torah as we have it today in the 16th century Shulchan Aruch. In just one pithy…
Obituary: Neville Sassienie
As published in the Jewish Chronicle, written by Gloria Tessler The passionate environmentalist Neville Sassienie, who has died aged 91, spent decades promoting green issues among community leaders. But he…
Friday Night Rock Service 10th Anniversary Tour
The Friday Night Rock Service rock band are about to embark on their highly anticipated 10th Anniversary Tour. This landmark tour celebrates a decade of rocking Erev Shabbat services and…
Choosing an Etrog, Sukkot 5784
Written by Rabbi Shulamait Ambalu I love the experience of choosing an etrog, the p’ri eitz hadar, fruit of the beautiful tree. There is so much to think about when…
New Year – and a rallying call for Progressive Judaism
Rabbi Josh Levy, the new Chief Executive of the Movement for Reform Judaism, says we must be willing to fight if we want a Judaism that remains open, tolerant and…
Honeycomb & Sarah’s Tent virtual HHD project an online success
The first ever online service aimed at housebound worshippers was a huge success over the High Holy Days. Around one hundred people logged on overall and the goal is for it…
Shabbat message for Yom Kippur 5784
Written by Rabbi Shulamait Ambalu I really hope you will be able to spend Yom Kippur in a Reform Synagogue. But there was once a very different sort of ritual,…
Progressive Judaism statement on Israel judicial overhaul
PRESS RELEASE Progressive Judaism in the UK strongly condemns the current Israeli Government’s reshaping of the country’s justice system, including the forcing through of the first stage of its judicial…
Appointment of Chair of the Advisory Board
Dr Ed Kessler MBE PRESS RELEASE One of the Jewish community’s leading thinkers and academics has been appointed as Chair of the Advisory Board overseeing the unification of Reform and…
Channukah 5783
As we reach the end of our 80th Anniversary year, The Reform Movement has created a short booklet to complement your Channukah celebrations. By dedicating one candle to each decade…
Shavuot 2022
Since Pesach, we’ve been counting; when that count gets to 49 days, or 7 weeks, it’s time to celebrate Shavuot. Whether you see Shavuot as the festival of first fruits,…
Reform Judaism in 1000 words: Simchat Torah
Click here to download a PDF of Reform Judaism in 1000 words: Simchat Torah Context Early Reformers frowned upon excessive kissing, bowing, sometimes even the parading of the Torah as somewhat…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Sukkot
Click here to download a PDF of Reform Judaism in 1000 words: Sukkot Context As one of the three Temple oriented Pilgrim Festivals, Sukkot has traditionally been deeply connected…
Reform Judaism in 1000 words: Yom Kippur
Click here to download a PDF of Reform Judaism in 1000 words: Yom Kippur Context The confessional is not a part of Jewish life. Although we may constantly strive to…
Reform Judaism in 1000 words: Rosh Hashanah
Click here to download a PDF of Reform Judaism in 1000 words: Rosh Hashanah Context Rosh Hashanah is one of 4 New Years in the Jewish calendar, and certainly the…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Brit Milah
Click here to download a PDF of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Brit Milah Context Circumcision regularly appears in secular discourse as an example of a problematic religious practice. Those…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Tisha B’Av
Click here to download a PDF of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Tisha B’Av Context For many years, the fast of Tisha B’Av was not marked, and was barely even…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Shavuot
Click here to download a PDF of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Shavuot Context Celebrating the giving of Torah to Moses at Mount Sinai may not sound like the most…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: The Messianic Age and Redemption
Click here to download a PDF of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: The Messianic Age and Redemption Context What does it mean to speak about redemption, the Messiah or a Messianic…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Pesach
Click here to download a PDF of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Pesach Context Pesach is one of the most well-known of our festivals. It holds memories of childhood…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Purim
Click here to download a PDF of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Purim Context Purim is the festival that is most frequently depicted in documentaries about Jews, because it is…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Tu BiShvat
Click here to download a PDF of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Tu BiShvat Context For those coming new to Jewish life, Tu BiShvat is often a surprise. The…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: The History of Reform Judaism
Click here to download a PDF of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: The History of Reform Judaism Context Jewish history has always been a process of evolution and struggle, in relation…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Chanukah
Click here to download a PDF of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Chanukah Context Chanukah has become one of the most well-known festivals of the Jewish calendar. Yet this is…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Authenticity
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Authenticity Context The concept of authenticity in Jewish life is one that exercises many across the denominational spectrum.…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Business Ethics
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Business Ethics Context Judaism is not just a religion of the synagogue, but seeks to guide our behaviour…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Jewish Time
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Jewish Time Context We all live within a variety of calendars, with different rhythms and markers – the…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Halachah and Progressive Integrity
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Halachah and Progressive Integrity Context As Reform Jews, we are sometimes accused of an approach to Jewish life…
Reform Judaism In 1000 Words: Death and the Afterlife
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Death and the Afterlife Context In recent years, a great deal of attention has been directed to the…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Birth and New Ritual
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Birth and New Ritual Context How are Reform Jewish values expressed in practical situations? One way is through…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Prayer and Liturgy
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Prayer and Liturgy Context The liturgy that we hold in our hands as we pray articulates our…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Revelation and Truth
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Revelation and Truth Context Many classical religious traditions make claim to being the sole route to understanding…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Reading Torah and Haftarah
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Reading Torah and Haftarah Context For those members of our communities who attend services regularly, the annual cycle…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Ritual
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Ritual Context Ritual is a core part of most religious lives. Classically, participation in ritual by Jews…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Kashrut
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Kashrut Context Reform Rabbis, like all Jews, approach Jewish practice in diverse ways, with a variety of levels…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Israel
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Israel Context What are our guiding principles about the State of Israel? Do we have shared understandings, opinions,…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Intermarriage
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Intermarriage Context According to a recent Pew Report [i], one in five American adults was raised by…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Social Justice
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Social Justice Context For much of the last 200 years, Reform Judaism has strongly identified with ‘Prophetic Judaism’…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Interfaith Dialogue
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Interfaith Dialogue Context Interfaith initiatives - local and national, theological and practical – are a regular part of…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Bar and Bat Mitzvah
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Bar and Bat Mitzvah Context Becoming bar/bat Mitzvah simply means to reach the age at which one is…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Jewish Status
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Jewish Status Context “Who is a Jew?” is both an interesting ‘academic’ question, and a fraught and painful…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Welcoming Converts
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Welcoming Converts Context Since the early rabbinic period, Judaism has had a formal process by which those who…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Gender
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Gender Context One of the distinctive features of Reform Judaism is our unequivocal commitment to gender equality. Or…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Marriage
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Marriage Context Though marriage, as an institution, is no longer an inevitable step in a couple’s journey, it…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Shabbat
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Shabbat Context Shabbat has been described as Judaism’s gift to the world, framing the working week with time…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Kabbalah
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Kabbalah Context In earlier generations of Reform Judaism, Talmud was rarely studied. In our time, it is regularly…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Chosenness
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Chosenness Context The idea of being a chosen people has often been a sticky issue for Jews, and…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Personal Autonomy in Jewish Life
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Personal Autonomy in Jewish Life Context Our belief in personal autonomy as a religious value is often used…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Torah
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: Torah Context One of the great challenges of religious life is how we engage with our foundational texts,…
Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: God
Click here to download a pdf of Reform Judaism in 1000 Words: God Context In recent years, Reform Jews have grown increasingly confident in expressing a diverse set of personal…