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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,…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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.…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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