The press release below was issued earlier today by Lambeth Palace. Pictures by Zoe Norfolk:
Rabbi Josh Levy and Rabbi Charley Baginsky welcome Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally to the Sternberg Centre
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Dame Sarah Mullally, pledged the Church of England’s solidarity with the UK’s Jewish community during a visit to the Sternberg Centre for Judaism in Finchley, north London, this morning.
The Archbishop visited the headquarters for The Movement for Progressive Judaism in Finchley to express her concern and solidarity in the wake of rising antisemitic attacks around the UK, and to witness the vibrant life and work of the Progressive Jewish community.
Hosted by Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy, Co-Leads of The Movement for Progressive Judaism, the Archbishop visited Leo Baeck College – a rabbinical seminary and centre for the training of teachers in Jewish education – and the Akiva Jewish Primary School, where she witnessed the security measures in place to protect children and staff.
During the visit, the Archbishop met with Rabbi Charley and Rabbi Josh to hear about the challenges facing their community in the wake of rising antisemitism, and the importance of working together to promote interfaith dialogue and solidarity.
She then visited Leo Baeck College, where she met with and addressed Progressive Jewish clergy and student clergy including College Principal Rabbi Professor Deborah Kahn-Harris. The Archbishop also spoke with Rabbi Eleanor Davis of Finchley Reform Synagogue, where an arson attack took place last month.
The Archbishop then spent time with pupils and teachers at Akiva Primary, dropping in on several classes to speak to pupils about the friendship between Christian and Jewish communities.
Praising The Movement for Progressive Judaism and the wider Jewish community, Archbishop Sarah said: “From charity work and healthcare, to education and the arts, your flourishing community enriches society and embodies the best values of this country.”
Progressive rabbis meet with Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally and Bishop of Edmonton Dr Anderson Jeremiah in the Leo Baeck College Library Reading Room
Speaking of the ongoing rise in antisemitism in the UK, the Archbishop said: “This is not a problem for the Jewish community to solve. It’s on all of us – every single member of our society – to call out antisemitism whenever we see it, and to oppose it without hesitation or qualification.”
You can read the full address she gave here.
Speaking about the visit, Rabbi Josh and Rabbi Charley said: “We are living through a time when loud voices are trying to deepen divisions between communities, and especially between faith communities.
“To have the Archbishop of Canterbury with us at such a moment was a powerful act of solidarity and care. Her presence meant a great deal at a time of rising antisemitism, and we are grateful for her clear support and willingness to stand with our community.
“Her visit also pointed to better vision of public life, one in which faith communities and minorities recognise one another’s dignity, stand alongside each other, and work together for the common good.
“Her presence meant a great deal at a time of rising antisemitism, and we are grateful for her clear support and willingness to stand with our community.
“We were able to share with her the breadth and depth of our communities across the four nations, and to speak about the faithful and often unseen work they do every day.”
Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally, Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Rabbi Josh Levy, Bishop of Edmonton The Right Reverend Dr Anderson Jeremiah and Akiva School Head Claire Silver with children from the school