The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS) hosted a special celebration service and tea to mark the transition from Liberal Judaism to the new Movement for Progressive Judaism.
Central to the service was a unique Havdalah ceremony and moving multi-generational candle lighting ceremony, alongside reflections from Liberal Jewish leaders, past and present, to honour a 124-year legacy and look ahead to a new chapter of collaboration and growth.
Rabbi Alexandra Wright, Senior Rabbi of the LJS and the last President of Liberal Judaism, opened and closed the afternoon, welcoming guests and thanking the many people who contributed to the service and event – especially Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi, who worked so hard to make the day such a success.
The service honoured the architects of Liberal Judaism. Rabbi Richard Jacobi recounted its history from the 1902 founding of the Jewish Religious Union through the rebranding to the Union of Liberal and Progressive Synagogues in 1944 and the change to Liberal Judaism on its 100th anniversary in 2002.
Rabbi Danny Rich shared the wisdom of the late Rabbi John Rayner, reminding attendees that “integrity” and “unity in diversity” have always been the movement’s hallmarks. Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah spoke about Liberal Judaism’s core values, highlighting the importance of informed choice and the pursuit of justice.
The service was further enriched by prayer, readings and contributions from Rabbi Anna Wolfson, Penny Beral, Jonathan Bromfield and LJY-Netzer Movement Workers Tali Ehrlich and Jess Spanier. Levi Adusei shared a moving reflection on the ‘Light’, noting that as we carry the flame forward, we are “led by our youth who will create the future of our Movement together”.
A central part of the day was the use of song, with the spiritual atmosphere lifted by the music of Rabbi Igor Zinkov on guitar and Joseph Finlay on piano.
Rabbi Charley Baginsky – the final CEO of Liberal Judaism and now Co-Lead of The Movement for Progressive Judaism – led the kaddish de Rabbanan (memorial prayer for our leaders) for all those whose work built and sustained Liberal Judaism. She said: “We have remembered today. We have sung and lit and blessed. We have told the story of courage and argument and care. We have spoken the names of those who built this house and felt their presence among us. But Judaism never allows memory to be the end of the story. Memory is holy only when it becomes movement.”
The service also celebrated personal milestones, with Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi leading a special mazel tov for Sharon and Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein on their Diamond Wedding Anniversary and speaking of the special bond between the Jacobi and Goldstein families over multiple generations. Rabbi Andrew and Sharon were joined on stage by son Rabbi Aaron Goldstein with their decades of devotion to Liberal Judaism, and each other, serving as a testament to the values celebrated throughout the afternoon.
As the service drew to a close, a final song reminded everyone, in the words of Pirkei Avot: “You are not required to complete the task, but neither are you at liberty to abstain from it”.
Karen Newman, the last Chair of Liberal Judaism, said: “Our brand new Movement is all about strengthening and supporting communities, emboldening our values and forms of Jewish life, fostering inclusion and nurturing the next generations of Progressive Jews – and it’s splendid to have so many of them with us today.”
“We will carry the best of Liberal Judaism into the new Movement for Progressive Judaism.”
You can watch a video of the full service below.