Hineinu – the inaugural conference of The Movement for Progressive Judaism (MPJ) – alongside Shirei Chagigah, MPJ’s specialist music and prayer leading conference, brought together 300 people for four inspiring days of music, prayer, learning, fun and, above all, community.
Progressive Jews of all ages came from all over the UK, Ireland and beyond for the sold-out event. Attendees represented 53 different Progressive Jewish congregations and included more than 50 rabbis, cantors and student rabbis.
Rabbi Josh Levy and Charley Baginsky welcome attendees before Shabbat
Opening the conference – the first since the merger of Liberal and Reform Judaism – MPJ Co-Leads Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy spoke about the poignancy of the moment and the huge potential of what lies ahead.
Rabbi Josh said: “We have been reflecting on just how emotional this is for us to be here, in this space, not as two Movements but as one. Today, The Movement for Progressive Judaism really is able to say ‘Hineinu, here we are’ together.”
Rabbi Charley added: “Here we are ready to study, sing, explore, dance, renew and refresh. Here we are because we are stronger together. Here we are, inheritors of a remarkable legacy, ready to build upon it. Here we are, ready to help shape Jewish life, British society and the world our children will inherit.”
A packed programme included more than 80 sessions – ranging from Shirei Chagigah’s spaces for joyful harmony, illuminating liturgy through song and exploring non-Ashkenazi melodies from around the world to Hineinu panels and discussions exploring liturgy, identity, practice, prayer, Israel, LGBTQI+, social justice, leadership, activism, community building and the future of Jewish life.
There was also a dedicated crèche and children’s programme – run by LJY-Netzer and RSY-Netzer – including sessions for kids and their adults together.
Joyful, spiritual and musical services harmonised all the different traditions and tunes within Progressive Judaism and its communities, allowing them to sit side by side with special liturgies created and used throughout to lift everyone’s voices together.
Cantor Zöe Jacobs, Founder of Shirei Chagigah, said: “It is a gift to be together, and we can hear it in the beautiful harmonies we are singing: We know there are going to be moments when we pray differently together. Please know that your voice, and your minhag (custom) is always going to be welcome even, or especially, when you do something different to us.”
A Kabbalat Shabbat service on Friday night – led by Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, Cantor Sarah Grabiner and Cantor Rosalie Will – mixed old favourites and newer harmonies showing the many different ways to lift one’s body and soul.
Cantor Zoe Jacobs leads everyone in song during the event’s closing ceremony
Saturday morning saw seven prayer options to suit all tastes, before the whole conference came together as one in a service led by Rabbi Rachel Benjamin, Cantor Josh Breitzer and Cantor Zöe Jacobs with many poignant moments and contributions from Progressive clergy, congregational leaders, student rabbis and youth workers.
Inspiration throughout came from wonderful rabbis, cantors, songleaders and educators – including guests from North America and Israel.
Rabbi David Saperstein – Director Emeritus of the American Reform Movement’s Religious Action Center and the first rabbi to be designated a U.S. Ambassador – discussed why it matters that Progressive Judaism seeks to put its values into action and make a difference in the wider word, and how to balance being political without being partisan.
Rabbi Dr Michael Marmur – Professor of Jewish Theology at Hebrew Union College Jerusalem – delivered the Shabbat sermon. He and Lesley Sachs – the Chair of the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism – also led a number of sessions throughout the event and took part in a panel discussion on finding hope in a time of challenge for the State of Israel.
Cantor Josh Breitzer, Cantor Rosalie Will and Noah Aronson brought together decades of experience in leading worship, training songleaders and performing all around the United States to work with their British counterparts as part of the Shirei Chagigah faculty – creating a joyful singing community throughout the event, an incredible Saturday night concert led by Noah and a magical Havdalah to close out Shabbat.
MK Rabbi Gilad Kariv delivers the event’s keynote address
Hineinu’s keynote address was given by Rabbi MK Gilad Kariv, who made history by becoming the first ever Progressive rabbi elected to Israel’s Knesset (Parliament) and who was introduced to the conference as “the most important rabbi in the world right now”.
He said: “The creation of this new united movement places British and Irish Progressive Judaism at the very heart of our global Jewish Progressive Movement.
“At a time when we need to strengthen the voice of Progressive Judaism, both in Israel and all around the Jewish world, I want to thank you for carrying out this important, important process.
“I hope that many others learn from you so that we all find ways to work together and to create one Progressive Jewish force that will help us to guard our fundamental values, both in Israel and around the world.”
Hineinu also saw the presentation of the first ever MPJ Awards, honouring remarkable projects and stories within congregations.
The winners were: Wessex Liberal Jewish Community and Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community (small community) for their Kehillah Derech Echad and Friday Night Dinners community building projects; Finchley Progressive Synagogue (medium) for Rainbow Lunch Club, a monthly meal for LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers; and Finchley Reform Synagogue (large community) for Betty’s Bikes, a volunteer-led café with barista training offered to teenagers, the FRS homeless shelter and refugee groups as well as Kisharon Langdon.
As the conference came to a close, participants were given packets of seeds to take back and plant – to signify a commitment made by all those present to go home and grow their communities and Progressive Judaism in their region.
The Progressive rabbis, cantors and student rabbis of Hineinu and Shirei Chagigah
- The July/August issue of our MPJ magazine, Voices, will have lots more content and photographs from Hineinu and Shirei Chagigah. Copies will be sent to all communities and posted online. Contact media@progressivejudaism.org.uk if you have any questions about Voices.
- Pictures by Si Marcus (Addictive Media).