The Movement for Progressive Judaism

29/05/2026

The Movement for Progressive Judaism (MPJ) and Arzenu Olami have teamed up for a discussion event at 7pm on Wednesday 10 June 2026, inspired by the new book Progressive Judaism, Zionism and the State of Israel.

Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy (MPJ Co-Leads), Rabbi Mark Goldsmith (Senior Rabbi of Edgware & Hendon Reform Synagogue - EHRS) and Rabbi Jordan Helfman (Senior Rabbi of Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue / Vice Chair of Arzenu) will explore the themes of the book and ask: 'What next for Progressive Jews, Zionism and the State of Israel?'

Dekel Houmash, Executive Director of Arzenu – the political voice of Progressive Religious Zionists within the World Zionist Organisation – will introduce the evening.

Discussion topics will include how the terrorist attacks of 7 October 2023 and the war in Gaza have impacted and changed our relationship with Israel, and what responsibility, pluralism, power and covenant now require of Progressive Jews in Britain, the Diaspora and Israel. There will also be opportunities for attendees to ask questions.

This event is free and open to everyone. You can sign up here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/JPYxZDkjRPqF6rEUiyWvKQ #/registration

27/05/2026

Shirei Chagigah is a chance to sing, learn, reflect and reconnect through Jewish music, prayer and community.

Cantors Zöe, Josh and Rose will be there, joining leaders, learners and everyone who loves to sing. They look forward to seeing you there in June.

21/05/2026

Judaism is for everyone, and that’s why .rebeccabirk always keeps some cuddly Torah scrolls in the Ark at Finchley Progressive Synagogue. ✨

Wishing everyone a Chag Sameach!

20/05/2026

The Movement for Progressive Judaism (MPJ) has opened applications for the position of Chair of Trustees.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape and lead our new Movement as it continues to grow, develop and strengthen Progressive Judaism across the UK and Ireland.

Candidates wishing to apply through the MPJ Nominations Committee process should do so by filling in this form (deadline: Sunday 21 June): http://tinyurl.com/MPJChairApplication

A new Chair of Trustees will be elected as Chair-Designate at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on Tuesday 29 September.

They will undertake a handover period with outgoing Chair Dr Ed Kessler – who is stepping down after three years leading the MPJ Advisory Board and Launch Board – before formally taking over as Chair of Trustees at the first MPJ AGM on Wednesday 2 December.

Robin Moss and Sue Pearlman (Co-Chairs of the Nominations Committee) have outlined the full process and nomination pathways here: https://progressivejudaism.org.uk/applications-open-for-candidates-for-mpj-chair/

The Movement for Progressive Judaism (MPJ) has opened applications for the position of Chair of Trustees. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and lead our new Movement as it continues to grow, develop and strengthen Progressive Judaism across the UK and Ireland. Candidates wishing to apply thro...

20/05/2026

Incredibly proud to see BPS - Birmingham Progressive Synagogue member Jonathan Frisher on Good Morning Britain today talking about his campaign to make antisemitism education mandatory in British schools.

"This is not an abstract policy issue. It is about the daily abuse that Jewish students in school face — N**i salutes, gas chamber ‘jokes’, threats. I know it because I lived it. This campaign is about ensuring that the next generation of young Jews don’t have to experience this normalised hatred."

Read more about his campaign here:
https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/education-on-antisemitism-must-be-made-mandatory-in-uk-schools/

and here:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/antisemitism-lessons-school-starmer-cheshire-golders-green-b2973125.html

18/05/2026

They are getting ready for Shavuot at 🩵✨

18/05/2026

Brighton and Hove Reform Synagogue (BHRS) has a new team of four teenage Wardens.

The group is made up of Luca Richardson, a fourth-generation member of the synagogue; Yair Zanardo, the son of the shul’s Rabbi Dr Andrea Zanardo; Gali Yacoub, from an Israeli family; and Solomon Kay, whose parents Gordon and Michelle are long-standing Limmud participants. Together, the wardens represent a wide variety of backgrounds within the community.

All four already help on Sundays at cheder and have now chosen to volunteer as wardens, an important role within the synagogue. This includes supporting the running of services, calling people up for aliyot, allocating mitzvot such as hagbah and gelilah, and, as the synagogue also runs hybrid services, assisting with the technical side as well.

Rabbi Andrea said: “They made this decision after their Bar and Bat Mitzvah because they want to play an active part in the service, and because they enjoy the camaraderie of working together.

“Personally, I find it very inspiring to see young people from such different backgrounds deciding to do this important work together, and teaching Jewish values to the whole community by their example. I may, of course, be slightly biased, since my son is one of them.”

Ruth Seltzer, Luca’s grandmother, added that it is very moving to see Luca in the same seat where his late father Sydney used to sit, as Sydney also served as a warden for many years.

Picture (L-R): Luca, Yair, Solly and Gali

18/05/2026

🔵 The Ark inducts UK’s first Progressive Brazilian rabbi 🇧🇷

A special induction service for Rabbi Andrea Kulikovsky took place at The Ark Synagogue with guests including the Mayor of Hillingdon, the Ambassador of Brazil, MPJ Co-Lead Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Leo Baeck College Principal Rabbi Professor Deborah Kahn-Harris.

Rabbi Andrea is the first Progressive Brazilian rabbi to serve in the UK. She joined The Ark’s clergy team – which includes Senior Rabbis Aaron Goldstein and Lea Mühlstein and Emeritus Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein – in September 2025.

This induction service gave The Ark community the opportunity to formally welcome her and celebrate her leadership and contribution to the congregation.

Rabbi Lea said: “We were able to reflect not only on this moment of celebration, but on the journey that has brought us here. These past months at The Ark had been a time of growing together, building trust, deepening relationships, and shaping, day by day, the kind of community we aspire to be.”

Pictures by Kathryn Harker

14/05/2026

Jewish safety and Muslim safety are bound together. We either stand with one another against hatred, or we all become less safe.

14/05/2026

We were very glad to meet His Majesty The King today at Jewish Care.

At a difficult moment for Jewish communities, there was something deeply moving about seeing so many parts of our community gathered together, and about welcoming The King into a place that represents British Jewish life at its best.

Jewish Care embodies something we can all be proud of. They are engaged in the daily work of seeing people fully, caring for them with dignity, and recognising the humanity of every person who comes through its doors.

Today was a reminder of the strength, warmth and depth of our community, and of the institutions that hold us together.