Progressive congregations across the UK celebrated Liberal Judaism Shabbat by participating in a rabbi swap.
The movement’s senior rabbi, Danny Rich, led services at Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue, where he honoured movement founder Lily Montagu - whose yahrzeit was being marked - by delivering a sermon on the principles of Liberal Judaism.
Ealing Liberal Synagogue welcomed Liberal Judaism’s president Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein for a Torah breakfast and service, alongside regular minister Rabbi Janet Burden. At the end of the service, Ealing member Emily Eastmond shared a cookie cake baked in honour of Tu Bishvat.
Tu Bishvat was also celebrated at Suffolk Liberal Jewish Community, where Rabbi David Hulbert - the longest-serving Liberal communal minister - led a study session and Seder on the meaning of the festival.
SLJC chair Beverley Levy said: “We are a very small community and really appreciated the visit by Rabbi Hulbert, which transformed a normal Shabbat into something truly special.”
Birmingham Progressive Synagogue and Bristol and West Progressive Congregation swapped ministers, with Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi heading to Bristol and Rabbi Monique Mayer travelling in the opposite direction.
“I very much enjoyed the enthusiastic singing at Bristol, where I talked about Lily Montagu and heard memories from a member who remembered her,” Rabbi Jacobi said. “I led a Tu Bishvat Seder afterwards, with lots of fruit, and the children joined in with lots of questions and answers. Monique was very well received in Birmingham and I have heard some great reports from congregants.”
Other Liberal communities taking part in Liberal Judaism Shabbat included East London and Essex, York, Southgate, Beit Klal Yisrael, Crouch End and South London.
A special Kabbalat Torah event for 15-16-year-olds was held at Finchley Progressive Synagogue.
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