Progressive Judaism to celebrate merger at national Shabbaton

The Movement for Progressive Judaism (MPJ) is celebrating its founding with an inaugural Shabbaton in June.

The movement is the result of a merger in May between the UK’s Reform and Liberal Jewish organisations, which saw 77 congregations across the UK and Ireland come under one umbrella.

The Shabbaton – titled Hineinu, which means “Here we are” – in Northamptonshire will be an opportunity for optimism after a challenging couple of years, said co-lead of MPJ Rabbi Charley Baginsky,

She told the JC: “In a time which has been really difficult for the Jewish community, this will be a chance to come together and celebrate. When we see so much coming apart, one of the great things about the merger is that it has given us something optimistic to celebrate.”

The conference will have six programme tracks, exploring leadership, learning, social justice, the relationship between Israel and the diaspora, and community building.

Running in parallel will be Shirei Chagigah, a music programme, where participants will learn about prayer-leading, song-leading and new melodies.

Singing at the Progressive Judaism merger dinner (Credit: Graham's Photos)[Missing Credit]

Following Hineinu and Shirei Chagigah, the Women of Reform Judaism’s Wilkenfeld International Women’s Leadership Seminar and Darkeinu, a four-day celebration of 100 years of the World Union of Progressive Judaism (WUPJ), will be taking place in the UK.

Rabbi Baginsky said that they were expecting attendees to travel from overseas for the conferences, including a delegation from the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ) . “Our role in the diaspora is to amplify the voices of [Progressive Jews in Israel], which often get lost in the midst of everything. It can feel lonely to be an Israeli Progressive Jew. You don’t just want to be screaming into the abyss, but to be uplifted.”

She added that the support the UK diaspora Progressive movement gave its Israeli counterpart was “vital”, particularly in light of the Kotel Bill, which would criminalise egalitarian prayer at the Western Wall if enacted.

“We sometimes think that the relationship we have with Israel is a one-way street, but it’s about mutuality,” said Rabbi Baginsky, who also highlighted the prominent role that Progressive rabbis in Israel had played in the aftermath of October 7, when many of them supported the kibbutzim which were attacked, conducting funerals and providing pastoral support.

Rabbi Josh Levy and Rabbi Charley Baginsky, co-leads of Progressive Judaism (Credit: Graham's Photos)[Missing Credit]

Urging people to sign up for Hineinu and Shirei Chagigah, Rabbi Baginsky said: “It’s an opportunity to hear some of the best speakers, clergy and cantors and spend a Shabbat together. A lot of our members are spread across the four nations, but whether people are from a small or bigger community, are Torah scholars or not, the Shabbaton will be the most welcoming and friendly place. It will feel like coming home.”

Hineinu and Shirei Chagigah are taking place from June 18 to June 21. For more information and to book, go to: progressivejudaism.org.uk/events/hineinu/ or click here

For information about Darkeinu, go to: https://events.eupj.org/ or click here and for the WRJ Wilkenfeld International Women’s International Leadership Seminar, go to: wrj.org/resources-events/wrj-wilkenfeld-international-womens-leadership-seminar-2026 or click here

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Movement for Progressive Judaism

MPJ

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