The Chief Rabbi’s office has expressed disappointment at the Reform movement decision to launch its own Shabbat event rather than support the Chief Rabbi’s Shabbat UK.
A “Reform Judaism Shabbat” has been announced for October 23 and 24, the same weekend as the second Shabbat UK.
A spokesman for Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said: “Shabbat UK will represent a wonderful opportunity for people from right across the religious spectrum to unite around a single transformative Shabbat.
“As such, plans for an alternative project will mean missing out on that opportunity.”
Talks had taken place between Shabbat UK organisers and other movements about participation in the Chief Rabbi’s initiative.
Masorti Judaism has said it will back Shabbat UK.
Liberal Judaism chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich had discussed the event with Rabbi Mirvis, but the Liberal movement will not join the activities this year.
Reform chairman Robert Weiner said: “Both organisations are responding appropriately to the needs of their members.
“Ultimately, we both want more people to enjoy a meaningful, joyful Shabbat. We have excellent relations with our United Synagogue colleagues”.
A Shabbat toolkit produced by the Reform movement suggests that members could hold a picnic in a park and turn off electronics for a day.
But there is no mention so far of staging any large-scale activity outside individual congregations.
Masorti co-chairman Nick Gendler said it was “ delighted to be inviting its communities to take part in Shabbat UK this year.
“While we are not connected to the Chief Rabbi’s office and have our own religious leadership, we are always pleased to co-operate with other organisations wherever possible.”
More than 1,000 tickets have already been sold for Shabbat UK’s central challah-making event at Brent Cross shopping centre, north-west London, on October 22. Organisers hope to sell 5,000.
An inter-school celebration and a post-Shabbat concert are also in the pipeline for Shabbat UK.
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