World Union for Progressive Judaism president Rabbi Sergio Bergman held talks with UK Progressive Jewish leaders during his first trip to Britain since taking up the role in 2020.

During a day at Leo Baeck College, Buenos Aires-born Rabbi Bergman and WUPJ chair Carole Sterling met college principal Rabbi Dr Deborah Kahn-Harris, its dean, Rabbi Dr Charles Middleburgh, and acting chair Mimi Konigsberg, as well as Liberal Judaism CEO Rabbi Charley Baginsky and director of youth Becca Fetterman.

Discussions centred on the role of British Progressive Judaism in the global movement and the ways that skills and experiences can be shared across countries.

In conversation with Rabbi Kahn-Harris, he focused on the global need for well-trained high-calibre rabbis and lay leaders — and the significant contribution the college made to this.

Rabbi Bergman also spoke with Leo Baeck’s rabbinic students, reflecting that “it was very special to see first-hand how the college educates and trains the next generation of our global Progressive Jewish leaders”.

Although his visit was an informal one, it was made with the intention of broadening links with the Reform and Liberal movements, their associated institutions and volunteer, youth and professional leaders.

“This is just the beginning of a programme of collaboration, sustained over time, which will also include visits to government officials and other movements and interreligious dialogue that is part of our worldwide agenda.”

Rabbi Bergman also met other rabbis and attended synagogue services while in the UK, being given the honour of chatan bereshit at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue, St John’s Wood, on Simchat Torah.

He visited Reform congregations including Finchley, Alyth (Golders Green) and West London and Reform Judaism co-chair Michael Harris welcomed “an important opportunity” for dialogue.

“We exchanged views to ensure we continue to work closely together to strengthen the bonds between us and with all Progressive communities. We want to see our movement playing an increasingly influential role within the Jewish world.”

Highlighting the connection between Liberal Judaism and the WUPJ, Rabbi Baginsky noted that “Liberal Judaism was responsible for the formation of the World Union almost 100 years ago and our partnership will always continue to be a vital one.

“It was good to hear that the aims of Liberal Judaism are also the aims of the WUPJ — to build communities and a global platform in order to raise our voice and the voice of Progressive Jews all over the world.”

Rabbi Bergman and Ms Sterling left Britain to continue their European visit in the Czech Republic, where they were joined by European Union for Progressive Judaism chair Sonja Guentner.

The World Union is the umbrella organisation for Liberal, Reform and other Progressive Jewish communities in more than 50 countries.