Movement for Reform Judaism

The Movement for Reform Judaism
registered charity[1]
Founded 1958
Headquarters The Sternberg Centre, Finchley, London, United Kingdom
Area served
 United Kingdom
Key people
 Sir Sigmund Sternberg, Life President
Rabbi Dr Tony Bayfield CBE, President
Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner, Senior Rabbi
Website www.reformjudaism.org.uk

The Movement for Reform Judaism (until June 2005, Reform Synagogues of Great Britain)[2] is the main organisational body of the British Jewish Reform community.

Among the Movement for Reform Judaism's stated aims is revitalising Jewish community involvement among British Jews, with particular focus on children, teenagers and families where one member of the couple is not halachically Jewish. Thanks to this work for the welfare and development of young people, the Movement for Reform Judaism is a member of The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS).[3]

In September 2014 Liberal Judaism and the Movement for Reform Judaism announced the formation of an alliance, with the intention "to speak for and reach out to the third of British Jews who describe themselves as secular, cultural or 'just Jewish'".[4]

History

The first Reform congregations in Great Britain appeared in West London and Manchester in the mid-19th century. By 1942, when the first organisational body was formed, the number of Reform Jewish communities had increased to six. This body, Associated British Synagogues, evolved into the more nation-focused Associated Synagogues of Great Britain, and in 1958 stabilised into Reform Synagogues of Great Britain, a name which would last until 2005.

People

Notes and references

  1. ↑ The Movement for Reform Judaism is a charity (number 1139806), registered in England and Wales with the Charity Commission. "The Movement for Reform Judaism". Find charities. Charity Commission. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  2. ↑ Cohen, Justin (30 June 2005). "RSGB Opts For Name Change". TotallyJewish.com. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  3. ↑ "Our members". National Council for Voluntary Youth Services. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  4. ↑ "Liberal and Reform together launch alliance for Progressive Judaism" (Press release). Movement for Reform Judaism. 17 September 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Rocker, Simon (1 November 2010). "Reform leader Bayfield to retire early". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Robert Weiner elected as Chair of MRJ, Gary Copitch becomes Vice-Chair" (Press release). Movement for Reform Judaism. 1 July 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Rocker, Simon (8 July 2013). "Moving chairs as Reform changes leading posts". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  8. ↑ "Rabbi Sybil Sheridan: Chair of the Assembly of Reform Rabbis UK". Movement for Reform Judaism. 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
  9. ↑ Rocker, Simon (28 July 2011). "Laura Janner-Klausner: Why I'm not the Reform rival to the Chief Rabbi". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  10. ↑ "Major change at the Movement for Reform Judaism as it implements its strategic plan" (Press release). Movement for Reform Judaism. 1 February 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  11. ↑ Rocker, Simon (1 February 2013). "Reform chief executive to go". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 6 August 2013.

External links