High Holidays

gift for the future

We are standing at the edge of our vision to ensure that we are the home for everyone’s Jewish story, but we need you to help us to cross the line. The money raised from this campaign will go directly to ensuring that we nurture and secure the future of Liberal Judaism.

By becoming an Ambassador you become a leader of this movement. As an Ambassador you will not only encourage your friends and family to donate by telling them why Liberal Judaism has been essential to you, you will energise your community to tell their stories and in turn raise their own monies for Liberal Judaism, and help turn the mission of bringing Liberal Judaism home into a reality.

Ariel Chapman

Emerging Leader, Bristol & West

I’m Ariel and I am a trustee and council member at Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation (BWPJC). I’m really proud to be Jewish and a gay man and Liberal Judaism and my community at BWPJC have ensured I can be equally proud of both aspects of my identity. I felt I had a home here and was welcomed regardless.

Through 2023 and into 2024 I took part in Liberal Judaism’s Emerging Leaders programme. It started with meeting so many wonderful people at the LJ biennial in May 2023 and over the past year I’ve gained skills and knowledge in community cohesion, fundraising, safeguarding and so much more.

At a time when it can sometimes feel a bit scary being Jewish, the programme helped me connect to my community across the UK. It gave me the strength to be proud in my identity and steadfast in my work supporting my community. Through the programme and the continued support from LJ and BWPJC I can’t wait to see where my Jewish journey takes me next.

Robyn Harris

Emerging Leader, Kingston Liberal Synagogue

LJ’s Emerging Leaders Programme helped me in so many ways. I have taken more responsibilities in my community, KLS. I now run events for the synagogue and I have started leading services, and will be doing more of this as our rabbi is leaving this autumn.

I’ve made many friends in the Emerging Leaders cohort and we are planning to set up projects jointly with each other’s communities.

The programme helped me in other ways as well. Last week I was asked questions about safeguarding at a job interview. I was able to give very good answers thanks to the training I had received through the Emerging Leaders Programme.

Howard Duckworth

Balalei Tefillah, York

I hope I can be of benefit to any Liberal synagogue who may need an occasional lay service leader.

As someone who taught himself to read and write at the age of 32, (yes, I am severely dyslexic) I always found formal education very hard, if not impossible.

The course team were so very kind and supported me with strategies that made it possible for me to fully participate and to succeed.

To everyone, on the course and the leaders, thank you.

Zoe Jacobs

Balalei Tefillah

I wasn’t able to practise leading services as much as I wanted during the course, so I decided to postpone my graduation in 2023, and I have committed to leading or co-leading one service every month in 2024. Hopefully I will graduate at the end of this year!

The course has given me the opportunity and the confidence to engage in lots of different communities, both Liberal and Reform.

I really cherish the connections we’ve made in the gang (we still use the WhatsApp group we set up during the course to support, inspire and help each other), and I’ve made friends all over the UK so I know I’ll always know someone when I go to shul in my travels.

Jasmine Lev

Balalei Tefillah, Bristol & West

I started the course without much experience and now I have the confidence and ability to lead services, which is great!

I’ve enjoyed thinking about the creative possibilities within Liberal Judaism and how I can use this in services in the future.