The Movement for Progressive Judaism

The Movement for Progressive Judaism The Movement for Progressive Judaism brings together timeless Jewish tradition with the diversity, creativity and values of 21st century Jewish life.

We have synagogues and communities all across the UK and Ireland. We are a movement with a sense of purpose, engaged in community life, study, spirituality and social action. We believe in personal freedom and responsibility and the shared and collective bonds that unite us. We actively choose to live out our Judaism as part of a community, and welcome those who grew up as Jewish and those who, later in life, have become accepted into Judaism. We are inclusive and egalitarian, giving equal status within Judaism to those traditionally excluded. Charity Number: 1151090 | Company Number: 08281223

08/10/2026

“Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.”

At our 7 October commemoration in Manchester, Rabbi Josh Levy and Rabbi Kath Vardi sang Or Zaruah together, offering a moment of hope in the midst of remembrance.

When grief and loss feel overwhelming, it can be difficult to imagine a way forward. Healing takes time, and grief does not follow a straight line. Yet slowly, even in the darkest moments, we can begin to glimpse the possibility of light returning.

As Manchester’s Progressive Jewish communities gathered to remember those we have lost, these words reminded us of the hope we sustain together, and the strength we find in one another.

08/10/2026

Rabbi Yael Vurgan, Rabbi for the Sha’ar Hanegev region, lit the memorial candle as Manchester’s Progressive Jewish communities came together to remember those murdered on 7 October and all those whose lives were changed forever.

130 people from Menorah, Manchester Reform and Sha’arei Shalom gathered at Menorah Synagogue for a moving service of remembrance, reflection and hope.

Led by Rabbi Kath Vardi, the congregation joined together in the Mourner’s Kaddish, remembering those we have lost and holding their families and loved ones in our thoughts.

Through prayer, music and the testimonies of survivors, the evening offered a chance to grieve together, support one another and reaffirm our shared hope for peace.

Many of us remember exactly where we were on 7 October 2023. Three years later, it’s hard to imagine how much that day,...
07/10/2026

Many of us remember exactly where we were on 7 October 2023. Three years later, it’s hard to imagine how much that day, and everything since, would change us. Our lives, our relationships, the way we see the world and each other.

So much grief. So much that cannot be undone. We may wonder how much of ourselves we have lost along the way.

At our memorial service this week we used the poems of Roee Kibrik, scholar and peace activist:

“The seeds of our deeds, lying in the furrows, are waiting for rain.

The paths of our shared life are pleading for our footsteps.

Let us walk in peace, with open hearts, and recognise our own face in the other.

Good days lie ahead of us.”

Some days those last words feel almost painful to believe. Today especially. But we cannot stop believing them.

06/10/2026

For all we lost on October 7 2023. A prayer for hope.

Read by Dr Ed Kessler, Chair of The Movement for Progressive Judaism at the close of our memorial service for October 7 on Sunday evening.

06/10/2026

Sharone Lifschitz speaking at our 7 October memorial service.

Sharone grew up on Kibbutz Nir Oz. Her parents, Yocheved and Oded Lifsh*tz, were both taken hostage from their home on 7 October. Yocheved was released after 17 days; Oded was killed in captivity.

Sharone spoke movingly about her parents, the loss of the home and community she grew up in, and her continuing belief in a future where Israelis and Palestinians can live alongside one another in peace.

05/10/2026

Rabbi Yael Vurgan, Regional Rabbi for Sha’ar HaNegev, speaking at our 7 October memorial service.

Rabbi Yael serves communities close to the Gaza border, several of which were devastated on 7 October. In the years since, she has supported those who were bereaved, displaced and taken hostage, while continuing to speak powerfully about humanity, peace and hope.

05/10/2026

Cantor Zöe Jacobs and Rabbi Yael Vurgan singing Naomi Shemer’s Al Kol Eleh together at our 7 October memorial service.

The song asks us to hold the bitter and the sweet together, to make room for grief and gratitude, and to cherish what remains precious even after loss and upheaval.

It felt like exactly the right song for this moment of remembrance, carrying both the pain of all that has been lost and the love that remains.

05/10/2026

Yesterday, we came together to remember 7 October.

More than 100 people joined us at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, with hundreds more online, for Remembering 7 October: For All We Lost – a service of remembrance, reflection and hope for those murdered in the Hamas terrorist attacks, those taken hostage, and all whose lives were changed forever.

The candles we lit were in memory of those who were murdered, for bereaved families, for those wounded and living with trauma, for the hostages and their families, for communities attacked and uprooted and for those who ran towards danger to rescue and protect others.

Through these candles we were holding different parts of the story of that day, and all that has followed.

05/10/2026

“This policy is racist.”

Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Co-Lead of The Movement for Progressive Judaism on this morning discussing the Green Party motion on Zionism.

04/10/2026

This special memorial service will bring people from across the UK and Ireland together – both in person and online – to remember those who were murdered, those taken hostage, and all those whose lives were changed forever by the terrorist attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023.

Speakers will include Rabbi Yael Vurgan, Regional Rabbi for the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council, who supported communities close to the Gaza border directly affected by the atrocity.

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