Reform to launch movement-wide focus on Shabbat following ShabbatUK success
Justin Cohen is the News Editor at the Jewish News
Reform Judaism is to introduce its own movement-wide focus on Shabbat following the success of the Chief Rabbi’s ShabbatUK, writes Justin Cohen.
Communities across the country will hold communal Shabbat dinners in shuls and homes, and rabbis will deliver special sermons during a weekend designated as Reform Judaism Shabbat in October.
It will be held on the same day as ShabbatUK – the leaders of which “lamented” that the two movements will not be celebrating under the same auspices.
Senior Reform Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner said: “Our communities turned round and said they wanted to do something. The more Jews who enjoy Shabbat the better and I’m expecting many to take part – it’s all about increasing Jewish joy. Many will use it as an opportunity for community growth and outreach.”
A toolkit with educational resources will be sent out to all communities with suggestions for marking the occasion. While Rabbi Janner-Klausner said the concept of people coming together to celebrate Shabbat that “people loved about ShabbatUK” would be replicated, communities will be able to celebrate within the framework of the differences between Orthodox and some Reform synagogues, such as the use of guitars during services.
Stressing “extremely good cross-communal relationships” with the United Synagogue, she said: “We live under the banner of British Jewry, but each with our own nuance and need to be true to differences.”
She said she nevertheless hoped there would be some crossover between celebrations held by Reform shuls and those under the banner of Shabbat UK. Tens of thousands participated in the inaugural Shabbat UK last year, including those outside the US and some who had never celebrated before, although the fact it was held under the auspices of the Office of the Chief Rabbi meant some progressive Jews felt detached from the initiative.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis recently appealed to every community member saying that ShabbatUK is for everyone, regardless of religious affiliation.
A spokesman for ShabbatUK said: “We know of people from right across the religious spectrum who are once again preparing to get involved. This is an incredible opportunity to set politics aside and to make a statement about communal unity. “Whilst we take it as a compliment that the success of ShabbatUK last year has been a catalyst for encouraging greater Jewish involvement across the community, we lament the fact that this cannot be done together.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
