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Liberal Jewish Synagogue announces new senior rabbi
Rabbi Rebecca Birk 'looks forward to further raising profile' of Movement for Progressive Judaism
Rabbi Rebecca Birk has been appointed senior rabbi of the Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS) in central London, taking up her post when Rabbi Alexandra Wright retires at the end of the year.
Rabbi Birk will move from her role at Finchley Progressive Synagogue, where she has been since 2011 to work alongside LJS’s Rabbi Igor Zinkov.
Sue Head, LJS council chairman said: “We are thrilled Rebecca has accepted the post and will be joining as our new Senior Rabbi in early 2027. We are very much looking forward to working with her. This is a new era for the LJS, and we are very excited about it.”
Paying tribute to Rabbi Wright, she added: “We would like to thank Alex for all that she has done for the LJS over the last 22 years. We are grateful to her for her dedication, leadership and guidance and wish her joy in gaining new experiences and having the freedom to pursue her interests.”
Rabbi Rebecca Birk said: “I’m delighted to be following in the footsteps of Rabbi Alexandra Wright and all the extraordinary rabbis who have shaped and guided this remarkable synagogue over more than a century.
“The LJS is at the heart of The Movement for Progressive Judaism and I look forward to working with the fabulous clergy team here to further raise its profile both within our Jewish community and the wider world. Of course this is a moment of mixed emotions, as it also means leaving Finchley Progressive Synagogue – a community I have so loved and have such immense gratitude for all that we have shared together.”
The shul recently hosted one-night event, Universe, bringing together the Citizens of the World Choir with guest Israeli and Palestinian musicians.
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