Sir Nicholas Winton’s daughter addresses Liberal Judaism’s biennial from refugee camp

Sir Nicholas Winton’s daughter addressed hundreds of progressive Jews from a Greek refugee camp this weekend, as she spoke via Skype to Liberal Judaism’s biennial in Solihull.

Barbara Winton, whose late father organised the Czech and Slovak Kindertransport in 1939 to rescue endangered Jewish children from the Nazis, spoke to delegates from the camp near Athens about how they could help today’s refugees.

She was one of 64 speakers addressing 300 progressive Jews from across the country, as Liberal leaders heralded an “inspirational” weekend, discussing the next steps in liturgy, theology, policy, outreach work and shared values.

Rabbi Danny Rich, the senior rabbi of Liberal Judaism, said: “It had a very special atmosphere and spirit… a sign of a Liberal Judaism that has a real confidence going forward – one with inspirational music, liturgy and rabbinic leadership and a radical message of true modernity and inclusivity to take back out into the world.”

The keynote speaker was Rabbi Danny Freelander, president of the World Union For Progressive Judaism, who praised Liberal Judaism for welcoming mixed-faith families, patrilineal Jews and Jews by choice, for setting up new communities in far-flung areas and for campaigning for equality including LGBTQI+ rights.

Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Liberal Judaism’s director of strategy and partnerships, said: “Our challenge now is to look at the next steps and ask how can we find and attract all those other people who would also find their home in Liberal Judaism.”