The United Kingdom’s Liberal and Reform Jewish movements have merged to create a unified Progressive Judaism movement. The two movements have worked
separately for more than 120 years, but the historic merger has been made possible by the decision of the UK Reform movement in 2015 to accept patrilineal Jews as full members of communities. The new movement will be led by Rabbi Josh Levy, who is leaving his role as principal rabbi of Alyth, and Liberal Judaism CEO Rabbi Charley Baginsky. The merger has been hailed as a major development for British Jewry.
The new movement will embrace the American model of patrilineal descent, which the Liberal movement has been practicing for years, but most European Reform organizations require patrilineal Jews to convert to become full members of their communities. The two movements share their “welcome of mixed-faith families and fully egalitarian services,” according to a statement by Rabbi Baginsky. They campaign for same-sex marriage, offer training for rabbis and educators, and provide provision for students and young people.
The London-based Institute for Jewish Policy Research reported that, as of 2021, there were 271,327 self-identified Jews living in England and Wales, up from 265,073 in 2011 and 259,927 in 2001. Progressive Jews will make up around 30% of those who are affiliated with synagogues in the UK. There are more than 80 Progressive communities reaching all parts of the country. Rabbis for both movements are trained at the London-based Leo Baeck College.
The Reform and Liberal movements held talks about unifying as far back as the 1970s and 1980s. They formed an alliance ten years ago on matters such as student chaplaincy and social justice. The two movements will remain distinct in terms of their prayerbook and synagogue name, and members will not be required to change their Reform identity. Input from members will be welcome and will help shape future policies, according to Paul Langsford, co-chair of the Reform movement.
In a joint statement, Langsford and Ruth Seager, chair of Liberal Judaism, said, “Our lay leadership and clergy are clear that the future for Progressive Judaism is to have one shared movement to represent all of Britain’s Progressive Jews. Our movements have made a huge impact on the development of the Jewish and wider world, but there is much more to do, and we believe this can be better achieved together.” The merger has been hailed as a major development for British Jewry. Photo by No Swan So Fine, Wikimedia commons.