Latest news with #ReformJudaism
The National
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Who is Amichai Chikli? The right-wing Israeli minister who called for Syria's Al Shara to be eliminated
Israel's Diaspora affairs minister has called for Syria 's President Ahmad Al Shara to be "eliminated", after a ceasefire failed to put an end to three days of violence in southern Syria against the country's Druze minority. Amichai Chikli has often stirred controversy, both outside and within Israel with his frequent attacks on media outlets he considers left-wing, anti-Palestinian comments, support for annexing the occupied West Bank and for his ties to European far-right politicians. Mr Chikli, 41, has held the position since 2022 and before entering politics he was a combat officer in the Israeli army. The son of a conservative Rabbi, he has deep ties to the progressive Jewish movement – although he does not publicly affiliate himself to it. He rose to prominence in the Israeli political sphere by voting against his former party Yamina in the previous Knesset and then joining the Likud party – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing party. He was the first lawmaker to break away from former prime minister Naftali Bennett over his decision to enter an alliance with left-wing and Arab parties. As the Diaspora affairs minister, one of his main tasks is to cultivate Israel's ties with Jews around the world, but Mr Chikli has often come at odds with American Jews, one of the largest diasporas. He has spoken out against Reform Judaism, the largest denomination in the US. He equates criticism of Israel and its actions against Palestinians or war in Gaza as anti-Semitism. Last month, he was part of a heated debate with British broadcaster Piers Morgan, calling him antisemitic for criticising Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip where it has been waging a devastating war for 21 months. He has described pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses in the US as a 'pandemic spreading on American campuses … not so different and not less dangerous than the fentanyl epidemic'. Mr Chikli has frequently attacked media outlets that he considers left-wing. He has often accuses the Hebrew daily Haaretz of incitement and causing damage to the country, and has called for the government to close down the public broadcaster Kan. He also stirred controversy in March when he opened the government's International Conference on Combating anti-Semitism with an apology to far-right European politicians for the controversy surrounding their participation in the event. The anti-Semitism event, organised by Mr Chikli's ministry, was boycotted by leading Jewish and Zionist groups due to the attendance of far-right foreign politicians, some of whose parties have origins in the Nazi era. The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), a non-profit group based in Brussels, said in January that its president, Dyab Abou Jahjah, had filed a criminal complaint against Mr Chikli. He claimed that HRF, which is pursuing legal action against Israeli soldiers, is linked to Hezbollah and Hamas. He had been due to meet members of the Jewish community in Brussels that month, but pulled out due to security concerns, likely linked to the legal case initiated by the HRF. More than 40 relatives of families of Israeli hostages in Gaza and leaders and representatives of Jewish communities across Europe cosigned a letter asking them to cancel Mr Chikli's invitation. The letter expressed concern over Mr Chikli's opposition to a hostage rescue agreement, his support for far-right European politicians and his apparent backing for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza and Lebanon.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Biggest change in British Judaism since the war' as new Progressive movement forms
LONDON, May 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a history-defining moment, member communities of Britain's Movement for Reform Judaism and Liberal Judaism have voted to unite into one Progressive Judaism for the UK at two parallel EGMs. Dr Ed Kessler MBE – a leading interfaith thinker, writer and academic – chaired the Advisory Board that has overseen the process. He hailed the decision, saying: "This is the biggest change and most significant development in British Judaism since the Second World War. "For the first time, this country now has a single, unified Progressive Judaism – providing a voice and a space that brings together timeless Jewish tradition with the diversity and values of 21st-century Jewish life." The new Progressive Judaism will be the UK's largest synagogal movement, measured by number of communities (80). It will represent 1/3 of synagogue affiliated Jews with the goal of reaching out to roughly the same percentage of non-affiliated Jews who are known to align with Progressive Jewish values. This is the first ever known unification of two Jewish denominations and the culmination of 250 years of Progressive Jewish history. Rabbi Charley Baginsky, CEO of Liberal Judaism, and Rabbi Josh Levy, CEO of the Movement for Reform Judaism, have led the merger journey. Rabbi Josh Levy said: "We have heard first-hand how Progressive Jews all around the country want to take this once-in-a-generation opportunity to create something new and intentional – a Progressive Judaism that has something to say into the world and that can help more people have more fulfilling religious lives." Rabbi Charley Baginsky added: "We are now seeing the fruition of the next iteration of Progressive Jewish history. Through this vote, our members are both standing on the shoulders of all those who came before us and creating something long and lasting for our children and the generations who come after us." Progressive Judaism differs from Orthodox Judaism in several ways. Services are egalitarian with everyone sitting together. The Progressive clergy is 50% women and 20% LGBTQI+. Progressive communities fully welcome mixed-faith families and hold dual-heritage wedding blessings. The movements campaigned for the introduction of the same-sex marriage law. In a further key difference to Orthodoxy, Jewish status can be inherited from either parent where a child is brought up as Jewish. Liberal Judaism Chair Karen Newman said: "Our new Progressive Judaism will manifest its commitment to a Judaism that is non-dogmatic, inclusive and celebrates diversity in policy, prayer, and practice." Paul Langsford, Chair of the Movement for Reform Judaism, added: "We will now be stronger, our voice will be louder and we will be able to bring even greater benefit not just to our own members, but to the whole Jewish community and wider British society." Photo - View original content to download multimedia: Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Biggest change in British Judaism since the war' as new Progressive movement forms
LONDON, May 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a history-defining moment, member communities of Britain's Movement for Reform Judaism and Liberal Judaism have voted to unite into one Progressive Judaism for the UK at two parallel EGMs. Dr Ed Kessler MBE – a leading interfaith thinker, writer and academic – chaired the Advisory Board that has overseen the process. He hailed the decision, saying: "This is the biggest change and most significant development in British Judaism since the Second World War. "For the first time, this country now has a single, unified Progressive Judaism – providing a voice and a space that brings together timeless Jewish tradition with the diversity and values of 21st-century Jewish life." The new Progressive Judaism will be the UK's largest synagogal movement, measured by number of communities (80). It will represent 1/3 of synagogue affiliated Jews with the goal of reaching out to roughly the same percentage of non-affiliated Jews who are known to align with Progressive Jewish values. This is the first ever known unification of two Jewish denominations and the culmination of 250 years of Progressive Jewish history. Rabbi Charley Baginsky, CEO of Liberal Judaism, and Rabbi Josh Levy, CEO of the Movement for Reform Judaism, have led the merger journey. Rabbi Josh Levy said: "We have heard first-hand how Progressive Jews all around the country want to take this once-in-a-generation opportunity to create something new and intentional – a Progressive Judaism that has something to say into the world and that can help more people have more fulfilling religious lives." Rabbi Charley Baginsky added: "We are now seeing the fruition of the next iteration of Progressive Jewish history. Through this vote, our members are both standing on the shoulders of all those who came before us and creating something long and lasting for our children and the generations who come after us." Progressive Judaism differs from Orthodox Judaism in several ways. Services are egalitarian with everyone sitting together. The Progressive clergy is 50% women and 20% LGBTQI+. Progressive communities fully welcome mixed-faith families and hold dual-heritage wedding blessings. The movements campaigned for the introduction of the same-sex marriage law. In a further key difference to Orthodoxy, Jewish status can be inherited from either parent where a child is brought up as Jewish. Liberal Judaism Chair Karen Newman said: "Our new Progressive Judaism will manifest its commitment to a Judaism that is non-dogmatic, inclusive and celebrates diversity in policy, prayer, and practice." Paul Langsford, Chair of the Movement for Reform Judaism, added: "We will now be stronger, our voice will be louder and we will be able to bring even greater benefit not just to our own members, but to the whole Jewish community and wider British society." Photo - View original content to download multimedia: Sign in to access your portfolio
The Guardian
18-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
‘Our voice will be louder': two UK Jewish movements to unite as progressive group
Two Jewish movements in the UK have united to form Progressive Judaism, embracing female rabbis, same-sex marriage and mixed-faith couples and representing about a third of British Jews who are affiliated to synagogues. Liberal Judaism and Reform Judaism took the historic step of voting to unite at parallel meetings on Sunday. Each vote easily exceeded the required 75% threshold for the move, with about 95% in favour. Ed Kessler, who chaired an advisory board overseeing the merger, said: 'This is the biggest change and most significant development in British Judaism since the second world war.' Progressive Judaism would provide a 'voice and a space that brings together timeless Jewish tradition with the diversity and values of 21st-century Jewish life', he added. It is the first ever merger of two Jewish denominations, and the first in any major religion for more than half a century. Most British Jews are Orthodox, though the progressive tradition has grown over recent decades. Progressive Judaism will differ from the Orthodox tradition in its fundamental commitment to equality. About half its rabbis are women, and one in five are LGBTQ+. Karen Newman, the chair of Liberal Judaism, said the new movement 'will manifest from day one its commitment to a Judaism that is non-dogmatic, inclusive and celebrates diversity in policy, prayer, and practice'. Paul Langsford, chair of the Movement for Reform Judaism, said: 'As a unified movement, we will now be stronger, our voice will be louder and we will be able to bring even greater benefit not just to our own members, but to the whole Jewish community and wider British society.' The merger has taken two years of consultations and negotiations, and will be formally launched in November. Rabbi Charley Baginsky, of Liberal Judaism, said: 'We are now seeing the fruition of the next iteration of progressive Jewish history. Through this vote, our members are both standing on the shoulders of all those who came before us and creating something long and lasting for our children and the generations who come after us.' Rabbi Jonathan Romain, head of the Rabbinic Court of Reform Judaism, said: 'There is so much division in the world, it is incumbent on faith groups to show that coexisting in harmony can be a reality to live out, not just an ideal to pray for. This merger is a great example of showing that differences can be overcome with a mix of commonsense and goodwill.' The Reform and Liberal traditions are both Zionist movements, while believing it is not disloyal to criticise Israel. 'Within Progressive Judaism, diversity of views and voices – including around Israel/Palestine – are welcome and debate is encouraged,' said a spokesperson. Jews made up 0.46% of the population of England and Wales in the 2021 census. More than half live in Greater London.
Middle East Eye
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Former Shin Bet chief backs criticism of Gaza war by Board of Deputies members
A former head of Israel's Shin Bet security agency has intervened in support of members of the Board of Deputies of British Jews facing disciplinary action for speaking out against the Israeli government and its war on Gaza. Writing in The Guardian newspaper on Tuesday, Ami Ayalon said the 36 board members were 'true friends of Israel' who had 'expressed the exact concerns and sentiments' as those voiced during weekly anti-government protests attended by thousands in Israel. Ayalon, a former Israeli navy admiral and a longstanding critic of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said: 'It is not easy to speak out and I commend them for their bravery. I know that they will now face a backlash. However, so many of us leading the struggle in Israel wish that more of our friends in the diaspora would follow their lead.' He said that to support Israel now meant 'to speak out against this extremist government, not to sit on the sidelines in silence or, worse still, conduct a business-as-usual relationship, meeting government officials and presenting an image of a global Jewry united behind the Israeli government'. His comments come after board president Phil Rosenberg met Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar in London last week and wrote on social media: 'Jewish leadership is standing up for peace & security in Israel & the Middle East… Unity is strength. Division serves only our enemies.' New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Board leaders last week launched disciplinary action against 36 deputies who signed a letter published in the Financial Times in which they accused the Israeli government of 'extremism' and called for an end to the war in Gaza, as well as condemning violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Rosenberg noted that the signatories made up just 10 percent of board members, while board chief executive Michael Wegier accused them of 'misrepresenting our community'. But the board's response prompted further statements of support for the signatories, and condemnation of the Israeli government. UK: Rabbis condemn Israel in latest show of Jewish opposition to Gaza war Read More » On Friday, 30 Jewish religious leaders in the UK, including prominent figures within Reform Judaism and Liberal Judaism, said in a letter also published in the Financial Times that they were 'horrified' by the war on Gaza and called on Israel to uphold international law and allow aid into the besieged enclave. In a separate letter published by Jewish News, 40 prominent Israelis including former soldiers, ambassadors and members of the Knesset, said the signatories of the letter to the Financial Times had taken a 'righteous stance'. Ayalon headed Shin Bet between 1996 and 2000. He is also a former commander-in-chief of the Israeli navy and a former Knesset member for the Labor Party. He is among other former military and security chiefs who earlier this month accused Netanyahu and his far-right coalition of waging a 'political' war in Gaza and demanded an end to the conflict in a statement published in Israeli newspapers. Writing in the Guardian, Ayalon said Israel was facing an "existential" crisis. "Silence is a show of support for the Israeli government," he said. "I call on our allies - governments and diaspora Jewish communities - to hear the plea of the Israeli public and in particular the hostage families, who are demanding an end to the war and a new dawn for Israel."
