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Liberal Synagogues (Shuls)

The Liberal Synagogue emerged in the early 20th century with the aims of:

  • Incorporating more English into synagogue services
  • Allowing men and women to sit together during services
  • Permitting organ music

The idea behind these aims was to attract British Jews who felt alienated by the services conducted in Orthodox synagogues.

The first Liberal synagogue was founded in 1911 and the movement grew rapidly over the years so that there are now about thirty Liberal congregations in the UK today.

According to its official website Liberal Judaism:

“combines respect for our Jewish heritage with positive acceptance of modern knowledge and due regard for the realities of the world in which we live".

Although there are some clear similarities between Liberal and Reform Judaism, there are also some important distinctions.

For instance, Liberal and Reform synagogues have co-sponsored rabbinical training at Leo Beck College and rabbis are able to move easily between both types of synagogue.

Moreover, in recent years, Liberal synagogue services have taken on a more traditional feel such as by including more Hebrew.

Having said this however, Liberal synagogues are more ‘relaxed’ or ‘liberal’ than their Reform counterparts. For example, unlike Reform shuls, The Liberal Synagogue is prepared to accept a child as Jewish even if his or her mother is not Jewish and has not converted to Judaism.


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