As we commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, and recall the start of the Second World War 75 years ago, our reflections this Rosh Ha-Shanah, turn not only to the past year, but also to those momentous times. We are aware of the correspondence between World War I and Tishah […]
Tzedek, tzedek tirdof – ‘Justice, justice, you shall pursue’ (Deuteronomy 16:20): a favourite Torah dictum of Progressive Jews. It is found in parashat shof’tim, which opens by outlining the system for administering justice in the context of D’varim, the fifth book of the Torah, also known as ‘Deuteronomy’ – from the Greek, Δευτερονόμιον, Deuteronomion, meaning […]
Parashat Eikev includes much about consequences: the consequences that will follow if the people obey God’s commandments, and the consequences that will follow if they disobey. Indeed, the word Eikev, which gives the portion its name, means principally, ‘as a consequence of’. And so, we read at the very beginning of the parashah (Deuteronomy 7:12): […]
A PRAYER FOR PEACE BETWEEN ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS As violence continues to erupt between Israelis and Palestinians, to pray for peace seems a hopeless and naïve folly. And yet, we pray and we continue to hope, despite the despair and bitterness, cynicism and fear on both sides. Moreover, as people of good-will committed to the […]
THANK YOU! FROM RABBI ELLI I would like to say a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone, who made the celebration of the 25th anniversary of my ordination such a wonderful occasion last Shabbat (12.07.14). Everything, from the beautiful flowers set on either side of the reading desk, to the […]
Dearest Rabbi Elli, It is such a privilege for all of us to be here, celebrating your simcha – thank you for providing such a lavish and lovely Kiddush for us all. After 14 years of enjoying the generosity of your spirit and compassion at all of our important life moments; it such a pleasure […]
Elli has been a rabbi for twenty five years! How fantastic! Mazel Tov. Well done. But it so nearly didn’t happen. 30 years ago, when Elli entered Leo Baeck College, discrimination and prejudice against women, but more especially against lesbian and gay people was rife. Elli had to fight to stake her claim to be […]
Have LGBT rights gone backwards globally? Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah – Jewish News, July 2014 Over the past 50 years the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have changed beyond recognition, in particular, in Britain, Northern Europe, the United States and Israel, where struggles for liberation are achieving equality before the law and […]
Writing a ‘thought for the week’ for Liberal Judaism’s e-bulletin, based on the weekly Torah portion, prompts some questions: what are we doing as Liberal Jews when we read the Torah? Why do we continue to link our lives today to the Torah reading lectionary established by the Sages 1500 years ago? Perhaps one obvious […]
Dear friends: It is wonderful to be here this evening, celebrating together and marking an important milestone on the way to liberation. The last time I stood on this spot was when I gave my ordination address 25 years ago. As we gather together, I’m very much aware of the absence of Rabbi Lionel Blue. […]