The Chanukah celebrations this year have been marked by a significant display of unity between Orthodox and Progressive Jewish leaders across various events. A candle-lighting ceremony at Wembley Stadium, hosted by the Football Association, Maccabi GB, and the Jewish News, served as a focal point for this collaboration. During the ceremony, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis recited the blessings over the menorah and lit the first candle, while Rabbi Josh Levy, co-leader of the Movement for Progressive Judaism (MPJ), lit the second candle.
Another notable event took place at the Central Synagogue, part of the United Synagogue, where Rabbi Charley Baginsky, the other co-leader of MPJ, participated in a celebration organized by the Jewish Labour Movement. Later in the week, Rabbi Elchonon Feldman, head of the United Synagogue’s Rabbinical Council, led the singing of “Maoz Tzur” at an interfaith gathering organized by MPJ. This event featured Rabbi Alexandra Wright, senior rabbi of the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in St John’s Wood, who guided Muslim and Christian representatives in lighting candles.
Strength in Unity
The interfaith event was supported by the Aziz Foundation, which provided the venue. Asif Aziz, chair of the foundation, remarked, “Moments like this remind us of the strength that comes from faith leaders standing side by side.” The collaboration between Orthodox and Progressive leaders has been noted as not unprecedented; however, both sides acknowledge that there is now greater confidence in this partnership than in the past.
Rabbis Levy and Baginsky emphasized the importance of their visible cooperation. They stated, “These images matter because they show something simple and powerful: Jewish leaders turning up for one another, comfortably and without defensiveness. No one is diminishing their own tradition, and no one is being asked to step aside.” This sentiment reflects a community that is secure enough to share public space and generous enough to acknowledge differences.
As Chanukah celebrations continue, the commitment to unity and collaboration among Jewish leaders serves as a beacon of hope for the broader community. The events not only highlight the richness of diverse traditions within Judaism but also demonstrate a collective strength that can inspire future cooperation.
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