Ealing Liberal Synagogue: front doors
It was over a year ago when our Synagogue Council decided that our exterior doors were no longer fit for purpose. Apart from their dilapidated appearance they were also a significant security risk. With the 80th anniversary of our Synagogue’s establishment approaching, we realised that replacing these doors was a major priority but, having obtained estimates from security-accredited companies, we were concerned about the major expense that would be involved.
We therefore approached the NLPS Trust for a grant towards this cost and were delighted when our application was successful. The commissioning and replacement of the doors then proceeded smoothly and was completed in time for some of our 80th anniversary celebrations.
As the accompanying picture shows, our Synagogue building now looks as if it has had a make-over as well as being much more secure.
We therefore approached the NLPS Trust for a grant towards this cost and were delighted when our application was successful. The commissioning and replacement of the doors then proceeded smoothly and was completed in time for some of our 80th anniversary celebrations.
As the accompanying picture shows, our Synagogue building now looks as if it has had a make-over as well as being much more secure.
Wessex Liberal Jewish Community: tablet and speakers
Wessex Liberal Jewish Community (WLJC) has a membership of nearly 80 but does not have a choir and relies on one or two people for music and singing. Recent deaths and illnesses have highlighted how precarious this relationship is. To alleviate this situation in 2023 they applied for, and were successful, in gaining a grant from NLPS Trust for Progressive Judaism for a grant to purchase a tablet and two Bluetooth speakers.
The purchases enable WLJC to have music and singing at services even if the few members who lead the singing are not present. And it will allow us to have High Holy Day music prepared which could include the blowing of the Shofar.
All the music is stored on the tablet and played through the speakers at services. One benefit of this is that WLJC remembers recently deceased members whose singing was recorded before their deaths.
WLJC make sure that they have permission to use all the music stored on the tablet.
WLJC is extremely grateful to the NLPS Trust for their generosity in facilitating the purchase of this equipment which is in use at every service.
The purchases enable WLJC to have music and singing at services even if the few members who lead the singing are not present. And it will allow us to have High Holy Day music prepared which could include the blowing of the Shofar.
All the music is stored on the tablet and played through the speakers at services. One benefit of this is that WLJC remembers recently deceased members whose singing was recorded before their deaths.
WLJC make sure that they have permission to use all the music stored on the tablet.
WLJC is extremely grateful to the NLPS Trust for their generosity in facilitating the purchase of this equipment which is in use at every service.
Queer Yeshiva: dictionaries
The Queer Yeshiva is Europe’s first institution dedicated to providing Jewish textual study run by and for LGBT+ Jews. In summer 2023, we held our first residential event in the Lake District, bringing together over 100 LGBT+ Jews for six days of Talmud study.
A generous grant by the NLPS Trust enabled us to provide dictionaries free of charge to all participants for whom this would be a financial barrier. As 40% of our community rely on some form of financial scholarship to attend, these dictionaries made a huge difference. They truly opened up the world of Talmud and textual study to our students. Giving students dictionaries means students who came only knowing their aleph-bet were empowered to read Talmud in the original language and create their own translations of these texts.
On behalf of the trustees, leaders, teachers and students of the Queer Yeshiva we would like to thank the NLPS Trust again for your generous support of the Queer Yeshiva; your donation helped facilitate a transformational experience for so many attendees.
A generous grant by the NLPS Trust enabled us to provide dictionaries free of charge to all participants for whom this would be a financial barrier. As 40% of our community rely on some form of financial scholarship to attend, these dictionaries made a huge difference. They truly opened up the world of Talmud and textual study to our students. Giving students dictionaries means students who came only knowing their aleph-bet were empowered to read Talmud in the original language and create their own translations of these texts.
On behalf of the trustees, leaders, teachers and students of the Queer Yeshiva we would like to thank the NLPS Trust again for your generous support of the Queer Yeshiva; your donation helped facilitate a transformational experience for so many attendees.
Mosaic Liberal Synagogue: keyboard and audio/visual equipment
In late 2022 Mosaic Liberal Synagogue, as part of the Mosaic Jewish Community, moved into its new purpose-built facility in Stanmore. As well as Mosaic Liberal, Mosaic Jewish Community also comprises both a Reform and a Masorti community, making it unique in this country.
Much new equipment was needed when Mosaic Liberal moved in, but of particular importance was a new piano/keyboard to enhance the music in our services and audio/visual equipment to ensure that those who could not attend physically in person could join the service remotely and contribute.
We were therefore very grateful that the NLPS Trust was able to make a significant contribution to each of these. Each Shabbat our piano/keyboard is used, with the music and singing enhancing our services. At the same time, we are able to welcome members and others who cannot attend services in person via the audio/visual technology we use to stream services to remote congregants, and also allow them to participate. Our services are also shown and recorded weekly on YouTube.
Mosaic Liberal Synagogue, its Council and Rabbi, are extremely grateful to the NLPS Trust for Progressive Judaism for their generous support.
Much new equipment was needed when Mosaic Liberal moved in, but of particular importance was a new piano/keyboard to enhance the music in our services and audio/visual equipment to ensure that those who could not attend physically in person could join the service remotely and contribute.
We were therefore very grateful that the NLPS Trust was able to make a significant contribution to each of these. Each Shabbat our piano/keyboard is used, with the music and singing enhancing our services. At the same time, we are able to welcome members and others who cannot attend services in person via the audio/visual technology we use to stream services to remote congregants, and also allow them to participate. Our services are also shown and recorded weekly on YouTube.
Mosaic Liberal Synagogue, its Council and Rabbi, are extremely grateful to the NLPS Trust for Progressive Judaism for their generous support.
Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue: meeting owl
Thanks to the NLPS Trust for your very generous grant which has enabled Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue to invest in a Meeting Owl. It is a seriously impressive piece of technology, and works a million times better than our previous setup of a precariously-balanced webcam combined with strategic shouting!
In particular, it helps us to include all of our members in classes and meetings despite our wide catchment area, and its excellent microphones – in combination with Zoom’s auto-captioning – help members with hearing difficulties to follow what is going on.
In particular, it helps us to include all of our members in classes and meetings despite our wide catchment area, and its excellent microphones – in combination with Zoom’s auto-captioning – help members with hearing difficulties to follow what is going on.
Kehillah North London: siddurim and torah scroll repairs
Siddurim repair
At Kehillah North London we had been using siddurim that were approaching twenty years old. Many of them were falling into a state of disrepair, with the covers becoming detached from the books. It increasingly felt like the state of the siddurim, that of being shabby and falling apart, did not reflect what we try to do as a community - which is to be connected and uplifting. We were fortunate to be award a grant from NLPS Trust to fund a siddurim re-binding and repair project, and now the same siddurim have been repaired, but are sturdy, looking smart, and fit for use.
We are grateful to have had financial support from the NLPS Trust to do this - in particular as it is in keeping with our values of sustainability, including prioritising repair over purchasing new items.
Torah scroll repair
Our synagogue life, at its heart, revolves around Torah, and in recent years we had noticed that some aspects of our Torah scroll were experiencing some wear and tear. In particular, the etzim needed repairing, some of the jewelry had become out of shape, and there were small areas on the Torah scroll that needed rebinding. We felt that we needed to invest some money and time to provide the necessary care for the Torah scrolls.
The NLPS Trust awarded us a grant to attend to this - and they have now been repaired and we have been delighted to reintroduce them to the community.
At Kehillah North London we had been using siddurim that were approaching twenty years old. Many of them were falling into a state of disrepair, with the covers becoming detached from the books. It increasingly felt like the state of the siddurim, that of being shabby and falling apart, did not reflect what we try to do as a community - which is to be connected and uplifting. We were fortunate to be award a grant from NLPS Trust to fund a siddurim re-binding and repair project, and now the same siddurim have been repaired, but are sturdy, looking smart, and fit for use.
We are grateful to have had financial support from the NLPS Trust to do this - in particular as it is in keeping with our values of sustainability, including prioritising repair over purchasing new items.
Torah scroll repair
Our synagogue life, at its heart, revolves around Torah, and in recent years we had noticed that some aspects of our Torah scroll were experiencing some wear and tear. In particular, the etzim needed repairing, some of the jewelry had become out of shape, and there were small areas on the Torah scroll that needed rebinding. We felt that we needed to invest some money and time to provide the necessary care for the Torah scrolls.
The NLPS Trust awarded us a grant to attend to this - and they have now been repaired and we have been delighted to reintroduce them to the community.
South Bucks Jewish Community: prayer books
With the growth of more than 25% in 18 months and reopening after the pandemic lockdowns, SBJC (South Bucks Jewish Community, a constituent of Liberal Judaism) - the Jewish community for Buckinghamshire and West Herts (Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted and Tring) needed to source some siddurim (prayer books) for their regular Shabbat morning services and especially for B-Mitzvah services. The old photocopies were no longer sufficient and they no longer had enough of Liberal Judaism's Siddur Lev Chadash. Alongside the demand for more copies, the community was eager to make the liturgy inclusive and offer transliteration with the Hebrew for all members and visitors to be able to participate.
Liberal Judaism kindly agreed for SBJC to use their liturgy and the NLPS Trust for Progressive Judaism enabled the community to defray the print costs. The Suddurim were used for the first time at the service when a young person became Bar Mitzvah in the community in December 2022.
SBJC, the council and Rabbi Janes, are extremely grateful to the NLPS Trust for Progressive Judaism for their generous support in the form of the grant for printing. They look forward to needing to print more as they continue to grow from strength to strength.
Liberal Judaism kindly agreed for SBJC to use their liturgy and the NLPS Trust for Progressive Judaism enabled the community to defray the print costs. The Suddurim were used for the first time at the service when a young person became Bar Mitzvah in the community in December 2022.
SBJC, the council and Rabbi Janes, are extremely grateful to the NLPS Trust for Progressive Judaism for their generous support in the form of the grant for printing. They look forward to needing to print more as they continue to grow from strength to strength.
Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue: chuppah
Chuppah designed for Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue by its congregants, with parts paid for by an NLPS Trust grant. The metal feet and wooden poles were tailor-made externally and a group of BHPS Members sewed and embroidered the gauzy canopy.
Leo Baeck College: library shelving
For over 60 years the Leo Baeck College has been training rabbis and educators to lead and serve Progressive Jewish communities in the UK and around the world. At the heart of all the college’s teaching and learning is our extraordinary library, containing 60 thousand volumes covering every aspect of Jewish life, thought and culture and specialising in material from the Progressive Jewish world. We work to make Jewish literature accessible today and ensure it is preserved for the future.
In the 2010s a storage area containing some of our older books flooded and books had to be piled onto emergency shelving in the main library. This meant a significant part of our collections have been inaccessible and in danger of damage, as well as creating a chaotic atmosphere in the library.
With the grant awarded by the NLPS Trust we have been able to purchase a bespoke modular shelving system adding 50m to the library’s shelving capacity and maximising the use of our spaces.
In the 2010s a storage area containing some of our older books flooded and books had to be piled onto emergency shelving in the main library. This meant a significant part of our collections have been inaccessible and in danger of damage, as well as creating a chaotic atmosphere in the library.
With the grant awarded by the NLPS Trust we have been able to purchase a bespoke modular shelving system adding 50m to the library’s shelving capacity and maximising the use of our spaces.
This has enabled us to begin consolidating and streamlining our historical collections, providing readers more quickly with the books they need and ensuring all our books are available. These collections hold rare and historical items including primary material from Progressive Anglo-Jewish history and books that survived the Second World War. The additional library furniture, including book ends and archival storage purchased with the grant, ensures that these collections are housed safely and securely helping the library to care for and preserve our unique collections for generations to come and preventing the need for costly conservation in the future.
The additional shelving also creates growth space in the main library ensuring we continue to develop our collections so our readers have the contemporary material they need and important historical collections can find a home.
The library is a unique and fertile space outside the classroom and synagogue for interaction between rabbis, scholars, students and others, enabling those engaged with creating a living Judaism to interact, stimulating ideas, networks, deep learning and action. This project is helping us to reconfigure our tight spaces improving the atmosphere and environment of the library, benefitting the well-being of all our visitors and creating a welcoming, safe space for exploration and discovery.
We look forward to welcoming new and returning visitors to the library to enjoy the benefits of this project and find inspiration as well as information in our wonderful collections.
The additional shelving also creates growth space in the main library ensuring we continue to develop our collections so our readers have the contemporary material they need and important historical collections can find a home.
The library is a unique and fertile space outside the classroom and synagogue for interaction between rabbis, scholars, students and others, enabling those engaged with creating a living Judaism to interact, stimulating ideas, networks, deep learning and action. This project is helping us to reconfigure our tight spaces improving the atmosphere and environment of the library, benefitting the well-being of all our visitors and creating a welcoming, safe space for exploration and discovery.
We look forward to welcoming new and returning visitors to the library to enjoy the benefits of this project and find inspiration as well as information in our wonderful collections.
Bet Shalom Progressive Jewish Community, Barcelona and Reform Jewish Community of Madrid: haggadot
Bet Shalom Progressive Jewish Community, Barcelona, and Reform Jewish Community of Madrid were granted funding for Passover Haggadot mostly in Spanish/Hebrew and a few in English/Hebrew to make our Passover visitors more engaged.
The support from the NLPS Trust was immeasurable in enabling our small communities to get “Una noche de libertad. La Hagadá latina para la familia” (in English, “A night to remember: the Haggadah of contemporary voices”, by Michael and Noam Zion”), a non-ending resource Haggadah, full of content and notes in the margins, for children and adults, with ritual and many other explanations based on poetry, art, games and references to Jewish history to make complete and renew the Seder each year. This funding made the difference as we only have had until now a booklet we compiled ourselves and we were adding each year material which was originally in English as nothing Progressive and Liberal was explicitly in Spanish.
And the momentum arrived in this Passover 2019, when both communities have used them for the first time. It was a huge success. Members and visitors were so glad to have this precious material, now part of our books heritage of both congregations. Thank you NLPS, its board members and Mrs. Greenberg for her kindness and attentiveness.
The support from the NLPS Trust was immeasurable in enabling our small communities to get “Una noche de libertad. La Hagadá latina para la familia” (in English, “A night to remember: the Haggadah of contemporary voices”, by Michael and Noam Zion”), a non-ending resource Haggadah, full of content and notes in the margins, for children and adults, with ritual and many other explanations based on poetry, art, games and references to Jewish history to make complete and renew the Seder each year. This funding made the difference as we only have had until now a booklet we compiled ourselves and we were adding each year material which was originally in English as nothing Progressive and Liberal was explicitly in Spanish.
And the momentum arrived in this Passover 2019, when both communities have used them for the first time. It was a huge success. Members and visitors were so glad to have this precious material, now part of our books heritage of both congregations. Thank you NLPS, its board members and Mrs. Greenberg for her kindness and attentiveness.
Birmingham Progressive Synagogue: handrail
We are most grateful to the NLPS Trust for funding the installation of a
handrail at our Synagogue.
The rail has enabled our members who are wheelchair bound or who have difficulty walking to access the Bimah when without the rail they would have struggled. It has made our Synagogue feel much more inclusive.
Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue: redevelopment project
Our newly developed synagogue in Brighton and Hove opened its doors to the community on Shabbat Chanukkah 12th December 2015 – 30th Kislev 5776 – with a rededication led by Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah, who welcomed back the congregation to their new spiritual home. Vacated for redevelopment for over three years, the synagogue had been our home since 1937 - but was in desperate need of modernization. We now have a beautiful state of the art building including a large sanctuary, office, library, education rooms, pastoral care room, a social area and kitchen accommodated over two floors.
We simply could not have completed the project without a grant from the NLPS Trust towards furnishings, including all the seating, tables, bookshelves and cupboards for every room. We cannot thank the Trust enough for deciding to support us.
We simply could not have completed the project without a grant from the NLPS Trust towards furnishings, including all the seating, tables, bookshelves and cupboards for every room. We cannot thank the Trust enough for deciding to support us.
Clore Tikva School: textbooks
Thank you for your generous gift to the Ivrit Department at Clore Tikva school.
We are thrilled to have your support. Through your donation we have been able to purchase books for two year 2 classes for the next academic year. It will enable children to read Ivrit, a skill we are passionate about which creates a strong sense of Jewish belonging.
Hebrew is the Jewish people's shared language, so many thanks for your support, it means the world to us and all the children that will benefit from using these wonderful books over the coming years.
We are thrilled to have your support. Through your donation we have been able to purchase books for two year 2 classes for the next academic year. It will enable children to read Ivrit, a skill we are passionate about which creates a strong sense of Jewish belonging.
Hebrew is the Jewish people's shared language, so many thanks for your support, it means the world to us and all the children that will benefit from using these wonderful books over the coming years.
Crouch End Chavurah: community singing project
Many thanks to the NLPS Trust for funding our community singing project. We absolutely loved the sessions Mich Sampson ran. A small group of us have been singing in Crouch End Chavurah’s choir for many years, very slowly teaching ourselves the tunes from scratch. Mich’s sessions brought together the old crowd with a wider group of people, introduced us to some beautiful new tunes, and taught us to understand the old music better. Her sessions were pitched perfectly to accommodate everyone from professional musicians to the enthusiastic but musically illiterate. They were also just a lovely enriching way to spend a morning.
In addition this gave us some new tunes for Rosh Hashanah which really made a difference to the service and it was commented on by many of the congregation.
Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community - Sukkat Shalom: portable ark
Finchley Progressive Synagogue: English lessons for Syrian refugees
Over the past four years, fifteen refugee families from Syria have been supported by the Barnet Refugee Welcome Board (BRWB), which is made up of volunteers from a number of local faith organisations.
Once the families began to arrive, the volunteers started hosting coffee mornings at Finchley Progressive Synagogue giving the families the opportunity to chat to each other as well as to volunteers while drinking coffee and eating cake, homemade Syrian and British biscuits and fruit.
In 2019, we entered a new phase of the project, which provided lessons to help the adults improve their English. We were fortunate to receive a generous grant from the NLPS Trust. The intensive lessons helped the adults gain skills and confidence in order to be able to integrate into, and contribute more to their local community, and to be less reliant on benefits. Lessons focused on functional language, and helped to develop vocabulary, grammar, speaking and writing skills.
Once the families began to arrive, the volunteers started hosting coffee mornings at Finchley Progressive Synagogue giving the families the opportunity to chat to each other as well as to volunteers while drinking coffee and eating cake, homemade Syrian and British biscuits and fruit.
In 2019, we entered a new phase of the project, which provided lessons to help the adults improve their English. We were fortunate to receive a generous grant from the NLPS Trust. The intensive lessons helped the adults gain skills and confidence in order to be able to integrate into, and contribute more to their local community, and to be less reliant on benefits. Lessons focused on functional language, and helped to develop vocabulary, grammar, speaking and writing skills.
The Liberal Jewish Synagogue: drop-in centre for asylum seekers
The Liberal Jewish Synagogue’s Drop-in for Asylum Seeker Families has been running since June 2014.
Opening our doors one Sunday a month, we extend a warm welcome to families who have been made destitute while seeking asylum in
the UK.
We offer our guests a safe and welcoming environment in which to relax, a hot and nutritious meal, a supervised children's play area, good quality second hand clothing, nappies, a shopping contribution, travel reimbursement and access to a solicitor, counsellor, doctor
and social worker.
Opening our doors one Sunday a month, we extend a warm welcome to families who have been made destitute while seeking asylum in
the UK.
We offer our guests a safe and welcoming environment in which to relax, a hot and nutritious meal, a supervised children's play area, good quality second hand clothing, nappies, a shopping contribution, travel reimbursement and access to a solicitor, counsellor, doctor
and social worker.
The grant we received from the NLPS Trust for Progressive Judaism has made a huge difference to the Drop-in’s financial capacity and has enabled us to continue providing help and support to the increasing number of families who now attend the Drop-in.
Thanks to the support of the NLPS Trust, the Drop-in has now registered over 400 families seeking asylum. In 2017 alone, we provided over 2,500 hot meals as well as school uniforms for all the children who come to the Drop-in.
We feel very proud and grateful to be recognised by The NLPS Trust.
Thanks to the support of the NLPS Trust, the Drop-in has now registered over 400 families seeking asylum. In 2017 alone, we provided over 2,500 hot meals as well as school uniforms for all the children who come to the Drop-in.
We feel very proud and grateful to be recognised by The NLPS Trust.
Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue: clavinova
Musical enrichment of services has always been of strong importance at NPLS. We are keen to ensure the traditional Liberal Jewish music legacy continues to be heard, alongside introducing new music, instruments and voices. We are most grateful to the NLPS fund who have enabled us to purchase a clavinova piano. We now have the option to accompany singing with traditional organ sound, but also a high quality piano sound. The design of the instrument makes it possible for piano trained players to use the instrument, who had previously struggled to use the more specialised organ. We can encourage new congregants to be involved with the services, whether accompanying the congregational choir or as part of instrumental ensembles accompanying creative Tent style services.
The clavinova’s modern technology makes it more compatible for use with streaming services, enhancing the experience for congregants who are unable to attend the Synagogue.
The clavinova will regularly be used for concerts, such as our Selichot Concert, community open mic nights and community plays. Singing For The Soul, Rock Choir and Cheder groups will also benefit from the clavinova.
NPLS is committed to supporting Liberal Jewish Music and we are dedicated to supporting and collaborating with our partner Communities by sharing music through the NPLS Online Music Library – to which our next project is to make available online the LJ Music Collection. We will be able to use the clavinova when hosting LJ Music Day, cross community workshops and concerts.
We are excited to explore the new sound world the clavinova offers over the upcoming High Holyday services, for the present congregants and wider audience through streaming the services.
The clavinova’s modern technology makes it more compatible for use with streaming services, enhancing the experience for congregants who are unable to attend the Synagogue.
The clavinova will regularly be used for concerts, such as our Selichot Concert, community open mic nights and community plays. Singing For The Soul, Rock Choir and Cheder groups will also benefit from the clavinova.
NPLS is committed to supporting Liberal Jewish Music and we are dedicated to supporting and collaborating with our partner Communities by sharing music through the NPLS Online Music Library – to which our next project is to make available online the LJ Music Collection. We will be able to use the clavinova when hosting LJ Music Day, cross community workshops and concerts.
We are excited to explore the new sound world the clavinova offers over the upcoming High Holyday services, for the present congregants and wider audience through streaming the services.
Nottingham Liberal Synagogue: library refurbishment
South London Liberal Synagogue: Abraham’s Tent Project
Thanks to the support of the NLPS trust, the Abraham’s Tent Project, which is converting part of the South London Liberal Synagogue (SLLS) building into a flat for a refugee family, is nearly complete. SLLS needed to raise nearly £50,000 to convert a derelict caretaker’s flat into a welcoming home for a family of refugees.
This was a daunting task for the small South London community, but a grant from the NLPS trust gave the project a major boost, funding the cost of installing a new bathroom in the flat. The grant also supported additional community engagement work, and we were able to host a party for refugees already settled in the local area. The impact has been seen throughout the Synagogue, and many members have become more engaged within the community, helping to make the project a reality.
As well as providing a physical home for a family, the project has also put together a group of volunteers who will support the refugee family through community sponsorship. This part of the project, supported by West London Synagogue and Liberal Judaism, is progressing well, and SLLS expects to be welcoming a refugee family in early 2019.
This was a daunting task for the small South London community, but a grant from the NLPS trust gave the project a major boost, funding the cost of installing a new bathroom in the flat. The grant also supported additional community engagement work, and we were able to host a party for refugees already settled in the local area. The impact has been seen throughout the Synagogue, and many members have become more engaged within the community, helping to make the project a reality.
As well as providing a physical home for a family, the project has also put together a group of volunteers who will support the refugee family through community sponsorship. This part of the project, supported by West London Synagogue and Liberal Judaism, is progressing well, and SLLS expects to be welcoming a refugee family in early 2019.