'A non-dogmatic Judaism' Israel criticism not 'disloyalty', says UK Jewish movement

Charley Baginsky's pink hair and piercings do not conform to the popular image of a rabbi, but her personal choices speak to the cornerstone of inclusivity on which a new British Jewish movement stands.

- Harriet Sherwood

In a historic step that could redefine British Judaism, the Liberal and Reform traditions in the UK merged earlier this month to form Progressive Judaism, with each group voting 95% in favour of uniting. Baginsky co-leads the movement with Rabbi Josh Levy, a self-confessed "middle-aged man with a beard".

The votes were the culmination of two years of soundings, mostly against the backdrop of the horrific attack on Israelis by Hamas on 7 October 2023 and the devastating war waged in Gaza ever since. Now, as despair and revulsion at Israel's renewed assault on people in Gaza felt by many British Jews spills over into the public domain, Progressive Judaism is under a spotlight.

"We are a Zionist movement - that is, we are committed to there being a Jewish, liberal, pluralist, democratic state in our historic homeland," said Levy. "That remains our vision."

But, he added, "the vast majority of Jews in this country are really troubled by what is happening. One of the things that is distinctive about us is that we think we are stronger for being willing to speak about how difficult this is, and that we do not see criticism of Israel as an act of disloyalty. We are open to a diversity of voices."