Masorti Europe was delighted to have joined Masorti Judaism in the UK for this year’s Yom Masorti. The afternoon of learning, discussion, music and community was held on April 27 at the New North London Synagogue and brought together dozens of members from our Masorti/Conservative communities in the UK.

Representing us, Masorti Europe Coordinator Carmen McPherson attended the event and took the opportunity to strengthen ties with our UK communities. Read her report below:

I was delighted to join and meet representatives from (almost) all Masorti communities in the UK as we gathered in London at New North London Synagogue for an afternoon of shared learning and conversation with a truly exceptional lineup of speakers and sessions.

As the largest number of congregations within Masorti Europe, it was wonderful to meet friends old and new, and to share on the exciting plans we have to develop and grow our network. Even more so to meet the two newest congregations within Masorti UK - Manchester Kehillat Or Tzion, and Mill Hill.

Hearing from the new leadership team at Masorti UK on their plans for new direction was especially inspiring, and as Rabbi Adam Zagoria-Moffet, Director of Strategy shared "People are our strongest asset - people make movements grow."

Throughout the afternoon we were encouraged to reach out, rise up, look inwards, and learn throughout the afternoon during a wide range of sessions and discussions. Each designed to connect us with our own personal Judaism whilst considering the future of Jewish life in the UK and beyond.

Guided by ever-excellent teachers, and guest speakers we explored unique themes and topics created to deepen and challenge us in the complexities of modern Jewish life. Raising issues that face our congregations across European Jewry and where we are working to ensure Jewish life is thriving throughout our communities.

We came together for learning, panel discussions and cultural enrichment, and it was so good to see how Masorti Judaism is connected across the UK and within Masorti Europe deepening and strengthening our relationships regardless of location and disctance.

It was also great to hear about our NOAM groups and their plans for the year ahead as they grow from strength to strength inspiring our young people and bringing lots of new activities and opportunities in the coming months through camps, trips, and exciting learning.

In an emotionally powerful session Itai Shabi was hosted by Rabbi Jeremy Gordon, where it was a privilege and honour to hear how he, his wife and children hid in their safe room during the horrors of 7 October, before escaping to safety. A truly incredible moment that is hard to articulate.

We often talk about the importance of Jewish culture, and this was also a focus of the afternoon with demonstrations of Israeli dance and a chance to learn a few moves too! On the same theme there was also a poetry study, meditation session, and a talk on deepening prayer designed to aid personal reflection and inner calm.

As we joined together in breakout sessions, for refreshments and shared time we also had opportunity to meet with representatives from European Academy for Jewish Liturgy - EAJL, Meketa, the Israeli Dance Institue, and MERCAZ UK representatives who reinforced the importance of our vote in the upcoming World Zionist Organization Congress Elections.

Throughout the day it was clear just how important it is to meet together where our Masorti values are a focus and celebration. Masorti Judaism with all its complexities and challenges is thriving and Yom Masorti 5785 proved this in abundance.

Thank you Masorti Judaism in the UK and everyone involved for such an incredible event and for inviting Masorti Europe to come along.

Until the next time!

Masorti Olami and Masorti Europe look forward to continuing to support and work closely with our friends in the UK, whose dedication and commitment to providing tools to enrich and strengthen the Masorti/Conservative movement in the region is always an inspiration.