The emeritus rabbi of Brighton Progressive Synagogue, Elli Tikvah Sarah, is launching an initiative to promote “Prophetic Judaism” with an online study programme for Shavuot on Sunday evening .
The virtual Tikkun Leil Shavuot, which will run till midnight, will feature a number of Progressive colleagues including Brighton Progressive’s current rabbi, Gabriel Kanter-Webber and former Birmingham Progressive minister Rabbi Margaret Jacobi.
Rabbi Sarah, who has been at the forefront of radical thinking within the Progressive movement in the UK and is author of the book Trouble-Making Judaism, said Voices for Prophetic Judaism was conceived “in response to the narrowing of discourse in Jewish communities in the UK” post-October 7.
“The biblical prophets spoke truth to power, calling out injustice and corruption on the part of the religious and secular leaders of their day, and reminding them and the people of the ethical teachings of the Torah,” Rabbi Sarah said.
“It's our responsibility as Jews today to remind ourselves of this prophetic legacy, and call our leaders, our communities, and ourselves to account.
“Championing justice, peace, equality, human rights, and the planet, Voices for Prophetic Judaism offers pathways to prophetic action in today's world, rooted in the foundational ethical teachings of Judaism proclaimed in the Torah and in the biblical books of the Prophets, and developed in talmudic, mediaeval, modern, and contemporary texts.”
According to its website, it is open “to all those Jews and fellow-travellers, who want to contribute to the work of pursuing justice, peace, and equality, establishing human rights, and ensuring a sustainable future for the planet”.
It will work with organisations that support its mission including Eco-Judaism, HIAS+JCORE, Yachad, Na’amod, Rabbis for Human Rights and a Tzelem, a Progressive initiative supporting economic and social justice.
Programme and registration for the Tikkun Leil Shavuot is available here.
