Sukkat Shalom Reform Synagogue

What do we believe and What do we do?” Reform Judaism and the MRJ

On Wednesday June 16th Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand, Executive Director of the Movement for Reform Judaism, discussed several texts relating to the values of progressive Judaism. This discussion lead up to a further discussion on what we, as progressive Jews, believe in.

In addition, she shared with us the Movement for Reform Judaism's view of the future including, programmes supporting synagogues, rabbis, youth, students, interfaith and schools.

Shoshana was asked to give a general overview of who she was, where she had come from and how she came to be living and working in the UK.

Shoshana was brought up on the "Bible Belt" in Florida USA knowing little about Judaism. This came later during her university education. She eventually met her husband, who is British, and they married and have 3 young children. Her choice was to stay and work in the UK.

Shoshana is now the Executive Director of the Movement for Reform Judaism and is destined to take over from Tony Bayfield when he retires.

She is a very eloquent speaker, humorous and approachable. Those that attended the evening learnt a little bit more about the Movements plans for the future and a great deal about Shonana herself.