Northern Seminar 8th January 2012

Leo Baeck College’s Department of Jewish Education gathered over 70 people from 10 Reform and Liberal Communities to explore personal and communal spirituality in a seminar for educators and lay leaders. The event was held at Menorah Synagogue. Participants enjoyed creative, experiential workshops in art, drama and games as well as challenging discussions on God and prayer. One participant, Sherry Ashworth, commented: “The day was inspirational. I hope this is a beginning”.

Leo Baeck College welcomed Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner, the Movement for Reform Judaism’s newly appointed Movement Rabbi, to give what proved to be an inspirational and enthusiastically received keynote on the theme of ‘The Spirituality of Welcoming’. Leo Baeck College Student Rabbi Lea Mühlstein involved 25 people, ages ranging from 14 to 80 in ‘Talking about God’. The Department of Jewish Education’s Debi Penhey role-modelled an engaging session for families with young children, on Jewish celebration through storytelling, art and games. Rabbi Reuven Silverman of Manchester Reform Synagogue received praise for creating a spiritual space through his skilful leadership of an experiential workshop on Jewish Meditation.

Ann Angel, conference organiser, commented that several of the many educators present – from religion school head teachers to teachers and assistants - had expressed pleasure at being provided with a space to re-charge their own batteries, to talk about spirituality and to experience innovative ways to explore it. They hoped now to take creative ways of teaching back to their own communities in Newcastle, Liverpool, Hull, Manchester, Southport, Leeds, Sheffield and London.