Liberal Judaism says mixed faith couples can have wedding under a chuppah
Movement says the decision reflects its 'commitment to diversity and equality', and will be implemented 'at the rabbi’s discretion, where a couple intend to maintain a Jewish home'
Mixed faith couples can have a wedding blessing from a rabbi under the Jewish chuppah (canopy) in a groundbreaking first announced by Liberal Judaism.
The Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors (CoLRaC) came to the decision this weekend, with it coming in to effect from Simchat Torah on October 10-11. It marks the first time any Jewish movement in the UK has introduced the symbolic chuppah into a mixed faith ceremony.
The move will be implemented “at the rabbi’s discretion and where the couple intend to maintain a Jewish home”, according to a CoLRaC statement.
Liberal Judaism’s interim director Rabbi Charley Baginsky said: “Our movement prides itself on its commitment to diversity and equality – so it was time to put our chuppah where our values are.
“Simchat Torah traditionally contains rituals that re-enact the marriage of Israel with the law. Introducing this new policy on such an auspicious day shows the centrality of welcoming the Jewish homes our families build in all shapes and forms.”
Liberal Judaism says it has always welcomed mixed faith couples and families into its synagogues and membership, but previously, only two Jewish people could have a marriage ceremony or blessing under a chuppah.
Rabbi Danny Rich, vice-president of Liberal Judaism, and a member of the Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors, wrote the paper that led to this move.
He said: “I have spent my career promoting a Liberal Judaism which is both inclusive but respectful of diversity. The offer of a chuppah – as a symbol of Jewish domestic values – affirms both a welcome and a respect for people who are embarking on a life-long relationship.”
CoLRaC chair Rabbi Aaron Goldstein said: “This is both a common sense and courageous decision to allow our rabbis and cantors discretion to use a chuppah, a symbol of the creation of a Jewish home blessed by God.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
