By Simon Rothstein and Graham Miller, Progressive Judaism Comms Team
In the coming months, we will be having intentional and meaningful conversations with each community’s leadership about the recommendations for the foundational elements of our new movement. One of those will be the name.
For this reason, we think it’s helpful to explain why we are using Progressive Judaism as a working title, to tell you where we have got to on naming and speak about how the right name can underpin a truly exciting and forward-looking movement.
The history of ‘Progressive Judaism’
The first recorded appearance of the term ‘progressive’ dates back to 1857 – just a short while after the founding of the first Reform synagogue in the UK, and almost a whole half century before the creation of Liberal Judaism.
That introduction came from Tobias Theodores, one of the most important figures in the history of early Reform Judaism. Writing in the Jewish Chronicle, about the split of his Manchester Reform Synagogue from the local Orthodox community, he said: “It will delight me and all who think with me to find both stabilitarian Judaism and progressive Judaism worthily represented in this city.”
The adjective stuck and, in 1926, was the obvious choice when the World Union for Progressive Judaism formed. As it approaches its 100th anniversary, the WUPJ remains the umbrella body (and umbrella name) representing all Liberal, Reform and Reconstructionist communities around the globe.
Progressive pioneers Rose and Basil Henriques
The work of social reformers Sir Basil and Lady Rose Henriques in the East End in the first half of the 20th century further cemented the term into our Jewish lexicon. Basil Henriques – whose family were founder members of West London Synagogue – famously said: “We must not puzzle people by making them think that there are three forms of Judaism – the Orthodox, the Reform and the Liberal – when in fact there are only two, the Orthodox and the Progressive.”
In 1946, when Rabbi Dr Leo Baeck – the great German Reform leader who settled in London after the Holocaust – gave his seminal speech on rebuilding Jewish life in Europe, its title was ‘The Task of Progressive Judaism in the Post-War World.’
The history of Progressive since has seen it used most frequently as an umbrella term for Reform, Liberal and sometimes other forms of Judaism that are Progressive as opposed to Orthodox.
This is shown by all the joint Reform and Liberal projects that have adopted the ‘Progressive’ moniker. These have included the Council for Progressive Jewish Education (1944), the Federation of Progressive Synagogues (1946), Progressive Jewish Students (1971), the Eastern Counties Association of Progressive Synagogues (1984), Progressive Jews for Israel (1984) and the Progressive Deputies Group on the Board of Deputies (2002).
Most recently, in 2014, was the Alliance for Progressive Judaism headed up by Rabbi Danny Rich and Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner (pictured).
One important final historical footnote – Liberal Judaism was previously called the Union of Liberal and Progressive Synagogues (ULPS). However, 22 years ago, they took the decision to rebrand as Liberal Judaism and drop the word Progressive, because, ironically, it implied they were made up of both Reform and Liberal communities.
What we have learnt so far
This ongoing exploration of naming has not just been an internal conversation, we have also been working with experienced brand consultants, who have previously created successful branding for an eclectic mix of organisations such as Colgate, Comic Relief, Marie Curie and LV=.
They have encouraged us to look at this with a more forward-looking and open mind. They helped us understand that getting this right is critical to providing a sense of meaningful change, indicating a revitalisation and development of our Judaism.
With their guidance, we have explored the pros and cons of using ‘Reform’ and ‘Liberal’ together in our name – but found it to be backward-looking and failing to signify change or reflect the character of a new singular movement.
Other options that have been considered include adopting a Hebrew name, as Masorti Judaism do, or sticking to a generic name, as the Orthodox have with the United Synagogue.
How ‘Progressive Judaism’ has taken on a life of its own
In our statement to our members and other stakeholders in April 2023, when we announced the coming together of Reform and Liberal Judaism, we used ‘Progressive Judaism’ as a descriptor because it was the best and most widely understood term for what we are.
Over the last 18 months this descriptor has taken on a life of its own.
It was immediately and commonly coined by the media, and in turn used by important external stakeholders, including Government and other Jewish and faith organisations.
It took on a momentum that was impossible to stop – becoming one of those Ronseal moments, by doing ‘exactly what it says on the tin’. It has created valuable brand recognition and equity that we can ill afford to lose.
Consequently, and as you might expect, both Progressive Judaism and The Movement for Progressive Judaism are names we are considering.
We are also looking to see if we can go further and encapsulate the broader Jewish experience we offer our congregants – with a name such as The Movement for Progressive Jewish Life.
There might also be other great ideas still waiting in the wings, in which case we want to hear from you!
Our one-off opportunity to get it right
Together, we now have a unique opportunity to create a contemporary, authentic, strong and sustainable alternative to Orthodoxy in our modern world – to provide Jews with a choice where equality, inclusivity and diversity are the hallmarks.
We are committed to searching for the best naming and branding solution. As we do this, we will continue to listen and learn from our members and to look at further options.
When we take our recommendations back to you, be assured it will be based on what we have learnt from you, our members, and will reflect the consensus view.