About Progressive Judaism > Scandinavia

Scandinavia

From the very beginning when Shir Hatzafon began as a small group of people who met privately, it has been a pleasure to help Progressive Jews in the other Nordic countries. Thus, there is close cooperation with the association Progressive Judaism in Norway and grouping Progressive Judaism in Stockholm (a part of the Jewish unity congregation in Stockholm). There are also ongoing contacts with the Jewish association in Lund.

Shir Hatzafon has in our relatively short existence offered our assistance to several people from Norway, Sweden and Finland through our conversion programme.

Laity from the three countries meet every second year in order to forge closer links and discuss our own and common challenges.

The three countries have come together in a common project, which aims to overcome the shortage of rabbis in Europe and Scandinavia in particular. In October 2009 a dozen people from the three countries met to begin in a training programme, which will equip them to lead worship services in their communities. The planning is carried out in close cooperation with Shir Hatzafon’s affiliated Rabbi Tirzah Ben David from Israel and Shir Hatzafon’s founding Rabbi dr Charles Middleburgh from Leo Baeck College in London. Education is conducted and supported by the World Union for Progressive Judaism in Jerusalem and Rabbi David Wilfond respectively, Hebrew Union College, Rabbi Rich Kirschen, Anita Saltz International Education.