Masorti UK leaders returned from a trip to Israel in December 2025, where we spent several intense days meeting Israeli Masorti communities, civil society leaders and advocates for religious pluralism.
Back home in our communities, delegates have been sharing what they saw, what challenged them, and what strengthened them.
This reflection was shared by Nicki Tiefenbrun at New North London Synagogue after Shabbat morning services, 7 February 2026.
She was joined by Jude Williams who introduced the panel, Louise Froggett who spoke about an Urban Kibbutz in Sderot, Janine Stein who spoke about Daniel Sharabi at the Nova Festival site, Vicky who spoke about hearing from Henry, from Sde Boker. Bruce Rigal spoke about hearing from Mohammed Darawashe who offered an Arab Israeli perspective. Nicki Tiefenbrun spoke about Masorti in Israel, and what she learned from meeting Rabbi Joel Levy and Rakefet Ginsberg. Hana Ross spoke about Civil Society in Tel Aviv. Rabbi Chaim Weiner summarised by saying that the only way to close the gap between what you know and what you hear, and the two worlds that we inhabit is by going there and meeting people for yourself.
From Nicki’s notes…
“I joined the trip looking to learn and deepen my connection with Israel, but unexpectedly came away with a deepened connection to Masorti. Through the encounters with Masorti leaders and communities I found a deep sense of belonging that being a Masorti Jew was the right place for me — both religiously, but also in how I can express my Zionism and connection to Israel.
Every Masorti leader we encountered spoke of challenge, tension, social justice, religious pluralism, and the fight!
A few experiences stood out:
At the hotel, our group could not use the Beit Midrash to hold services, because we were not orthodox. It’s rare for me to find myself excluded from a space, so that stung.
Rabbi Joel Levy talked about our responsibilities as Masorti Jews to challenge the religious narrative in Israel. At the egalitarian section of the Kotel, why can we not reach out and touch the wall.
Rakefet Ginsberg, the former Executive Director of Masorti in Israel spoke about the hegemony that the religious right have over so much of society eg marriage, divorce. She tells her kids not to get married to their long term partners, as it feeds a system of religious control.
Masorti in Israel not just another denomination but movement for social justice and a vision for a better Israeli society.
So when I have been challenged to find my epicentre to express my relationship to Israel, the trip made clear to me that the thread was already there. That being a Masorti Jew does not just express my religious identity, it can also characterise my Zionism. It is an identity that can stand with, but also fight for a vision of a more just Israel.
Just as Jacob wrestled with the angel all night, refusing to let go until he received a blessing, I better appreciate how as a Masorti Jews I can both hold tight to Israel and wrestle with it as an integral part of my Jewish identity.”
