Ealing Liberal Synagogue on Lynton Avenue has welcomed an energetic and stimulating new Rabbi to lead its thriving community.  Rabbi Janet Burden, who lives with her husband in Hammersmith, was ordained in July 2002, after completing her studies at Leo Baeck College , the Centre for Jewish Education in North London . She was born and educated in the United States , but has chosen to make Britain her home. She holds two masters degrees, one in English and a second (with distinction) in Hebrew and Jewish Studies.

Janet came to the rabbinate from a background of social activism. She remains committed to the prophetic vision of global justice and continues to work towards that goal within the Jewish community. Prior to becoming a Rabbi, she worked for the development agency, OXFAM. She is also a founder member of the Jewish environmental group, the Noah Project. She is also joint convenor of the Liberal Judaism social action committee, �Just Action�.

Rabbi Janet particularly enjoys teaching both children and adults, preferring to adopt an experiential approach whenever possible. �People of all ages learn best by doing,� she says.  She runs a regular �Access to Judaism� course, designed for those who are exploring Judaism as a personal spiritual path.  It is a rolling course that consists of 25 individual sessions, grouped thematically around the Jewish festival cycle. 

Rabbi Janet's style is informal and intimate. She enjoys supplementing the formal readings with those gleaned from a wide range of sources. She encourages congregational participation in services, and highly values the involvement of committed lay leadership in all aspects of communal life.

The first service at which Rabbi Janet will be officiating celebrates the festival of Purim, during which she and one of the student community members will be holding a workshop for the younger people before celebrating the festival with a lively family service.    As Rabbi Janet commented � Purim is one of the most entertaining Jewish holidays which commemorates the time when the Jewish people were saved from extermination by the courage of a young Jewish woman called Esther.  It is customary to hold carnival-like celebrations on Purim, to perform plays and parodies as well as dress up in fancy dress costumes.  It is the closest parallel we have to Mardi Gras and I see this as an auspicious time to celebrate my inauguration into this lively family-orientated congregation. �

If you would like to celebrate Purim on 26 March with Rabbi Janet and the ELS Community or would like more information about children or adult education please telephone Peter Spencer on 0208 997 0528.