We are remembering our wonderful friend Rosita by fundraising for The One Love Project Southend.  

About The One Love Project 

Our focus is to assist and support rough sleepers in and around Southend by providing food and clothing as well as mental and emotional support via a trauma informed and humanitarian approach.
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We aim to provide a safe space with a sense of togetherness, creating hope and empowerment, to encourage individuals with complex needs as a result of homelessness and or addiction and supporting individuals on their journey to recovery and a housing solution. Breaking the cycle and stopping the revolving door system.
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We work closely with other local services and partnerships within our local community, to ensure we are signposting all service users in the right direction as well as creating and raising awareness of our work within our community.

Rosita's Incredible Story 

Rosita was Executive Director of Liberal Judaism from 1989-1997, the first woman to ever hold the role.

During that time, she helped to establish many Liberal communities including in Peterborough, Lincolnshire, Norwich, Kent and Herefordshire, as well as The Liberal Synagogue Elstree (then known as Stanmore Liberal Synagogue) of which she became an active member.

Before then, during the 1960s, Rosita managed Liberal Judaism’s Development Committee that also helped to establish communities in Bed-Herts and Kingston.

Her entire life was spent completely immersed in every aspect of Liberal Judaism, including its congregations, events and partner organisations such as Leo Baeck College.

Even after stepping down as Executive Director, Rosita still remained deeply involved – serving as a Vice President of Liberal Judaism and inspiring and supporting many new generations of leaders and members.

She also co-wrote the definitive history of our movement, Liberal Judaism: The First 100 Years, along with Rabbi Lawrence Rigal.

At the Biennial Weekend in 2016, Rosita was presented was presented with a Lifetime Achievement award, acknowledging her insightful mind and deep devotion to Liberal Judaism.

Just this week, she was also honoured in the Jewish News ‘120 over 80’ list, with the paper praising her as “a guiding force of Liberal and Progressive Judaism for many years”.

Liberal Judaism’s current Chief Executive Officer Rabbi Charley Baginsky said: “Rosita was an inspiration, a mentor and a confidante to me and so many others. She was loved by all who knew her and will be deeply missed. Her achievements for Liberal Judaism still stand and inspire to this day.”