Introduction to the GIL
It all began on a beautiful Sunday in September 1969. The wedding of the granddaughter of a former honorary president of the GIL was celebrated by rabbi François Garaï. Then in March 1970 in a private home, a group of 15 people celebrated Purim. The same year a Passover Seder was attended by more than 60 people and this was followed by Chavuot and a Friday evening Shabbat service.
With the congregation growing in size, a group of about 10 volunteers organised the High Holidays and as of the 4th of September regular Shabbat services were held in a rented room in rue Moillebeau, Geneva.
On December 7th, 1970, the first general meeting voted the first statutes of the «Groupe Israélite libérale» which is now the «Communauté Juive libérale de Genève – GIL».
«Liberal Judaism» is a Jewish religious denomination in Europe. As practiced at the GIL it resembles aspects of American Reform and Conservative Judaism.
In October 1971, the first Benot-Mitzvah read the Torah and the next year the first Bar-Mitzvah of a young boy was celebrated at the GIL.
The Gil grew continually in membership. In October 1981, the leaders decided to find a new home, more centralised, that would allow a more comfortable development.
In November 1984, the first Shabbat Service was celebrated at the Quai du Seujet. No longer a rented place but a space bought and set to be a small community center.
The GIL continued its growth; regular Shabbat services were attended by more and more members. Today the GIL, is a community of more than 400 families, representing more than a 1000 members. Shabbat services bring together about 60 to 80 people. About 10-15 Bat/Bar-Mitzvah are celebrated each year. There is a Passover Seder with about 150 people and more than 900 for the High Holidays. About 100 children attend the Talmud Torah. Classes for adults are offered, community dinners organised, cultural events are held regularly and the magazine Hayom is sent to more than 4000 homes (which can be downloaded from the GIL internet site).