2 days agoOn Classical Reform Judaism and its aftermathI will be blunt. It’s a tragedy. In Rabbinic seminaries, the #metoo movement is exploding all around the world. Former students of the Orthodox flagship, Yeshiva University, have recently revealed how they have been molested by prominent Rabbis since the 1960s. Sex offenders had been allowed to continue teaching in…Judaism7 min read
Apr 30Shabbat Atzmaut 5782There is a bit of a problem at the beginning of this week’s Torah portion. Leviticus 19:3 “You shall each revere your mother and your father, and keep my Sabbaths, I the Eternal am your God”. These are two very important commandments — honouring the parents and keeping Shabbat. But…Israel5 min read
Apr 24“Let my people go” and the missing bitFirst Shabbat after Pesach. It is safe to say that this is not the most attended service of the year. There are several reasons for that. The first is what I call the Pass-over Hangover. We have had, in rapid succession: Pesach -one Seder at home, then service here the…Judaism5 min read
Apr 9Ukraine and Palestine. And HametzA sermon for Pesach haGadol 5782 As Pesach is approaching, I want to give some advice for the Pesach cleaning. But, before that, let me say a couple of words about what’s happening in Ukraine. What’s the narrative of this war? It’s pretty straightforward. …Judaism6 min read
Mar 31To The Most Revd Justin Welby, Archbishop of CanterburyYour Grace, On a Sabbath day in March 1959, John XXIII stopped the papal procession to bless the Jews at the exit of the Great Synagogue in Rome. That simple gesture was the beginning of a new era in the history of interfaith relations. That episode came to mind when…Anti Semitism3 min read
Mar 19From Purim to PesachFROM PURIM TO PESACH Some months ago, a prominent British Jewish intellectual called me a sex addict, “like all Italians” on Twitter. It was an excruciating moment: being targeted by racism is never a pleasant experience. But, also, -as any mental health professional knows, the reference was tasteless. Sex addiction…Purim6 min read
Feb 21Carnival and Purim. Differences and similitudesWhen Carnival and Purim are not so close to each other, like this year, it’s an excellent opportunity to think about the differences (and similitudes). Carnival, from the Latin Caro, vale, “goodbye meat”. In the Christian calendar is the celebration of meat before Lent, the last day of feasting before…Purim3 min read
Feb 12A lesson in politicsWe are now hopefully emerging from the pandemic (hopefully…), and we wonder how our life has changed, which of the new habits we have acquired during the pandemic are here to stay. I have read somewhere that one of the most significant changes in how we dress now. Think of…Parashat Hashavua4 min read
Feb 5The colours of the TabernacleWhat is the Holocaust? It depends on who you ask. You can ask Whoopi Goldberg — an actress who adopted a Jewish family name to be more successful (which should say something about her opinion about our people). …Wokeness8 min read
Jan 29Holocaust Memorial Day and Parashat MishpatimA few days ago, it was Holocaust Memorial Day. In a couple of days, we’ll hold our own ceremony in Brighton. It will be open -this is very important- to all the citizens. Because Holocaust Memorial Day is for the general community. …Holocaust8 min read
