@rabbiromain.bsky.social
Whoever you are....wherever you are...whatever you believe in....however you lead your life.....I wish you a happy Christmas....and that it'll be the best sort of day (at peace & with companionship)...and that it won't be a one-off but will extend into as much of 2026 as possible
December 25, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Whoever you are....wherever you are...whatever you believe in....however you lead your life.....I wish you a happy Christmas....and that it'll be the best sort of day (at peace & with companionship)...and that it won't be a one-off but will extend into as much of 2026 as possible
All credit to the police for foiling what was intended to be the deadliest terror attack in the UK - targeting British Jews in Manchester for death, carnage, family scars for decades: nothing achieved save mayhem & infamy. So, not just cruel but futile too. What a warped mindset.
December 24, 2025 at 8:46 AM
All credit to the police for foiling what was intended to be the deadliest terror attack in the UK - targeting British Jews in Manchester for death, carnage, family scars for decades: nothing achieved save mayhem & infamy. So, not just cruel but futile too. What a warped mindset.
Locally you can feel the spirit of Christmas - house decorations, people more friendly, neighbours more chatty - globally it's no different with cruel wars and seething conflicts continuing apace. Every year we hope the next one will be better....silly but there's no alternative.
December 23, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Locally you can feel the spirit of Christmas - house decorations, people more friendly, neighbours more chatty - globally it's no different with cruel wars and seething conflicts continuing apace. Every year we hope the next one will be better....silly but there's no alternative.
I've now done 2 TV interviews in the last 2 days about why British Jews feel unsafe; 5 years ago that would have been utterly bizarre to say, but today it is a sad reality. If it's true that Jews often serve as "the canary in the mine", then everyone else needs to be worried too.
December 22, 2025 at 8:38 AM
I've now done 2 TV interviews in the last 2 days about why British Jews feel unsafe; 5 years ago that would have been utterly bizarre to say, but today it is a sad reality. If it's true that Jews often serve as "the canary in the mine", then everyone else needs to be worried too.
Rutger Bregman's Reith Lectures - he has a wonderfully engaging way of communicating powerful insights. His initial plea for moral ambition culminates in a call to resist the current tech drive to make machines that are more powerful than humans. Time to act before it's too late?
December 21, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Rutger Bregman's Reith Lectures - he has a wonderfully engaging way of communicating powerful insights. His initial plea for moral ambition culminates in a call to resist the current tech drive to make machines that are more powerful than humans. Time to act before it's too late?
Good to celebrate Hanukkah at New Scotland Yard last night with Sir Mark Rowley, the Jewish Police Association & others in the Met - it's not often realised how seriously it takes a proactive diversity policy to appreciate all those of different faiths and none within its ranks.
December 19, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Good to celebrate Hanukkah at New Scotland Yard last night with Sir Mark Rowley, the Jewish Police Association & others in the Met - it's not often realised how seriously it takes a proactive diversity policy to appreciate all those of different faiths and none within its ranks.
Are "Globalise the Intifada" and "From the river to the sea" hate speech? They may/may not have started out that way, but they have become so. Associations change (see "gay"). You can still march, protest or call for a Palestinian state, but no need to use those two slogans.
December 18, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Are "Globalise the Intifada" and "From the river to the sea" hate speech? They may/may not have started out that way, but they have become so. Associations change (see "gay"). You can still march, protest or call for a Palestinian state, but no need to use those two slogans.
Went to Hanukkah celebrations in Trafalgar Square last night - frankly it'd been a long day and I could have done without it, but thought it important to be there and support Jewish life in the public square without fear. See the 3 candles above Nelson representing the 3rd night:
December 17, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Went to Hanukkah celebrations in Trafalgar Square last night - frankly it'd been a long day and I could have done without it, but thought it important to be there and support Jewish life in the public square without fear. See the 3 candles above Nelson representing the 3rd night:
So many false conflations: that British Jews are responsible for what happens in Israel; that all Muslims are extremists; that Jews and Muslims are at war with each other. All untrue. The answer is education, but it's a slow-burner, so we have to be fiercely & loudly moderate.
December 16, 2025 at 7:03 AM
So many false conflations: that British Jews are responsible for what happens in Israel; that all Muslims are extremists; that Jews and Muslims are at war with each other. All untrue. The answer is education, but it's a slow-burner, so we have to be fiercely & loudly moderate.
Dear Bondi gunmen, although I am celebrating Hanukkah every night at home this year, I was not intending to go to the big public London celebration of it..but now I shall..to show solidarity with Australian Jews..and to show that you can do harm but we won't let you intimidate
December 15, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Dear Bondi gunmen, although I am celebrating Hanukkah every night at home this year, I was not intending to go to the big public London celebration of it..but now I shall..to show solidarity with Australian Jews..and to show that you can do harm but we won't let you intimidate
Can we prevent another Bondi beach killing? We can never be 100% certain despite the best efforts of police (& ordinary citizens who are alert or report violent intent), but we can stop the gunmen from changing us and making us give up on communal harmony & the dream of peace
December 15, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Can we prevent another Bondi beach killing? We can never be 100% certain despite the best efforts of police (& ordinary citizens who are alert or report violent intent), but we can stop the gunmen from changing us and making us give up on communal harmony & the dream of peace
The Bondi Beach killings is what didn't happen at the Manchester Synagogue in October - but could have done. A desperately sad reminder of that near miss. The Jewish community needs to be ever alert, yet not adopt a fortress mentality - we need to keep our doors and hearts open.
December 14, 2025 at 1:57 PM
The Bondi Beach killings is what didn't happen at the Manchester Synagogue in October - but could have done. A desperately sad reminder of that near miss. The Jewish community needs to be ever alert, yet not adopt a fortress mentality - we need to keep our doors and hearts open.
A seasonal question that may be bothering some Jewish parents (while others might like to know): should parents of a Jewish child let him/her sing Christmas carols in their primary school Christmas concert? Answer at: www.thejc.com/judaism/rabb...
Ask a rabbi: Can my son sing in his school’s Christmas concert? - The Jewish Chronicle
An Orthodox and a Progressive rabbi tackle contemporary Jewish issues
www.thejc.com
December 14, 2025 at 9:44 AM
A seasonal question that may be bothering some Jewish parents (while others might like to know): should parents of a Jewish child let him/her sing Christmas carols in their primary school Christmas concert? Answer at: www.thejc.com/judaism/rabb...
Great debate on the Today programme just now (8.09 am) about the assisted dying Bill in the Lords - 'scrutiny or sabotage?' - with the unelected Lords clearly overstepping their duty to examine a Bill that has passed the (elected) Commons & instead covertly trying to destroy it.
December 12, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Great debate on the Today programme just now (8.09 am) about the assisted dying Bill in the Lords - 'scrutiny or sabotage?' - with the unelected Lords clearly overstepping their duty to examine a Bill that has passed the (elected) Commons & instead covertly trying to destroy it.
Last night I heard comedy duo Rachel Creeger & Philip Simons, whose gig I helped arrange locally as they had their show in Edinburgh cancelled in the summer - because they were Jewish & therefore dangerous. Yuk! But what a reflection on the comedy circuit (& Scottish resilience)
December 11, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Last night I heard comedy duo Rachel Creeger & Philip Simons, whose gig I helped arrange locally as they had their show in Edinburgh cancelled in the summer - because they were Jewish & therefore dangerous. Yuk! But what a reflection on the comedy circuit (& Scottish resilience)
If Netanyahu wants to be pardoned, then surely he first has to make an admission of guilt - otherwise what is he being pardoned for? - and IF it is granted, it surely has to be accompanied by some non-judicial penalty e.g. not being able to hold public office for, say, 3 years.
December 10, 2025 at 11:12 AM
If Netanyahu wants to be pardoned, then surely he first has to make an admission of guilt - otherwise what is he being pardoned for? - and IF it is granted, it surely has to be accompanied by some non-judicial penalty e.g. not being able to hold public office for, say, 3 years.
Strangely, there is a surge of people converting to Judaism - even though we are not a missionary religion and reckon there are many paths to God. Here are some of the factors behind the increase, as well as what happens to Jews who convert elsewhere: www.thetablet.co.uk/features/the...
The curious rise of converts to Judaism - The Tablet
Something strange is going on in Judaism … But first, some background. The Bible presents Abraham as the first religious missionary: according to Genesis
www.thetablet.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Strangely, there is a surge of people converting to Judaism - even though we are not a missionary religion and reckon there are many paths to God. Here are some of the factors behind the increase, as well as what happens to Jews who convert elsewhere: www.thetablet.co.uk/features/the...
Kishwer Falkner at the EHRC @EHRCChair has been a breath of fresh air when so much political dialogue has been conducted in a fog of ignorance and prejudice. Thank goodness she was at the helm during the women's rights issues. Let's hope those who follow her now will be as brave.
December 8, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Kishwer Falkner at the EHRC @EHRCChair has been a breath of fresh air when so much political dialogue has been conducted in a fog of ignorance and prejudice. Thank goodness she was at the helm during the women's rights issues. Let's hope those who follow her now will be as brave.
Fascinating that the biggest cheer when Zarah Sultana launched Your Party last week was that the party would be anti-Zionist. What happens in Gaza is important, but why more than child poverty etc. here? Is it easier to love those far away than nearby? Or that hate trumps love?
December 7, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Fascinating that the biggest cheer when Zarah Sultana launched Your Party last week was that the party would be anti-Zionist. What happens in Gaza is important, but why more than child poverty etc. here? Is it easier to love those far away than nearby? Or that hate trumps love?
Eurovision: why exclude Russia but not Israel? The former was the aggressor, whereas the latter defended itself after being attacked. Palestinian deaths were tragic but never the game-plan, and all Israelis wish they were living in October 6th still.
December 5, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Eurovision: why exclude Russia but not Israel? The former was the aggressor, whereas the latter defended itself after being attacked. Palestinian deaths were tragic but never the game-plan, and all Israelis wish they were living in October 6th still.
Good news/bad news: the Government has given extra days for the assisted dying Bill to be heard in the Lords -but that might not be enough for the 1000+ amendments opponents have put up, attempting to override the will of the Commons and a massively popular policy in all polls.
December 1, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Good news/bad news: the Government has given extra days for the assisted dying Bill to be heard in the Lords -but that might not be enough for the 1000+ amendments opponents have put up, attempting to override the will of the Commons and a massively popular policy in all polls.
How accurate are people's memories of what politicians were like when they were children at school? Below is what I had in yesterday's The Times. Can people change as they grow up? Of course we can if we so wish, but many choose not to do so.
November 30, 2025 at 11:27 AM
How accurate are people's memories of what politicians were like when they were children at school? Below is what I had in yesterday's The Times. Can people change as they grow up? Of course we can if we so wish, but many choose not to do so.
The Supreme Court judgement last week that RE in schools in Northern Ireland should be "objective, critical and pluralist" is a welcome message for us all. It highlights the difference between religious education (knowledge & choice) & religious indoctrination (limited & forced)
November 27, 2025 at 10:42 AM
The Supreme Court judgement last week that RE in schools in Northern Ireland should be "objective, critical and pluralist" is a welcome message for us all. It highlights the difference between religious education (knowledge & choice) & religious indoctrination (limited & forced)
No, no, no David Moyes - you may like your players at Everton "having a brawl" & "fighting each other"...but what message did it send to thousands of amateur footballers - children & adults alike - when Gueye slapped one of his own side for making a mistake and you approved?
November 26, 2025 at 10:23 AM
No, no, no David Moyes - you may like your players at Everton "having a brawl" & "fighting each other"...but what message did it send to thousands of amateur footballers - children & adults alike - when Gueye slapped one of his own side for making a mistake and you approved?
Took part in a seminar on circumcision yesterday - chosen by some parents for religious reasons and by others who have no faith but think it is right. For me what is key is that it should be done only by those who are medically qualified, and all cases should be monitored.
November 25, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Took part in a seminar on circumcision yesterday - chosen by some parents for religious reasons and by others who have no faith but think it is right. For me what is key is that it should be done only by those who are medically qualified, and all cases should be monitored.