A sermon in memory of my father Paul Janes, whose first Yarzheit (in the Hebrew calendar) was this week. We made it to Penarth whilst on holiday. It was a moment of peace after the turmoil of the first half of 2020. I had been to university in Cardiff and Read more…
It was December 2012 and the Conservative Minister for Civil Society, Nick Hurd MP, suggested that wealthy pensioners (or at least those with enough income) could give their winter fuel payment to charity instead of using it for themselves. We were still at a kind of peak ‘Big Society’ of Read more…
The conversation about facemasks is probably as emblematic of our age as any. I’m not talking about the extent to which the science demonstrates the protective effect of a facemask. We are all (children and adults) capable of understanding that the way in which scientific data is interpreted and applied Read more…
I’m teaching rabbinic students a text in the Talmud that is famous for a story it contains (more on that another time). But a question that I keep asking myself is why the idea of hurt feelings and public shame is considered to be such a major concern that the Read more…
To be – to choose life – to be written in the book of life. A sermon this year for Rosh Hashanah – there’s so much to think about and reflect upon. I’m sure my colleagues will run the full gamut of issues but much as I’m drawn to the Read more…
“It turns out that trust is in fact earned in the smallest of moments. It is earned not through heroic deeds, or even highly visible actions, but through paying attention, listening, and gestures of genuine care and connection.” (from “Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.” by Brené Read more…
A B Yehoshua shot me a cheeky look as he reflected on how all the great Zionist thinkers in the early days were writers – Ahad Ha’am, Jabotinsky etc. Here was one of the greatest authors in Israel’s history up close and personal. He was on sublime form as he Read more…
You will know from my recent sermons that I’ve been researching my family tree as a gift to myself for my birthday. I’ve met, on paper at least, the bootmaker, the tailor, the grocer, the judge, the businessman, the tabaco stripper and I’ve walked London, looked up google street view Read more…
I’m not going to be preaching about Antisemitism on Rosh Hashanah. I will only be giving one sermon and, amongst the rabbinic team, I understand the subject may be approached by colleagues. How could it not be since it has dominated the news headlines for a sizeable chunk of the Read more…
After I first lived in Israel, I promised myself that I would regularly preach about Israel. Not in terms of the politics but to paint a picture of life in Israel for those born in the land and those who have chosen to make their home there. I was still Read more…