Many of you will know the famous story of the Maharal of Prague and his Golem – the lump of clay that he animated to be a living-but-not-human-being. The story goes that through mystical incantations and writing the word ‘Emet’ (truth) on its head the Golem came to life. When 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 summer of discovery In lounges and dining rooms, at bedsides and on long walks beneath the glistening sun we soaked up the family stories this summer. We held service medals from the second world war and watched home movies. Gradually we pieced together a fragmented family tree that spanned Read more…
“It’s ticking the boxes against the disabled, the aged, LGBT, the ethnic communities and the rest of it, and something gets lost along the way.” So was the quote about the National Trust that greeted me in the paper after I returned from a simply joyous few days in Devon Read more…
I’ve just finished studying Mishnah Rosh Hashanah with a group through the Lyons Learning Project and had not noticed the literary quality of the ending of the final two chapters until now. Chapter three concludes with a reflection on who is qualified to perform a mitzvah and, in so doing, Read more…
I told some of you a couple of weeks ago in my sermon about our family visit to Portsmouth, where we visited the historic dockyards and had the wonderful opportunity to see the Mary Rose, the tudor flagship and the HMS Victory and HMS Warrior flagships. It made me think Read more…
Sermon for Rosh Hashanah 5775 Shanah Tovah and welcome to all friends, families, members and visitors. Once again it is a delight to be able to spend Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur as a community in our synagogue and to share it with the seats full and our choirs singing Read more…
Recently, I was asked to give a bit of background to my wearing of a kittel at services last week. This is a brief explanation of the custom and insight into my rationale as rabbi: During my time as a Liberal rabbi, I have always worn a kittel during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Read more…