Being a Jew in a Christian country, at Christmas.

November has begun. Having attended a multi-faith school for 7 years, I know that this means, the start of the countdown to Christmas for my non-Jewish friends. As a traditional Jew, it always felt a little strange; my friends chatted and buzzed about what presents...

Rabin’s Legacy: Peace or Democracy?

Rabin’s Legacy: Peace or Democracy? One of the single most meaningful, inspiring and all round positive memories I have from my Shnat year in Israel is attending the annual Rabin memorial rally in Kikar Rabin, Tel-Aviv. The energy in that square was electric, the sea...

Abraham – A Common Ancestor

This week’s parsha is Lech Lecha. This is a story about Abraham and Sarah travelling to Egypt and back to Canaan.The main theme of the story is Abraham’s loyalty to God. After acquiring wealth in Egypt and saving his nephew from kidnap, Abraham returns to...

Parshat Noach

Parshat Noach – By Noah Bickler Shabbat Shalom Chaverim! This weeks parsha follows the story of Noah. It is not the tale of and the epic life of a north Leeds Jew nor does it feature Russell Crowe and Emma Watson. Instead it tells the tale of the only righteous...

And So We Begin Again

Shabbat Shalom Chaverim! This week’s parsha is Bereishit, “and in the beginning”, and is the first parsha in the Torah. A lot happens in this parsha (it’s pretty long) but in a nutshell this is what happens: G‑d creates the world in six days. On the first day He...