Natan Scharansky recalls Chanuka in a Russian prison camp after he had successfully managed to light candles on the first five nights. On the sixth night of Hanukkah the authorities confiscated my menorah with all my candles. I ran to the duty officer to find out what had happened. “The candlesticks were made from state … More Heroes – Chanukah / Miketz 5780

  Background. The Rambam writes[1], ‘During the period of the Second Beis HaMikdash, during the rule of the wicked Syrian – Greeks, evil decrees were enacted against the Jews. They sought to wipe out their religion and did not permit them to learn Torah or to perform Mitzvos. They stretched out their hands and stole … More The Laws and Customs of Chanukah

I have a dream! Or in other words Yoseph says to his brothers, שמעו נא החלום הזה אשר חלמתי, ‘Hear, please, the dream which I dreamt. Dreams clearly play a crucial part in this week’s parsha, from Yosef’s dreams at the start of the sedra to the butler and the baker’s at the end. Next … More פרשת וישב תש”פ

It’s been a while since I posted here and lots has happened since then. I am delighted to have recently been appointed Rabbi of Finchley Fed, a warm and vibrant community in North West London. This role, along with the other positions that I hold within the Jewish Futures family of organisations, provides me with … More It’s time to get going