OLYMPIC MEDALS The Paris Olympics have begun. For the next 16 days we will be treated to drama and excitement as the elite sports men and women of the world compete for those precious medals. Whilst there are bound to be surprises, with individuals and teams excelling on the day and snatching an unpredicted victory,...
RESCUE MISSION This week’s parasha always has a particular resonance for me. It is the anniversary of the first occasion I visited St John’s Wood shul on a Shabbat. It was in July 1976. I had been in correspondence with Rabbi Dr Norman Lamm, then Professor of Jewish Philosophy at Yeshiva University in New York....
A SISTER’S SUPPORT In wishing our new Prime Minister well as he settles into office, I am reminded of the comment made by my teacher, the late Rabbi Dr Nachum Rabinovitch, that a leader needs three qualities: a sensitive heart, a discerning mind, and a thick skin! There will be many occasions when a leader...
ELECTION WEEK IN THE PARASHA At the time of writing, an election is about to take place, and, in all likelihood, there will be a new Prime Minister in Downing Street by the end of the week. One could say that this is particularly appropriate for a Shabbat on which we read about a challenge...
BLUE AND WHITE Have you ever wondered about the origin of the colours in Israel’s flag? Look around in shul and you will see the answer. The colours come from the common colours seen on a tallit: blue and white. They were adopted for the flag at the first Zionist Congress in Basle, 1897. As...
