Menachem Av, the Comforting Month of Av
The Hebrew month of Av, a time of many of the worst tragedies in Jewish history, begins this year on 4 August. Tradition teaches that on the first day of Av, Aaron, the first Israelite High Priest and...
The Power of Prayer
In a remarkable short story, “A Tale of Three Wishes” by Isaac Bashevis Singer, three children hear a tale that whoever makes a wish late at night on the last day of Sukkot, their wish will come true. One...
Reform Judaism and Kashrut
For a long time, a great many Reform Jews dismissed kashrut, Jewish dietary laws, entirely. Some Reform Jews referred to kashrut dismissively as “kitchen Judaism” and compared it unfavourably to “prophetic Judaism,” a Judaism primarily concerned with ethical behaviour. ...
Message on Attacks in Paris from Rabbi Holtz
Dear Friends, I am writing to you from Cincinnati, Ohio where Jodi and I are spending time with her family. As we were preparing for Shabbat, we heard about the awful attacks in Paris. Before the news came, we...
Shalom from Israel
Shalom chaverim, We’ve been very busy here in Israel. The learning, as always, has been wonderful. My chevruta partner this morning was the Reform movement’s Chief (only) rabbi of New Zealand. I’ll be sharing much of what I learned...
Shabbat Shalom from Israel
Shabbat Shalom from Israel, I took a quick walk to the old city earlier. I say quick, but it ended up taking a couple of hours as everything in Jerusalem seems closer to me than it really is, and...
Shalom from Israel
Shalom from Israel, I’m writing to everyone from beautiful Jerusalem. Jodi and I arrived here two days ago. The first time I came to Israel was about fifteen years ago as a university student. Even that first time coming...
Rabbis investigate indefinite detention of asylum seekers
Yesterday, along with several other rabbis, I visited a detention centre near Heathrow airport where many asylum seekers are being held indefinitely. Unfortunately, it seems as though the system for dealing with those seeking asylum is broken. I spoke...
Now What?
By Rabbi Jason Holtz I love Israel and I fear for it. I love Israel because of what it is and what it stands for, a proud, defiant, free, democratic, Jewish state reborn after thousands of years. Not only...
Our Shared Humanity: Civic Service Sermon
Delivered by Rabbi Jason Holtz on 25 January 2015 at a special Civic Service at Bromley Reform Synagogue. Mr Mayor and distinguished guests, my fellow synagogue members and I are honoured to have you at our Sabbath service...