Recent Writings
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Judaism from A to Z—E: “Eye for an Eye”
Read more →: Judaism from A to Z—E: “Eye for an Eye”Judaism from A to Z—E: “Eye for an Eye” If one could speak of biblical verses being vilified, then “an eye for an eye” would be the most…
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Judaism from A to Z—”Diaspora”
Read more →: Judaism from A to Z—”Diaspora”Judaism from A to Z—”Diaspora” Diaspora identifies any place outside of the land of Israel where Jews live. The term derived from the Greek διασπείρω diaspeiro (“scatter”). The first diaspora…
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Judaism from A to Z—”Birkat ha-mazon, grace after meal”
Read more →: Judaism from A to Z—”Birkat ha-mazon, grace after meal”One of the most important prayers in Judaism and one of the very few that the Bible commands us to recite, is never recited during synagogue services. That prayer is…
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Judaism from A to Z—”Afterlife”
Read more →: Judaism from A to Z—”Afterlife”Judaism from A to Z—”Afterlife” The afterlife (Olam haBa) is rarely discussed in Jewish life, be it among Reform, Conservative, or Orthodox Jews. This is in marked contrast…
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What in God’s Name is God’s Name?
Read more →: What in God’s Name is God’s Name?This is one of the more profound theological questions. To be able to name something or someone is to have a specific relationship to it or them, even…
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Shemot: A story, which can challenge our assumptions
Read more →: Shemot: A story, which can challenge our assumptionsAt the beginning of 2011, while protests were happening in Egypt against the regime of Hosni Mubarak, a joke did the rounds, which claimed that the Jews had…
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Lehitra’ot Rabbi Avidan
Read more →: Lehitra’ot Rabbi AvidanDesmond Sweke’s Farewell Address and Presentation to Rabbi and Ruth Avidan Shabbat Vayechi 11 January 2020 On this very special occasion, it is a great honour to share…
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Have no fear – be Strong!
Read more →: Have no fear – be Strong!The Torah portion Va’yechi is the concluding parasha of the first book of Torah, B’reishit. It ends the narrative of the founding mothers and fathers of our folk…
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Chanukah Oy Chanukah – Come light the menorah
Read more →: Chanukah Oy Chanukah – Come light the menorahCelebrate Chanukah with us on Friday 27 December with a festive service. Bring your own Chanukiah to the service and 7 candles to join in lighting the Chanukah lights.…
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Heaven and earth touched each other
Read more →: Heaven and earth touched each otherThis week’s Torah portion, Vayetzei, describes the first part of the journey of the biblical Jacob. Fleeing the wrath of his brother, whose birthright he purchased and whose blessing he…
