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rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 2h

If Israelis & Palestinians are going to be neighbours in a 2-state solution, they had better start gradually moving away from that mutual suspicion & hatred, & instead learn to accept each other's existence & at least have a 'cold peace'. It applies to nation states as much as ordinary householders

Any Way You Want Me @anywayyouwantme.bsky.social · 15h

So, you are suggesting that those who march in support of Palestinian statehood should carry the flag of the country that has denied and continues to deny Palestinians that right?

Should Jews who believe that Nazis have a right to exist carry Nazi flags too?

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rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 16h

Here's a challenge to all those who went on marches for peace in Israel or Gaza, be you Jewish, Muslim or any other background & if you believe in a two-state solution: from now on whenever you march, hold both an Israeli and a Palestinian flag. And if not, what does that say?

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rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 1d

Dear President Trump
Well done on Gaza ceasefire (sort of, so far)....you're on a roll....so now do the same to Ukraine please

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rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 2d

If, as Harold Wilson said, "A week is a long time in politics" - then all credit to Donald Trump for using this week well.

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rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 4d

Yesterday I did my turn for two hours standing outside my synagogue on security duty...I hardly gave it a thought....it's what we do every week...& long before the Manchester attack occurred...but, actually, it's extraordinarily depressing that we take the need for it for granted

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rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 6d

I wish the Manchester synagogue attacker had not
been a Muslim, which reinforced the mistaken narrative that Jews & Muslims are enemies. An attack by a mentally unstable atheist would have been heartbreaking, but, somehow, less troubling. See my article:
www.thetablet.co.uk/features/a-c...

A climate of fear - The Tablet

The attack on the Heaton Park synagogue in north Manchester last week during Yom Kippur brought home several unpleasant truths – and not just the obvious ones.

www.thetablet.co.uk

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rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 7d

So easy to be skeptical about today's Gaza peace deal - what could go wrong now and how much could fall apart later on - but let's put that aside for as long as possible, celebrate the moment and rejoice in the re-appearance of that long-time-not-seen friend: hope.

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rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 9d

By all means protest against the war in Gaza 364 days a year, but not on 7th October - when Hamas attacked not Israel's army but civilians at home, teenagers at a music festival & started this war. Why change from the usual Saturday protests to specifically back an abhorrent act?

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rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 10d

People seem forget that Sarah Mullaly is not only the first female Archbishop but also the first appointed when, according to the last Census, Christianity is no longer the faith of the majority of people in the UK & is a minority faith, as we discussed in
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

Sunday Morning Live - Series 16: 05/10/2025

Live ethical debates on topical issues. Join in online and on social media.

www.bbc.co.uk

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rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 12d

Join me on BBC Radio London (if you're up at 7.30 am later today - Sunday 5th - or on playback afterwards) for a look at the morning papers, covering the attack on the Manchester Synagogue, the latest Trump peace plan and the new Archbishop - the good, the bad and the puzzling.

rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 13d

Congratulations to the Church of England on recognising the full religious equality of women by electing the first female Archbishop of Canterbury. Let's hope she can change the popular image of the Church of England - from being against so much to a body that embraces so much.

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rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 13d

What happened in Manchester was a nightmare come true, something we always feared would happen but prayed would not. But our response must not be to surround synagogues with barbed wire, but continue with Jewish life flourishing and being open to engagement with wider society.

rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 15d

What do non-Christians want from a new Archbishop of Canterbury? Someone who can lift faith away from association with abuse scandals, cover ups, being anti-women & anti-gay....which tarnishes all faiths in general ...and restores association with goodness, kindness & integrity.

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rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 16d

The Trump deal is far from the best that Palestinians could get, but that's because they rejected much better ones in the past (Gaza & West Bank combined) - "never missing an opportunity to miss an opportunity" (Eban) - let's hope this is accepted as the alternatives are worse.

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rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 17d

Participated in a very moving service at Coventry Cathedral yesterday for police who had died in the line of duty. They had left home one morning, tackled criminals on behalf of you and me, and never returned that night. We remembered them and thanked them (and their families).

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rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 18d

We're fairly good at rallying around people when they have suffered a loss, but not so good at the follow up a few weeks later or even remembering the annual anniversary (they certainly do), so I've written in the Times about the value of Celebration Day: www.thetimes.com/comment/regi...

Be brave and reach out to the grieving

A year after one of my neighbours lost her husband, I dropped round to wish her well on the first anniversary of his death. She looked at me in astonishment, saying: “Apart from my son, nobody else

www.thetimes.com

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rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 20d

I don't object to ID cards in principle - am constantly having to use passport or driving licence to prove it for various purposes - but if it's an anti-immigration ploy, then continuing pictures of illegal boats arriving will make the government look like King Canute.

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rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 22d

For the 1st time in 48 years I was not leading a RH service. Verdict? It's more fun being on the bimah: constant activity leading prayers, nods to the warden, co-ordinating with the choir, checking no one has fainted in the pews, outer smile/inner sigh at latecomers. Real buzz!

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rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 24d

Yes, if Yasser Arafat had accepted the land deal that was offered to him for a Palestinian state (all of Gaza and 92% of the West Bank) when he was in charge of both parts - but he rejected it and a wonderful opportunity for both Palestinians and Israelis was lost. If only.....

OllieRFC_ @ollierfc.bsky.social · 25d

When is the right time? Anytime in the last 38 years?

rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 24d

Happy New Year to all Jewish readers. It may seem odd to others to have a new year in early autumn, but change is in the air much more than in January - we can feel it in our bones - and biblical time is led by nature. Let's hope it's a better year than so much of the past one.

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rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 25d

Dear Sir Keir, Don't do it. Yes, one day recognise a Palestinian state which has agreed borders, a functioning government & will live alongside Israel, but not when it's leadership is Hamas, committed to Israel's destruction & still holding hostages. Right idea, but wrong time.

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rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 27d

So many terminally ill people will be hoping this will pass in time to give them options should they need them, while millions who are healthy now will be pleased it will give them choices should they succumb to a disease that would otherwise bring an atrocious end to an otherwise enjoyable life

Sarah Wootton @sarahwootton.bsky.social · 27d

The assisted dying Bill has received its Second Reading in the House of Lords and will progress to Committee Stage

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rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 27d

I don't have much in common with Donald Trump but , like him, I have stayed overnight at Windsor Castle (more times than him, though not in the magnificent room he had). But even in an ordinary room, it's still breath-taking to wake up to a view over the battlements and turrets.

rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 27d

Amazed but pleased that Pete Murray has reached his 100th birthday today. I recall meeting him when I was c. 10 years old and how easy-going & friendly he was to a little squit he didn't know. I thought he had died long ago....obviously wrong.....sorry Pete....and keep going!

rabbiromain.bsky.social @rabbiromain.bsky.social · 29d

Astonishing that Christian groups, plus clergy in cassocks & others with large crosses, were among the 150,000 people at the Unite the Kingdom march in London on Saturday. Yes, immigration & cohesion is an issue & needs more honest conversation, but not street marches & slogans.