There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all. You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.ġ00% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity.īeing a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. The NJA is a congressional Jewish body, and anyone can join to promote Jewish life, support Israel and fight antisemitism. Last week NJA launched, an excellent “grass roots” organisation which is NOT competing with any other body, but instead offers an addition to our many community resources. I understand that reform and liberal clergy also explain this to their “converts” and that certificates will not be accepted by the United, Federation or Adass Yisrael congregations. I was clearly referring to the reform conversion process which is not and never will be halachically accepted. Never have I ever said that reform Jews are NOT Jewish, and I challenge the trolls to waste further time in looking for such a statement. I simply quoted a line from the article, which again has been taken completely out of context and as space does not allow me to elaborate, here is a link for readers to draw their own conclusions.Īs for the Twitter debate with Israel critic and activist Max Blumenthal, who misrepresented an article written in the Jerusalem Post, Blumenthal attempted to convince his followers that reform Jews were vehemently anti-Israel and suggested they needed to convert more.ĭuring our online exchange, I successfully proved that he was “making it up” and in addition, wrote “And besides a Reform conversion is not Jewish anyhow”. On the subject about “paedophiles” and how it was suggested that I compare them to gay people, which is a libellous comment, the article’s caption clearly shows that I retweeted an article about an academic conference held at the University of Cambridge.
In summary, to associate myself with Tommy Robinson is a desperate attempt to discredit me and the NJA. One year, members of the far-right turned up and as I filmed some of them when they shouted abuse, I was set upon, in front of police. In addition, I have personal experience of being physically attacked by some of his supporters, when covering the London Al Quds day march. I have said during many talks that he is toxic and creates division. I simply believe all views should be heard in a respectful manner.ĭemocracy is NOT about shutting down the other side in a loud, aggressive and sometimes violent way. But most importantly, none of these tweets were meant to show any support for Tommy Robinson and I think most people recognise that. In addition, I added my own words: “Great call, he wasn’t intimated by the liberal presenter”. As a listener, I thought it was great radio and re-tweeted someone’s comment “James O’Brien refuses to listen to the caller. Violence should be called out no matter who is doing the attacking.Įlsewhere, LBC’s James O’Brien, known for his liberal opinions and making fun of those who have a different view, took a call from someone about Tommy Robinson. However, if some are saying, “It’s OK because it was only Robinson who was assaulted”, this is also wholly unacceptable. I tweeted, “Great right hander by your aid – watched it 3 times.” I was training with CST at the time and viewed many self-defence clips, and I regret that this tweet in March 2016 was clearly misunderstood.