On Criminality and Conflation
יוסף פֿינלײַ Joseph Finlay This is a test post
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Our Main Character Syndrome
Seeing Jews and Israel as being at the centre of things causes us to misunderstand reality
We Are Each Other’s Security
Rejecting the British state’s philosemitic embrace in the wake of the Manchester attack I wanted to write something on the events in Manchester on the 2nd October, on the Yom Kippur that has just passed. Most important is to state the obvious: that this was a terrible crime, that
Making Our Peace with Palestine
The name Palestine is not a threat to Jews - it was the country Jews lived in for centuries. Equal rights matter more than country names.
March of the Machers
Sunday's Board of Deputies march will do the opposite of what it claims. Its lack of any anti-war message will only put the hostages at risk.
Ending War and Starvation for the Sake of Judaism
If we care about Judaism and want it to remain element we need to demand an end to the war and for unrestricted aid to be let into Gaza
On Rising Lions
The name of Israel's Operation Rising Lions is based on misreading of a Biblical text which continues Zionism's attempt to turn religious texts into a military handbook.
Hedging Their Bets
Liberal Zionist writers need to go further in their critiques if they wish to safeguard their future reputations
Jewish Anti-Zionism in the UK: A Historic Overview
Anti-Zionism can mean multiple things. Jewish anti-Zionists have been motivated by Orthodox Judaism, Progressive Judaism, Communism, British patriotism, concern over antisemitism and of course solidarity with Palestinians. So if we choose to use the term, we need to clarify what motivations we are t
The New Peaceniks
We need to support the growing anti-war movement in both Israel and the Jewish diaspora, and ignore calls for unity.
Merger She Wrote
The proposed merger between Liberal and Reform Judaism proceeds apace but we need to know what it will stand for, and what it's attitude to the state will be
Torat Albion
Erasing Gaza
In the world of pro-Israel discourse, both Jewish and Western, Gaza barely exists. On the face of it this is a ridiculous statement. Surely Gaza is frequently discussed, especially in relation to Hamas rule and the Israeli hostages who remain in captivity there? A closer examination, however, reveal
Torat Albion
On Emotion
Our intense emotional connection with the Israeli hostages needs to be expanded outwards There is a lot of emotion around. Social media thrives on it, of course. There is no point in sharing something that you are indifferent about or disinterested in. There must be rage, tears, upset, care, concern,
Torat Albion
Beyond Antisemitism
A range of new books and reports on antisemitism offer important insights but need to go further to escape the confines of orthodoxy This article first appeared in Vashti. It was written in December 2024 and January 2025, but reflects issues and questions that I've been thinking about
Torat Albion
Marching Days
On London Palestine Marches, Synagogues and Cultural Christianity
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It's Channukah So Haunt Me
A bit of Jewish light entertainment analysis for the festive season
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Seeing Things Clearly
How projecting past persecution onto Palestinians only perpetuates the war
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A Time for Dancing
Simchat Torah was a creation of the diaspora; it shouldn’t be altered because of events in Israel
Torat Albion
What Would a Jewish Liberation Theology Look Like?
A recording of a live panel event from last month
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Zakhor
Remembering All the Victims of the Last Year
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Beyond Punching Up and Down
Overcoming Divisions in Anti-Racism
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Crossing the Narrow Bridge
On Diaspora Jewish Fear, and Those Who Stoke it
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Anatomy of a Merger
The Politics of Progressive Judaism, and what it could learn from the Quakers