Irene Lancaster
Review: Morality in the 21st Century is about learning to love our neighbours
The series motto so far could be 'only when I learn how to properly love myself, will I be able to properly love you in a way from which society at large will benefit'. And for this, the Bible, it seems to me is still the key.
Isaiah and Adam Smith: What the Hebrew prophet tells us about nationhood
Isaiah's wonderful chapter 60, to be read in Shul on Shabbat, must be one of the most famous and beloved biblical passages ever.
True repentance: Slow, costly and sometimes impossible
The Jewish community is currently in the penitential month of Elul, when we recite Selichot, asking G-d for forgiveness.
God's glue: How the Bible teaches us to repair the world
What does 'utter adherence' mean exactly for daily life in Britain in 2018?
It takes a lot to unite Britain's Jews, but Labour's stance on antisemitism has succeeded
Yesterday's Guardian newspaper features a letter signed jointly by the entire spectrum of British rabbis, 68 in all, from the strictest ultra-Orthodox to Liberal and Reform.
'I come to praise and not to curse': Prince William's visit to Israel and how to be a pilgrim
In Hebrew, only one Hebrew letter separates the pilgrim from the spy. It takes such a small step to go either way and to end up cursing rather than blessing.
'Theodicy Beyond the Death of God': Church decline and the 'evangelistic impatience'
Dr Irene Lancaster reviews Andrew Shanks' latest book, 'Theodicy Beyond the Death of "God": The Persisting Problem of Evil'
Ruth the proselyte: Conversion versus subversion
This weekend the Jewish community enjoys a double celebration: Shabbat as usual, followed immediately by the pilgrim festival of Shavuot.
Israel at 70: The Haifa years â 6 stories
Heeding the words of Robert Wistrich to 'do something' about the antisemitism prevalent in the UK, from 2003-6 I engaged with the churches and the media.
Israel at 70: 5 stories, from Haifa to Jerusalem
Irene Lancaster writes celebrating 70 years of the state of Israel.
The 'greatest miracle': Israel at 70
To me the resurrection of the State of Israel in 1948, 2,000 years after her forced demise at the hands of the Romans and subsequent occupations by Christians and Muslims (culminating in the British occupation from 1922-47) is the greatest miracle the world has known.
Yom HaShoah: Remembering the Holocaust that destroyed my family
Tonight and tomorrow the Jewish community celebrates Yom HaShoah (Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day).
Pesach: From the Egypt of our lives to the Promised Land
On Friday after nightfall Jewish communities the world over will be celebrating the spring festival Pesach (Passover) as usual.
This Shabbat before Passover is, for us Jews, about sacrifice and service
Shabbat Ha Gadol leading to Pesach teaches that poverty, humility and especially the blessing of gratitude are accessible to all of us every day of our life.
How the book of Leviticus teaches us how to be saints
Leviticus, the third book of the Pentateuch, is possibly the most important book of them all.
Is God jealous? How we should really translate Exodus 34:14
The idea of a 'jealous Jewish G-d' as opposed to the Christian deity who is all sweetness and light has had a devastating effect on Jewish communities throughout the ages.