This week, Rabbi Miriam Lorie joined BBC Radio 2's Pause for Thought. She explains that: Listen here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0nls9sw "Less oy, more joy If there’s one stereotype of the Jewish mother, it’s that she loves to feed people. I’ve been a Jewish mum myself for 11 years, and I can identify with this somewhat, but still have some way to go to keep up with the generations of Jewish mothers before me. My university housemate Gideon would have fish pies, lasa

This week, Rabbi Miriam shares a 90-second video sermon on Parashat Bemidbar. She reflects: "A 90 second sermon for Bemidbar! Beneath the surface of the book we begin tomorrow is the question of which generation is being spoken of - the generation who left Egypt or the generation who entered the Land of Israel 40 years later. That context transforms the meaning of the words we read - is this a generation of downtrodden slaves struggling to channel their new liberty, or a gen

This week, Rabbi Miriam shares a 90-second video sermon on Parashat Emor. She reflects: "As our community absorbs the shock waves of this week, our parasha has a message for how to respond. Kiddush Hashem - sanctify God's name. First and foremost through seeing the Godly sanctity in every human being we meet. " Watch here: "Thank you Rabbi Jonny Solomon for sharing this idea from the Sfat Emet. When I read it, it felt like the right message for this moment."

As Kehillat Nashira grows, so does the opportunity to take part in shaping how our community functions, feels, and flourishes. These roles are about creating and sustaining the structures that allow community life to thrive. They will make a tangible difference. Each role offers something meaningful in return: connection, satisfaction, safety, and the chance to help shape a community you are part of. If you have been looking for a way to step in a little more, this is a good

This week, Rabbi Miriam shares a 90-second video sermon on Parashat Acharei-Mot Kedoshim. She reflects: A 60 second sermon for Acharei Mot Kedoshim, in which the Torah remind us that we're half way between Yom Kippur and Yom Kippur. Ishay Ribo's Seder HaAvodah lyrics in Hebrew and English are such a great example of how music can help people connect with a potentially alienating text The lyrics can be found here: https://lyricstranslate.com/en/%D7%A1%D7%93%D7%A8-%D7%94%D7%A2%

We’re pleased to welcome Victoria as our new JAMI Mental Health Ambassador for Kehillat Nashira. In this role, she will be helping to strengthen awareness of mental health within our community, share resources, and support open and thoughtful conversations about wellbeing. Below is a message from Victoria introducing herself and her hopes for the role, including ways the community can get involved and shape this work going forward. "Hi everyone, I’m so pleased to be here! For

Read Rabbi Miriam's latest opinion piece published in the Jewish News. I’ve seen the fingerprints of AI all over sermons and written parasha pieces of late It was a Shabbat morning sermon like any other. The Rabbi began. An interesting talk. Perhaps not up to his usual quality, perhaps more flowery than his usual style, but nothing striking. Then he stopped, looked up, and told the congregation that everything said so far had been written by Artificial Intelligence. A ripple

Each year, the Haggadah invites us into an act of imagination: “In every generation, a person is obligated to see themselves as though they personally left Egypt.” It is a powerful idea, but not always an easy one to access. This year, we tried approaching that question from a different angle. We asked AI to reimagine the Exodus story with us in mind. In one image, the sea is splitting in the distance. At first glance, it feels familiar. But look more closely and the details

We’ve created a fun, interactive quiz for kids and families to test their knowledge of the Passover story, Seder customs, and some of the characters who made the Exodus possible. From Moses and Yosef to the Four Questions and the songs we sing at the Seder, there’s a lot to explore—and we’ve packed it all into 24 questions . Think you know your Seder plate inside and out? Can you name the four sons, remember the plagues, and even recall what items are traditionally used to se

Pesach is a time for more than rituals—it’s a chance to pause and reflect. From considering small acts of kindness that ripple outward, to thinking about the ways freedom shapes our daily choices, the holiday encourages thoughtful moments. Here are a few ideas to explore this year: Climate Change and the Plagues Reflect on how the plagues might look today and what modern environmental challenges can teach us about responsibility and care. Digital Exodus Consider modern “Phara

We continue with our series that seeks to explore the women who shaped the Exodus story. Earlier, we looked at the midwives, Shifra and Puah as well as Miriam , and Yocheved , whose courage ensured Moses’ survival. Now we meet Tzipporah , Moses’ wife, whose decisive action and bold interventions demonstrate a different form of heroism, one rooted in family, faith, and protective care. Meet Tzipporah We first meet Tzipporah in Midian at a well (wells were Biblical dating hot

Read Rabbi Miriam's latest article published on the Jewish News. While the women I know roll their eyes at the word “freedom” in the run-up to Pesach, the irony is that the majority of central characters in the Pesach story are women A column on women and Pesach? You might be expecting cooking and cleaning advice, preparation schedules or tips for what to feed the family the afternoon before the Seder. The sad reality, less than two weeks before Pesach, is that more women wil

Looking for a simple, fun, and delicious activity to enjoy in the Pesach kitchen? This recipe works well for all ages. Younger children can help break the matzah and sprinkle toppings, while older ones can take the lead with a bit of supervision. The result is a crunchy, chocolatey treat that transforms plain matzah into something rich and irresistible. What You’ll Need Oven Baking tray Baking paper (parchment) Saucepan Spoon or spatula Adult supervision is recommended for ha

“Tell your child on that day, saying, ‘Because of this God acted for me when I came out of Egypt’” (Shemot 13:8). So, that's the mitzvah, and across time, that story has been told in many ways. Through careful commentary and discussion. Through the symbols on the seder plate. Through re-enactment, costumes, and song. Each generation finds its own language for retelling what happened, and for helping children feel that they, too, were part of it. For a bit of fun, here is the

This week, Rabbi Miriam shares a 90-second video sermon on Parashat Tzav and Shabbat HaGadol. She reflects: "A little vort and some music to inspire for this week's parasha, Tzav and Shabbat HaGadol. Keep the fire burning. Don't let it go out. Oh and by the way, that eternal fire on the alter is kept alive in our shuls today with the ner tamid over the ark. Exciting to be planning one for our own new shul design at the moment. " Watch below:

You can sell your chametz this year through Kehillat Nashira. Simply complete our online form to authorise the sale, and we will handle it in accordance with halacha, giving you peace of mind as Pesach approaches. Fill out the form here to take care of your chametz. https://forms.gle/werXxaLQgy9WuT768

Our final reflection on the women of the Exodus story turns to Batya , Pharaoh’s daughter. Earlier, we explored the courage of the midwives Shifra and Puah , followed by Moses’ family: Miriam, his sister ; Yocheved, his mother ; and Tzipporah, his wife . Now we turn to Batya, whose moral courage and compassion also played a pivotal role in the story of the Exodus. Meet Batya Pharoah’s daughter is named “Batya” by the Rabbis and connected with a woman mentioned in I Chronicle

We are excited to announce the next Torah L'am course, an internationally acclaimed course designed to equip students with the skills, confidence, and professionalism to research and deliver their own D’var Torah. Whether you’re a seasoned Torah student or a complete beginner, Torah l'Am is here to help you engage deeply with the Torah and find your voice in the process. With individual support, tutoring, and feedback, you'll gain the tools to approach Torah learning with cl

Pesach is a time for family, reflection, and celebration. Whether you’re planning your first Seder or looking to refresh your traditions, having the right resources can make the evening more engaging, meaningful, and fun. From Haggadot to discussion guides, recipes, and activities for children, here’s a curated selection to help you prepare. Recommended haggadot Online : A selection of online haggadot including “the 10 minute seder”, “comedy seder” and “colouring book Haggada