Volunteers' Week is a UK-wide celebration of the people who give their time, skills and energy to support the communities around them. At Kehillat Nashira, volunteering is not something done by a small group of people behind the scenes. It is woven into the fabric of our community. Every Shabbat, someone prepares children's activities, someone organises kiddush, someone leads the service, others lein from the Torah, chairs are set up and stacked away, washing up gets done, em

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

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

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

We continue with our series that seeks to explore the women who shaped the Exodus story. Last time, we met Shifra, Puah, and Miriam , women whose courage shaped the earliest moments of the Exodus. In this piece, we turn to Yocheved , Moses’ mother. Meet Yocheved First introduced to us as a nameless “daughter of Levi”, we discover Yocheved’s name only later in Shemot - the Torah thus helps to illustrate how slavery would strip a person of all identity. She was married to Amra

In the 5,500 words of the classic Haggadah, women are almost entirely absent. Miriam appears just once, in a quotation from the book of Micah during the Maggid section: “I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.” That is the only mention of Moses as well, the central hero of the story, yet countless other men are named throughout. This series seeks to explore the women who shaped the Exodus story, whose courage, wisdom, and leadership often went unrecorded in the texts we r

This week, Rabbi Miriam has been representing Kehillat Nashira bringing Chanukah light into many different spaces. Earlier this week, Rabbi Miriam visited Meadow Hill Care Home, a newly opened care home in Castleford Close, Borehamwood. She lit Chanukah candles with residents and staff, sharing songs, blessings, and a moment of warmth and connection. It has also been a painful week for the Jewish community. News from Sydney, Australia has reminded us that even when events tak

Written by Gaye Daniels - November 2025 To explain what having a Bat Mitzvah meant to me at my tender age of 71, I should explain something about my life. I grew up in an anglicised family, but we always celebrated the major Jewish festivals. I have always been passionate about being Jewish and a strong supporter of Israel. My married years were observant, and when divorced, I tried to continue with as much as I could living by myself. However, I gradually developed an i