Laura Janner-Klausner, at The Blogs

Mar 9, 2022, 10:14 AM

Excitement, and a little trepidation, as I return to the pulpit

Even though I’m thrilled to return to the pulpit next month as the rabbi at Bromley Reform Synagogue, I do feel some foreboding. After a decade’s hiatus since my last congregational post at Alyth, and since stepping down as Senior Rabbi to Reform Judaism last...

Feb 10, 2022, 3:11 PM

British Jews refuse to be used as pawns for Israel’s far-right

Bezalel Smotrich filmed himself in a car travelling 'between meetings' in North London on Wednesday night (Photo: Facebook)

Today, I am especially proud to be a British Jew. Yesterday, I felt anger and then relief as other British Jews refused to be used as pawns for Israel’s far right. I was appalled to see far right Israeli Knesset member Bezalel Smotrich try to...

Jan 18, 2022, 7:39 PM

Ideological boxing: Dame Maureen Lipman versus Dame Esther Rantzen

Dame Maureen Lipman and Dame Esther Rantzen

A Jewish woman’s boxing ring. In the left corner, Maureen Lipman. In the right corner, Esther Rantzen. Two unlikely opponents. Two great Jewish women publicly tussling, ideological fists at the ready. Central to their combat is whether it’s offensive, even antisemitic, for actors who aren’t...

Oct 29, 2021, 4:22 PM

When we look to refugees, we see a part of ourselves

The 'little Amal' wooden doll (Jewish News)

Little Amal had been travelling for nearly three months before we could welcome her. Having set off from the Turkish-Syrian border in July, she’s travelled through Greece, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and France on her journey to the UK. Now at St Paul’s Cathedral, alongside...

May 20, 2020, 3:35 PM

Time to accept we may not be physically together for Rosh Hashanah

Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner (Jewish News)

We are looking for the light at the end of the tunnel. The past few months have been difficult for our society and acutely difficult for the Jewish community. Being physically together is core to our DNA. Seeing family and friends, hosting, supporting those going...

Jan 26, 2020, 11:25 AM

Our legacy of pain can be turned into a blessing

For many years, I tried to prevent the Holocaust from becoming a defining factor in my Judaism. Sadly, I’ve found it unavoidable. My family comes from a once thriving Jewish community in a small village in Lithuania. My grandfather, Barnett, came to the UK from...

Nov 13, 2019, 12:42 PM

The ethical, social and Jewish implications of Artificial Intelligence

High tech hand with a classic light bulb. How much will AI control its creator?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the most important ethical issue of our age. It already impacts on so much of our social interactions and work-life patterns. It’s certain that it will continue to play an ever-increasing role in all our lives. Last year, Facebook claimed it...

Jun 27, 2018, 12:40 PM

Prince’s visit and the unmistakable echoes of British-Israeli history

There are rare moments when you experience something and you know it’s history in the making. Being at the reception at the British Ambassador’s residence for Prince William was not only history being made for this particular moment but held the unmistakable echoes of past...

Apr 4, 2018, 7:17 PM

After Jewdas’ seder, Corbyn must finally lead and take responsibility

It was meant to be a tongue-in-cheek, very alternative event with an eclectic, counter-cultural group. I accepted my relative’s invitation to attend the Jewdas seder because of the Jewish imperative of ‘kiruv’. Kiruv is bringing all Jews, particularly those I don’t agree with, closer to...

Jan 15, 2018, 6:14 PM

Changing to opt-out organ donor system will save lives

It is said that good things come to those who wait. From Jewish tradition, we learn that it took forty long days of waiting to receive the Torah, our bible. That amount of waiting was a test of faith for the people, even though they...

About Me

Rabbi Janner-Klausner grew up in London; worked as an educator in Jerusalem for 15 years working with Jews and as dialogue facilitator trainer of Palestinians and Israelis. She is the former Senior Rabbi to Reform Judaism in the UK and is now a qualified inclusion and development coach