Loren Sykes

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Jan 13, 2017, 1:19 PM

In memory of First Lieutenant Shir Hajaj z”l

It's too easy to lose sight of the bereft in the face of a tragedy that provokes political harangues and crises of faith

Aug 5, 2015, 4:33 PM

On Days Like Last Friday…

On days like Friday, I want to lash out in anger… At Yishai Schlissel who stabbed six people, wounding five and murdering 16 year-old Shira Banki at Jerusalem’s Gay Pride March. Given his apparent desire to return to biblical Judaism,...

Feb 12, 2015, 4:37 PM

Thank You to the Man in the Green Hat

Yesterday afternoon, I had a late meeting at the Jewish Agency offices on King George Street. As I made my way down the hall, I saw a man wearing a signature green army cap, walking quietly toward the exit....

Feb 9, 2015, 10:50 AM

Coffee, Zionism and our Arab minority

At my daily morning coffee stop, the barista checks with me to make sure I still want “hafuch, gadol, hazak, lakachat,” a large, extra-strong, cafe hafuch to go. I always do. The shop is conveniently located and serves a beautiful...

Nov 5, 2014, 3:06 PM

Walking Fine Lines

As a relatively new Israeli, I know I constantly walk fine lines: The line between being slightly to the left on civil rights issues and slightly to the right on security issues. The line between wanting Peace with our neighbors and...

Sep 23, 2014, 12:57 PM

No Reason to Celebrate

On the way to work this morning, trying to keep my balance on the bus, my phone buzzed with a news update: "IDF kills two Palestinians wanted for the kidnapping, murdering of three Jewish teens." The murders of Eyyal, Gilad and...

Aug 8, 2014, 6:43 PM

Three questions from America

I was in the US the first two weeks of the ground portion of Operation Tzuk Eitan. I spent time in Chattanooga, Atlanta, Chicago and New York. Everywhere I went, I was asked the same three questions: Is it hard...

May 12, 2014, 6:13 PM

Make Tag Meir the Only Zionist Choice.

It is a quick walk from my office at the corner of Keren HaYesod and Agron Street to my neighbor, the Prime Minister’s Residence. There, gates cordoned off the sidewalk and several hundred people gathered: young and old; religious...

May 5, 2014, 6:21 PM

Even the Cats Stand Still…

(Note: This was originally posted to the newsletter of Camp Ramah Darom, where I served as director, and on my personal blog in May, 2006. So much and so little has changed. Michael Levin z”l was still alive, as were...

Jan 15, 2014, 7:53 AM

After Birthright: Time for real discovery

A 25 year-old man, sporting a blue velvet kippah and tzitzit, approaches me asking: “Are you Rabbi Sykes?” “I am.” “Well, maybe you can help me. I want to come and do a presentation at the Center.” … “What kind of presentation are you...

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About Me

Loren is a new Israeli Citizen and a rabbi. He lives with his wife and their two daughters in the Talpiyot neighborhood of Jerusalem. Their son attends college in the US. Loren was the director of several Jewish overnight camps including serving as the founding director of Camp Ramah Darom and Camp Yofi: Family Camp for Jewish Families with Children with Autism.