Naftali Schiff, at The Blogs

Feb 29, 2024, 7:21 PM

February 29th and Adar Rishon: More Time to Rejoice Over Our Unity

Today, the Jewish calendar and the secular become somewhat alike. We gain more time with a double leap year. The Jewish calendar adds the month of Adar Rishon and the Secular calendar has also squeezed another day, the gift...

Apr 7, 2021, 5:17 PM

Survivors with Resilience, Persistence and Hope!

A small personal memory in a public forum, but one that I believe speaks to the current zeitgeist that’s revolves around the challenging quest to bolster resilience amongst our younger generation at this time in particular. Over 30 years ago...

Jan 28, 2021, 4:05 PM

A personal letter about just one letter, out of Corona times…

Perhaps this is one of the most important yet least appropriate letters for me to be writing. Nevertheless, I am penning a few simple, yet important thoughts for you to consider. I feel compelled to do so against the backdrop...

Nov 9, 2020, 11:13 PM

Kristallnacht Survivors inspire us all today

Jakob Sanger Survivor of Kristallnacht Frankfurt
Photo Credit: J Kalmus - JRoots

We are marking 82 years since Kristallnacht. Even the grim name for this date, hides the horror. The “broken glass” — kristal — was far from the most horrific feature. It was really a night of broken hearts and...

Nov 8, 2020, 11:09 PM

Rabbi Sacks z”l – The Jewish response to tragedy

We are devastated by the tragic news of the passing of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, one of the greatest leaders of modern times. Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks was truly a giant. His towering intellect, unparalleled eloquence and erudition made...

Oct 30, 2020, 9:28 AM

Listen! It’s the question that created the Jews – passive or proactive?

Listen! It's the question that created the Jews: passive or active? What is your answer to the first question of Jewish history? It’s important, because all of a sudden today, we’re all being asked, with fresh urgency, for an answer. It’s...

Sep 17, 2020, 1:53 PM

Home But Not Alone This Rosh Hashanah

Many in the Jewish world are facing Rosh Hashanah in virus-imposed isolation. But none of us need feel we are facing this time alone. Israel is back in lockdown. Elsewhere, many of us are celebrating away from family or communities,...

Jul 9, 2020, 8:52 AM

Reality Check Day – The 17th of Tammuz speaking to us today

The shattering of virtual realities. Artwork by Avital Sheldon.

The Fast of Tammuz is Reality Check Day. It recalls that horrific moment when the Romans breached the walls of Jerusalem, taking the suffering of the Jewish People to a new depth. Imagine the shock. We have lived under siege for...

Jul 8, 2020, 12:01 PM

Heroes without scrubs: Cheer teachers; they are key workers too!

It seems increasingly likely that periods in crisis mode will be our “new normal.” Coronavirus cases are at a record high in Israel, and they are rising again in parts of Europe, the USA and some other parts of...

May 27, 2020, 9:42 PM

Featured Post

Cheesecake and Jerusalem: Let’s share a slice of both

We Jews must stop allowing bitterness and division to creep into Jewish life, and turn our attention to the many common values that connect us

About Me

Rabbi Naftali Schiff is the Founder and CEO of Jewish Futures, a diverse family of non-profit educational organisations each addressing a specific need and niche. These include JRoots, GIFT, Aish UK, Chazak, Chazon, Shelanu, Ta’am, Time4Torah, Legacy Live, Aleinu, and the Forum for Jewish Leadership. Jewish Futures is committed to creating and implementing far reaching solutions that will realise the vision of a brighter Jewish future. Naftali studied Economics and International Relations at the London School of Economics, received Rabbinic ordination from the Israel and Jerusalem Rabbinate and Diploma of Education from Israel Ministry of Education. He served in the IDF Givati Infantry unit and is a founding board member of Loving World and a number of philanthropic foundations.