My “First 100 Days”
It’s now been over three months since I arrived in the UK and at Bevis Marks Synagogue. As you might expect, it’s taken some time to adjust to my new […]
Author Archives: shalommorris
Shearith Israel – New York
Shearith Israel is the oldest Jewish congregation in America, founded in 1654. It was there that I first encountered and then became inspired by and engrossed in the history and […]
Lekh Lekha – The Secret of Circumcision
The practice of newborn male circumcision is synonymous with Jews and Judaism. The Torah records that the commandment of this procedure was first directed at Abraham and his family. Since […]
Rosh Hashanah – Britain, Bevis and the Blitz
This Rosh Hashanah British Jews will simultaneously celebrate a new year while they recall the horrors and heroics of the Blitz. September 15, 2015 is both the 75th anniversary of […]
Selihot – Collective Caring
The month long recitation of Selihot provides Sephardim with ample opportunity to consider the sometimes theologically challenging language of penitence. Rabbi Gaguine (1884-1953), in his monumental work ‘Keter Shem Tob’ […]
The Novo Cemetery – London
It seemed appropriate that one of my first functions as Rabbi of Bevis Marks Synagogue should be to pay my respects to the congregation’s bygone parishioners. I was given just […]
Shofetim – Immigration, Portugal, and Prohibitions
I finally feel like the proverbial Jew. For the first time in my life I am an immigrant! All joking aside, Jews are accustomed to relocating, whether forced to do […]
Colonial Jewish New York
I spent one of my last evenings in NY before moving to London at the location where it all began. In 1730 Congregation Shearith Israel constructed the first ever synagogue in […]
I Am Moving To London!
I’m thrilled to share with you that I’ve accepted an offer to become the rabbi of Bevis Marks Synagogue in London. Bevis Marks is the oldest synagogue in the UK, […]
Castelo de Vide – Portugal
This post will leave you stunned. I’ve returned to Portugal, this time with a group of 40 Jews from Israel and America. One place that we visited that was entirely […]
Shalom Says Hello 