Simon Rocker

Latest from Simon Rocker

Movement for Reform Judaism

Herts Reform and Liberals announce plans for merged Progressive community

Radlett Reform and Elstree Liberal are moving ahead with ‘bold’ new collaboration

1 min read

Rabbi Paul Freedman of Radlett Reform Synagogue

Brighton and Hove Reform Synagogue windows by John Petts. The building has just received a grade II listed status (Photo: C20 Society)

The accolade of a listed status can be an unwanted gift

2 min read

New head of Immanuel College Daniel Endlar (photo: Ian Jones)

Immanuel’s acting head appointed as its new leader

2 min read

United Synagogue presidential contenders; (from left) Saul Taylor, Marc Meyer and Claire Lemer

Could the UK’s largest Orthodox synagogue body have its first woman president?

3 min read

Where UK Jews agree – and disagree – after October 7

Attachment to Israel has grown but a significant minority has misgivings about the war

4 min read

April 10, 2025 11:31

A protestor wearing a flag of Israel marches against anti-Semitism in London (Getty Images)

After six years Cardiff Reform finds a rabbi

The only Progressive congregation in Wales has not had a permanent rabbi since before the pandemic

1 min read

April 10, 2025 10:46

Bound for Wales: Rabbi Martina Loreggian (photo: Zoe Norfolk/Leo Baeck College)

DNA tests could be sparking a rise in conversions

Reform Beth Din head says more people discovering they have Jewish ancestry are finding a home in Judaism

2 min read

April 9, 2025 16:28

Through DNA tests more people are learning they have Jewish ancestry (Photo: Getty Images)

Pay a shekel – and get to vote who represents us in Israel

Elections to choose British delegates to the World Zionist Congress in autumn will take place this summer

2 min read

April 7, 2025 12:13

Rabbi Lea Muhlstein, chair of the Zionist Federation and former chair of Arzenu, the world Progressive Zionist movement

Outstanding Jewish studies teaching ‘the norm’ at Yavneh Primary

Unstinting Pikuach praise for Hertfordshire school

1 min read

April 6, 2025 12:31

Enjoying a strong Jewish education: pupils at Yavneh Primary (photo: Zoe Cooper)

Government should have accepted VAT exemptions for strictly Orthodox schools, court told

The blanket tax on independent schools discriminates against religious communities and other groups, lawyers have argued this week

1 min read

April 3, 2025 15:28

Independent schools like Menorah Grammar in Edgware now have to charge VAT on fees

Yeshivot may go part time to avoid registration, DfE says

Having an intensive religious education should not prevent children having ‘suitable’ secular tuition also, the government argues

2 min read

April 3, 2025 11:42

Protesters in Westminster last year against the Schools Bill (Photo: Rabbinical Committee of the Traditional Charedi Chinuch)

Ofsted plaudits for ‘happy’ Menorah Foundation

Two Orthodox Barnet primaries commended at recent inspections

1 min read

April 2, 2025 15:33

Jewish families involved in legal challenge to VAT on private schools

The High Court is to hear a claim that the government’s policy is a breach of human rights

1 min read

March 28, 2025 11:59

Lord Pannick QC, who will be presenting case against the government at the High Court (Photo: Getty Images)

A quarter of US Jews no longer practise Judaism as adults, new survey finds

But compared to some other faiths, Judaism retains a high retention rate

1 min read

March 27, 2025 15:33

Pesach shopping in Kansas (Photo: Getty Images)

Rabbi faces seven-figure tax bill after losing appeal for non-dom status

Rabbi Aubrey Weis of Manchester argued that he had planned to return to live in Israel

2 min read

March 27, 2025 13:34

HM Revenue and Customs in Westminster (Photo: Getty Images)

School report: compromise over yeshivah regulation remains far-off

Protests continue as proposals to regulate yeshivot advance in Parliament

2 min read

March 26, 2025 17:13

Charedi protesters gather in Westminster to oppose the regulation of yeshivot

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Simon Rocker

Latest from Simon Rocker

Herts Reform and Liberals announce plans for merged Progressive community

The accolade of a listed status can be an unwanted gift

Immanuel’s acting head appointed as its new leader

Could the UK’s largest Orthodox synagogue body have its first woman president?

More from Simon Rocker

Where UK Jews agree – and disagree – after October 7

After six years Cardiff Reform finds a rabbi

DNA tests could be sparking a rise in conversions

Pay a shekel – and get to vote who represents us in Israel

Outstanding Jewish studies teaching ‘the norm’ at Yavneh Primary

Government should have accepted VAT exemptions for strictly Orthodox schools, court told

Yeshivot may go part time to avoid registration, DfE says

Ofsted plaudits for ‘happy’ Menorah Foundation

Jewish families involved in legal challenge to VAT on private schools

A quarter of US Jews no longer practise Judaism as adults, new survey finds

Rabbi faces seven-figure tax bill after losing appeal for non-dom status

School report: compromise over yeshivah regulation remains far-off