It is the 200 anniversary of the publication of the groundbreaking article On Rabbinic Literature. In twenty pages, Leopold Zunz - son of an assistant Cantor - created critical Jewish scholarship. Described as a "Jewish Luther" he uncovered the power of science as applied to our tradition and its texts. He was a pathmaker for all who follow, among them our founder Rabbi, Louis Jacobs, and the approach to Judaism of this community.   At a sit-down kiddush we will welcome Simon…

Join Rabbi Jeremy on a special guided tour of the Ancient Near East galleries of the British Museum. From Abraham, to Egypt and on to the famous reliefs from the siege of Lachish we’ll learn what we can and can’t learn about the Bible from the archaeological record. This tour is free to members; minimum donation £10 for non-members. Coinciding with Rabbi Jeremy’s tour, the Cheder will also be visiting the museum. Non-cheder children are welcome to join this outing.…

These days, neuroscience seems to think it can explain everything. Once upon a time religion did also. New imaging techniques produce more and more impressive pictures of the brain while religious investigators seek the ultimate nature of human existence without MRIs or CTs. Join two New Londoners seeking overlap between scientific and religious perspectives on the brain, and wondering if each can enlighten the other. Dr Daniel Glaser is a neuroscientist who has worked for many years promoting public engagement…

Double-ness and Duality in Megillat Esther and the celebration of Purim Tea and Text, Coffee and Conversation Saturday morning – the Shabbat before Purim – in the NLS hall 10.00 (sharp) to 11.30 (or whenever the sermon starts) All are welcome to attend.  

An evening of fun centring upon the Four Mitzvot.  Hamantaschen baking, encounters with the Megillah, the obligation to give "gifts to the poor", Persian-style cuisine and cocktail bar. Free entry to the hall; £18 minimum donation to dine, advance booking price. Read more about Separated Child, here.     

To ask “What is Jewish Poetry?” is to guarantee conflicting, multiple answers. Some people may find the very notion of Jewish poetry in English puzzling. Linguistic essentialists might argue that poetry can only be Jewish if it is written in a Jewish language, such as Yiddish, Hebrew or Ladino. Without dismissing the debate about whether Jewishness constitutes a linguistic, religious or ethnic identity, this talk introduces British-Jewish poetry from a more environmental perspective. Jewish poets in Britain are members of a minority group, who write as Jews because of specific social, cultural and historical experiences. Peter Lawson's talk…