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Michael Rainsbury

Jewish Educator

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Apr 14, 2024, 4:27 PM

Why was last night different from all other nights?

A picture released by the Israel Air Force showing planes having returned from intercepting the direct attack from Iran, April 14, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces)

This time, we were prepared for the attack, we had hours to get settled in our shelters, and our allies joined us in the skies

Oct 27, 2023, 5:30 PM

All of Jewish History in Three Weeks

A week is a long time in politics, it is said. In the last three weeks, we have lived through the entirety of Jewish history. On x100 speed. With all its emotions and expressions. Re-entering the depths of despair...

Jul 20, 2023, 11:15 AM

Rewriting Hatikva: The significance of President Herzog’s speech

US Vice President Kamala Harris (L) and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) look on as President Isaac Herzog addresses a Joint Session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, July 19, 2023. (Saul Loeb/AFP)

In asserting the hope that we can strive to 'heal our fractured world,' Herzog put forward a new conception of Zionism

Feb 27, 2023, 3:28 PM

A palace in flames

In the face of Jewish revenge-seekers praying as Huwara burned, our mission is clear: We must put out the flames

Nov 3, 2022, 3:52 PM

Lech Lecha: A post-election commentary

After four years of political instability, we now know the direction Israeli politics will be taking. Every election is divisive and elicits strong emotions. But after five of them, with all of the dramatic events that we have seen,...

Jul 7, 2021, 2:13 PM

President Rivlin: The Jewish world’s greatest educator

President of Israel Reuven Rivlin, and his wife host children who are entering first grade, towards the start of the school year, at the President's Residence, on August 31, 2017. (Mark Neyman / GPO)

When the 'sabra' president included Diaspora Jewry in his long-term plan, he earned the title he'd claimed: 'president of the Jewish people'

Jan 24, 2021, 4:37 PM

From Trump Square to Balfour Street

A five-minute walk from my house takes me to the embassy of the United States, and seeing it fills me with pride. Finally, the world’s greatest power has recognizeded Jerusalem as the rightful capital of the State of Israel. A...

Jan 4, 2021, 1:24 AM

The Uyghurs: The least I can do

I have never met a Uyghur person. As I write, hundreds of thousands of Uyghur Muslims are suffering intolerable conditions under mass surveillance and forced labour. It is undeniably the most large-scale crime taking place in the world. And...

Nov 10, 2020, 7:28 AM

Memories of Rabbi Sacks

Address to students of Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi marking the passing of Rabbi Sacks, Sunday 8 November 2020. “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, but some have greatness thrust upon them.” (Twelfth Night) You might have thought that Rabbi Sacks was...

May 7, 2020, 5:15 PM

The Remarkable Story of Israel, the Palestinians and COVID-19

When the United Nations praise Israel, you can be sure to be living in unprecedented times. It was 26th March when Nickolay Mladenov, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, praised Israel for its co-ordination with...

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About Me

Michael Rainsbury is the Head of Adult Education at the London School of Jewish Studies and a Sacks Scholar. He created the first dedicated English language tours of the Israeli President’s Residence in Jerusalem and leads Jewish heritage tours with JRoots. All articles are written in a personal capacity.