Progressive Rabbi in the UK. Views are my own.

London
Joined March 2026
Rene Pfertzel retweeted
We will all soon know what it feels like to be Jewish. In France, they already do. It will be our just deserts for having abandoned the Jews, ignored their warnings, turned against them, and even marched alongside their oppressors. For three years, you useful idiots have been parading Palestinian flags, sporting keffiyehs, screaming “From the River to the Sea”, and recognizing a fictitious Palestinian state as a reward for Hamas’s October 7 massacre (looking at you, @EmmanuelMacron). You have boycotted the only Jewish state in the world, vilified the Jewish people’s right to self-determination (aka “Zionism”), and spread the “Gaza genocide” blood libel. Did you really think that if you fed the crocodile enough Jewish flesh, it would eventually be satiated? All you have done is embolden the monster and whet its appetite. So you were worried about “colonization”? Look around. The only thing being colonized here are our own Western cities. The Palestinian flag has become a victory banner, proudly waved amid the ruins of looted and vandalized historic buildings—a symbol of hatred for our civilization and everything it stands for. It never ends with the Jews.
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Rene Pfertzel retweeted
עוד מקרה של השחתה ופגיעה בבית כנסת רפורמי. אירוע שני תוך פחות מעשרה ימים. הפעם בקהילת ״דרכי נעם״ ברמת השרון. מעשי החבלה האלה מצטרפים להצתות של בתי עסק שפתוחים בשבת, לפגיעה באנשי דת ובתי תפילה של דתות אחרות, לאלימות כלפי מפגינים וכמובן לאלימות בשטחים שמתגברת דווקא בשבתות. אנחנו לא נירתע לרגע. מול יהדות של ״דרכי שנאה״ נמשיך לקדם יהדות של ״דרכי נעם״ ו-״נתיבות שלום״. מול הסתה בלתי פוסקת נמשיך לקדם תקווה בלתי פוסקת. הם ינפצו וישברו - אנחנו נתקן ונבנה.
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I wanted to reflect on why we find ourselves struggling with change, why it is so hard to open a new door, and why it is in fact a very human response to the eternal question, 'I don't know what comes next.' rabbirenepfertzel.co.uk/2026…
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Communities tend to tear themselves apart over storms in a teacup. That is unfortunate and can damage the common good. A bit of Torah wisdom on broÿges. rabbirenepfertzel.co.uk/2026…
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Rene Pfertzel retweeted
Jews don’t celebrate death - we sanctify life. Whatever your view on the death penalty, breaking open champagne to celebrate a law that takes life is fundamentally anti-Jewish. Many already understand this. Others will, in time. One day we will look back at Ben Gvir’s tenure and feel ashamed that we allowed something so corrosive into the sanctuary of power in Israel.
VIDEO | Israeli National Security Minister Ben Gvir, outside the Knesset chamber, celebrates the passing of the death penalty law for Palestinian detainees, describing it as historic and saying, “Soon we will count them one by one.”
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How do we celebrate a Jewish festival when the world is in turmoil? A few thoughts here. rabbirenepfertzel.co.uk/2026…
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How do we deal with the weariness that comes from observing the world? Withdrawing is not an option. Changing our perspective is. rabbirenepfertzel.co.uk/2026…
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For rabbis, Shabbat poses an intriguing challenge. We are expected to teach that Shabbat is a day of rest and rejuvenation, but often, we arrive at Friday evening exhausted from a demanding week filled with meetings, teachings, visits, and reflection – all integral aspects of a rabbi’s life – followed by leading services and teaching Cheder. How then can one rest? I have tried to find in this weekly Torah portion, Vayakhel-Pekudei, some Torah wisdom to understand the real purpose of rest. rabbirenepfertzel.co.uk/2026…
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I don’t often sign petition but this one aligns perfectly with my own views. The world is a complex place.
"Israeli genocide" is the new blood libel of our time. It will haunt Jewish life for years to come. Together with several friends, I've written an open letter expressing "outrage and contempt" for the accusation. Please sign and circulate. Here's the link: forms.gle/cRcyCRJgq2nV81pn9
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