Author: Clifford Denton

  • The Sound of Silence.

    Brave Bonhoeffer challenges Christian indifference. by Charles Gardner. When the Jews of ancient Persia were threatened with genocide, they were mercifully rescued by one of their own. But Queen Esther’s bravery was inspired by her guardian Mordecai, whose challenge was both direct and severe: “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance…

  • From Netivyah, Jerusalem. Tetzaveh –  8 March, 2025.

    By Joseph Shulam.  For me, this Shabbat has one of the most interesting Torah portions – Shabbat Zachor – This Shabbat contains the eternal command for the children of Israel to remember what Amalek did to them!   Our reading starts with the Torah portion’s first word:  Tetzaveh—”Command!”  A strong word in the Hebrew Bible, it is from Exodus 27:20 – 30:10. …

  • Expulsion edict shock.

    As UK Jews wonder if they have a future here, it emerges that their 1290 banishment has never been rescinded. by Charles Gardner. The Jews of England have been living with an edict of expulsion hanging over their heads for over 700 years. And the fateful meeting of Parliament that sealed the deal for such…

  • From Netivyah, Jerusalem –  29 February, 2025. Terumah.

    By Joseph Shulam.  This Torah portion is called Terumah, translated in English as “contribution” or “donation.” The reading is from Exodus 25:1-27:19. The text deals with the contributions of the children of Israel to construct the Tabernacle in the wilderness.  The text is fascinating and has some significant ramifications for us today.    The reading from the prophets is from  II Kings 11:17 – 12:17;…

  • Antisemitic revival.

    Young UK Christians succumb to media bias on Israel. by Charles Gardner. LONDON, February 20, 2025 – A shocking new survey has revealed a significant proportion of young British Christians hold antisemitic views. An independent academic study of more than 2,000 Christians of all ages across the UK also found that one-third believe Jewish people…

  • From Netivyah, Jerusalem. Mishpatim – ‘judgments.’  

    By Joseph Shulam.  The Torah reading on February 22, 2025, is called in Hebrew Mishpatim – ‘judgments.’   The portion of Mishpatim reading is from Exodus 21:1- 24:18.  We will be reading Haftarah: Jeremiah 34:8-22, 33:25-26 from the prophets. We will read the Gospel of Matthew 26:20- 30 from the New Testament.  Every teaching of Yeshua and the Apostles is solidly based on the Hebrew Bible. The Torah…

  • Road to freedom!

    New Covenant promise is primarily for the Jewish people. by Charles Gardner. DONCASTER, February 17, 2025 – This is the story of a very gifted Jewish boy whose grandparents fled the pogroms of Russia to seek freedom in America. Yet although Robert Zimmerman (aka Bob Dylan) came to write many ‘freedom’ songs, he didn’t exactly…

  • The Evangelical Factor.

    Why is it that Christians on either side of the ‘pond’ are poles apart on Israel? by Charles Gardner. With the geopolitical and spiritual tectonic plates in the Middle East shaking as never before, are we about to see similar moves in the West, especially in the wake of Donald Trump’s radical reforms? The woke…

  • From Netivjah, Jerusalem. Beshalach.

    By Joseph Shulam.  This Shabbat’s Torah portion, Beshalach, is one of the most significant narratives of the whole Torah.   The reading from the Torah is from Exodus 13:17 – 17:16.  From the Prophets, the reading is from Judges 4:4-5:31. We will read John 6:15 – 71 and 1 Corinthians 10:1-5 from the New Testament.    In this reading are the departure of the children of Israel…

  • A SPIRIT OF DESPAIR.

    But hope rises in the wake of dark memories. by Charles Gardner. Sharing Holocaust Memorial Day with a talk I gave in Stoke-on-Trent – famous for its potteries – reminded me of the Scripture that describes us as having treasure in jars of clay (2 Corinthians 4:71). The Apostle Paul was of course referring to…