Jonathan Romain
{{short description|British rabbi (born 1954)}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox Jewish leader
|honorific-prefix = Rabbi
|name = Jonathan Romain
|honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|Order of the British Empire|MBE}}
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|image = The_Rabbi_Dr_Jonathan_Romain_MBE.jpg
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|synagogue =Maidenhead Synagogue
|synagogueposition = Rabbi
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|organisation = The Movement for Reform Judaism and Progressive Judaism
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|birth_name = Jonathan Anidjar Romain
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1954|08|24|df=y}}{{cite book | title=The Palgrave Dictionary of Anglo-Jewish History | publisher=Palgrave Macmillan | editor1=William D. Rubinstein|editor2=Michael Jolles|editor3=Hilary L. Rubinstein | editor1-link=William Rubinstein|editor3-link=Hilary L. Rubinstein | year=2011 | location=Basingstoke, Hampshire | pages=808 | isbn=978-1-4039-3910-4}}
|birth_place = Hampstead, London, England
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|nationality = British
|denomination= Reform Judaism
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|spouse = Rabbi Sybil Sheridan
|children = Four sons
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Rabbi Dr Jonathan Anidjar Romain {{post-nominals|Order of the British Empire|MBE}} (born 24 August 1954)Civil Registration index of births, marriages and deaths for England and Wales is a writer and broadcaster and Convenor of Progressive Judaism's Reform Beit Din.https://www.thejc.com/community/rabbi-jonathan-romain-to-head-reform-beit-din-wcl9fs3y He has a PhD in the history of British Jewry. He writes for The Times, The Independent,{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/a-jewish-perspective-on-samesex-marriage-8203886.html|title= A Jewish perspective on same-sex marriage|work= The Independent|author= Jonathan Romain|location= London|date= 9 October 2012|access-date= 3 November 2012}} The Guardian,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/belief/2011/jul/25/real-forgiveness-earned |title= Forgiveness must be earned|work= The Guardian|author= Jonathan Romain|location= London|date= 25 July 2011|access-date= 3 November 2012}} The Huffington Post,[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/rabbi-jonathan-romain/ Romain's contributions to the Huffington Post] and The Jewish Chronicle{{cite news|url=http://www.thejc.com/judaism/rabbi-i-have-a-problem/66968/can-i-accompany-my-friend-a-suicide-clinic|title= Can I accompany my friend to a suidice clinic?|work= The Jewish Chronicle|author1=Naftali Brawer |author2=Jonathan Romain |location= London|date= 27 April 2012|access-date= 3 November 2012}} and appears on radio and television.{{Cite web |url=https://www.reformjudaism.org.uk/rabbi-dr-jonathan-romain-big-questions-18-february-2018/ |title=Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain on The Big Questions: 18 February 2018 |date=19 February 2018 |publisher=Movement for Reform Judaism |access-date=26 October 2018}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.reformjudaism.org.uk/rabbi-dr-jonathan-romain-on-victoria-derbyshire/ |title=Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain on Victoria Derbyshire |date=27 March 2018 |publisher=Movement for Reform Judaism |access-date=26 October 2018}}
Professional career
Rabbi Jonathan Romain is Convenor of the Reform Beit Din (Rabbbinic Court), a position he took up in 2023.https://www.thejc.com/community/rabbi-jonathan-romain-to-head-reform-beit-din-wcl9fs3y
He was Rabbi of Maidenhead (Reform) Synagogue from 1980-2024, and remains as the community’s Rabbi Emeritus.https://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/news/religion/197552/hundreds-attend-goodbye-to-rabbi-romain-of-maidenhead-synagogue.html He attributes the Maidenhead congregation’s huge growth during his tenure, from 72 households to 947, to the rebranding of the synagogue from a house of prayer to a community centre, telling the Jewish Chronicle: "I honestly don’t care if people come to services on a Saturday, the film evening on a Sunday or the walking group midweek. It’s coming that counts and being part of the community in whatever way they feel comfortable.”https://www.thejc.com/community/rabbi-romain-to-leave-maidenhead-synagogue-after-44-years-dnmrnshv
He was a key figure in the 2025 unification of the Movement for Reform Judaism and Liberal Judaism into one Progressive Judaism for the UK and Ireland, regularly writing and speaking in favour of the merger.https://www.thejc.com/opinion/why-reform-and-liberal-judaism-are-stronger-together-le2ppjohhttps://www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/article/its-right-for-reform-and-liberal-judaism-to-unite-jfhqrltcs
Rabbi Jonathan Romain has been a full-time Tutor at Maidenhead Community Centre since 1980.
From 2007 to 2009, he chaired the Movement for Reform Judaism's Assembly of Rabbis and Cantors. Since January 2015 he has chaired the Movement's Beth Din.{{cite news | url=http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/128777/jonathan-romain-made-head-reform-beit-din | title=Jonathan Romain made head of Reform Beit Din | work=The Jewish Chronicle | date=23 January 2015 | access-date=13 April 2016 | author=Josh Jackman}}
For several years he was one of the judges for both The Times Preacher of the Year competition and the BBC's Frank Gillard Awards for religious programmes.
He is chaplain to the Jewish Police Association,[http://www.jewishpoliceassociation.org.uk/ Jewish Police Association website] and until 2018{{Cite news |url=https://www.thejc.com/education/education-features/why-i-have-campaigned-to-limit-faith-schools-1.458560 |title=Why I have campaigned to limit faith schools |last=Jonathan Romain |date=12 February 2018 |work=The Jewish Chronicle |access-date=12 February 2018}} chaired the Accord Coalition,{{cite web|url=http://accordcoalition.org.uk/2017/11/17/accord-coalition-welcomes-church-of-england-anti-lgtb-bullying-guidance/|title= Accord Coalition welcomes Church of England anti-LGTB bullying guidance|publisher= Accord Coalition|date= 17 November 2017|access-date = 22 January 2018}} which he helped found as an alliance of religious and non-religious groups committed to campaigning against religious discrimination in state-funded faith schools.
In 2014 he established Inter-faith leaders for Dignity in Dying (IFDiD),{{Cite web |url=https://www.dignityindying.org.uk/author/jonathanromain/ |title=Jonathan Romain |publisher=Dignity in Dying |location=London|access-date= 18 September 2017}} an inter-faith group of clergy, now numbering 50 leaders of many religious affiliations who support the aims of Dignity in Dying. The group calls for a change in the law that would allow terminally ill, mentally competent adults the choice of an having themselves die.{{cite web | url=https://www.dignityindying.org.uk/support-us/religious-support/ | title=IFDiD: Religious support for assisted dying | publisher=Campaign for Dignity in Dying | work=Religious support | access-date=12 July 2014}}
Actions and views
Rabbi Jonathan Romain has been a leading advocate for the inclusion of mixed-faith/dual-heritage couples and families in Judaism, a key principle of Progressive Judaism.https://www.thejc.com/news/community/romain-goes-out-on-a-mixed-high-kyz3phgq In 1988, he set up a seminar for couples where one partner was Jewish and the other not. The Jewish Chronicle described his work with mixed-faith couples as "pioneering".https://www.thejc.com/community/rabbi-jonathan-romain-to-head-reform-beit-din-wcl9fs3y
In 2013, he launched a campaign for recognition of Judaism in China.{{cite news | url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/asia-travel/china/rabbi-campaigns-for-recognition-of-judaism-in-china-wbnlsvrwrkl | title=Rabbi campaigns for recognition of Judaism in China | work=The Times | date=23 May 2013 | access-date=16 June 2013 | author=Ruth Gledhill and Omar Shahid | location=London}}
In July 2014, Romain welcomed Lord Carey's support for the Assisted Dying Bill, describing the former archbishop of Canterbury's intervention in the debate as "a breath of fresh air" and saying that Carey's change of view on the issue showed "it is possible to be both religious and in favour of assisted dying".{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28274531 | title=Assisted dying: Ex-Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey backs bill | work=BBC News | date=12 July 2014 | access-date=12 July 2014}}
His perspective on same-sex marriage - in line with that of Progressive Judaism - is that marriage should be open to all.{{cite news | url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/05/31/rabbi-jonathan-romain-chastises-religious-opponents-of-equal-marriage/ | title=Rabbi Jonathan Romain chastises religious opponents of equal marriage | work=Pink News | date=31 May 2012 | access-date=15 September 2016 | author=Edmund Broch}} He argues that "anyone who takes sacred religious texts literally needs to move on with the times... The Bible is not the literal word of God, but the inspiration of God, as perceived by people of that era and subject to the limitations of the period. It, therefore, has to constantly adapt according to new knowledge and new insights."{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/a-jewish-perspective-on-samesex-marriage-8203886.html | title=A Jewish perspective on same-sex mariage | work=The Independent | date=9 October 2012 | access-date=12 January 2013 | author=Jonathan Romain | location=London}}
He supports the legalisation of brothels, referring to Genesis and pointing out that "it is not for nothing that it [prostitution] is known as the oldest profession", adding: "It may be more messianic to want to end the sex trade altogether, but perhaps it is more religious to seek to channel it safely."{{cite news | url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/jonathan-romain/prostitution-legalise-brothels_b_4355221.html | title=Ignore the French and Legalise Brothels | work=The Huffington Post | date=28 November 2013 | location=London | access-date=28 December 2014 | author=Jonathan Romain }}
In 2014, on the issue of women becoming bishops in the Church of England he was quoted as saying: "Women have long been accepted as rabbis and have gone on to occupy positions of religious authority in both major synagogues and Jewish institutions. Those who thought Judaism would collapse when this happened have been proved resoundingly wrong and I am sure the same will be found in the Church."{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/11235664/Church-of-England-approves-historic-change-in-law-to-allow-women-bishops.html | title=Welby hails new beginning for Church as women bishops becomes law | work=The Daily Telegraph | date=17 November 2014 | access-date=21 November 2014 | author=John Bingham}}
In 2025, he spoke in favour of circumcision of boys - arguing that it is not just a deeply significant part of both Jewish and Muslim traditions, but also that it is safe, carried out by medical professionals and practised by many people outside of faith communities for health and hygiene reasons.https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/jewish-and-muslim-representatives-join-forces-to-defend-circumcision/
Honours
In 2003, he was appointed MBE for his pioneering work in helping mixed-faith couples nationally,{{cite journal|date=31 December 2003|title= Supplement no 1|journal=The London Gazette |issue= 57155|page=21|url= http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/57155/supplements/21| access-date = 27 August 2009|quote =To be Ordinary Members of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire:— Dr. Jonathan Anidjar Romain. For services to Community Relations.}} a theme covered in his book Till Faith Us Do Part (HarperCollins).
Personal life
He is married to Rabbi Sybil Sheridan. They have four adult sons together.{{Cite web |url=http://www.reformjudaism.org.uk/maidenhead-synagogue-times/ |title=Maidenhead Synagogue in The Times |publisher=Movement for Reform Judaism |date=11 August 2017 |access-date=13 September 2017}}
One of his sons, Benedict, died from drowning while on his honeymoon in the Philippines in January 2023.{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Jewish News |title=Rabbi Jonathan Romain's son Benedict dies after drowning on honeymoon |url=https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/benedict-romain-drowning/ |access-date=2023-06-15 |website=www.jewishnews.co.uk |date=25 January 2023 |language=en-US}} Rabbi Romain has spoken about the grieving process.https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001kpprhttps://www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/article/as-a-rabbi-i-thought-i-knew-grief-my-sons-death-taught-me-so-much-more-bzmrjs3wq
Publications
=Books=
- Signs and Wonders: a new method of teaching Hebrew, Michael Goulston Educational Foundation (1985; New edition 1992) {{ISBN|0907372023}} {{ISBN|978-0907372028}}
- The Jews of England, Jewish Chronicle Publications (1988) {{ISBN|978-0-907372-04-2}}
- Faith and Practice: A Guide to Reform Judaism Today, Reform Synagogues of Great Britain (1991) {{ISBN|9780947884086}}
- (with Anne Kershen) Tradition and Change: A History of Reform Judaism in Britain 1840–1995, Reform Synagogues of Great Britain (1995) {{ISBN|0853033161}} (hardback) {{ISBN|085303298X}} (paperback)
- Till Faith Us Do Part: Couples Who Fall in Love Across the Religious Divide, HarperCollins (1996) {{ISBN|0006279252}}
- Renewing the Vision, SCM Press (1996) {{ISBN|0334026571}}
- Your God Shall Be My God: religious conversion in Britain today, SCM Press (2000) {{ISBN|0334028094}} {{ISBN|978-0334028093}}
- Reform Judaism and Modernity: A Reader, a survey of Reform theology, SCM Press (2004) {{ISBN|0334029481}} {{ISBN|978-0334029489}}
- God, Doubt and Dawkins, Movement for Reform Judaism (2008) {{ISBN|978-0947884-17-8}}
- Really Useful Prayers, Movement for Reform Judaism (2009) {{ISBN|978-0-947884-20-8}}
- Great Reform Lives, Movement for Reform Judaism (2010) {{ISBN|978-0947884215}}
- A Passion for Judaism, Movement for Reform Judaism (2011) {{ISBN|978-0947884222}}
- Royal Jews: A Thousand Years of Jewish Life in and Around the Royal County of Berkshire, Grenfell Publishing (2013) {{ISBN|978-0957698604}}
- (as editor) Assisted Dying – Rabbinic Responses, Movement for Reform Judaism (2014){{cite web | url=http://www.ljs.org/calendar/events/1402/a-debate-on-assisted-dying/ | title=A Debate on Assisted Dying | publisher=Liberal Jewish Synagogue | work=Events | date=24 April 2014 | access-date=14 February 2015}} {{ISBN|978-0947884246}}
- Terror, Trauma and Tragedy, Movement for Reform Judaism (2016), (with David Mitchell) {{ISBN|978-0947884253}}
- Confessions of a Rabbi, Biteback Publishing (2017){{Cite news |url=https://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/gallery/maidenhead/112491/confessions-of-a-rabbi-book-offers-behind-the-scene-look-at-life-of-maidenhead-s-dr-jonathan-romain.html |title=Confessions of a Rabbi book offers behind-the-scenes look at life of Maidenhead's Dr Jonathan Romain |last=Grace Witherden |date=13 March 2017 |work=Maidenhead Advertiser |access-date=12 February 2018}} {{ISBN|978-1785901898}}
- Inclusive Judaism, (2020) (Jessica Kingsley) {{ISBN|978-1-78592-544-3}}
- What Makes Me Angry, Howls of Rabbinic Rage... and Solutions, Movement for Reform Judaism (2022) {{ISBN|978-0-947884-26-0}}
- The Naked Rabbi, John Hunt Publishing (2022) {{ISBN|978-1-78904-729-5}}
=Newspaper articles=
- [https://www.theguardian.com/profile/jonathanromain Contributions to The Guardian]
- [http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/jonathan-romain/ Contributions to The Huffington Post]
- [https://www.independent.co.uk/author/jonathan-romain/ Contributions to The Independent]
- [https://www.thejc.com/landing/Author/Rabbi%20Naftali%20Brawer%20and%20Rabbi%20Jonathan%20Romain/ "Rabbi, I have a problem" contributions to The Jewish Chronicle]
Notes and references
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books-uk&field-author=Jonathan%20A.%20Romain/ Books by Rabbi Jonathan Romain on Amazon.co.uk]
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Category:20th-century English rabbis
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Category:Members of the Order of the British Empire