Masorti leader Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg gives first Thought for the Day

Senior Masorti Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg gave his first Radio 4 Thought for the Day on Tuesday, addressing the climate emergency.

Wittenberg, of New North London Synagogue, now follows a long line of distinguished rabbis to voice their thoughts in the prestigious morning slot, including former Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks and the late Rabbi Lionel Blue.

Speaking to Jewish News afterwards, he said: “I feel moved and honoured to be included in Thought for the Day. It offers a moment of human and spiritual reflection in the middle of news summaries and interviews, an opportunity to affirm values in the midst of the whirlwind of events.”

On the experience, he added: “I was nervous, but the producers, staff and presenters at the BBC were all extremely kind. The discussions I heard before my own slot came up were so interesting that I forgot to be quite so anxious.”

During his reflections, he recalled recently exchanging his diesel car for an electric car, only to find himself stuck with no charging points, “spending the night cold and semi-sleeping in the car, with a marathon to run the next day”.

• Listen to Rabbi Wittenberg’s address here:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p07scm20