Rabbi Jonathan Romain speaks up on the BBC
A new series of faith programmes invites writer and broadcaster to share his private passions
Louisa Walters is Features Editor at the Jewish News and specialises in food and travel writing
Rabbi Jonathan Romain is taking a key role in a new series of religion and ethics programmes across BBC television and radio. Well known as a writer and broadcaster, Rabbi Romain reveals his Private Passions in conversation with Michael Berkeley on BBC Radio 3 on 11 December.
Minister of Maidenhead Synagogue, Rabbi Romain is the author of 20 books – some scholarly and others which are very funny – revealing the ups and downs of his day-to-day work, in a way which would resonate with religious leaders of any denomination. He’s become a kind of self-styled agony uncle, dispensing advice on love affairs, marriage, parenthood, and he’s written about all this in Confessions of a Rabbi and in his latest book The Naked Rabbi. On the more serious side, Rabbi Romain is a prominent figure in the campaign for Assisted Dying, he was awarded an MBE for his work on inter-faith marriage, and he’s spent much of the last year working with Ukrainian refugees.
In conversation with Michael Berkeley, ahead of the start of Chanukah on 18th December, Jonathan Romain talks about what he’s learned over the years about love and marriage, and why some of his views put him very much out on a limb. His playlist takes in Max Bruch, Leonard Cohen, Rimsky-Korsakov and a tribute to his love of football. Plus he tells us his favourite Jewish joke.
Tim Pemberton, BBC Head of Religion & Ethics, Radio, says: “Throughout this last year, BBC Radio’s faith programmes have been a source of companionship and contemplation.”
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