Interview: Sacred Languages and Judaism
Religion Off The Beaten Track
Date: February 5, 2022
Theme: Jews, Judaism and Jewishness, Language, Religion
Category: Podcasts
Religion
Much of my writing on on Jews goes beyond the narrow category of Judaism as a religion. At the same time though, some of my work not only looks at Judaism but also engages with other religious communities. This themed collection includes my writings that focus on religion, either from a Jewish perspective or from a multi-religious perspective.
Writings, talks and videos relating to Religion
Submission to APPG on Religion and Media inquiry into religious literacy in print and broadcast media
Submission subsequently quoted extensively in final report of the inquiry, published in April 2021
Publication Date: April 29, 2020
Theme: Culture, Religion
Category: Reports and policy papers
Book Review: Mysticism, Ritual and Religion in Drone Metal by Owen Coggins
Performance, Religion and Spirituality 1(2), 189-195
Publication Date: 2018
Theme: Metal Music and Culture, Religion
Category: Book reviews
How should we read religious texts?
New Humanist
Britain’s former Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks advocates a more complex reading. But do his ideas fit with the modern world?
[Essay review of Jonathan Sacks’s new book Not in God’s Name]
Publication Date: Autumn 2015
Theme: Conflict Resolution, Civility and Dialogue, Jews, Judaism and Jewishness, Religion
Category: Book reviews, Journalism and essays
Panelist: ‘How has religion been an agent for peace-building in conflict areas of the world?’
Westminster Faith Debates
Date: May 14, 2014
Theme: Conflict Resolution, Civility and Dialogue, Israel/Palestine, Religion
Category: Other talks (selected)
Faster for the master
New Humanist
More than 30 years after it started, is Christian metal still a thriving underground scene or a decaying corpse? Keith Kahn-Harris goes looking for signs of life amongst the devout undead
Publication Date: May 24, 2013
Theme: Metal Music and Culture, Religion
Category: Journalism and essays
The new chief rabbi and archbishop face strikingly similar problems
The Guardian
Ephraim Mirvis can't stem the authority leaching from the chief rabbi's job – established synagogues and churches are outdated
Publication Date: December 19, 2012
Theme: Jews, Judaism and Jewishness, Religion
Category: Journalism and essays
Religious Popular Music: Between the Instrumental, Transcendent and Transgressive (co-authored with Marcus Moberg)
Temenos: Nordic Journal of Comparative Religion 48(1), 87-106
The use of post-rock ‘n’ roll popular music genres by religious groups is accompanied by a notable ambiguity: Is religious popular music designed to be an instrumental tool for outreach/evangelism, or does it have an intrinsic value in summoning and exploring the transcendent? The article focuses on the previously rarely explored idea that the instrumental use of popular music in Christian and Jewish settings is often much more important than its transcendent qualities. The importance of the instrumental in Christian and Jewish popular music reveals itself in subtle and not-so-subtle signifiers and practices that point to an anxious desire to discipline music’s possible transgressive force.
Publication Date: January 1, 2012
Theme: Jews, Judaism and Jewishness, Music, Religion
Category: Journal articles
Book review: Religion in Human Evolution
New Humanist
Review of: Religion in Human Evolution by Robert Bellah
Publication Date: December 9, 2011
Theme: Religion
Category: Book reviews
Book review: A God of One’s Own by Ulrich Beck
New Humanist
Publication Date: July 28, 2011
Theme: Religion
Category: Book reviews
Review of: Holy Ignorance: When Religion and Culture Part Ways by Oliver Roy
Times Higher Education
Publication Date: March 31, 2011
Theme: Religion
Category: Book reviews
Debbie Friedman and the value of religious popular music
The Guardian
Friedman's songs helped to democratise at least one stream of Judaism, but such music may put off as many as it attracts
Publication Date: January 17, 2011
Theme: Jews, Judaism and Jewishness, Music, Religion
Category: Journalism and essays
Reach out to those without faith, too
The Guardian
Interfaith dialogue must be rethought to include those who are not religious or who are antagonistic towards religion
Publication Date: October 15, 2010
Theme: Conflict Resolution, Civility and Dialogue, Religion
Category: Journalism and essays
Communities in Conversation: Jewish Involvement in Inter Faith Activities in the UK
Board of Deputies of British Jews
In Britain today, people of different faiths and beliefs live side by side. The Government has supported inter faith work for a number of years with the objective of increasing the understanding between different groups, building communities and breaking down barriers. This report aims to reveal the extent of the UK Jewish community's involvement in inter faith activities, to explore the limitations of this involvement, and to suggest how it might be improved.
Publication Date: May 22, 2009
Theme: Community, Conflict Resolution, Civility and Dialogue, Jews, Judaism and Jewishness, Religion
Category: Reports and policy papers
Intra-faith to faith
The Guardian
The government's emphasis is on building relationships between religious communities. But what about conflict within those groups?
Publication Date: January 15, 2008
Theme: Conflict Resolution, Civility and Dialogue, Religion
Category: Journalism and essays
Interview with John Safran
Sunday Night Safran, Triple J radio (Australia)
Date: February 18, 2007
Theme: Metal Music and Culture, Music, Religion
Category: Media appearances and Interviews
Interview on Jews and popular music
BBC World Service ‘Reporting Religion’
Date: May 20, 2006
Theme: Jews, Judaism and Jewishness, Music, Religion
Category: Media appearances and Interviews
Review: Religion and Popular Culture: A Hyper-Real Testament by Adam Possamai
Journal of Contemporary Religion 21(1), 126-127
Publication Date: 2006
Theme: Religion
Category: Book reviews