Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain MBE

Rabbi, writer and broadcaster, Jonathan Romain is minister of Maidenhead Synagogue. He writes regularly for ‘The Times’ and ‘The Jewish Chronicle’ and is frequently on the radio. His many books include “The Jews of England” and “Reform Judaism and Modernity”. For several years he was a judge for both “The Times Preacher of the Year” competition and the BBC’s Frank Gillard Awards. He received the MBE for his pioneering work in helping mixed-faith couples nationally, and also the Sternberg Interfaith Award . He is passionate about Jewish identity and Jewish education, yet adamant that single faith schools are detrimental to both the best interests of children and the social health of the country at large.

“I want my children to go to a school when they can sit next to a Christian, play football in the break with a Muslim, do homework with a Hindu and walk back with an atheist - interacting with them and them getting to know what a Jewish child is like. Schools should build bridges, not erect barriers.”