Poetry

In his retirement, Rabbi Cohen has developed his interest in poetry and is in great demand to give poetry readings to cultural groups. He has produced countless single poems and six books, all of which have won widespread acclaim.

Most recently, ITV invited poets to submit poems on the theme of life under the Corona vaccine. Rabbi Cohen’s poem, ‘Do I believe in Angels?’ was selected, and a video of his recording was included on ITV’s News at 6 on Tuesday, 21 April 2020.

To date he has published the following works:

  • Genesis in Poetry
  • The Siddur in Poetry
  • The Machzor in Poetry
  • The Haggadah in Poetry
  • The Book of Esther: A Poetic Reading
  • The Psalms: Poetry in Poetry

For further details, please see Books

We include below a selection of his most recent poems in PDF, covering a multitude of subjects:

Poetry Readings

Rabbi Jeffrey has received many invitations to deliver poetry readings.

Following are some of his engagements:

2021

  • "The Dreyfus Affair"
    30 January - Zoomed poetry reading to Bowdon Community, Cheshire
  • 09 January at 6:00pm London time on Zoom - Poetry presentation to Young Israel, The New Synagogue (Macdonald's) and the Ramat Poleg communities, Netanya: "Elisha ben Avuyah: sage, mystic and heretic of the Talmudic Period"

    Please read the [Chat] comments received after the reading

2020

  • 14 November - Zoomed Havdalah and Poetry Presentation to Yeshurun Synagogue,
    South Manchester
    Please view the presentation on [YouTube]
  • "Do I believe in angels?"
    01 April - A videoed rendering of my poem was broadcast on ITN News at 6

2019

  • "Potpourri of Poetry"
    28 May 2019 - reading to Fellowship House Group, NW11

2014

  • 05 November - "Recent Poems from my Repertoire" – A poetry reading under the auspices of the Henry Koor Judaica Library, Netanya
  • 05 July - Recited poem, 'On the kidnapping and murder of three Israel students' during Shabbat morning Service at Macdonald's Synagogue, Netanya
  • 31 May - Guest speaker at Seudah Shlishit, Hampstead Garden Synagogue
  • 27 May - 'A Yom Yerushalayim Poetry Reading,' Kenton Synagogue

2012

  • 12 January - Pinner AJR
  • 12 September - Kinloss Synagogue Lunch & Learn Programme
  • 23 September - Macdonald Synagogue, Netanya
  • 14 October - AACI, Netanya
  • 20 November - Shivtei Yisrael Synagogue, Ra'anana

2011

  • 10 January - Shlomo Argov B'nai Brith Lodge, Bushey
  • 12 January - Yad B'Yad Lodge, Pinner
  • 27 March - Harrow Day Limmud Conference
  • 17 May - Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, Jerusalem
  • 31 May - SpiroArk
  • 01 June - Mill Hill JACS

2010

  • 11 January - Young Israel, Netanya
  • 14 July - Yitzchak Rabin B'nai Brith Lodge, Edgware
  • 26 September - Yeshurun Synagogue, Cheadle, Cheshire
  • 18 October - Emunah, Netanya
  • 20 November - Shivtei Yisrael Synagogue, Raanana
  • 25 November - Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue
  • 29 November - Stanmore & Canons Park Synagogue - Photo Gallery
  • 30 November - Highgate Synagogue

2009

  • 24 June - Northwood Synagogue Adult Education Programme
  • 08 September - Hampstead Garden Suburb Seniors
  • 12 November - Immanuel College Annual Siddur Presentation

2008

  • 03 November - Radio Manchester, Jewish programme
  • 17 November - Immanuel College Annual Siddur Presentation

Rabbi Jeffrey has received many invitations to deliver poetry readings - to attend a local reading please view his engagements.

Here is just one example of the sort of appreciation he regularly receives:

"I hardly think I need to tell you how greatly we all enjoyed your outstanding readings last night.

Because I was in the privileged position of sitting opposite the audience, I could watch their enraptured expressions, faces reflecting just how captivated they were by the varying moods - the drama, the comedy, the lovely pastoral description, the whimsy - of your chosen extracts.

It was a true tour de force and made such a powerful impact.

We really were treated to an absorbing and stimulating evening."


Judy Frankel, Educationalist and former senior teacher of English, South Hampstead High School