How has journalism met the challenges of 24-hour news? Have changes in new technology altered the way media is produced and consumed? And what is the purpose of journalism in the 21st century? We’ll explore all these questions and more in this six-week series, featuring well-known voices from The Times, The Guardian, BBC, Haaretz, Jewish News, Jerusalem Post and more.
Talks will be held on Wednesdays at 8pm, immediately following our Emerging Journalists masterclasses. Streaming links* for online events will be sent out shortly before each event. Full details below.
This series is run in partnership with Jewish News and the Lyons Learning Project.
JR has an ethical ticketing policy and is offering free tickets to the lectures, but if you can afford it, please donate to support our work. We are proposing denominations of 18 – the numerical value of the Hebrew word 'chai', meaning 'life'.
*If you booked your ticket and have not received the link by 5pm on the day of the event, please check your spam folder and, if it's not there, email programming@jewishrenaissance.org.uk.
Past events
Wednesday 1 November
What’s the Point of Journalism?
In an age of fast-flowing, democratised digital information sharing, is there a need for formal journalism? We invite panellists from the worlds of opinion, news and investigative journalism to share their views on the purpose of reporting in 2023. Featuring Rafael Behr (The Guardian), Hugo Rifkind (The Times), Esther Solomon (Haaretz English) and Judith Moritz (BBC).
Wednesday 8 November
Covering Culture: The Vital Role of Features and Reviews
From star ratings to immersive long-reads, feature writers, critics and reviewers shape the nation’s tastes and keep culture thriving. Our panel delves into the reasons why, featuring Sonya Barber (freelance writer and editor; former Time Out & Condé Nast Traveller), Hephzibah Anderson (columnist, Prospect Magazine; feature writer, BBC Culture) and Andrew Pulver (film editor, The Guardian).
Wednesday 15 November
Keeping up With the News Cycle
In today’s world of rolling news, instant global updates and endless government gaffes, it can be hard to keep up with what’s ‘new’ in the news. We’ve invited an expert panel of news journalists to show us how it’s done, featuring Serena Kutchinsky (Sky News), Justin Cohen (Jewish News), Jane Eisner (Columbia School of Journalism) and Josh Glancy (Sunday Times).
Wednesday 22 November
CANCELLED*: High-Profile Interviews: Getting Answers from A-Listers
*Unfortunately, this session has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. We hope to reschedule for another time in the future.
As chief presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, Emma Barnett has interviewed the likes of Kate Bush, Queen Camilla and Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, to name just a few. How does she handle the pressure of such high-profile interviews? What are her most memorable moments? Come prepared to put your questions to Barnett in this unique session when the interviewer becomes the interviewee.
Wednesday 29 November
The Art of Podcasting
From news analysis to comedy to wellness, podcasts have established themselves firmly within the media landscape, transforming the way journalism is created and consumed along the way. We’ll hear from a panel of pro podcasters as they share their career highlights, including celeb guests, inspirational interviews and award-winning commentary. Featuring Andrew Gold (On the Edge with Andrew Gold), Emma Levy (When Life Gives You Lemons) and Olly Mann (The Week Unwrapped; Modern Mann; Today in History).
Wednesday 6 December
Covering Israel
How does a Jewish journalist cover events in Israel, both for mainstream and communal audiences? And is there a contrast in approach to stories for different readerships? In times of crisis and turmoil for Israel, it is more important than ever to have clear-eyed coverage. Join our panel as we explore best practice when reporting on or from Israel, with Richard Ferrer (Jewish News), Tovah Lazaroff (The Jerusalem Post), Anshel Pfeffer (Haaretz; The Economist) and Shira Rubin (The Washington Post). Chaired by Jonathan Freedland (The Guardian).