A Priest and a Rabbi Walk into a Castle

Fr Stuart Owen and Rabbi Neil Janes

Rabbi Neil Janes from the South Bucks Jewish Community and Fr Stuart Owen, Rector of St Peter’s Church Berkhamsted, are set to embark on a unique four-day pilgrimage. Beginning on Wednesday 16 October 2024, the pair will retrace a historic journey that took place nearly 800 years ago, walking from Wallingford Castle in Oxfordshire to Berkhamsted Castle in Hertfordshire.

This journey coincides with two significant religious festivals: the Jewish festival of Sukkot (also known as the Festival of Tabernacles) and the Christian celebration of Harvest Festival. Both festivals focus on themes of gratitude, harvest, and the provision of life’s essentials.

A journey rooted in history

The route Rabbi Neil and Fr Stuart have chosen mirrors a sombre moment in history. In 1242, the Jewish population of Berkhamsted was forcibly moved to Wallingford by the landowner of both castles, who wished to have the Jewish community closer to his main residence for easier tax collection. This event was part of a broader wave of persecution against Jews in England during that time, culminating in their expulsion from the country in 1290.

Rather than allowing this painful chapter to be forgotten, Rabbi Neil and Fr Stuart are reclaiming it, turning it into a journey of hope and gratitude. Their pilgrimage will pass through communities and organisations that make a positive difference to the world around them.

‘We want to give thanks for organisations which enrich the local community,’ they shared. ‘We want to recognise the many different ways in which our humanity is fed, including faith, sports, the arts, politics, healthcare, education, and others. Both the Jewish and Christian traditions celebrate harvest festivals in the autumn, the time when we give thanks for the food that nourishes our bodies, and this year we want to combine that celebration with an act of thanksgiving for all those experiences which also nourish our souls.’

A walk for charity

The pilgrimage will also serve as a fundraising opportunity. Rabbi Neil and Fr Stuart aim to raise money for two charities close to their hearts: The Trussell Trust, which provides emergency food and support to people in poverty across the UK, and The Hunger Project, an organisation working to end global hunger.

A four-day pilgrimage

The pilgrimage will be split over four days:

  • Wednesday 16 October 2024: Wallingford to Wycombe
  • Thursday 17 October 2024: Wycombe to Aylesbury
  • Friday 18 October 2024: Aylesbury to Tring
  • Saturday 19 October 2024: Tring to Berkhamsted

Along the way, they will stop at various places of interest, including community centres, healthcare services, and educational institutions, offering thanks and engaging with those who contribute to the well-being of others.

Celebrating community and interfaith connections

This walk is also a symbol of the strong relationships between different religious communities in the UK. The South Bucks Jewish Community (SBJC) is a progressive and inclusive congregation that welcomes all Jews and those interested in Judaism from across South Bucks and West Hertfordshire. St Peter’s Church in Berkhamsted offers an inclusive and warm welcome to everyone.

To follow their progress, or to learn more about the initiative, visit Soul Food Walk.