The Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, known for his scholarly pursuits, has revealed his appreciation for the viral word puzzle game Wordle, emphasizing its ability to foster family bonds.
Sir Ephraim plays the app-based game daily with his children and grandchildren, with the results being entered into a "league table."
Despite his busy schedule, the Chief Rabbi, aged 66, finds time to engage in this concise yet mentally stimulating activity. Living in north London with his wife, Valerie, Sir Ephraim has four adult children and 17 grandchildren who participate in a daily Wordle challenge, sharing their results and maintaining a friendly competition through a WhatsApp group.
Describing Wordle as a "beautiful family bonding opportunity," Sir Ephraim encourages others to explore the game. In an interview with The Sunday Times Magazine, he also touched on more serious topics, expressing concern about the rise of extremism, racism, and xenophobia worldwide, including within Britain.
While acknowledging that being Jewish in the UK is generally positive and antisemitic incidents are exceptions, Sir Ephraim highlighted the need to remain vigilant. He praised the government's commitment to combating antisemitism, emphasizing that any threat to the Jewish community is rightly perceived as a threat to society as a whole.
Sir Ephraim also discussed his pride in supporting LGBT+ youth by creating a groundbreaking guide for Jewish pupils identifying as such in 2018. The guide, the first of its kind for Orthodox Jewish schools, has received a positive global response, with individuals expressing gratitude for its impact.
Reflecting on his own journey, the Chief Rabbi shared valuable advice he has received, emphasizing how success often arises from navigating sorrow and setbacks. He also expressed his appreciation for the beauty and opportunities offered by different languages, expressing a desire to learn more beyond his proficiency in Hebrew, Afrikaans, and Yiddish. Photo by Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Wikimedia commons.