Advocating for the legalisation of assisted dying is about supporting a “shortening of a painful death” rather than encouraging a “shortening of life”, Rabbi Jonathan Romain has told the latest episode of Let’s Talk: The JC Podcast.

The rabbi of Maidenhead Synagogue has spoken about why he believes the law must be changed to allow assisted dying to be a choice for terminally ill people, and argued such a move would have “religious value”.

Rabbi Romain has recently been appointed chair of Dignity in Dying, a campaign group that advocates for providing terminally ill adults with the option of an assisted death.

He acknowledged that allowing for assisted dying does not necessarily align with the traditional Jewish stance on the sanctity of life and the need to preserve it at all costs, but told JC editor Jake Wallis Simons there is “nothing holy about agony”.

Rabbi Romain also discussed how he has tried to come to terms with the death of his son Benedict, who drowned in January.

Having consoled other bereaved families the rabbi said he recognised that “I’m not being picked out [nor is] God punishing me”. Rather, the tragedy is “part of the ups and downs of life”.

He added that he has seen others “come through” their grief and he takes “great comfort” from that.

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