Jan 20,2012

IHOR interviews ‘Dear Me…’ editor Joseph Galliano

We were recently given the opportunity to interview Joseph Galliano, the editor of Dear Me- More Letters to my Sixteen Year-Old Self’; a book to which Jo Rowling has contributed and written the foreword. The interview and details of how you can get involved with Dear Me are right here!



Nov 17,2011

Our New Project Now Opened


Come join our new project “Changed By Jo Rowling” today!

Changed By Jo Rowling Project



Oct 10,2011

IHOR’s Exclusive Interview With “The HP Rabbi”

We told you earlier, that we had the wonderful opportunity to interview Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg aka “The Harry Potter Rabbi” who teaches Judisum through the words of Jo Rowling’s novels.

IHOR: How does the Harry Potter series relate to Judaism?

Rabbi Rosenberg: While the series scrupulously shies away from organized religion, it leaves ample room for any religion, including Judaism, to find commonalities and identify with it. In this way, while JK Rowling does not force a religious outlook, she makes possible for ethical and religious people to benefit from her writing, especially in promoting the sort of values we all try to instill in our children and students.

A complete answer to this question would actually be the table of contents of Morality for Muggles: From relationships to character traits, from life to death to love, there are so many points upon which HP and Judaism shed similar or complementary light. I wrote my book to illustrate some of these areas of confluence.

IHOR: Can you give us an example on how you teach Judaism through Harry Potter?

Rabbi Rosenberg: Actually, rather than teaching Judaism, which is almost forcing the novels into a pre-conceived pattern, I see myself as teaching values to my students, and filtering them through the twin prisms of the Bible and Harry Potter. Many times both make the same point in their unique ways. If kids see this, they will grow accustomed to seeking out the values implicit in all that they read and relating them to their religious ideals.

One example might be to ask a class to name two guys and a girl who battled insurmountable odds to triumph over evil. The answer will come back: Harry, Ron and Hermione, of course, which is when I say, “How about Moses, Aaron and Miriam, their sister?” That leads to a discussion of what each one of the three, in the Bible and in HP, brings to the trio and how their unique chemistry works. Then, of course, the discussion can range further, asking if the bonds of friendship were ever disturbed by jealousy. It becomes clear that Aaron and Miriam, like Ron, had an episode in which they were tired of playing second fiddle, but ultimately repaired their relationship. To know the nature of true friendship, to understand that it is human to feel jealousy and to learn the lesson that one can repair relationships that one has tarnished are all so important for young people.

Another example might be to examine attitudes towards death. By contrasting Voldemort and Dumbledore’s attitudes kids can grapple with questions like: What is “worse than death?” Is death to be feared and fought or accepted as “the next great adventure?” To see how Dumbledore choreographed his own death, leaving the world on his own terms, and then to compare the Rabbinic account of the death scene of Aaron leaves one with the lesson that, while we cannot defeat death, we have an awful lot to say about how we meet it.

IHOR: Do you use J.K. Rowling’s personal story to teach, as well? If so, how?

Rabbi Rosenberg: I had not, but what a wonderful idea! Her story is inspiring and her journey is as impressive as that of her characters. Thank you for the suggestion!

Read the rest of this entry »



Sep 26,2011

Receiving An Award From Edinburgh University – Exclusive Photos

As promised, photos from the awards ceremony were added to the gallery! Doesn’t Jo look beautiful!

[x020]- Public Appearances > 2011 > Receiving An Award From Edinburgh University

Click to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to Enlarge



Sep 18,2011

IHOR To Do An Exclusive Interview With “The HP Rabbi”

We will be conducting an exclusive interview with

“The Harry Potter Rabbi”

[mentioned previously on our site here]. Please summit your questions as comments on this post. Thanks!



Aug 21,2009

Three New Pictures From My Meeting With Jo

I added three pictures from my meeting with Jo on October 19, 2007. One is with the crew from Leaky and the rest are with Jo.

Click to EnlargeClick to EnlargeClick to Enlarge



Jul 29,2009

In Depth Report of My Meeting With Jo ONLINE

Sorry for the delay in posting this. A few days ago, I got bit by a spider and had to go to the ER for the horrible pain it was causing me. Stupid spider! Sorry, Aragog. Anyway, i’m fine now and my report is now on the site! Check it out HERE! I hope you enjoy it!



Jul 26,2009

Report of My One-On-One Meeting With Jo Coming Soon

An in depth report of my one-on-one meeting with J.K. Rowling is coming very soon. I’m just putting the finishing touches on it. I shall have it to you sometime today. A picture of me and Jo is already in our gallery for your viewing pleasure. There are more pictures to come, as well. As soon as I get home, I will scan in the other photos from that night. Check back soon for our exclusive report! You will only find this at INOR.com!

Click to Enlarge