Rosh Pinah Primary raise money for Emunah with balloon launch

A balloon launch at Rosh Pinah Primary helped mark Israel’s Independence Day and raise almost £700 for Emunah. Pupils paid for the balloons and a prize will go the owner of the one found to have travelled the greatest distance. The cash will pay for toys and books for children in Emunah centres in Israel.

More..

Northern Jewish artists have work exhibited

Keren Or and JNF UK attracted 200 people to the preview night of their art exhibition at South Manchester Synagogue to view the work of northern Jewish artists. The Mayor of Trafford, Councillor Bernard Sharpe, opened the exhibition. Lorraine Palastrand, JNF senior campaign executive, said: “We are delighted that the community have supported this event in such large numbers.”

More..

Yeshurun Synagogue trial second service

Responding to congregants’ requests, Edgware Yeshurun Synagogue has introduced an experimental second Monday-to Friday shacharit service at 8am — an hour later than its primary morning service starting at 6.50 or 7am. The move acknowledges that there are now more would-be worshippers who work locally, or are retired, who do not need to get up quite so early. Yeshurun president Russell Grossman said the additional service was proving popular: “It’s a measure of the growth of our community.”

More..

Opera night for Bournemouth

There was a classical feel to Bournemouth’s cross-communal Yom Atzmaut party with 430 guests filling the newly-refurbished Opera House in Boscombe for the first kosher event at the venue.

And it was a nostalgic night for the town’s mayor, Councillor Anne Filer, who recalled that she had chaired Bournemouth Jewish Representative Council at the time of Israel’s 50th anniversary.

Guests sat down to a meal catered by a large band of helpers organised by Katrina Webb.

More..

Eyes on spectacle exhibition for a second time

Spectacles featured in a Liverpool exhibition for Holocaust Memorial Day are to be displayed again. Respectacles was an artwork created from 100,000 pairs of glasses donated by the public. Daniel Radcliffe and Tony Blair were among political and showbiz stars who contributed. Sam and Elise Beilin and the Richard Beilin Memorial Fund sponsored the artwork. Sam Beilin said that he was grateful to Liverpool City Council for assistance. The exhibition at World Museum Liverpool runs until August 17.

More..

High hopes for ambitious eighth One Day Limmud

This year’s Leeds One Day Limmud is set to be the biggest in its eight-year history, say organisers of the event. A crowd of more than 400 is anticipated at the event to be staged at the Weetwood Hall Hotel on June 22. Linda Rosen, Leeds Limmud co-ordinator, said: “This will be our most ambitious event.” Further details can be found on www.limmud.org or via email: leeds@limmud.org.

More..

Local Wizo group celebrates diamond jubilee

A Leeds Wizo group has celebrated its diamond jubilee with a lunch at the Marjorie and Arnold Ziff Centre. The Chaim Weizmann Group was formed in 1948, changing its name to the Blanche Dugdale Group. Its initial function was to sell goods at the Leeds Blue and White Bazaar. “As long as the underprivileged need our help Wizo will be there for them,” said founder member Marianne Lipman.

More..

Aviva Wizo hear of Queen Victoria's haemophilia

Professor Monty Losowsky, executive chairman of Thackray Medical Museum, gave a talk to Aviva Wizo last week on haemophilia and Queen Victoria. The event took place at the United Hebrew Congregation when more than 80 people heard how haemophilia affected the queen. He explained that out of the nine children Victoria bore, the third Alice, and the ninth Beatrice, were carriers of the gene, and the eighth, Leopold, was a haemophiliac.

More..

Philip Sheaf wins Diana Nelson Art Award

More than 60 people attended the Diana Nelson Art Award at this year’s ceremony held at the Marjorie and Arnold Ziff Centre. Artist Philip Sheaf won the award with an abstract still life of musical instruments in pastel. Second place was shared by joint winners Vivienne Alper and Sasha Williams. The award was presented in memory of local artist and tutor Diana Nelson, who was a student and governor of Leeds College of Art and Design.

More..

Sacks gives talk to Reading Hebrew Congregation

More than 70 people attended Reading Hebrew Congregation to hear the Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathon Sacks give a talk about Israel. He spoke of how his great-grandfather had made aliyah from Lithuania in the 19th century and settled in Petach Tikva, where he built the town’s first house. Sir Jonathan then took questions from the floor.

More..