Police are out in force for HMD events

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears told a gathering of senior policemen and community leaders at Western Marble Arch Synagogue of her delight at the wide range of age and backgrounds of those involved in HMD activities.

Organised in conjunction with the Association of Police Authorities, the get-together was the latest arranged by the APA to raise awareness of diversity. Around 90 senior officers took part in a day-long seminar, followed by dinner and a programme of prayer, poetry and song to mark HMD.

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Bury MP Ivan Lewis kicks off for United

Bury South MP Ivan Lewis kicked-off Manchester’s HMD programme by starting a football friendly on Sunday between Manchester Maccabi and FC United, the club founded by fans opposed to the Glazers’ takeover of Manchester United. The 300 crowd at the Maccabi sports centre also heard a talk from survivor Jack Aizenberg.

Maccabi’s project manager Suzy Gellman said the match was FC United’s idea. “It showed communities standing up to hatred and using sports to get that message across.”

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New at Northwood

Rabbi Dr Moshe Freedman is Northwood Synagogue’s new minister and will take up the post in time for Pesach.

The appointment of the 30-year-old, who recently received semichah in Israel, was overwhelmingly approved by the 130 Northwood congregants who came to the shul to hear him speak and answer questions.

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Palmers Green minister fights US plan to make him part-time

Palmers Green and Southgate Synagogue’s Rabbi Emanuel Levy is fighting a move to make his position part-time in a cost-cutting measure.

Although a United Synagogue spokesman suggested that the 60-year-old minister had accepted the change, Rabbi Levy said on Monday that he would appeal against the decision.

“I believe that the need for my services is as great now as it has ever been. We maintain regular daily services, shirum, education and welfare activities, exactly as we have always done.”

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Luton shul finds a permanent home

Luton Hebrew Congregation has completed the £225,000 purchase of a building in Dunstable Road for a synagogue and community centre.

The deal heralds the end of a nomadic existence for the community of 100-or-so members, which has been operating from a series of temporary premises. The move to a pleasant residential location is especially welcome for minister Rabbi Yossi Schwei and his family.

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Senitt scheme trains future leaders

Sixty year 10 pupils from four London schools are taking part in the inaugural Alan Senitt community leadership programme, launched in memory of the young British political activist and communal personality who was murdered in Washington DC in 2006.

Set up in partnership with the government-backed Shared Futures project and the Streetwise charity, the scheme links single-faith and multifaith schools including Immanuel College in Bushey and Nower Hill High in Pinner, where Mr Senitt had been a pupil.

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Bournemouth backs Israelis in rocket range

Bournemouth Jews have raised an initial £4,000-plus for an organisation assisting Israelis who have fled homes in range of Hamas rocket fire.

A series of emergency fundraisers were prompted by an email to Bournemouth resident Jane Victor from a cousin in Bet Shemesh, where the Leman Achai charity is based.

Bet Shemesh has escaped the rocket attacks and provides schooling and general respite for over 1,000 children. Leman Achai is committed to its relief programme for an indefinite period and receives no governmental assistance.

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Breakfast with Boris opens smoked salmon specialist

Boris Johnson hailed “the shrine of smoked salmon” when officially opening Forman’s Fish Island in East London last Friday.

London’s Mayor joined Lance Forman and his staff and 250 guests for a champagne breakfast featuring Forman’s trademark product in the 800-
capacity events venue overlooking the Olympic Stadium development.

He then toured the smokehouse with Mr Forman, learning the secrets of the firm’s 103-year-old “London Cure” smoked salmon recipe.

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