Plea to let refugees remain

A coalition of Jewish groups has lobbied the Home Office over the deportation of Darfuri refugees to Khartoum, despite evidence that increasing numbers are being arrested and tortured.

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Liverpool shul plaque

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Lessons of Shalit’s story

Activities about captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit have been a feature of a visit this week by teachers from the Kerner Primary in Meona, Northern Israel, to the Clore Tikva Primary in Redbridge under the aegis of the UJIA Schools to Schools project.

During his time as a Kerner pupil, Gilad Shalit wrote a story about the morality of friendship and peace which was discovered at the school after his capture.

The story has since been published in Israel with illustrations by Israeli artists.

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Strong legal argument

Delivering the annual Isaiah Berlin Lecture at Hampstead Synagogue, Baroness Kennedy argued that while law and democracy are the pillars of British society, it is the law which is paramount.

The human-rights and civil-liberties specialist pointed out that there are currently 80 cases of alleged Islamic terrorism awaiting trial.

Trying to take short-cuts would only lead to unsafe convictions and thus should be avoided.

Although one impulse to the threat of terrorism was to withdraw the rights of some, judges should fight to maintain the human rights of everyone.

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Preston Bennett lunch

A celebratory lunch was held in the Jewish Chronicle boardroom last Thursday to mark 50 years of continuous advertising in the JC by estate agents Preston Bennett.

At the lunch — attended by Ronald Preston and Peter Bennett, their wives and senior executives — Mr Preston recalled that the first house he sold had been advertised in the JC.

Moreover, he had recently discovered that it was still occupied by the original purchaser.

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Walker steps in at Heaton

Stepping into large shoes, Rabbi Daniel Walker has officially taken over at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation from the Rev Leslie Olsberg, who has served the community for 36 years.

The 31-year-old Lubavitch rabbi, who has a particular interest in Jewish history, hopes to build on the spirit he has found in the 900-strong North Manchester congregation.

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Jewish Care raises record £3.5m

Jewish Care fundraisers are celebrating a record £3.57 million pledged at the charity’s campaign dinner at  Grosvenor House on Tuesday.

The generosity of the 900 guests delighted campaign chairman Steven Lewis, who said that “in such financially challenging times, the community’s ability to understand the importance of what we do and offer their overwhelming support is truly outstanding”. The previous record was last year’s £2.9 million.

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Oxford mikvah opens

Israeli Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger formally opened a £250,000 mikvah on the Oxford Chabad site before an audience of religious and civic personalities, students and local community members.

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Mersey joy

A seven-year appeal to secure the future of one of Liverpool Jewry’s oldest institutions has reached its £300,000 pledge target in just a year.

“We are now able to provide more services to more people in our community,” Merseyside Jewish Community Care chief executive Lisa Dolan said. “We will be starting a new group for senior citizens at Allerton Hebrew Congregation and plan to develop a supported living scheme for young adults.”

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Corrie star helps Rags to riches

Former Coronation Street star Bradley Walsh was among the 130 players in the 38th annual golf tournament staged by Rags, the Redbridge Aid Golf Society, which raised £185,000.

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