Israel parade planners aim for ‘carnival’ spirit

The organisers of next month’s Closer to Israel parade in central London said they were confident of a strong turn-out as the route it will take was unveiled.

Former UJIA chief executive Douglas Krikler, who chairs the planning committee, said that although the decision to stage the June 2 event had been “taken at a relatively late stage,” support was encouraging.

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Israeli government to invest in promoting the country to the world

The Israeli government is planning a major investment to promote Jewish and Israeli culture around the world as part of a strategic shift in its relationship with the Jewish diaspora.

One of the details of the plan is the establishment of cultural centres — based on the British Council model — in conurbations where there are large Jewish communities.

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Judaism inspires inmates

A Polish project to teach prisoners about Jewish culture as part of their rehabilitation is proving a huge success.

The Tikkun project, which was founded in 2003 by Jewish community leaders, aims to increase prisoners' tolerance of other cultures and religions.

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Students' great shul crawl

Two Oxford University students have set out on an ambitious project to review every synagogue in Britain.

Danny Kessler and Joshua Felberg plan light-hearted assessments of nearly 400 communities, based on the standard of the kiddush, the rabbi's sermon, decorum, and "peculiar customs".

The friends served as co-presidents of Oxford Jewish Society last year and came up with the idea after see

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Our ten finest shuls

What does Ramsgate have in common with Bradford, Brighton and Liverpool? They are all sites for historic British synagogues which have just been recognised as part of the cultural heritage of Europe.

The country's 10 finest synagogues have been nominated as part of a "Jewish route" across Europe – one of seven cultural routes being created across the continent by the Council of Europe.

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Hendon primary becomes academy

The Independent Jewish Day School in Hendon has been granted academy status - the first Barnet primary to achieve this and, says the school, the first Jewish primary nationally.

IJDS decided to proceed after consultation involving governors, staff, parents and the wider community. It will become responsible for its own management rather than being under local authority control.

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