Two events have mark start of Cardiff Reform Synagogue's 60th anniversary celebrations

Two events have marked the start of Cardiff Reform Synagogue's 60th anniversary celebrations. A supper evening, held at the home of Lillian and Michael Bogod, attracted 70 people. The evening event raised £1,700, which was used towards a family fun day. The fun day was attended by more than 100 people from across the community and held at Lisvane Primary School. Events included pony rides, quad biking and sumo wrestling.

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Racist attack in Llandudno

A man was punched and had his kippah knocked off in what police describe as a racist attack.

The 24-year-old was wrestled to the ground by two men and hit in the face during the assault in Llandudno, North Wales, last week.

He had been walking close to a Chabad-run community centre on the outskirts of the town when the men attacked him. They removed his skullcap before running away.

The victim, who has not been named, was treated for shock and minor injuries.

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250 attend garden fete in aid of Penylan House Jewish Residential and Nursing Home

Around 250 people attended the annual garden fete in aid of Penylan House Jewish Residential and Nursing Home. Members of the community helped to run the event which included children's events and bottle, book and jewellery stalls. The £3,300 raised will fund concerts and outings for residents.

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Cardiff United holds cheder prize-giving

More than 20 children and family members attended the Cardiff United Synagogue cheder prize-giving. Roger Gewolb, a law professor and communal activist who has recently joined the community, was the guest of honour and complimented the teaching staff, under the guidance of headteacher Blima Wollenberg.

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150 remember shul member Roger Harris with plaque-unveiling

Around 150 people attended Cardiff United Synagogue for a plaque-unveiling in remembrance of shul member Roger Harris, who died last August aged 58. Rabbi Mordechai Wollenberg spoke of the work Mr Harris had carried out for the shul and how he had raised money for Israeli charity Food for Kids. The shul foyer has been named the Roger Harris Reception Hall in gratitude for his work.

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Three held as ambassador faces a riotous Assembly

Israeli ambassador Ron Prosor was given a rough reception both inside and outside the Welsh Assembly on Tuesday on his visit to Cardiff.

Pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with police who made three arrests as Mr Prosor arrived at the building on the Cardiff Bay waterfront.

Two women and a man were held for questioning on public-order offences and later bailed.

Four Assembly Members joined the 30 flag-waving protesters while inside Mr Prosor faced a “very aggressive” grilling from other AMs.

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A not so Orthodox law of the road: 13 in a Volvo

A strictly Orthodox man has been banned from driving after police caught him taking a spin in his family Volvo — along with 12 passengers.

Teacher Abraham Gniwosch, 31, crammed his wife, sister, two babies, another man and seven children into the saloon’s four passenger seats.

Police pulled over his Volvo S70 at Craig y Don, Llandudno, North Wales, where he and his family were on holiday. None of the passengers was wearing a seat belt.

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Welsh call to boycott envoy

The presiding officer of the Welsh Assembly has urged its members to boycott a meeting with Ron Prosor, the Israeli ambassador.

Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas emailed Assembly Members stating that he thought they should shun the ambassador. “I am unwilling to accept the invitation to meet the ambassador because of my objection to the failure of the state of Israel to meet its international obligations to the Palestinian people of the Holy Lands,” he wrote. “I would invite other colleagues to do the same.” 

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Christian Friends of Israel celebrate 60th

The local branch of Christian Friends of Israel attracted 60 people from the wider community to celebrate Israel’s 60th. The event, “Am Israel Hai!” was held at Emmanuel Christian Centre, Llandudno, and was arranged by Roy Thurley, the organisation’s local representative. The main speaker, Bernard Blank, recalled his experiences of travelling to Palestine from Manchester after the Second World War to fight in the War of Independence.

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North Wales Jewish Network hosts communal seder

More than 30 people celebrated Passover in Bangor at the first communal seder run by the North Wales Jewish Network. Participants aged from 18 months to 90 came from Holyhead, Pwhelli, Porthmadog, Bangor and Llandudno. Nathan Abrams, a lecturer at Bangor University, said: “The network continues to thrive and I am delighted that we are gaining new members.” The seder was led by John Burland.

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