Langside Hebrew Congregation sold for housing

Langside Hebrew Congregation is to be sold to Arklet Housing Association. Shul chairman Jack Levingstone said that the Niddrie Road congregation, down to 120 members from 600 in its heyday, needed a smaller synagogue. Arklet plans, subject to planning permission, to build 18 flats on the site. Funding will be provided by Glasgow Department of Regeneration Services and Arklet.

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Glasgow guests enjoy passport privileges

The 700 arrivals at Glasgow’s Israel at 60 party at Eastwood Park, Giffnock, received “passports” to enter a mock-up of Ben Gurion airport lounge and then an Israeli market place. Their target was to win prizes by collecting stamps for activities including making kites, jewellery and key rings and decorating a cookie.

Other popular pursuits were face painting and a quiz challenge from JLGB.

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Salmond takes flak over SNP’s stance on Middle East

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond was pressed on his Scottish National Party’s perceived lack of support for Israel when he addressed 200 Glasgow Jews last Thursday at Mearns Castle High School in Newton Mearns.

Mr Salmond had remarked that the Palestinians needed to be “more self-sustainable”, adding: “I am pessimistic on the current situation and believe that agreement between the parties is less likely now than eight years ago. There may have been a solution had [Yitzhak] Rabin lived.”

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European visitors for Lubavitch party

Lubavitch Purely Social, organised by Rabbi Mendel Jacobs, attracted around three dozen 18-35s to a social evening at the Mama San nightspot in the city. Guests included visitors from Hungary and Israel. The group’s next event will be a themed Friday-night dinner.

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Sounds International entertains MP for Israel's 60th

Multifaith choir Sounds International entertained an audience including MP Jim Murphy at a concert at Garnethill Synagogue celebrating Israel’s 60th anniversary. The choir’s conductor, Eddie Binnie, is also choirmaster of the synagogue.

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Banner reminds community of Pesach date

A 15ft-long Pesach banner is being displayed by the local Lubavitch group at a busy intersection in a Jewish area, with a reminder of the date and first Seder time. Scottish Lubavitch director Rabbi Chaim Jacobs explained: “We have used this media before to publicise Rosh Hashanah and Chanucah and it is very powerful.”

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