Glasgow's open and shut case

A small Orthodox Glasgow congregation has sprung up from the defunct Netherlee, Clarkston and Queens Park Synagogue, which ceased operations in the autumn.

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Ron Prosor's plea to Glasgow

Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor has told a Glasgow audience that regional communities should maintain active support for Israel.

Hosted by Glasgow Jewish Representative Council, his meeting was held at Giffnock and Newlands Synagogue and was attended lay leaders, rabbonim, students and representatives of Israel support groups.

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Glasgow shuls draw up merger plans

Glasgow's two biggest Orthodox synagogues are to consider a merger.

The Giffnock and Newlands and Newton Mearns shuls have set up a joint steering group to explore closer co-operation.

Newton Mearns' new chairman Brian Fox stressed there was no set agenda."It could take months or even years but both shuls wanted to start the process that has been talked about for many years."

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Academic faces Israel protest

The Scottish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign has called on Glasgow students to "prevent" a leading law professor from working in Israel.

Glasgow University Professor Adam Tomkins was recently awarded the Hailsham Scholarship by the British Friends of the Hebrew University, for promoting understanding between Israel and the UK. He is a former visiting professor at the Hebrew University.

Professor Tomkins has previously spoken of his desire to "strengthen ties between Glasgow Law School and legal scholars in Israel".

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Scottish youth unite

Glasgow youth groups have pledged to work together in a bid to encourage greater involvement.

A Giffnock meeting -"Our children, our future"- attracted 30 people for a discussion on how to engage youth and hopefully slow the rate of decline in the community.

Held under the aegis of Glasgow Jewish Representative Council, it was organised by GJRC youth representative Sue Faber.

Ms Faber was delighted with the turnout and the positive atmosphere.

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Glasgow law professor wins Israeli scholarship

A leading British law professor has been awarded a prestigious scholarship by the British Friends of the Hebrew University (BFHU) for work promoting understanding between Israel and the UK.

Glasgow University professor Adam Tomkins is this year’s recipient of the Hailsham Scholarship, which has been awarded since 1987 to honour the contribution of influential legal academics.

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Scots' Israeli records

A project dedicated to charting the lives of Jews who left Scotland to make aliyah has attracted an immediate response.

Scots in Israel, an online collection of historical data, is the brainchild of Michael Diamond, who left Glasgow for Beersheva in 1987.

More than 50 people joined the site in its first week, inundating its message boards with stories of their aliyah experiences, memories of life in Scotland, and attempts to contact old friends.

Mr Diamond is working with the Scottish Jewish Archives, based at Glasgow's Garnethill Synagogue, to record details of olim.

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Tribunal call delay

Former Glasgow Hebrew Burial Society burial officer Warren Bader is waiting to learn whether the society will settle a claim over his departure or go to an employment tribunal.

Mr Bader's association with the society was ended abruptly in February with no reason given. In a judgment following a November hearing, a Glasgow tribunal ruled the Masorti member was covered under its regulations, despite having served the society as a freelance.

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Sainsbury's checks out Cosgrove

Volunteers and local shoppers showed their support for Cosgrove Care by packing bags at Sainsbury's in Darnley, Glasgow. The supermarket has chosen Cosgrove Care to be its charity of the year and, thanks to 53 volunteers turning out in dreadful weather, £1,225 was raised.

According to Theresa McDaid, a volunteer bag packer and mother of a service-user, a good time was had by all.

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