Cardiff

Cardiff home improvements

Cathy Forman — Mon, 27 May 2013 10:28:57 +0100

The first phase of a £4.7 million redevelopment of Penylan House Jewish nursing home in Cardiff has been finished.

Twenty-eight residents — half of them Jewish — have moved from the old building to the new 30-bedroom facility.
The home is run by Welsh housing association Linc Cymru and when the redevelopment is complete next year, there will be 73 en-suite bedrooms, assisted bathrooms, lounges, dining areas, solar panels to generate electricity and landscaped gardens.

There will be up to 30 places for Jewish residents and specialist amenities include a kosher kitchen and synagogue. To gain a better appreciation of the residents’ needs, Linc staff have participated in workshops on Judaism.

The two-phase construction has ensured that residents in the original building did not need to move off-site during construction work.

Judy Cotsen, chair of PenCare — formerly the Penylan trustees — said: “We are delighted to be working with Linc Care. The move will allow us to continue to provide a kosher facility and give security and stability to our elderly in the Jewish community.”

Linc Care operates homes and services for the elderly and vulnerable across Wales.

Cardiff offers snapshot of a diverse community

Anna Sheinman — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 11:56:12 +0100

Illustrated life stories of 59 Cardiff Jewish community members are on display at a local museum as part of the Hineni exhibition organised by Cardiff Reform Synagogue.

“Hineni” is Hebrew for “Here I am” and organiser Colin Heyman says the potted histories and intimate pictures “celebrate the diversity of Jews”.

The project is a collaboration with Butetown History and Arts Centre and received £33,000 in Lottery funding. The hope is that after its staging at Cardiff Story Museum, the exhibition will be shown around the UK and beyond.

Among the subjects is 90-year-old Des Golten, who came to the UK from Czechoslovakia in 1939.
“My parents were members of Cardiff Reform Synagogue,” he explained. “I have been a member for so many years, I am an integral part of the community.

“For me, the exhibition is about my friends. I know everybody in it. For others, I hope it communicates the huge contribution the immigrant Jewish community made to Cardiff. At the beginning of the war, factories on the outskirts run by immigrants employed 60,000 people.”

Former teacher Stella Lightman moved to the “very warm, very welcoming” community with her husband from Stoke Newington. She hoped the exhibition “will evoke a feeling of tolerance and understanding. I have experienced antisemitism in the past, so it was something I was very keen to be part of.”

Cardiff United Synagogue appoints Rabbi Michoel Rose

Ruth Levene — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:02:08 +0100

Cardiff United Synagogue has looked to youth to fill its ministerial vacancy.

The appointment of Rabbi Michoel Rose, 25, was approved by more than 50 members at an EGM and he will take up his duties next month.

Born in Leeds, he lives in Manchester, where he combines yeshivah teaching with studying for an engineering degree at Bolton University.

He has also directed a youth programme in Glasgow and worked with communities in Birmingham, Budapest and New Jersey.

His Israeli born wife, Aidele, 24, is an online Jewish educator.

In a statement, the shul’s executive expressed delight “to have obtained the services of Rabbi Rose. We feel he will be a great asset in revitalising this community and taking it forward.”

Rabbi Rose said that “following our warm reception when visiting the Cardiff community, my wife and I look forward to adding our contribution to the vibrant Jewish spirit of the congregation”.

He replaces Rabbi Mordechai Wollenberg, who moved to Liverpool’s Childwall Hebrew Congregation after eight years with CUS.

Oxford's new Boat Race cox, Zoe

Marcus Dysch — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:00:08 +0000

She may be small in stature, but Zoe de Toledo is about to record a giant achievement. The diminutive 24-year-old - she is 5ft tall and weighs under eight stone - will cox the Oxford team in next month's Boat Race.

The Henley-based postgraduate psychology student has previously coxed Great Britain and has competed with her team – the world-famous Leander Rowing Club – at the Henley Royal Regatta.

Ms de Toledo is thought to be the first female and Jewish Boat Race cox and follows in the footsteps of last year's Oxford cox, Sam Winter-Levy.

She said the double Jewish achievement was surprising: "Rowing is not a traditional sport within the community and it is a bit unusual to have a Jewish cox, but maybe it's a role that a Jewish woman is better at doing – ordering men around. My grandmother Sylvia would probably suit the role quite nicely".

Caretaker dies in fire

Cathy Forman — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:06:31 +0000

Former Cardiff United Synagogue rabbi Mordechai Wollenberg has led the tributes to the shul caretaker, whose death in a blaze last Friday is the subject of a murder charge.

David Evans, 64, died in his bungalow in the village of Pentyrch, on the outskirts of the city. Bleddyn King, 18, from Abercynon, has been charged with the murder of Mr Evans. He appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday and was remanded in custody.

Rabbi Wollenberg - who served Cardiff for eight years before joining Liverpool's Childwall congregation in June - recalled Mr Evans as "a wonderful character. He was a much-loved figure in the community.

"David was very devoted to the community and very respectful of Judaism. He enjoyed being part of the community and had a very close working relationship with a lot of people in the shul."

The widower had been employed as caretaker by the congregation for around three years.

A minute's silence was held in his memory during the Shabbat morning service.

Building bridges for Israel in Cardiff

Ruth Levene — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:18:59 +0000

Nearly 600 people turned out to support "A Night to Honour Israel" organised by The Bridges For Peace at the City Hall, Cardiff.

Jerusalem-based Bridges for Peace is a Christian organisation building relationships between Christians and Jews worldwide through education and practical deeds. The evening included films, musical recitals and exhibition stands by the Israel Information Centre Wales and Magen Dovid Adom.

Richard Simon, regional director of MDA, said: "We have our Christian friends here tonight exhibiting. They have collected nearly £200,000 for MDA over the past four years. An excellent promotion for Israel."

Speakers at the event included Pamela Thomas, national director Bridges for Peace UK; Ellen Davies of the Association of Jewish Refugees, the Israeli Embassy's Amir Ofek, and Philip Kaye, Honorary Consul for Israel in Wales.

Musical presentations were by Grace Fryer, 14, who sang in English and Hebrew and Noa Gabay, 14, who played the Welsh harp.

On parade to remember the lives that were lost

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:34:38 +0000

Many communities took part in Remembrance Day services to pay their respects to fallen soldiers.

A service in Radlett, conducted by Rabbi Leo Dee of Radlett Synagogue, Rabbi Paul Freedman of Radlett and Bushey Reform and Reverend William Hogg of Christ Church, drew a crowd of 800 people, among them teenagers from Radlett United's Tribe Challenge course. Wreaths were laid by local group representatives including RUS member Philip Grahame who laid a wreath on behalf of the Association of Jewish ex-servicemen and women.

Jewish Care residents gathered at a service at Edgware Cenotaph on Sunday, joining forces with the Royal British Legion and Ajex. Michael Karmel, a resident of Ella and Ridley Jacobs House and a WWII veteran, said: "Remembrance Day is an opportunity to remember the lives that were lost in the name of democracy making the world a safer place."

Brighton and Hove Ajex held a memorial service at Holland Road Synagogue, conducted by Rabbi Vivian Silverman. Around 100 people attended.

The standard of Bournemouth Ajex was in pride of place at the Hebrew Congregation at the Ajex Shabbat. Rabbi Adrian Jesner praised the courage of those who served to enable future generations to live in freedom. Ajex members took part in Sunday's parade through the town to the war memorial in Bournemouth Gardens. Rabbi Jesner and Rabbi Neil Amswych of Bournemouth Reform were among the ministers conducting the service.

Armistice Day celebrations took place at Newton Mearns Syngogue in Glasgow on Sunday. Jewish veterans joined a parade from Fairweather Hall to the Cenotaph accompanied by JLGB members. Rev Aharon Soudry said: "It was very moving to see the young people and not so young people together." A service was also held at Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation.

Manchester's city centre ceremony was attended by the Representative Council's Lucille Cohen and Louis Rapaport and Prestwich Hebrew Congregation's Rabbi Dovid Eisenberg. Ex-servicemen marched in the parade while JLGB's 12-year-old Francesca Goga laid a wreath. Services, including in Hale, Whitefield and Bury were also conducted. Yeshurun Synagogue, Gatley, hosted a civic service to mark the day and to honour Ajex.

Outside Liverpool's St George's Hall, veteran Gerry Lipson laid the Ajex wreath, with Gordon Globe and Rev Stanley Cohen representing lay and faith leadership. Remembrance Shabbat services were held at Allerton and Liverpool Reform synagogues.

Around 250 people attended Sunday's Ajex service, held in conjunction with Leeds Representative Council at Beth Hamidrash Hagadol. The service, held in the shul's Ajex garden of remembrance, was conducted by Ajex chaplain Rev Anthony Gilbert. At a reception plaques were presented to Zone members Jake Packter and Dion Taylor for their voluntary work and Ajex's Vernon Caplin was honoured for his long service.

A remembrance service was held at Penylan House care home, Cardiff. Maurice Simove was the Ajex flag bearer at Sunday's civic service at Cathays Park.

In Southend a service was held at the town's Cenotaph. The gathering included Rabbi Binyomin Bar from Southend Hebrew Congregation and Rabbi Warren Elf from Southend Reform and local Ajex members.

Chatham Memorial Synagogue member Gabriel Lancaster was invited to conduct Medway Council's Remembrance Day service.

Ajex north east held its remembrance service at Newcastle's United Hebrew Congregation on Shabbat conducted by Rabbi Aaron Lipsey. Ajex north east chair Jeffrey Fox read a prayer to fallen comrades and Rabbi Lipsey paid tribute to Ajex. At a Remembrance parade Rabbi Lipsey took part in a service and veteran Sydney Hymes laid the Ajex wreath at the war monument in Eldon Square. In the march past, the new standard bearer was the JLGB's Judith Levene.

Farewell to Cardiff

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:07:26 +0100

Cardiff United Synagogue held a farewell Shabbat service and kiddush for Rabbi Mordechai Wollenberg, who is moving on to Liverpool's Childwall congregation.

Presentations to the rabbi and his wife Blima were made by the synagogue council, education committee, cheder children and the Israel Information Centre. Israel's honorary consul for Wales, Philip Kaye, was among the 80 people at the service.

Rabbi Wollenberg served the synagogue for eight years. He said he was proud to have been part of an active congregation and hoped to keep in touch with the many friends his family had made.

Parents' tribute to kind-hearted cancer victim

Marcus Dysch — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:46:57 +0100

The parents of a Cardiff 27-year-old who lost her battle with cancer have paid tribute to their "little girl with a kind heart".

Justine Cantor was diagnosed with a metastatic malignant melanoma in February. She died last week.

She had been due to take part in clinical trials for a breakthrough drug. There is currently no cure for the condition.

Bernice and Ross Cantor said their daughter had repeatedly overcome adversity during her life after being diagnosed with dyspraxia when she was younger.

"Justine always had a smile on her face and was always happy to help others," Mr Cantor said. "One of her highlights was when the Special Olympics came to Cardiff. She was so pleased and proud to be asked to take part in helping with the project. She had a beautiful singing voice and loved to act."

Tribute was also paid to her by the 22,500 crowd at Cardiff City's match against Bristol City on Sunday.

Earlier this month, the JC reported on the family's efforts to raise money for the Velindre centre in Cardiff where Ms Cantor received treatment.

Her brother Elliott and sister Natasha used Twitter to contact dozens of footballers, celebrities and politicians to raise awareness of the centre's work.Their campaign has now raised £7,000.

Goodman's double joy

Brian Sacks — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 15:52:23 +0100

Richard Goodman scored a double victory in the National Junior League in Bromley. He won the 800m in 1:57.54 and the 1,500m in 4:01.50, both by convincing margins. It followed a similar double victory two weeks ago in the NJL, on that occasion over 800m and 3,000m.

Goodman, 18, said: "I have stepped back this month to run at a regional rather than national level, and used the races to try out different strategies I might use in important events.

"One thing I have learned this year is the danger of allowing training to dominate one's life.

"Things are going much better now and all my preparation is focused on the Under 20 3,000 metres at the Crystal Palace Diamond League meet next week."

Ultra-marathon runner Nathaniel Lane (32:55.67) finished second in the Welsh Senior 10,000m Championships in Cardiff.

Sam Shindler-Glass, 14, shaved a fraction from his 800 metres best with 2:02.26 in Watford.Jamie Cohen, 11, cut his 1,500m best to 5:10.19 and won the 'B' string high jump with 1.35m in the Young Athletes League in Hendon.