Denmark EDL rally swamped by anti-fascists

An anti-islamist rally organised by far-right group the English Defence League in Aarhus last weekend was far outnumbered by anti-fascistdemonstrators.

While the EDL had voiced hopes that the demonstration would be attended by some 700 of its supporters, in the event just 150 turned up.

Meanwhile, the rally attracted a 5,000-strong counter-demonstration.

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Why did they leave?

A Scottish Goverment-funded survey examining the experience of Scotland's Jews was launched this week.

Being Jewish in Scotland is the brainchild of the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities. It is being led by project officer Fiona Frank, who explained that it would focus "on people's stories and reflections on what's good, and not so good, about being Jewish in Scotland".

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Whole-hearted Cosgrove aid

The new Whole Foods Market in Glasgow designated November 26 as Cosgrove Care Day, having selected the local Jewish welfare charity to benefit from fund-raising and staff volunteering over the next five months. But there was no influx of observant Jewish shoppers to help swell the amount raised for Cosgrove Care - which will receive five per cent of profits from the day - as it was a Shabbat.

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Newton names Soudry

The Remembrance Day service at Newton Mearns Hebrew Congregation was the first public engagement for Rev Aharon Soudry as the official minister of the community.

Mr Soudry had been conducting services for the congregation for two months as a temporary measure since the departure of Rabbi Danny Bergson.

His previous appointment at Garnethill Hebrew Congregation came to an end in August 2010.

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Scots merger progress

Chances of a merger between Glasgow's two largest congregations - Newton Mearns and Giffnock and Newlands - have been significantly improved by a meeting of the shuls' joint committees.

Representatives agreed to give the merger proposal serious consideration and arrange a meeting of both congregations, likely to take place in the new year at the Giffnock function suite.

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Using their loaves to tempt Glasgow kosher shoppers

Kosher provision for the Glasgow community is to be extended with a supervised in-house bakery at a Whole Foods Market branch opening next month in Giffnock.

The bakery will come under the supervision of the West of Scotland Kashrut Commission, whose Rabbi Moshe Rubin was delighted by the co-operation of the natural and organic grocer.

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Frank new Scottish leader

The Scottish Council of Jewish Communities (SCoJeC) has appointed Fiona Frank as project worker on its newly funded Being Jewish in Scotland inquiry, designed to identify the concerns of the Scottish community.

Ms Frank, the niece of Glasgow artist Hannah Frank, recently completed a PhD at Strathclyde University, studying the transmission of Jewish identity through five generations of an extend

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Leader pledges to fight hate crimes

Scottish Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland has assured Jewish community members that hate crime will be taken seriously on his watch.

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Scottish openings

Glasgow's historic Garnethill Synagogue and the Scottish Jewish Archives Centre reached a wider audience during the city's Doors Open Day on Sunday.

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£10K boost for Glasgow cemetery

The Sandymount Regeneration Project has received a donation of £10,000 from Glasgow City Council towards rebuilding the stepped entrance to the cemetery from Hallhill Road. It is hoped work on the entrance will begin in mid-August.

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Drowned out on golf demo

Rain stopped play - and protests - at the annual JNF Scotland pro-am golf tournament at Bonnyton in Glasgow on Tuesday.

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