Manchester King David Schools new campus officially opens

TEL Aviv Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau formally opened Manchester King David Schools’ new campus on Sunday, also helping to bring in tens of thousands of pounds at a fundraiser.

“Education is the most important thing and this is why you must support King David,” Rabbi Lau told an audience of 400, including Bury MP Ivan Lewis.

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Lobby to save Manchester BBC radio show

Manchester’s Jewish Representative Council president has requested a meeting with the BBC’s north-west head as part of a campaign to save the Jewish Citizen Manchester show.

Frank Baigel wants to discuss the axing, on cost-cutting grounds, of the BBC Radio Manchester programme. One campaigner said the corporation had received a “deluge of complaints” over the cancellation.

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ITV 'Strictly Kosher' reality show star fined

ITV’s Strictly Kosher star Joel Lever has been fined nearly £6,000 for fire safety breaches at his Manchester shop.

Mr Lever became famous for his over-the-top antics selling ball gowns to Jewish mothers on the documentary which was screened last year.

But last Thursday he pleaded guilty to eight charges relating to poor fire-safety provisions at his Mon Ami Boutique in Prestwich.

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Liverpool diners pay tribute to Tilly Rosenblatt

Seven-hundred Liverpool community members sat down to Shabbat meals in a tribute to a young cancer victim.

Shabbat Across the Mersey honoured the memory of former Liverpool King David High captain Tilly Rosenblatt who died in 2010, a year after leaving KD. Tilly’s father, Paul Rosenblatt, said she loved Shabbat and was dedicated to bringing her local community together.

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Blackpool Hebrew Congregation rocked by closing ceremony

More than 200 people offered a tearful farewell to the Blackpool Hebrew Congregation synagogue on Sunday. A deconsecration ceremony marked the end of the congregation’s 114-year presence in the seaside town.

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Salford Charedim gain new community centre

Salford Charedim will have their first multi-use community centre after being handed the keys to a disused library by Salford Council.

The vacant two-storey Broughton Library building was closed last year after library facilities were moved to the adjacent £9 million Broughton Hub development.

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Manchester health trust 'Israel boycott' faces legal challenge

The NHS trust that bowed to a union's Israel boycott and cancelled an Israeli speaker is likely to face legal action for breaking anti-discrimination law.

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Staying power up north

UJIA is running a recruitment assistance project for Jewish students in Manchester in an effort to keep them in the city after their studies.

The Manchester Jewish Interns scheme identifies intern and employment options in local companies. It has already landed three postgraduates positions in marketing and human resources.

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Violent muggers terrorise grandmother

A Leeds grandmother was the victim of a violent mugging six days after her home was ransacked by burglars.

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Brothel owner takes action to clear his name

The Jewish brothel owner who was jailed for prostitution activities and ordered to forfeit £5 million in immoral earnings is suing the police and Crown Prosecution Service for damages.

Ian Barnett, who was given a three-year prison sentence in 2008 after admitting running brothels in Manchester, is involved in a number of legal appeals aimed at clearing his name.

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Blackpool shul sells for £100k

The Blackpool Synagogue building has been sold for in excess of £100,000, exceeding estimates.

Overlooked by Blackpool Tower, the 1916 Grade II-listed synagogue had been expected to fetch between £50,000 and £75,000 at auction last Thursday.

However, the auction was called off when an unidentified buyer submitted a higher prior offer.

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Leeds closes in on secondary

Leeds has moved closer to having its first Jewish secondary school with a free school application reaching the final interview stage.

Jewish community education leaders have been invited to the Department for Education for clarification of plans for a 210-place secondary school on the Brodetsky Jewish Primary campus in Alwoodley.

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