The head of the controversial Israel lobby group J Street will attempt to raise funds for the organisation during a visit to London later this month, the JC has learned.

Jeremy Ben-Ami, its founding president, who will be speaking about his new book at Jewish Book Week, will also hold a number of meetings to enlist support for a fighting fund for candidates in the American elections this year.

Laura Marks, head of a commission to encourage more women to lead the Jewish community, will stand for election as vice-president of the Board of Deputies in May.

But controversy was brewing this week over a rule change proposed by a rival candidate, which would effectively scupper her bid.

Ms Marks, founder of Mitzvah Day and head of the commission on women set up by the Jewish Leadership C

Don't be surprised if the Duchess of Cambridge were to go shopping in Stamford Hill because one of her favourite coats was inspired by a kapote.

Katherine Hooker, designer of the London Contrast coat, told New York magazine that it was based on "a young boy's Chasidic coat" that she once bought in a junk shop in Israel during a visit as a teenager.

It was "black silk with a little collar, cu

The lucky winner of our caption contest - and recipient of two tickets to see Jackie Mason in London this month - is Estelle Ries of Radlett.

In her entry, the comedian tells Mikhail Gorbachev in the above photo: "If I give you my autograph, everyone will want one!"

And here are Jackie Mason's own suggestions. To Gorbachev, he says; "Have you ever thought about converting?

Halls Green, outside Sevenoaks in Kent, was once a woodland activities centre for children, run by a Christian charity. But the newest residents will not be spending their days abseiling or shooting arrows.

The teenage boys of what is now the Yeshivah Gedolah Torah Veyirah will study in the garden of England, a world away from the inner-city streets of London's Stamford Hill.

Scarborough police are pursuing the possibility of a racial motive behind the vandalism on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day of a statue of a British soldier who helped to liberate Belsen.

Yellow paint was splashed over the sculpture, known as Freddie Gilroy and the Belsen Stragglers, last Thurday night.

The online salon talk this week has been whether award-winning ITV drama Downton Abbey requires a mezuzah.

Leading character Lady Cora (below) has already been revealed to be the daughter of Cincinnati millionaire Isidore Levinson.

Later this year you will be able to learn about her matrilineal line when her mum - played by Shirley MacLaine - turns up in the next series.