● Chanucah packs have been distributed to Liberal Jewish students on 36 campuses in time for the festival.
Liberal Judaism sent out 250 packs, each containing a menorah, candles, dreidel, Chanucah gelt, and messages from chaplain Rabbi Ariel Friedlander and student rabbi Benji Stanley.
Rabbi Friedlander said the organisation had increased its contact with students through the use of social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook.
“Although we’re better connected to our students than ever before, there’s nothing like receiving a Chanucah pack through the post,” she said.
● Bnei Akiva movement workers spent a week touring campuses, meeting more than 70 students in Cambridge, Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds.
Cambridge student Brett Bernstein, said: “To have the leaders come and visit made BA students feel valued and it reinforced us with the feeling that we are an integral part of the movement.”
BA national director Jonny Sherman added: “Our students are the lifeblood of our movement. Without their passion and dedication we wouldn’t be able to do half the things we do. This tour was just a small reminder of the value we place on our student volunteers.”
● Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks was guest of honour at Cambridge University JSoc’s 75th anniversary celebrations.
He spoke about his time as a student at the university, his membership of the union, and how he met his wife, Elaine.
A student klezmer band performed at the event, attended by around 170 students and alumni. Model Caprice Bourret, a Cambridge JSoc patron, sent a video message.
● Former United Synagogue president Simon Hochhauser spoke at an Imperial JSoc lunch and learn session on science education.
Around 40 students attended the discussion and heard about Dr Hochhauser’s experiences in the high-tech industry and work in the Jewish community.
