A £12 million care facility in south Manchester which aims to recreate the feel of a Jewish neighbourhood welcomed its first residents this month.

The care village, on the site of the former Morris Feinmann care home in Didsbury, comprises six households which will each be home to 12 people. Features include a kosher bistro open to non-residents, a synagogue, hair salon and exercise studio.

It is a partnership between elderly care provider Belong and the Morris Feinmann Trust. The first residents are all Jewish and Jews will be given priority for future places.
“We have tried to recreate a Jewish neighbourhood with Belong Morris Feinmann,” project manager Mel Saywell told the JC.

“Just because our residents’ needs might change as they’ve got older, it doesn’t mean they shouldn’t still enjoy Jewish life to the full.

“Space in the hall will also be available for rental by people for Friday-night dinner if they want to have guests, and our kosher bistro has already been very popular.”

There is a Holocaust memorial in the garden and local rabbi Shlomo Ellituv serves as the home’s chaplain.

Established in 1947, the Morris Feinmann Trust originally provided a home for Jewish refugees after the Second World War. Over the years, it has evolved to primarily support older people from the local community.