closeicon
Community

UK Seders in the most unlikely venues

Sedarim are taking place across the UK, in some unexpected places

articlemain

For some far-flung communities, Seder night will be very different from other nights.

Cornish Reform congregation Kehillat Kernow will be holding its communal celebration in a barn, albeit a fully upholstered barn on a National Trust property in the middle of the picturesque Trelissick Garden.

“It’s quite luxurious and big enough to hold us all,” said Anne Hearle of Kernow.

“We have two long big tables. It’s all prepared [laid out] beforehand but we bring the food because it’s got to be kosher.”

At the other end of the UK, plans are advanced for the Inverness Seder, which is being held at the local Chinese centre.

“I think I’ve got about a dozen people coming,” said Linda Martin, the voluntary ambassador for the Highlands and Islands of the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities (Scojec).

“There are some very nice multicultural rooms at the Chinese centre. The lady who is the chair, her husband was in catering so he knows what we’re on about in terms of keeping kosher.”

Aberdeen Jews are also looking forward to their Seder. “Last year we had around 40 people,” said Debby Taylor, Scojec’s representative in the city, “and I should imagine it will be quite a lot of people again”. The invitation extends to “Jewish visitors to the city who get in touch”.

Exeter’s Seder will be in a Baptist hall, said community representative Oriole Newgass. “The Baptists are very welcoming. We’ve got 42 people so far. We may get some latecomers but we’ve got an upper limit of 60. We have a very interesting mix — members of the congregation, people who aren’t members, people who aren’t even Jewish.

“As I understand it, it’s a mitzvah to bring non-Jews to the Seder and we have all kinds of people coming, including a vicar.”

 

 

Share via

Want more from the JC?

To continue reading, we just need a few details...

Want more from
the JC?

To continue reading, we just
need a few details...

Get the best news and views from across the Jewish world Get subscriber-only offers from our partners Subscribe to get access to our e-paper and archive