Manchester shuls show Jewish unity ahead of Mitzvah Day

Five synagogues in Manchester, representing Orthodox, Sephardi and Reform communities, have joined forces for the first time in the run-up to Mitzvah Day.

With brooms, shears, rakes and determination, a team from Bowdon Shul, Yeshurun Hebrew Congregation, Menorah, Hale Synagogue and Shaare Hayim worked relentlessly to clean up the Jewish Southern Cemetery, filling 30 rubbish bags with weeds and leaves.

Rabbi Benjy Rickman of Yeshurun Hebrew Congregation said afterwards: "Mitzvah Day affords us an opportunity to practice authentic Jewish values. One value that sadly gets overlooked is Jewish unity. We easily get caught up in our own cliques and communities. Mitzvah Day beautifully brings together the entire gamut of south Manchester Jewish communities working in harmony and togetherness to improve the local community."

Mitzvah Day volunteers at Southern Cemetery in Manchester (Photo: Mitzvah Day)[Missing Credit]

His views were echoed by Rabbi Emeritus of Manchester Reform Synagogue Reuven 'Bobby' Silverman, who described the activity as “breaking new ground”, adding: “It is the first time we, as a Progressive synagogue, have got together with the Orthodox community in South Manchester for Mitzvah Day and it is to be applauded, supported and energised. Working together on practical things like cleaning up Southern Cemetery vastly improve our inter-communal relationships, something we need more than ever in the present climate."