By, Anonymous
1 min read
Glasgow's Jewish student society has celebrated its centenary with a gala dinner attended by hundreds of current and former members.
Thought to be the first JSoc 100th anniversary party in Britain, Saturday night’s event followed a civic reception held to mark the contribution of Jews to the city.
Guests attended from around the world, including across Scotland, England, Germany, Italy, Israel, the Netherlands and Venezuela.
Rabbi Michael Rosin, the first northern region Jewish student chaplain, travelled from Israel with his wife, Ruthie, to give the keynote address.
Charles Kennedy MP, rector of Glasgow University, made a toast to the society.
Replying, current JSoc president Nick Furcillo said: “Over the past century, Glasgow JSoc has seen some highs and lows – who would have thought we would be here 100 years later and still going strong, still helping university students strengthen their Jewish identity.”
Dignitaries from the university and the Scottish Jewish community attended the dinner, held at the Glasgow City Chambers and organised by Scotland’s Jewish Student Chaplaincy board.
Sir Gerald Gordon led a group of 15 past presidents and Jack Zimmer represented the 1938 committee.
Dinner chairman Harvey Kaplan presented an illustrated history and guests viewed a display featuring photographs and documents from the Scottish Jewish archives centre.
Mr Kaplan said: “We salute the efforts and endeavours of the many hundreds of members who have gone before and look forward to the successes of current and future Glasgow Jewish students.”
Chaplaincy chairman Nicola Livingston said: “There were many challenges in reaching alumni from across the decades who are now scattered around the world, and we were delighted that so many people made the effort to attend.
“Old friendships have been rekindled and new connections made. Today’s students were inspired by seeing so many former student activists and hearing about their activities as members of the society.”
