RepPresentsRepPresents ISSUE 40 MAGAZINE OF THE MANCHESTER JEWISH REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL EDITORIAL In this issue Looking out for the  FROM THE DESK OF THE LITTLE Community P.2 GUY WITH THE BEARD Interview with Jackie Rose P.4 I hope you all Wishing all our readers What? A holiday in enjoy this issue of a very Happy Rosh Colombia? P.6 "RepPresents." UAE and Israel make Hashanah The work of my history P.12 Salford Healthy colleagues on the Communities P.17 Editorial Team, Ed Moss, Filis Rosenberg and David Marks, has again, been President’s This was only possible with the help and outstanding. cooperation of the over 30 organisations Report including all three Councils Bury, Salford Ed in particular, has yet again, As I write this report, we and Manchester as well as the major worked extremely hard, utilising are already over five service providers from the Fed, L’Chaim months into the Covd19 Food Bank, Herschel Weiss, Maccabi, his many skills and talents, to crisis and everyone’s life The Nicky, Shomrim both Salford and produce an excellent layout has been turned upside Prestwich Hatzalah and Misaskim, Beth together with some articles for down. Din as well as local Rabbonim and local our magazine. Plans have had to be changed, events councillors. Everyone has played a vital cancelled and Zoom meetings or a family- role in ensuring the success of this I thank him most sincerely. only get together have become the new strategic group. I cannot not mention the impact norm, while being “masked-up” and The close cooperation and collaboration “social distanced” are the new buzz between the community and the local that Covid 19, has had on our words. authorities is exemplary, and I want to lives , both personally and Our thoughts and prayers are with the express my personal gratitude to communally in recent months. families of those we have sadly lost everyone connected with the three during the past five months. Throughout, Councils - Bury, Salford and Manchester The impact has been profound or even despite the crisis, life has to go on - for the way they have participated with and like all of us, I look forward and the work of the Council no more so. the steering committee and have to the day, that society can get From the early days back in March, the provided so much support. It gives me great confidence that we are entering a fully back to normal. Officers and Executive realised that the JRC would need to play a vital part in new era of cross communal activity, The detail of the incredible ensuring that the community was able to something we have been striving for response by your JRC is cope with Pesach and ensure there would over many years. It is really ironic that it has taken the contained in the articles by be no shortage of food in the supply chain. Also that people, despite the crisis, pandemic to help facilitate something Russell and Jacky. would feel secure, and as much as was that has eluded us for so many years. Rosh Hashanah, is the time of humanly possible, life would continue, As I have said previously, this even if in an alien form. year, when most jews, focus on community’s response to the virus has The JRC immediately worked with the been completely humbling, and we have our amazing and rich heritage. CST, the JLC and the BOD to create a been praised by both national, regional We review the past year and platform that would ensure all of the and local organisation for the manner in which we have responded. contemplate and plan the next above. This has been so successful that I am However! We will only be judged as year and we focus on family and happy to report Mark Adlestone OBE DL successful on how we deal with the friends. has kindly agreed to chair the steering phases to follow and the JRC is fully CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 committee that was set up back in March focused on the economic recovery and to oversee all the communal activities. will play its part in ensuring that the

RepPresents - Autumn 2020/Rosh Hashanah 5781 - 1 Palestine and Israel - the impact on UK interfaith relations Sadia Akram is FODIP’s Programme Director in Manchester and our reporter, Filis Rosenberg, met with her to discuss their activities during lockdown. Sadia advised that FODIP address antisemitism and islamophobia, especially when stirred by events in the Middle East. We have run programmes in recent years with young people in Manchester, Leeds, Leicester, Birmingham and Nottingham on conflict resolution with a focus on Israel and Palestine. We have also run workshops, a Women's Voices project, dialogue groups and other programmes over the last 11 years. We had planned to run seminars and workshops in London, Manchester and Bradford as part of one project, but the Covid- 19 pandemic curtailed what we were about to do in the latter Sadia Akram (left) with Filis Rosenberg cities. History has shown, events, either globally or nationally, challenges and crisis, brings with them wider implications Continued on page 2 attracting backlash on particular communities. Understanding President’s Report this, it was important such conversations continued, so we took our discourse online and we organised a series of seminars to replace our planned work. Seeing this as an opportunity to continued from page 1 engage and reach further. information on employment and financial packages is widely Our first online seminar, The Sharia Courts in Israel: A Deep disseminated. Insight; was with Dr Qadi Iyad Zahalka, working as the Judge at the Sharia Courts, for the Muslim community in Jerusalem. Dr I want to once again pay tribute to the fantastic work that all Zahalka talked about how the Sharia Courts operate in Israel, on the officers and members of the divisions are engaging in. the Muslim Community in the region, and observing Ramadan With your efforts, The JRC has regained its rightful position during Covid-19 as being at the forefront of communal life. We then planned online seminars focusing on Palestine and In fact, the JRC were proud to host a Zoom meeting in the Israel: The Impact on UN Interfaith Relations, which was a presence of the Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff, who very three-part series of online sessions taking participants through a kindly addressed nearly 50 volunteers. journey. Having had a good introduction to the current So much of our everyday life has had to change and we look situation, ‘Israeli-Palestinian Relations in the Shadow of forward to the Yomim Naroim with great trepidation. Annexation’, with Greg Shapland, an Associate Fellow at We will of course follow all the guidelines sent out from the Chatham House on 17th June, we then explored current trends Chief Rabbi’s office. Throughout the crisis, we have ensured and ‘Addressing Antisemitism and Islamophobia in Relation to with the help and cooperation of the local councils, that the Israel-Palestine’, with Danny Stone MBE, Chief Executive of most update messaging was available. Antisemitism Policy Trust and Akeela Ahmed MBE, Chair of the No one could have dreamt back in January that come August, Anti Muslim Hatred Working Group, on 1st July. The final we would be considering such a changed communal seminar in this 3three-part series, on 16th July, looked at landscape, but it is essential that we remain resilient put our nationalism, Jewish/Israeli and Palestinian titled ‘Exploring trust in the communal leaders who have striven throughout Palestinian Nationalism and Zionism’, and were delighted to the crisis to continue to provide the service that community have Robin Moss from UJIA and Sana Knaneh, a Researcher for has come to expect. Mitvim present this. The seminar explored what nationalism means to Israelis and Palestinians, giving an introduction to I am indebted, as always, to the Chair, Jacky Buchsbaum, Zionism and Palestinian Nationality. Following the and all the officers and executive for their continued support presentations, each of the sessions were then opened for and help, and also Laurie Burnley-Myers, our wonderful questions. Some excellent and informative discussion took administrator who has managed to keep the office running place. under very difficult circumstances. My fondest wish is that by my next report, which will be for The seminars were held using Zoom, and for security, screen Pesach 2021, the world will have returned to closer share was restricted to participants, the chat function was normality and many of our fears will have been assuaged. restricted to comments and questions to the host, and participants were all muted. Only people who registered in Wishing each and every one of you a Shana Tovah. advance were given the Zoom link for the sessions. May we all be inscribed for a sweet New Year full of Our website address is www.fodip.org.uk and If you would like Good Health, and Happiness. to be added to the mailing list, please email [email protected] Russell Conn - President Links to sessions:- The Sharia Courts in Israel: A Deep Insight - https://youtu.be/ThMOL_jo18s Addressing Antisemitism and Islamophobia - https:// youtu.be/8ZazisxjGm4 Exploring Palestinian Nationalism and Zionism - https:// youtu.be/FtaX2eNS0UA

2 - RepPresents - Autumn 2020/Rosh Hashanah 5781 EUROPEAN CANTORS’ ASSOCIATION

Jerusalem’s major historic sites to be https://www.facebook.com/groups/ decided by the prize committee, with canntors.eu the headline: Communities of the Stay well, stay safe, stay in touch! You World Pray for Peace in Jerusalem. are our extended family, like all I am also delighted to have been families we would love to invited to be an ‘Associate’ on the know what you are doing and that you International Forum for Jewish Music are in good health. Studies (IFJMS). With warm wishes to you all. This is a new body connecting scholars Alex Klein . . . with Alex Klein, Convenor and practitioners that we have helped ECA Director, [email protected] My dear friends and supporters. We are to bring into existence and which I living in worrying times that have affected hope you will join, . us in different ways. Jewish liturgy and This is a result of what we have been music play an important part in our lives, doing in our recent European Cantors having a calming and therapeutic effect, Conventions, and with our ECA improving our wellbeing. Academic Wing, in our international conferences on Jewish Prayer Our ECA Facebook group pages are ‘Magnified and Sanctified’ that we bristling with ideas and discussion. Our held in association with Leeds friends from all sides are growing, and University in 2015 and with Hanover already there are over 800 members from University in 2019. all branches of Judaism. You will find much of interest that you As an independent organisation, we are can partake of, on our Facebook pages. pleased to be a platform for all people Keep posting things there too. loving our liturgy and grappling with the developments of liturgical music in the Jewish world today. POEM FOR A PANDEMIC Through our connections and friends by Cameron Bellm who are graduates of Tel Aviv Cantorial Institute, of Hebrew Union College and Jewish Theological Seminary who are members of the United Synagogue UK, United Synagogue of America, the Hungarian and Czech Jewish Communities, the Jewish Communities of Lower Saxony, the Cantors Assembly and Geiger College amongst others, we are the place where the key matters in liturgical and cantorial music of our day can be discussed with honour and respect – and with no fear of retribution from any sector.

Prayer for Peace in Jerusalem I have been honoured to be invited to be one of the judges for the competition and an integral participant in the culminating event which will include the selection of the winning community. It will take place close to Rosh Hashanah 5781, at one of

RepPresents - Autumn 2020/Rosh Hashanah 5781 - 3 mother Margaret who is an excellent was far too high. She believes that the The healthy way to cook. Jackie says her signature dish is incidence of obesity, diabetes and heart creamed spinach. She says food at home problems is higher in the Orthodox keep COVID at bay was very healthy but there were also community. plenty of cakes. This is not surprising as The problem is worse with men, she Margaret was born in Vienna. observes. Jackie thinks she has made an But there are no recipes for linzertorte impact on the problem and she is or sachertorte in this healthy tome. encouraged that young people are Jackie is a disciple of John Yudkin whose coming home from school and telling 1960s book ‘Pure, White, and Deadly – their parents to shop more healthily. How Sugar Is Killing Us and What We The release of a healthy cookery book in Can Do to Stop It’ was way ahead of its the middle of a Covid pandemic is time. serendipitous. Jackie endorses Boris Jackie was also influenced by her Johnson’s mission to fight obesity. She relations Barry and Sue Lewis who says the outcome of Covid is worse for eschewed all sugar in their diet. Jackie obese patients because extra fat presses recalls: ‘While most of Sue’s cooking is on the lungs. She says small changes like excellent, we were once served having fish once a week instead of meat cheesecake without any sugar, which and substituting nuts for biscuits can unsurprisingly didn’t work!’ The fact that make a real difference. So, cutting down her Mum is a dentist as was her late on sugar, exercising, and drinking plenty father Eric, grandfather Max and Uncle of water may be the next best thing to a Hans must have played its part. Covid vaccine. By Judith Hayman Jackie recalls that during her 27 years as a GP she saw many cases of diabetes, It is said that everyone has a book in which is largely diet-related. She says them. But how many doctors do you diabetes was seen as permanent, but know that have produced a cookery now thanks to reducing carbs and book? minimising sugar it can be reversed. Well, retired doctor, Jackie Rose of When Jackie was asked by her friend Whitefield has done just that! Her Jackie Harrison to talk to the Orthodox book, co-written with her cousin Judi community about healthy lifestyles she Rose, ‘To Life! Healthy Jewish Food’ rose to the challenge. is as sumptuous to look at as the recipes within. She discovered that the percentage of unhealthy snacks in the kosher shops ‘Nothing comes from nothing’ Maria sings to Captain Von Trapp in the peerless film ‘The Sound of Music’, and so it is with the cousins. Judi is the daughter of the late Evelyn Rose, the doyenne of kosher cookery. Which home has not at least one copy of her books? How many of us have slavishly turned ten grinds of pepper into our recipes? Jackie and Judi were at Manchester High School. The young Judi spent her youth at her mother’s side absorbing her culinary skills. She now runs a cookery studio from her home in Acton. She also teaches a vocational cookery course for Orthodox teenagers at the JW3 community centre in London. Jackie was also influenced by her

4 - RepPresents - Autumn 2020/Rosh Hashanah 5781 Regional Coronavirus Advice-Capacity-Help (Co-Ach) UPDATE

that mental health issues were high Covid is 508. Each death is a tragic loss. up on the agenda of concerns, so the We urge people to proceed with caution Board arranged for mental health and carefully adhere to Government’s training to be provided, delivered by guidelines. Manchester-based organisation The BOD sits on regular Government Jewish Action for Mental Health calls to ensure the Government is taking (JAMH). The training was very well the Jewish community’s needs and received by 20-plus communal challenges into account. In recent weeks At the beginning of 2020, my husband representatives who attended. At our the Board has held meetings with the Barry and I made the decision to move last meeting at the beginning of leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir to Manchester and we moved in mid- August 2020, the additional Starmer, and has provided the Labour February 2020. I started to find my way restrictions recently placed on party with a briefing on 11 of the most around Manchester, we attended a few Greater Manchester were discussed in serious cases of Anti-Semitism that we communal events and met members of detail. believe to be outstanding and are the local Jewish community. Then examples of where the party’s Corona and lockdown arrived! I have also contacted all regional Deputies and continue to have disciplinary process has failed. However, shortly afterwards, I received ongoing dialogue and communication As an encouraging testament to his a telephone call from Philip Rosenberg, with many of them. commitment to routing out anti- Director of Public Affairs at the Board of Semitism, we were very pleased to see Deputies of British Jews (BOD) who As Zoom has become the ‘venue of choice’ for most of us, I have been Sir Keir and his team act swiftly, asked me to consider applying to take decisively and firmly to ask Rebecca Long up the role of Regional Coronavirus afforded the opportunity to attend many events around the length and -Bailey to step down from her Shadow Advice-Capacity-Help (Co-Ach) Cabinet position as Education Secretary. Manager at the Board, to support breadth of the country, including Norwich, Birmingham, Sheffield, There can be no place for antisemitism regional Jewish communities, both large in any party and it is right that after so and small, in the context of the Brighton and Scotland. I regularly attend the MJRC meetings and many challenging years, Labour is now coronavirus pandemic. The acronym ‘Co making this clear under its new leader. -ACH' in Hebrew means 'strength' and proudly joined the BOD President my current remit is to concern myself Marie van der Zyl when she delivered We believe that actions speak louder with the wellbeing of the UK's regional a presentation in July. I attended the than words, and look forward to the Jewish communities, communicating meeting, hosted by the MJRC, with Sir party, under Sir Keir Starmer’s their situations back to my colleagues at Warren Smith, Lord Lieutenant, and leadership, continuing to rebuild trust the Board and connecting the regional Eamonn O’Neal DL High Sheriff of with the Jewish community. communities with central communal Greater Manchester. Very recently, the BOD wrote to Twitter resources. This new role, started on 20 The senseless killing of George Floyd and Facebook following the antisemitic April 2020. brought to the surface the ongoing tirade of abuse from rapper Wiley, The BOD is the only democratically prejudice that black people face on resulting in his profile being removed elected, cross-communal representative both sides of the Atlantic. from those social media sites. body in the Jewish community. It As a result, the BOD launched a Finally, I was delighted that the All-Party comprises nearly 300 deputies directly Commission on Racial Inclusivity in Parliamentary Group on British Jews elected by synagogues and communal the Jewish Community to banish elected Bury South MP Christian organisations, from youth movements prejudice and promote inclusion. Wakeford as its new Co-Chair. The APPG to social welfare charities and regional on British Jews brings together councils. Manchester is very well As a direct result of this, the Board parliamentarians from across the represented, with excellent Deputies worked closely with the MJRC in political spectrum to broaden and representing many of the Synagogues, arranging an event on the subject of deepen connections between Parliament and I work closely with the Manchester Black Lives Matter, with guest speaker and the UK Jewish community. The Jewish Representative Council (MJRC). Loretta Hodari, a black Jewish woman Board of Deputies is the group’s living in Manchester. The BOD also has a number of under-35 Secretariat. observers, appointed by synagogues This event was chaired by the Board I look forward t continuing to work with and organisations, to supplement their of Deputies Chief Executive Gillian the regional Jewish Representative representation and to ensure that a Merron. I hope to be able to play a Councils and the regional deputies to new generation of communally-minded role in organising many more such bring ‘Co-Ach’ (strength) to the regions activists can contribute to our work on events in Manchester and around the and individual communities. behalf of their local community. country in the future, both virtually and in person. The Board of Deputies of British Jews is I have convened four meetings, via exactly that; it advocates for all of British Zoom, of all the regional Jewish JRC During the Coronavirus pandemic, the Jewry and I am truly honoured to be Chairs and/or Presidents, bringing them BOD has been monitoring the number part of the organisation. all together. of Jews who have sadly lost their lives to Coronavirus, working closely with Sara Radivan These meetings have proved to be most the Jewish burial boards to collate a informative and beneficial, with the cumulative mortality figure for the BOD offering support where necessary, Jewish community for presentation to Regional Coronavirus Advice and where the regional Jewish the Government. Representative Councils have learnt and Capacity Help (Co-Ach) Manager shared ideas with each other. As a result At the time of writing, the number of [email protected] of these meetings, it became apparent Jewish people who have died from

RepPresents - Autumn 2020/Rosh Hashanah 5781 - 5 Ed Moss looks back on his View over the District 13, Medellin, where Pablo Escobar once ‘ruled’ visit to Colombia last year, where Israel is loved and despite a very small community, there are signs of “Yiddishkeit” everywhere

city, but they are erasing this somewhat murky blot on the past. However, because of how he helped the poor, it has not been an easy task. There are unfortunate Venezuelans on every street corner trying their hardest to sell you all manner of goods and chattels you don’t need in an honest effort to support themselves, having been forced from their home by the situation in Venezuela. But everyone has a smile on their face. Everyone is proud of what they are. (no peak fares anywhere in he entire Medellin (and Colombia as a whole) has You what? You’re going WHERE for a country - take note Manchester Metro turned around its legacy as the world’s holiday? Colombia? Totally meshuga! and National Rail), no potholes, fabulous cocaine capital to become an incredible “There’s crime! Drugs! Murder! Poverty! hotels . . . . yes, Colombia is nothing but tourist attraction. The world-infamous Litter! Lousy infrastructure! You must be fantastic! District 13, where drugs, murder and mad! What on earth is possessing you to Well, providing you exclude car drivers. mayhem ruled for several decades is now go there?” They are just like drivers in Paris, Rome, the premier tourist attraction for foreign Tel Aviv or Leicester Road. and out-of-town Colombians alike. But there is something surreal about accessing We kicked off in Medellin, home to drug what is an almost ramshackle, huge Favela lord Pablo Escobar, one-time richest man -style hill town of several hundred on the planet. However, Medellin is thousand people via a series of escalators! possibly more famous now for Fernando Botero, the incredibly prolific “fat people” Perhaps the most expensive commodity in artist. Colombia is electricity. You see minimal if any lighting in most shops throughout the Sitting in the Andes at around 4,905 feet (1,495 meters) and extremely temperate, Medellin is called the City of Eternal Spring. It is This was the general reaction when I so strange to visit a mentioned where we were going on city where you won’t holiday. Colombia. But the detractors find central heating and smart-Alecs couldn’t have been or a solitary heater in more wrong. any building or on sale anywhere. And Crime, none, apart from the seat and the locals take such luggage supplement prices on Air pride in their city. France), drugs, no , except paracetamol Yes, there may be for Mrs, poverty, OK, yes, there is, but graffiti all over the hey, there are people sleeping in show, but you won’t Medellin Shopping Mall doorways on sophisticated Deansgate in see even a cigarette downtown Manchester! No litter butt on the ground, let alone the fast anywhere, bins for rubbish and city. The region’s electricity company, food containers and drink containers you owned by the city, generates (no pun recyclables on most street corners, see strewn all over Salford. There are still intended!) in the region of $1billion profit superb speedy, cheap public transport signs of Escobar’s association with the a year. Unlike British utilities owned by 6 - RepPresents - Autumn 2020/Rosh Hashanah 5781 foreign interests, every penny is ploughed only! On to Cartagena on the “Caribbean” coast. The famous walled city with its castle has seen many a blockbuster filmed there; “Romancing the Stone” (Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner), Netflix’s “Narcos” and more recently, Will Smith’s latest film “Gemini Man”. The old city has a tourist peninsula just over a mile ‘up the road’ from the old town, and across the bay near the cruise terminal is the business district with matching corporate charge-card hotels. Unfortunately, what dirties the Bogota brush in Cartagena, is the constant on-street harrying by Holocaust Memorial Medellin Beth Olam people trying to sell you boat and coach trips or usher you in back into Medellin’s infrastructure and to their restaurants. However, transport. As a result, they have a as a Colombian destination, it is wonderful metro train that costs pence a fabulous must. to travel on, public attractions that are free/almost free to visit and a continual Bogota, the capital, is a quite ongoing road improvement initiative. attitudinal 8,660 feet (2,640 Fuel costs 23p a litre and the cost of meters), so when you land at the living is a spectacularly low. A four- airport, your ears don’t pop. It is bedroom, four-bathroom, three- an enormous city, home to over reception house in its own gated seven million people. The grounds will set you back around ludicrously famous central £110,000. Bolívar Square, with its cathedral, is the main tourist Despite around attraction beloved by tourists, only 5,500 Jews protesters, celebrants and the in Colombia, film industry alike, having there are signs featured in hundreds of Theodore Hertzl Jewish School, Medellin of Jewish life all Spaghetti Westerns and dramas over. Bogota, over the decades. Worth a visit Barranquilla, is the Gold Museum, with and Medellin exhibits that are so rare they actually each has its own cannot be valued. I loved the vibe, Jewish day and my camera never stopped once! school, Cali has an after school. In Bogota, there is also a We stayed in the suburban Dann kolel-talmudic school. Despite only 100 Carlton Hotel, a quite luxurious five families in Medellin, and only some 60 star conference hotel, which has Jewish pupils, the Jewish day school, excellent ties with Israel and Colegio Theodoro Hertzl, in the lower regularly hosts some of Bogota’s reaches of the Andes, sees learning synagogue-attending Jews at Hebrew compulsory with 400 students weekends and high holidays, as the and a long waiting list! city’s nearby synagogue is located quite far away from where the main In certain cities (Cartagena for example), community lives. It was somewhat of despite being home to a handful of Jews, a surprise to find that five coffees, a you can buy ONLY kosher milk, and beer and a sparkling water left certain pre-packed vegetables (very few change out of £10 in this five-star vegetables are packed in plastic like hotel! here) are available with a “hechsher” Ed Moss

RepPresents - Autumn 2020/Rosh Hashanah 5781 - 7 ROSH HASHANA MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DEPUTIES

affected. We collated a document look forward to making progress on bringing together all of the special this most important of issues. guidelines for Passover this year Those who know the Board of and devised a card for members of Deputies will understand we work on the community to print off, a diverse set of issues – indeed so fill out and post through the letter much that it is impossible to list box to neighbours, letting members everything in a short message. of the local community know that We exist to ensure that the UK’s people are available do a food shop Jewish community can live freely, or even just to speak to someone happily and continue to practice our on the phone who is self-isolating. traditions. No less importantly, our team has We are passionate about protecting had the sad but necessary duty of our religious freedoms, whether the collating the deaths we have right to circumcise our baby boys in endured so that we have an accordance with our tradition or to accurate record. ensure that employees are able to Last year, we were in the midst of take time off for Jewish festivals and Labour’s antisemitism crisis. Twelve follow their Jewish traditions within months on and Labour are, in the the law. This has been a year like no other. Lords of new leader Sir Keir Our interfaith activities have certainly The global pandemic has affected Starmer, “under new made the news – for example our life more in a short space of time management”. support for the Chinese Uyghur than any other event in peace time. We set out our Ten Pledges on anti- Muslims currently suffering Of course, the effects have been Jewish racism in January and they oppression in China, has raised experienced worldwide with were enthusiastically adopted by awareness of the problems hundreds of thousands dead and the new leadership team. The Through Pikuach, we supervise millions more badly affected by this progress we have seen is very religious education in Jewish schools, virulent virus. encouraging. The scourge of and, pandemic permitting, we travel We are a small community but we antisemitism has not disappeared the country with the Jewish Living have been hit heavily. Sadly, our from the Labour Party but the Experience exhibition, educating non- death rate has been more than determination to address it and Jewish children and adults about our double that of the general take action where it is needed, as in way of life. community and we have lost some the case of the sacking of Rebecca We engage with Government wonderful people since Long-Bailey, gives all of us reason to ministers, MPs, local councillors, March, taken from us way before be optimistic after a dark few years. diplomats, faith leaders and with a their time. Even Coronavirus could not huge variety of public bodies on It has been a time to mourn but also completely overshadow the behalf of the community we a time to act. The Board of Deputies worldwide movement which represent. lobbied hard to ensure that local developed rapidly in response to We can only do this work with the councils could not cremate bodies the racist murder of George Floyd. help of communities across the UK, so without first consulting with the We in the Jewish community felt we I thank you for all the support that you families of the deceased. This was a needed to formulate our own all give. Let’s hope the New Year truly fine example of collaboration initiative. does bring health and happiness to all between Jews and Muslims who The result is the Board of Deputies’ of us. shared the same concerns. Commission on Racial Inclusivity in We collaborated closely with the Jewish Community which is Shana Tovah other community organisations to being chaired by distinguished Marie van der Zyl ensure that UK Jews are received all journalist Stephen Bush. We need President the help and information possible in to make sure that we are accepting Board of Deputies of British Jews the emergency, using all of our of people of all backgrounds and I resources for the benefit of those

8 - RepPresents - Autumn 2020/Rosh Hashanah 5781 A COMMUNITY UNITED - ROSH HASHANA MESSAGE FROM CHAIR OF THE EXECUTIVE

some of the organisations whose hard is coming from later on. in this they have work has come to light and deserves to been like many other organisations within be highlighted to the community our community who have put providing a Unfortunately, the community suffered service first and will now require the way too many losses because of funding to have done that. coronavirus. The team at Missaskim, Space prevents me from listing more led by Moshe Sinitsky, had the organisations but there are many, many foresight to liaise with all the coroners more that have done incredible work over of the local councils to ensure that the the last few months, who deserve the unfortunate of our community who gratitude of our community. passed away and were buried in a There is however one further organisation timely and dignified manner. that I would like to talk about at this stage Whilst for some they may not have and that is the Jewish Leadership Council The Manchester Jewish community is previously been aware of this (JLC). The JLC has taken upon itself to amazing, and the response to the organisation, we at the Representative assist with raising finance for both current coronavirus outbreak by the Council have been well aware of the Communal organisations as well as community has only heightened my hard work that they have been doing, individuals within our community the appreciation of the wonders of our and in fact, at our 2012 communal extent of their funding has been on a community. awards ceremony, they were recipients national basis and both organisations and The community has responded to the of the communal organisation award. individuals within our community have coronavirus outbreak on three levels: The FED who amongst their activities, benefited from the amazing work that manage our largest care home, have they have done. I want to thank their 1. An individual level national chair Jonathan Goldstein and 2. An organisational level probably suffered more than any other organisation as a result of the Marc Levy the North West Regional 3. A communal level Manager. So many members of our community coronavirus and yet despite this, they have responded to the difficulties have increased the levels of their Within the Manchester Jewish created by the current situation by community, there has been long standing volunteering to help others, either by “Thank you all for the emergency procedures in the event of a manning helplines or by doing shopping crisis hitting our community. In mid- or by setting up WhatsApp groups efforts that you have put March, at the request of the offering advice. in, helping others and Representative Council, these procedures were invoked, and the major communal At a recent Representative Council making the best for our organisations got together to work on a meeting Bernie Garner, Director of community out of a very united basis. They were joined at regular Community Services at the FED, said meetings by representatives from the that when she talks to councils, they are difficult situation” local councils, as well as Bury South MP amazed at the number of volunteers Christian Wakeford. The group includes that she is able to use, and she says she support to the community so that they representatives from all sectors of our replies by saying I work in an amazing could provide food and assistance to community and has worked as a team community. those who are stranded and isolated. I together with the councils to deal with the So to each and every one of you, I would know that the FED consider themselves issues that have arisen. like, on behalf of the community, to to be the safety net of the Manchester In an article in the Jewish Telegraph, Ivan thank you for the efforts that you have Jewish community, and over the last Lewis stated that this coordination was put in, helping others and making the few months, they have been that and the most amazing thing that he had seen best for our community out of a very far much more, and I would like to take within our community in all his years of difficult situation. this opportunity to thank them all for working within it. We have many amazing organisations, the most amazing work that they have done over the period. The success of this coordination has led to some older, others younger or new, that requests both from the community side exist within our community, that all The L’chaim food bank, was fortunately and that of the councils for the meetings upped their game in tremendously a relatively small charity which has to continue. Marc Adlestone OBE has difficult circumstances to cater to the insured that anyone within our agreed to act as Chair of the group, which needs of our community. Some of these community who is without food is FED. now includes 36 communal organisations, rightly received accolades in our local As a result of the coronavirus and which will give the community a positive press, but they all deserve our lockdown, it has seen a huge increase lasting outcome from the current crisis. appreciation and thanks. in the demand for its services. They Jacky Buchsbaum Whilst there are too many to list them have dealt with this extra demand all, I do feel it necessary to mention based on providing food first and Chair of the Executive worrying about where the funding for it

RepPresents - Autumn 2020/Rosh Hashanah 5781 - 9 GUESTS OF HONOUR ATTEND ZOOM MEETING

Sir Warren Smith, Lord His immediate predecessor Lieutenant and Eamonn O’Neal Deputy Lieutenant Mark DL newly appointed High Sheriff Adlestone OBE DL said he of Greater Manchester were wanted to be objective in his guests of honour at a meeting assessment but in reality he on the 2nd July at the Zoom found that “the Jewish virtual meeting place to thank all community was outstanding in the communal volunteers. uniting around the goal of The Lord Lieutenant highlighted helping those in need through the importance of grassroots volunteering or helping in other volunteering in communities and ways especially during these how vital it is currently, due to difficult times”. the pandemic. The newly Representatives from some of appointed High Sheriff Eamonn the voluntary organisations O’Neal, who earlier that present (L’Chaim Food Bank, afternoon had paid a visit to the Shomrim, Hatzalah, Misaskin, Fed’s Heathlands village and CST, The Nicky, The Fed, who went out of his way in Herschel Weiss, JAMH, JVN) thanking the volunteers and highlighted many aspects of their volunteering organisations vital work for the community and present for their stalwart, day in thanked the community for their day out, support in ensuring continued support. adequate food and care are The meeting was excellently provided for all in the chaired by the JRC president Eamonn O’Neal Sir Warren Smith community. Russell Conn

very short stories. His much, but although I am CAN YOU HEAR ME? perspective, both poignant still doing that, no one and humorous, produces an knows! Feeling a sneeze Now there’s a phrase we’ll can be seen and a large uncommon take on life and coming on, and on reflex never forget along with the open mouth yawning relationships. holding my tissue to my words ‘please unmute’. For without the cover of a hand, Of course, here in mask! And then there’s the those of us not or the casual munching of Manchester travelling on build-up of a very warm automatically using Zoom, food along with a public transport is a whole clammy sensation within the lock down provided a thoughtlessly placed new ballgame. As always, the mask, plus the steaming whole new opportunity to camera giving an hour’s people don’t realise how up of your glasses! Friends learn fast about alternative view of the top they register. There are of mine who have behind communication. of a bald head, those who board, sit down the ear hearing aids, and with or without So, adding to my basic use and then put on a mask as wear spectacles are not a kippah can be of WhatsApp and Skype, I opposed to those who happy having to wear a quite now use Zoom endlessly board with a mask, sit down mask as well – and who can distracting. and Microsoft Teams, for and then tuck it under their blame them. those meetings where The current system of chin. As you are supposed I look forward to when all confidentiality plays an virtual meetings has to sit alone there is the this becomes an ‘I important part in the basically opened up the advantage of resting your remember’ experience but proceedings. whole world to us and shopping on the seat next it will be some time before Whilst fully aware of the travelling to meetings and to you when normally it that will happen. So be well terrible consequences of the time it takes has would have to be on your and be safe. miraculously been removed. the pandemic, both on our lap or by your feet. I would never have own and the wider I myself still need to bothered normally to join a community, I have chosen understand why book discussion group, but I to spend a few moments everywhere I am obligated did under the auspices of seeing the situation from a to wear a mask, those ‘In the Israeli Embassy - in lighter perspective. charge’ seem to have the Dublin. May I recommend Whilst on Zoom, looking at option whether they should the book chosen to read; it all the different participants do so or not, and even then, was so entertaining. Fly Filis Rosenberg on the screen provides its there is no continuity. Already by Israeli author Co-editor RepPresents own entertainment. Many Etgar Keret is a book of 22 Normally a smile conveys so seem to have forgotten they

10 - RepPresents - Autumn 2020/Rosh Hashanah 5781 Looking out for the Community— C-Virus JRC Communities group

During March, it circulating. became obvious to the We developed a project JRC that the COVID -19 called Let’s all work pandemic could cause together, which was severe difficulties for circulated to all Organisations, Shuls etc our community. and again, thank you all Once the lockdown had for your feedback. been imposed, the JRC initial support networks living at present in 2020 We have now sent out the for those in isolation have Officers divided into two second one in this project and also a way of coping groups. broken down due to these with this crisis when asking for updates on how people going into Susan Isaacs Jointly led you all are keeping in following the government Isolation, and when we advise to stay at home. the C-virus JRC contact and sharing ideas are aware of this, we are Communities group with etc encouraging contact to The Future Jeremy Michelson and We have been carrying out were joined by Raymond No one should feel embarrassed in investigations into how the Solomon, Michael community might cope Rubinstein, and Sharon contacting any of the many support groups once the pandemic is truly Bannister. not only set up in our community but also over, or at least under It became evident with control.

Pesach approaching that by the NHS and Local Authorities Sharon Bannister is many Kosher shops were investigating health and reluctant to deliver orders A sad concern that was Social Care. north of J17 and to South the variety of support that passed onto us was that is available. Susan Isaacs is investigating Manchester. there re some older Youth and volunteering, Certain shuls in South people who could not while Jeremy Michelson is Manchester had access the Seder or Emotional wellbeing. looking at religious difficulties with their Pesach dishes, as their We are in exceedingly organisations– particularly Pesach delivery for their family could not assist difficult times. When shuls. communities. them. Support for isolated many are isolated from Michael Rubinstein is people was given by many families, friends, and Jacky Buschbaum - Chair - examining the economic shuls grandchildren, also many communicated with prospects. certain business leads on We: families are suffering We will be publishing our this, and this was 1. Have been contact bereavement and not resolved. being able to visit family suggestions for the future with the many groups sometime in the autumn. Also, within the and other community who are in hospital. community we became organisations. Children who are being Moving forward, we are aware of a group of home schooled and looking at how the JRC can 2. Have acted a point for better and more efficiently volunteers called Corona people who wanted socially isolating from Angels who would deliver friends. contact you all, so please information on how keep an eye out for emails. anywhere. they could volunteer in There are many feelings They concentrated the community there and we are sure If you are looking for any particularly on South that there is not one links to support groups, 3. Are researching and advice on businesses, Manchester, where some circulating any person who has not had a had missed the shul bad day. finance etc please visit our information we can webpage at orders and were faced No one should feel find on financial www.jewishmanchester.org with not having kosher for support for people, embarrassed in contacting Pesach food. who are now any of the many support Links for information have We are sure that the unemployed, suffering groups not only set up in been continually posted community would like to for financial concerns our community but also over the last few months thank them for the etc . by the NHS and Local or if you wish to make amazing work they did. Authorities. contact please email the 4. Have also applied for office. We as a team attempted Grants to support It is fabulous that so many to contact all shuls and Community Initiatives groups have been set up Keep safe and follow community groups to –this raised £2.000 via Zoom for quizzes, art Government and NHS encourage contact with which was disbursed classes, dance, Just coffee advice. their members. to a number of and chat, cooking with Susan Isaacs Many have since organisations who ……., Challah making, Jeremy Michelson developed good networks. were directly involved choir practice, online Joint leads It was also fed back what in providing services to talks, discussions, shul the community. services etc.. Michael Rubinstein information and how Sharon Bannister often they wanted this There is concern that the This is the new way of

RepPresents - Autumn 2020/Rosh Hashanah 5781 - 11 HISTORIC NORMALISATION OF RELATIONS BETWEEN COMMUNAL ISRAEL AND THE UNITES ARAB EMIRATES DIARY On Monday 1st September 2020, El Al Flight THESE EVENTS ARE 971 became one of the most historic flight SUBJECT TO departures in the airline’s history. CONFIRMATION AND MAY BE VIRTUAL OR It left Ben Gurion Airport on Monday morning, SUBJECT TO to make the first commercial flight from Israel CANCELLATION to the United Arab Emirates, carrying (Please consult the delegations from Israel and the US for talks on website) the recently agreed normalisation agreement 30 Sep UJIA Centenary Event @ 6:45 pm between Jerusalem and Abu Dhabi. Not only was the flight historic, but also Saudi 31 Oct Maccabi Halloween Event – Adults Arabia granted the ElAl flight permission to Only @ 7:00 pm overfly Saudi Arabia rather than take the much 1 Nov Maccabi longer route out over the Red Sea. And as Halloween Event for RepPresents went to press, Saudi Arabia has Children - all day granted Israel permanent rights to overfly their 1 Nov The JRC Monthly kingdom., shaving five hours off the flight time, Council Meeting @ 10:30 bringing it down to just over three hours. am – 12:00 pm The breakthrough originally came on the 13th 2 Nov Magen David Adom Virtual Dinner @ August when Israel and the UAE announced 7:00 pm they were establishing full diplomatic relations. 17 Nov The Fed Ladies This was a US-brokered deal with the Lunch @ 12:00 pm requirement that Israel should suspend any Hend Al Otaiba, Director of Strategic Communications, 23 Nov Camp Simcha plans to annex any parts of the West Bank. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UAE with Lior Haiat, Israel Manchester Dinner @ Following Egypt and Jordan, the UAE has Ministry of Foreign Affairs 7:00 pm become the third Arab country to establish 25 Nov Mini Limmud @ official relations with Israel. Phone and internet 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm connections have also been established 30 Nov The Jewish Representative Council and the Board of Deputies Remember the History and Culture of Mizrahi Jews - all day 6 Dec The JRC Monthly Council Meeting @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm 19 – 20 Dec Maccabi 24 Hour Interfaith Football Tournament - all day 13 Jan Maccabi Supper Club – British Jews in the First World War – We Were There Too @ 7:00 pm Dr Anwar Gargash United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State for Foreign Affairs with Alon Ushpiz Director- 23 Jan The Fed Quiz @ General, Israel IMFA 7:00 pm between the two countries. 28 Jan The Friendship Circle ‘Let Us Entertain In the meantime, both Israeli and American You’ Dinner @ 7:30 pm officials are optimistic that some of the other 22 Apr The Fed Gulf Arab countries maty also establish formal Fundraising Dinner @ relations with Israel. 7:00 pm The forward-looking UAE and Israel share Further details available mutual commercial and security interests, and from neither list Iran at the top of their greeting card www.jewishmanchester. recipient list. org It is also a bitter blow to the vitriolically PLEASE CONSULT AND ADD YOUR DATE TO THE antisemitic Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions COMMUNAL DIARY (BDS) movement, who were, not unexpectedly, PRIOR TO ANNOUNCING one of the first organisations out of the starting AN EVENT DAY YOURSELF blocks to condemn the start of normal EVENTS MAY CHANGE relations between Israel and the UAE. DUE TO COVID 19 UNCERTAINTIES

12 - RepPresents - Autumn 2020/Rosh Hashanah 5781 - PHOTOGRAPHS on this page courtesy of the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs ROSH HASHANAH UPDATE FROM THE JLC

including at Ministerial level to discuss areas of concern to the community. We have briefed MPs on contemporary antisemitism and discussed the legislative agenda particularly surrounding online harms. I have also arranged for UJS to meet When writing for the Pesach edition of with MPs where issues have arisen on RepPresents, it would have been campus and introduced Maccabi to the impossible to predict the Sports Minister. I have also unprecedented events that have accompanied Christian Wakeford, the unfolded to date in 2020. Within my newly elected MP for Bury South on a previous article, I spoke about the large visit to The Fed where he also met with number of newly elected MPs across the the Representative Council. whole region. As always, I have been proactive in my political engagement, Over the coming weeks, I am working on and have now formally met with the several roundtables to ensure our vast majority of the intake from the members are able to benefit from the 2019 General Election. relationships that I have been built. As ever, it was useful having the It would be remiss of me not to mention the response of the JLC and the Marc with Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, flexibility to meet either in Westminster Speaker of the House of Commons or their Parliamentary constituencies. community in Greater Manchester to the Covid-19 pandemic. I am proud to Along with the rest of the country, I was the threat posed to vulnerable and forced to adapt to a new way of working work for an organisation that has been at the forefront in supporting individuals needy individuals. With CST and the post lockdown with discussions now Representative Council, I co-chaired taking place virtually. Whilst nothing and communal charities through these difficult times. We supported the and coordinated a communal call which will ever replace a meeting in person, joined together our communal there are some benefits with a virtual Emergency Care Home Appeal that raised in excess of £4million to primarily professionals and charities alongside way of working. It is always the case representatives from local and national that MPs and Ministers diaries are support The Fed, Jewish Care and Nightingale Hammerson. government. This enabled our incredibly fluid. The removal of the community organisations to speak All Jewish care homes across the need for various parties to travel, has directly to the political figures who country received much needed funds enabled meetings to stay in the diary for could assist with a wide range of from this appeal. We also launched a longer. As a result, changes can be requests. We embarked on a £500,000 Emergency Assistance Fund to made last minute and with little communication campaign to ensure help individuals and families who were inconvenience. that community members were kept up struggling financially due to the to date with the latest guidance. A pandemic. There health and welfare group was also were numerous established ensuring people had access recipients in the to the right food provision. We Greater Manchester arranged for a question to be tabled in region. Parliament and raised issues with the Finally, the £2million highest levels of local government raised for the Social including the Metro Mayor, Andy Care Assistance Burnham. Building on this, the Fund was also a organisations and representatives from tremendous success. wider society have now formally come We distributed vital together to form a Strategic Group funds to charities chaired by Mark Adlestone OBE DL. across the whole We will be building on the collaboration country. Within between communal bodies providing a Mark Levy with Christian Wakeford MP, James Daly MP Manchester, The high level forum to discuss issues and and Cllr David Jones the former Leader of Bury Council Fed, Friendship exchange views with representatives Circle, Jewish Action from local and national government. for Mental Health, Lubavitch I have been pleased with the number of meetings arranged for our members to Manchester and The Beenstock Home engage with MPs. received grants. Finally, I would like to wish you all a happy and healthy new year. The diverse Jewish community I have scheduled a large number of Marc Levy discussions for CST to meet with MPs mobilised incredibly quickly to deal with

RepPresents - Autumn 2020/Rosh Hashanah 5781 - 13 Beware of rogue telephone calls and scam emails

With the economy now opening up again, members of the community are asked to be extra vigilant and remain alert for frauds and scams such as cold telephone calls and fraud via email. These are on the increase nationally, and people are asked to take extra care to ensure their accounts or identities are not compromised. As a rule of thumb, official organisations will NEVER phone or email you for passwords or sensitive information and certainly not bank card PIN numbers or card three-number signature strip refund notice beginning with “Hello my in order to pick up an extension in verification numbers. dear”. another part of the house without being disconnected), so no matter what Under the Data Protection Act, genuine Similarly, anyone phoning who claims to number they give you to dial, they will callers do have a duty of care to ask for represent a major computer company ‘answer’ the phone when you ‘call’ very basic security details to verify that that has identified a ‘threat to your because they haven’t actually been they are actually speaking to you, but computer’ will almost definitely not disconnected. Use a different phone to they will never seek full passwords or know the state of your personal contact your bank with the umber they financially-related PIN numbers. computer security. Asking them how they know (not that I encourage provide or your own regular number. Secondly, the links that otherwise engagement with them unless you are a If you feel there is a need to report official-looking emails suggest you confident time-waster – I kept one on them to either Trading Standards or the follow can be checked by simply the phone and ‘away from ‘’you’ for Police, take details of a suspect hovering over them with your mouse. over an hour and a half and I didn’t even telephone conversation with as much The destination web address will show have my computer switched on) will information as you can gain. You can up at the bottom left of your web page, have them scrabbling for some very thin also reduce unwanted telephone calls so if that web address doesn’t precisely excuse. by registering your telephone number match either the original website or the with the Telephone Preference Service. company name of the sender, then treat Use the utmost care with calls offering Full details can be found at it as suspect. The likes of HMRC (tax), to provide investments, claims for www.tpsonline.org.uk DVLA and DWP will always write to you accidents or to change your utility or in the first instance. Also, you will find satellite company tariff, or to transfer The simple message to help you remain that fake emails tend to have logos that your money from your bank account to secure on both the phone and internet, never quite look right (ebay and Amazon an “emergency new safe bank account”, is, don’t provide any sensitive fraudsters in particular) and the despite how convincing these may information to people you don’t know, sound. No bank will regardless of how official they may Valued Customer? ever ask you to over seem. Tell them to put it in writing on Classic scam language the phone to their official headed paper with a transfer funds from contact name and telephone number one bank account to you can use (and double-check it, if and another. Again, offer when you do receive it). Amazon don’t to come in and see have a “Tracking It can be so easy to fall under the Editor” them in branch. That persuasive charm of a smooth talker on will make them run the phone or be fooled by an otherwise for excuses. And do official-looking email on the internet. I not pay any fees up can only urge everyone to exercise the Why would front. someone buying a utmost caution when discussing Mac computer And certainly do not personal matters with strangers. have Loctite glue recommended by take any instructions Remember, official departments or real Amazon? from them to put businesses won’t object to you your phone down questioning them further than you and call the “official might ordinarily do to ascertain that number” they might that they are in fact genuine. language and terms they use (“Dear give you. When you put the phone Finally, I would like to wish you all a valued customer”), often mixed down, they can remain on the line for happy, healthy and “safe on-line as metaphors, bad spelling and singular/ up to two minutes (a throwback to well as on the telephone” New Year. plural mismatches in the same almost 50 years ago when you could put Ed Moss sentence) – I received one fake tax a phone down in one part of the house

14 - RepPresents - Autumn 2020/Rosh Hashanah 5781 EDUCATION MATTERS with Jeremy Michelson, Vice Chair (Education) JRC of Greater Manchester and Region

It takes more than Racial Inclusion within DIARY DATE The Julian Goldberg COVID–19 and a British Jewry Coffee Club 30th November is lockdown to stop the The justifiable anger that designated as a day to Education Working was caused by the death remember the of George Floyd in the wonderful heritage of Group! We keep USA has caused British Mizrahi Jewry. going, no matter Jewry to examine how These are the Jews who what happens! racially inclusive is lived in the Middle East British Jewry. long before the Arab The Northern Holocaust On 12th July, the JRC conquest and they Education Group contributed so much to partnered with the Board the civilisation of the Matters are progressing nicely of Deputies to run a ZOOM area before the abrupt with this group of Holocaust session featuring Loretta termination of Jewish educators who have come Hodari, a Jewish lady of life by Arab together to increase the range Jamaican heritage, who Governments. of sessions available to spoke about The Julian Goldberg Coffee Club schools. her life and was started about twelve years the ago to discuss current affairs and They are determined that only problems share the odd joke. the highest quality standards that she has of teaching are good enough. encountered Initially known as the Friday Morning Coffee Club and held So, they have linked up with within the fortnightly at Heathlands, on the G2G, a group of children of Jewish sad passing of the founder of the Holocaust survivors based in community. group Julian Z”L it was decided London, to undergo training The we would continue and re-named and evaluation of their Education the group the Julian Goldberg sessions. Working Coffee Club in his memory. As a preparation for this Group is Based on the success of this group process they are taking part in looking at a number of others have formed peer group evaluation of each ways in in both North and South other. In teaching about the which Manchester. Holocaust only the best is cultural and racial diversity within Jewry good enough and the NHEG The JRC are partnering The format is very basic with teachers will be the best. can become part of the different members taking a turn curricula of Jewish schools. with the Board of Deputies to host a talk at being Chairman and members by Edwin Shuker, Vice invited to bring along interesting RepPresents President of the Board cuttings from newspapers, Magazine of the Jewish Representative Council of Deputies. magazines, etc which are then of Greater Manchester and Region (JRC) discussed with vigour!! Edwin’s family escaped Published twice-yearly at Pesach and Rosh Hashana from Iraq in 1970, and When lockdown started we had JRC Office: 0161 720 8721 he will tell us his to decide whether to abandon it PRODUCTION TEAM fascinating and moving or find a way to continue. EDITOR: R.Graham Gordon story of how the family EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS: Filis Rosenberg, David were rescued by the A Zoom group has been initiated Marks, Ed Moss man who was later to and instead of meeting became leader of Iraqi DESIGN: Ed Moss fortnightly we now meet weekly Kurdistan. still on a Friday morning. [email protected] Please keep a look out The format has been kept the jewishmanchester.org for further details. same and I am pleased to report it is working very well. facebook.com/jewishmanchester

http://yomhashoahmanchester.org.uktwitter.com/jewishmcr Stephan Pearlman [email protected] RepPresents - Autumn 2020/Rosh Hashanah 5781 - 15 An invitation from The Manchester Jewish Museum RepPresents contributor, Filis Rosenberg, who has been a member of the textile group since last year, said: ‘ It has been a really enjoyable experience being involved in a group where you can make new friends, share knowledge, master new skills and derive great satisfaction from contributing to projects that help the Museum’.

Creative Producer, Dara Dara said: “This new project is Laughlin and Manchester-based going to showcase our wonderful artist Jo Scorah are heading up an Textile Group, allowing them to exciting new project with explore their own identities, as Manchester Jewish Museum’s well as communicating messages textile group. Jo works with for the future.” many different materials (her If this sounds like something you previous work can be seen would be interested in being at www.joscorah.co.uk) and she involved with, please do get in will be inspiring the group to touch with Dara create an original piece in time at dara@manchesterjewishmuse for the Museum’s re-opening in um.com. The group is open to all 2021. self-identifying women of all The Textile group is a mix of faiths or none, all cultures and Muslim and Jewish Women, as backgrounds. It is the perfect well as women of other faiths space for those who would like to (and none) working together and learn new skills or brush up on making friends since January ones they already have in a 2019. supportive environment.”

EDITORIAL - continued from page 1 steeped in mitzvos and care for other people, particularly, in his work as a hospital chaplain. Even though not everyone will be able to attend shul, Rosh Hashanah should be a time to be grateful for our or see family, due to ongoing restrictions, we can still family and friends, as mentioned and to remember those celebrate Yomtov and use these precious days. to who are no longer with us, who contributed so much to our realise the blessings , one way or another, most of us lives. have. In terms of the future, to expand on this point, it is also the Our family and friends, are more important to us, than time of year, when we should focus on what lives we are ever before, our health which many of us may have going to live next year in terms of our Judaism and what taken for granted, should be guarded and enhanced, contribution we plan to make to our wonderful Manchester not just because of Covid 19, but because Covid 19 has community, (the best Jewish community I have ever lived taught us, not to take our health for granted. in). Recently, on 26 Av, it was the Yahrzeit of my good If we do this, we will then get through this Covid 19 crises friend and mentor, Rabbi Tony Walker Z"L. and continue to do, what Jews do best, sing and dance He was the person who got me involved in our through life, always being positive, despite the challenges wonderful Rep. Council. we always seem to face as a people !!! He was an inspiration. I again, together with my colleagues, wish you a happy and He had health issues, but didn't let that stop him, healthy new year!! being very positive and living a full and fulfilling life, R. Graham Gordon Publicity Officer

16 - RepPresents - Autumn 2020/Rosh Hashanah 5781 SALFORD HEALTHY COMMUNITIES BULLETIN

טייערע פריינד, :The following is in Yiddish די אומגעווענליכע צייטן זענען געווען שווער פאר אונדז אלע. מיר דאווענען שטארק אז די מגיפה זאל שוין אריבערגיין, אזוי ווי מגיפות אין פריערדיגע דורות זענען צום סוף פארבייגעגאנגען. עס איז דא א סאך אויף וואס צו האפן, בפרט איבער דער פארש פאר נייע רפואות און וואקסינען. מיר דאווענען אויך אז אונזערע קהילה זאל אדורך קומען דעם שווערע צייט און אז אונזערע אמונה און ביטחון וועט אונדז אדורך פירן, אזוי ווי אין פריערדיגע שווערע צייטן. Dear Friends, דערווייל, בשעת מיר זענען שוין נישט באגרעניטצט אין שטוב און These unprecedented times have been a challenge to all of מיר קענען ארויסגיין ווייטער פון שטוב מיט אכטונג, ווייסן מיר אז us. We pray fervently that soon, like with previous plagues סיי אונדזערע רפואת הנפש און סיי אונדזער צוגאנג דערצו איז in human history, this pandemic will pass. There is much to פונקט אזוי וויכטיג ווי אונדזערע רפואת הגוף. דערפאר, ווילן מיר .hope for with the work on new treatments and a vaccine בלייבן שטארק אין אונזערע גייסטישע געזונט, פאזיטיוו אין We also pray that our community weathers the storm and that our faith and trust in Hashem will see us through, as in אונדזערע צוגאנג און פול מיט האפענונג פאר דער צוקונפט. .previous difficult times מיר זאלן נישט פאדערן פון זיך סטאנדארטן וואס זענען צו הויך, In the meanwhile, whilst we are no longer housebound and ווייל דאס קען פירן צו דרוק און אנגסט. אבער, אויפפאסן אויף ,we can now move further afield even though cautiously פערזענליכע היגיענע, און זיך אנטוהן פרי אין דער טאג קען we know that our mental health and mental attitude are just as important as our physical health, so we want to stay העלפן דער זעלבסט זיכערקייט. האבן א טעגליכע סדר, מיט mentally strong, positive in our outlook and full of hope for עקסערסייז, קען זיין זייער וויכטיג צו פארבעסערן אונדזער .the future נפשת׳דיגע געזונט. We should not demand too high standards of ourselves as פרובירט נישט צו זיין צו שטאלץ אויף אנצונעמען הילף פון this can lead to stress and anxiety. However, taking care of חברים, משפחה, און פון די קהילה ווען איר דארפט עס. אויב איר personal hygiene, and dressing early in the day can be helpful to self-esteem. Having a daily routine, including דארפט אננעמען פינאנצישע הילף אדער מאלצייטן פון דער exercise can be very important for improved mental עסנווארג באנק, דאס איז נישט איירע שולד און א סאך אנדערע .health זענען אין דער זעלבע מצב. Try not to be proud and accept help from friends and דאווענען מיט כוונה, איז נישט נאר וויכטיג פאר וואס עס איז, נאר family when you need it or from the community. If you need to accept financial assistance or meals from the food עס האט אויך טעראפיוטישע עפעקטן. זיך אפרוען, שפאצירן bank, this is not your fault and many others are in the same אינדרויסן ווען מעגליך און א געזונטע מאלצייט, מיט פלייש אדער .situation פיש, ניסלעך, אייער, פרוכט און גרינצייג און א סאך וואסער זענען Davening with kavannah, whilst being important for its זייער רעקאמענדירט דורך מומחים שוין יארן לאנג און עס איז .own sake, in addition has great therapeutic effects באוויזן געווארן אז עס העלפ די פיזישע און נפשת׳דיגע געזונט. Relaxation, walking outdoors when possible and a varied נישט געזונטע עסנווארג אדער נאשערייען, צוקער און אלקאהאל healthy meal, with meat or fish, nuts, eggs, fruit and קענען ערגער מאכן אונדזערע שטימונגען. vegetables and plenty of water have been highly recommended by experts since time immemorial and have מיר דארפן זיך נאך אלץ צוהאלטן צו די געזונט כללים אין דער .been proved to aid physical and mental health generally קומענדיגע צייט, וואשן הענט, אפהיטן מענטשליכע דערווייטקייט Junk food or nosh, sugar and alcohol can worsen our א גאנצע צייט און בלייבן אויפמערקזאם. איר זאלט ממשיך זיין צו .moods האלטן די כללים כדי צו באשיצן דער געזונט פון אייערע משפחה We still need to adhere to basic health requirements in the און קהילה. אפהיטן די הלכות פון פיקוח נפש איז אלעמאל נייטיג. future, washing our hands, keeping our distance at all times and staying alert. You should continue these אויב איר דארפט מער שטיצע, קענט איר רעדן מיט אייער רבי measures to protect the health of your family and אדער אייער דאקטער, אדער קאנטאקטן איינע פון אונדזערע community. Adherence to the halochas of העלפליינס )ביים סוף פון דער בריוו(. .Pikuach Nefesh is as always vital If you need further support, speak to your rabbi or your GP יישר כוח, or contact one of our helplines (next page). דזשיי כארארא, פסיכאלאג און רב ארנאלד סאונדערס אין Thank you איינזאם מיט סאלפארד געזונטע קהילות Jay Charara, Psychologist and Rabbi Arnold Saunders together with Salford Healthy Communities.

RepPresents - Autumn 2020/Rosh Hashanah 5781 - 17 MANCHESTER-BASED HELPLINES

העלפליינס אין מאנטשעסטער: נשמה א פריינדשאפט באדינונג פאר מענטשן מיט רפואת נפש שוועריקייטן אין דער אידישע קהילה www.neshomo.co.uk )מענער(625345 07741 )פרויען)07512578587 JAMH (Jewish Action for Mental Health) אידן טוען פאר רפואת נפש אן ארגאניזאציע וואס רעפרעזענטירט רוב רפואת נפש Neshomo ארגאניזאציעס אין מאנטשעסטער, וואס העלפט אייך A befriending service for people with ongoing mental טרעפן שטיצע health issues in the Jewish Community www.neshomo.co.uk [email protected] 07741 625345 (men) 07510 204 844 נסיבות women) Pathway) 578587 07512 אנווייזונגען ווי אזוי צו טרעפן דער בעסטער קאונסעלאר ) counsellor( פאר אייערע באדערפענישן (JAMH (Jewish Action for Mental Health Collective organisation representing most mental health 0161 696 4511 organisations in Manchester, helping to find you support Care Concern Bereavement Counselling [email protected] שטיצע פאר די וואס האבן פארלוירן באליבטע 844 204 07510 לאז א מעסעדזש( 0807 796 0161 Pathways Nesivos Jewish Women’s Aid הילף פאר אידישע פרויען 61 יאר אדער עלטער, פאר די Guiding you on how to reach the best counsellor for your וואס האבן געליטן פון שטוב–געוואלד (needs (domestic abuse דאס האט דער מעגליכקייט צו שמועסן ) www.jwa.org.uk 4511 696 0161 מיט מעסעדזשעס אנליין( Care Concern Bereavement Counselling 0808 801 0500 דערגרייכן leave message) Achieve) 0807 796 0161 שטיצע פאר דערוואקסענע אדער יונגע מענטשן וואס ווילן זיך היילן פון דראג און אלקאהאל אפהעניגקייט. Jewish Women’s Aid דערוואקסענע For Jewish women aged 16 or over, whose lives have 0161 358 1530 been affected by domestic abuse יונגע מענטשן 1858 358 0161 www.jwa.org.uk (includes for ‘web chat’) 0808 801 0500 PROJECT Involve

Project INvolve is an INitiative from the Jewish Representative Council toINclude and INvolve to listen the views of Delegates, Affiliates, the Community relating to the JRC. We would like to hear your views on how the JRC as an organisation communicate to the community. • Does your Shul or organisation forward to you our weekly communications • Do you follow us on social media at Jewish Manchester on Facebook? • What are your views on RepPresents?

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18 - RepPresents - Autumn 2020/Rosh Hashanah 5781