D’’ sb REP PRESENTS Autumn2016 Issue31 RoshHashana5777 TalkingExcellence Members of the Jewish Representative Council (JRC) have been privileged to including the antisemitic stance be addressed by a range of excellent speakers reportsClive Moss-Barclay , taken by “War on Want” and the Leicester County Council’s support Publicity Officer. for BDS which, together with two Luciana Berger MP was the she was fighting for mental health to people’s concerns about anti- other councils, have been cleared of guest speaker at May’s Annual be treated in the same way as semitism within the Labour party but antisemitism by the High Court. General Meeting of the JRC. She physical health and how she is encouraged Jewish people not to More recently his organisation has spoke of how she had joined the working closely with mental health leave the Labour party but to fight engaged with the Labour Party Labour Party because of its stand groups including the Jewish antisemitism from within the Party. following the verbal attack of MP for equality and justice and of its Association for Mental Health. She He gave his views on the EU Ruth Smeeth at the launch of the zero tolerance for any form of wants to break down the taboos Referendum and why he felt that Chakrabarti report into racism including antisemitism. associated with mental health and Great Britain should remain within antisemitism. Luciana described how she had encourage employers to give jobs to the EU. Discussing the future been the subject of race hatred people with mental health problems. election of a Mayor of Greater herself via social media. L a b o u r M P I v a n L e w i s Manchester he described his work She felt that the Jewish addressed the June Meeting of the for the Greater Manchester community has always supported JRC. He explained that although he community and what he hoped to the Labour Party and she hoped it has always stood up for Israel, he achieve if elected. would continue to do so. Speaking felt that being pro-Israel does not The second speaker was Iris of her role as Shadow Minister for mean you have to be anti- Chaytow of Jewish Women’s Aid Mental Health she described how Palestinian. He understood which is the only Jewish charity in Europe to support Jewish women DanielBerke,newZCCCo-Chair and children by domestic abuse. She talked about their refuge which within the organisation since the is always full and how they provide 2014 events in Israel. He gave an emotional and practical help. In insight into the work of the new ZCC addition to running an education team, as well as the seminars, programme they also engage in training and general advocacy training Rabbis, Teachers and which the ZCC undertakes Doctors. effectively to promote a positive Daniel Berke, Co-Chair of the image of Israel as well as defend its Zionist Central Council (ZCC) was good name when necessary. Daniel theguestspeakeratJuly’smonthly emphasised the importance of inter- meeting of the JRC. Daniel gave a communal collaboration. brief overview of the history of the Robert Festenstein was the ZCC and its instrumental role in the second guest speaker at the July Zionist movements both locally and meeting. Robert highlighted the RobertFestenstein,JHRWCo-Chair worldwide. He spoke of the ZCC’s work of the Jewish Human Rights The Jewish Representative numerous achievements, its vision Watch that he co-chairs. He spoke Council is extremely grateful to and future direction. He further about current and previous cases all the guest speakers who have LucianaBergerwiththenewJRCOfficers.PresidentSharonBannisterwasabsent duetoafamilybereavement touched on the latest developments that his organisation has taken on spoken at its meetings. ContacttheJewishRepresentativeCouncil Tel/Fax:01617208721E-mail:[email protected] TheBigRaffle The newly formed Fundraising Group of the Jewish Representative Council has started off this year at a very fast pace, reportLinda Jacobs and Susan Isaacs , Fundraising Secretaries. Our first job was to coordinate that you can offer your assistance in the letters and adverts to ensure any way by either joining the that the Year Book 2016 will be even Fundraising Group, volunteering to Contactusbyphoneore-mailtoaddyoureventtothe CommunalDiary! more successful. Next was the sell tickets, offering prizes, vouchers ChecktheCommunalDiarybeforearrangingyoureventtoreduceclasheswithotherfunctions launch of the BigAnnual Raffle, then or sponsoring events please contact planning the Community Quiz in the JRC Office Office on 0161 720 November plus putting plans in 8721 or email place for future events.If you feel [email protected]. LaunchedinMaythisyear,theBig AnnualRafflewillbedrawnatan Eventon Sunday5thFebruary2017. 2 REP PRESENTS FromthePresident UnityatInterfaithIftar Summer is normally a very busy time in the life of the President although this one has been somewhat different This summer the Jewish community joined with the Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater for two entirely different reasons. Manchester (MJF) and Faith Network 4 Manchester (FN4M) at their joint annual Iftar. The restructuring of the Council An iftar is the meal held at the and creation of two discrete end of a day of fasting during the leadership roles has allowed more Muslim holy month of Ramadan. work to be completed but with two This event was kindly hosted by people sharing the load. The Cheadle Mosque & Community transition has been seamless, with Centre. Over a hundred people from Jonny Wineberg taking on the many faith backgrounds attended responsibilities and duties as Chair the event, with very strong of the Executive. The other reason is representation from the personal and I offer my heartfelt congregation of Yeshurun thanks to all those who have Synagogue in Cheadle. provided much appreciated support The audience was warmly and good wishes. welcomed by Rev Bob Day (Chair of The Referendum result was a FN4M), Councillor Heather Fletcher catalyst for an increase in hate (Co-Chair of MJF) and Arshad crime, directed seemingly at anyone Sheikh (Administrator of Cheadle who does not conform to the haters Mosque). ideals – a chilling reflection of times Speakers from other faiths Kwok Mei Yau (Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Chair), Chief Insp Umer Khan, gone by. Leaders of the Manchester talked about whether their religious Revd Bob Day (FN4M Chair), Rabbi Chanan Atlas, Cllr Carl Austin-Behan (Lord Local Authorities, Police and faith tradition includes fasting, and if so Mayor of Manchester), Jonny Wineberg (Rep Council Chairman), Rev Charles leaders met several times and all attended several of our constituent how it is practiced. The event was Kwaku-Odoi (FN4M Exec), MohammedAmin (Muslim Jewish Forum Co-Chair). signed a statement pledging organisations’AGMs and have been well supported by civic Rabbi Chanan Atlas of Yeshurun religious fasting traditions. The uniform support to “We Stand asked to speak at some, not only to representatives, including Cheadle Synagogue said “Tonight was a event brought us all together to Together” against hate crime. Each bring greetings but to give a little MP Mary Robinson. Short speeches meaningful expression of tolerance. deepen our understanding of each signatory can be held to account if insight in to what we do, why we do it on the need for unity and praising We all believe in different religions; other.” they fail to uphold this pledge. and why it is important to that the strength Manchester gains from have our own set of dogma or lack Jonny Wineberg, JRC Chair of Collabor8 took place in Bury in particular organisation. It is however diversity were given by Cllr Carl thereof; some of our convictions do Executive, told those assembled July. It was an initiative by Greater always interesting to hear the detail Austin-Behan, Lord Mayor of contradict each other’s. Yet despite that, “Such a show of unity across Manchester Police to bring together of what these varied bodies are Manchester; Ian Hopkins, Chief all that, our humanity, civility and faiths, at a time when discord in Statutory, Voluntary and Faith doing in our Community. Constable of Greater Manchester; shared values unite us in our call for being seen across the country, is so Groups to increase public We are blessed to have so many and Tony Lloyd, Greater tolerance and cooperation.” important. Huge credit should go to understanding of what we all do and fantastic organisations serving the Manchester Police and Crime Greater Manchester Chief the Cheadle Muslim Association what we offer. In the main hall there needs of our community. Some, but Commissioner and Interim Mayor. Constable Ian Hopkins said “This and the many other Mosques who were maybe 20 exhibitions staffed not all, have professional All the guests broke their fasts event helps communities to have opened their doors to their by a range of people all eager to managers, but each and every one on dates and water in the traditional understand the differences that we neighbours over Ramadan. answer questions and provide is admirably supported by its way and were then treated to halal all have and therefore to overcome Similarly, it was wonderful to see the information. Over 1,000 people volunteers. We are the envy of large Moroccan or kosher meals. There intolerance and to prevent hate.” response from Yeshurun attended and it will be repeated next sections of the wider community was a warm and friendly Buddhist speaker Ms May Yau Synagogue, with their Rabbi and year. Look out for details. and I am continually astounded by atmosphere throughout the said “I thought it was fabulous that many members participating as part As President of our what we achieve. evening. we could learn about different of a strong Jewish presence.” Representative Council, I have Shana Tova Education FriendshipAcrossFaiths Yearbookto Collaboration Filis Rosenberg, JRC Executive member and the The Chair of the Education Manchester Jewish Museum's delegate to the Council, RememberSydney Working Group, Jeremy describes her meeting with Chadlia Chouchani and her Michelson, had a very children, Hamza and Leena, when they visited the The JRC Yearbook 2016-17 will be dedicated in memory fruitful meeting with leaders Museum.