News

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

The Blue and White Ball to celebrate Israel's 60th Birthday on Sunday 22nd June was a huge success, and congratulations to all involved in organising it.

On July 20-25, the Manchester University Centre for Jewish Studies is holding a Judaicafest, which combines the conferences of the British Association for Jewish Studies (on the theme "Normative Judaism"), The Jewish Law Association, and a colloquium on "Jewish Culture in the Age of Globalisation".

Then the weekend of August 22-25 is Limmudfest: organised by Limmud, British Jewry's pre-eminent educational organisation, Fest takes place in the Peak District and includes a varied programme of education and entertainment and the chance to enjoy some lovely countryside. Bursaries and discounts for students or volunteers available.

CHAVUROT

Our regular Friday night Chavurah suppers have been a great success, but in order to suit the majority of attendees, we are experimenting with the date and format. We are going to move them to the third Friday of each month, and will take the form of an extended Kiddush, rather than a full meal, after  the service, so from about 7 pm. Please bring a vegetarian food contribution if you can (but don't worry if you can't). 

150th ANNIVERSARY

2007 - 2008 has been our 150th Anniversary: for full details, click here. Successful events to commemorate this have included last summer's 'Victorian' themed family service, guest sermons from David Jacobs, and Rabbis Brian Fox, Norman Zalud, Michael Shire, Michael Hilton and Sybil Sheridan, the Jubilee lecture by Rabbi Toviah Ben Chorin on last June, the Garden Party last July and the civic service last February, addressed by Rabbi Dr Tony Bayfield, Chief Executive and Head of the Reform Movement. We have also held our guest lecture series on the theme of the role of religion in today's secular society.

ADULT EDUCATION

Adult education has taken off in a big way at Jackson's Row during the last year and returned on 31 March for 6 weeks (no class 5 May). Full details here. 

BUILDING REDEVELOPMENT

The building redevelopment proposal has now proceeded to the stage where we have signed an agreement with developers to redevelop the Synagogue building, although there has been a delay caused by the current economic situation. You can find out more here with an update from the Shul President and the press release about the development. We will keep you posted as matters progress.

HISTORY PROJECT

For an update on our history project, including how you can help, click here. We have now started conducting oral history interviews - our thanks to those who have taken part - and these are continuing. We have also now lodged the Synagogue's historical records at the City Archives for safe-keeping and so they are accessible for historical research. Please do get in touch if you would like to help out with interviews, or providing memorabilia.

BBC FEATURE

Follow this link for a recent BBC website feature on the Shul and on our Rabbi and a Rabbi's day in pictures.