Community

It’s all red, white and blue

Edgware playgroup celebrate the Jubilee

Celebrations took place at Toddlers playgroup in Edgware for the Queen’s platinum Jubilee. The children made pictures of the Queen, flags and decorated their crowns with gem stones. The theme was red, white and blue. They even had scones and jam.

Football came home for Sacks Morasha

Sacks Morasha brings it home Sacks Morasha A team were the winners of the Maccabi GB inter school football tournament on Wednesday afternoon. The tournament which took place at Trent Park included teams from Jewish primary schools across North West London and Hertfordshire. Sacks Morasha beat Alma Primary school in the final to take home the trophy. Y6 teacher Mrs Slavin who came to support said “This was the first time the school has won the tournament and we are so proud of both the A and B teams. We are equally proud of their positive attitude and fair sportsmanship too.”

Greater Manchester Police brought in the Army Bomb Disposal team to make safe a cache of weapons found buried on Kersal Moor in the heart of the Jewish community in Salford. Several residents including some Jewish families had to be evacuated. All ended peacefully.

Laurence Smith has completed an eight-day 175 mile walk along Scotland’s West Highland Way and Great Glen Way.

He has so far raised more than half of his £5,000 fundraising target, and is continuing to receive donations. The challenge saw him camp outdoors, carrying his equipment weighing 13kg on the way, and trek across the Highlands to raise vital funds for Norwood.

Laurence was inspired by the care his son Jeremy receives in Norwood’s Adult Residential Services. He walked from Milgavnie just north of Glasgow, along the bank of Loch Lomond, via Glencoe and Fort William, along the Loch Ness into Inverness, walking 22 miles a day on average without any rest days.

Laurence says of his motivation for taking on the challenge, “There’s basic care taking need of someone’s medical and safeguarding needs. But my wife and I always wanted more than that for our son Jeremy and Norwood shared in our vision for him. The care that Norwood offers is several levels above standard care. We know that the people caring for him treat him as an individual and strive to support him to live his best possible life, not only

meeting his needs, but ensuring his likes and wants are respected. Jeremy celebrated his 30th birthday recently with a fabulous party thrown by his Norwood family, with not one but two cakes. It’s the little things like that which mean a huge amount to me as a parent and give me faith and trust in everything that Norwood does.” He added, “Carers receive very little recognition for the incredible work they do, but this is my way of shining Laurence Smith’s Norwood trek a light on their dedication. When I saw Cesar, Jeremy’s carer, I told him ‘I am doing this walk because of you, and as long as I’m able to do these kinds of challenges I’ll keep on doing them’.” Laurence wore a t-shirt during the challenge which artwork his son designed using EyeGaze technology provided by Norwood. Norwood helps children and families in crisis to anyone of any age with learning disabilities or autism. The charity touches the lives of thousands of people every year with support of the community including Gifts in Wills enabling them to continue vital work. Donations: https://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/laurence-smith5

A new Kinyan Hamesechta was formed in Manchester, led by Reb Moishe Akiva Brandeis at Ohr Yerushalayim. It meets daily at 6.30am.

Reb Moishe Akiva Brandies speaking at the launch of Kinyan Hamasechta

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL

Pajes hold Wellbeing event

PaJeS held an online Wellbeing & Me session last month for over 550 parents.

Dr Tara Porter, a clinical psychologist and writer, led the ‘Understanding girls: managing anxiety, navigating friendships and striving for perfection’ event.

Porter evaluated girls experiences today compared to the past, mental health challenges and the environment they grow up in. Differences included technological changes related to social media, expectations regarding education and workplace, global connectedness and competition.

Porter encouraged the audience to think about how family, friends, school, community and wider society impact youngsters as each can affect anxiety. She offered suggestions to cope with anxiety rather than try fix or exacerbate a problem, spoke about the importance of empathic listening and to avoid giving advice to solve problems.

Porter also answered questions on managing exam stress, peer pressure, being a ‘good enough’ parent and drawing the line between listening and advising.

Feedback was positive and further events are planned.

Nearly 100 men rally in Mallorca to raise funds for ‘Chana’

Chana’s car rally fundraisers

Chana the leading fertility charity in the UK was delighted to welcome back its’ annual Car Rally after a long 3-year break. Nearly 100 men were delighted to be back behind the wheel to drive the tough topics of infertility and loss into the spotlight. Rabbi Moshe Levy, guided the audience on a journey through the eyes of a couple suffering the loneliness and isolation of the Jewish calendar with no children by their side.

Johnny Marks one of Chana’s therapists read an emotional letter written by a Chana client detailing their heart-breaking journey through the loss of their baby daughter, their grief and Chana’s support towards their path of acceptance. In a room full of guests, overwhelmed with emotions, this honest and raw account openly highlighted the role Chana plays in holding couples through their most painful and lonely moments.

The aim of this year’s Car Rally was to launch the Illuminate fund. As the demand and strain on the NHS continue to increase, couples that suffer stillbirths, miscarriages and/or genetic issues have become hard to prioritise and continue to fall to the bottom of the list. Even those prepared to pursue private options face a maze of overwhelming information and are left floundering. They feel invisible to the system. As a direct result, many new couples in crisis are turning to Chana for urgent support. The Illuminate Fund shines a light on these invisible couples, and will allow Chana to open pathways to information, investigations and treatments, lighting the way through these challenging journeys.

This year’s Rally was generously sponsored by Arieli Capital from Israel as the headline sponsor together with associate sponsors, Reich Insurance, The Grapevine, Rykar, Teacher Stern Solicitors and family David Rosenberg.

MDA UK’s Hendon Committee host first face-to-face event since Covid-19

Last Wednesday Magen David Adom UK’s Hendon Committee hosted their first faceto-face event since the pandemic began. 70 guests attended a buffet lunch at Hendon United Synagogue, where MDA UK’s Chief Executive, Daniel Burger, spoke alongside keynote speaker Eric Shapiro, who told the fascinating story of the House of Rothschild.

In May, Magen David Adom unveiled its state-of-the-art Marcus National Blood Services Centre in Ramla, which was built over five years at a cost of £90 million and funded by a three-way partnership between MDA UK, American Friends of MDA and the Government of Israel. One contribution came from a generous legacy gift from artist Harry Fuld which included Nazi-restituted art, the first piece of which is now displayed in Frankfurt Jewish Museum, located in one of the Houses of Rothschild.

Over the last two years, MDA UK’s Hendon Committee has also raised an incredible £125,000 towards the Marcus National Blood Services Centre.

Seed Shul Reception

Rabbi Joey Grunfeld at the event

The Seed Shul in Edgware welcomed over 250 guests on Thursday evening for its official naming “Beis Moshe v’Chaya” - dedicated by the Grunfeld family in memory of Mr and Mrs M Grunfeld z”l. The occasion was also a celebration of over 40 years since Seed was founded by National Director Rabbi Joey Grunfeld, who is now moving from Golders Green to Manchester. Special guest Rabbi Yehudah Silver spoke about the eternal ability of the Jewish people to achieve the seemingly impossible, and challenged the new shul to constantly strive upwards and upwards. Rabbi Grunfeld said of the event: “I was so touched to see so many wonderful faces who have been such a big part of Seed over the years, some of whom I hadn’t seen since the 1990s!”

LSJS National Jewish Education Conference for Secondary School Teachers

Chief Rabbi Mirvis, Joanne Greenaway, Rachel Levitt Klein Dratch

On the 26th May LSJS held its third annual National Jewish Education Conference for Secondary School Teachers – but the first in person! Chief Rabbi Mirvis, LSJS President, opened the conference and spoke about the importance of appreciating good teachers.

The keynote address was given by Rachel Levitt Klein Dratch, Director of Educational Innovation at Prizmah in the United States, looked at ‘Covid, the hi-tech revolution and my classroom: Where does Jewish education go from here?’. Rachel also spent time visiting several Jewish schools and speaking to the Heads of Jewish Studies of the Secondary schools.

Avi Posen, Senior Director for Education, at Unpacked for Educators also presented break out sessions which focused on how to teach the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the philosophy of Israel education.

Joanne Greenaway, LSJS Chief Executive, said “It was so wonderful to have secondary school Jewish Studies teachers altogether in one room to learn from Rachel, to share ideas and more importantly to have the opportunity to discuss new approaches that can help our children feel even more engaged with their Jewish studies. We really appreciate all the talented and dedicated teachers coming together and contributing to a very thought-provoking day.”

Ariella Pinsky, Leeds Jewish Free School, said “the conference was really fantastic! Thank you!”