JLife Manchester July-August 2023

Summer Essentials

Everything you need to kickstart your summer from latest fashion trends to yoga and bike routes. Starts page 8.

Top and Bottom

Ramsbottom offers a great summer day out. Starts page 34.

Bar Mitzvah Special

We take a look at photos from days gone by, top tips, twinning programmes, and a tech gift guide. Starts page 44.

YOUR REGULARFEATURES

JLife Meets…

CEO and Founder of Ripple, Sarah Merrick, tells us about cheap, sustainable home energy. Page 26.

Mozzarella’s Ben Katsav is ready to whip up some amazing Italian ice cream at the new Glida. Page 42.

David Cohen, Sleepy the Magical Bear Producer, on his film raising funds for the NHS. Page 60.

Maxim Cohen introduces the new Jewish Lending Institute. Page 64.

Event Planner, Amy Cowan, on the importance of work/life balance. Page 66.

Rob Clayton, photographer extraordinaire, on how to get started in photography on World Photography Day. Page 76.

Community

Check out the latest news, events, and simchas across the community. Starts page 12.

Life in Plastic

Ahead of the Barbie film we take a look at the inspiring history of the world’s favourite doll. Page 24.

School’s Out!

Fun family days out for the summer holidays. Page 38.

PUBLISHER'SNOTE

So much to talk about as we hit summer holidays with our latest collection of community and lifestyle especially for you! A trip to Ramsbottom for a summer’s day out, or whether its yoga or bike rides for you, get out and about and enjoy the weather!

July edition means Bar & Bat Mitzvah, we’ve tips, twinning ideas, gifts and a look back over the last 12 months of your

Simchas. Plus some great interviews including inspirational Holocaust survivor Ernie Hunter. We are saving you cash from the wind, learning about kosher lending and some amazing Israeli tech revolutionising the medical world. All of this and you can win a luxury stay over at the beautiful Mercure Dunkenhalgh, so enter now! Enjoy, and don’t forget to link in with us on our socials, updated daily.

Competitions

Win a spirit portrait of your family member from renowned artist Degard. Page 17.

Win an overnight stay for two including two spa treatments from Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa. Page 55.

Doctor When

Take a look at the Israeli tech platform cutting down waiting times in the mental health sector. Page 67.

Media Preview

The latest TV, books, and films to keep you hooked. Page 74.

Elliot Landy

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Stephanie du Preez

FEATURES EDITOR

Emily Stone

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Katerina Hough

DIGITAL MARKETING

Tracey Cleminson

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Rob Clayton Photography: Robclaytonphotography.co.uk

Tanya Duman Photography

Lawrence Purcell

Claire Bartfield Photography

CONTRIBUTORS

CAYP Child Psychology

Elaine Bermitz

PICK UP YOUR COPY OF JLIFE AT: Asda (Pilsworth, Radcliffe); Booths Hale Barns; Boyko; Brackmans; Celia’s Kitchen; Dunham Forest Golf Club; Heathlands; JS; Jackson’s Row Synagogue; Kosher City; Let’s Fress Deli; Lulu’s Kitchen Cheadle; Maccabi Centre; Menorah Synagogue (Sharston); One Stop (Bury); Sainsbury’s (Altrincham, Cheadle Hulme, Heaton Park; Sainsbury’s Local (Hale, Prestwich); State Fayre Bakery and Café; Tesco (East Didsbury, Prestwich, Cheetham Hill); Tesco Express (Prestwich, Didsbury, Hale, Cheadle Hulme, Wilmslow); Tesco Extra (Altrincham, Bury, Handforth); Total Fitness; United Co-op (Altrincham, Unsworth); Whitefield Golf Club; WM Morrisons (Whitefield).

Sarah Merrick

Amy Cowan

Rob Clayton

Handelsbanken

MODS Optical

Or Ribon

Marc Levy

Rabbi Greg Bank

Urologyclinics.co.uk

Shenderey Events

Alexander Knight & Co

Maxim Cohen

Julie Burniston

PMB Whitefield

Jay Simon

David Cohen

Dr Dekel Taliaz

Nicky Kelvin

AND THE WINNERS ARE… Lesley Maitra won a spa day at Mottram Hall! Justine Agnew bagged a free eye examination from Optimyze Health.

TAL DOBKIN WAS RECENTLY CALLED UP AT WHITEFIELD SHUL!

HE WAS SUPPORTED BY HIS TEACHER AS HE READ FROM THE TORAH AND WORE HIS TEFILLIN FOR THE FIRST TIME.

AFTERWARDS HE WAS SURROUNDED BY FAMILY TO CELEBRATE HIS SPECIAL DAY.

TALI MORYOUSSEF CELEBRATED HER BAT MITZVAH AT HER HOME IN HALE.

REBECCA BOR AND DAVID LEWIS TIED THE KNOT AT THE DUNKENHALGH HOTEL IN BLACKBURN.

AFTER THE OUTDOOR CEREMONY THEY DANCED AMONG FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

RUBY GLASKIE AND ARTHUR CAPLIN WERE RECENTLY MARRIED AT NUNSMERE HALL. THEY PARTIED INTO THE NIGHT AFTER THE CEREMONY WITH A LIVE BAND.

ALL PHOTOS: ROB CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPHY

In front of a packed Heys School in Prestwich, Maccabi’s dancers pulled out all the moves from the jive and the samba to the cha cha and the quickstep. The judge’s winner on the night was Dalia Warwick, dancing rock and roll to Proud Mary, with Carolien Lesser cha cha-ing her way to the audience vote. The night also featured a performance from theatre school, Footlights, and of course, the famous Maccabi raffle.

Adam Jackson, Centre Manager at Maccabi said, “I’ve been involved with this event for several years now and this must go down as one of the best. The energy and effort from our dancers really shone through and they did an amazing job of entertaining the crowd on the night.

“Thanks, must also go to Jane Clynes and all the volunteers on the night, who without them, we couldn’t put on these amazing community events.”

The support towards the event was evident as just under £17,000 was raised. Maccabi is currently undergoing a major refurbishment and all the funds will be used towards ensuring we can continue to provide much needed activities and service to the community.

THE DANCING STRICTLY CLASS OF 2023

This year’s Dancing Strictly was a sellout evening as Maccabi’s all female lineup wowed the crowd with their fancy footwork.

NATASHA GOLDSTONE AND PARTNER SIMON RICHARDSON

NIKKI BENZEQUEN AND PARTNER SIMON RICHARDSON

HELENA WILLIAMS AND PARTNER HARRY SURPLUS

THIS YEAR’S WINNERS CAROLIEN LESSER (LEFT) AND DALIA WARWICK (RIGHT)

Check out these hot summer fashion recommendations.

Joy of Summer Dress

Joe Browns | £65

A gorgeous colourful summer dress, this lightweight maxi dress with three-quarter sleeves is perfect for hot summer weather from day to night.

Blue Shaping Swimsuit

George | £16

With a wrap-around bust and ruched sides this one-piece swimming costume is simply elegant making it flattering for all body types. The sizing goes from size eight to 30 and it also comes in two other colours, black and orange.

Asda.com/George

Men's Navy Geometric Print Swim

Shorts | Threadbare £15.99

The home of stylish swimwear for men, Threadbare has an excellent selection of premium swim shorts made from 100% recycled polyester. The shorts have a mesh inner lining for comfort and support when swimming and their elasticated waistband has drawstrings for an adaptable size, sizes run from small to double extra large.

Threadbare.com

Ava Sunglasses | Fat Face |

£22

The Ava sunglasses are a beautiful blush shade in a soft cat-eye shape. A change from black or brown sunnies, the neutral pink colour goes with every outfit and provides a softer alternative to darker shades. Thanks to their thicker than normal frame, they’ll be comfortable all day long. Fatface.com

Featuring a contrasting stripe design, this teal green cotton t-shirt is lightweight and perfect for summer barbeques. Wear on its own or with a shirt overtop. Fatface.com

Family clothing business Skopes celebrates its 75th anniversary alongside Israel.

FASHION CONSCIOUS

innovation, which were cherished by his family before him. Simon has been at the helm for three decades and has continued his commitment to the environment and supporting local charities.

Family is at the heart of renowned formalwear provider Skopes. Founded by Sydney Cope in 1948, Skopes has a deep connection to an area synonymous for men's clothing production. Despite its modest beginnings, Sydney's meticulous attention to detail allowed his small factory to flourish. He sourced the finest fabrics from Huddersfield and Bradford mills, and his skilled team crafted top-quality tailored trousers. These garments were supplied to leading men's fashion retailers and department stores of that era.

After Sydney, his son Geoffrey took over and made a significant contribution by introducing readily available collections. The company continued to thrive under his leadership. His son Simon Cope, the current Managing Director, has upheld the family values of fairness, respect, and

FAMILY SNAPS..

Alongside Israel, the brand is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and continues to thrive on the foundations upon which it was built. With a long and rich history behind it, Skopes is now looking to protect our planet with a collaboration with Lyfcycle.

Lyfcycle is tackling fast fashion by making a difference in the way clothing is sourced and manufactured, bringing transparency to the forefront of fashion. In partnership with Lyfcycle, through its dedicated process in Bangladesh, Skopes has produced a range of eco-suits, made from recycled plastic. In each suit, 45 recycled plastic bottles will be used.

Skopes worked with Lyfcycle to design the perfect sustainable collection, with every detail considered to minimise the product’s environmental impact and maximise the social impact. The suits launched in 2020 and since then the eco range has led to over 1.5 million plastic bottles being recycled to

create the polyester content for the suits. As part of Skopes’ ongoing commitment to transparency, you can track the entire supply chain of each suit by scanning its QR code, allowing you to see its journey from raw material to finished product!

Of course, just because the new range is eco-friendly, that doesn’t mean that the style is compromised. Skopes’ Lyfcycle Eco Range contains the same sharp styles the brand is known for, including the sleek Romulus Slim Jacket, a single breasted two buttoned fastening in slim fitting, featuring geo printed lining with twin side vents, with matching waistcoat and trousers available. The range is available to be custom tailored so you can look sharp and save the planet at the same time.

You can see the full range of suits online, or visit the stores at Boundary Mills in Colne or House of Fraser, Manchester. Here's to Skopes looking after our planet and our community for another 75 years and beyond!

Skopes.co.uk

SKOPES MD SIMON COPE

SIMON’S MOTHER BARBARA WAS A KEEN HORSERIDER

SIMON WITH HIS LATE BROTHER JAMIE

SYDNEY COPE, FOUNDER OF SKOPES, TOGETHER WITH HIS WIFE TOBY MET A YOUNG KING CHARLES

SIMON WITH WIFE NATASHA, DAUGHTER OLIVIA & SON HARLEY

With PMB Car Care Centre, Whitefield

Welcome to JLife’s summer motoring column!

Air conditioning? Is yours cold and up to speed in our increasing temperatures? An air conditioning service is a simple repair, a re-gas is a common necessity and also a full system check prior.

This checks for leaks ensuring the re-gas system is leak free. The system check is important because if there is a leak you will lose the new gas provided.

There are many companies who will visit you at home to re-gas with minimal inconvenience to you! Prices vary between £50 to £80. Also air conditioning sanitiser kills odours and renders the system fresh

Cool It MOTORING

and smelling great, and as a bonus, it’s relatively cheap too.

Services should be done for summer driving, including coolant change and full inspection if you are using the vehicle for holidays or longer travel, tyres are very important!

For our readers travelling this summer, ensure your breakdown cover is correct, and we always advise you get home relay cover.

Long traffic jams are common in summer, but it’s made a lot easier with peace of mind that the vehicle is working well and a breakdown company

is at hand, so take note and enjoy the warm weather with confidence

All the best from Paul, Rachel, and Tom at PMB Whitefield!

Pmbgarage.com

Here at PMB we have made huge changes to improve our standard of customer and vehicle service.

Prices across the board have risen but we ensure we remain competitive by cross referencing pricing from suppliers for the correct products. We do not cut corners.

This has brought huge client confidence and support, together with the care and service offered by our team.

BATTERIES WITH WARRANTIES

Our Management Team includes Paul Thornton, Co Owner and Senior Service Manager, Rachel, Senior Manager and Colin, Senior Technician. And the future is bright at PMB, Thomas Thornton, our Junior Technical Assistant is currently training through 123 NVQ and learning well from his dad!

Camp Simcha Sibling Retreat Unites Children

The siblings of seriously ill children supported by Camp Simcha enjoyed a break from the pressures of home on the charity’s annual sibling residential retreat. The three-day residential at Green Park Centre in Aylesbury, gave the children aged eight to 12 an opportunity to be with others who understand their situation while enjoying a packed schedule of activities which were all about them.

The itinerary – which included archery, low ropes, wall climbing, abseiling, Happy Puzzle Company, arts and crafts, and campfire circle time – was designed to combine fun with team building, challenge, and opportunities to share.

Ten-year-old Riva Fernandez from Prestwich was attending for the second time. Her brother Otto, 20 months, has Allagille Syndrome which causes liver disease and affects his heart. Their mother Mel said: “She absolutely loved all the activities and got on really well with the girl she shared a room with. They are now looking forward to seeing each other again soon at the Camp Simcha residential family retreat.

“Riva really appreciated being with other children in her situation; she said they talked about their ill siblings, and it was comforting to know that there are others who were going through similar things that she can now talk to.”

Community Hub Renamed The Nicky

Manchester’s leading community base for senior and retired members of the community, formerly known as The Nicky Alliance Centre, is now going to be known officially as The Nicky.

David Delew, Chief Executive said: “The Nicky has evolved over the years from an organisation for the visually impaired, to a wonderful facility that enhances the social life of so many of our community.

“We’ve been called The Nicky Alliance Care Centre, The Nicky Alliance Community Centre, and The Nicky Alliance Centre. We are still all of these things, but much more. The public knows us affectionately as The Nicky and that is how we will present ourselves in the future.”

JAMH Awarded for Community Commitment

Jewish Action for Mental Health recently received a #WeStandTogether Award for its outstanding partnership with other communities.

In the previous year JAMH has extended its mental health services to the Muslim and Sikh communities along with its

partner organisation, Neshomo, and the involvement of L’Chaim Foodbank. With the three organisations working together it was able to offer cross-referral between food and mental health services to better target those in need.

JAMH has exciting future plans ahead to host multi-faith youth activities, a women’s group, and a community cooking group. Additionally, a certificate of appreciation was awarded to JAMH Treasurer and Trustee Bernard Yardley from Bury Voluntary Community and Faith Alliance. Nominated by his fellow trustees for his work managing accounts and heading JAMH’s information systems, Bernard said: “JAMH is changing lives and saving lives in Bury and beyond, and I am proud and excited to be a part of the organisation.”

Fed and Nicky Collaborate on Benefits Awareness

The Fed and The Nicky have announced a series of surgeries in which they will help people understand their opportunities for benefits and other entitlements. The action comes after it identified a lack of awareness in the Jewish community.

Based at The Nicky, professional advisers from The Fed will be meeting people one to one. Topics of advice include, how to maximise income through a benefits check, how to access support in relation to health and social care issues, and whether someone qualifies for grants or benefits during the cost-of-living crisis.

David Delew, Nicky Chief Executive said: “Both organisations realised that many of the senior members of our community were not aware of their entitlements, and many were also spending too much time alone, unaware of the social facilities available to them locally.

“We are inviting people to find solutions to a range of issues which will improve their lifestyles. We are also offering up to 100 free taster days.”

Shul Searches for LifeSaving Stem Cells

SHAARE Hayim Congregation recently held a screening session to help the search for a stem cell donor for a Jewish man suffering from a rare blood cancer in London.

James, known only by his first name to the congregation, has myelofibrosis – an uncommon bone marrow cancer which disrupts the body’s regular production of blood cells of which the median survival rate is six years.

His only chance of successful treatment is if he can secure a bone marrow transplant to acquire the stem cells needed to fight

the cancer. The Jewish community in Hale Barns decided to help his search since someone who matches his tissue type is far more likely to be Jewish.

To find out if their tissue is a match, the congregation encouraged people to do a simple swab test, much like an at-home COVID test, the test requires you to brush the inside of the mouth with a cotton swab.

Mental Health Awareness Evening

Neshomo, a confidential Jewish mental health charity for matching adults with all types of mental health problems to bespoke befriending or mentoring support, held a mental health awareness evening at Prestwich Hebrew Synagogue with over 100 guests in attendance.

Welcomed by the trustees’ chairman, Dr David Marshall, the evening hosted five mental health professionals including: Therapist, Nechama Rechnitzer; Clinical Psychologists, Dr Helen Stevens and Dr Yehuda Marshall; Counselling Psychologist, Tamar Tabor; and Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr James Glass.

It turned out to be a popular event, with guests already asking Neshomo to host another similar event in the future.

Trek Raises £32,000 for The Fed

In support of The Fed’s My Voice Project, 15 volunteers walked 90 km in just two days raising over £32,000.

Walking from the site of the former Theresienstadt concentration camp to Prague, the group followed in the footsteps of the Windemere Children, many of whom came from the camp to England at the end of the Second World War.

When they arrived at Theresienstadt the team presented the My Voice storybooks of Ike Alterman, Abraham Pawlaswksi, and Sam Laskier (all of whom were liberated at the camp) to Jan Roubinet the Director of the Terezin Museum.

Ike’s granddaughter Danni Weiner said: “The biggest memory I will take away is handing over my grandpa’s book at Theresienstadt. I will cherish this forever.”

The funds raised will be used to continue the My Voice project which ensures that more Holocaust survivor stories are published and that the educational awareness programmes My Voice is partnered with continue to grow.

Danielle Jeffries, Fed Next Generation Project Leader and the youngest trekker, said: “The best part has been completing more than 90 km together as a group. Our determination and perseverance really mirrors that of the incredible humans whose footsteps we followed in.”

Community Heart of the BUILDING SUCCESS

Citizens Design Bureau, the architects behind Manchester Jewish Museum’s 2021 redevelopment project won not one but two awards at the 2023 RIBA UK Awards: the RIBA North West Award 2023 and RIBA North West Project Architect of the Year 2023 for Director Katy Marks and Candice Moore.

Manchester Jewish Museum officially reopened in 2021 after a two-year redevelopment project. A large team of specialist organisations and contractors, including architects, structural engineers, exhibition designers, conservation

consultants, historic painters, and stained glass window restoration experts, have been involved in this major project, funded in part by a £3 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Corten clad façade lights up at night like a beacon on Cheetham Hill Road, with the light shining through the intricate patterns that mirror the designs by the Spanish and Portuguese synagogue’s original architect, Edward Salomons.

The gallery, designed by All Things, showcases a stunning collection based around three universal themes of journeys,

A COVETED INVITE

JAMH was recently invited to the King’s coronation party at Buckingham Palace.

JAMH’s innovative multifaith work has earned them recognition from King Charles III. JAMH recently ran an innovative six month project funded by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) that involved replicating their successful model of mental health support to the Sikh and Muslim communities. In addition, the new project created stronger referral routes for those using food banks to access free counselling and therapy.

Jonny Wineberg who led on the project said: “This was a great honour for JAMH that recognised the amazing work of all our partners in tackling both food poverty and mental health across different communities. To be alongside so many other diverse community activists at this event in the Palace Garden was both inspiring and humbling.”

JAMH was invited to attend the

Manchester Jewish Museum's architects win two RIBA Awards 2023 for the outstanding project of the museum's new building.

communities, and identities, sharing the stories of Jewish Manchester with the world. The new space welcomes and reflects the diversity of Manchester’s Jewish communities and the museum’s local community, creating a space for sharing and connection.

Coronation Garden Party at Buckingham Palace by the DLUHC after Minister for Faith, Baroness Jane Scott's recent visit to see the project. Three representatives from JAMH were invited – Chair and Co-Founder Dr Sandi Mann, Trustee; Trustee and Project Lead Jonny Wineberg; and JAMH Co-Founder and Project Manager Kate Lurie. They were each permitted a plus one: Kate took husband Michael while Sandi and Jonny both took their mothers Pat Mann and Norma Wineberg – both of whom have clocked up decades of active community service themselves. Sandi said: “JAMH has had an incredible impact on the mental health of our community in the past four years and is now working with other communities too. It is only four years since JAMH was established in response to tragic suicides in the Jewish community. For us to be

recognised and acknowledged by the government and royal family like this is a great achievement and testament to the hard work of all our Trustees and staff.”

Although the newly crowned King did not actually attend the Garden Party as planned, the Prince and Princess of Wales were there in his place.

Kate said: “The event was a marvellous experience and a great way for JAMH to raise its profile. I was honoured to represent my charity.”

The JAMH attendees were fed royally with kosher sandwiches and cakes on sealed china plates. Sandi said: “It is good to know that the royal family is inclusive and welcoming to Jewish guests. Requesting kosher food was not a straightforward process so it was a wonderful surprise to find that we were catered for.”

MEMBERS OF THE LEAGUE OF JEWISH WOMEN WERE INVITED BY LORD PICKLES TO AN AFTERNOON TEA AT THE HOUSE OF LORDS TO CELEBRATE THE ORGANISATION’S 80TH ANNIVERSARY.

ROSALIND LEVENE AND AVERILL MOORE, JOINT CHAIRMEN OF THE NORTH WEST REGION LJW, POSE WITH LORD PICKLES AND YVONNE BRENT, CHAIRMAN OF HEAD OFFICE LONDON LJW.

JRC Announce Awards Evening Date

The Greater Manchester Jewish Community Awards has announced its award ceremony will be held on 7th September, giving back to those who inspire the Manchester Jewish community.

The award categories this year are: Volunteer of the Year, Volunteering Team of the Year, Young Volunteer of the Year (under 18), Communal Employee of the Year, Friend of the Community, Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement, Special Recognition, and Emergency Response.

The Community Awards is an opportunity to award individuals, teams, and organisations who have gone above and beyond in giving their time and expertise to the Manchester Jewish community.

Sha a’rei Shalom Adds New Community Events

Recently Sha a’rei Shalom has added a regular coffee morning at its usual spot at Elms Street, hosted by its friends from Jacksons Row. All are welcome to attend the get together to meet old friends and make new ones.

Each Monday at Elms Street Sha a’rei Shalom has its Little Music Stars Events, an opportunity for children from three months to four years to get involved in music and movement sessions. Classes are £6 with a 50% off sibling discount and you can have a trial session for £4.

Sha a’rei Shalom is also very proud to continue supporting Prestwich Street Kitchen food bank, it’s always very grateful to community members for their donations of tinned and dried goods which, together with toiletries, are much appreciated.

Jewish Studies Teacher Appointed Rabbi at Mizrachi

Head of Jewish Studies at King David High School, Rabbi Benji Rickman, has been appointed as the new rabbi of Manchester Mizrachi, Zionist Jewish educational organisation.

Mizrachi UK was founded in 1902 with the common belief that the Torah should be at the centre of Zionism with Jewish nationalism being used as a tool for achieving religious objectives. Mizrachi UK Chief Executive, Rabbi Andrew Shaw said: “We need to make sure that people in the Diaspora are strongly Jewish and Zionist.”

Rabbi Rickman who will be taking on his new role at Mizrachi UK alongside his fulltime roll at King David High School said: “I am delighted to join Mizrachi and to be able

to build on the work of my predecessors to provide authentic programmes based on Torat Eretz Yisreael, working in conjunction with all the communities across Manchester and the North.”

Local Actress to Star in London Musical

Manchester Jewish Musical Theatre Actress Harriet Caplan-Dean has been cast in a production of The Coffee Shop Musical, a new show being staged at London’s The Other Palace.

Harriet has just ended a run in the UK tour of Six the Musical, a musical about Henry VIII’s six wives. Harriet was the dance captain in the 2022-23 UK tour of the show, also acting as an understudy for the role of Catherine Parr on the tour. She played her last performance for Six in May of this year in the role of Catherine Parr.

The Coffee Shop Musical, by Leo Mercer and Steven Hyde, is set in the year 6421 and features two robots narrating a documentary about humans after their extinction.

Named Best Musical at Manchester Fringe 2022, the production will also be shown in Manchester and Nottingham.

JNF UK Launch Leadership Programme

Jewish National Fund (JNF) UK has launched its second Fellowship Programme to cultivate the next generation of Jewish leaders.

The second launch follows the success of the programme’s first installation in 2021, which included 11 student participants taking a 15-month course including some visits from high calibre speakers and ending in a trip to Israel.

Led by Michael Cohen, the programme this year will provide a selection of Year 12 students from across England an opportunity to engage in Israel-centric educational activities and leadership training with additional networking training opportunities. Like the previous cohort, these students will also be granted a trip to Israel at the end of the course.

Interim Chief Executive at JNF UK, Elan Gorji says: “Our community comprises an array of inspirational individuals, and we hope that the JNF UK Israel Fellowship Programme will enable our future leaders to learn from them and follow in their footsteps.”

Fed Awarded for Inclusive Coronation Events

The Fed has been named winner of the coronation Community of the Year Award in a competition run by National Activity Providers Association and the National Care Forum. The award recognised the charity for providing a care service that went above and beyond to celebrate the coronation.

The Fed was awarded £1,000 which will help fund music therapy for residents of Heathlands Village by David Robinson of charity Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Foundation.

Joyce Khan, The Fed’s Marketing and Communications Manager, said: “We’re over the moon and even a little embarrassed by the praise heaped on us by both organisations. A large part of our approach involves finding ways to counter loneliness and social isolation and to improve people’s wellbeing. So, when the coronation date was confirmed, we got our skates on in our usual way and planned no less than seven glorious events for young and old and inbetween!”

Teachers Committed to Learning About ADHD

Teachers representing Jewish schools in Manchester recently attended the Wellstyle Community Hub – ADHD Support Centre – which aims to provide comprehensive support services for diagnosed and undiagnosed children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD.

The session was led by Dov BenyaacovKurtzman, Chief Executive of Eden Wellstyle, who aimed to enlighten the teachers, improving their understanding of ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and how it can affect children during lessons and during their educational progression.

Dov said: “ADHD manifests uniquely in each child, resulting in a wide array of symptoms.” Which is why the dedicated team at Wellstyle Community Hub consists of ADHD coaches, therapists, behavioural specialists, ADHD nurses and many other professionals who are all committed to improving the quality of life of those affected by the disorder.

ALL PHOTOS BY TANYA DUMAN

BENNY KAYE RECENTLY WAS CALLED UP AT YOUNG LUBAVITCH ON SINGLETON ROAD. HE WAS SURROUNDED BY FAMILY ON HIS SPECIAL DAY.

YACOV CAPLAN WAS RECENTLY BAR MITZVAHED AT SHRUBBERIES. HIS RECEPTION WAS AT THE HILTON SUITE WHERE HE CELEBRATED AMONG FAMILY.

SIVAN HASSELTON CELEBRATED HER BAT MITZVAH AT HER HOME IN BROUGHTON PARK. SHE WAS JOINED BY HER VERY PROUD SIBLINGS.

LOST IN THE

HOLOCAUST

Renowned artist Degard details her search for her lost ancestors and how this has influenced her art.

Degard is researching her ancestral history and, horrifically, has discovered that she has lost 27 members of her direct family in concentration camps. Before she started looking for relatives on Ancestry.com she had no idea these people ever existed. She discovered aunts and uncles all over Europe who had been scattered and murdered by the Nazi killing machine.

Degard’s experience as a child was that there was very little ‘real’ family. She has no first or second cousins, and only one aunt. As a child there were her grandparents, her mother, father, and aunt: a mini family. With the discovery of all these missing and murdered relatives, she became aware of how large and abundant her family could and would have been if the Holocaust had not happened.

This has been a profound personal loss for Degard which helps explains her feelings of loneliness as a child. She also is aware that there are thousands who have suffered the same loss, loneliness and lack of ‘real’ family.

Through Ancestry she could find only the name, date of birth, place of birth and death of her ancestors. She longed to meet them. She learnt a technique in a single class with the visionary artist June ElleniLane at The College of Psychic Studies. Degard realised that the only way to meet her ancestors again was to create spirit portraits of them.

What is a spirit portrait? Spirit portraits capture and represent the energetic essence of individuals, often deceased or absent. These portraits are not meant to be literal depictions of physical appearances, although there are always faces which appear, but rather visual representations of the spiritual and energetic presence of the subject. While appearing in distinctly human form, they also capture something of the nature of the subjects that have long since passed away.

Degard believes that each individual had a distinct energetic signature or vibration that can be accessed and portrayed through

her artistic process. Through her intuitive abilities and connection to other realms of consciousness, she aims to channel the essence and aura of the subject onto the canvas. This process involves intense focus, meditation and an attunement to the transcendent energies surrounding the individual. In this way, she is able to bring back to life something of the character and nature of her ancestors lost in the Holocaust. She seeks to give them a place in history.

The spirit portraits created by Degard are characterised by intricate patterning, vibrant colours and abstract compositions. These visual elements are not random but rather intended to convey the energetic qualities and vibrational frequencies she perceives within the subject’s aura.

With each portrait, she produces a small accompanying book which describes what the aura means for that person’s nature or character. She is keen to state she is not a medium but hopes she channels her relatives accurately, depicting them as they would have been before their lives were cruelly cut short.

In the 20th century, Spirit Portraits were considered deeply personal and often served as tools for healing and selfreflection. Degard believes that by engaging with these portraits, individuals can access the energetic essence of the subject and experience a profound connection. The portraits are intended to evoke emotions, insights and transformative experiences. They enable viewers to connect with the transcendental dimensions beyond the physical realm. This process of finding her ancestors in portraiture has certainly been a profoundly connecting experience.

We would love to know your stories and bring to life your ancestors with a spirit portrait of them. Let’s work together to bring your beloved back into view. Degard.org

COMPETITION

Visit Jlifemagazine.co.uk to take a quiz and win an evocative spirit portrait of one of your ancestors.

Enter online at Jlifemagazine.co.uk/ competitions-5 or by post to JLife Ltd, Unit 7, Gemini Business Park, Sheepscar Way, Leeds, LS7 3JB. Please ensure your entry includes your name, address, daytime telephone number, and email address. The winners will be randomly selected on the closing date: 18th August 2023

Terms and conditions apply: Prize is non-refundable and cannot be exchanged. When entering the competition online you have the option to not be entered in JLife and Degard’s databases in order to be contacted about news, promotions, and special offers. Postal entry data will not be saved. Publisher’s decision is final.

Community Heart of the HAPPY DAYS

Chief Rabbi Mirvis recently opened the new Jewish Hub for Brighton and Hove, with a jampacked Shabbaton weekend of celebration, inspiration, and gratitude.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim and Valerie Mirvis were welcomed by BNJC CEO Marc Sugarman, Rabbi Hershel Rader of the Brighton and Hove Hebrew Congregation and project sponsor Tony Bloom, to officially open the Jewish Community hub aimed at revitalising Jewish life in the town.

Over 200 people were in attendance of the event including local Jewish community leaders, local residents, and members of Sussex Police and Brighton Council, who enjoyed a reception and L’Chaim to celebrate the stunning new space. This was followed by speeches in the outstanding new synagogue, by Chief Rabbi Mirvis, Brighton and Hove Albion Chairman, Tony Bloom,

BNJC CEO Marc Sugarman, BHHC Rabbi Hershel Rader, and BNJC Trustee Natasha Isaac.

Concluding the event was the official ribbon cutting ceremony outside the Sapphire Tube Wall by Chief Rabbi Mirvis, followed by the crowd spontaneously joining together in song to David Melech Yisrael, marking the historic start of a new chapter for the Jewish community in Brighton and

Hove.

After the Grand Opening Ceremony, The Chief Rabbi stayed on to enjoy a Shabbat with the Brighton Jewish community, accommodated in one of the brand-new homes build on-site the community hub, and with delicious kosher food catered by Novellino Brighton restaurant.

Visit our website Bnjc.co.uk

A MOUTHFUL OF HUMOUR

Manchester dentist Dr David Cohen has led a life stranger than fiction, causing him to put pen to paper and share with the world his funny, unusual, and unbelievable tales.

David Cohen was born and raised in Manchester, his career in dental practice spans almost fifty years, most recently specialising in endodontics, but along the way he has been a postman, an unofficial tour guide and a chauffeur.

Although his patients might see Dr David Cohen as just a dentist, he is also a grandpa, a motorcyclist, a pescetarian, an advanced motorist, an offshore boat captain, and a pilot who has no head for heights. He is also a collector. His collections are many and varied, some quite unusual, but the one that’s most evident here is his life-long gathering of anecdotes. These have sprung from his

college days and work life, in which a patient or colleague might take the lead role, such as the unfortunate lady patient he was accused of murdering; they have evolved from his many business trips, describing some pretty hair-raising possibilities, including being eaten alive by giant lizards in the desert scape of Arizona, and finding himself engulfed in the flames of a burning hotel when he slept through the fire alarm.

As David tells all in his book, his travels on life’s crazy-paved path have provided him with many tales to tell, and when he has regaled those he met along the way with these little stories, (every one of which is true) some have told him, “Oh, you should write a book!”. And now he has.

A Mouthful of Humour by David Cohen is available from Pegasus Elliot MacKenzie Publishers Ltd Pegasuspublishers.com

Perfume Mist | Sol de Janeiro

240ml | £35

With the appearance and smell of sunshine in a bottle, fans are addicted to this paradise scented body spray-style perfume. With top notes of pistachio and almond and base notes of vanilla, salted caramel, and sandalwood, this perfume smells tropical without a sickly-sweet element. The scent to the popular Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, fans of the product loved the fragrance so much Sol de Janeiro made it its own perfume mist. For a scent which follows you, Sol de Janeiro’s secret tip is to spritz a little in your hair!

Boots.com

SCENT OF

Light Blue | Dolce & Gabbana

100ml | £97

Reminiscent of the Mediterranean blue sea, Light Blue is an old classic. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue provides a soft scent which was so widely loved that Dolce & Gabbana took it up a notch and created Light Blue Intense. With notes of Sicilian lemon and black pepper which are lifted by a gentle floral scent, Light Blue screams summer and lasts all day. Get ready to be complimented if you buy this fragrance.

Boots.com

Stella

| Tocca | 100ml | £88.40

Stella by Tocca is a delicately feminine scent, with a sweet citrus fragrance and floral top notes which don’t overpower. Tocca names each of its perfumes after a woman it imagines would wear the scent; Stella is described as a tempestuous Italian beauty who is flirty and sensual. Sure to grab the attention of passers-by, Stella could be the next summer scent for your holiday. Amazon.co.uk

Juliette has a gun | Julliette has a gun parfums | 100ml | £120

The trademark scent of the French company Juliette has a gun parfums has a clean, fresh, and minimally elegant scent. Branded as Not a Perfume, the fragrance is made from a single element called Cetalox, usually used as a base note in perfumeries. But here it takes centre stage, creating, a unique subtle scent on each person who wears it. Often described as like stepping out of a shower put into a bottle, this fresh everyday scent has quickly become a cult classic. Plus, it’s allergen-free! Sephora.co.uk

Gentle Fluidity Gold

Maison Francis Kurkdjian

200ml | £345

A perfume with a high price-tag, but for good reason. Known as one of the best vanilla scented perfumes on the market, Gentle Fluidity Gold delivers a soft and sultry vanilla scent which isn’t too overpowering or saccharine. A perfect day to night scent, this opulent perfume has been known to get better as the day goes on, with the fragrance developing into a warmer, muskier scent.

Selfridges.com

With these summer perfumes to add to your collection prepare to get stopped in the street with compliments.

S

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n o w

O n c o n s u l t a t i o n , w e w i l l t a i l o r t h e p e r f e c t p a c k a g e f o r y o u . I n c l u d e d a r e a s :

N e c k

A r m s

U n d e r a r m s

T o r s o

B a c k

L e g s

F e e t

B u t t o c k s

I n t i m a t e a r e a s

New in Town

Find out what’s new in town with our latest guide to summer shopping, dining, and drinking.

Nespresso | Trafford Centre

Nespresso has opened a Nespresso boutique in the Trafford Centre with free tastings, an Art of Coffee masterclass area, and personalisation area for engraved mugs with a name or personal message. If you’re feeling like you want a new coffee to perk up your morning routine, this is the place to go to explore in style. Traffordcentre.co.uk

River Island | Trafford Centre

This is no ordinary River Island store; this new super-sized River Island has high tech dressing rooms which can detect what clothing items you have brought into the dressing room! If a size doesn’t fit, you can request a new size to be brought to you without leaving your changing room. Fit with a coffee bar to satisfy any less enthusiastic shoppers, River Island has thought of everything for this new shop. Traffordcentre.co.uk

HIP | Northern Quarter

Recently opened in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter is Leeds-founded clothing and lifestyle brand, HIP. From trainers to outdoor wear and glassware to grooming, this unisex shop is on top of the trends with excellent unique products. Thehipstore.co.uk

Crunch | Manchester City Centre

Red Light | Manchester City Centre

Northern Social | Whitefield

New to Bury New Road, Northern Social will be a place to buy New York-style pizza slices while you play ping pong, shuffleboard, and array of fun games. Capture your evening with a photo booth for all your friends to pile in. Northern Social is sure to be the new hangout spot of Whitefield.

On Instagram @northern_ social_

Red light is a new LGBTQ+ bar which recently opened in Kampus’s residential and commercial development.The community boasts some of Manchester’s best independent bars, restaurants and coffee shops with this cocktail bar opening just in time for summer.

Kampus-mcr.co.uk

Great news for fans of Manchester Christmas Market, beloved Korean Hot Dog stall, Crunch Korean Gansig, has recently opened permanently in Piccadilly Gardens. Its famous hot dog is deep fried in waffle batter until crispy and then lightly coated in sugar and drizzled in ketchup and mustard in an exciting blend of savoury and sweet.

On Instagram @crunch_korean_gansig

Desert Island Dumplings | Manchester City Centre

Recently launched in Affleck’s Palace, Desert Island Dumplings now have a permanent spot for its vegan fusion dumplings. With décor influenced by The Simpsons, diners can enjoy some dumplings while playing a game or two of The Simpsons Hit and Run. Afflecks.com

NICOLE RAJCHENBERG AND ARI STEINBERGER RECENTLY TIED THE KNOT!

THEIR RECEPTION WAS HELD AT THE GLAMOUROUS MIDLAND HOTEL.

THE NEWLYWEDS DANCED INTO THE NIGHT AMONG THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

THE WEDDING WAS IN MANCHESTER, WITH PERFECT PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES AT THE CENTRAL LIBRARY.

ALL PHOTOS: ROB CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPHY

Beyond their legendary status in popular culture, what makes the story of Barbie dolls particularly fascinating is their visionary creator, Ruth Handler, who was born to Polish-Jewish immigrant parents.

Ruth was a woman of extraordinary vision and innovation. Born on 4th November 1916 in Denver, Colorado, Ruth Marianna Mosko grew up during the Great Depression, displaying an early entrepreneurial spirit by running a homemade cookie business with her sister, Florence.

In 1945, Ruth and her husband Elliot Handler co-founded Mattel Creations, a small toy company initially focused on producing picture frames. It was only when Ruth saw her daughter Barbara's imaginative play with paper dolls, that she came up with the idea of creating an action figure which would allow young girls to project their dreams, aspirations, and fashion fantasies onto a blank canvas.

Ruth introduced the world to Barbie at the New York Toy Fair of 1959, and she quickly captured the hearts and imaginations of young girls. However, Barbie's unprecedented success did not come without controversy. Critics argued that the doll promoted unrealistic beauty standards and limited gender roles. Ruth defended her creation, emphasising that Barbie was not intended to represent a single ideal, but rather to inspire girls to imagine themselves in diverse roles and careers.

Over the years, the Barbie brand has evolved to embrace diversity, introducing dolls of different ethnicities, body types

LIFE IN PLASTIC

and abilities, and making her a symbol of inclusivity and empowerment. Today, Ruth’s legacy extends beyond the doll itself, as Barbie has expanded into various forms of media, including books and merchandise and of course, the film we’re all longing to see!

Barbie dolls as collectibles

Collectors are drawn to dolls which represent significant historical moments or commemorate cultural milestones. These dolls hold value not only as toys but also as important cultural artifacts.

Limited editions and special collaborations play a crucial role in enhancing the value of Barbie dolls as collectibles. Mattel has consistently released limited-edition dolls which feature intricate designs in partnership with renowned fashion designers, celebrities, and iconic brands. These rare pieces when in mint condition and in their original packaging, are in great demand and command a high value.

Cash in your attic

So, does your childhood Barbie hold any value? Here are some of the most collectible

Barbies on the market:

Totally Hair Barbie: With her flowing blonde hair and accessories such as brushes and styling gel, this Barbie from 1992 can now fetch prices upward of $160 (£124) on eBay.

Starlight Splendour Barbie: Created by fashion designer Bob Mackie, this glamorous Barbie with stunning evening dress and matching headpiece was released in 1991 and commands a price of around $200 (£156) in the collector's market.

Ferrari Barbie: A limited edition 2000 doll dressed in signature Ferrari Red recently sold for $225 (£175) on eBay.

Bride Barbie (Gold Label): Designed by Sharon Zuckerman and released in 2006, this brunette doll features bridal gown, ‘diamond’ stud earrings and a ring. One of only 8,500 made she is currently valued at around $450 (£350).

Barbie as Athena: Released in 2010, this Barbie wears a fierce warrior outfit of headdress, gold armour, boots and shield. Limited to a production run of 5,300, she is valued at around $450 (£350) on eBay.

Toujours Couture Silkstone Barbie: From the Barbie Fashion Model Collection, this 2008 Gold Label doll wears a Parisian inspired black and white outfit, carries a handbag and sports a modern updo. She sells for around $500 (£390) in new, unopened condition on eBay.

In anticipation of the Barbie film featuring talented actress Margot Robbie, JLife delves into the captivating world of the iconic childhood doll …

1992 TOTALLY HAIR BARBIE MATTEL INC.

WORDS: JULIE BURNISTON

Using clean energy in your home while saving money sounds great, but where do we start? Options like solar panels and heat pumps, though an effective solution and a goal to build towards, can be a big investment. Making your home energy efficient is always going to take an investment of some kind; with Ripple you can invest in renewable energy for as little as £25.

Ripple enables its customers to own a little bit of a large wind farm or solar park to get the clean low-cost electricity that it generates supplied to their homes by the grid, giving them savings on their electricity bill. Solar and wind create the cheapest

Away

forms of electricity in the UK; by investing in your own supply of electricity, you effectively bypass the energy market.

Sarah Merrick, CEO and Founder of Ripple, says: “How much you save depends on how much you own, the more you own, the more low-cost electricity your bid generates. Members of our first wind farm saved on average £300 off their bills last year and then this year they're set to save over £900.” Sarah does suggest that savings are expected to be high this year because of the rise in demand caused by the energy crisis but she explains: “Basically Ripple provides a net effect to help stabilise people's bills for the long term.”

By using Ripple, you are also actively cultivating a cleaner energy future for the UK. By funding wind farms and solar parks, you are encouraging and strengthening renewable energy supply and moving away from fossil fuels. Sarah explains: “Our customers are directly enabling these new wind farms and solar parks to be built. So, by enabling a new wind farm that's going to be generating low-cost green electricity for 25 years increasing the amount of renewable energy capacity in the UK, it will then increase the amount of green electricity on

the system for its lifetime.”

Ripple is also a great way for renters to make a difference to how their home energy is supplied. Previously all sustainable home energy alternatives such as installing solar panels, a heat pump, or an electric boiler all require major home alterations which renters often don’t have the permission to make. Now with your investment it doesn’t matter whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, you can still be involved in active change for clean energy and reap its benefits.

The only thing which does matter is your energy provider. Sarah says the most common misconception about Ripple is that they get mistaken for an energy provider: “We partner with providers which means you’ve still got a choice about who your energy is supplied by. At the moment we work with Co-op Energy, Octopus Energy, and Aon Energy so before you invest you need to switch to one of them to get your savings applied to your electricity bills.”

Rippleenergy. com

Sarah Merrick, CEO and Founder of Ripple, tells us why investing in a wind farm could save you cash on your home energy bills and save the environment.

A summer holiday can be a great relief from life’s stresses and provides us with an excellent opportunity to see more of the globe. But if you want to avoid the crowds or have a little bit more of a unique experience, while cutting down your costs, these recommendations which emulate popular destinations could be the swap you need.

Colmar instead of Bruges

Bruges has a beautiful fairy tale appearance to its architecture and winding paths, but did you know Colmar in NorthEastern France has a similar aesthetic? Classic French quaintness with Germanic

Vacation

architecture, Colmar was flip-flopped between French and German occupation between 1871 and 1945, providing a perfect blend of the two cities in culture and appearance. The quaint buildings even inspired the artists at the beloved Japanese animation studio, Studio Ghibli, to set one of its magical films, Howl’s Moving Castle, in the city’s centre with some buildings being directly transferred into the film. To catch the hot weather, its warmer season takes place in July and August.

Taormina instead of Maldives

Though Taormina is a relatively popular city in Sicily known for its holidaymakers, the city is not nearly spoken of often enough. Yes, nowhere can replace the once-in-a-lifetime holiday of the Maldives, but Taormina will give you a run for your money. Maldives reminiscent, Taormina is great for snorkelling in clear blue waters or for laying on white sand beaches. At this beautiful mountainside town visit the ancient ruins, Teatro Greco – an ancient

Greek outdoor theatre which provides a spectacular backdrop of the vista over the mountainside.

Ljubljana instead of Florence

Capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana is a beautiful ornate European city. With plenty of arts and culture activities such as the National Art Gallery, Ljubljana Castle, and the National Museum of Slovenia. Ljubljana is an ode to the aesthetic of Florence or Prague with its ornate bridges and clustered terracotta roofed buildings. Don’t worry about not speaking Slovenian, Ljubljana is used to tourists so several service providers will speak some English – just don’t pronounce the cities name wrong! It’s pronounced: loo-bee-aa-nuh! The capital also makes for a great home base to explore other parts of Slovenia, most notably the gorgeous Lake Bled notorious for its otherworldly deep blue waters.

Albania instead of Croatia

Croatia used to be a wellkept secret for cheap travel, but now word’s gotten out,

COLOGNE

TAORMINA

Swaps

Want to follow the road less traveled? Here are our recommendations of beautiful, overlooked travel destinations.

it’s quite a busy place to go! Albania could be your next private getaway. Awarded Best in Travel 2023 by Lonely Planet, trusted guidebook company, it sings its praises calling it The Jewel of the Balkans. Sparkling waters and remarkable mountain ranges, Albania has plenty to offer. Korce, nicknamed Little Paris, is a small-town village and is considered to be the hub of the city’s literary and artistic identity, great for

wandering around its cobbled streets and sitting in sunlit outdoor cafés.

Cologne instead of Munich

Munich is well known for its beer halls but has recently become quite cramped with tourists in the summertime. If you want to experience Germanic culture Cologne, or Köln if you’re in Germany, is a modern and friendly city. Like Munich, Cologne has plenty of arts and culture attractions. Visit the Roonstrasse Synagogue and learn about its rich history for free, see the modern art museum, Museum Ludwig,

or take a trip to Beethoven’s birthplace in Bonn to see his personal manuscripts, instruments, and mementos.

COLMAR

LJUBLJANA

Community Heart of the

THE FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE & CAMP SIMCHA TAKE ON THE GREAT MANCHESTER RUN

Volunteers for The Friendship Circle and Camp Simcha raised over £23,000 fundraising in The Great Manchester Run.

Volunteers from The Friendship Circle and Camp Simcha were found on the start line of the Great Manchester Run this year fundraising for its respective charities.

Six of Camp Simcha’s eager volunteer’s recently ran in the Great Manchester Run raising almost £6,000 for the charity’s work supporting families with seriously ill children. Hadassah Weill ran the half marathon, while Jonny Finlay, Rikki Lieberman, Tirtzah Sprinzeles, Nechama Stern and Rochelle Stern ran the 10K which loops throughout Manchester, beginning on Portland Road and ending on Great Bridgewater Street.

Speaking afterwards Hadassah said: “I really enjoyed the run; it was hard but worth it. Such a great experience and I would definitely do it again.”

Tirtzah Sprinzeles said she was excited to be doing the run for such an awesome

charity, commenting: “I have been a volunteer myself so have personally seen the work Camp Simcha does. I have always wanted to do a run for charity, so this was my perfect chance; I am hoping to do the half next year.”

Camp Simcha’s Manchester Community Relationships Manager, Michal Black, said:

“We are so grateful to all our runners for choosing Camp Simcha. They have raised a fantastic amount and were so enthusiastic. The atmosphere was brilliant on the day and there was a fantastic feel of community support for all the runners.”

55 people between the ages of five and 60 ran on behalf of The Friendship Circle. The group raised a staggering total of £17,358 with teams from Stenecourt Chesed Club and Quooker UK, led by Friendship Circle Patron Stephen Johnson taking part and fundraising for the charity.

It was an especially inspiring day for seven Friendship Circle members who, despite their

physical and learning disabilities, took on this awesome challenge. Among them was Hannah Levy, who completed the 10K with her mum Alayne pushing her wheelchair. Cheered on by a tumultuous crowd, Hannah crossed over the finish line on foot, beaming from ear to ear, showing her true determination and resilience.

The race wasn’t just a personal accomplishment for Hannah, it was also a triumph for Alayne who commented: “Thanks to my daughter Hannah for encouraging me to enter my first ever 10K run. Pushing her wheelchair was such a privilege and we raised badly needed funds for The Friendship Circle, an amazing charity supporting Hannah and her friends.”

Other members who joined Hannah in the 10K were Faigie Josephs, Shoshi & Ed Sholem, Hannah Mendell, Leah Lopian, and Neil Reisman, who ran the entire 10K carrying a four-kilogram weight to challenge himself even further! Esty Bruck and Rabbi Daniel Walker, together with volunteers Steven Maskill, Tova Issler and Karen Hasid ran alongside them.

With Clinical Psychologist

Dr Daniel Weisberg, Managing Director of CAYP Psychology

Food relationships are our connection with food. Our childhood experiences of food and eating can shape our adult food relationships and the way we think and feel about food. Our role as parents is to foster our children’s healthy relationships with food.

An unhealthy relationship with food includes eating when you’re not hungry, having food rules and restrictions, or changing the way you eat to manage your weight. At the extreme end, it includes eating disorders such as bingeing, which can lead to feelings of guilt and shame.

Research has shown that a more diplomatic feeding style, where children’s

Healthy Relationships with Food CHILD PSYCHOLOGY

needs are adequately considered, can have the most success in supporting children to have a balanced, positive food relationship. Here, parents are in charge of the what, where, and when of food, but it is the child who chooses whether to eat and how much based on their own needs and hunger. This also encourages children to recognise that food is enjoyable and satisfying.

Try these strategies to help develop a healthy relationship with food:

• Present your child with a wide variety of food – always include some foods you know they will eat but also new foods or foods they appear to dislike.

• Allow them to decide if they are hungry and wish to eat, and also how much to eat.

• Never pressure children to eat or finish a

• Encourage your child to get involved with the shopping, preparing, and cooking of food.

• Avoid making comments on how you or other people eat.

• Talk about food in terms of their physical properties, where they come from, or nutrition – never calories.

Cayp-psychology.com

Professional and Experienced Child Clinical Psychologists

We specialise in working with children, adolescents & young people experiencing difficulties with

• Their mood or worries

• Health, eating, and social life

• Behavioural problems

• Reactions to a trauma

• Gender, sexuality and identity

What Next?

A practical course for parents following their child's diagnosis of Autism

Interested in joining our next group? Scan the QR code for details

Parenting concerns?

Tools to improve relationships, communication and behaviour

• Autism

• ADHD

We offer comprehensive assessments & support for

• Dyslexia

• Learning disabilities

• Learning difficulties

SUMMER IN THE CITY

The Hallé – Dance Extravaganza

The Bridgewater Hall | 8th July

Featuring pieces from classical scores, the big and small screen, these timeless classics of dance music are instantly recognisable and embedded into all our lives. Stand out pieces from the evening’s set list include two of Tchaikovsky’s masterpieces The Sleeping Beauty Waltz and Swan Lake, Leonard Bernstein’s Mambo from West Side Story, and Gershwin’s Cuban Overture. Bridgewater-hall.co.uk

Unpicking Couture | Manchester Art Gallery

21st July to 12th January 2025

Unpicking Couture brings a collection of high-end fashion to Manchester Art Gallery, premiering the restoration of a 1930s silk velvet jacket by Italian courier Elsa Schaparelli. Displaying pieces from influential designers and fashion houses, each outfit represents a pivotal moment in fashion history, including works by Christian Dior, Elsa Schiaparelli, Azzedine Alaïa, Cristobal Balenciaga, Pierre Cardin, Vivienne Westwood, Yohji Yamamoto, Bruce Oldfield, and Alexander McQueen. Manchesterartgallery.org

Lewis Capaldi

Wythenshawe Park and Gardens | 25th August

Two-time Brit Award winner Lewis Capaldi is returning to Manchester for this summer outdoor performance. Singing hits from his new album, Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent and his well-received previous album, Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent, it’s sure to be a performance to remember.

Ticketmaster.co.uk

Heathers the Musical Palace Theatre Manchester | 8th to 12th August

Veronica Sawyer is just another student at Westerberg High but when she joins the popular, beautiful, and impossibly cruel Heathers her life is transformed. Mysterious teen rebel JD teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it’s murder being a somebody. Touring after a popular stint on London’s West End, Heathers is a ground-breaking musical new to emerge in the past ten years.

Atgtickets.com

All Right. Good Night. HOME | 6th to 8th July

On 8th March 2014, a passenger flight with 227 travellers and 12 crew took off from Kuala Lumpur, heading towards Beijing. For 39 minutes and 13 seconds, everything was routine. Then the plane disappeared from radar. The supposed last radio message from the cockpit was: ‘All Right. Good Night.’ No one could explain how an airplane could disappear without a trace. An exceptional addition to Manchester International Festival, Rimni Protokoll’s performance weaves personal tragedy with catastrophe at large, All Right. Good Night. is a meditation on disappearance, loss, and how to deal with uncertainty.

Homemcr.org

Manchester comes alive during the summer months, here are our top picks of what to do and see.

PHOTO: HARALD KRICHEL

YEARS FIVE AND SIX STARTED THEIR BIKEABILITY COURSE TO LEARN SKILLS NEEDED TO KEEP THEM SAFE ON THE ROADS.

Advertisers on photo pages have not necessarily been involved with events shown.

ONE OF BURY AND WHITEFIELD JEWISH PRIMARY SCHOOL’S YEAR FIVE STUDENTS RECENTLY COMPLETED AN IMPRESSIVE HOMEWORK CHALLENGE, CREATING A MODEL OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM!

FOR WORLD BOOK DAY, SOME OF THE OLDER STUDENTS READ STORIES TO THE CHILDREN IN LOWER YEARS.

EVERYONE WAS TREATED TO A CORONATION THEMED LUNCH WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY A KING CHARLES III CRAFT SESSION.

YEAR TWO ENJOYED AN AFTER SATS PARTY! THEY DANCED, PLAYED MUSICAL STATUES, AND PIN THE TAIL ON THE DONKEY – THEY EVEN GOT EXTRA PLAYTIME!

THERE WAS EVEN A MUSIC EVENING WHERE CHILDREN PERFORMED SOLO PIECES.

BWJPS CELEBRATED LAG B’OMER WITH SOME SUMMER FUN ON ITS MAGICAL FIELD –COMPLETE WITH BOUNCY SLIDE!

Scenic Sights

Ramsbottom offers both day-trippers and locals alike a welcome break from the usual hectic grind.

Stretching north of Manchester city centre, Ramsbottom is a bustling market town with a host of independent boutiques, breweries, and events that draw in visitors from all over the region, as well as delighting locals. The area has also been lauded as one of the best places to live in England by the Sunday Times.

While the town properly came into its own as a milling town during the industrial revolution, this history dated back to the Anglo Saxon era, and in fact, the name Ramsbottom comes from the Old English word meaning ‘valley of the ram’.

While it might have a long history, today the town’s attractions are very modern, including some brand new businesses which recently popped up on the high street. Heart for Homes, a charming home and gift shop selling gifts and homeware now has a café: Heart for Homes – Coffee + Chill, the perfect stop for a mid-morning bite or sweet treat. Or for libations later in the day, the soon to open Venezia will act as a coffee shop by day, bar by night.

However, this isn’t the only spot to partake in town, and two local breweries are well worth checking out. Irwell Works serves locally produced, award-winning ales such as the Bonny Black Hare stout and Costa del Salford ale. The Northern Whisper tap room sits in the heart of Ramsbottom in a Grade II listed building and is the brewery’s third tap room location.

As a market town, it’s unsurprising that a new attraction which opened in April to

PHOTO: LAURENCE PURCELL PHOTOGRAPHY

All Under One Roof

MON-THUR: 10-4 • FRI: Closed for home visits • SAT: 10-4 23 Bolton St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9HU • 01706 822323 Caravaggiointeriors.co.uk

All under one roof!

Since opening the showroom of Caravaggio Bespoke Interiors in 2016, the company has gone from strength to strength thanks to its lovely customers, and now with the addition of more services it can offer;

• Production and fitting of all styles of window blinds, curtains, and pelmets

• Scatter cushions and bed throws in any style and fabric

• Bespoke lampshades – design your own!

• Re-upholstery service

• Bespoke rugs – design your own!

• Supplier of any type of lighting or furniture

• Photography studio

• Picture framing

Why not visit the showroom to browse through catalogues and sample books while enjoying refreshments or call to arrange a home consultation?

Open Monday to Thursday and Sat 10 to 4, home visits on a Friday 23 Bolton St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9HU 01706 822 323 Caravaggiointeriors.co.uk

day out this summer, spend A Day with Thomas the Tank Engine and take a ride on the famous blue engine himself. You’ll meet Sir Topham Hatt at the station, say hello to Thomas on the platform, and then climb aboard for a fun-filled journey right to Ramsbottom station.

great popularity is the Ramsbottom Makers Market, taking place on the last Sunday of every month. Head over to purchase fresh produce including fruit and vegetables, pies, cakes, and cheese or sample some of the freshly prepared baked goods on offer. Budding collectors will also find a range of locally crafted wares and art pieces, as well

as second-hand vinyl stalls.

Of course, it’s impossible to talk about Ramsbottom without mentioning its connection with East Lancashire Railway. As one of the seven stops along the gorgeous 12-mile route, Ramsbottom draws train enthusiasts, both casual and hardcore. If you’re looking for a family

Visit the showroom to browse through catalogues and sample books whilst enjoying refreshments or call to arrange a home consultation.

PHOTO: LAURENCE PURCELL PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO: LAURENCE PURCELL PHOTOGRAPHY

LIFE STORY

harrowing legacy to the next generation of Holocaust survivors. As a non-Jewish survivor himself, he encountered some difficulty in telling his own story to German children when he revisited his home in southern Germany and was invited to talk to schoolchildren by the local museum of Christians and Jews. Getting in touch with the London charity, Generation 2 Generation he was able to train, first himself and then additional speakers, on how to make their parents’ stories relatable to varied audiences using guidelines laid down by their own successful project.

the Kommunist Party of Deutschland, who was responsible for smuggling out many comrades over the border to Czechoslovakia. He was shot and wounded by the Nazis and eventually made his way to the UK after living out most of the war on a pig farm in Czechoslovakia.

Head of the Northern Holocaust Education Group, Ernie Hunter has made a huge contribution to the North-West over the last ten years by founding, organising, and running a group of volunteers to speak in schools, clubs, and institutions on the

Ernie was keen to include the Jewish side of his story, that of his mother Fanny Höchstetter and his staunchly anti-Hitler father. His mother Fanny was a determined and well-educated woman who, during the years before Hitler became Chancellor had risen very high in Der Post, the German equivalent of British Telecom. When she was abruptly “retired" a fate met by many Jews, who were thus deprived, not only of their income, but of any pension rights due, Fanny ferociously contested her dismissal and in the face of physical violence at every level, managing to acquire written proof of her length of service, firmly believing that when Hitler was defeated she would be re-instated or compensated. She stayed in Germany until Kristalnacht when she equally determinedly got out. She joined her sister Bertle in the North-West of England, but was sent into internal exile in Llangollen, a tiny village in Wales. She met and married Ernie's father, Anton Hundsdorfer, the son of a strong communist family, a member of

After several moves, they made Manchester their home and had two sons. Ernie the younger, later became an international accountant. Returning to his homeland and discovering some of his family history led him, like many second-generation survivors, to discover much about his past and eventually to set up the voluntary speaking group Northern Holocaust Education Group. Rigorous in his standards, he has been determined not to let them drop and insisted that the volunteers undergo the same training he had benefitted from. To date many of NHEGS volunteers have spoken to thousands of school children, Adult Education groups rotary Clubs, police trainees, and prisons in NorthWest England. Other speakers like Judith Hayman have returned to Austria, Germany, and Eastern European countries to tell their parents' stories and have been met with great respect by those telling the story to the future generations of their own countries.

A charming and even-tempered man, Ernie has been an excellent guide for those who want to follow in his footsteps and thoroughly deserves to receive recognition for his work.

Northernholocausteducationgroup.org.uk Generation2generation.org.uk

Holocaust survivor

Ernie Hunter dedicated himself to becoming an educator and leader in Holocaust awareness in the North-West.

School’s

Find fun days out for the entire family this summer with some special creative activities in honour of Children’s Art Day on 6th July.

CREATIVE FAMILIES WORKSHOPS MANCHESTER

GALLERY

ART

23RD & 29TH JULY

The Lion’s Den (Clore Art Studio) at Manchester Art Gallery is providing a space in the heart of the city for families to meet and create. Manchester Art Gallery has an aim to fill The Lion’s Den with children’s artwork this summer to celebrate children’s creativity and showcase young talent. Drop into Manchester Art Gallery where its group of artists will be running creative making sessions, using a range of materials and techniques. Each session is different, and no booking is required.

Manchesterartgallery.org

POWER UP | SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY MUSEUM | 22ND JULY TO 3RD SEPTEMBER

Exhibiting for the duration of the summer holidays, Power Up is the ultimate gaming experience. From Pong to Pacman, Sonic to Street Fighter, and Mario to Minecraft, the Science and Industry Museum has the very best of video games from the past five decades and over one hundred different consoles. Play solo or against friends and family in multiplayer showdowns, rediscover childhood favourites, and discover Manchester’s indie video game scene.

Scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk

SHREK

THE MUSICAL MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE

1ST TO 12TH AUGUST

Taking the story from the Oscar winning Dreamworks animation, this beloved musical adaptation has had successful stints on Broadway and West-End stages. Join Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey in this fantastic and fun show for all the family. Atgtickets.com

Out!

ENCANTO – IN CONCERT LIVE TO FILM | THE BRIDGEWATER HALL | 1ST AUGUST

Disney’s academy award winning animated film, Encanto, has come to Bridgewater Hall with a live orchestra. The film tells the tale of the magical Madrigal family who are bestowed with magical gifts in childhood, all except Mirabel. Mirabel must learn how to protect her family without a gift but instead with her infectious honesty and self-acceptance. With music and lyrics by Hamilton composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, this family-fun event is not to be missed. Bridgewater-hall.co.uk

RAINBOW WARRIORS FAMILY YOGA & MINDFUL COLOURING THE MONASTERY | MANCHESTER | 23RD JULY

A fun and uplifting family yoga class for all the family, this mindful event will take you on a magical adventure while teaching you simple techniques to improve physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Adult entry costs £5 and children’s tickets cost £2, all children must be accompanied by an adult. Eventbrite.co.uk

FUNTOPIA | SPRINGFIELD PARK 1ST AUGUST

Funtopia – the big day out for little kids – combines a whole host of children’s activities including: bouncy castles, soft play, a ball pool, ride ons, giant games, and much more! They even have an autism friendly session in the morning which will contain smaller numbers of children, no music, and sensory games and toys. Children with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and mobility disabilities are also welcome at these sessions.

Eventbrite.co.uk

THE FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE RECENTLY HELD A WORKSHOP IN HONOUR OF YOM HASHOAH.

THE WORKSHOP WAS LED BY STUART FERSTER, SON OF CHAIM FERSTER WHO SURVIVED EIGHT CONCENTRATION CAMPS.

STUART SPOKE TO THE COMMUNITY ABOUT HIS FATHER BEFORE CANDLES WERE LIT IN REMEMBRANCE.

THE FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE ALSO CELEBRATED LAG B’OMER THIS YEAR BY HAVING AN OUTDOOR PARTY.

FOOD AND DRINK, AND SMILES ALL ROUND ON THE SUNNY DAY!

THERE WAS FUN AND GAMES.

Community Heart of the

TOP MARKS

King David Primary was awarded an Outstanding Ofsted grade following its recent inspection.

King David Primary School, Manchester, recently had a section eight two-day inspection from Ofsted. The Jewish school in Cheetham Hill had initially been rated Outstanding in March 2016. Headteacher, Mrs Stacey Rosenberg wrote a letter to the parents and carers on how absolutely delighted she was to finally share the report with the school community. Mrs Rosenberg said: "The report is extremely positive and reflects all the time and effort my Senior Leadership Team, teachers, support staff

and governors have put into maintaining our Outstanding status."

The inspector was keen to point out that the pupils at the school have a positive attitude to learning and she described the children's behaviour as "exemplary." The report said: "Pupils delight in treating others as they would like to be treated themselves. They model this by showing politeness and respect to everybody they meet, pupils are kind and caring, and pupils feel safe at this school." The report also states that

JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

Manchester Jewish Museum recently opened a time capsule found by builders during the museum’s redevelopment.

A year ahead of the 150th anniversary of its historic Sephardi synagogue and three years after its discovery, Manchester Jewish Museum experienced another momentous historic event, the opening of the time capsule they discovered during renovations of the Sephardi synagogue in 2020.

As part of the preparation for this significant moment, the museum’s curator and Deputy Chief, Alexandra Cropper, together with Conservation Officer from Manchester Central Library, Eugenie Karen, opened the time capsule.

The time capsule was filled with old coins, synagogue documents and newspapers dating from the week of the

capsule's burial. It contained copies of prominent titles, including “The Times”, “The Jewish Chronicle”, which was founded in 1841 and remains the oldest continuously published Jewish newspaper in the world and “The Manchester Guardian”, which later gained national recognition and became “The Guardian”. Other newspapers included “Manchester Daily Examiner and Times”, “The Manchester Courier” and “The Jewish World”, which later merged with “Jewish Chronicle”.

Early synagogue minutes show records of the capsule, a glass jar complete with an intact wax seal, being hidden deep in a wall

school leaders have designed an extremely ambitious and well-organised curriculum for pupils, teachers have excellent subject knowledge, and current pupils are excelling in all aspects of their education.

"This Outstanding outcome is a fantastic achievement for everyone in our school community and is something to be hugely proud of. The present Ofsted framework is far more challenging than the previous one and this inspection was very thorough, led diligently and professionally undertaken. The fact we were well prepared was acknowledged and helped the process run smoothly."

cavern next to the Ark (the holy cupboard which houses the Torah Scrolls). It was laid behind the cornerstone of the original building on 11th June 1873.

Manchester Jewish Museum’s Programmes Manager, Gemma Meek, said:

“We want you to help us shape Manchester Jewish Museum’s 2024 time capsule. If you’d like to be involved, please get in touch!” Two workshops will be held on 9th and 13th July 2023, where participants will work together to design a new time capsule that reflects what Manchester Jewish Museum means to its communities today.

Cherry on top

A new venture from the owners of the beloved Prestwich food chain Mozzarella, is Glida. Manchester’s latest ice cream parlour recently opened just in time for those hot summer days where nothing but an ice cream will do. Glida, named after the Hebrew word for ice cream, will be the UK’s first kosher ice cream parlour with a a Kashrus certification from Manchester

Beis Din - Cholov Yisroel Mehadrin.

Ben Katzav, Mozzarella’s Owner said: “After being in the food business here in the UK for the past seven years I wanted to bring something new and exciting to my customers. After many visits to Italy and of course Israel I decided that the next thing to bring here is Italian Gelato. There is no other kosher place like this in the UK. I like to set the bar high when it comes to serving the best product made from the highest quality and freshest ingredients.”

Glida’s ice cream certainly delivers this high standard since all its ice cream is made fresh on-site using an authentic Italian method of fresh double cream and milk churned by Italian Gelato Machines.

The ice cream shop will have 16 flavours, including Chocolate and Pretzel,

Pistachio (Ben’s personal favourite), and Oreo. There will also be some unique flavours like Iron Bru or Malabi and Gin and other special flavours will be seasonally exclusive – so you’ve got to get to them quick! Glida won’t just serve ice cream, it also sells delicious Belgian waffles, crepes, frozen yogurt, bio yogurt, and a selection of flavours of Parve sorbet ice cream suitable for vegans and a great Shabbos Meal dessert.

There will also be plenty of allergen-free choices and for those looking for a glutenfree cone or waffle Glida have got you covered. There will even be some sugar-free options, so you don’t have to have a cheat day to experience amazing desserts.

Ben says: “People will be so surprised to see the work we did over the last year and half. Down to the tiny details, the design will make you feel comfortable, welcome, and will give you a great experience, combined with the high-class products we will serve –I can’t wait to serve you all.”

And if you simply can’t wait to visit Glida in person to have a scoop of your favourite flavour, Glida will be using Uber Eats’ fast and reliable delivery service so

you can have ice cream on demand. With affordable delicious desserts and a cheerful and welcoming environment, Glida is sure to become your hangout spot of the summer. Glida is open Sunday to Thursday from 11am to 10pm and from 10am to 3pm on Fridays.

Glida is the new kosher ice cream parlour in Manchester providing authentic Italian gelato and delicious desserts from Ben Katzav.

By Benyamin Katzav and Co

YOOYAA Mini Projector | Amazon | £63.99

This mini projector is for the film and TV lovers! If you know the star of the show wants to have a next level movie night, then this projector makes for great solo watching and sleepovers with friends. Connect it to a laptop or an Amazon Fire Stick to watch any streaming service from Netflix to Disney+ including YouTube. Amazon.co.uk

AKAI Professional MPD218 - MIDI beat maker | Amazon | £158

Are you buying for a future DJ or songwriter? If your special someone loves creating music, then the MIDI beat maker is a piece of kit for them. They can make music and get some early DJ experience.

Amazon.co.uk/AKAI-Professional-MPD218

Amazon Kindle 11th Generation | John Lewis & Partners | £84.99

For book lovers, buy them a Kindle to store all their books in one place. The Amazon Kindle 11th generation eReader has an illuminated touch screen, built-in Audible, and comes in black or denim blue. The six-inch screen slips into any bag or coat pocket to provide easy reading on the go. Johnlewis.com/amazon-kindle-11th-generation

Remote Sunset Projection Lamp | Urban Outfitters | £40

Polaroid Play+ 3D Pen & PLA Filament Box | Amazon

£52.71

Pique their curiosity and let them build all that they can imagine with this 3D pen. Draw in the air and create models with meltable and hardening silk filaments which include a range of colours including multicoloured and glow in the dark. This set is everything a budding artist needs to get started. Amazon.co.uk

To decorate their room, buy them a sunset lamp! Making the room glow with a relaxing yellow and orange light. A sunset lamp will bring a restful sunset into their room whenever they’d like.

Urbanoutfitters.com

Get to the Beat

JBL Clip 4 Waterproof Speaker

Argos

| £39.99

A Bluetooth speaker to connect to your phone, this portable speaker is great to take to friends’ houses, to take out and about in the summer and even by the pool on holiday with its waterproof feature. The battery lasts for up to 10 hours of playtime and you can clip the integrated carabiner hook to your belt, bag, or buckle.

Argos.co.uk

Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera Boots | £79

An instant camera is a great gift for any Bat or Bar Mitzvah so they can take polaroids of their special day to keep forever. Coming in the colours Blush Pink, Ice White, Sky Blue, Lilac Purple, or Charcoal Grey, you can also buy them the film to go with it – 20 shots for £14.99. Accessories like a carry case are also available. Boots.com/instax-mini-11-camera

Find the perfect present for any Bar or Bat Mitzvah you’ll be attending this year with these media gifts for the star of the show.

Food for Thought

When planning an event for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, or any event, food and drink play a key part. Making sure your guests remember the catering for the right reasons can be a challenge, and we’re seeing a trend to move away from a sit down dinner and deliver something a little more relaxed and unique. At Shenderey Events, we know how to make your catering personal, thematic, and fun to give your guests an unforgettable night. Combining years of experience with knowledge of current trends, our top tips for catering will make sure your event inspires and entertains.

Let guests mingle

Sit down meals can feel very formal. Being assigned to a particular table, and a certain seat, can take some of the fun away from your event. And there’s nothing worse than being seated next to the wrong person and tied to boring conversation (or, even worse, no conversation at all).

We’re huge fans of allowing guests to choose where to sit and who to chat to. We’ve seen a real trend in clients stepping away from the traditional three-coursedinner format. A great way to do this is with food platters, giving guests chance to choose to their own tastes. The variety will please even the fussiest of guests, and deliver a relaxed, positive atmosphere: bringing the

food into your event, rather than taking guests away from the party.

Theme food platters

While platters are a great idea, you risk mismatched food that feels confused. We always encourage our clients to bring their event theme into their food with themed platters. For example, a Mediterranean style works really well, with the popularity for sharing plates in restaurants being carried through to successful events. Canapes, bitesized portions, and mezze platters are fun and sociable, giving guests chance to grab food that tastes great and is easy to eat.

If you’re not keen on the idea of food-onthe-go, but hate a formal sit-down, there’s a great compromise. We love helping our clients develop food stations. Each one can be themed, from regional cuisine to traditional favourites, and guests can help themselves at their leisure. And, if you’re concerned about how a food station may look, don’t worry. Whether you want your catering to stand out or blend into the background, we know exactly how to style your food stations to make them the perfect centrepiece or a subtle addition.

Make it personal

Food certainly gets people talking, so you want to make it memorable. One way to do that is personalising your catering.

The biggest worries around this are often complication and cost, but we know how to personalise your food simply and on a budget. Replace bottle labels with the name of your event, switch brand logos for your own motifs, or rename drinks as something personal to you. It’s a chance to make your mark on your big day, honour a family member, or share a joke between friends.

Some of our favourite event themes of late have carried through perfectly into the food and drink. A recent client loved Alice in Wonderland, so a white rabbit waiter handed each guest a mocktail on arrival labelled ‘Drink Me’. They were then ushered into a fabric tunnel hanging from the ceiling, which grew smaller and smaller as they walked through: setting the scene for the entire event by bringing the novel to life. We also organised a Willy Wonka party, with chocolate waterfalls and lollipops with sticks personalised using the eponymous character’s signature font. It’s one of our favourite examples of how a small, simple touch can have a great impact and make your guests smile.

Bringing that personal touch to your food and drink can be done with style, personality and, of course, professionalism. With an experienced event planner on your side, your catering will fit seamlessly within your theme to deliver an event to remember.

Shenderey-events.com

Event Planner, Juliet Shenderey, shares how to personalise your catering with food and drink that makes the right impression.

In honour of our Bar and Bat Mitzvah Special, we look back at the youngsters who were called up in the last year.

PHOTO: TANYA DUMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

JUDE LEINHARDT HAD HIS BAR MITZVAH AT STENECOURT SHUL SURROUNDED BY HIS FAMILY.

PHOTO: YISCHAK SUGARMAN

TAL DUMAN CELEBRATED HIS BAR MITZVAH WITH HIS FAMILY IN SALFORD.

PHOTO:

LEXI BENJAMIN WAS CALLED UP AT STENECOURT SHUL.

PHOTO: TANYA DUMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

THE LOWRY THEATRE HOSTED EMILY CHAPMAN’S BAT MITZVAH CELEBRATIONS.

PHOTO: ROB CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPHY

JESSICA GOLDSMITH HAD HER BAT MITZVAH IN A TIPI IN HER FAMILY’S GARDEN IN SOUTH MANCHESTER.

PHOTO: TANYA DUMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

MAX ATTIAS CELEBRATED HIS BAR MITZVAH AT WHITEFIELD SHUL.

PHOTO: ROB CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO: CLAIRE BARTFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO: TANYA DUMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

RUBY SAMUELS CELEBRATED HER BAT MITZVAH AT THE VERMILION CINNABAR.

PHOTO: TANYA DUMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO: ROB CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPHY

ARIELLA JACOBS ENJOYED HER BAT MITZVAH AMONG HER FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

SAMUEL DOBKIN CELEBRATED HIS BAR MITZVAH AT TATTON PARK’S TENANTS HALL.

PHOTO: TANYA DUMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

ADINA DOLTIES WAS CALLED UP AND CELEBRATED WITH HER FAMILY.

TWIN BROTHERS YAAKOV AND YITZI RICH STOOD SIDE BY SIDE AT THEIR BAR MITZVAH AT HOLY LAW SYNAGOGUE.

PHOTO: TANYA DUMAN PHOTOGRAPHY ETHAN MARKS HAD HIS PARTY AT MALMASION MANCHESTER.

PHOTO: ROB CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPHY

JAMES BOLCHOVER HAD A BAR MITZVAH PARTY TO REMEMBER AT THE MERCURE PICCADILLY HOTEL.

LEAH BOLD WAS JOINED BY FURRY COMPANION JACKSON FOR HER CELEBRATION.

PHOTO: TANYA DUMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

HARRY PUNDICK ENJOYED HIS BAR MITZVAH RECEPTION AT THE MANCHESTER MARRIOT VICTORIA & ALBERT HOTEL.

A Super Simcha

For further information and availability, please call or email. Whitefieldgolfclub.com

The Barn at Bredbury Hall

The Barn at Bredbury Hall is a charming event space in a unique, historic hotel in South Manchester, set in acres of spacious grounds. The recently refurbished venue can seat 250 guests, making it perfect for Bar or Bat Mitzvah parties. Kosher caterers are welcome for celebrations of all sizes and can be conveniently based in an adjacent marquee kitchen. The Barn is self-contained, but guests can access the accommodation and facilities at the Bredbury Hall Hotel, with free parking also available.

Visit bredburyhall-hotel.com or contact the sales team on 0161 527 7090 or salesbh@vinehotels.co.uk.

Village Hotel Bury

We’re ready to celebrate your Bar or Bat Mitzvah party at Village Hotel Bury, with a capacity of up to 280 guests.

Enhance the space with light up letters of the star of the show or a selfie mirror for you and your guests to make memories that will last forever.

For kosher meals or food to fit specific dietary requirements, you can use our fabulous in-house team or source your own caterers for the event and take room hire only.

Village-hotels.co.uk

Cohen’s Caterers

ensuring a seamless and unforgettable experience for every Bar or Bat Mitzvah. From traditional to contemporary menus, including vegetarian, vegan, and allergenfree options, we cater to your dietary needs with flair and finesse. Contact Cohen’s Caterers for an exceptional and affordable dining experience that will surpass your expectations.

Cohencaterers.co.uk

Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa

Whitefield Golf Club

With a modern clubhouse, easy access and location, large car parks, Whitefield Golf Club is a modern and sophisticated venue ready to host memorable Bar and Bat Mitzvah parties.

Combining modern interior design the club’s main function suite can cater for up to 120 people for a sit-down meal together with a large outside balcony with views overlooking the golf course. Tables, chairs, dancefloor and bar facilities are included for your convenience. In-house catering is available with menus covering all options.

The J.D. Room hosts more intimate gatherings for up to 40 people.

Event decorators, catering, entertainers, and DJs are on hand to bring the chosen theme to life.

For over 14 years, Cohen’s Caterers has been dedicated to creating extraordinary events with a touch of elegance. We excel in crafting diverse culinary experiences, specializing in cost-friendly Mediterranean, Moroccan, and Israeli menus.

Whether you prefer Italian, Mexican, Indian, or Chinese cuisine, we offer a wide selection to cater to your unique preferences. As a family-run business, we pride ourselves on providing personalised service,

A 4-star hotel that blends grandeur of a 700-year-old building with modern facilities, Mercure Dunkenhalgh is the perfect location for your Bar or Bat Mitzvah, or any other special occasion. Its largest suite, the Pendle Suite is able to hold up to 300 guests with space to spare for dancing the night away. The hotel was completely refurbished in 2020, giving the spaces a vibrant and modern feel inside its impressive historical exterior.

Accor.com/hotel/6617

07969 838 180 batsheva@simplyeventsbb.com

The Big Day

accessible site with many years’ experience of hosting Bar Mitzvahs, weddings, and charity events. We have a strong and well-established relationship with all the kosher caterers meaning you can relax in the knowledge that your Simcha will run smoothly allowing you to relax and celebrate.

We welcome you to visit us and look round and discuss your Simcha so that we understand precisely what you need to make it the most memorable time for your family.

We can also give advice on photographers, caterers, and specialist suppliers plus any other questions you will have. Our mission is to make sure the planning and delivery of any event at the Hilton Suite is perfect and we look forward to hearing from you soon.

Shrubberies.org.uk

VOUCHER with code JLIFE23 included for bookings

Located on Bury New Road the Hilton Suite offers a large flexible space to accommodate up to 300 guests in a variety of styles. The air-conditioned room means

or Bat Mitzvah celebration is your family’s special time, and the Hilton Suite is the ideal venue to enhance the day.

A Real Mitzvah

murdered during the Holocaust.

Bar and Bat Mitzvah twinning is a unique tradition which involves pairing a child from one community with another from a different community who is unable to have their own due to various circumstances. Sharing this experience is a great way to make an already special day have even greater significance.

Your child can also be twinned with one who was killed during the Holocaust and never got the chance to celebrate their Bar Mitzvah. Yad Vashem provides the information for this special form of twinning. Through this service, the child being remembered will share something with the participant – a birthday, a name or place of origin, for further significance.

This process can strengthen a child's identification with and understanding of their Jewish heritage by forging bonds with individual children who were murdered during the Holocaust, and also allows the memory of these children to be honoured, giving your family opportunity to remember and learn about the life of a child who was

A customized Twinning Kit containing information about the "twin" and immediate family members, as well as a study guide and a special certificate acknowledging participation in the Twinning Program will be sent to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah child. The Twinning Kit also includes a memoir written by a Holocaust survivor, a personal letter from a Holocaust survivor, a bookmark, and a personal QR code to a virtual Bar/Bat Mitzvah tour of the Holocaust History Museum at Yad Vashem, filmed especially for this project.

Jewish Child’s Day offers another twinning service which will match the Bar Mitzvah boy/ Bat Mitzvah girl with a child in Belarus or Israel who is unable to celebrate. This programme allows your child to choose their special partner for a minimum donation of £180. The advantage of this project is that they are in control of every aspect of the process, choosing how to raise the money and who to twin with, offering a taste of greater responsibility in the lead-up to this meaningful rite of passage. It also allows them to become closer to someone from a community outside of their own and may even create a lasting friendship that will endure for years to come.

Naomi Williams, whose daughter Daisy is currently taking part in the Yad Vashem programme, recounts what the experience has been like: “We have spent months planning a big party to celebrate

our daughter Daisy’s Bat Mitzvah which we are so excited for. But a girl becoming Bat Mitzvah is so much more than a big party. I wanted Daisy to understand how lucky she is, to be Jewish and able to openly celebrate that.

“Both my grandparents were born in Berlin, when they were just 15 when they escaped Nazi Germany on the Kindertransport and came to the UK. That meant leaving every member of their family and arriving alone in a foreign country (and never seeing their parents and some of their siblings again). The Yad Vashem twinning programme is an incredible way to honour our past and remember another girl who was not able to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah. They selected a girl with the same Hebrew name as Daisy and the pack comes with information about the young girl, a wonderful poem and memorial candles that we plan to light at the Friday Night Dinner of her Bat Mitzvah weekend. It’s a chance to continue the Jewish line and that is the true celebration.”

Twinning is a beautiful idea promoting the concept of inclusion encouraging young people to see themselves as members of a global community with a shared responsibility to make the world a better place. They can learn about different Jewish traditions, music, and customs, expanding their knowledge and appreciation of their own heritage, while aiding and honouring a less fortunate child.

Yadvashem.org

Jcd.uk.com

Sharing your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah with another child who is unable to celebrate their own is a beautiful tradition for the family.

Win a Luxury Stayover!

Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa is offering a chance to win an overnight stay for two including dinner, breakfast, and two spa treatments.

The Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa is set in 17 acres of glorious parkland. This four-star hotel is a beautiful restored 700-year-old country manor house which retains many of its original features, including turrets, porticos, and a vast staircase, all helping to make any event extra memorable.

This stately location is the ideal place to celebrate any special occasion, especially a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. The Pendle Suite is the largest of the hotel's exceptional event spaces, able to accommodate up to 300 people, meaning there’s no need to pick and choose which family and friends you’ll invite. The ballroom boasts a large dance floor and stage allowing you and your guests to dance the night away.

For a more intimate celebration, the Towneley Suite is ideal for those wanting to celebrate with up to 120 guests. Its private bar leads to a glamorous outdoor location for reception drinks and envyinducing photographs. This beautiful suite with windows on three sides is flooded with natural daylight making it the perfect picturesque to take those perfect Simcha snaps.

The Dunklaw and Garden Room is able to accommodate over 50 people for ceremonies and up to 60 people for banquets. This gorgeous space is part of the original building and feature a stunning fireplace and mirror, creating an elegant and stylish atmosphere for your event.

For a celebration that lasts well into the early hours, 175 bedrooms blend age-old comfort with modern design and include one suite, three special feature rooms and enhanced accessibility rooms. All bedrooms are non-smoking and provide 24-hour room service, complimentary car parking, hair dryer, ironing facilities, flatscreen TV, and tea and coffee making facilities.

With top notch facilities including restaurant, spa and free parking, guests can extend their stay and build memories for ever.

COMPETITION

For your chance to win an overnight stay for two including breakfast, dinner, and two 20-minute spa treatments, please answer the following question:

How many bedrooms does the Mercure Dunkenhalgh hotel have?

Enter online at Jlifemagazine.co.uk/ competitions-5 or by post to JLife Ltd, Unit 7, Gemini Business Park, Sheepscar Way, Leeds, LS7 3JB. Please ensure your entry includes your name, address, daytime telephone number, and email address. The winners will be randomly selected on the closing date: 18th August 2023

Terms and conditions apply: Prize is nonrefundable and cannot be exchanged. When entering the competition online you have the option to not be entered in JLife Magazine and Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa’s databases in order to be contacted about news, promotions, and special offers. Postal entry data will not be saved. Publisher’s decision is final.

LEO FREEDMAN WAS BAR MITZVAHED AT HIS HOME IN WHITEFIELD.

HE WAS JOINED BY FAMILY TO CELEBRATE THE MOMENTOUS OCCASION.

CJ ARONSON WAS CALLED UP AT STENECOURT SHUL.

HE RECEIVED EXTRA ATTENTION FROM BOTH HIS GRANDMAS ON HIS SPECIAL DAY.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS JOINED HIS SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS.

JOSEPH ATTIAS WAS CALLED UP AT WHITEFIELD SHUL.

THE GIRLS OF CHABAD WHITEFIELD’S BAT MITZVAH DISCOVERY COURSE RECENTLY HAD THEIR GRADUATION CEREMONY AT THE SHRUBBERIES.

ALL PHOTOS BY TANYA DUMAN

On Trend

Adi Joseph from ByAdiva.com keeps us up to date with this year’s summer fashion trends.

One-piece swimming costumes

Adi noticed a more modest approach to fashion is definitely making a resurgence saying: “the [Princess] Kate effect is still very big, not so revealing but more glamourous.” And this definitely carries over to swimwear as more women are opting for a flattering one-piece which gives a seamless and soft silhouette.

Neutrals

It’s back to basics with neutral colours making a comeback. A clear trend which counters the loud neon we saw a couple years ago is some classic neutral tones. Great for getting your pieces to mix and match, you probably already have some key neutral pieces in your wardrobe. This year expect to see nude and khaki neutrals take centre stage in particular.

Romantic styles

Speaking of Bridgerton influences, romantic styles are very in. From a loose draped fit in the skirt or sleeves to ribbons and bows for detail, this trend is very reminiscent of a fairy tale. Romantic styles also encompass floral prints which are always a bright and fresh summer staple in your wardrobe.

Bold Colours

Bright colour isn’t completely done for though, but it is coming back softer than before. Orange, fuchsia pink, and bold green are especially popular this summer. Pick two and you’ll have yourself a great colour palette or opt for one bold colour as an accent to make your outfit pop.

Maxi dresses

Maxi dresses, especially with gold foil printed on them, are something Adi has been noticing a high demand for. With shows like Bridgerton making a royal and regal affect on our fashion choices, gold foil is a great way to add a touch of shimmer to catch the light without going for a chunky glitter or sequined look.

Ah, summertime! As the temperature rises, so does the buzz surrounding the hottest eyewear trends. Get ready to have a blast as we dive into the world of eyewear, where transition lenses, sunglasses, and superherolike protection combine to create a spectacle sensation like no other. Buckle up, my stylish friend, because this article will make you see summer through a whole new lens!

Transition Lenses: Like chameleons they effortlessly adapt to the changing light conditions. Step out of a dark room into

the bright sun, and voila! These glasses transform into sunglasses right before your eyes, shielding your peepers from harmful UV rays.

Sunglasses: The coolest accessory under the sun. These bad boys are the true crime fighters, protecting your eyes from the sun's wrath while making you look cooler than an ice cream truck on a sweltering day. And let's not forget the undeniable allure they add to your summer selfies – instant star power, guaranteed!

Sunscreen for Your Eyes: We all know the importance of slathering on sunscreen to safeguard our skin from the sun's sneaky rays. But did you know that your eyes need protection too? Yes, dear reader, it's time to unleash the ultimate weapon: UV-blocking eyewear. Think of them as tiny umbrellas for your eyeballs, shielding them from harmful ultraviolet radiation. So go ahead, strut your

stuff while keeping your eyes safe.

Summer and eyewear make the perfect match, blending protection and fashion. So, my friend, as you embark on your summer adventures, remember to equip yourself with transition lenses that transform at the speed of light, sunglasses that turn you into a bona fide superhero, and UV-blocking eyewear that shields your precious eyes. Stay cool, stay fabulous, and keep shining brighter than the sun!

Exciting things are happening at MODS, eyewear studio opening soon! Browse to your hearts content in a world of fashion, feel-good eyewear that will be personally styled to show off you!

Mobile service will continue but MODS HQ (Whitefield) will be your walk-in wonderland. Get in touch on 07863 544 088 and of course follow @modsoptical to see it happen!

MOVIE MAGIC

A new film will be hitting the screens, based on book one of ‘The Adventures Of Sleepy The Magical Bear’ written by D.M. Rivers, also know as David Cohen. The film will be released on YouTube in the hope of raising money for NHS Charities Together. The project has some big names behind it, including Richard Armitage (The Hobbit), Eddie the Eagle (playing an eagle, of course!), Sylvester McCoy as Knibbles the beaver, and even a member of the royal family, Ella Windsor.

The project came about out of a desire to do something to support the NHS, as David explains: “Back in March 2020, just before the pandemic started, I wanted to do something for the NHS, through my books. I put a post out on a casting site, and so many people applied, from all over the film and TV world. We had enough people then to give it a go.”

Due to the pandemic, the filming and audio recording for the project wasn’t done in the most traditional manner: “It was hard, because all of the filming took place in people’s homes using greenscreens and on mobile phones. Filming was really tricky, but with some very talented editors and animators we made it as good as we could. I’m happy with it anyway!”

To get a perspective on the process of recording, we also spoke to wellknown Jewish voice actor Jay Simon, who voiced several characters in the film, chiefly the role of King Magic. While he was born in the UK, Jay now lives in New Zealand and it was from his home studio that he spoke to us: “I have my own studio here in Wãnaka, and David would Zoom me and direct a session and see if he likes what I’m doing. This technology wasn’t there a while ago, but now it’s almost like we’re in the next room, instead of a thousand miles away.”

Jay also has a personal reason that drove him to become involved in the film: “When

I heard about this project, it was particularly poignant for me because I owe the NHS everything. I had surgery on my feet as a young child in the Great Ormond Street Hospital. I literally had my ankles rebuilt. It was the first operation of its kind back then, and the surgeons said: ‘We’re going to make you walk properly, but you’ll never climb mountains, and you certainly won’t do musicals.’ Well, I’ve done nine musicals and I live in the mountains. So, I’m indebted to the NHS, as I understand many people who have been through the difficult period of COVID are.”

The Adventures Of Sleepy The Magical Bear will become available to the public on Christmas Eve on YouTube, completely free of charge, and a Just Giving donation page will be available from 10am that morning. David is also giving the Adventures Of Sleepy The Magical Bear eBook away free of charge at Sleepymagic. co.uk

We discover the magic of cinema with the writer and star of a new film raising funds for the NHS.

GIST GET THE

GistMD is a personalised digital health interventions platform that empowers patients to take an active role in their healthcare journey. The platform provides patients with highly personalised education content and engagement tools, to help close gaps in care and improve patient engagement. One of the key features of GistMD is its personalised content, which is tailored to factor in the patient’s demographic, linguistic, medical, pre-conditions, medication, cultural, and behavioural factors, in order to provide information about medical conditions and treatments in an accessible and understandable way.

Noam Kalina, Chief Business Officer of GistMD, explained: “We believe that in order for a patient to be driven into action, they must first understand. We do this in a very personalised manner.

We offer patient engagement tools, allowing them to book an appointment with a doctor or read more about their condition. The end goal of all of this is to drive the patient into action.”

For example, if you show a Black child in America a video with only white patients in it, they will shut off. Then we offer patient engagement tools, allowing them to book an appointment with a doctor or read more about their condition. The end goal of all of this is to drive the patient into action.”

Noam recently visited Leeds and

Manchester with the hope of expanding the technology to patients in the UK: “The visit to Leeds was part of an ongoing application for a joint venture with the Israeli Innovation Authority and the NHSA (Northern Health Science Alliance). After a few rounds of consideration, we’ve been shortlisted by the NHSA and we were invited to come to meet them and go into more in-depth details of what we can do together and to start planning the development stage of the product we’ll do together.”

Though none of the group had visited before, the area immediately made an impression: “This was our first time visiting and we fell in love with the area. We loved the people and the countryside. I don’t know if we brought the sun over from Israel but it was actually sunny while we were there! My wife also has relatives in Leeds, so I reached out to them, and on one of the days we were there, they arranged a big meeting with several key people from the Jewish community.

“We made some great business connections.”

Israeli entrepreneur, Noam Kolina, Chief Business Officer of patient engagement tool innovator, GistMD, recounts his recent visit to the North.

One of the most common questions I get asked by business owners is: “How can I extract more cash from my business in the most tax efficient manner?” Very often, it’s a simcha, wedding, Bar Mitzvah or other kind of major celebration that prompts the question. Firstly, everyone’s financial and tax position is different so there is no one-size-fits all answer to this question. Also, HMRC regularly changes the rules. There are, however, a set of common principles that you can apply.

Salary and dividends: Company

directors in the UK can extract money from their business in a tax-efficient manner by taking a combination of salary and dividends. Paying yourself a reasonable salary ensures that you benefit from the tax-free personal allowance and can make contributions to National Insurance. Dividends can be used to extract additional income while taking advantage of the lower tax rates for dividends compared to income tax.

Shares into trust: Business owners may transfer some of their shareholding into trust, and build funds in the trust, by receiving regular dividends, or monies on the sale of the business. These may be taxed in a more favourable manner than if held personally.

Utilise tax breaks: Take advantage of various tax-free allowances available, such as the annual Capital Gains Tax (CGT) allowance. By structuring and timing certain transactions, such as the sale of shares or

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Employee benefits: Directors can explore the use of tax-efficient employee benefits to extract value from their business. This includes perks such as company cars, health insurance, and vouchers, which can be provided tax-free or with reduced tax liabilities, benefiting both the director and the business.

Family-owned businesses, by definition have wives, husbands, sons and daughters working together and it’s important that you are confident that your accountant is making the most of the tax opportunities that comes with this kind of arrangement.

If you are looking for a new accountant who can proactively help you and your family extract profit from your business in a compliant manner contact me directly on (0161) 980 8788 or email murray@ alexanderknightaccountants.co.uk

Discovery into Helping Alzheimer’s

Israeli researchers have found a reason why women with Alzheimer’s disease experience faster cognitive deterioration than men, leading to new developments in treating the disease.

Women suffering from Alzheimer’s have been found to generationally inherit a specific molecular mechanism from their mothers wherein their tRNA, (a part of the cell which helps build proteins) is severely depleted in the brain nuclei.

Due to this discovery scientists may be able to develop new solutions via RNAbased therapies for patients with the disease.

Professor Hermona Soreq, the Brain Gene Expert at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem who led the study says: “Our research presents a significant contribution to the existing body of Alzheimer’s research, underscoring crucial distinctions not only in disease progression but also in treatment response.”

Improved Hydration

Water is vital to our health yet most of us don’t drink our recommended eight glasses a day. But Tel Aviv-based smart packaging company impacX has a smart solution. Its smart water bottle has a cap which measures the liquid level and blinks as a hydration reminder.

The smart bottle works in combination with the mobile app Water.io to send you push notification reminders on your phone to drink more water. To make sure you reach your water drinking goals for the day, the light up cap will register green if you are on track to reach your target or red if you are behind.

ImpacX has launched the smart bottle in Israel to a positive response especially from those with medical problems, pregnant women, and sports players. With positive feedback it plans to expand its reach.

DIY Ultrasound Prevents Pregnancy Scares

One of the leading reasons why women go to A&E during pregnancy is because they cannot feel foetal movement, Pulsenmore’s at home ultrasound gives countless women peace of mind about their baby’s health.

Pulsenmore’s new at-home kit provides ultrasound technology in an attachment to your smartphone. Paired with the Pulsenmore app, the device records the scan so it can be sent to your clinician. The scan is at its clearest after 14 weeks but women in their third trimester, at 27 weeks, will gain a clearer image and therefore benefit most from the device.

Israeli CEO and Founder of Pulsenmore, Dr. Elazar Sonnenschein was inspired to create the device after one of his relatives

DOWN TO BUSINESS

A round up of the latest local business and UK Israel Trade news.

experienced a distressing health scare during their pregnancy.

BICC Chief to Boost Israel Trade

New Executive Director of the British-Israel Chamber of Commerce North-West, Nigel Tobias aims to further aid the escalation of trade between the UK and Israel in recent years. He hopes to strengthen UK-Israel connections by bringing exceptional guest speakers to BICC events to foster communal closeness.

Nigel says: “Manchester has a vibrant business community, with a history of Zionism and intercommunal relationships. I want to widen that scope and bring businesspeople and businesses together.”

Global Hygiene and Health Company Moves

Swedish company, Essity, which has brands including Cushelle, Plenty, Bodyform, and TENA have moved 90 staff to the new Didsbury branch.

Regional Vice President UK & EMEA, Lee Doherty says: “We’ve been looking for a great space that facilitates easier collaboration between our teams, supports our sustainability goals, and embraces the more modern ways of working that we’ve introduced in recent years.

“We’re really pleased to have found all of that and more at Didsbury Towers and we look forward to welcoming our customers, agency partners and most importantly, our employees and colleagues to our new home.”

Previously operating from Manchester Airport and Salford Quays, Essity also has one of its six manufacturing sites at Trafford Park.

InnovateHer Awarded £50,000 Grant

The North-West social enterprise that aims to get more women ready for the tech industry and the tech industry ready for women, has just received a £50,000 grant as

part of Innovate UK’s Future Flight Fund. InnovateHer will use the funds to engage with teens aged 13 to 17 across the UK through its e-learning platform allowing them to access its cybersecurity learning programme. The programme is a six-to-eightweek interactive course which will inspire and intrigue young people to consider careers in the sector and align with Future Flight’s emerging demand. The students receive information from their virtual tutors throughout the course which will have them tackling simulated challenges to make them feel like they are solving real-world cyber problems.

Chelsea Slater, Co-Founder of InnovateHer, said: “We are thrilled and honoured to have received the prestigious Future Flight Fund from Innovate UK, allowing us to introduce a transformative Cyber Pillar to our E-Learning platform. This support not only reaffirms our commitment to nurturing digital resilience, but also positions InnovateHer as a driving force in shaping the future of cybersecurity education.”

Giant Ice Trays to Cool Buildings

Air conditioning during summer months makes up for 40% of electricity usage in commercial buildings. As the need for air conditioning is constant in rising temperatures, energy grids are left unable to cope with the relentless wide-spread use of electricity.

Israeli green energy company Nostromo Energy’s solution is to use ice. The IceBrick is a thermal cell which stores water, turning it from a liquid into ice using electricity from times when the grid is cheaper and not in high demand (like at night when less electricals are used). The IceBrick is then thawed during hours of peak energy usage so air conditioning can be used without use of the grid.

Nostromo will soon begin installing the IceBrick in 120 American buildings, mostly in California, supported by a scheme by the US Department of Energy to support clean energy use.

Kosher Lending!!

Hello Rabbi Maxim, lovely to speak with you again! Tell me… what is kosher lending?! Is it borrowed saltbeef?

Hello! Not quite! But yes, to many people keeping kosher is all about food – not mixing milk and meat, two sinks, and lots of pots and pans! But not many people know that keeping kosher stretches much further, all the way to the money they lend and borrow! In fact, Jewish law, encompasses every aspect of daily life, including financial transactions. The Torah prohibited the lending of money with interest to Jewish borrowers. To this, the Rabbis instituted many guidelines to ensure both ethical conduct and the adherence of Jewish Law in lending.

Ok great – so how can I make my lending kosher?

Enter the Heter Iska! As economic systems evolved, Jewish lenders sought ways to participate in economic activities while still adhering to religious obligations. The Heter Iska (a legal document) was developed as a mechanism to address this challenge. It allowed lenders and borrowers to structure their financial transactions in a way that complied with Jewish law, enabling lenders

to receive returns on their investments while avoiding the explicit charging of interest. Under a Heter Iska agreement, the lender and borrower enter a partnership rather than a conventional loan arrangement. Instead of charging interest, the lender becomes a partner in the borrower's business venture or investment. The lender's funds are treated as capital invested in the partnership, and the borrower assumes the role of the active partner managing the business operations.

Are all Jewish lenders kosher?

Not yet! That is why I founded the Jewish Lending Institute. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t speak with Jewish lenders who want to offer kosher lending but don’t know what to do or how to do it. We are working with leading Rabbinic experts to make it easier for more Jewish lenders to become Heter Iska compliant and also help borrowers identify lenders that are offering kosher lending.

So, what is next for the Jewish Lending Institute?

Our main goal is to streamline the process for Jewish lenders becoming kosher lenders! Together with our Rabbinic experts, we

are working on standardising the processes and documents used by Jewish lenders – allowing them to incorporate as many Rabbinic opinions as possible (and there are many!) and assuring borrowers that the highest level of Kashrut is adhered to. In addition, we want to instill a higher ethical standard to our Jewish lenders –as this is the core lesson we learn from Ribbis (interest on lending). Finally, we are developing an easy-to-use website, where borrowers and brokers can identify kosher lenders. There will also be an interactive learning area to educate about Ribbis and Heter Iska.

If anyone wants to get involved or find out more information about The Jewish Lending Institute, please email admin@ jewishlending.org.uk

We spoke with Rabbi Maxim Cohen, awardingwinning finance specialist and founder of The Jewish Lending Institute – an organisation aimed at the education and regulation of the Jewish Lending.

As wealth planners, we are painfully aware of the challenges facing retirement savers today. Put simply, in the midst of a well-publicised cost of living crisis, saving for retirement can seem little short of a luxury. Set against higher retail prices and household bills, many people may have paused or cancelled their regular pension savings in order to prioritise shorter-term needs.

This is worrying, as making up for lost pension contributions further down the line can be challenging, least not because the benefits of these savings should build up over time. If you’re struggling to maintain your pension savings at the moment, then rather than ceasing to make pension contributions entirely, it may be more sensible to reduce these to a more affordable level for the time being.

SAVING FOR YOUR RETIREMENT

Christine Ross, Client Director at Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management, discusses flexible ways to build your pension amid high inflation.

If saving a smaller amount is not possible either, we recommend having a clear aim as to when you can restart making pension contributions, and (if feasible) to restart at an increased level to help to make up the shortfall.

With state pensions increasingly deemed insufficient for a comfortable retirement, private pension savings have become a critical part of long-term financial planning. It’s important to remember that no investment ever comes without risk, but workplace pensions and private pensions are widely accepted as good long-term options for building up retirement savings.

If you work for a company in the UK, your employer is already paying into your pension on your behalf, and you can make additional contributions yourself. Similarly, if you

are paying into a separate private pension, the higher your regular payments into the scheme, the better your chances of accruing a healthier pension pot over the long term.

You should of course think carefully about how much you can afford to save, and we always recommend taking advice to ensure that you understand the risks, limitations and processes involved.

Find out more at your local Handelsbanken branch, Manchester Trinity Way: manchestertrinityway@ handelsbanken.co.uk

Founder: Rabbi Maxim Cohen

BALANCING ACT

With many of us working harder than ever, sometimes the important things in life can be forgotten. JLife spoke to events planner Amy Cowan, to see how working flexible hours has led to a fulfilling work and personal life.

achieves is amazing, but we're not all going to have that same work/life balance.

Amy Cowan had been working nine to five in the event industry for over 20 years before opening her own business, Amy Cowan Events in February 2020. Amy was recently a keynote speaker at an industry conference to discuss work/life balance, speaking about how going freelance proved to be the right step for her after a nine to five became a poor fit for her career and family driven lifestyle.

Hi Amy! Social media is such a fast-paced place for people to show how their life and work is going, do you think over exposure imposes on work/life balance?

It’s got to factor in. Whenever I see a LinkedIn feed of somebody always posting career highlights and milestones, I immediately think, who’s doing their housework? I think its commonplace for us all to think work/life balance is the same for everybody, but it’s just not true. All that fixation in the media about Molly Mae saying Beyonce has the same number of hours in a day as the rest of us, doesn’t help either. Yes, there are the same number of hours, but we also haven’t got an entire team to keep our day organised. What she

How did going freelance and home working change how you felt about work? It felt so much better, but I also felt like I owed it more. I'd have had all the things that I wanted to do before work started, the time with my children, time doing some exercise, I've probably tidied up a little bit as well. After that there is only work because all those things have been done.

When I used to work in an office, every lunch break was spent running an errand. I’d be doing some online banking, getting my personal life in order, doing something crazy. It got to the stage where I never thought: ‘Oh, I have time to take a break from work.’ It was just cramming everything else into that hour. It wasn’t helpful and it didn't make me feel that much more productive either.

Now I get so much more done working from home, controlling my hours, I can do those errands when I need to. I’m much more efficient freelancing and a lot of it is because I am such an honest person. All my billing is transparent because I can't bear to think that I might be putting a markup where I shouldn't and that’s a great motivator.

A tactic which really helps me is the Pomodoro technique, where you work for 25-minutes and then take a five-minute

break, and then after you’ve done a few circuits you earn a longer break. When I was first freelancing, I lived and died by my timer.

Have your working habits been noticeably different since dropping the traditional nine to five office model?

I like how, if I'm on a briefing where I have to listen, but I don't have to do anything, I can do my washing up while I'm listening and be fully absorbed. It’s all about knowing yourself. I know that I concentrate better when I'm doing something else, and I can do that for myself now without judgement. It drove some people potty that I’d be doing something while they’re talking but that is how I pay attention. I mean, it's literally my job to do 10 things at once but when I used to do it in other areas like meetings, it was seen as a negative.

I think we’re also recognising that we’re not all 100% neurotypical and that everyone is on a spectrum. Just recognising that people’s brains work completely differently and trying to support them in that way is something I like having control over. I think that could still be done in a nine to five. I've created that environment for myself, because I couldn't find it anywhere else, but I think you can find workplaces which are accommodating and there are little hacks you could put in place for yourself too.

Waiting Game

One in five people suffer from mental disorders, and with waiting lists for treatment at an all-time high, up to five years in the UK, the company’s mental health services are in demand. Israel-based Taliaz, founded by Dr. Dekel Taliaz PhD in neuroscience/molecular mechanisms of psychiatric disorders at the Weizmann institute of science, Israel, and his brother Oren, have created a clinical technology platform called PREDICTIX, that optimizes the mental health treatment and management for the first time, servicing both physicians and patients.

“Mental health waiting lists are a massive problem globally, both in the private and public sectors,” Dekel explained. “This comes from three main factors, massive growth in patients experiencing mental health issues, limited psychiatrists, with only 11 per 100,000 patients and limited clinical tools to assist prescribers. While homicide rates have declined over recent years, sadly, suicide rates stemming from mental health issues have not. Mental health has become a huge issue, especially since the pandemic, and until recently it’s been a taboo subject and there is a huge gap in the sector for professionals able to treat people.

“Adult ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) assessment is just

one area, in Leeds the NHS website staggeringly reads for ADHD alone, there are currently approximately 3,300 people on a local list awaiting a diagnostic assessment. Those getting booked in now were referred to the service in December 2020. Due to the gap between demand and capacity, this waiting time is expected to increase moving forward.”

So, what is PREDICTIX and how can it help? Essentially, it’s a support tool, driven by AI (artificial intelligence) to help psychiatrists and GPs improve prescribing success and care, while saving time and reducing costs. Driven by algorithms and deep scientific research, PREDICTIX automates the mental health workflow, providing clinical tools to allow for faster intake. It also improves efficiency for providers and causes improved clinical results for patients during the assessment, diagnosis and follow up stages – a critical component to any patient’s mental health journey.

So, what is PREDICTIX and how can it help? Essentially, it’s a support tool, driven by AI (artificial intelligence) to help psychiatrists and GPs improve prescribing success and care, while saving time and reducing costs.”

In addition, Taliaz has built around this platform a service component called Healthymind, in which it offers a virtual online psychiatry service which takes the patient from the assessment, through diagnosis and follow up. As Dekel explained: “The product and service means we can see patients within a two week time frame from referral versus the minimum 12

months it takes in the NHS, improve the psychiatrist time with patients allowing them to see double the number of patients, but not compromising on the clinical outcomes as 90% of patients feel better within eight to 12 weeks and don't suffer a painful trial and error process of 1218 months around treatment optimization.

“We’ve been working on the technology for a few years and have received grant funding from the Israeli Innovation Authority and the European Union Horizon 2020 Grant that only 5% of applicants receive. There is a massive need for what we are doing, our technology has recently won first prize at the French Congress of Psychiatry in Paris, and in UK we are working with Heather Rice, a Senior Director in the NHS and her team in Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust which has opened up discussions with additional NHS Trusts and providers in Yorkshire, where we are hoping to implement our technology. All of these partnerships will allow to drive down the waiting lists and improve the diagnosis, medication and support given in both the public and private sectors in the UK.”

Taliaz has been working closely with Colin Glass, OBE from WGN Business Advisors and Chair of UK-Israel Business (North-East) and Judith Parry from NorthInvest. Along with Adiel Levin, Taliaz VP Business Development and Strategy, Dekel will be back in the UK this month and opening its branch office in the North to expand its HealthyMind service so more organizations can understand the capabilities, whilst seeking investment to continue development.

An Israeli tech company at the forefront in the mental health sector is now working alongside the NHS here in the North of England.

Summer Fun

Join Eureka! for a summer holiday of fun with events to suit all interests. There are loads of activities, great shows and performing arts to engage in, and even some storytelling for the little ones.

Meet the dinosaurs walking around the museum, with regular appearances of the agile and fearsome raptors and some bigger beasts, the roaming carnivores. If you look closely there may also be some less intimidating baby dinos, but don’t let their size fool you!

Eureka! has loads of science themed events this summer, from blue-haired mad scientist Professor Pumpernickel and his crazy science experiments to its Squirrel Walnutkins Saves the Planet show. This unmissable show is 50-minutes long and is specifically designed to engage SEN children with its interactive elements; it’s also accessible to those with special auditory needs coming with a BSL interpreter. Squirrel Walnutkins must stop the last tree in Evergreen Wood from being cut down in an adventure to save the planet with her trusty friend Felix the Fox. Catch the show on both 25th and 26th August, with two performances per day.

If performances are what your child will love, then Eureka! has got you covered! Gacko, the amazing showman has several performances throughout summer to catch, with additional spectacular shows by The Great Mandavi, street performer,

entertainer, and fire juggler. If you also want some hands-on experiences for a child who loves the spotlight, Alfie & His Ukeleles will be providing ukelele workshops over the season.

Great for tiny tots, but with everyone welcome, are some magical story time spots. A Eureka! favourite, Ian Douglas and his story cart will be coming to the museum throughout the summer to pique your curiosity, just look for his signature teal blue wagon! Another story time special is Magical Story Jars which allow children to create their own stories from a magical set of cards. Come to its drop-in session to try your hand at creating your own story.

You won’t want to miss these special events and performances this summer so don’t forget when you pay once, you can play as many times as you want for the whole year! The summer holidays are a great time to take advantage of your Eureka! annual pass, come and see what different things it has on offer every single day. Events will run from 22nd July to 3rd September.

All tickets must be pre-booked online at Book.eureka.org.uk/play

There are exciting times to be had for all the family at Eureka! with its packed summer holiday schedule.

On Your Bike!

In honour of World Bicycle Day which just happened on 3rd June, it’s time to dust off your bike and helmet and get peddling around Manchester.

Cycling is increasing in popularity as a means of transport due to its health benefits and low carbon footprint. Getting out and about on a bike is a fun way to pass a weekend that can include the whole family, but it’s important to do your research and plot your route beforehand to ensure you’re not biting off more than you can chew.

Cycle and Stride for Active Lives is an initiative from Transport for Greater Manchester designed to encourage people in Greater Manchester to become more active through cycling. The initiative is working with over 60 different communities, charities, faith groups and schools over the next three years to improve access to both cycling and walking through grants, training, online support, activities, and events. The scheme also has some great resources on its website to help

you plan cycling routes around the Greater Manchester area, including a section which allows you to plan 15 minute routes around your neighbourhood, if you want to get cycling but aren’t looking for anything too intense. Want to take part but don’t have a bike of your own? Not to worry! On the website you can also find a directory of bike libraries, which will allow you to borrow a bike, much like a book, to try out. Or if you want your very own, you can also find out which bike shops are near you. Beeactive.tfgm.com

TOP ROUTE PLANNING TIPS

1. Make use of online tools. There are a plethora of online tools available which can help you to plot your route. Google Maps, Strava, or dedicated cycling apps offer directions and often consider bikefriendly paths, dedicated cycling lanes, and areas with less traffic.

2. Consider road conditions. Bike lanes or shared paths are much safer and more enjoyable than cycling on the road. It’s also best to avoid busy roads or areas with heavy traffic if possible and consider any steep hills you might face along the way.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice. Maybe ask a friend who cycles frequently if they have any favourite routes or reach out to local cycling clubs or online groups to see if they are able to offer any wisdom.

You might be surprised to hear, but most of my summer memories don’t involve the Sea of Galilee or an AC set to 16 degrees, on the contrary – they feature me, wearing a button-down shirt that makes my back itch, bruises, and scratches on my legs, sweaty, tired, exhausted, hoarse but with a smile that never leaves my face for a moment.

Before Passover, the work begins, and from each moshav, several teens are selected to join the leading teams of the camp. Those kids will work day and night for months, travel between the ends of the country, hold long meetings, and become young leaders for hundreds of children – youth who will take part in the camp.

The official goal is to get the trophy, the real goal is education. A whole week where children and youth from all over the country gather in one place and the rest of the world freezes.

When you’re 15 at a summer camp, for the first time in your life, you’ve been given a really big responsibility to discover for the

CARRY ON CAMPING

Community Shlicha, Or Ribon, discusses how summer camp can mould our future communal leaders.

first time in your life that you’re capable of so much more than you thought. You find that even if you went to sleep at 4 am, an hour later you will jump on your feet, apply the camp colors on your face, and sing and dance with your teammates to wake up the campers. You find that even after a whole day on your feet, you can keep running because more ropes must be urgently brought in to finish the structure on time. You discover what it’s like to dream and make it come true, to create a world from scratch. You discover how always, no matter how tired, hungry, stressed, how hot it is - you can find the energy to lift up the campers and teach them a new game. You experience success, you experience failure, and you feel the power of working together and giving 100% and then some. To this day, after spending the last seven years as an educator in various settings - I have

not seen anything that compares to working on summer camp.

Robert Fulghum once wrote: “All I ever really needed to know I learned in kindergarten”, but if you ask me – all I ever really needed to know I learned in my youth movement.

Rewarding Excellence OUR COMMUNITY

able to celebrate this is always a top priority for the team at the Jewish Representative Council.

Anyone who has read this column during previous editions will have seen me write at length about the phenomenal work of organisations who operate across our community. It is always a great privilege to be able to showcase their work to politicians from local and national government. Without exception, they always admire how people who are struggling receive love, care and attention. This is administered by a dedicated professional staff and the most incredible group of selfless volunteers. Being

Now there is a way for members of our community to recognise those individuals and charities who have exceeded expectations and assisted those in need. On the 7th September, the JRC will be hosting our Community Awards. This will be a celebration of everything that is good about our community. Award categories include Volunteer of the Year, Volunteering Team of the Year, Young Volunteer of the Year, Communal Employee of the Year, Friend of the Community, Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement Award, Emergency Response Award and a Special Recognition Award.

I encourage everyone to think about

who has gone above and beyond to help those who are struggling? Which charities continually perform heroics to ensure vulnerable people don’t suffer? Who are the dedicated people give their time and energy to selflessly volunteer their services for absolutely no reward? Which young people and communal professionals stand out? Who deserves to be recognised for a lifetime contribution to our community?

Please visit our website at Jewishmanchester.org/communitywards and fill in the nomination form to ensure those who operate under the radar receive the gratitude they deserve. Everyone is also welcome to join us on the evening to participate in what will be a memorable occasion.

With Marc Levy, Chief Executive of the Jewish Representative Council

Community Heart of the

GRADUATION DAY

An audience of family members recently attended the graduation of participants of The Fed’s Bar-Bat Mitzvah Programme.

The Fed’s Bar-Bat Mitzvah programme recently celebrated another crop of graduates. The programme exposes children aged 12 and 13 from a wide range of local Jewish and secular schools to the culture of giving to and caring for others through charity, kind deeds and getting involved in community work, and was developed by The Fed’s Next-Gen Project Lead, Dan Jeffries and colleague, Fundraiser and Events Planner, Natasha Sarak.

Natasha explained: “By learning about our work and gaining hands-on experience we aimed to help set them up for life to be contributing community ‘doers’ and leaders.” Dan added: “We helped them develop empathy towards others, an awareness of how fortunate they are in comparison to people who lack so much and their own power, even at such a young

age, to change things for the better.”

Guest speaker, Head of Religious Studies at Manchester’s King David High School, Rabbi Benji Rickman commented: “The Fed has taken the Bar and Bat Mitzvah programme concept to a whole new level.”

He told graduates: “never see a Jew as being different – whether they wear black coats and fur hats or live somewhere outside of that community. Have eyes to see what other people need and really hear what people are saying, to listen and know when someone says ‘I’m fine’ that they may mean ‘I’m struggling’; feet to run and help; hands to lift people up and support those who are frail or need a helping hand or a hand of friendship.”

Suffering with Hip or Knee Pain?

Mr Kumar practices at Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and sees private patients across Manchester. He has a specialist interest in musculoskeletal oncology in particular soft tissue sarcomas. He is the Clinical Director of Sarcoma & Metastatic Bone Disease for Greater Manchester Cancer and Manchester Lumps Clinic.

+ Hip and Knee replacements

+ Removal of lumps and soft tissue cancers

+ Management of metastatic bone disease + Mako robotic assisted hip and knee surgery

Graduating were Bo Barsky, Liora Bolel, Kacie Breeze, Emily Chapman, Leora Chesner, Louis Harris, Talia Kaye, Matty Rabinowitz, Hadassah Rich, Maytal Roth, Adina Poznanski, Amber Press, Aoife Samuels, Molly Samuels, Ben Sarak, Dassi Tesciuba, and Tzvia Tabor.

Bookings for the 2023-4 programme are being taken, and a new Alpha-Feds teen programme this autumn will offer year nine and ten pupils opportunities to volunteer.

For more information contact Natasha on 0162 772 4800 or email natasha.sarak@ thefed.org.uk

Orthopaedic Surgeon Specialist in Hip & Knee Surgery and Oncology Honorary Senior Lecturer University of Manchester MBBS

Rezum Therapy System

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is enalrgemnt of the prostate. It can cause problems passing urine as men age. It commonly effects males over 50 years of age and is not usually a serious threat to health. In the UK the number of men with BPH that causes symptoms and who require a surgical treatment is projected at 25,000 each year.

It is important to seek help if you have problems as excluding cancer is necessary. If you have prostate enlargement, tablets may help but if these don’t work well enough surgery may be needed.

Rezum is a minimally invasive transurethral water vapour therapy for benign prostatic enlargement which uses thermal energy for treatment. The shortterm results show it to have good outcomes with a potential for outpatient-based treatment preserving sexual function. Rezum is suitable for the majority of men presenting with urinary symptoms due to an enlarged prostate and is carried out as a day procedure, an excellent choice for those who wish to retain their sexual function.

How is this treatment performed?

The REZUM Therapy system consists of a portable radio-frequency generator and delivery device to heat up a controlled amount of water in the Delivery Device outside of the body, converting the water into vapour or steam which is delivered into the prostate tissue that causes BPH.

Radio frequency energy from the generator is applied to an inductive coil in the delivery device to create steam and this energy is delivered into the prostate tissue through emitter holes in the delivery device needle to destroy the targeted obstructive prostate tissue that causes BPH.

During the treatment, saline is delivered through the device to enable visualisation and to keep the urethra cool and protect it from the thermal effects of the vapour during treatments.

What are the Benefits of the Rezum Therapy System?

• Preservation of sexual function

• Significant improvement in BPH symptoms

• A rapid return to normal daily activities

• Fewer adverse events

• A good alternative to offer patients with an improved quality of life

• Can be carried out under sedation without the need of a general anaesthetic

• A day case procedure

The Rezum therapy system offers an alternative to standard BPH management and has been supported by The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE). If you would like to speak to our team about your prostate, please call us or email us at info@urologyclinics.co.uk; quote JLIFE

*Care is at the heart of everything we do.

We are providing face-to-face counselling, therapies and complementary therapies at Chai centres across the UK. This is in addition to all the specialised support and care that we continue to offer our clients through telephone, Skype & Zoom.

For more information please call 0808 808 4567 or visit www.chaicancercare.org

Professor Vijay Sangar Consultant Urological Surgeon & Prof of Urology

Mr Karyee Chow Consultant Urological Surgeon

We go to Chai for the big * in MANCHESTER

MEDIA ROOM

JLife’s recommendations

TV, books, and films to keep you hooked.

The Invisible Hour | Scribner UK

15th August

From the bestselling author of Practical Magic (adapted into a film with Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock) Alice Hoffman’s latest novel explores themes of family, redemption, exploration, and love. Outcast for her pregnancy, sixteen-yearold Ivy finds solace in the arms of Joel Davis. He takes her in in her time of need and offers her a simpler life than her complicated situation has granted her. Little does Ivy know; Joel is the charismatic leader of a cult known as the Community. Born in to life of the Community, Mia is beginning to break rules which lead her down a path she never could have imagined.

Good Omens | Amazon Prime 28th

July

Season Two of Good Omens explores storylines that go beyond the original source material to illuminate the uncanny friendship between Aziraphale (Michael Sheen), a fussy angel and rare book dealer, and the fast-living demon Crowley (David Tennant). Having been on Earth since The Beginning, and with the Apocalypse thwarted, Aziraphale and Crowley are getting back to easy living among mortals in London’s Soho when an unexpected messenger presents a surprising mystery. This star-studded tv adaptation of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s beloved novel is an unmissable watch.

Red, White & Royal Blue

Amazon Prime | 11th August

Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez), the son of the first woman President of the United States (Uma Thurman), and Britain’s Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine) have a lot in common: stunning good looks, undeniable charisma, international popularity…and a total disdain for each other. But as Alex and Henry’s icy relationship unexpectedly begins to thaw into a tentative friendship, the friction that existed between them sparks something deeper than they ever expected. Based on Casey McQuiston’s critically acclaimed New York Times bestseller.

Charles Paris: So Much Blood Audible | 6th August

Narrated by the voice talents of Bill Nighy as Charles Paris with Suzanne Burden as Frances and Jon Glover as Maurice in this comedic whodunnit. Comedian and actor Charles Paris is at Edinburgh Fringe substituting for an actress with a broken leg when one of his fellow performers is stabbed to death backstage. Charles, his agent Maurice, and his ‘semi-detached’ wife Frances decide to give the mystery a go. Adapted from the novel by Simon Brett.

of the latest

A book for the forty year olds plus among us, `Fleishman is in Trouble’ is the story of a 41 year old man who finds the sole parent of two young children, who have been dumped on him by his soon to be ex-wife Rachel, who is in the middle of a full blown nervous breakdown.

Trouble Ahead

Elaine Bermitz reviews a Netflix series from the 2019 book ‘Fleishman in Trouble’.

As she faces her own demons and stays marginal throughout the book, he has to contend with and connect to the needs of his eight year old son and pre-adolescent daughter, a task which reveals every insecurity, inability, and missed aspiration in his character.

So far, so good. But the story isn't just Toby's story. It is written largely by one of his Gap-Year travelling companions, Libby, using her own dormant journalistic skills. Writing mainly in Toby's voice she reveals alongside his tragicomic predicament, her own boredom.

So we see the fears and worries of a little man who has set out to contend with the psychological demands of his overbearing family, his ongoing fears of being short and fat, the deluge of available sexual images which flood his social media outlets and

Secret Garden

An experimental project by the National Trust, the Castlefield Viaduct- Manchester is designed to test trial its new Greening the City initiative, prettying industrial sites to tell the history of places which would otherwise go unvisited and giving them a new lease of life to tell the workingclass history of England. The Castlefield Viaduct was built in 1852 so that trains could transport imported Indian cotton from Liverpool to the Central Station (now known as GMEX) on to the great mills which processed it, then returning it for finishing. Made redundant very quickly by the newer and better-connected Manchester Piccadilly Station, the viaduct lay derelict for nearly a hundred and twenty years.

Now the National Trust, in collaboration with Manchester City Council, has created an oasis of green and calm above the city with glorious areas of mixed plants, herb

gardens, shrubs, and trees transforming this old industrial structure. It even includes a small pond where a family of ducks lay eggs (causing the National Trust staff to name them Viaducks!).

It’s easy to reach either on foot from Deansgate by climbing a few flights of steps, or by taking the lift. There is also the option of using the Metrolink Tram which stops at Deansgate - Castlefield Station. To find the new spot there is just a short walk running parallel to the tramline to enter the venue. Despite its National Trust status, there is no charge for visiting this summer, you can also book free conducted tours online from enthusiastic guides which add greatly to the experience.

Currently the National Trust has been able to develop 330 meters of the Viaduct, with grand plans to work on the remaining length which could eventually see it reach

his inability to view life in any way than scientific. There is so much hilarity among the tragedy but his inadequacies outweigh his learned strengths. He can show his son how the universe works, but forgets to protect him from porn sites. He can pack them both for camp, but can't connect with his daughters distress when she is exploited by viral social media.

In short, he isn't up to the job and Libby subtly points that out, while we see her inability to deal with her own overbearing husband and the comfortable lifestyle so destructive of her own creativity.

Later Rachel returns, presumably to have another go at the marriage. I would love a sequel and a second series, if only to find out how a woman with no peer or psychological support balances the drive for financial success with the care of her family.

Pomona Metrolink Station near Media City. It currently has permission to remain until September 2024, though there are hopes the Viaduct will become a permanent feature of Manchester. But right now, the transformation allows you to see the canals and enjoy a good view of the Castlefield area and have a peaceful picnic close to the busiest corner of town without hearing any vehicle noise.

The National Trust CEO is determined to bring the countryside into City Centre areas to enable a generation of people who can't enjoy country houses to places like the Viaduct which sit right on their doorstep. If this is an example of the National Trust’s ambition it is certainly on the right track. Nationaltrust.org.uk

WRITTEN BY TAFFY BRODESSER-AKNER. WILDFIRE PUB. WILDFIRE. TV SERIES ON NETFLIX.

If you are looking for somewhere free and local to take the children this summer try the National Trust’s Castlefield Viaduct-Manchester.

Snap Happy

Equipment

You don’t need to have the latest and greatest camera and lens to get started in photography. Cameras have been capable of producing exceptional images for decades now, so unless you have a very specific need that can only be fulfilled with the latest tech, chances are an older (and cheaper) camera will be just fine.

That said, it is also true that some cameras are just better than others, and the same applies to lenses. In the last few years, there has been a major shift from DSLR cameras to mirrorless cameras, and the difference in capabilities between them is quite vast. So, if you can afford it, mirrorless is the future. But if you’re on a budget, a solid DSLR will be more than adequate. In terms of lenses, a great starting point would be a 50mm f1.8 – it’s one of the cheapest lenses around, but still produces really great quality images.

Rules of composition

One of my favourite phrases is ‘learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist’. But all too often, photographers justify poorly taken pictures by saying, ‘Oh, I just like to break the rules.’ Breaking rules should be done consciously, and with purpose and intent.

The ‘rule of thirds’ is perhaps the most well-known rule of composition, whereby the subject is placed a third of the way

across the scene, and a third of the way up or down it. Another style of composition is symmetry, which can take a surprising variety of forms in an image.

Free Online Photography Lessons

These days, the internet provides a wealth of photographic knowledge completely free, so whatever it is you want to learn, you’ll be able to find it online. YouTube tutorials in particular can guide you through pretty much every single aspect of photography, often with videos specific to your camera brand.

That’s not to say there isn’t value in attending workshops and learning from professionals, but I’d argue they are generally more suited to the intermediate photographers who want specific guidance, rather than beginners looking to learn the fundamentals.

Get off auto

There are no two ways about it, if you really want to learn to take better photographs, you have to stop using the fully automatic feature. This can seem daunting at first, but there’s nothing quite like diving into the deep end headfirst to learn to swim.

When I bought my very first DSLR, I refused to use the fully auto feature, and it was the best decision for me, forcing me to really think about the settings I was using,

and why. The key to getting off fully auto is learning about - and understanding - the exposure triangle, which is the basis of all photography. There are three elements that all work together to achieve an exposure, shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. Understanding how each one affects an image, and understanding how they work together, will put the control completely in your hands.

Don’t rush

Everyone wants to take great pictures, and in today’s fast-paced world, most people want great results immediately. But with photography, there simply isn’t one trick or fix that will transform your images into world-class artwork (despite the promises of thousands of online photography adverts). Rather, photography is about making lots of smaller adjustments to improve your results.

Practice

You can read all the theory you want, you can admire other people’s work, and you can attend so many workshops, but nothing will improve your photography more than just practicing. Famous French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson said: “Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst”, and he was right, so go out, take lots of pictures, make mistakes, learn from them, improve, and enjoy the process!

It’s World Photography Day on 19th August, and everyone loves capturing those moments, but rarely do we get it right! We spoke to local event photographer Rob Clayton to get some tips to get you started.

See more photos on pages 6, 13, 16, 23, 33, 40 and 56

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL

MARC LEVY INTRODUCED GUEST LORD AUSTIN OF DUDLEY, INTERVIEWED BY MARK ADLESTONE FOR JRC’S THE CONVERSATION, HELD AT STENECOURT SHUL.

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL

KING DAVID PRIMARY SCHOOL HAD A CORONATION LUNCH WITH UNION JACK CUPCAKES.

THEY ALSO HELD A CHUMASH CEREMONY.

YESHURUN CHEADLE & GATLEY RECENTLY HELD PRE-SHABBAT COCKTAILS AND CANAPÉS WITH A SPECIAL TREAT CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN! MUCH ENJOYED BY ALL AGES AND TOPPED OFF WITH AN ATMOSPHERIC FRIDAY NIGHT DAVENING.

PRE-SHABBAT CELEBRATIONS WERE HELD FOR THE CORONATION.

THEY ALSO CONDUCTED AN INTERESTING TOUR OF THE ORIGINS OF JEWISH MANCHESTER WITH ED GLINERT. PARTICIPANTS WERE TOLD AMUSING STORIES OF THE CHARACTERS AND ORGANISATIONS THAT SHAPED THE CITY BEFORE ENDING AT THE JEWISH MUSEUM.

IT WAS A GREAT GET TOGETHER TO WISH MAZEL TOV TO KING CHARLES AND QUEEN CAMILLA.

Community Heart of the PRIZE POOCH

Manchester's canine supawstars came out for the inaugural Camp Simcha dog show - vying for titles ranging from waggiest tail and best party trick to best dressed and most agile.

wanted to do something fun to raise money and awareness for Camp Simcha so knowing how many of our friends have dogs we thought a Crufts style event would be the perfect way to do it.”

annual event: "It was also the perfect environment to start recruiting for our 'Paws for Fun' pet therapy service in Manchester.

This is where we have specially chosen volunteer dogs who go into see the children we support – along with their owners.

The Whitefield fundraising event was hosted by Shelley Kersh and Deborah Lederberg, and also served as the launch for Camp Simcha's pet therapy service recruitment drive in Manchester.

Judges Cindy Hamburger and Camp Simcha's fundraising director Shoshana Copeland had the difficult job of choosing the winners.

Host, Shelley Kersh explained: “We

“We had great weather and a good turnout,” added Deborah, Co-Host of the event. She continued: “There were some great raffle prizes donated and everybody (including the dogs who left with a homemade doggy cupcake) had a great time.”

Speaking after the event, Camp Simcha's Manchester Relationships Manager Michal Black said the afternoon had been a big success and they planned to make it an

BUSY BEE

Langdon Community has recently transformed its garden creating a new summer house called The Hive.

Members at Langdon Community have been making the most of the fantastic sunshine and enjoying all the new developments that have taken place in the garden, including a new summer house. Members are thrilled to have a dedicated space where they can relax, socialise, and have fun; they have decided to call it THE HIVE in true Manchester fashion.

Having recently opened a stall at Bygone Times, members have taken pride in the entire process, from the initial planning and design stages to the actual setup of the stall. Everyone has contributed their own unique ideas and perspectives to make the stall look great. They have been extremely busy with stock production and have made candles, record clocks, bird houses, and planters.

Here’s what the members have to say about their projects: Dan said: “I find

Bygone Times really interesting; I like to make things that you can sell there. I get to meet people and be sociable.”

‘’I enjoy coming to the Garden because the time goes faster than staying at home. It is good meeting people and have a chat. I have made friends and it is a nice environment. It helps to keep the problems away. What I like the most is to be involved in pricing products for our stall at Bygone Times. I was once involved in creating quizzes and planning activities, too, and I really enjoyed it!’’ added Claudia.

Langdon Community would be grateful for any donations of bric-a-brac that can be sold or upcycled. If

"Studies have shown that interactions with animals increase endorphins, promoting relaxation, pain relief and joy. Pet therapy doesn't just benefit the seriously ill child; parents tell us it brings a sense of calm to the whole house. "This is why we are so keen to launch the service in Manchester."

For more information on volunteering for Paws for fun in Manchester, contact Michal - verna@campsimcha.org.uk

you would like to make a donation, please contact thehive@langdonuk.org.

Sun

Yoga unwinds the mind and body through a combination of holistic teaching with flexibility and strength training. Different types of yoga will provide a different ratio of this combination. For instance, Yin and Hatha yoga are based around prolonged stretches which invite the mind to let go of tension using breathing techniques, whereas Vinyasa and Ashtanga variations are known for fluid movements and routines. Each practice is good for different moods, abilities, and purposes so the best method is to try them all.

Studio 38 | Prestwich

Offering over 20 classes a week of Vinyasa flow, Mandala restorative, and Ashtanga, Studio 38 has something for everyone. It also offers Hot Yoga, which are yoga sessions which are led in a controlled heated environment to encourage detox through sweat. You can buy a drop in pass for £10 to see if it’s for you and from there you can buy passes ranging from six to 20 classes based on your preference; if you’re a regular you can even set up a monthly membership.

Studio38yoga.co.uk

Yoga Soul | Greater Manchester

Based on Newton St, Yoga Soul advises yogis to start exploring and the rest will follow. If you’re quite new to your yoga journey, then it’s great advice to explore as many options as you can until you find routines and styles you like. Yoga

Soul hosts classes for beginners, mixed ability, and advanced AcroYoga which combines acrobatic ability with yoga to create visually stunning flows.

Yogasoulmcr.co.uk

InHale Yoga | Hale

At InHale Yoga there is yoga to support you physically, mentally, and spiritually. Classes run from Monday to Saturday in all variations of experience levels, the studio also provides retreats and workshops for you to join alongside its classes. There are even online Zoom sessions for when you can’t make it to the studio – just ask your teacher for details.

Inhaleyoga.co.uk

Copper Lane Yoga Studio | Whitefield

Copper Lane Yoga Studio is run by Nicola, an occupational therapist turned yoga teacher. Her stunning studio with panoramic views of Manchester makes a beautiful and relaxing backdrop for all manner of her yoga classes from a HIIT style yoga to Hatha yoga. One-hour sessions range from £6 to £8 each and run from Monday to Friday.

Copperlaneyogastudio.com

Bodywise Yoga & Natural Health | Greater Manchester

Based on Turner St, Bodywise natural health says it offers practices which cultivate a deep sense of embodiment. Its sessions are a combination of floor work and typical yoga postures making this a great introductory class for beginners. Private one-to-one sessions are also available for between £40 and £50 if you’d like to start without the pressure of others around.

Bodywisenaturalhealth.co.uk

Yoga With Adriene | YouTube

Can’t get down to a studio for International Yoga Day? DIY! Yoga

With Adriene’s channel has 12 million subscribers on YouTube and has over 600 videos for you to explore for free. From five minute to hour long videos, you’re sure to find something which suits you. With the talkative and friendly Adriene Mishler as your teacher you’ll forget there’s a screen between you in an instant. Look out for her lovable dog Benji too.

Youtube.com/@yogawithadriene

COMMUNITY

A LOVE OF

Rabbi Greg Bank of Yeshurun Cheadle & Gatley synagogue looks beyond the façade of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

The Jewish simcha is a gathering like non other. Professional teams that crafted the well synchronised schedules at the king’s coronation and the FIFA World Cup would run far away from this ritual that marks the Jewish adolescent’s coming of age. There are indeed so many moving parts and bless us Jews, when it comes to moving, we aren’t known for our agility.

For the newly initiated teenager, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is at best about overflowing gifts and treats. At worst, it’s a significant life moment that is stained by the stress of stage fright. For parents, it’s about paying off steep bills and being gracious hosts to numerous guests, while for bubbies and zaidies the occasion is exploited to top up the family nachas tank.

Yet, after all is said and done, the weekend comes and goes – it’s pinned, liked, and commented on social media and then it’s left as a souvenir in a forgotten family album.

I tell the Bar Mitzvah boys that I teach to remember two things: (1) live the moment as you only get another crack at having a Bar Mitzvah when you turn eighty-three and (2) to become Bar Mitzvah, the only thing you need to do is to turn thirteen. The call up to the

UJIA Shaliach, Sahar Sazgar Shlichut, fostering a love of

“For the Lord your G-d is bringing you to a good land, a land with brooks of water, fountains and depths, that emerge in valleys and mountains” (Devarim 7:7)

shaped my growing up

Torah is important and the celebration gives the day gravitas, but they are not rites of passage. To become Bar Mitzvah, you simply turn thirteen and it’s the days after, the months after and most of all, the years after that will be the litmus test to the success of the day. Antecedence to the values of responsibility, mature decision making, Jewish law and heritage is the crowning consideration for marking this key milestone. These principles are not mere sound bites and clichés that provide religious seasoning to a social gala event, rather, they are the ultimate expressions of celebrating the Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

As a Shaliach that spends most of his time with the young generation of the Jewish community, my primary responsibility is to educate. The real challenge of my Shlichut is the understanding that my role is not just to educate towards a certain formal behaviour, but also to enhance and promote a particular feeling – ‘ahavat ha’aretz’, love of country.

During trips throughout know every mountain and stories and traditions, an integral part of my that Israel is my home enhance my knowledge that formed my identity. and knowledge advances, follows.

In a word, let’s plan simchas to satisfy the educational needs of our kids. Either way, the guests will get in their cars on the way home and do what they do best – be the masters of critique on the disciplines of catering, interior decorating, speech writing, and hairstyling. Don’t try to change that, it would break the ancient Jewish practice of kibbetzing. Instead, let’s make the Bar/Bat Mitzvah about becoming Bar and Bat Mitzvah and look forward to planning the wedding a decade or so down the line.

But how does one educate those feelings and more specifically, a love of Israel? As a young Israeli, a ‘chanich’ in a youth movement and a high school student who was extremely motivated before and during his army service, ‘ahavat ha’aretz’ had been an instrumental value that

Still, the challenge educate young people to love Israel and have towards the Jewish state? unconditional love is accept the occasional I have the privilege Jewish generation to explaining the facts. The perfect country, it’s young learning. At the same accomplished so many last 71 years, a fact that granted.

Fish

Fresh,