FREE SPIRITS

In addition to the three active service and two training battalions of the Royal Fusiliers, the Lancashire Fusiliers was the regiment of choice for many Manchester and Salford Jews during two world wars. Lt Colonel Geoffrey Rothband of Didsbury commanded the 5th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers prior to its incorporation into the newly formed Royal Regiment of Fusiliers,” he continued.

The Regiment has hosted three We Were There Too events, highlighting Jewish life in The First World War, at its Museums in Bury and The Tower of London.

The parade formed up at castle Armoury prior to a service at The Parish Church after which wreaths were laid by The Colonel of The Regiment, The New Zealand High Commission and on behalf of The Judeans. Other guests included The Lord Lieutenant, The High Sheriff, Mayors of Bury, Salford and Rochdale, and senior military representatives.

A new social group for over-55 Jewish singles in Greater Manchester is up and running.

Driven to provide wider social opportunities in the area, four local women have formed a social group, with the aim of bringing together single Jewish people aged 55+. While a countrywide group for this purpose exists already, the ladies hoped to concentrate on the North of England – particularly Greater Manchester and with the hope that people from Leeds and Liverpool would also join.

After two social evenings with live music, the organisers were asked by attendees to keep providing events because the events were such a big hit, allowing people to meet new friends and socialise with people they haven’t seen for a long time. The group created a committee consisting of four ladies and three men, entitled ‘The Free Spirits’.

The next event will be a quiz, taking place on 14th May, and in the future, the committee will be organising other social events and are encouraging attendees to provide ideas of activities they would like to take part in.

For information phone Marcia 07947 641 342 or Steven 07890 678 014

Local Holocaust Survivor Sits For Famous Artist

The world-renowned sculptor, Frances Segelman, sculpted a bust of Holocaust survivor and My Voice storyteller, Marianne Philipps. Most famous for her sculptures of Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III, more recently Frances has turned to sculpting Holocaust survivors.

At the age of 99, facilitated by The Fed and Yad Vashem UK, Marianne made the journey from Manchester to London to sit for the sculpture. She was the first survivor from Manchester to be sculpted by Frances Segelman.

Marianne commented: “It was amazing, wonderful! A real one-off experience. that doesn’t come everyone’s way, so I am very lucky. We didn’t talk much as she had to concentrate while she was working, and I had enough sense not to talk either and let her focus.

“There were lots of photographers around, but I took no notice and stayed frozen. So many people were there, including the head of Yad Vashem UK. It was a fabulous trip and I enjoyed it very much.”

Respite Play-Group Success From The Fed

Recently The Fed hosted a hugely successful four-day Pesach play-group, Project Smile Play & Learn, holiday scheme for children with additional needs, in its children’s centre. The programme provided respite for parents preparing for Pesach and a chance to enjoy a little time together.

Meanwhile, the children received expert care and stimulation while playing with their friends in an environment specifically built for their enjoyment.

Fed staff were truly touched by feedback from parents: one young mother was dropping her child off for the first time and, understandably, expressed some worry. Another mother, who was close by, popped over to reassure her: “Don’t worry, the only place I trust to leave my children is The Fed!”

Project Smile sessions are accessible to Jewish people across the religious spectrum with places offered by assessment.

Jewish Representative Council Hold Ceremony For Yom Hashoah

The Jewish Representative Council recently welcomed guests to the annual Yom Hashoah commemoration. Its Chair, Mark Adlestone, welcomed dignitaries who joined the community from across Greater Manchester in a ceremony at Bridgewater Hall choreographed by Hannah Goldstone and the council’s committee.

JRC thanked the survivors, their families and the artists who delivered an evening of powerful testimony and amazing performances in memory of the six million Jews killed during the Holocaust.

£100,000 Raised at First Focus Fundraiser

After only 18 months since its launch Focus, a charity providing housing and care for Jewish adults with additional needs, is supporting 36 participants. Three times the expected number of participants in the early stages of its development, Focus is also taking leaps and bounds in fundraising.

Raising £100,000 at its introductory fundraising event – held at South Manchester Synagogue, Bowdon – the charity has already earned almost 30% of its annual goal of £350,000. Tanya Farley, Focus Trustee and mother of a son with special needs, said: “We can only meet the needs of our members and their families with the community’s full support, so the event has given us a tremendous boost.”

Focus’s next fundraising event will be a sponsored cycle from Manchester to Liverpool on 9th July.

City Council Leader Invited To The Nicky

The Jewish Representative Council recently invited Manchester City Council Leader Bev Craig and Councillor Fiaz Riasat to visit The Nicky Alliance Centre. The pair got given a tour of the facilities including the art studio, the reminiscence room and hair salon. They also watched a model sedar led by Rabbi Daniel Walker.

“Facilitating political engagement for our affiliates and communal organisations remains a key priority,” commented representative Council Chief Executive, Marc Levy.

He added: “The reaction of Councillor Craig and her colleagues is indicative as to how the organisation continues to operate at the highest possible levels. As a representative body, it is a great source of pride that we are able to highlight this work.”

MDA Fundraiser For An Israel Blood Mobile

Over 120 guests gathered at a fundraiser hosted by Magen David Adom at Hale Hebrew Congregation. At the event, Speaker Sally Becker, a British Jewish Humanitarian Aid Worker, spoke about how she was able to help MDA UK evacuate 54 Ukrainian orphans in March 2022.

The fundraiser was in aid of MDA’s latest campaign to raise funds for a blood mobile in Israel. The blood mobile is intended to support blood drives to meet the capacity of a newly opened Marcus National Blood Services Centre in Ramala. The campaign has already made £70,000 in crowdfunding from the Manchester Jewish Community.

Daniel Burger, Chief Executive of MDA UK said: “The Manchester MDA committee has undertaken a significant goal and I have no doubt it will reach its target to purchase a blood mobile, and in doing so, enable us to save more lives.”