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THE AWARD-WINNING LIFES T YLE MAG AZINE CONNECTING MANCHESTER’S JEWISH COMMUNIT Y www.jlifemagazine.co.uk

M ANCHESTER

In Association with P.M.B. Car Centre our Motoring Partners

Praying for Peace

A Parent’s Perspective

PLUS

Autumn Homestyle Chanukah Lights Esther’s String Theory UK Jewish Film Festival

E T S E H

C N

A M

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The Groovy Food Company Kosher Cooking Bundle Treatments from Your Health Bank

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CONTENTS: NOV / DEC 2023

IN THISISSUE YOURREGULARFEATURES A Parent’s Perspective JLife Meets… We hear from parents whose children are on the frontlines in Israel. Page 6.

United Front

Mark Adlestone, CEO of the Jewish Representative Council, offers a comment on the current situation in Israel. Page 10.

Autumn Homestyle

Renowned violinist Esther Abrami discusses her new album, Cinéma. Page 23. Josh Chinn from WRS keeps us safe from crypto scams. Page 44.

Travel

Grab some winter sun with our unique destinations with better climes. Page 16.

Cosy up your living room with our guide to autumn décor, make life simpler with some new tech, find out the most sustainable way to heat your home this winter and stay up to date on the latest trends. Starts page 28.

Competitions

Chanukah

Be in with a chance of winning a hyperbaric oxygen therapy session and an infrared sauna treatment from Your Health Bank. Page 52.

Check out our toy recs, make your own candles, and a word from Rabbi Doniel Stern. Starts page 55.

Get your hands on The Groovy Food Company Kosher Healthy Cooking Bundle, worth £25. Page 18.

New Openings

Get the lowdown on the new restaurants and bars opening up around town. Page 20.

Giving Back

With Israel needing our support and Children In Need coming up, get some fundraising inspo to help out. Page 24.

Media Preview

The best upcoming books, tv, film, and podcasts to cosy up to on a cold day. Page 27.

Fashion

Learn how to reuse your summer wardrobe for autumn and be dazzled by our pick of partywear. Page 39.

PUBLISHER'SNOTE

What to write at this time? As we all pray for dear friends and relatives in Israel, pray for peace, pray for no more bloodshed and hostages to be freed, while trying to continue our lives and stay strong. Our community has been overwhelmingly united over recent days and weeks and will show solidarity and support in every amazing way it can, and we thank those parents with children on the frontline who gave us their

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perspective in an emotional piece. We must continue to do what we do, and hopefully we can give spirits a lift at this time with some Autumn Homestyle, interviews with violinist Esther Abrami and actress/singer Annalene Beechey who’ll be performing in the King & I, and a couple of cool competitions to brighten the mood. Am Yisroel Chai, everyone should be safe and well. Do check our socials for daily updates.

@JLifeMagazine

Lights, Camera, Action!

Check out the highlights of the UK Jewish Film Festival 2023. Page 48.

Winter Blues

Lifestyle and Wellbeing Coach, Kate Moryoussef, tells us how to get spirits up in winter. Page 51.

Spread the Joy

In honour of World Kindness Day, discover what can you do to help others and yourself through hard times. Page 64.

Lest We Forget

Martin Newman, former National Chairman of AJEX, speaks on the importance of Remembrance Day. Page 66.

PUBLISHER Elliot Landy

GRAPHIC DESIGN Richard Shawcross

FEATURES EDITOR Emily Stone

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Katerina Hough

DIGITAL MARKETING Tracey Cleminson

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Robclaytonphotography.co.uk Tanya Duman Photography Lawrence Purcell Kateswerdlowphotography.com Ruthless Images Chris Payne Florian Saez

CONTRIBUTORS

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A Parent’s Perspective We take a heartfelt look at the situation in Israel through the eyes of two couples whose children are on the frontlines (written on 23rd October 2023).

When Rob and his wife headed out to celebrate Sukkot in Israel, they had no idea that the attacks by Hamas on 7th October would lead to them extending their stay indefinitely: “We were supposed to leave on the 9th, but of course by then we were facing a completely different situation, and our flight was cancelled. Not knowing what was coming or what was next, we delayed it another week. Towards the end of that week, we knew the next flight would be cancelled anyway, and we just decided that we would stay indefinitely.” This situation is a familiar one to many whose friends and family were visiting Israel when the attack began, but Rob and his wife have an extra reason to want to stay. Rob’s two children: his son Gidon, and daughter Ma’ayan, are both currently serving in the IDF: “My son is in a combat unit deployed in the south, and my daughter is in a combat unit deployed in the north, helping to evacuate communities and doing various other things.” Ray and Ed, former Whitefield residents now living in Israel, also have children in the IDF: “Our daughter, Evie, is a Spokesperson

ALL PHOTOS: LAWRENCE PURCELL

in the International Press office of the IDF, situated near Tel Aviv – she is home once or twice a week, which is reassuring for us. She was called into her office on the Shabbat morning of the terror attack and for the ensuing three days she had to deal first hand with the news of what had happened before it was released to the public, and she was privy to images, videos, and facts which no 19-year-old-girl should ever have to witness. By the afternoon of the attack, she already knew that over a thousand people had been killed, and that the number of hostages taken was a very high number, and the following days were very hard for her to cope with the facts. Her boyfriend was called to the Gaza front on the Sunday afternoon to secure the border and told her he had to run across fields strewn with hundreds of dead bodies of the young Israeli party goers who had been murdered. He is also 19. These are the images that will be imprinted on their minds forever. This is the adolescence they will talk about in the future. It makes me very worried for this generation of Israeli kids. When I was their age, my only worry was getting up on time in the morning for a university lecture.”

While maintaining communication lines in times of conflict is far from simple, Rob has still been able to keep in touch with his children: “We got a last-minute call from my daughter saying: ‘You can come visit me if you want, we’re moving out soon.’ So, we gathered up all the bits and pieces she wanted up to take to her and ran off to where she was staying. They keep moving around every few days, so they were using the local country club to shower. There were people bringing in food, parents opening up the boots of their cars with freshly cooked cholent inside.” Contacting Gidon, however, has been a little trickier: “We have had opportunities to speak with my son, but because he’s in a fighter unit they don’t have their phones with them all the time. But in the last week we’ve had a call every night. Before that we didn’t hear from him for about a week.” Similarly Ray and Ed’s son is also on the frontlines: “Our son Eli is 28. He is in a Sayeret – a commando unit – and trained in a number of specialist fields. He was called up on the morning of the attack, returning from a camping trip ‘up north’

COMMUNITY

with his army friends. He arrived home by Shabbat lunchtime, and we were able to feed him quickly before he had to head off to meet the rest of his army team. We are Shomer Shabbat, but like tens of thousands of others who observe, I had to jump in my car and take him to Tel Aviv. The motorway was packed with small cars full of soldiers driving at breakneck speed to get down south and to the front, ready to fight – it was heartbreaking to see. I dropped him off and didn’t even have time to say goodbye or to bless him. That was the last time I saw him – as I write, 16 days ago. We now get a WhatsApp message from him daily as he only has his phone for half an hour a day. All we live for at the moment is that one message just to say Ha’col beseder – everything’s fine. We don’t know exactly where he is, and we don’t know exactly what he is doing – maybe it is better that way. Eli is a tough kid, tall, well-built, and fearless. He spent several months on regular missions into Syria when Isis were active on the Israeli border, so I know he can handle himself. But I am absolutely worried sick for him, struggle to sleep, and I jump at even the slightest noise

– I guess my nerves are frayed, and I’ve never been a nervous person.” It isn’t only the welfare of their own children that Ray and Ed are concerned about: “I worry about all my friends’ kids too – not one of our friends doesn’t have one kid or more serving in the IDF so it’s hard for all of us to get on with our normal lives. We, like our friends, are helping with the war effort by preparing food for the soldiers, buying provisions for them, doing the laundry for displaced families from the south, raising money for those in need, and it’s a tragic but welcome distraction. Everybody is consumed by the events of the last two weeks, and fearful of what it means for our children. The days seem to drag on forever. It sounds so dramatic I know, but every Israeli understands this fight is an existential one – nothing less – but we dare not speak about it, about the unthinkable. It would be much easier if we could worry about whether our kids are going to be a doctor, or a dentist, or when they are going to find a partner, or all those tiny, trivial questions that now seem so wonderful. Now the only question I have for our kids is ‘are you safe?’”

Having children serving in such a turbulent crisis evokes a range of emotions in any parent, as Rob explains: “It’s terrifying but I’m monumentally proud of them. They went into the army before there was a war going on, and they went because they’re highly motivated to be in the defence forces defending the homeland. They always felt very deeply connected to Israel. They were both born here. We left early but maintained a very strong connection to Israel throughout their lives.” Rob was also able to offer a perspective on the resilience of the people living in Israel during this crisis: “It’s not that easy to continue properly day-to-day. People are just getting on as best they can. Everyone’s affected. The mood is the same everywhere. It’s a deeply traumatic time. But people have that wartime spirit. People are kinder and are helping each other.” #bringthemhome

MANCHESTER’S VIGIL ON 22ND OCTOBER WAS LED BY RAPHI BLOOM, NORTH WEST FRIENDS OF ISRAEL

NEWS IN BRIEF

Manchester Jewish Museum Winter Programme Manchester Jewish Museum has a packed calendar full of events coming up throughout November and December as part of the museum’s on-going Synagogue Nights programme. Kicking off on 9th November “Kravitz, Cohen, Bernstein, and Me” will see multi award-winning Kiwi/Canadian/Jewish comedienne, Deb Filler, go on a hilarious musical quest meeting 'The Three Lennys', even singing The Beatles in Yiddish! Following on from her sold-out 2022 Synagogue Nights show, Noga Ritter comes back to Manchester on 16th November with a newly released album, “Ima” (Hebrew: Mother). On 26th November “Becoming Nigella” in concert will grace the synagogue, offering a funny, heartwarming, and mouthsalivating new musical in concert, inspired by Nigella Lawson. Expect laughter, tears, roast chicken, and some very imperfect cooking. Finally, on 3rd December, you can catch “Out Of Exile: The Photography of Fred Stein”, an award-winning documentary about the unknown photographer who created iconic images of the 20th century.

Community Holds Vigil for Israel A Vigil for Israel took place outside Marks and Spencer in the city centre on 22nd October. The event was organised by North West Friends of Israel and featured many speakers, including Bury South MP Christian Wakeford, Dame Louise Ellman, Raphi Bloom, and Bernie Yaffe. During the vigil, the names of the kidnapped Israelis held by Hamas were read out. Manchester Chabad Lubavitch Rabbis Levi and Shneur Cohen had a stall with Tefillin, helping many to put on Tefillin during the vigil. While Rabbi

Ephraim Guttentag of Whitefield Hebrew Congregation recited prayers and lead Hatikvah and the national anthem. Speaking during the vigil, Raphi Bloom, Chief Executive of the FED, said: “We, the Jewish community of Manchester, along with many other faiths and none, are having to come together to show our solidarity with Israel as it continues to come under attack from the genocidal terrorists of Hamas in Gaza.” And later finished by saying: “We must continue to demand in no uncertain terms that the hostages are released now. We must continue to put pressure on our local and national politicians to demand Hamas releases the hostages now. And we must ask our fellow Mancunians, those walking around today, to get them released by also asking their elected representative.”

Jacob Shine Library Reopens The Jacob Shine library has recently reopened, as it is now under new management. Despite the switch over, prices to access the library have remained the same. The library, which is housed in the Manchester Jewish Community Centre, was set up in 1983 as a Torah and children’s library. For the last 40 years it has served as a community space and asset for the community, with a wealth of reading and listening material, catering for all ages, all interests, and all abilities. At the library, the selection of books is incredibly diverse, meaning that there is something to meet everyone’s taste – books for little ones, comics, books for adolescents, reference books, novels for all ages, non-fiction, cookery books as well as tapes and CDs of lectures from a wide range of speakers and educators and music and story tapes for children. As the Jewish community grows, so too has the library grown and now we have over 16,000 books, tapes, magazines, and CDs available to be borrowed. Among the

We go to Chai for the big in MANCHESTER

collection is all the latest English Torah publications plus a huge range of older books which are now out of print and unavailable to buy elsewhere.

Danceathon Raises Money for Israel Laura Delmonte, a Prestwich local, has raised money for Israel by holding a Danceathon. The event was put on for women and girls ages eight and above, and featured drinks, snacks, face glitter, music, a craft table, and disco lights. The funds will go to the Israel Defence Forces and Magen David Adom.

BWJPS Children Learn About Military Contribution

Pupils at Bury and Whitefield Jewish Primary School attended a presentation by We Were There Too (WWTT) and learned all about the importance of Remembrance, the meaning and symbolism of The Poppy, and The Jewish contribution throughout The First World War. Project manager for the online platform which commemorates and documents Jewish history during the war years, said: “It was wonderful to see just how the Bury and Whitefield children got involved in their presentation. The letters they wrote signifying their appreciation of the poppy and its meaning, were incredibly moving. “As we approach Remembrance Day we feel it is important that young people in our community appreciate the sacrifices made by so many. We encourage them to research their own families to see just how much the Jewish community did to support this country throughout those dark days.” The WWTT website, Jewsfww. uk, contains hundreds of moving and extraordinary individual and family stories and even has a facility to commemorate the yahrzeits of those who fell in battle.

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ADVICE

MOTORING Touch of Frost

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Welcome to the winter edition of JLife’s motoring column. The winter months are fast approaching. Is your car winter ready? Here are a few helpful tips to help more reliable motoring through the colder months. Be sure to check that your headlights and rear lights are working properly and able to give good visibility during the gloomier weather. Another essential for good visibility is ensuring that your wiper blades in tip top order, both front and rear. Ensure you replace them if they are smearing or becoming noisy. Get a full winter service, including antifreeze! Always use quality screen wash as well. Never fall for the trick of using washing up liquid. It blocks the washer jets terribly.

Tyres are also hugely important, especially in winter. Make sure to check the treads! Repair punctures and check general condition and pressures. Remember, the maximum recommended change period is 10 years! Get a de-icer aerosol and a quality scraper inside the car for the daily morning frost removal and never use hot water, as the rapid change in temperature can crack windshields. Now is the time to check that your home start and relay recovery memberships are up to date. Don’t forget to shop around for the best deal. No reason to pay more than you have to. Wishing you all the very best from the PMB Car Centre team – Paul, Rachel, and Tom. Pmbgarage.com

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COMMUNITY

United Front Mark Adlestone, CEO of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester, offers a comment on the current situation in Israel. In these sad and darkest of times for Israel that most of us can remember, on behalf of myself and the Management Board of the JRC, I wanted to update you on the incredible work taking place behind the scenes both nationally and at a local level to re-assure you our Jewish community is and continues to feel safe and protected. In an unprecedented show of support for the UK, the government and official opposition are standing behind Israel's right to protect itself. They are united in their unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and their recognition that there is absolutely, no moral equivalence to the justification of their barbaric and heinous atrocities. Yesterday, the Chief Rabbi met with King Charles in a similar show of solidarity with the Jewish community. We have also appreciated Downing Street, Parliament, City Hall and Central Library being lit with the Israeli flag. Around the clock, our national community leadership and particularly the Jewish Leadership Council, Board of Deputies and Community Security Trust are working tirelessly with government and the Metropolitan Police to keep our communities and streets safe as the conflict

unfolds. As a demonstration of ongoing support, the government announced a further £3 million to keep our communities protected across the UK. Closer to home, and as the lead organisation representing the Greater Manchester Jewish community, we are extremely proud of the strong relationships and friendships we have built with local civic leaders, MPs, Mayors and their local councils, Greater Manchester Police and interfaith groups across the religious spectrum. Many of these attended our Interfaith Succot Dinner only last week at Heathlands Village together with the Lord Lieutenant Diane Hawkins and the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester Mary-Liz Walker. Less than a week later many of these leaders were out in force to demonstrate their support for our Jewish community once again in standing with Israel at our Vigil in Central Manchester, together with the Chief Rabbi, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Lord Mann, Independent Advisor to the Prime Minister on Antisemitism. As a community it is both comforting and re-assuring to know that these longstanding relationships and

friendships, which mean so much to us, have engendered the strong support we are experiencing across the region, and I want to take this opportunity of sincerely thanking them for that. Also, while community organisations and schools have sadly but inevitably had to increase their own security, GMP have noticeably stepped up their visibility with more patrols in place and a commitment for zero tolerance on our streets for any behaviour likely to incite unlawful or antisemitic behaviour – for this we thank them wholeheartedly too. With so many close ties to Israel in our region, we send our heartfelt wishes to anyone who has lost family or friends. We also pray the hostages are returned safely and for our brave soldiers of the IDF. Our community incubated the early foundations of Zionism, and we are therefore proud those long associations have endured many unfortunate setbacks along the way. Together as a community we remain strong and united in our support for the Jewish state. Rest assured we will continue to put steps in place to protect our community both physically as well as mentally as this dynamic conflict unfolds.

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See more photos on pages 19, 26, 53 & 62

PHOTOS

ALL PHOTOS: ROB CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPHY

OLIVIA COWAN AND ALEX JOEL GOT MARRIED AT RUDDING PARK HOTEL.

USHER AND RING BEARER JACK COWAN (BROTHER OF THE BRIDE), OLIVA, ALEX, EILEEN SOMERS (BRIDE’S 100-YEAR-OLD GRANDMA), AND MAID OF HONOUR SARA COWAN (SISTER OF THE BRIDE).

BERNARD COWAN (FATHER OF THE BRIDE), CATHY COWAN (MOTHER OF THE BRIDE), OLIVIA, ALEX, SALLY PIKE, AND DANNY SOMERS (CHAIRMAN).

OLIVIA AND ALEX HAD A NIGHT TO REMEMBER.

JASON COWAN, DINAH COWAN, MAURICE COWAN, SHELLEY COWAN, SOPHIE WAREING (BRIDESMAID), JACK COWAN, OLIVIA, ALEX, BERNARD COWAN, CATHY COWAN, MIKE FISHER, ANNE FISHER, ROBERT SATANSFIELD, MELANIE FISHER, AND HILARY ELKINSON.

BEST MAN DARREN JOEL (GROOM’S BROTHER), LAUREN JOEL, MARTIN CRASTER, SHELLEY JOEL (MOTHER OF THE GROOM), FLOWER GIRL AMELIE JOEL, (COUPLE’S NIECE), OLIVIA, ALEX, FLOWER GIRL SOPHIE JOEL (COUPLE’S NIECE), ETHAN JOEL (COUPLE’S NEPHEW), LAURA JOEL, AND BEST MAN PAUL JOEL (GROOM’S BROTHER).

November / December 2023

SPARKS (AND DRY ICE) FLEW AS THE HAPPY COUPLE SHARED THEIR FIRST DANCE.

Heart of the Community BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS The JRC and JLC’s recent Interfaith Dinner brought the community together and reminiscing about meaningful connections. The Jewish Representative Council (JRC) and Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) recently hosted an Interfaith Dinner at Heathlands Village to celebrate the festival of Sukkot. Following a reception, guests were welcomed into the Sukkah by Chair of the JRC and JLC Trustee, Mark Adlestone OBE DL. During the meal, the Lord Lieutenant, Diane Hawkins JP LLB, High Sheriff, Mary Liz Walker JP DL, Christian Wakeford MP, Rabbi Daniel Walker and Chair of The Fed, Bernie Yaffe addressed the guests. The Jewish community were also joined by the Police and Crime Commissioner, Kate Green OBE, Consul General of Ireland, Sarah Mangan, Assistant Chief Constable, Colin McFarlane, the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Ceremonial Mayors of Bury and Salford, Chairman of Lancashire County Council, Chris Green MP, Navendu Mishra MP, the Bishop of Manchester, Dean of Manchester Cathedral, Chief Executives of Manchester, Salford and Bury Councils and representatives from numerous communities.

Christian Wakeford MP for Bury South addressed the room saying: “It is a genuine joy to join with the Jewish community and dignitaries from across Greater Manchester to celebrate Succot. “It was a pleasure to address people from several different faiths at Heathlands Village within my Bury South constituency. The work of the JRC and our far-reaching interfaith networks demonstrates the very best of Greater Manchester and must always be encouraged.”

desert with G-d directing and cushioning them to provide daily care, support and sustenance. “As Chair of The Fed, I am thrilled to be able to share our hospitality with distinguished guests to say how much we appreciate them being long-standing friends of the Greater Manchester Jewish Community.” Mary Liz walker JP DL, High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, shared her reflections about growing up in Dublin, saying: “At my installation as High Sheriff, I spoke about how our individual personalities, our Mark Adlestone OBE DL, Chair of the JRC and trustee of the Jewish Leadership Council said: “When I assumed the position as Chair of the JRC, I had a vision that the organisation would become central not just to the Jewish community but also to key stakeholders from across society. “Tonight, and recent civic events, have demonstrated that Greater Manchester is a wonderful place for Jewish people to practice their religion. It is not taken for granted that the Greater Manchester Jewish community feels so safe and secure. This is a wonderful opportunity to thank our elected representatives, civic and religious leaders along with the emergency services for looking after our community while working so hard to follow the important principles of tolerance and fighting prejudice.” Representation for The FED at the

BERNIE YAFFE (LEFT)

event, Bernie Yaffe, Chair of The FED and Vice Chair of the JRC, also revelled in Manchester’s success to unite the community saying: “Our wonderful care home setting is very much at one with the theme of Sukkot as we remind ourselves of the uncertainty and vulnerability faced by our ancestors as they wandered through the

strengths and weaknesses make us who we are. That we are shaped also by our personal connections with family, friends, and colleagues. “Our Jewish neighbours, of whom there were many – including Holocaust survivors Mr and Mrs Urbach – who were well known to us because my late father was the local Pharmacist. He and my mother knew everyone, respected everyone, and treated everyone the same. Memories of our neighbours walking to Synagogue on the Sabbath are still very strong. “My life has been truly blessed and enriched through the many connections with the individuals and groups I have met along life’s journey. What better occasion to share a little bit of my experience.”

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The one that started it all on social media, the dressing gown belt. There are silk ropes made to mimic that classic Tik Tok method, so you don’t have to steal your dressing gown

November / December 2023

belt whenever you want a new do. With this rope you can curl your hair while you sleep, it will only take under 30 minutes the night before, and the silky material will keep your hair from frizz and damage while its damp.

Silicone wraps

With some simple silicone wraps from Primark, you won’t have to use any heat and still achieve that bouncy curl. Just use the rod to push your hair through the silicone covering and once it dries it’ll take its shape!

hair flat like a ribbon and making sure not to twist the strands. This is very important for the ends, if they poke out of your roller or aren’t flat, they will frizz and look frayed.

Pin curls

Pin curls work the same way as rollers but instead of using a roller you use your fingers! For extra comfort and vintage vibes wrap your head in a silk scarf to prevent accidentally catching the pins as you sleep.

Foam rollers

Let’s go vintage! If you want to achieve a tight vintage hairstyle the best way to achieve this is to use foam rollers or pin curls, both work in a similar way. To use foam rollers, make sure your hair has some kind of setting lotion/curling mousse in it to keep the waves after thoroughly brushing. Keep your

They may not be top of your bucket list for some winter sun, but these unique destinations offer the promise of better climes combined with something a little different! ATHENS

The idea of winter in Europe might conjure images of snow-capped mountains and mulled wine at Christmas markets, but the reality often involves biting wind, and rain. Fortunately, you don’t need to venture far to find mild temperatures and a plethora of exciting adventures to satisfy the keenest history buffs, foodies, fitness fanatics and TV aficionados. Enjoy!

hot sand, this aromatic elixir is a must-try. Embrace the winter with heartwarming Turkish dishes sampling local favourites such as Iskender kebap, a zesty lahmacun, or a freshly baked simit. Finally, make sure to stop off at the Spice Bazaar in the Eminönü district is bursting with vibrant colours, intoxicating aromas and generous samples to tempt your senses.

Spice up your life in Istanbul

Malta: the real-life Westeros

Culinary magic is woven into the very fabric of Turkish culture, and winter offers mild days which are perfect for enjoying a delectable journey through this enchanting city. One of the top spots to hit is the Grand Bazaar – a food lover’s paradise. With over 4,000 shops, this historic market is a treasure trove of culinary delights from exotic spices and fragrant teas to local sweets and succulent dried fruits. Another option is to spend an evening wandering through the captivating neighbourhood of Ortaköy along the Bosphorus, where food vendors tempt you with their delectable offerings. While you’re here, sampling Turkish coffee is an absolute must for anyone who can’t live without their morning brew. Brewed in individual pots over an open flame or on

Game of Thrones lovers will be spoilt for choice in Malta. As winter descends upon this pretty Mediterranean island you can still expect temperatures of 46°F to 59°F, perfect weather for exploring! Head to the ancient city of Mdina, which served as the backdrop for King’s Landing. Stroll through its narrow, winding

streets and discover Mdina Gate, which featured prominently in several episodes. Next visit Fort Ricasoli, where the Red Keep scenes were brought to life. Explore the fort’s impressive architecture and enjoy breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea. Heading out of the towns, Manikata stood in for the rugged Dothraki Sea. Explore the scenic landscapes and relive Daenerys Targaryen’s journey with a horseback ride or a leisurely stroll. Visit the picturesque Azure Window on Gozo Island, an iconic location which featured in ISTANBUL

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TRAVEL don’t overlook the trails that begin right in Funchal. Head to the city’s outskirts and embark on hikes that lead you to panoramic viewpoints like Boca do Risco, where you can witness the dramatic meeting of land and sea.

Rejuvenate your spirit in Seville

MALTA

the very first episode of Game of Thrones, While the natural arch sadly collapsed in 2017, the stunning coastline remains a sight to behold. Finally, be sure to stop by the Capital city of Valletta where the Upper Barrakka Gardens played host to the Great Siege of King’s Landing.

Athens in in Winter: historical To be with aanchance of odyssey

Winter in Athens offers a unique winning a Reset Package valid opportunity forand history enthusiasts for a two a half hour to embark on a captivating through hyperbaric oxygenjourney therapy time the bustling and andwithout an infrared saunacrowds session, scorching temperatures of summer. with includes vitamin shower,Start youralkaline historicalwater, expedition a visit to andwith towels thesimply crown jewel of Athens – the Acropolis. answer the following In the crisp winter air, the ancient citadel question… reveals its secrets with unparalleled clarity. As you ascend the sacred hill, you’ll be greeted by iconic landmarks What sensation doeslike anthe Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the infrared sauna simulate in your Odeon all standing body of toHerodes trigger Atticus, your immune proud against asystem? backdrop of clear blue skies. Immerse yourself in the treasures of the National Archaeological Museum which houses an extensive collection of artifacts, sculptures and relics from Greece’s Enter online at Jlifemagazine.co.uk/ illustrious past. Another spot worth competitions-manchester or by post to checking Ancient Agora, the heart JLife Ltd, out Unitis7,the Gemini Business Park, ofSheepscar ancient Athens, where philosophers Way, Leeds, LS7 3JB. Please once gathered to ponder life’s mysteries. ensure your entry includes your name,Explore theaddress, well-preserved ruins, including daytime telephone number,the Stoa emailand address. The winners will be ofand Attalos the Temple of Hephaestus. randomly selected on the date: Next wander through theclosing charming 2023 In winter, streets of 15th PlakaDecember and Anafiotika. these neighbourhoods exude a tranquil ambiance that allows you to appreciate Terms and conditions apply: One and entryartisan their architecture, quaint cafes, per person. Prize must be claimed by XXX. shops. Stop for a warm cup of Greek coffee When entering the competition online or a traditional mealtoat local taverna. you have the option nota be entered in See where sporting competitions began JLife Magazine and Your Health Bank’sand in thedatabases footsteps as you visit to of be ancient contactedathletes about news, thepromotions, Panathenaic also Postal known as the andStadium, special offers. Kallimarmaro. Thebemarble grandeur of this entry data will not saved. Publisher’s stadium, where the is first modern Olympic decision final. Games took place in 1896, is particularly striking against the winter backdrop.

centuries-old irrigation channels crisscross the island, creating a network of picturesque trails. In winter, these routes are adorned with vibrant flora and glistening waterfalls. Next conquer the island’s highest peak, Pico Ruivo, as it stands majestically at 1,861m (6,108 ft.) above sea level. During the winter months, you’ll encounter a unique spectacle as the summit is occasionally dusted with snow, contrasting beautifully

with the island’s subtropical vegetation. Hike along the striking Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula. The winter sun casts long shadows over the dramatic cliffs, creating an otherworldly atmosphere for intrepid hikers. Embrace the tranquillity of Rabaçal and embark on the 25 Fontes Trail, revelling in the awe-inspiring beauty of the 25 cascading waterfalls that give the trail its name. A quick work of advice:

For those seeking to combine mild temperatures with a wellness escape, this vibrant Spanish city is perfect. Known for its lively culture, the winter season brings an opportunity for a more contemplative and rejuvenating experience. Seville’s boutique hotels offer spa retreats that cater to your every need. Soothe your senses with rejuvenating massages and holistic treatments that banish winter blues. Discover the secrets of Spanish cuisine through cooking classes and savour locally sourced, seasonal ingredients that support your overall well-being. Heading outdoors, Seville’s parks and gardens, like Parque de María Luisa and Parque del Alamillo, provide serene settings for nature-based wellness retreats. Connect with the healing power of nature through forest bathing, guided walks, and outdoor yoga while for further wellness activities, discover the healing properties of Seville’s thermal baths, such as Aire de Sevilla, which are perfect for a winter wellness retreat. Immerse yourself in warm pools, steam MADERIRA rooms, and relaxation areas while surrounded by exquisite Moorish architecture. Combine wellness with culture by participating in retreats that blend mindfulness practices with Seville’s rich artistic heritage. Explore the city’s museums, galleries, and architecture, finding inspiration in every corner.

SEVILLE

Hiking adventures in Funchal, Madeira While the rest of Europe may be bundled up, this still mild Portuguese archipelago offers the perfect playground for hiking enthusiasts. Begin your adventure by exploring the famed Levada trails. These

November / December 2023

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Just in time for Chanukah, get your hands on The Groovy Food Company Kosher Healthy Cooking Bundle, worth £25.

COMPETITION For your chance to win the scrumptious bundle, please answer the following question: What is the name of The Groovy Food Company’s Founder? Enter online at Jlifemagazine.co.uk/competitions-manchester 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 winner will be randomly selected on: 1st December 2023 Terms and conditions apply: One entry per person. When entering the competition online you have the option to not be entered in JLife Magazine and The Groovy Food Company’s databases to be contacted about news, promotions, and special offers. Postal entry data will not be saved. Publisher’s decision is final.

With many products certifies Kosher, The Groovy Food Company is an award-winning British brand producing natural foods that taste delicious and feed the body’s overall health and wellbeing. The brand’s family of products offer consumers natural alternatives to refined and processed everyday cupboard staples. It all began with the brand’s founder Rosie, who believes in simple, good food. Food that can help nourish your body and taste buds. Tired of searching high and low in the supermarkets for natural alternatives to refined and processed every day cupboard staples, Rosie got thinking and decided to source and create it herself. Now the Groovy Food Company is offering you the chance to impress the family this Chanukah by using only the best ingredients. Win a mega bundle, including Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Light Amber and Mild Agave Nectar, Organic Rich and Dark Agave Nectar, Organic Coconut Flour, Organic Mexican Wildflower Honey, Organic Date Syrup, and Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Cooking Spray, all of which are vegan and kosher certified.

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See more photos on pages 11, 26, 53 & 62

PHOTOS

ALL PHOTOS: TANYA DUMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

MICHAEL AND SARAH LESTER CELEBRATED THEIR WEDDING WITH A POST-WEDDING PARTY AT THEIR WHITEFIELD HOME.

LAVIE SHALOM CELEBRATED HIS BAR MITZVAH IN JERUSALEM (PRE-CONFLICT) AND AT HOME IN MANCHESTER.

DANIEL ABENSON HELD HIS BAR MITZVAH AT BEIS YISROEL SHUL AT THE CULTURAL CENTRE.

SHRUBBERIES SHUL SAW RAFFI SHNECK CALLED UP.

NORTH MET SOUTH AS MANCHESTER’S SORELE FRANKEL GOT ENGAGED TO LONDON’S DONIEL ROSENTAL.

HIS PARENTS SUPPORTED HIM ON THE BIG DAY!

TEHILLA GOLDBERG CELEBRATED HER BAT MITZVAH AT HOME.

November / December 2023

City Lights NEW OPENINGS

Look out for these brand-new bars, restaurants, and cafés to try out around Manchester city centre this winter season.

à bloc | Altrincham

IKaro | John Dalton Street

Formerly Panacea, the city centre nightclub, the venue has reopened as IKaro – a new champagne bar and grill. Its decadent menu is split into two themes – fire and ice. On the fire side you can find grilled lobster tails and Australian Wagu Tomahawk whereas on the ice side you can find a selection of sushi and sashimi such as bluefin otoro or torched hand dived scallops. Ikaro.co.uk/ikaro-manchester

The Fing Fing Cloud | Gay Village

If you have a sweet tooth, get ready for Manchester’s new bubble waffle dessert shop! With more than 60 years of perfecting the recipe from the streets of Macau, The Fing Fing Cloud will be making sweet, eggy, and light bubble waffles. From classic flavours like chocolate or banana to even more decadent toppings such as Oreo or Kinder Bueno flavour there’s a waffle for everyone. There are even savoury cheese toppings for those who want to avoid a sugar rush! Instagram.com/fingfingcloud

This all-new café bar is the perfect midday meeting spot, serving everything from breakfast brioche rolls and handmade doughnuts to craft beer – this is the place to kick back and relax. Taking over the former bike shop, à bloc’s coffee and produce comes from local suppliers it also plans to host the occasional evening dining events, tasking, and workshops hosted by guest chefs in the months to come. Instagram.com/cafeabloc

Victoria Tap | Victoria Station

Victoria Station is getting a new pub from the people behind Piccadilly Tap. Victoria Tap will be on the far corner of the station with an all-weather beer garden where people will be able to watch the trams coming in. Like Piccadilly Tap, the PHOTO CREDIT: DAVID DIXON pub will house a range of beers and lagers from local and international breweries, better yet, they promise to put an end to extortionately priced pints. Facebook.com/piccadillytap

Sexy Fish | Spinningfields

Sexy Fish is unlike any venue you have ever seen. Its aquatic theme extends into fish tanks, a mini waterfall, giant sea sculptures, and even features artwork from renowned artist Damien Hirst. The restaurant is spread out over three floors containing a main dining area and bar, a destination bar, and a private dining space. Inspired by the seas of Asia, the menu draws heavily from Japanese inspirations in it’s a la carte, lunch selection, and Omakase tasting menus. sexyfishmanchester.com

Fiori | Oxford Road

This new Middle Eastern café opened on Oxford Road in the Circle Square development. Fiori promises to offer some of the best coffee in Manchester as well as specialising in a delicious range of Turkish and Arabic dishes. If you want to find new versions of your café favourites then look no further than the Sahlab, the team describes this coffee as the latte of the Middle East as the drink is an indulgent blend of milk, sugar, and warming spices. Instagram.com/circlesquaremcr

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COMMUNITY

Mindful Masterpiece The Friendship Circle’s Art Therapy Club proudly hosted an exhibition of their work raising £650.

The Friendship Circle’s recent art exhibition saw a fabulous evening of amazing artwork for over 100 Friendship Circle members and guests, showcasing some incredible talent from The Friendship Circle’s weekly Art Therapy Club. All the artwork was on sale and raised over £650 for the Art Therapy Classes. With the invaluable help of Art Gallery Owner, Richard Goodall and Artist and Art Therapy Teacher, Chava Erlanger The Bayit on Singleton Road was transformed into a professional gallery setting, giving members of all abilities the perfect opportunity to exhibit their work.

Guest Artist Daniel Adler from Southport came along to exhibit some of his incredible intricate pieces treating everyone to a live painting demonstration, while Friendship Circle member Avi Pash displayed a wonderful collection of photographs of Manchester City Centre of which 18 were sold that evening. When asked about how the members of the Art Therapy Club felt while creating their pieces Chava said: “The fact that they knew that the artwork was going to be displayed and the community would see it gave them a sense of purpose and a reason to come together in the sessions.” Michaela, an Art Therapy Club member

November / December 2023

said: “I get all excited for the Monday sessions and I look forward to them all week! I enjoy it, it makes me feel calm and relaxed.” After being asked how it felt to see her art on the wall during the exhibition she added: “I was all excited! I kept showing everyone my art. I felt proud and I felt like I had achieved something great. I have never had the opportunity to do something like this before! I thought I wasn't clever enough, now I know that I am!” Art therapy can greatly help people express themselves as their feelings are drawn upon to fuel creativity and to be voiced among an accepting group. Chava says: “We don't therapize with them as you’d imagine in traditional therapy sessions, art therapy is more a safe space for people who want to open up. It’s also a great way to connect the body and mind. When engaging with materials like clay, the feel and scent of the clay in their hands, the sucking sound, is a sensory experience which helps people connect to their physical beings.” The exhibition also featured work by pupils from Bury and Whitefield Jewish Primary School and Broughton Jewish Cassel Fox, who had benefitted from The Friendship Circle’s Disability Education Programme. Their projects focused on friendship, disability, and difference which they learned about in class. When asked about the Art Therapy Club members Chava said: “I think that people have to learn to look at past people’s exterior, their disabilities and difficulties.

Because I think down beneath, we all share the same desires and passions. That's something we all have regardless of our physical or mental abilities. So, if you look past that, the unconditional love you get back from the members is priceless.” Programme Director, Etsy Bruck added: “Stepping back and watching the support and encouragement that members and volunteers are all giving to each other while working on art is really special. We all go through various things in our life and the people around us are the ones who help us get through, the art therapy programme facilitates just that!”

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ItWhitefield is evident when visiting we run residential care home which House is a that family strivemany to deliver a feeling of to support the independence of its offers aspects of care independence, happiness, and in later life. residents comfort within our beautiful care TheWe atmosphere throughout the home is one of a welcoming home. encourage all our residents family environment a abeautiful building, benefiting from to remain socially activewithin through range of activities by our a blendorganized of modern and traditional furnishings. team and invite family members to join in the fun.

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String Theory ARTS INTERVIEW

Manchester-based Jewish violinist Esther Abrami gives us a sneak peek at her new album and tells the incredible story of her grandmother’s violin.

ALL PHOTOS: FLORIAN SAEZ

Despite being just 26 years old, Esther Abrami has already had quite the career. The violinist studied at the Royal College of Music and completed her master's degree at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, for which she received a full scholarship. In 2019, she became the first classical musician ever to win the ‘Social Media Superstar’ category at the Global Awards and in 2021 she was featured in Classic FM's ‘30 under 30 Classical Artists to Watch’ series, curated by Julian Lloyd Webber and was listed as a ‘Rising Star’ by BBC Music Magazine. In 2021 she was signed to Sony Classical and made her Royal Albert Hall debut in 2022. In the UK, Esther Abrami is considered one of the most promising young classical artists of her generation and has been appointed Creative Partner and Artist in Residence by the English Symphony Orchestra. With such an impressive list of accolades already, it’s no surprise that Esther started learning the violin from a young age, as she tells us: “My first introduction to the violin was through my grandmother, who was a violinist herself. She introduced me to it when I was three years old, using the violin that she used to play on. I didn’t start lessons until I was nine or 10 years old, when I expressed a real interest in lesson. I loved it straight away. I loved the sound of the violin. I remember going to a concert and I love the music and how free and full of life they were when they were playing.” Esther still has her grandma’s violin, a family heirloom with a tremendous story behind it: “I can’t play the violin anymore because it’s kid sized, but it has

November / December 2023

a very special story. It survived the Second World War. My grandmother’s family lived in a village in the north of France. They escaped and left everything in the house, as you had to. When they came back, everything had been stolen. The only things that were still there was a turtle which had survived somehow by eating grass, and the violin, which no one had thought valuable enough to steal.” Recently, Esther brought out a new album entitled Cinéma, which heavily features music from film and TV soundtracks: “You can find music from anime, music from big films, and smaller films, and quite a lot of French cinema. Each of them has a special meaning to me. As a classical musician I’m very passionate about trying to bring this genre to a wider audience and younger audience, and I find that lots of movie scores are composed in a classical way.” Speaking of drawing in a younger audience, Esther has made a name for herself on TikTok, with over 415,000 followers, and uses the platform to highlight women in classical music: “That has a lot to do with my upbringing in that, during all my years of study, I never really had role models, and I want it to be different for the next generation. I think it’s mad that none of the composers we all play are women. All of that history of women composers has been completely erased, and I want to change that.” You can follow Esther on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @estherabrami and on Facebook @ estherabramiviolin

FUNDRAISING

Giving Back

With Israel needing our support and Children In Need weekend coming up, get some fundraising inspo to help your chosen charities.

Fundraising events are not just about raising money; they're an excellent opportunity for friends and family to come together, have fun, and make a positive impact. Whether raising funds to support Israeli soldiers or Children in Need Involving the whole family in fundraising activities not only strengthens bonds but also imparts valuable lessons in empathy, teamwork, and social responsibility to children. Taking part in fundraising activities together is also a great way to come together as a family to make a positive difference in the world.

Bake Sale Bonanza

Who can resist the delicious allure of freshly baked goods? A family bake sale is a classic, yet timeless, fundraising idea. Get everyone involved in the kitchen, whipping up cookies, brownies, and cupcakes. Encourage creativity by letting each family member showcase their baking skills with signature treats. Why not set up a booth at a local event, outside a supermarket, or even in your own street? Not only does this fundraiser appeal to everyone's sweet tooth, but it also provides valuable lessons in teamwork for the kids.

Fun Run

Organising a sponsored fun run or walk is an excellent way to promote family fitness while raising money for a good cause. Choose a scenic route through beautiful

green spaces and off you go! You can even get friends and neighbours involved in taking part as well. Participants can walk or run at their own pace, and the whole family can take part, from young kids to grandparents. Consider adding a charitable twist by pledging a certain amount of money per mile or lap completed.

to join the effort and seek sponsorships or donations for each bag of litter collected. Not only does this fundraiser raise awareness about environmental responsibility, but it also allows you to make two positive changes at once: cleaning up your community and raising money for charity.

Garage Sale Extravaganza

You can support the charities who have opened emergency appeals at this harrowing time for our community, friends and family.

Get rid of clutter and support a good cause at the same time! Have each family member declutter their belongings and contribute items to sell. This fundraiser not only teaches kids about managing their possessions but also instils the importance of recycling and reusing. Price items to sell and get the word out in your community. Remember, one person's trash is another's treasure, especially when it comes to toys your kids have outgrown!

Get Crafty

If your children have a flair for creativity, why not organise an arts and crafts fair? Gather your craft supplies, set up booths, and offer a variety of handmade items for sale, such as jewellery, paintings, knitted goods, and more. Children can participate by making their own crafts to sell or by setting up a face painting or DIY station. This event allows the whole family to express their artistic side while raising money.

Community Clean-up

Sadly, litter is an ever-present problem in modern life. Teach your children the importance of giving back to their community through a cleanup challenge. Choose a local park or public space in need of some cleaning up. Equip your family with gloves, bin bags, and recycling bins, and set off on a mission to clean up the area. Encourage friends and neighbours

Donate at Bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/ fundraising You can donate to Israel to any of the following organisations: Israel Emergency Appeal - Ujia.org Magen David Adom – Ambulance Service - Mdauk.org United Hatzalah of Israel Ambulance & Paramedic – Israelrescue.org ZAKA -Search & Rescue – Zakaworld.org

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PHOTOS

See more photos on pages 11, 19, 53 & 62

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL PHOTOGRAPHY

IT WAS A MOVING EXPERIENCE FOR ALL INVOLVED.

A VIGIL FOR ISRAEL. PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL PHOTOGRAPHY

YESHURUN CHEADLE & GATLEY HELD A CHALLAH BAKE FOR ISRAEL.

CHIEF RABBI SIR EPHRAIM MIRVIS ADDRESSES THE MANCHESTER COMMUNITY.

MANY OF THE SHUL MEMBERS ATTENDED THE RALLY FOR ISRAEL IN MANCHESTER CITY CENTRE.

THE VOLUNTEERS UNITED TOGETHER AND TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRAY FOR ISRAEL, THE CAPTIVES, AND THE IDF. PHOTO: CHRIS PAYNE

MANCHESTER JEWISH MUSEUM HELD A MUSEUM OPEN DAY AS PART OF CHEETHAM CULTURAL FESTIVAL 2023

THE MUSEUM WELCOMED MANY PEOPLE TO THE MUSEUM FOR FREE AND ORGANISED FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING SONG-WRITING, CRAFTS AND DECORATING COCONUT PYRAMIDS

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MEDIA PREVIEW

HOT TOPICS See JLife’s guide to the latest releases in TV, film, and fiction to look out for this Autumn.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians | TV Disney+ | 20th December

Maestro | Film | Netflix | 20th December (In select cinemas November) Starring Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan, Maestro is a towering and fearless love story chronicling the lifelong relationship between Legendary Jewish composer, Leonard Bernstein, and Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein. A love letter to life and art, Maestro at its core is an emotionally epic portrayal of family and love.

Based on the best-selling book series by award-winning author Rick Riordan, Percy Jackson and the Olympians tells the fantastical story of a 12-year-old modern demigod, who's just coming to terms with his newfound divine powers when the sky god Zeus accuses him of stealing his master lightning bolt. With help from his friends Grover and Annabeth, Percy must embark on an adventure of a lifetime to find it and restore order to Olympus.

All The Light We Cannot See| TV Netflix | 2nd November Starring Mark Ruffalo and Hugh Laurie this Netflix limited series is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. Marie-Laure, a blind French girl and her father, Daniel LeBlanc, flee German-occupied Paris with a legendary diamond to keep it from falling into the hands of the Nazis. Relentlessly pursued by a cruel Gestapo officer, Marie-Laure and Daniel soon find refuge in St. Malo, where they take up residence with a reclusive uncle who transmits clandestine radio broadcasts as part of the resistance. Marie-Laure’s path also collides inexorably with the unlikeliest of kindred spirits: Werner, a brilliant teenager enlisted by Hitler’s regime who instead shares a secret connection to Marie-Laure as well as her faith in humanity and hope.

November / December 2023

Saltburn | Film | Amazon Studios In cinemas 24th November Starring Carey Mulligan, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, and Jacob Elordi, struggling to find his place at Oxford University, student Oliver Quick finds himself drawn into the world of the charming and aristocratic Felix Catton, who invites him to Saltburn, his eccentric family’s sprawling estate, for a summer never to be forgotten.

Good Material | Dolly Alderton Penguin Books LTD | 9th November The next book from Dolly Alderton, author of Everything I Know About Love and Ghosts, shows a relationship from two sides. Andy loves Jen and he can’t understand why she stopped loving him, now he’s without a home, waiting for his standup career to take off, and wondering why everyone around him has grown up while he wasn’t looking. Navigating his way through heartbreak, Andy must solve the puzzle of their broken relationship. Every relationship has one beginning, but this one has two endings.

HOMESTYLE

Create a cosy haven away from the cold with some of the interiors the autumn season has to offer. Global Bobble Cushion (10 colours) | Next | £20

Autumn homestyle is all about creating a cosy and inviting atmosphere as a retreat from the cold outdoors. You can do this with soft and fluffy materials, in cushions and throws, warm colours, like reds, oranges, and brows, and with twinkly lights, in candles and fairy lights.

Faux Shearling Natural Cushion (Two Colours) | Next | £18 Mushroom Ornaments (Sets of Three) | Primark Home | £1.30

Finishing touches! Add autumnal trinkets to your room to transition your home from summer to autumn, this leaf trinket dish and little mushroom ornaments can go anywhere and really spruce up a coffee table, side table, or bookshelf. Primark.com

3D Pumpkin Cushion | Next | £15

This selection of cushions from Next provide the soft texture you need to make your living room feel warm after a cold day. They also add some dimension and layering to the room as having different textures will constantly give you something new to look at or feel. Next.co.uk

Riviera Hydrangea Leaf Trinket Dish National Trust Shop | £15 Shop.nationaltrust.org.uk

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Rattan Grapevine Wreath Hobbycraft | £6.50 Sheaf Whitewash | Hobbycraft |£2

Dried flowers provide an elegant alternative to fresh bouquets. As we roll into the season where there aren’t as many blooming and bright flowers why not create a dried flower display which looks more fitting with the autumnal setting outdoors? Hobbycraft.co.uk

Pumpkin Wax Melt Burner Dunelm | £8

Everyone knows autumn is the time for pumpkins and gourds, these can be perfect decorations in your home, bringing the seasonal symbols into your living room. This oil burner is a great source of cosy twinkly light like we mentioned earlier, and you can use a wax melt of any scent you’d like – scents with notes of cinnamon, orange, or apple are the most autumnal. Dunelm.com.

Ruched Mink Throw | Next | £80

No home is complete without a warm blanket, from chunky knit to faux-fur throw there’s a blanket for everyone’s taste to keep you snuggled through the colder months. Next.co.uk

Stella Oslo Natural Stool | Next | £85

Chunky Knit Throw | National Trust Shop | £50 Shop.nationaltrust.org.uk

November / December 2023

A soft pouffe, like this Nordic inspired one, is great for putting your feet up and getting warm – with a wooden tray on top you can also add a rustic element to your room and turn your stool into a spare table for hot drinks! Next.co.uk

HOMESTYLE

On Trend Ann Marie Cousins, Owner of AMC Designs, talks us through two current interior design trends and how to make them work for your home.

No one wants their home to look dated, and one way for spicing your space up is to incorporate a new trend into the design. Two top trends are really making their mark at the moment, as Ann Marie Cousins explains: “I think there are two clear themes that have been gathering momentum this year. Jewel colours have been a big thing for quite a while, and whereas before there was lots of colour saturation, now we still have jewel colours, but often tempered by quite clear walls. The colour being in

the skirting boards, woodwork, and doors etc, on top of a more neutral background. “The other trend which has been around for a while but getting more popular are these gentle, soft, earthy colours. Olives and dried apricot kind of colours, and golden colours which almost come off as terracotta. I think the use of natural materials

like raffia and wicker, as well as using wood and more sumptuous natural fabrics like wool and silk, will continue.” One can ask just what is making these styles so popular at the moment: “There are a couple of reasons that I think both of those two palettes are trending and will continue to. The natural colour is very cocooning and restful. If people are very comfortable in neutral tones, adding the rust, terracotta, sage, or olive, is a very gentle move into more colour. And if you have a neutral property, adding those jolts of colour in can make it brighter and give it a bit more joy and optimism. Adding a bit more brightness and joy is really important not just at this time of year, but especially because of the way life has been for many people in the last year or so.” Even while incorporating trends into your home, it’s important to make the design work for you and your lifestyle: “It’s kind of like when you go shopping for clothes and you decide what kind of look you’re going for. There will be people who buy very classic, traditional clothes, people who are always the early adopters of every trend, and then there’s most of us, who are in the middle. You kind of explore the trends but find the core of what suits you and your lifestyle.” With the cost-of-living crisis, spare money to undertake a full redecorating project simply doesn’t exist for many people, but that doesn’t mean that switching things up is completely out of the question: “It’s all about accessories. The thing about them is that whether it’s cushions, ornaments, or posters, I think it’s easy for people who don’t do this all the time to underestimate how important those things are. When you look at an amazing interior, the bit that makes it amazing is the accessories, which is probably only 10 to 15% of the overall cost.”

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HOMESTYLE 1

AirTags | £35

AirTags are the modern-day solution to a timeless problem – keeping track of your belongings. These compact, coin-sized trackers from Apple effortlessly sync with your Find My app, making it a breeze to locate lost items. Whether it’s your keys, bag, or anything else you attach them to, AirTags ensure you spend less time searching and more time on what matters. Plus, they’re not just about convenience; they prioritise privacy, so you can track with peace of mind. Effortlessly locate your tagged item on a map, prompt it to emit a sound when nearby, and receive directions and distances for easy retrieval. Apple.com/uk/airtag/

Dry:Soon Deluxe 3-Tier Heated Airer | £159.99 Heated airers have been super popular since 2022, and with the cost-of-living crisis it seems like the trend will stick around for the foreseeable. But not only does this little beauty save money (it costs just 10p per hour to run based on an electricity cost of 34p per kw/h) but it saves time too. Holding up to 15kg of laundry on its 21m of drying space, it’ll dry your clothes in a few hours. Lakeland.co.uk

Embrace the cutting-edge world of technology with these indispensable gadgets that are guaranteed to enhance your daily life! 1

Ooni Volt 12 | £799

No need to sweat it out in the kitchen! The Ooni Volt 12 is here to revolutionise pizza-making. It effortlessly transitions from indoor to outdoor use, thanks to its lightweight design and weather-resistant coating for easy outdoor storage. But what really makes the Ooni Volt 12 stand out is its allelectric operation. Say goodbye to the hassle of wood pellets or cleaning up charcoal mess. With precise temperature controls, timers, and the ability to tweak the top and bottom heat, you can cook up homemade pizzas in just 90 seconds. If you’d rather go hands-free, the Volt 12 even has automatic heat settings and interior lighting to simplify your pizzamaking adventure. Amazon.co.uk 4

Proscenic 850T Robot Vacuum Cleaner | £189

Whether you’re a clean freak or just hate housework, this robot vacuum cleaner is here to make your life easier. Just switch it on, and it’ll do the cleaning while you go about your day. With its top-notch brushless motor, this little wonder effortlessly tackles dirt, pet hair and dust, leaving your floors spotless. Plus, it can mop and vacuum at the same time, thanks to its electronic water tank and dustbin. Controlling this vacuum is a breeze. You can use the app for a wide range of options, such as setting cleaning paths, scheduling cleanings, adjusting suction power, and switching between cleaning modes. It’s also compatible with Google and Alexa voice commands, and it even comes with a handy remote control. Amazon.co.uk 5

5 4

Vaha S Fitness Mirror | £1,195

Finding it hard to hit the gym? Then why not bring the gym right to your living room? That’s the cool idea behind the Vaha S Fitness Mirror, a 32-inch full HD touchscreen mirror with thumping 30W speakers and a sleek brushed metal finish. This tech savvy gym buddy mirror can play over 850 workout classes and even hook you up with live personal trainers. It doesn’t come cheap and there’s a £39 monthly fee to access all those awesome classes and features, but for time saving ease, it’s hard to beat! Uk.vaha.com

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SUSTAINABILITY

Eco Winter Warming Josh Raffo, Manager of Thrift Energy advises us on how to convert your home to a sustainable heating system this winter.

As the depths of winter creep in, now is a great time to think about how sustainably and effectively you’re heating your home. More and more modern solutions to your gas and oil heating systems are appearing on the market in response to the on-going energy crisis and global push to remove fossil fuels form our daily lives. An electric boiler, air-source heat pump, and infrared heating panels may just be the common heating solution of the future. So why not get a head start? Josh Raffo, Manager of Thrift Energy – a national provider of renewable energy solutions – advises us on how you can convert your home heating system to low carbon.

Getting started

Always start with good insulation in your home. You want to be sure the heat source you choose is staying in your home as efficiently as possible, Josh recommends: “Your home should be fully insulated, certainly as insulated as the minimum standard, with decent glazing. This will make your heat source cost effective both to install and run. The next step in a zerocarbon home is solar panels. Installing solar panels and a battery will help you run your heating efficiently since you can store the energy for when you need it.

Electric boiler or heat pump?

The current divide of whether you should invest in an electric boiler or a heat pump is

everywhere. Though you might be umming and ahhing between the two, your property might have made the decision for you. Josh says: “Electric boilers best suit small to medium sized properties, post 2002 build, with the lower floor area fully insulated – a larger property will struggle. Because wet central heating systems heat up water, if you've got loads of radiators as you're going to need a big heating tank as well.” Though a heat tank is no trouble to buy it may be an unnecessary expense if a heat pump could work for you. Heat pumps are better for a larger space with some land outside to install it. Josh advises to have someone fit the heat pump who understands the locations of your radiators and the overall size of your house, he says “A common problem why people don’t like air-source heat pumps is that they haven’t got the right size. Getting a heat pump which is too big or too small will cause problems.”

Key takeaways

To remember when installing your new low carbon heating system, Josh recommends finding reliable trades people first, get multiple quotes, and choose who are knowledgeable in new low carbon systems. Researching if you’re eligible for government grants in your area, you never know what your local government is trying to achieve so they might be willing to help you out on your home improvements.

Some recommended products ZEB Electric boiler | Tepeo |£6,000

Tepeo’s crusade on the gas or oil boiler aims to eliminate the 17% of the UK’s emissions which come from home heating. A plug-in replacement for your gas or oil boiler, the ZEB works like a thermal battery in your home, it’s easy to install and works with your current heating system. Tepeo’s smart charging algorithm takes in consideration time of day and your energy tariff when charging to save you money. Tepeo.com

Infrared heating panels | Herschel |Prices start at £238 per Select XLS panel

These ultra-slim heating panels make a great replacement for your radiator, warming the room evenly without you even noticing they’re there! Herschel even recommends that infrared heating can replace the need of an electric boiler, providing an excellent alternative while being easy to install, long life, and maintenance free. Herschel-infrared.co.uk

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

Pause for Thought

JLife talks to Dr. Laura Reid, Menopause expert at Dr Finlay’s Private Practice, on embracing your ‘Second Spring’. Dr. Laura Reid, private GP and expert, is on a mission to break the stigma surrounding this natural phase of life. Urging women to embrace ‘the change’ with positivity and openness, she shares insights on how, with the right support, menopause can be a liberating and joyous journey. Dr Laura breaks the ice in her own inimitable fashion by asking if I’ve ever seen the TV comedy-drama Fleabag starring Kristen Scott Thomas who sums up a woman’s life by explaining how we go through cyclical pain every month and endure childbirth, and just when we think it’s all over the menopause hits, bringing new and unbounded misery. Dr Laura, however, implores us to stop being so pessimistic. With the right help, she explains, menopause can actually be quite wonderful: “In China, they refer to menopause as the ‘second spring,’ which is such a lovely perspective. In contrast, in the Western world, we often focus on hormone depletion, which carries a negative connotation, making women feel old and past their prime. However, with the right support, women can explore the positives, such as improved financial situations, independent children, rekindling relationships, pursuing hobbies, reducing work hours, and planning for retirement. Plus, there’s the relief of no longer worrying about pregnancy and PMS, which is a great bonus!” While menopause holds the promise of newfound freedom and opportunity, Dr Laura acknowledges that the path to this Nirvana can be difficult for some: “Approximately 25% of women experience debilitating symptoms during menopause, and tragically, many suffer in silence,” she admits. “I’ve seen women who have attempted suicide. Women who have never had any issues with their mental health before and they’ve hit the menopause and gone into a very dark place. For some people, it’s very severe, and they need to access help

and not feel bad about doing so. “Sometimes women are simply exhausted,” Dr Laura says matter-of-factly. “They’re so used to juggling all sorts of different things and playing so many different roles that trying to unpick if what is happening to them is hormonal, they are burnt out or suffering a combination of both, can be difficult. “A common misconception is that menopause is the same for everyone and can be confirmed through a simple blood test, but that’s not the case. Menopause is confirmed when 12 months have passed since a woman’s final period. The preceding years, known as

perimenopause, are where most symptoms manifest.” These symptoms can include hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood swings, fatigue, brain fog, joint pain and weight gain, though Dr Laura is at pains to point out that not all women will experience all of them. Additionally, some may have relatively mild symptoms, while others may find them more severe and disruptive to their daily lives – and these are the ladies for whom intervention is vital in the form of HRT (hormone replacement therapy) lifestyle changes or complementary therapies. Another misconception is that once you hit menopause, you are old, and you have no sex life. This is a myth that Dr Laura is keen to dispel: “I’m passionate about helping

women to enjoy a satisfying sex life,” she explains. “If there is pain during sex because of the menopause, then there doesn’t have to be. There can also be problems with lack of oestrogen and a thinning bladder wall at this time, which can lead to changed physical response to sex and recurring urinary tract infections. All these issues are really easy to treat.” An important part of Dr Laura’s menopause consultation is highlighting areas of behaviour such as diet, alcohol intake, sleep and exercise, assessing how they impact on health now and long-term. She is keen to stress the importance of taking any changes slowly but prioritises strength training and getting sufficient calcium and vitamin D in your diet: “From age 30 testosterone starts to fall and women can lose up to eight percent of muscle mass per year, so bones are not as well protected,” she explains, “While after your final menstrual period, you lose one percent of bone density every 12 months. Enough calcium, and vitamin D and strength training can really help to address these losses.” Some women feel they have failed when they have to seek help during the menopause: “If your vision stops working, would you say, ‘I’m not going to the optician to get glasses, I’m just going to push on’?” counters Dr Laura. “Of course, you wouldn’t. If you can’t see properly, and it’s affecting your life, you get glasses, and it’s the same with the menopause. If your symptoms are interfering with your dayto-day life and how you feel about yourself – then seek help. Celebrities like Davina McCall are helping normalising menopause, which is a good thing, it’s giving women confidence to speak up. There are approximately 4.5 million women aged 50 to 65, so it’s important that it continues being talked about and women know where to access help if they need it.” Drfinlays.co.uk

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FASHION

Glad Rags Party season is nearly upon us and it’s never too early to plan the outfit you’re going to dazzle in this year. Roman Velvet Midi Dress | £45

Step into the party season in style with this sweet twist on a classic velvet dress. Finished with a delicate V neckline and diamante buttons, this modest short sleeve style dress is ideal for the festive season, day and night! An extra added detail is the gathered puff sleeves to lend a timeless feel to your party look. Roman.co.uk

Autograph Oxford Shoes | £85

Add a bold finish to your party look with these patent Oxford shoes from the Autograph collection. They’re made with a classic toe cap design for a sharp look. The sole grip features a pattern made from the Autograph ‘A’ for an authentic touch. Made of leather and featuring an eye-catching shine, these shoes are sure to add an air of elegance to your outfit. Marksandspencer.com

Stud Detail Heeled Sandals | £33

Mix in some sparkle to your outfit with these sandals. Simply yet scan be styled with everything. They feature mini stud detailing over the strap and block heel, with a suedette feel to the rest of the shoe. The shoe fastens with a pin-buckle strap and features a moderate wide heel, meaning you won’t be wishing you’d worn flats an hour in. Monsoon.co.uk

Oyster Cluster Earrings | £210

Kin Olive Blazer and Trousers | £199

Woven in a technical wool blend with four-way stretch for maximum comfort, the Kin suit jacket is styled with a notch lapel, flap pockets at the hip and a welt pocket at the chest. It’s finished with mock horn buttons and a centre vent at the back. Both the blazer and the trousers are slim fit, and the jacket has a softer shoulder line and is tapered through the waist. Inside, the jacket is fully lined in a black viscose blend with our signature white pick stitch and finished with two internal pockets. Johnlewis.com

November / December 2023

No party look is completely without a few accessories. These oyster cluster earrings are made of silver and gold plated silver with white freshwater pearls. The hanging earrings are extremely light and elegant to wear, while also catching the eye. If you want to go all in, a matching necklace is also available. Handmadeinbritain.co.uk

ADVICE

STANDING TOGETHER

Manchester Shlicha, Or Ribon, talks about the hope, love and strength coming from the community.

For the first time in my life, I’m struggling to find the words to write. I want to write about Noa and Aviv Z”l, whom I met for the first time six years ago, when they were 13. Two curly-haired best friends who filled any room with laughter and eye-rolls. They were inseparable – grew up together, went on a gap year together, enlisted together. That shabbat, in Nahal Oz base, they found their death – together. I want to write about Omer and Nevo – who used to come to our Kibbutz on Friday nights and sit with me and my friends for

hours, completing each other's stories like only people who’ve been friends for 25 years can. Always the funniest guys around any table, always up for a party, always with a smile, cracking on their private jokes. From the last party they went to – they didn’t come back. They were kidnapped to Gaza and we pray for their swift and safe return. The personal and national loss is immense. I want to write about all the people I know, and of those I never will, and there will be a time for that too. I know that just like me, many of you haven’t been able to sleep ever since the 7th October. I know that just like me, you are shocked, grieving, and worrying. We will

B’s Dementia-Friendly Café

B’s Café B’s Dementia Café, in Belong Morris Feinmann, oﬀers a warm and welcoming space where families, friends and carers of people living with dementia can come together with their loved ones over a lovely cup of tea or coﬀee and cake!

have time to grieve and heal and rebuild. Now is our time to do something. To stand together, with our community and with Israel – however we can. And I know, as I see the amazing initiatives in our community – the vigils, the fundraising, the prayers, that our community is doing and will continue to do whatever in your power to support Israel during this hard time. On days like these, this fills me with hope, love and strength. We will continue, we will endure and heal, in the way of AM ISRAEL – TOGETHER. You can donate to the UJIA emergency community campaign at UJIA.org

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LAYER UP! How you can make your favourite summer clothes get through the cold weather.

As the colder months are upon us, its time to say goodbye to some of our favourite summer pieces until next year…or is it? Although those short shorts are unsalvageable in a British winter, there are some tips and tricks for getting the most out of your summer wardrobe!

T-shirts or high neck tops underneath dresses

FASHION

High neck tops and maxi skirts

Long skirts are an excellent opportunity to layer high neck tops or jumpers, with a chunky belt and some riding boots underneath you’ve got yourself a warm and cosy outfit!

If you have a simple light dress why not try putting a matching t-shirt or long-sleeved top underneath to provide an extra underlayer and some arm coverage? Depending on the colours and patterns in your dress this is a great opportunity to inject some complimentary colours. Throw on your Doc Martens and a coat and you’ll be toasty in style.

Jackets on top of jackets

Sometimes more is more! To keep on wearing the clothes you like throughout autumn try layering a jacket underneath your coat which resembles the coat in shape. Have the collar or lapel of the undercoat overlapping the one on top to add some dimension to your outfit. If it’s a warmer day you can also swap your underlayer jacket for an oversized linen

Jumpers over dresses

Autumn fashion is all about layering. If you have a fitted dress throw a cropped jumper over the top and suddenly it looks like a pencil skirt! For a more relaxed fit, if you have a collared dress put a jumper over the top and let the collar peak out from the neckline to keep cohesion in your outfit. Don’t buy new: If you have jumpers which aren’t quite the right length to go over dresses and still show your figure then use this handy trick. Over the top of your jumper wear a tight top or sports bra then tuck your jumper underneath until it’s the right length for your outfit.

November / December 2023

Waistcoats and sweater vests

If you want to keep wearing your floaty linen shirts through autumn then try layering a waistcoat or sweater vest over the top of your shirt, this is a great outfit with either trousers or skirts – it even works with dresses depending on whether the lengths and fit of your pieces are right.

Just remember: to get the best out of layering your clothes keep the weight of your fabrics balanced and define your shape with belts, tucks, and well-placed hemlines.

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OUT AND ABOUT

EVENTS

There’s some great entertainment out there to enjoy and take your mind away. An Evening of Crime Fiction with Salt Fiction Blackwell’s | 30th November

I Should Be So Lucky | Manchester Opera House 2nd to 25th November The wedding is off, but the honeymoon is on! This fun pop musical takes you from the aisle to the isles featuring music from pop royalty including Kylie Minogue (I Should Be So Lucky), Rick Astley (Never Gonna Give You Up), Jason Donovan (Especially For You), Bananarama (Love In The First Degree), and more. This original show promises to be full of love, laughter, and last-minute getaways! Atgtickets.com/shows

Joined by four crime authors, this is a night to remember for crime fiction lovers. Celebrating Trevor Mark Thomas’ new novel, Dry Cleaning, Trevor will be joined on the night by Kerry Hadley Pryce (God’s Country), Chris Parker (Nameless Lake), and Livi Michael (Reservoir) to talk all things crime fiction. Stick around after the talk where the authors will be selling and signing copies of their books. Blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/events

The Photography of Fred Stein | Manchester Jewish Museum | 3rd December Watch the award-winning documentary about the unknown photographer who took iconic photographs of the 20th century. Tracing Fred’s life as a refugee the documentary captures his life as he is forced to flee Germany under the threat of the Nazi regime. Told through Fred and his wife Lilo’s letters and diary entries we hear how photography becomes their way to understand the fraught world around them. Manchesterjewishmuseum.com

The Hallé – As Seen on TV | Bridgewater Hall 11th November Think you need to be a maestro to listen to classical music? Well, think again! Performing famous and recognisable pieces from TV and adverts, the Hallé’s latest show will have you nostalgic for old theme tunes from Doctor Who, The Vicar of Dibley, Antiques Road Show, and The Apprentice. Bridgewater-hall.co.uk

Becoming Nigella | Manchester Jewish Museum 26th November This new musical by Emily Rose Simons follows Anna who inherits Nigella Lawson’s cookbook, How To Eat, after her estranged mother passes away. Empowered to learn how to cook, Anna finds that the book is accompanied by the spirit of Nigella Lawson herself. A fabulous new show featuring Jewish talent for one night only at the Manchester Jewish Museum. Manchesterjewishmuseum.com

November / December 2023

Winter at Eureka | Eureka! The National Children’s Museum | 1st December to 28th January Eureka has plenty for the kids this winter with festive elf-led activities taking place every weekend in December (except the 17th and 24th). Don’t forget to attend the spectacular Winters of the World show hosted by Gako Bridgens, Ian Douglas, and Mr Foppletwig (Professor Pumpernickel’s even more ridiculous cousin) as they celebrate the New Year and explore a myriad of mid-winter traditions from around the world! Expect magic, mystery, mayhem and much, much more on weekends and holiday dates at Eureka! The National Children’s Museum from 27th December to 28th January. Eureka.org.uk

BUSINESS

On the Money With cryptocurrency’s meteoric rise, a largely unlegislated sector has attracted a wave of scammers. Josh Chinn, Co-Founder of Wealth Recovery Solicitors discusses red flags for investors to look out for. It was a gap in the market which led Josh Chinn to co-found Wealth Recovery Solicitors (WRS), with two other partners three years ago: “I set it up with one other solicitor and an ex-Manchester United player. I had a client who was doing similar work to this. They were based in Israel and needed Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulation. The law firm I was working with at the time absorbed the Israeli employees and carried on the work. We just really kicked on and found a niche in the market surrounding cryptocurrency scams, and trading scams in particular.” The anonymity and lack of legislation involved in crypto trading attracts scammers as they think they can steal funds without being caught. Luckily, thanks to advanced tech, this isn’t the case: “In-house, we have tools where we can locate where different cryptocurrency has been moved to. It’s one of the most common scams because they get the victim to send sums in cryptocurrency because it’s anonymous. They think they’ve got away with it because of that, but we have

the same tools that the likes of the FCA and FBI use, so we can basically look at the blockchain and see where they’ve hidden it. “Cryptocurrency scams are the most common scams that we deal with. They’re the highest value ones, they’ll look like a legitimate trading platform, but they’ll say that in order to deposit fund into the client has to send cryptocurrency. The client buys legitimate cryptocurrency and holds it in their own wallet. Then the scammer will give them a wallet address to send the cryptocurrency, allegedly to fund the trading platform. But really what happens is the minute it goes into someone else’s wallet address; the client has lost control of the cryptocurrency.” Luckily, there are some warning signs to look out for if you’re unsure whether someone is attempting to scam you: “There are red flags to look out for. Normally the client will realise: A) when they try and withdraw the money and face some sort of problem, or B) the scammer will ask for further funds to release the money, which

should never happen. The FCA register might pick up on it if there have been other victims, so always check their register. There are some simple things to look out for such as checking the address they are using. If a scammer is using, for example, a London address, it will normally be a service office, such as a WeWork one. So that will be a telltale sign. But normally the victim will start to realise when they’re having trouble with the withdraw button.” Should you fall victim to a scam, there are some steps you should immediately follow: “The first port of call will always be never to part with more funds, no matter how genuine it sounds. You should never have to pay ‘tax fees’ or ‘recovery fees’ to release your money. The second thing is always to report it to Action Fraud. If you are looking for recovery, make sure to do research on who you are using, because a lot of recovery companies are also scams. They should have a legitimate UK site – so you can visit the office if necessary – and check them out on third party websites.”

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BUSINESS NEWS

DOWN TO BUSINESS Smart Headband Helps Blind Swimmers Israeli startup EyeCan is developing the smart headband, which alerts swimmers in real time whenever they are approaching an obstacle in the water or if they are leaving their lane. The device is equipped with a camera that continuously scans the bottom of the pool and the area in front of the swimmer. This data is then sent to the “brain” of the headband, a processor located at the back of the device, which dispatches alerts to two chips located on either side of the swimmer’s head. The chips use bone conduction, which sends sounds to the inner ear through the bones of the skull without having to block the ear itself.

New Game Improves Mental Health An Israeli startup has developed a mobile game, Mood Bloom, which uses neuroscience-based techniques to treat symptoms of anxiety and depression. The game uses a therapeutic method created using in the research of Dr Moshe Bar, the former Director of the Cognitive Neuroscience Lab at Harvard Medical School, to treat the mood disorders. The therapy, called Facilitating Thought Progression (FTP), is designed to disrupt negative thought patterns, lack of motivation, and the inability to experience happiness. It does so through simple exercises that broaden patients’ thought patterns to be more associative, and help them to think more quickly, which research has found can improve a person’s mood. Hedonia’s new game, Mood Bloom, utilises these exercises by using word chains, associations, speed reading, and even sky-gazing to expand thinking and make thoughts travel more rapidly.

Date Announced for Digital Skills Fest Manchester Digital has announced that its 2024 Digital Skills Festival will take place from 5th to 9th February. The week-long festival brings together leading tech businesses, educators, tech professionals, and future tech talent for a programme of events and discussions to strengthen Manchester’s digital and tech skills ecosystem. It also features Talent Day,

November / December 2023

Local and international business news featuring the latest tech and ideas.

the largest tech careers fair in the North, which will take place at the Bridgewater Hall and feature 50 of the region’s top tech employers and the latest job opportunities. New for 2024 is Digital Her Day on 8th February, shining a spotlight on women working in digital and technology roles. Digital Her Day will feature talks, workshops, networking events and activities aimed at empowering women to progress their tech careers and addressing gender imbalance in the industry. Katie Gallagher, Managing Director of Manchester Digital, said: “With an upcoming general election on the horizon for next year, it is vitally important that the region’s tech industry has very clear asks of the next government and leads the conversation around our region’s place in the rapidly-developing tech industry. “On top of this, emerging tech such as AI is already changing the way we work and will affect the skillsets we look for in the tech industry, so this will be a key topic of discussion. “Our Digital Skills Festival, which has run for more than a decade, celebrates our fast-moving, thriving and innovative tech ecosystem, with a Conference Day, Talent Day and much more.”

Manchester Platform Goes Nationwide The Circle of Trust, the trusted recommendations platform from Manchester entrepreneurs Tracy Johnson and Susanna Lawson, recently went live across the UK. The platform offers consumers access to genuine word-of-mouth recommendations from the people they trust the most for whatever business sector they need. From plumbers to hairdressers, mechanics to accountants and dog groomers to solicitors, the Circle of Trust allows users to access personal recommendations from their most trusted network, allowing users to feel safe in the knowledge that the service providers

have the trust and endorsement of someone they know – friends, family, or someone ‘in their circle,’ and avoid the bots and paid-for reviews that can sometimes plague review sites. The Circle of Trust has successfully gained a spot in the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator program, a six-month initiative designed for start-ups and entrepreneurs striving to launch or expand their business endeavours, while Co-Founder Lawson is a highly accomplished tech leader who has won the King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation twice. Her track record includes successfully founding and exiting her previous education technology company OneFile. The platform is completely free for individuals to use, while businesses can register their interest and create a basic profile before committing to any paid subscription.

Israeli Device Protects Bees from Deadly Pests Israeli startup ToBe has developed a device that releases precise amounts of miticides in beehives to rid them of these parasites without harming the bees themselves. Since the early 20th century, the Varroa mite has spread from Asia to colonies of Western honey bees – the primary species used for pollination of our crops – in almost every part of the world. Avner Einav, VP of product at ToBe, explains that the mites infect beehives with several kinds of viruses and cause 30 to 60 percent of colony losses every year: “These mites don’t just affect the bees,” he says. “They affect all of us.” The HiveMaster emits tiny pulses of pesticide gas which ensures the treatment spreads around the hive evenly. It uses sensors and smart algorithms to understand the health of the colony and determine the activity of the bees before proceeding.

BUSINESS

(NOT SO) GREAT EXPECTATIONS Business owners have become used to expecting very little in recent times from the Chancellor of the Exchequer and they should not expect too much in November’s Autumn Statement, says Murray Patt of accountants Alexander Knight & Co. As business owners, we’re well used to most Budgets (and more recently ‘Autumn Statements’) being rather damp squibs when it comes to measures being introduced that actually support growth. It is true there is an occasional morsel of encouragement offered to business owners (we always work with our clients to see how they can take advantage of new schemes or tax incentives) but we’re not expecting too much this time round. The reality of the post-COVID economic environment is that we’ve got used to not seeing dramatic measures launched that will stimulate the interest of the entrepreneur. Nevertheless, it is important that as business owners we continue to stand up for ourselves and communicate the measures that we feel will help us all. As I’ve said many times in this column before, small businesses are the economic

backbone of Britain, and the government must do everything it can to support SMEs. After talking with our clients here are the top three measures they want to see: 1) Tax reductions. Almost all our clients feel that lower taxes promote more successful businesses. Taxes are at an all-time high and the feeling among most clients is that this is certainly hampering growth prospects. The tax burden for small SMEs in particular is too high. 2) Less red tape. The risk and expense in the regulations around hiring people is a key factor in hampering business growth. More jobs would be created, greater profits made and therefore more tax taken for the Treasury if it was easier, faster and less expensive to hire people. 3) More energy support – many clients are still tackling the issue arising from unstable energy prices earlier this year and want to see support measures extended. The government’s

With Murray Patt, founder of Hale-based accountants Alexander Knight & Co. Energy Bills Discount Scheme for non-domestic customers is set to end in March 2024. It will be interesting to see if more support will be available. At this stage, we’re all hopeful that they’ll be at least one interesting business incentive announced…but you shouldn’t count on it. For more information about changes announced in the Autumn Statement that may affect your business please contact me on (0161) 980 8788 or email murray@ alexanderknightaccountants.co.uk All our thoughts are with our friends, family and the wider community as we follow the terrible events unfolding in Israel.

Planning Ahead Christine Ross, Client Director at Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management, explains why you should start making plans for your wealth for after you’ve passed. Working out what you’d like to happen to your wealth after your death can be complex, challenging, and extremely emotive. However, one consistent theme we see among our customers is a desire to protect and care for the loved ones they will leave behind. There are so many ways to plan for what comes next, but our first piece of advice usually comes in the form of a question: do you have a will, and is it up to date? Everyone’s circumstances change over time, and a clear and recently reviewed will can bring clarity and peace of mind to your loved ones in the most testing of times. With a solid will in place, it’s time to look at tax-efficient ways to pass wealth on to loved ones and future generations. For example, pension funds can be a good option, as they are not classed as part

of an estate for inheritance tax purposes. This is just one option, and we’d advise taking good advice on the most appropriate plan to suit your own personal circumstances. When it comes to your beneficiaries, all families are different, and it’s important to find the arrangements that work best for you. We know that the share of your wealth (or the type of assets) you want to leave to your loved ones could vary. For instance, you might feel that one of your children will need more financial assistance over the longer term or would be better suited to becoming the caretaker for certain assets (such as the family home or business). Whatever your views, we normally advise being transparent with those involved, as well as making sure you’ve received well-rounded financial planning advice. If you’d like to talk to an adviser about financial planning for the long term, please get in touch with your local Handelsbanken branch, Manchester Trinity Way. Contact them on 0161 834 7166 or manchestertrinityway@handelsbanken.co.uk.

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November / December 2023

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! UK JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL

The UK Jewish Film Festival 2023 takes place in Manchester from 9th to 23rd November all over the city, with a selection of films available online from 20th to 27th November too. The Shadow of the Day |Cineworld Parrs Wood 9th November | 7pm A dramatic and tense love story set in the picturesque Italian town of Ascoli Piceno where wounded World War One veteran Luciano observes the world through the windows of his elegant restaurant and believes that he can live life according to his own rules despite the encroaching darkness of Mussolini’s fascism. Set in 1938, two years before Italy entered World War Two, the tension builds as one by one individual freedoms are restricted. When Anna arrives in the town and begs for employment, it becomes clear that there is more to her story than she has admitted.

Less Than Kosher | HOME 11th November | 8:40pm Thirty-year-old Viv is a self-proclaimed Bad Jew who loves to get high, eat bacon, and snack on Yom Kippur. Back at her parents’ basement with nothing to do but contemplate her once promising, now stalled music career, she reluctantly agrees to take a cantor job at her local shul. Her stint at the synagogue soon proves to be her most adventurous phase yet: with an illicit affair with the rabbi’s married son and an overnight TikTok success, Viv manages to maintain her reputation for being a lousy Jew while giving her parents some long overdue nachas.

Savoy | Curzon Knutsford 12th November 5:30pm On the night of 4th March 1975, eight Palestinian terrorists commandeered the

Savoy Hotel in Tel Aviv, taking most of the guests and staff members hostage. One of the guests, 31-year-old Arabic speaker Kohava Levi, courageously tried to save lives by assisting with the negotiations between the terrorists and the Israeli forces. But instead of being celebrated for her heroism, Levy, a married woman who checked in at the hotel with her lover, was mistaken for a prostitute and ridiculed by the media.

The Devils’ Confession: The Lost Eichman Tapes + Q&A Cineworld Parrs Wood 14th November | 7:00pm At his trial in 1961, Adolf Eichmann’s intention was to come across as an uncharismatic clerk and to downplay his role in managing the mass deportation of Jews. But only four year earlier, Eichmann spoke freely and boastfully – in a series of taped conversations with Dutch Nazi journalist Willem Sassen – of the idealistic fervour that made him excel at his job. The transcripts of the recordings played a crucial part in Eichmann’s trial but the whereabouts of the tapes remained unknown for years.

Matchmaking | Cineworld Parrs Wood 15th November | 7:00pm On the face of it, young yeshiva bocher Moti and his little sister’s best friend Nehami are the perfect match – they share the same values, have known each other for years, and most importantly, they are in love. There is just one little problem: Moti is Ashkenazi and Nehami is Sephardi, and in the ultra-Orthodox city in which they live, such a shidduch is strictly prohibited. Going against the wishes of his meddling parents and a nosy matchmaker, Moti comes up with a genius if risky plan to marry Nehami.

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The Narrow Bridge | Curzon Knutsford 16th November | 6:45pm How can the sharp pain of grief turn into a bridge of hope and reconciliation? This immensely moving documentary follows four courageous and inspiring people: Israeli Meytal and Rami, and Palestinians Bushra and Bassam. Each of them lost a loved one – a child or a parent – to the bloody conflict between their nations. But instead of harbouring hatred, which only fuels the ceaseless cycle of violence, they have become peace activists.

March 1968 | HOME | 19th November | 3:00pm Warsaw, March 1968. Amid social unrest and violent demonstrations against the Polish government, two students, Hania and Janek, meet and fall madly in love. However, coming from families with opposing political views – Janek’s father is a senior government official whereas Vanessa’s Jewish father, having been accused of siding with the Zionist state, was forced to leave his job as a surgeon – means that their relationship cannot possibly flourish.

The Camera of Doctor Morris + Q&A Curzon Knutsford| 19th November | 5:30pm Israel, 1950s. British newlyweds Fay and Reginald Morris visit Eilat, the country’s southernmost city, and instantly fall in love with the place. They decide to settle there and integrate fully into their new community while maintaining their English way of life. Over the next decades, Reginald, a beloved medical doctor, would obsessively document the life of his family with an 8mm camera – capturing precious moments of unalloyed joy alongside others of profound sadness and loss.

The Goldman Case | Cineworld Parrs Wood 21st November | 7:00pm Accused of a triple murder during the armed robbery of a Parisien pharmacy, Goldman, the rebellious son of Polish-Jewish immigrants, whose father was also a decorated Resistance fighter, refused to call any witnesses to his character. Politically on the far left and defiantly Jewish in his identity, Goldman accused the police of institutional antisemitism and racism, and of conspiring to convict him of a crime of which he was innocent.

The Consultant: The Story of Arthur J. Finklestein + Q&A | HOME | 5:50pm Although the late Republican Party consultant Arthur J. Finkelstein was little known in his native US, his kingmaking powers had played a major role in the rise of right-wing populism around the world over the last two decades. In 1968, aged just 23, he helped Nixon get elected, and later masterminded the stunning victories of Reagan in 1980, Orbán in 2010 and Netanyahu in 1996, a mere few months after the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin. Finkelstein’s ability to manipulate public opinion and the media – using it to advance his clients’ careers while zealously protecting his privacy – could not stop the leaks about his long-term same-sex relationship.

Children of Nobody | Curzon Knutsford 23rd November | 8:40pm In the heart of the historic and ultra-gentrified Neve Tzedek neighbourhood in Tel Aviv, Margalit runs a shelter for at-risk youth, offering her children love, guidance and motherly care. When tragedy strikes, and with ruthless real estate developers competing for the valuable property, Jackie – Margalit’s assistant who himself grew up at her home – comes up with an ingenious if risky plan to ensure he and the kids could continue living together. Ukjewishfilm.org

British Jewish Life on Film: Manchester + Q&A HOME | 20th November | 8:30pm Experience the premiere of The Last Cowboy in Salford together with seven brand new short films reflecting and celebrating BritishJewish life, commissioned by UK Jewish Film through its Pears Short Film Fund and Short Doc Fund. In The Last Cowboy in Salford, Jewish teenager Jonny Richman is convinced he is a real modern-day cowboy. Too bad he lives in Manchester and heading west means taking the train to Liverpool. Also includes Manchester premieres of The Soldier on Smithdown Road, set in Liverpool during the anti-Jewish riots of 1947, plus Conteruversial, exploring the construction of the new eruv in Leeds, and The Balance Sheet, a Jewish couple from Leeds looks back each year of their married life on the positives and negatives of the year that has passed. Fascinating and rare stories exploring the richness and diversity of Britain’s oldest minority community.

November / December 2023

ADVICE

CHILD PSYCHOLOGY With clinical psychologist Dr Daniel Weisberg, Managing Director of CAYP Psychology

Calling All Parents CAYP Psychology is a psychological healthcare service for Children, Adolescents, and Young People. As part of our offer, we are very proud to provide support for parents. With almost immediate availability, our highly qualified clinical psychologists can offer three well-regarded and evidence-based programmes:

The Circle of Security

Sometimes it is really difficult to know what our children need, resulting in frustration and upset. Our programme gives parents the tools to overcome these challenges. The Circle of Security is an eight-week programme, to help improve attachments between you and your children. Stronger attachments help children to: • Feel less anger at their parents • Turn to their parents for help when in trouble • Solve problems on their own • Get along better with friends • Have better relationships with siblings • Have higher self-esteem • Trust the people they love • Know how to be kind to those around them

What Next? A Practical Course for Parents, Following their Children’s Diagnosis of Autism

When your child gets an autism diagnosis, there may be a lot of unknowns. You may be coping with a diagnosis you know very little about or trying to find new ways for everyone to live together and feel supported. What happens at school? What about their future? Moving on from a diagnosis can seem daunting, but we’re here to help. Our “What Next?” group explores the next steps after your child’s diagnosis. We offer a two-week course, providing an opportunity to increase your understanding of your child’s autism, develop your appreciation of neurodiversity, and develop strategies to respond to difficulties. We cover: • Sensory differences • Repetitive and restricted interests and behaviours • Self-esteem • Anxiety and stress • Puberty and independence • Education and planning for the future

Video Interaction Guidance (VIG)

In VIG, you record on video the times that you are with your children. We then watch these real-life recordings together to see what is working well and how to build on the moments of connection. Now this is not like supernanny! We don’t tell you what to do differently or offer solutions; we reflect on what you want to do more and help to build on what works. If you ever have thoughts that you are not doing a good job as a parent, VIG is a proven and effective approach to help improve your thoughts of being a parent, and your thoughts about your child. For more information, please scan the QR code / Cayp-psychology.com/circleofsecurity

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

Lifestyle and Wellbeing Coach, Kate Moryoussef tells us all about seasonal depression and how to get spirits up in winter. Hi Kate! For those who don’t know what seasonal depression is, can you tell us more? Seasonal depression affects those who notice a low mood every year, just as autumn starts to creep in. It can manifest itself as feeling like you’re less resilient, low energy, less sociable, just feeling a little bit more sensitive to the world, and that can also look like impatience and intolerance around subjects you’d usually be capable of handling. You might also feel like you want to hide away from everything, so there is an element of depression. To help recognise when seasonal depression is present people can take a diary of their mood, so they can maybe be a bit more intentional with regards to: ‘Okay, where's my mood at when I'm spending more time indoors and I'm not able to get outside?’ and then they have the perspective to respond with: ‘What resources and tools do I have to help myself?’.

So what can we do in the wintertime? We do know with modern science, holistic tools, and wellbeing tools that we can help ourselves by taking regular vitamin D every day. I would say every person in the UK should be taking vitamin D supplements depending on age and weight. Blue light lamps or sunlight lamps, people say can be very helpful if used for 10 minutes every single morning. Getting up and making sure you are getting outside while it’s light and moving your body every day will be your most important tool, ensuring you've got the right weather appropriate clothes will really help you to achieve that in this country. Scandinavians have a saying: ‘There's no wrong whether there's just wrong clothes.’

Are there any changes to nutrition and supplements we could be taking? I take magnesium every day, it’s really good for seasonal depression and I would highly recommend it because it’s great for the

November / December 2023

nervous system, for getting to sleep, and it calms anxiety and relaxes the body and the mind. I would also suggest taking vitamin B, C, and Zinc, anything you can do to help your immunity levels will really get you through the winter feeling strong. In terms of food, it’s the time for enjoying seasonal veg which you can put into hot soups and stews. There’s a reason this food grows at this time of year, so enjoy that part of winter which is nourishing yourself with the stews, bread and pasta dishes – all things we’ve been craving. Stock up on the herbal teas and try and remove caffeinated and fizzy drinks after 1pm to help you sleep. It doesn’t have to feel like restriction, winter is great for hot drinks like golden milk, (turmeric in hot milk), that's really nourishing. Or natural cacao, which is like a healthy version of a hot chocolate, but it's really good for you and therefore your mental health.

How can we embrace the colder months? There are loads of things that we can look forward to in the colder months. We're not going to have golden milk or hot cacao with a big hearty soup or a stew in August so these are things we can enjoy in winter and indulge in. It's all about changing the narrative and how we talk to ourselves because we can't go against nature so we might as well work with it. Have a little think about ‘What can I do outside?’ can you take phone calls on a walk and meetings while you're walking the dog? Can you make time for a walk in your lunch break or get off the bus a couple stops early? little things like that. Think: ‘I can work with this weather. It's not my enemy. It's how can we work together?’ Kate Moryoussef is the Host and Founder of ADHD Women’s Wellbeing in which she leads workshops and coaches women 1:1 about their ADHD to help them find self-compassion and acceptance. You can find more of her advice at: Adhdwomenswellbeing.co.uk

COMPETITION

The Secret is Out! Access wellness secrets used by the world's leading celebrities and CEOs in this competition with Your Health Bank.

You could be in with a chance of winning a hyperbaric oxygen therapy session and an infrared sauna treatment from Your Health Bank in Rawtenstall. Specialising in preventative health and self-preservation using state of the art science-based therapies, its mission is to make rejuvenation, detoxification, and rehabilitation accessible for all. Better yet, its The Gift of Health vouchers make a great present for the holiday season. Take your self-care to a cellular level with an infrared sauna session, with increased benefits compared to a traditional steam sauna, the infrared sauna simulates a fever inside your body causing it to trigger your immune system and remove harmful toxins. The infrared sauna optimises the increased cellular energy to detox, heal, and burn calories giving you more energy and rejuvenating effects. Celebrities such as Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, and Lady Gaga swear by these treatments to keep their energy levels balanced and their skin glowing! As we settle into autumn shorter days can induce feelings of low energy and mood; Your Health Bank is offering its ultimate Reset package at the reduced price of £95. Set yourself up for the winter months with a two-and a halfhour appointment of cellular self-care. Its hyperbaric oxygen chamber and infrared

sauna work on a cellular level to increase energy production, improve your immunity, detox and combat low mood. Hurry as this offer ends 30th November! Want to feel like your best self? Then Your Health Bank’s hyperbaric oxygen chamber treatment is for you. Increasing the amount of oxygen in your body increases the efficiency of your cells’ mitochondria (the powerhouse of the cell) with the surplus oxygen it allows you to function and heal more effectively. As your mitochondria get less effective as you age, this treatment boost keeps your body internally young and healing from sports injuries, reducing inflammation and pain, long COVID symptoms, and fibromyalgia symptoms faster than before. Several wellknown athletes such as Christiano Ronaldo and Michael Phelps use this treatment to maintain energy levels, focus, and recovery times. Every treatment is beneficial as a one off, but by attending more regular appointments you will see longer lasting benefits. Owner Laura Clancy has the perfect solution with her block buy appointments, the more you block the more you save, get 10% off if you block buy five or 10 appointments. Once you see the benefits for yourself, you’ll be eager to share the feeling with those you love, just use the refer a friend a 25% off discount!

COMPETITION To be in with the chance of winning The Gift of Health voucher valid for a two and a half hour hyperbaric oxygen therapy and an infrared sauna session, with a vitamin shower, alkaline water, and towels simply answer the following question… What sensation does an infrared sauna simulate in your body to trigger your immune system? Enter online at Jlifemagazine.co.uk/ competitions-manchester 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: 15th December 2023 Terms and conditions apply: One entry per person. Prize must be claimed by 15th March 2024. When entering the competition online you have the option to not be entered in JLife Magazine and Your Health Bank’s databases to be contacted about news, promotions, and special offers. Postal entry data will not be saved. Publisher’s decision is final.

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PHOTOS

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ALL PHOTOS BY RUTHLESS IMAGES.

CHASE BASSO CELEBRATED HIS BAR MITZVAH AT THE LOWRY HOTEL.

HE WAS JOINED BY HIS MUM, CLAUDINE, DAD, JOE, SISTER, PAIGE, AND BROTHER, GRAY.

A LIFELINE TO FAMILIES HERE FOR ALL JEWISH FAMiLIES WITH A SERIOUSLY ILL CHiLD Supporting children with over 50 November / December 2023 serious medical conditions

CHASE’S FAMILY AND FRIENDS JOINED HIM TO DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY AT HIS PARTY.

Camp Simcha provides practical, therapeutic and emotional support to Jewish families in the UK coping with serious childhood illness. Get in touch • 020 8202 9297 • 0161 341 0589 • www.campsimcha.org.uk Charity Registered No. 1180646

COMMUNITY

A COMMUNITY IN TRAUMATIC STRESS Dr Sandi Mann, Chair of Jewish Action for Mental Health, JAMH, tells us how the organisation can help.

On October 7th the world changed for almost every Jewish person, whether they be in Israel or Manchester. Obviously we cannot compare our reaction in the siren-free zone of Manchester with the war-scarred environs of Israel, but we are still a community suffering post-traumatic stress. Like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), post-traumatic stress has symptoms that many of us are experiencing, racing heart, sweating, panic, fear, sleep difficulties, vivid dreams or nightmares. Unlike its fully blown relative PTSD, post-traumatic stress is a normal reaction to stressful events and does not necessarily develop into PTSD (which can develop after a month). While the whole community is impacted by the massacre as well as the rise and feared rise of antisemitism here, there are some groups who may be more affected than others. These are: • Those who were in Israel at the time of the attacks; these people may have faced sirens, bomb shelters and prolonged and stressful journeys back home. • Those who have first degree relatives called up to fight; parents with children serving or siblings with brothers and sisters etc. • Those who have family or loved ones in Israel and are worried for their safety.

• Those with a connection to those murdered or kidnapped on October 7th. • Holocaust survivors and their descendants who may be triggered by scenes that should never have happened again. • People with existing mental health conditions like anxiety who have been triggered or re-triggered by events in Israel. But you don’t have to fit one of these categories to need extra support. As we move from the first post-trauma phase of shock, new emotions such as fear, anger, frustration and helplessness may kick in for anyone and everyone. The community is very worried about the rise in antisemitism, fuelled by the upsurge in angry protests in which Hamas rhetoric is shared freely on our streets. We are angry when the Jews seem to be blamed for their own massacre by some sources, or when Hamas is referred to as ‘militants’ by the BBC. We are frustrated by the lack of understanding of the history of Israel or by the fact that this should even be relevant to some at this time. And we can only stand by helplessly as our families and friends in Israel suffer, knowing that there is very little we can do to alleviate their pain. But we can get help. JAMH is here to offer support to anyone affected by the events in Israel,

whatever their situation. If you feel your everyday functioning is impacted by events (e.g. inability to concentrate, poor sleep, intrusive anxiety). We have a peer self-help WhatsApp group, counselling or trauma therapy (contributions requested) and are setting up other support groups for adults and young people. We have also trained around 25 qualified therapists in the community in group trauma protocols so that we can if needed, set up an immediate mass-trauma protocol in the future, if needed. JAMH is also extending our support to Israeli refugee families in Manchester and Leeds. Meanwhile we can also help ourselves by limiting our news and social media consumption, adopting normal routines, doing things we enjoy (without guilt), going to rallies or vigils (if we feel able), sending money to Israel (again, if we are able) or just helping out in our own community. Hopefully in time our community will heal and, like our beloved Israel, emerge stronger than ever. If you need support from JAMH, please email wecare@jamh.org.uk or call 07510 204 844 Jamh.org.uk

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CHANUKAH

This year why not try making your own Chanukah candles?

What you’ll need Candle wax (soy, paraffin, beeswax, or reuse old leftover candles) A double boiler (one large pot for water and one smaller heat-safe container to melt wax in) A sugar or meat thermometer Candle wicks Candle stick mould (good ones for Chanukah can be found on Etsy or Amazon)

Step three: Ensure the wax is completely melted with a sugar or meat thermometer. Paraffin wax should read between 50 to 60˚C, soy wax should read between 77 to 82˚C, beeswax should read around 19˚C, and old candles can be melted at around 85˚C with their wicks (and anything other than its wax) removed.

Method Coloured candles

Step one: Before you begin cutting wax you may want to cover your work surface with newspaper, parchment paper or foil as wax can be tricky to remove, especially from wooden tabletops. Chop your desired wax into small chunks to aide the melting process.

Step four: Thread your candlestick mould with your wick(s) by following the instructions of your chosen mould. Then pour in your wax, bearing in mind that beeswax may shrink after cooling.

To create coloured candles, you can add crayons when chopping your wax! Experiment with different finishes to your candles like creating an ombre effect by layering different colours into your moulds or a rainbow candle.

Painted candles

Step five: Leave your candles to cool and set overnight or, for best results, 24 hours. Once set trim the wick to about a quarter of an inch long and enjoy!

Go one step further If making your own candles still isn’t enough for you, here are some extra ways to jazz up your candle making.

Scented candles Step two: Make a double boiler over the stove, in a shallow pot of water place a heatsafe container in the water (the waterline should only reach the bottom quarter of your container) and place your chopped wax inside. Bring the water to a simmer and avoid a rolling boil.

November / December 2023

To scent your candles, you’ll want to add in essential oils after you’ve completely melted your wax. Play around with combinations of scents like vanilla and orange for a festive fragrance or lavender and eucalyptus for a spa-like smell. Twelve drops of essential oil per 16-ounce batch of wax will give you what you need.

Best seen on white paraffin candles, which if you wanted to skip all the above, you could buy from the shops! To prepare your candle for painting, clean it with a lint free cloth and some rubbing alcohol so the paint can adhere to the surface of the candle. With a fine tipped brush and some waterbased non-toxic acrylic paint you can create beautifully detailed designs! Wikihow.com/Make-Homemade-Candles Stylist.co.uk/home/how-to-paint-candles

! y r o t S Toy

Our 2023 toy guide is the place to start looking for presents for the precious little ones ahead of Chanukah this year!

Mega Barbie Building Set - Dream House | Argos | £130 Modelled after Barbie’s dreamhouse in the Barbie film starring Margot Robbie, this playhouse allows 360° play and has a three-storey slide. Argos.co.uk

Squishmallows | The Entertainer | from £9 to £49.99 These playful friends are plushies like no other! Squishmallows come in many shapes and sizes and have the look and feel of a squishy marshmallow pillow. Ranging in size from 7.5 inch mini to 20 inch large you can get Squishmallows in all themes from Disney characters, to animals, and even foods. Thetoyshop.com

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem Pizza Fire Delivery Van Playset | Smyths | £39.99 Great for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans, this delivery van fits in all your turtles and has a pizza launcher which fires pizza’s out the van! Get the whole gang together for £10.99 each from Smyths for the perfect gift. Smythstoys.com

Galt Super Marble Run | Early Learning Centre | £26 The best present to complete a marble collection, this 60-piece marble run set will have little ones creating their own paths and mazes. Complete your course and watch your marble speed around the track. Elc.co.uk

Construction Kit - 4-In-1 | Rex London | £24.95 This handy kit gives you four vehicles to construct in one set, choose from a transporter and crane, a helicopter, a truck, or a digger. All are made with a mini spanner and screwdriver which will get kids used to real life tools! Rexlondon.com

CHANUKAH

Adventures with Mario Starter Course | Lego | £54.99 An amazing gift for Nintendo lovers or fans of the Super Mario Movie this Lego course lets you play Super Mario’s classic format in real life. Build platforms and jump on the heads of the Goombas, and a level isn’t complete without the classic flagpole jump at the end! Lego.com

Twister Air | John Lewis & Partners | £24.99 The classic game Twister gets a new upgrade! Don’t have a mat? These Twister Air bands take your game from mat to screen on a player’s smart device. Put the bands on your wrist and ankle and get ready to play, match your body to the poses on screen. Johnlewis.com

Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Ultimate Ice Cream Truck Playset | The Entertainer | £59.99 Encourage little ones to get creative creating new ice cream flavours in their own Play-Doh ice cream shop. This set comes with 12 pots of Play-Doh and all the in-built accessories they’ll need from cones to sundae glasses, ice cream scoop moulds, spoons, and a soft serve Play-Doh extruder. Thetoyshop.com

Spidey and His Amazing Friends Electronic Suit Up Spidey Action Figure | Disney Shop | £36.99 Have a Marvel fan in your life? This Spider-Man action figure lets them play with Spidey and Peter Parker in the same toy. Accessories include a web shooter, webs, and a green goblin target. Shopdisney.co.uk

Cuckooland Le Toy Van Showtime Puppet Theatre | Cuckooland | £149.95 Is your little one desperate to be in the spotlight? Well with this mini theatre they can be centre stage from their own puppet shows to wherever their imagination takes them! This stage is complete with a stage door and chalkboards to announce the nights show, snack booth and ticket window to welcome the guests. Cuckooland.com

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CHANUKAH (1746-1814) that blew my kippah off. He gives a deeper understanding, one to which I personally connect. On Jewish festivals, people and families happily unite in shul and at meals. Once the holiday is over, people continue with their personal lives, and that sense of community and togetherness is often left behind. Jewish unity is so dear to G-d that He wants an extra day for this very purpose – to retain Jewish unity a little longer. The Rabbi of Lelov understands the concept as: “It is difficult for Me (i.e. G-d) your separating from each other.” No human may justify the events of Shemini Atzeret, however has there ever been such a catalyst for Jewish unity in our lifetime? After a period of such intense separation within our society? I was speaking to a friend who told me that in Jerusalem, it has become the norm for Jews of all types and stripes to nod and smile when passing each other in the street. Our nation’s unity is back on track! The greatest moments in Jewish history have

more than a year, and that they were shocked that the IDF wasn’t waiting for them. He then added: “The Israeli protests encouraged us.” Oh My Goodness. This wasn’t any Rabbi speaking. It was Satan himself, stating clearly that the fighting and disagreement between Jews had spurred them on. Shocking. Not one Jew involved in the protests over the past months would have believed that taking part in disunity would have encouraged the murder of over 1,400 Jews. However, the message is clearer than ever before. There is not a single person in the world who knows why our loving Father in heaven has allowed this to happen. We aren’t prophets. However, we are told clearly (Jerusalem Talmud Peah 1:1) that King David’s generation were all righteous, however they lost battles due to slanderers. Conversely, in the generation of Ahab, the people worshipped pagan deities, yet were successful in battle, because there were no defamers. The attack happened on the 8th day of Sukkot, otherwise known as Shemini Atzeret/ Simchat Torah. This day is in fact a totally separate festival from Sukkot. The commentators pinpoint G-d’s rationale for this day of celebration – a child who spends a week bonding and coming closer to a parent, to just pick up and leave after that, is heart-wrenching for the parent. Our Father in heaven feels the same way, so He therefore asks us to spend one more day celebrating our relationship with Him. The literal translation of this Hebrew concept is: “It is difficult for Me (i.e. G-d) your separating.” However, for the first time in 35 years, I heard an idea from Rabbi Dovid of Lelov

been when there was an unbreakable unity. At Sinai, the people united. We received the Torah. The miracle of Purim was set in motion by our people forgetting their differences and joining as one, hence the beautiful laws of sending gifts and charity to others. And when that tiny group of Jews led by Yehuda the Maccabee joined together in body and spirit, they miraculously overpowered one of the mightiest armies in the world. It was about an hour later when my wife was sitting somewhat comfortably, holding our beautiful Mimi in her arms, that I approached to say the blessing on a new daughter. With tears of happiness streaming down my cheeks, I slowly made the blessing of Shehecheyanu, thanking the One above for the incredible miracle I had met that morning. Our plans were in shreds, and at the time, we had no name for our princess, but none of that mattered one iota – we were totally overcome by the marvel of the beautiful Jewish life that we had before us. Everything else was irrelevant. When we, as a people, can continue building our love and genuine respect for others, forgetting our differences and appreciating every life around us for its marvellous Jewish beauty, we will be able to count the moments until we can all approach the One Above. With tears of happiness streaming down our cheeks we will slowly make the blessing of Shehecheyanu as we light up the lights and advance into the next phase of history, an era for which we have been waiting millennia. The greatest Chanukah miracle yet.

November / December 2023

Unity on Track

So, you know that hunch parents have regarding the gender of their future child... we were beyond that feeling! We simply knew that it was a boy although we chose not to find out at the ultrasound. We had discussed where the brit would be held, which of our friends would bring the baby into the ceremony, and who would hold our son during it. We had decided on a gorgeous boy’s name, and had made the newborn boy’s clothing that we had in storage, more accessible. We also located the girls’ clothes, though more out of being politically correct than anything else. It was at 8.52 am 22nd September that the midwife lifted up our newborn and I knowingly set my eyes on our son for the first time, only to realise that she wasn’t. Oops. The ongoing, sickening feeling I have had since hearing the news from Israel is something I have never experienced before. However, the jolt that made it so much worse, was a report I saw from a captured terrorist. The murderer told the interrogators that Hamas had prepared for

Rabbi Doniel Stern offers some thoughts on the need for togetherness as Chanukah approaches.

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Anniversary parties

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LAUGH

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November / December 2023

PHOTOS

See more photos on pages 11, 19, 26 & 53

ALL PHOTOS: KATE SWERDLOW PHOTOGRAPHY

DAD STEVEN, MUM RACHEL, AND BROTHER NATHAN ENJOYED GABRIEL’S BIG DAY.

GABRIEL BOOKBINDER CELEBRATED HIS BAR MITZVAH BACK IN MARCH.

THE KIDS HAD A FAB TIME…

THE AFTERPARTY TOOK PLACE AT THE GOODS IN, WHITEFIELD, WITH A DESSERT BAR CATCHING ATTENTION.

THOUGH OF COURSE, GABRIEL WAS THE CENTRE OF ATTENTION.

… AS DID THE BIG KIDS TOO!

A SMASHING TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!

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COMMUNITY

Heart of the Community

15 YEARS YOUNG

The Manchester Grammar Junior School celebrates its 15th anniversary.

This term is the fifteenth anniversary of the opening of the Junior Section at MGS. The school has a long tradition of educating boys younger than – in modern terms – secondary age (under eleven). Current Head of the Junior School, Eleanor Losse, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating 15 years of the Junior School. I know it holds such a special place in the hearts of its former pupils who often come back to us as prefects and reminisce fondly about their Junior School days. It certainly is a happy place to learn and to work! Pupils enjoy the enormous benefits of being part of

the whole school whilst being based within the nurturing environment of Bexwyke and Plessyngton Lodges. They are proud to be part of the rich heritage of the school and are motivated by the role models of Senior School pupils. While many of the original staff have moved on, the legacy of the founding head, Linda Hamilton, lives on throughout the spirit of the Junior School.” Our next Open Morning will give you chance to view and get a feel for the entire school, including the Junior School. Open Morning – 11th November 2023 – 9.30am to 12.00pm Mgs.org

A WEE DRAM Spirits were high as a whisky tasting evening raised over £30,000 for Camp Simcha. Over 100 guests were given the opportunity to taste whiskies donated by Cask Trade – under the expert guidance of Simon Aron, who has collected, graded, traded, and invested in bottles and casks of Scotch whisky for more than a quarter of a century. Rob Miller, who put the event together with Camp Simcha, which supports families who have a seriously ill child, said: “The evening was a huge success. The money raised massively exceeded our expectations and I am very proud of what the team achieved. It is great to be able to give back to the community, especially when you get the opportunity to taste fabulous whisky at the same time. “Camp Simcha is an incredible charity, and I am very proud to have helped in some small way.” Camp Simcha’s Manchester Community Relationships Manager Michal Black added: “We are so grateful to Rob – who made this event happen – together the wonderful support we received from Daniel Hamburger and Cask Trade for their generosity and time. We had a great evening and the support in the room was fantastic. We are very much looking forward to making this an annual event.”

November / December 2023

WORLD KINDNESS DAY

On this World Kindness Day, 13th November, discover what can you do to help others and yourself through hard times.

Choosing to spread kind acts can boost not only other people's spirits, but your own as well. In a time when our community needs more support than ever, consider spreading random acts of kindness to bring togetherness and comfort. Acts of kindness have been proven to be good for our health, reducing stress and improving emotional wellbeing, according to the Mental Health Foundation. Here’s what acts of kindness can do for you and what you can do for others this World Kindness Day.

Home is where the heart is

Sharing acts of kindness creates a sense of belonging and purpose in the giver and receiver. As humans are community driven creatures, dating back to prehistoric times in the caves, feeling like we’re a dedicated tribe member gives us a sense of purpose in life.

Come together

Another benefit is the reduction of loneliness, an integral factor to your health proven in a 2014 study by Stanford Medicine, which concluded that a lack of social connection is a greater detriment to health than obesity, smoking, and high blood pressure. Not only are kind acts like

volunteering a great way to meet people, but if you can see the impact your kind act creates you may find that you’re not so lonely after all.

The gift of giving

There’s plenty of hardship in the world which feels insurmountable compared to our will to change it, but every kind act matters greatly to those who receive it. Whether you are performing acts of kindness at a global reach or within your local community you have changed that person’s world – if only for a moment of joy. These pockets of joy or gratitude can help to alleviate stress from the mind and provide greater perspective and purpose in our daily lives.

Volunteer your time to someone in need

Donate used books to your local library

Give someone your undivided attention

Pick up litter

Compliment someone

Help a neighbour

Smile at someone in the street

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November / December 2023

REMEMBRANCE DAY

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL PHOTOGRAPHY COL MARTIN NEWMAN WITH JOE FLACKS AT UK ARMED FORCES DAY 2023 AT WHITEFIELD WAR MEMORIAL.

AJEX, The Jewish Military Association, is an organisation committed to preserving the memory of the 120,000 Jews who served in the armed forces during both World Wars. The association has three main aims: to continue remembrance of the Jewish contribution to the military; to combat antisemitism through education; and to provide welfare for Jewish veterans and their families. Martin Newman, ex-National Chairman of AJEX, explained how the organisation’s objectives have transformed over the years: “AJEX has actually changed somewhat since I was National Chairman. It’s shifted objectives slightly. It is still an organisation which is there to support veterans of all conflicts, but it has now become more educational. It’s more involved with telling the story about what Jews have done historically, within the British Armed Forces. Though obviously it still retains its objective of providing welfare services for veterans who have actually served. And that’s not just in the Second World War, but in conflicts right up to present day.” AJEX’s mission is an important one, as Martin highlights: “It’s particularly

Remembrance Day (11th November) is more important than ever this year, given the current situation in Israel. We spoke with Marin Newman, former National Chairman of AJEX, to find out more.

important, especially these days, with antisemitism growing. We’re getting people using this old trope again, – which we thought had died off, but it’s reemerging – that Jews have dual loyalty and don’t serve this country. Nothing could be further from the truth. We have a record that Jews served in disproportionately high numbers in the British Armed Forces, and that continues right up to present day. For example, during the Second World War we had 65,000 Jews serve.” The Jewish community in Manchester has had more than its fair share of servicemen and women: “The Jewish community has done its bit and paid the price. In the First World War alone, there were five Victoria Crosses won by Jews, a few with Manchester connections. One, Jack White, has both a Manchester and Leeds connection, as he was born in Leeds and moved to Manchester, and his family still live here.” Remembrance Day on 11th November is a day focused on those who have been lost to war. Every year, AJEX holds a parade in London the week after this date. These events and services allow us to recognise

the sacrifices of the fallen and keep their memories alive throughout generations: “We believe it’s important that people – particularly young people – realise what the members of their families that came before them actually did, and how many of them made the sacrifice. And interestingly now, we actually have a Jewish cadet unit as well, at the JFS in London. So we have youngsters who are showing an interest and keeping the memory alive. I’ve very proud to be their honorary Colonel. They’re a set of very enthusiastic boys and girls. They’re not soldiers, they’re part of the cadet force, but they’re still very proud to wear a British uniform.”

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The Last WORD

WHY I DANCED

Rabbi Greg Bank, of Yeshurun Cheadle & Gatley Synagogue, chooses the side of light in the face of darkness. “Rabbi, are we going to cancel Simchat Torah? How can we dance?” My memory of the afternoon before Simchat Torah is somewhat hazy. The atmosphere in shul was turbulent and unsettling. It was Yom Tov and news was trickling in. We didn’t know all details and we had lots of questions (I think we still have lots of questions and that is ok too). One question was begging for an answer; would we proceed with the upcoming Simchat Torah celebration? I told my congregants there isn’t a generic answer. We all deal with grief and pain in live time in different ways and we had to be open to different responses in a non-judgmental fashion. Personally, it was clear to me that I would dance on Simchat Torah. My mind took me on a quick tour of Jewish history. I thought of Rebbe Akiva’s optimism in the face of Roman persecution two thousand years ago. I thought of Abie Rotenberg’s song of a man who arrives at a desolate shul in Vilna in 1946 and finds a young Jewish boy whom he picks up on his shoulders and celebrates the Chag. I thought back to this last Pesach and how Rabbi Leo Dee insisted that his community in Efrtat still sing Hallel in joy after his wife and daughters were killed in terror a few days earlier. They, among many other inspiring characters in the annuls of Jewish time, were not numb to Jewish suffering. They simply had an incredible weapon in their arson to combat hate and that is to celebrate life. On Simchat Torah we begin reading the Torah. The Torah opens with God creating light and dark at the time of creation and separating these two conflicting energies. We need to decide if we are on the side ‘or,’ the side of light or on the side of ‘choshech,’ the side of darkness. Hamas has demonstrated a darkness that we haven’t had to imagine in the last 70 years. It is complete darkness. We represent the side of

complete light. COMMUNITY On Simchat Torah Night, we embraced the Books of The Torah and we danced. We danced with a Torah that is filled with the most humane and moral principles. We embraced the scrolls tighter than we ever have before because we knowUJIA that itsShaliach, values are the values of light. Sahar Sazgar d We held each other up with hugs and words of warmth. Most of all, Shlichut, fostering a love of Isr while the forces of darkness were giving out candy on the streets of Gaza to celebrate the destruction of life, we gave out sweets to our children my growing up proc the Lord in Shul to encourage them to follow the“For lessons of your light thatshaped our Torah During trips throughou G-d is bringing you to teaches us. know every mountain and a good land, a land After Yom Tov we saw the unfolding with darkbrooks andoflight flooded and stories and traditions, water,that had an integral fountains social media and soon began flooding our lives.and It isdepths, critical that the part of my life. T thatknow Israel is my home alwa thatby emerge valleysso they grim images of Hamas’s massacre are seen the in world enhance my knowledge of t and mountains” what darkness really is. Equally, however,(Devarim it is so7:7) vital that thethat light getsmy identity. As formed passed on. Messages of support, mass collections and campaigns, songs advances, a and knowledge follows. in As abattlefield Shaliach and cohesion of love, weddings on the boundaries of the Still, the challenge rema thatlike spends most of his time with the young the Jewish people we have never seen before all gave us so much educate young people who generation of the Jewish community, my primary strength. to love Israel and have thes responsibility is to educate. The real challenge of I am not suremyhow or ifiswe undo the that painmyand I amthe Jewish state? So towards Shlichut thecan understanding roledamage. not just educate towards a certain formal certain, though,isthat we to have created a mountain of good. I unconditional know this love is achie occasional negat behaviour, alsomuch to enhance might be cliché but thinkbut how lightand canpromote be provided byaccept onethe small I have the privilege to ed a particular feeling – ‘ahavat ha’aretz’, love of candle in the dark. When members of an entire nation eachJewish light generation a to love Is country. candle that light is But so incredibly bright. is not possible explaining the facts. The fa how does one educateItthose feelings and to extinguish. perfect country, it’s young a moreon specifically, love of Israel? As a young Yes, I did dance Simchata Torah. I danced like I have never learning. At the same time, danced before. Israeli, a ‘chanich’ in a youth movement and a accomplished so many achi high school student who was extremely motivated Yeshurun.org last 71 years, a fact that sho before and during his army service, ‘ahavat

A LOVE OF

ha’aretz’ had been an instrumental value that

granted.

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RRG Bury Bolton Street, Bury, BL9 0EY 0161 765 2135 rrgbury.toyota.co.uk

RRG Denton Alphagate Drive, Manchester Road, Denton, M34 3SH 0161 930 5880 rrgdenton.toyota.co.uk

RRG Macclesfield Hibel Road, Macclesfield, SK10 2AB 01625 704 782 rrgmacclesfield.toyota.co.uk

RRG Rochdale Edinburgh Way, Rochdale, OL11 2PD 01706 863 253 rrgrochdale.toyota.co.uk

RRG Salford Quays 173 Cross Lane, Albion Way, Salford, M5 4AP 0161 727 3134 rrgsalfordquays.toyota.co.uk

RRG Stockport St Mary’s Way, Stockport, SK1 4AH 0161 507 8660 rrgstockport.toyota.co.uk

UK specifications may vary