JLife Manchester September-October 2023

Trustscore 4.8 out of 5

Rosh Hashanah Special

Your guide to a sweet new year with snaps from the past, a gift guide and a beekeeper’s view. Starts page 9.

Education Essentials

Get ready for back to school with all you need study tips, advice for ADHD in classrooms and the latest news.

Starts page 20.

AND THE WINNERS IS…

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YOUR REGULARFEATURES

JLife Meets…

Peter Hoskin from Calverley Beekeepers tells us how our Rosh Hashanah favourite is made. Page 12.

Nicky Kelvin tells us about how to be a globetrotter while saving cash with The Points Guy. Page 25.

Members of the Queer Jewish Collective tell us about the new group offering a space for queer Jews. Page 62.

Community

Check out the latest news, events, and simchas across the community. Starts page 6.

Pinball Wizard

Take a look at the history of pinball, as the game goes through a resurgence. Page 16.

Motoring

Your guide to finding an electric car you’ll love while keeping your carbon footprint under control. Page 18.

Beauty

We dive into nail polish trends we can expect to see more of. Page 28.

Fashion

After recent trends on TikTok we show you how you can have new outfits without new clothes. Page 31.

Revisit History

Our recommendation of places to visit for free as part of Heritage Open Days in September. Page 33.

PUBLISHER'SNOTE

Summer (summer in name maybe) is quickly replaced by autumn, and the Yom Tov season. Apples and honey, banquets, and prayer books. Inside we have all your greetings and some New Year’s sweet treats just in time. We are back to school with our Education Essentials, school news, A level results, and a look at how ADHD students can be nurtured in the classroom.

Travel expert Nicky Kelvin was in town

talking points, and we showcase a fabulous new resort in Tel Aviv. Plus, EVs, all the latest media, new openings, the resurgence of Pinball, and the latest goings on in the community. You can even win a free wedding venue hire with Mercure Manchester Piccadilly worth £7,500!!!!

All in your latest edition, follow us on socials and get our regular newsletters in your inbox!

Sustainability

How the London to Paris Electric Vehicle Rally is a milestone in sustainable driving. Page 55.

Competitions

Win your wedding venue worth £7,500 in the luxurious ballroom, the International Suite at Mercure Manchester Piccadilly. Page 73.

Outdoor Living

Find out different ways to build your sukkah ready for the festival. Page 78.

Media Preview

The best upcoming books, tv, film, and podcasts to keep you company on the sofa. Page 81.

DESIGN

Richard Shawcross

FEATURES EDITOR

Emily Stone

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Katerina Hough

DIGITAL MARKETING

Tracey Cleminson

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Rob Clayton Photography: Robclaytonphotography.co.uk

Tanya Duman Photography

Lawrence Purcell

Kate Swerdlow Photography: Kateswerdlowphotography.com

CONTRIBUTORS

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

Alexander Knight & Co

CAYP Child Psychology

Doniel Stern

Elaine Bermitz

Handelsbanken

Marc Levy

MODS Optical

Nicky Kelvin

Or Ribon

Peter Hoskin

Queer Jewish Collective

Rabbi Daniel Walker

Rabbi Greg Bank Urologyclinics.co.uk

Dov BenyaacovKurtzman

Dilani Gaunt

Ronen Jashek

Congrats to Mike Davies who won overnight stay for two from Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa.

Community Heart of the

HOLOCAUST LEGACY GRANT AWARD

A Manchester Jewish social welfare charity is celebrating a major boost to the momentum of a crucial project, following the announcement that they are to receive a substantial award from the National Heritage Lottery Fund.

The grant will underwrite the future of The Fed’s My Voice Manchester project for the next two years, enabling it to move onto the next stage of development.

The central thrust of the project will shift from recording and publishing the whole life-stories of Holocaust survivors and refugees, to ensuring that their legacies live on. It will see the creation of an educational resources for schools, colleges, further education, and other establishments who teach about the Holocaust, with the provision of support to the Survivors themselves and formal and

informal educators to enable optimal use of resources.

The package will include the completed books alongside a range of video and audio recordings of survivors delivering excerpts from their life-story books as well as offering in-person audiences with storytellers where they will give readings and answer questions.

A new Heritage and Learning Officer is being recruited who will support survivors in sharing their stories during recordings and at live events.

The team will support schools in developing and offering a Guardian Programme, which will enable pupils to learn directly from individual storytellers, and pledge to share their stories with others, both now and in the future.

Related to this, My Voice will offer a select number of schools who successfully integrate the project’s resources into their curriculum the opportunity of becoming ‘Beacon’ Schools. As such, they will take responsibility for sharing their ideas with other schools to encourage a similar approach to Holocaust education, where there is far less emphasis on statistics and

more on personal storytelling.

The project aims to help fulfil the passionate desire of its storytellers for their stories to live on for all time by collating an interwoven collection of personal accounts, each endorsing the veracity of the others, and acting as a powerful counterweight to the body of material that seeks to deny or distort the truth about the Holocaust.

The money, according to My Voice manager, Juliette Pearce, will “enable the amplification of the survivors’ voices and ensure that their remarkable life-stories will live on forever.

“This will move the focus from the ungraspable statistic of six million deaths to personal local stories that enable students to conceptualize what it meant to be caught up in the Holocaust.

“At the same time, they will hear how it is possible to survive the most despicable atrocities and go on to live wonderful lives as fully contributing members of society.

“We are incredibly grateful to The National Heritage Lottery Fund and to all the National Lottery players for making this possible.”

The Fed will receive £246,075 for its My Voice Manchester Holocaust project from the National Heritage Lottery Fund.

MICHELLE MAJER AND TOBY NAGUS RECENTLY TIED THE KNOT!

DESPITE THE BUSY DAY THE PAIR MANAGED TO GRAB A QUIET MOMENT TOGETHER.

AND EVEN ENJOYED A BEAUTIFUL SUNSET…

ALL PHOTOS: ROB CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPHY

…BEFORE PARTYING THE NIGHT AWAY.

little problems

bigproblems

temporary problems long-term problems

life-threatening problems

Your Fed is here to help

The Fed is here to help but only with your support

A young mum can’t afford to replace her broken washing-machine. Who helped her with an emergency grant for a new machine?

Your Fed

A son worries that his elderly father is alone too much. Who arranged for someone to take him out every week, and got him to come along to our monthly ‘coffee-stops’?

Your Fed

A woman has imminent plans to kill herself. Who saved her life?

Your Fed

To ensure we’re still here for the next person in need, please donate as generously as possible to The Fed’s Rosh Hashanah Appeal.

SWEET TREATS

Mead of Brigid | £17.99

Running with the honey theme, but switching it up a bit, mead is a delicious – if slightly unusual – tipple that’s perfect for the family supper. This selection in particular is produced locally, by Shire Honey at a micro meadery on the outskirts of York and is run by Pete Allanson, a 3rd generation beekeeper. He has produced mead since 2014 with honey from his beehives in Yorkshire. In 2016, he gained two first prizes and a 'Reserve Champion' at the Great Yorkshire Show for his meads. Hornsofodin.com

Kent honey gift set | £12

You can’t have Rosh Hashanah without honey! Bring the star of the show to your Rosh Hashanah get-together with this luxury honey gift set, complete with a handmade jute hessian bag and a beechwood honey dipper for perfect drizzling. The honey itself is a delicious and fine 'runny' honey, collected

Rosy apples | £5.99

Bring some nostalgia to the table with this 1kg bag of one of the most iconic sweets from many of our childhoods: rosy apples. Hard boiled, and full of both sweet and sour apple flavours, this sugar dusted sweet delights both children and adults alike and makes the perfect after dinner treat.

Sweetsandcandy.co.uk

Pomegranate jam | £4.99

While not as much of a staple as the apple, pomegranates are another fruit associated with the new year, due both their status as a “new fruit” (one you haven’t eaten in a long time) and also due to the fact that pomegranates supposedly contain 613 seeds, reflecting the 613 commandments of the Torah. This delicious jam is the perfect way to introduce the fruit into your meal, offering a sweet and tart topping to toast, cake, or biscuits. Bestgrocery.co.uk

Rosh Hashanah is approaching, and it's time to get the family together. And what better gift to take than some gourmet sweet treats?

ABRAHAMS

May this Rosh Hashanah be the happy beginning of a sweet New Year. To all our dear family and friends. Sue and Mel.

BROWER

Andrea and Alan wish their dear children, darling grandchildren, family and friends a happy, healthy and sweet New Year. Shana Tova.

ABRAMSON HappyNewYearfrom

Tina and Lawrence.

AIRLEY

L'shanah Tovah Umetukah our family in the UK and Israel. Good health and happiness. We love you.

BENGGIO Wishingallourdear familyandfriendsavery happyandhealthyNewYear andwelloverthefast.Only goodhealthandhappiness. AlwaysColletteShalom, Libby,Raphiand Liora.

DENTIST

COHEN

Wishing our friends and family a happy New Year and well over the fast. Joanne, Graeme, Sam and Leah Cohen.

Doreen wishes her wonderful friends, neighbours and Whitefield community a very happy and healthy year. Many thanks for your support.

BOOKMAN

Colin and Sandra Bookman wish their family and friends a happy and healthy New Year and well over the fast.

BECKMAN

Wishing our family and friends a happy and healthy New Year and well over the fast. Nita and Harvey Beckman.

CAPLAN

DoreenandBarryCaplan

wish all our relatives and friendsahappyNewYear and well over the fast.

FALCONI CindyFalconiandfamily wouldliketowishfamily andfriendsahappy, healthyandsweet New Year.

FLETCHER

Councillor Heather Fletcher would like to wish her family and friends a very happy and healthy New Year.

ELLIOTT Wishingallourfamily healthyandfriendsahappyandpeacefulNew Year and well over the fast.

FOX

Wishing family and friends, Shana Tova and well over the fast. With best wishes, Sophie and Henry Fox.

GOLDFINE

FAGEN

Sharron and Ian wish our children, sons/daughter-in law, grandchildren, family and friends a happy healthy New Year.

GILL

Janet wishes her family and friends a happy and healthy New Year and well over the fast.

GREENFIELD

Gail, Ivor and Elle wish family and friends a very happy and peaceful New Year and well over the fast.

JAFFA

Mirelle, David and family wish dear relatives and friends a very happy New Year and well over the fast.

GOODMAN

Gary and Laura wish dad, family and friends a happy and healthy New Year and well over the fast.

Pam, Bernard, Jodie and Adam wish all their family and friends a happy and healthy New Year and well over the fast.

KAY

Linda and Stuart wish all their family and friends a happy, healthy New Year and well over the fast.

KNOPF SuzanneKnopfwishesher happydearfamilyandfriends overNewYearandwell the fast.

LANDY

Gillian, Elliot, Oliver, Harry, Alistair and Lennie wish the community a healthy, happy and sweet New Year and well over the fast.

A Spoonful of Honey

royal jelly which alters them into the queen bee form, after three weeks she will go out foraging for the first time. This means she can direct her scouts to find nectar for the hive.

Hello Peter! Tell us how it all works with our clever little bees!

At Calverley Beekeepers, we keep bees in wooden hives these days, they begin by making honeycomb out of wax, although we start them off with sheets now, they intuitively make the hexagonal shapes that they build on top of each other which will store space for the queen to lay eggs and to store honey. An American called William Langstroth discovered what we call the bee space, which is the space bees need (seven eighths of an inch) to pass each other in a hive. And if they can pass each other then they’ll make honey.

Once the queen bee has been selected in the hive, after a worker bee has been fed

After collecting the nectar, they ingest it into their stomach which then reacts with an enzyme which helps the water to evaporate in the mixture, just leaving behind the sugary substance. The bees then regurgitate that mixture for other bees to put in a wax cell at a temperature between 33 to 35°C, when the water content of the mixture has evaporated until its less than 20% water, this is when honey is created. They’ll cap off the cell with wax ready for the winter.

What is the difference between your honey and that from a local supermarket?

We don’t do anything to the honey in the hive other than filter out little bits of wax. So, we cut off the wax with a knife or a special uncapping tool then we’ll spin the frame with a centrifuge and what comes out the tap goes straight into jars. There’s nothing done with it.

Whereas what they sell in supermarkets is another story. Most supermarkets sell a jar of honey for around 75p which is ridiculous because it’s not honey. Companies who

import honey into the country have found a way to turn sugar syrup into a honey-like formula. So it’s possible that the cheap honey that you buy from the supermarket has never seen the inside of a beehive, which is why local honey tastes so much better by contrast.

Honey is a well-known herbal remedy, does it really have all the healing properties that we hear about?

Many people swear by local honey to help their hay fever, now I’m not a doctor, but they think it’s because, if the honey is local, it has the same pollen in it which you could have a reaction to. So, by ingesting it you create antibodies for the pollen and don’t react to it so badly.

We do have a problem though with New Zealand Manuka Honey, which they claim it has all these health-giving properties but at the Yorkshire Beekeepers Association Conference we were able to analyse it and find it was similar to other honey in the world, other than having a higher potassium level. So, you’ve got to be careful of believing everything you hear.

If you want to find out more about Peter’s honey, or to buy some for Yom Tov, get in contact at 0794 157 5438 or on Facebook @Calverleybeekeepers

We spoke to a local beekeeper, Peter Hoskins, to understand what goes into producing our favourite Rosh Hashanah treat, and making sure you are getting the real thing.

Shanah Tovah

SAFETY FIRST

Gershon Morris is a busy man. The owner of Made Safer Ltd uses his tech expertise to create safer household appliances, put on laser light shows for events, and even set up a charity creating opportunities for young people.

When Gershon Morris took a look under the metaphorical hood of the standard hotplates brought to him for repair, he realised that many of them weren’t safe at all: “I’m a Systems Engineer, so I’ve been working in Aerospace for the last 30 years. Obviously, working in such industries, you get an awareness of system safety. About 12 to 15 years ago, people came to me to have repairs done, and I noticed specifically that these hotplates weren’t made very well at all. They were put together as cheaply as possible.”

These run of the mill hotplates contained a plethora of issues which Gershon felt should be addressed: “With the safety issues and general bad construction, it’s kind of a shock to think that these things are left on overnight, while people are sleeping in bed. It’s not a comforting situation.”

The only thing to do was for Gershon to modify – and eventually create his own hotplates – to allow them to operate safely: “I decided to modify them myself and added a whole load of safety features, starting with replacing any plastic parts with metal parts, which don’t melt or fall apart. The heater element itself on these traditional hotplates is a fragile ceramic design, which fractures and breaks apart over time. That reveals exposed wires internally, which eventually can short out with clients and cause fire hazards. We replace that so that there’s

high temperature wiring in. We also provide our own heating elements which aren’t fragile and breakable. We mounted those on the top of the components rather than the bottom, as if it’s on the bottom, it can heat up the worktops below and damage them as well. We also have a temperate safety swich in, which means that if the temperature did ever go out of its operating envelope, it will just cut off automatically and come back on when it cools down.” Gerson has now switched from modifying hotplates to creating his own, each of which are individually tested before being sent out to customers, and are available in five different sizes.

However, hotplates aren’t the only thing the tech wonder is up to. He also quietly puts on laser light shows for simchas under his Laser Know How business and has hit over 1 million views on YouTube for one of his displays. His skills are largely unknown and vastly underused locally, but he remains humble about the work: “Electronics has been a hobby for me since I was a kid as my father was an electrician. I got interested in laser lights and started building my own projectors and started a company from that. I use it for doing simchas in the community and also for raising funds for charity. It’s customisable, so I have a range of songs in my library, and I create programmes with the lasers to match the songs.”

Gershon has also set up a charity, Shine Through, which helps young people get into work: “It came out of me doing the manufacturing tests for the appliances. When I was looking for people to help, I found that there were a lot of young people who were either out of work or would come after school. Sometimes the boys from Yeshiva will come for a couple of hours a week. They’d come in for a few hours to carry out a test, and some of the older ones who were out of work would stay for a while to build up their skill set and then move on to bigger and better things.”

To see the full range including safe and more energy efficient slow cookers and hot water urns visit MadeSafer.co.uk | Laserknowhow.co.uk Shinethroughcharity.org

Pinball Wizard

The roots of pinball can be traced back to the 18th-century French game known as Bagatelle. Bagatelle was a table-based game that involved rolling a ball and attempting to navigate it through a series of obstacles to reach a target area. It’s easy to track to influence this game style had on the concept of pinball.

In the late 19th century, the addition of a spring-loaded plunger revolutionised the game. This development allowed players to launch the ball into play with greater force and precision, creating the more fast-paced game we’re now familiar with. The first coin-operated pinball machines, called "pin games," emerged in the 1930s, though they were still fairly simple and required manual scoring.

The electrification of pinball machines in the 1930s and 1940s brought about significant advancements to the game, including the addition of bumpers, flippers, and scoring reels, into their machines. These innovations transformed pinball into a more interactive and engaging experience, captivating players worldwide.

The 1950s and 1960s marked the big boom of pinball. Technological progress

continued, with the introduction of features like allowing play with multiple balls at once, drop targets, and illuminated machines. Pinball machines became more visually striking, with vibrant artwork and themed designs. Themes ranged from popular culture icons to sports, providing players with immersive experiences. Further innovation came in the 1970s. Machines used microprocessors, electronic sound effects, and digital displays, enhancing gameplay and providing new opportunities for creativity. Manufacturers such as Stern Pinball dominated the industry. Stern was founded by Jewish businessman Sam Stern in 1930s Chicago, and his son Gary is still involved in the company, which continues to make pinball machines to this day and is the only company currently manufacturing.

In the 1980s and 1990s, pinball faced challenges as the popularity of video games soared. Arcade operators favoured video games due to their lower maintenance costs and higher profits. Despite this setback, pinball endured, with dedicated enthusiasts, collectors, and competitive players keeping the spirit alive.

Recently we have seen a resurgence

in pinball's popularity, retro and new innovative machines combining cuttingedge technology with classic gameplay. The advent of online platforms and pinball communities further facilitated the growth of competitive pinball and boosted its global reach.

From the humble origins of Bagatelle to the technologically advanced pinball machines of today, the history of pinball is a testament to its enduring appeal. The game's evolution over the centuries reflects the spirit of human ingenuity and the unyielding passion of players worldwide. As pinball enthusiasts continue to cherish this beloved game, its vibrant history serves as a reminder that some pastimes transcend time and continue to captivate generation after generation.

Take a look at the fascinating history of pinball, as the arcade classic goes through a resurgence in games rooms around the world.

In 1947, Sam Stern, Stern Pinball (left) visited pinball pioneer, Harry Williams of Williams Electronics (right), in Chicago and bought 50% of the company.

PHOTO: STERNPINBALL.COM

Koolatron Coca-Cola Retro Vending Machine |

£169.99

No games night would be complete without the right refreshments. Complete the room’s unique style with this vibrant red mini fridge featuring vintage Coca-Cola artwork, a display window, and polished chrome accents. You can stock 10 cans of your favourite beverage in the fridge and dispense one with just the push of a button. Koolatron.com

Up Your Game

Arcade1Up Pac-Man Namco Legacy Edition Cabinet

£349.99

Bring a retro vibe to your games room with the Arcade 1up Pac-Man Namco Legacy Edition Cabinet. Unlike the traditional machines, this one doesn’t require coins, so the fun is unlimited. The machine comes with 12 iconic Bandai Namco games: Pac-Man, Pac-Land, Pac-Man Plus, Super Pac-Man, Pac & Pal, Pac-Mania, Galaxian, Galaga, Dig Dug, Dig Dug II, Mappy, and Rompers. Smythstoys.com

Phillips Hue Play Gradient Light Strip | £189.99

Add an atmosphere to your games room with this colour changing LED light strip, which can wrap around a TV and change colour based on what is showing on the screen, meaning that your room’s atmosphere can match any console game you’re playing at the time, creating an immersive experience as you play. Philips-hue.com

Strikeworth Pro American Deluxe Pool Table | £469

Having a pool table in your home is more affordable than you might think! Measuring a full 6ft long, the Strikeworth Pro American is by far the bestperforming MDF-bed pool table in its class. Its sleek styling classes up any games room, while a deep, sturdy cabinet supports an industry-leading 18mm bed – much thicker and more rigid than most MDF pool table beds. Libertygames.co.uk

Winmau Masters Bristle Dartboard | £25

This prototypical Winmau dartboard comes with durability and performance as standard. Featuring a Cliple II wire fixing system to reduce the dreaded bounce outs, this is a great board for playing for fun at home, but it’s also fully compliant with World Darts Federation and British Darts Organisation specifications, if you find you have a knack and want to get into darts professionally.

Argos.co.uk

Jurassic Park Home Pinball Machine | £4,999

Bring a classic from the arcade into your home. Based on the blockbuster film Jurassic Park from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment, the Jurassic Park Home Edition experience will transport players to Isla Nublar, an amusement park where escaped dinosaurs are running amok! The easy-to-setup Jurassic Park Home Edition is affordable, reliable, built to last, and engineered with genuine Stern commercial-quality parts. Shop.sternpinball.com

If you have an extra room you just don’t know what to do with, be the envy of your friends by turning it into a fun games room.

Transitioning to electric for lifelong petrolheads can be a difficult concept to grasp, but it only takes three stages to become accustomed to a new vehicle – enhance your mindset, find your EV, use your tools. With these stages behind you, you’ll have a much clearer idea of your first EV.

Know Your Eggs

Before switching to electric it’s important to do your research and approach the new situation with an open and informed mind.

One of the biggest drawbacks for those resisting a switch to an electric car is the range, and though it’s controversial to say so – you’d be right, you won’t be able to drive as long as a petrol car without charging. But those who have converted to electric cars see the whole picture, focusing not on the things you’ll be missing out on, but the aspects you’ll gain. Such as cheaper and less planet damaging fuel, a head start on the 2030 ban on the sale of new diesel and petrol cars, fewer chances of breakdowns due to less moving parts, and free tax for your first year of capital allowances to name a few!

After adopting the right attitude it’s important to know everything you can about the technicalities, like charging at home and away, before you buy your car to avoid any nasty surprises. Make sure you

know the difference between chargers, like (ultra-) rapid, fast, or slow chargers and ensure you understand your cables, such as a CCS charger or a Type 1 or Type 2.

An EV for Everyone

The London to Paris EV race provided some award winning EVs that may be worth a look. (see Page XX.)

system. With a range of 193 miles per charge, the IONIQ has often been praised for its energy efficiency, saving you money on each charge.

Volkswagen ID Buzz

Have you always dreamed of a life on the open road? With the new Volkswagen ID Buzz, you can travel the globe sustainably in this all-electric camper van. Remodelling the beloved and iconic aesthetic of the classic Volkswagen camper van, this van can do 264 miles on one charge and comes in versions with and without back seats for an empty or full cabin.

Kia Niro

Often applauded as an affordable, practical, and spacious electric SUV, the Kia Niro (previously known as the e-Niro before being rebranded in its second generation) is the UKs third bestselling electric car. Though its cousin the Kia EV6 may be more high-tech and luxurious, the Niro gives you similar technology and interior design for a lower price.

Gear Up

There are plenty of tools to help you on your way, most notably the Zap-Map app which allows you to plan your route showing you charging stops along the way. Zap-Map is the most popular charging app in the UK and it’s easy to see why, it has tens of thousands of EV chargers tracked on its database and it even lets you check the status of chargers to avoid the broken ones and to find new favourites.

Hyundai IONIQ

Winner of the Saloon Car Category in both legs of the race, the Hyundai IONIQ is an excellent five-seater car for the whole family complete with a touch screen entertainment

Another handy piece of kit is the Zappi home charger by myenergi. You’ll need to install a charger outside your home or in your garage to charge your car (most people do this over night for even cheaper energy) and the Zappi charger can take your energy from the grid or renewable energy sources, if you have solar panels already installed you could get a charge for free!

Not Misbehaving

Students with ADHD are often misunderstood by their teachers. We hear from Dov Benyaacov-Kurtzman, CEO of Wellstyle Community Hub ADHD Centre, and Trauma Coach and Founder of ADHDfest, Dilani Gaunt, to tell us how the classroom could work in favour of students with ADHD.

Dov BenyaacovKurtzman is CEO of Eden Wellstyle and Wellstyle Community Hub ADHD Support Centre, which aims to comprehensively support families, professionals, teachers, parents, school governors, GP doctors, and other community members affected by ADHD. Dov explains: “In the dynamic symphony of a classroom, each student brings their unique melody of strengths, challenges, and learning styles. Among them, students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) require tailored support to help them thrive.

“Building a deep understanding of the student's behaviour forms the cornerstone of any plan. This involves recognising the triggers for both challenging and desirable behaviours, as well as the resulting outcomes.”

Dilani Gaunt was a mental health social worker for 20 years before being diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 49. Two of her children were also diagnosed with ADHD at age 11 and age 17 causing Dilani to fight for amendments to be made for them in the classroom.

“My daughter was given fidget toys to help her focus, but then other children complained that the fidget toys were putting them off, or children who didn't have ADHD wanted to borrow the fidget toys and if they try and grab at it, it gets confiscated.

“I think when children are struggling with concentration and distracting others,

it’s really important that they understand boundaries because they need to know what is appropriate and what isn't appropriate, but dealing with it in a punitive way is not going to alter their behaviour.”

Dov agrees explaining: “Identifying specific behaviours that pose challenges and offering desirable alternatives is key. By highlighting unacceptable behaviours and illuminating the path to acceptable ones, educators can foster positive change. For example, if a student frequently interrupts the class, encouraging them to raise their hand and wait patiently to be called upon becomes the desirable alternative behaviour.

“Empowering strategies in teaching students with ADHD involve tapping into their inherent enthusiasm and problemsolving skills. Encouraging students to devise their own solutions for tasks not only fuels their creativity but also instils a sense of ownership and responsibility. For instance, if a student struggles with organisation, allowing them to create a system that works for them, such as a colour-coded folder system, a special homework notebook, or a personalised

timetable, can make a significant difference.”

Dilani has some useful tips: “A helpful system might be setting up a reward system for a child with ADHD. Which might seem juvenile, but because that will increase their dopamine it will make them more likely to do it, rather than using a punishment system. It's a struggle with doing homework, if they could set up a homework club for people that struggle to do their homework at home they’d get that additional support. My friends with neurotypical kids say their kids would learn the spellings in about half an hour. But for my kids it’s two hours of screaming, crying ‘I can't do it, I can’t understand it, I can't remember it’ and it’s because their executive function isn’t the same, that's why they can't remember it. At the very best, they would go in and get a decent mark and by the end of that day, have no idea of any of those spellings again.”

There’s a positive outlook from Dov : “With the right support and understanding, students with ADHD type brains can not only succeed in the classroom but also develop skills that will serve them well in all areas of life. Our role is to guide them on this journey, providing the skills and support they need to navigate their unique path to success. By prioritising self-care and self-compassion, teachers can create a nurturing and positive learning environment for both them and their students.”

Learn more about ADHD here: Edentherapiesharleystreet.co.uk Additudemag.com

Identifying specific behaviours that pose challenges and offering desirable alternatives is key.”

DOV BENYAACOV-KURTZMAN

DILANI GAUNT

MGS

The Manchester Grammar School is celebrating another year of excellent examination results for its Sixth Form pupils.

38% of all grades were at the A* level, 73% of all grades were A* or A, and 87% of grades were A*, A or B.

There were many exceptional individual performances. 39 pupils were awarded A* grades in all their subjects, 106 boys achieved a clean sweep of A* and A grades.

Oxford and Cambridge offered places to 30 Manchester Grammar School pupils in 2023. Other leading universities to which MGS boys will be heading this autumn include Imperial, UCL, LSE, Durham, Warwick, York, KCL, Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham, and Leeds.

Class Act

inspiring and resilient group of young people who will, I am sure, continue to challenge and excel in their chosen fields. We look forward to seeing them continue to flourish as they progress beyond the school gates.”

percentage pass at A*-A was 41.9% and the pass rate at A*-B was at 70.3% with the overall pass rate being the same as the Boys’ Division at 99.4%. 86.1% of grades were at A*-C.

The High Master, Dr Martin Boulton, said, "This year’s results places The Manchester Grammar School in a very select number of schools nationally. I am absolutely delighted that the hard work and dedication of the pupils has been rewarded with excellent grades and that this will enable them to move on to study a diverse range of courses at leading universities. I would like to wish them every success as they take their next exciting steps in their academic journeys."

MHSG

Students at Manchester High School for Girls are celebrating their A level results success with prestigious university courses, apprenticeships, and sports scholarships on the horizon.

MHSG Sixth Formers are looking forward to degrees in Medicine, Engineering, Graphics, Music and Medieval Studies, as well as global company apprenticeships, and the school’s staff are incredibly proud of everything they have achieved.

Mrs Helen Jeys, Head Mistress at Manchester High, said: “The grades our students have achieved, after these turbulent few years are the consequence of their fantastic work ethic and positive approach to study as well as the care, support, and superb teaching of the staff here. I could not be prouder of our Class of 2023.

“The sheer breadth of subjects and destinations our students are going on to demonstrates their individuality, which is one of our values and something we nurture in all of our students. Our Senior Sixth students are a talented, conscientious,

Bolton School

Bolton School contributes millions of pounds to the local economy, a report using the ISC/Oxford Economics modeller has found.

In the last financial year, Bolton School contributed £23.4 million towards the town's gross domestic product (GDP). Bolton is one of the country’s largest towns and the contribution represents 0.43% of its entire GDP.

Further afield, Bolton School contributes £50,678,897 to the UK’s GDP, a figure which comprises the school’s own GDP plus that of its UK-based supply chain and the induced GDP which is generated through the spending of staff and the school’s suppliers’ staff.

Meanwhile the Class of 2023 has been celebrating an excellent set of A level results.

The Boys’ Division results were very much in line with 2019 and in many subject areas were better. The A*-A pass rate was at 48.6% and A*-B pass rate was at 74.7%, very similar to the previous year; the % of A* grades (15.7%) and those achieving A*-A grades was significantly higher than 2019. 90.3% of papers were graded at A*-C and the overall pass rate was at 99.4%.

Girls’ Division students recorded a similar set of results to the boys. The

Mr Britton added: “Across the campus both Divisions have performed well and, as ever, there are some outstanding individual and collective results. Students have much to celebrate. As do their teachers, who have supported them both academically and pastorally. The results should be celebrated all the more when one remembers that these students were in Year 10 when the pandemic hit and their GCSEs were cancelled and this is the first time they have sat formal exams.”

Withington Girls’ School

Year 13 students at Withington Girls’ School firmly demonstrated that their impressive range of talents beyond the curriculum are underpinned by strong academic credentials, with 95% of all grades achieved at A*- B and 31.2% at A* grade in the 2023 A level examinations.

57% of the 68-strong cohort secured grades that included at least three grades at A or A*, with five students achieving a clean sweep of four A* grades. Around three in four grades (73.9%) were A or A*.

Headmistress, Mrs Sarah Haslam, paid tribute to the students who received their A level results today: “The Class of 2023 leave Withington with a legacy of excellence in areas of school life as diverse as leadership roles, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Model United Nations, Young Enterprise and community involvement, with stellar performances on both the stage and the sports field. They include outstanding athletes, artists, writers, dancers and musicians as well as the two students who shared leads in the musical Sister Act, the school’s first major school production since 2019.”

Catch up with the latest A level results and news from four of our schools.

BOLTON SCHOOL STUDENTS POSE WITH THEIR RESULTS.

MANCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS STUDENTS CELEBRATE THEIR SUCCESS!

MAX SHALKS ACHIEVED 4 A’S AND IS HEADING TO LAND ROVER, COVENTRY.

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL PHOTOGRAPHY

Open To All

My role as Bursar covers many varied areas of school life. Many of these relate to financial matters and one of the most rewarding parts of the role involves the links with our bursary families. We have over 200 bursary pupils in school, many of whom are on full bursaries. My finance colleagues and I work very closely with these families, and we get to know them well during their time at the school and we are always delighted to hear of their successes and their future destinations.

I meet many potential bursary pupils and their families at Open Events, when

I can explain how the scheme works and hopefully answer any queries. Later, as part of the Admissions process I visit as many families as possible at home. This is a good way to meet people and to explain more about the scheme and to talk things through in more detail taking their particular circumstances into account. I find that families often do have many queries about joining the school as a bursary pupil and I hope I can offer help with these and provide lots of information about the school and the opportunities that will be available. I value these visits as we will have a great deal of contact with our families during the time their son is a pupil, and it is good to be able to put names to faces and to make families aware they can always get in touch with any queries.

I always look forward to seeing the students and their families when they have their results and are back for the various events. Having spent time with the families, I know how much it means to them and their son to have been offered a bursary place. It is a time of mixed emotions, as there are also families who were not offered a place and I know how disappointed they are. Every year, we wish we could offer more places.

Once a pupil has joined the school, we carry out financial reassessments each year, as all our bursaries are means-tested. In addition, we feel very strongly that bursary pupils should have access to all the same opportunities and so we offer help with the costs of trips and visits, and transport costs. We believe that all pupils should have experience of the amazing school trips and activities on offer during their time here.

to offer these places.

As a school, we are very proud of our bursary scheme. I know how much it means to the families and how passionate they are about the education and opportunities we can offer to their sons. We keep the identity of the bursary recipients confidential in school, but each year, we do invite the Year 13 bursary holders to help us host the annual Benefactors’ Lunch in school and often a bursary pupil will speak very powerfully about what the bursary has meant to him and his family. We are very grateful to all the people who have contributed to the bursary scheme and enabled us to offer these places.

I am so pleased to be involved in this way and so proud that we can offer this amazing opportunity to boys who would not otherwise be able to attend the school. It is definitely one of the most rewarding parts of my role.

To find out more about The Manchester Grammar School, visit Mgs.org

Gillian Batchelor, Bursar at The Manchester Grammar School, explains how the school proudly helps students of all economic backgrounds to further their future.

I meet many potential bursary pupils and their families at Open Events, when I can explain how the scheme works”

We are very grateful to all the people who have contributed to the bursary scheme and enabled us

CHILD PSYCHOLOGY

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

New (School) Year

Our team of over 70 clinical psychologists all agree that a new school year is a new opportunity for children to thrive academically and emotionally.

As the new term is now underway, consider these ideas:

Open Communication: Encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings about their experiences at school. This can be done through casual conversations during family meals or daily "talk time" (but not just before bed!). By actively listening to their concerns, we validate their emotions and build their support network.

Routine and Structure: A stable routine provides a sense of security for children, especially during times of change. Help them establish a daily schedule that includes time for homework, hobbies, play, and rest. Consistent routines help children feel more in control of their environment, leading to reduced stress and improved academic performance.

Validate Their Feelings: A new school year can be overwhelming, and they may experience

a wide range of emotions. Let your children know that their feelings are heard, and it's okay to feel nervous or uncertain. Offer empathy and understanding, and reassurance that these feelings will gradually fade as they settle into their new routine.

Foster Friendships: A supportive social circle is powerful. Encourage your children to engage in extracurricular activities or join clubs that interest them. These opportunities not only allow them to explore their passions but also help them form meaningful connections with like-minded peers. Encourage Self-Care: Encourage regular physical activity, good quality sleep, and a balanced diet. Children will build resilience and better cope with the demands of school life.

Monitor Academic Progress: Keep an eye on your children's academic progress without putting undue pressure on them. Celebrate their achievements and encourage them when faced with challenges. Let them know that mistakes are a natural part of learning.

Seek Professional Support: If you notice

significant changes in your child's behaviour or emotional state, please call us. We can be your listening ear and help to address any underlying concerns.

As parents, your presence and understanding makes all the difference in helping your child flourish.

Cayp-psychology.com

Globetrotter

The Points Guy is a global brand which helps people travel better. Bringing people the best in points, miles, credit card advice, and nifty travel tips and tricks, it’s also known for its flight, hotel, and cruise reviews. Inspiring people to travel more and travel better, The Points Guy has a website, newsletter, social media channels, and YouTube channel to its brand name, raking in over 100 million readers on its website, 4 million social media followers, and over a million subscribers to its newsletters.

Hi Nicky! So tell us how you started working for The Points Guy?

I was always obsessed with planes and aviation from being a little kid. My sister was British Airways cabin crew and I flew

all around the world with her. I took full advantage of the travel concessions, for example I would fly to Israel, sometimes three or four times a year. Back then, London to Tel Aviv was just £67 return.

My sister got married and had kids and her family were the new recipients of the benefits. So, I found points, miles, and credit cards as a way to maintain my love of travelling frequently, and in style.

I started out with my career as a lawyer at Virgin EMI Records, a Universal Music label and during that time I started blogging and vlogging about points, miles, and credit cards under the brand “The Miles Mogul” as a personal passion project. Then through doing the Miles Mogul, I got noticed by the original Points Guy, Brian Kelly, who founded the company in the US about 13 years ago. I was hired to establish the UK franchise of the brand.

In your Points Guy profile you say your favourite city is Tel Aviv, tell us about your love of the city!

I recommend everyone to go to Tel Aviv, it's certainly not polished by any stretch, but it has so much raw energy. The people are beautiful, the food is amazing, the cafes, clubs, bars and museums are unbelievable. There's something so special about it that you just can't quite put your finger on.

I'm a huge advocate for Israel. I'm a staunch Zionist, I'm very feel very deeply

about the existence of a Jewish state in that part of the world. I would tell anybody to go to Tel Aviv. Everyone I've ever taken there, Jewish, not Jewish, whoever they are – they feel the energy.

I think my obsession or passion for Israel is deeply connected to my feelings about being Jewish. A few years ago, I was in Perth and I got invited to a Seder by a Jewish family. There was something so bizarre about it, because I was literally on the other side of the world and I was sat around the table with people I didn't know, yet I knew the characters all around that table, they were the same people who would have been sat around the seder table with me in England. There were the same songs, same smells the same food. And there's something like very special about that.

As someone who is a two-time Webby award winner for content creation, what advice would you give an aspiring creator?

It's all about authenticity, and serviceability. You've got to be yourself, show your passion, and help people in some way – and helping doesn't have to just mean in the traditional sense. You might help them by entertaining them or giving them advice.

I see a lot of creators (especially those just starting out) trying to emulate what other people are creating. There's nothing wrong taking inspiration from people, but it becomes a problem when it’s at the expense the core of the content, brand, or authenticity of that creator.

Don’t just try to be an influencer for influencer’s sake, look at your passions, your content, and think what am I trying to offer, do people want or need this, and does it make a difference?

Check out The Points Guy at Thepointsguy.com

JLife speaks to Nicky Kelvin, Editor at Large at The Points Guy on his love for Tel Aviv and savvy travel.

Community Heart of the HOLIDAY FUN

Camp

Simcha offered fun summer activities to both critically ill children, and their parents.

For parents with a seriously ill child, the summer holidays can often be more challenging than term-time.

This is where charity Camp Simcha comes in. In the past couple of months, in addition to its core practical and therapeutic support services, the charity has run a residential retreat for families, a summer day scheme and taken several children on the trip of a lifetime with its sister organisation Camp Simcha USA.

Both are designed to bring respite to parents, together with precious family time and a chance for the ill child to enjoy the same holiday fun as their peers.

“This year some 75% of families we support will have attended either retreat or our summer scheme outings – or both,” explains Camp Simcha Head of Services Daniel Gillis.

“At the retreat, families spend three wonderful days away, enjoying a range of specially programmed activities, which this year included helicopter rides, outings, themed activities – including a Camp Simcha has talent night – and ‘dinner for two’ for parents only.

“With a doctor and carers on site, parents can relax knowing that all their

child’s medical needs are catered for."

Along with Camp Simcha staff, each child has a trained Big Brother or Sister volunteer who looks after them, while their parents relax and recharge with others who understand their daily challenges.

Camp Simcha parent Jess Goldberg, from Prestwich, Manchester, whose son Ori, age two, has pulmonary hypertension, attended both the retreat and the summer scheme outings this year, with her husband Rafi and Ori’s three older siblings.

“We got to the family retreat and just felt at home. The kids each got volunteers and off they went – and from the second we arrived they were having fun.

“Rafi and I got a rare chance to spend time together as a couple and just relax and laugh. We were treated with massages, and we had time to sit in the sun and get to know other parents who are also going through challenges with their children; you could tell everyone just felt really peaceful and calm. Amongst the chaos that we have every day – to have that calm feeling was such a gift.

“And the summer scheme is great because it’s planned activities that mean we

get out as a family with everything sorted for us – location, food, coach if you need. We just have to turn up. It’s a lot of fun and so nice to see the other families again and offload to each other. Our kids also feel excited to see the other kids, friends they have made with shared experiences.”

This year’s Camp Simcha summer scheme has included trips to Stockeld Park, Magna Science Adventure Centre, and The Web Adventure Park.

Campsimcha.org.uk

Safe Hands

The Community Security Trust is preparing to keep the community safe over the High Holy Days.

As CST prepares to keep our community safe over the High Holy Day period, we are faced with the reminder that anti-Jewish hate across the world remains prevalent. The number of antisemitic incidents targeting Jewish people in the UK continues to rise, as does radicalisation and the persistent threat of terrorism. This is why our work is more important than ever.

CST will continue to call on our partners in government and law enforcement to persecute perpetrators and keep our community protected. However, security is the joint responsibility of our entire community, and we must all play our part.

Underpinning our security operations are hundreds of volunteer hours, filled by dedicated CST security volunteers, without whom our entire mission would fall apart. If you would like to join the fight against hate and help to protect our community, please contact recruitment@cst.org.uk.

If you aren’t able to volunteer but would like to support our vital work, please visit our website to donate to our mission. Finally, if you experience or witness antisemitism over the chaggim, it’s crucial that you report it to CST at Cst.org.uk/report or by calling 0800 032 3263.

From everyone at CST, we wish you a safe and happy new year and a meaningful fast.

Otto has Alagille Syndrome, a rare condition primarily affecting his heart and liver. Camp Simcha has been there for his family since shortly after his diagnosis, supporting them when they need us most.

Each year Camp Simcha helps more than 1,500 family members throughout the UK just like Otto’s, coping with over 50 serious and chronic childhood medical conditions. Your support this Rosh Hashanah will help ensure we can continue to be there - when families need us most.

we wish all of our community a

Nailed It!

Just

easy to play around with without loosing its effortless and minimal chic effect.

Velvet Nails

Great for a special occasion, Velvet Nails are glitter nails where the glitter is so fine (almost sand-like) that it gives the appearance of velvet. Mostly seen in dark velvet-like colours such as burgundy, emerald, or a brown-toned pink this trend is sophisticated and glamorous to the nines.

Jelly Nails and Popcicle Nails

This trend is a nail look you have never seen before! It is achieved by mixing a few drops of topcoat (clear nail polish) with a light pink colour to achieve a glassy and glossy polish. The effect is like jelly, a lightly transparent coloured polish. To elevate this look, Popcicle Nails use the same method but with bright colours like yellow or aqua.

French Manicure (with a twist)

After having a little break from the limelight, a classic nude nail and white tip French Manicure is back in style. But if you want to upgrade your look there’s plenty of ways to dress up your traditional French Manicure. This could include bright coloured tips instead of white, having a classic French Manicure but with abstract shapes printed overtop, or why not try metallic tips? This wellknown and classic nail style is very

Mismatched Nails

Exactly as it sounds, mismatched nails have a different colour or a different pattern on each nail. Usually matching a theme such as pastel colours, patterns and prints, or eclectic icons this is a statement nail look and certainly comes off as eccentric, maximalist, and bold.

Short Nails

Yes, lengths of nails also come and go in style and right now we’re seeing a move away from the –sometimes impractically – long acrylic nails. Shorter nails are showing a more demure and effortless side to nail trends which, paired with the statement trends of mismatched nails or bright colours, really contrast the design of the nails and put everything back into balance.

Metallics and Pearl Sheens

Like the Velvet Nails trend, we’re straying away from chunky glitter, but everyone still likes a bit of sparkle. Instead of glitter providing a sparkly finish, metallics and pearl finishes are much more about shine. Silver, Gold, Copper, and Pearl nails will catch the light creating a sleek and smooth effect with a more subtle statement pop than glitter.

Bright Colours

Neutrals are out and bright colours are in! Bright block colour nails have been a trendy choice this year, with the release of the Barbie movie on everyone’s brain and having a big nostalgic effect on the fashion and beauty industry Barbie pink nails are a must this season.

like makeup and fashion, nails also have their own trends. Here’s what we can expect to see more of in 2023.

Our expertise

Director and service lead, Consultant

Ophthalmologist Mr Arun Sachdev, has more than 10 years’ experience in both NHS and private practice. He has performed thousands of cataract surgeries and treated a wide number of patients with general ophthalmic conditions, including glaucoma, dry eyes, and inflamed lids. Arun also specialises in treating potentially sight-threatening retinal conditions, such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

Optimyze Health is a premier provider of eye care in the Northwest of England. Based in Cheshire and benefitting from the latest imaging technology combined with leading expertise, our patients have access to the full range of ophthalmic services. With NHS waiting times at an all-time high, whatever your eye concerns, we can diagnose at an early stage and deliver the right treatment for you.

Suffering from Macular Degeneration?

Mr Sachdev was the first Clinician in the Northwest to offer state-of-the-art light therapy for dry macular degeneration, which is currently the only approved option for people with this progressive condition. Nearly 15 million people in the UK are living with macular disease and it’s the nation’s biggest cause of sight loss.

The non-invasive light therapy offers patients at early-intermediate stages of the disease the potential to reduce the chances of sight loss in the future. This is particularly relevant in patients with a family history of the condition. Early diagnosis and treatment of the disease are key, so Mr Sachdev uses the latest, most advanced imaging techniques to pick up sight problems at the earliest opportunity. This also enables him to monitor his patients carefully over the course of their treatment, ensuring the best possible outcome.

We offer a fast access clinic, and our treatments include:

• Cataract surgery – a bespoke service giving you the visual outcome you want

•

•

•

Macular degeneration – early diagnosis, nutritional advice, and treatment

Diabetic eye disease – early pick up and monitoring of this is key in preventing sight loss

Dry eyes and inflamed lids (blepharitis) – established and innovative new treatments

Glaucoma – early diagnosis and management

Consultant-led approach

24 hour telephone line

Easy access clinics in Hale and Knutsford

Quick emergency assessments and treatment

Autumn's fashion palette: warmth and elegance

The Jewish New Year and autumn is a great time to look at your eyewear.

As leaves change colour and a golden hue envelops the landscape, autumn brings its own unique fashion palette. Warm tones like deep oranges, rich browns, and muted yellows dominate the fashion scene. Your eyewear can seamlessly integrate with these colours, complementing your wardrobe

Embrace the Fall

while making a distinct impression. Trends to watch out for: Bold and geometric frames: Embrace the autumn spirit with bold and geometric frames that make a statement. Think square or hexagonal frames in warm shades, adding a touch of uniqueness to your look.

Transitional tones: As autumn days transition from warm to cool, opt for frames in transitional colours like deep burgundy, olive green, or subtle tortoiseshell. These shades effortlessly capture the essence of the season.

Metallic accents: Add a touch of glamour to your eyewear with frames featuring delicate metallic accents. Gold, rose gold, or silver detailing can infuse a hint of sophistication into your overall ensemble, check out the Coco Song range!

Retro revival: Vintage-inspired frames are making a strong comeback this autumn. Cat-eye, round, and aviator shapes exude a timeless charm that complements the fall fashion aesthetic.

MODS

optical

eyewear studio: where style meets innovation

Excitingly, MODS Optical Eyewear Studio is set to open soon in Whitefield, offering an array of cutting-edge eyewear that seamlessly blend fashion and function. With a focus on innovative designs, MODS is dedicated to providing eyewear that not only enhances your vision but also elevates your style quotient.

As you welcome the Jewish New Year and immerse yourself in autumn's beauty, don't overlook the transformative power of eyewear. Whether it's to enhance your vision, complete your outfit, or express your individuality, stylish glasses are an integral part of your overall look. With MODS you're on the brink of discovering eyewear that effortlessly blend fashion, innovation, and comfort. This fall, embrace change and celebrate style as you embark on a journey of self-expression and excitement.

Find Mods on Instagram or Facebook @ modsoptical or call 07863 544 088

Tips Trends &

From TikTok to YouTube with fashion content creators such as Alyssa Beltempo and Laini Ozark giving it the greenlight, the 2X2 Outfit Formula is a new way of pairing your clothes. The formula calls for two items of smart clothing to be paired with two items of casual clothing. What you define as smart or casual will be depending on your preexisting wardrobe and personal style. Fashion Creator, Alyssa Beltempo says: “An outfit formula is a fantastic way to make getting dressed simpler, to take the stress out of it and still feel good in your clothes. It’s also a really great way to identify your own personal style.” We take a look at some examples of smart and casual pieces – chances are they’re hanging in your wardrobe already.

Smart Pieces

A great example of a smart piece of clothing would be a button-down shirt, they’re structured with their collar and

OUTFIT #1

buttons and, depending on their fit and fabric, can be adaptable to any outfit. Other smart pieces could include a tailored or fitted pair of trousers, a sleek baguette bag, a blazer, a pair of pointed toe heels, loafers, or a cashmere jumper. Smart pieces can usually be defined by sharp lines and well fitted items which provide your outfit with structure.

Casual Pieces

Casual pieces can be defined as loose fitting with soft and relaxed fabrics. Good examples of casual items would be jeans, t-shirts, crop tops or tank tops, sweatpants or yoga pants, trainers, or tote bags. Casual pieces will often be sportswear or loungewear. They’re the more practical side of your wardrobe which you reach for when you’re not going out of the house or which you wear most regularly day-to-day.

Possible combinations

A possible outfit following the 2X2 Formula could be a button-down shirt (smart) over mid-length shorts (casual) with white trainers (casual) and a baguette bag (smart) – after you’ve got your core four pieces feel free to accessorise. Sunglasses or statement jewellery are great additions.

The first outfit has an overall loose fitted and casual appearance because of the shirt but for a more smart leaning look you could choose fitted dress (smart) a cropped jumper (casual) with kitten heels (smart) and a large handbag (casual).

Whowhatwear.co.uk

OUTFIT #2

After recent trends on TikTok leading to a new outfit creating system, we show you how you can have new outfits without new clothes.

Family Fun for Fed at Gulliver’s World

25 children, parents, and carers joined The Fed’s recent Family Fun Day trip to Gulliver’s World, organised and supported by a team of staff and volunteers. This year’s trip was sponsored by the Silvera family in memory of the late Alex Silvera.

The trip is run every year as part of The Fed's community services holiday activities for families who use its services. These include, not exclusively, those with youngsters with additional needs, who attend the charity’s Stay & Play sessions and holiday camps throughout the year, and others who attend its weekly Mums ‘n’ Tots group.

The outing received excellent feedback from parents and its success was evidenced by the beaming faces of the children in the photos taken during the day. Importantly, it provided some much-needed fun for the children, many of whom are unable to attend regular communal activities due to their care needs.

For many families using The Fed’s services, outings are only possible when parents have the back-up of a professional team, who can share the care and be an extra pair of vigilant eyes. Belinda Rich is a mum to four children, two of whom have a diagnosis of autism: “It was an excellent trip; very well organised and the children had so much fun. It would have been really hard for us all to enjoy an outing like this without it being run by The Fed. Normally I can’t look forward to taking the kids out as it is just so stressful for us as parents, but we were able to totally relax and enjoy ourselves as much as they did.”

Tomi Shares Account of Holocaust Experiences

Recently, My Voice storyteller, Tomi Komoly, was invited to speak at a lunch and learn session at Weightmans Solicitors, arranged by Andrea Cohen, one of its legal directors. Tomi was accompanied and supported by My Voice volunteer Sophie Fox and its Project Lead, Louise Senderowich, who introduced the project and Tomi to the 25 in person attendees and 95 joining the event via Zoom from Weightman’s offices around the country.

Tomi began by giving historical context to the Holocaust and the rise of Fascism in Hungary before sharing his personal story up until the end of World War Two, when he was reunited with his grandmother. He read an extract from his My Voice life story book entitled Survival, Escape and New Horizons about his experiences in the Yellow Star House.

Afterwards, there was a Q and A session when people asked for example how Tomi feels about politics in Hungary today, amid the rise of antisemitism; and whether he is optimistic about the future – to which he emphatically replied: “No!”

Comments following the session included: “‘Enjoyed’ would be the wrong word to describe how I felt about this afternoon’s talk. Perhaps ‘privileged’ would be better to describe how I feel about listening to him. Really worthwhile.” And: “Thank you (and Tomi) for today’s talk – so moving and profoundly sad. Hugely valuable and appreciated. We need to hear these accounts from real people and never become complacent that such horrors may happen again.”

Yeshurun Celebrates Diamond Anniversary

The Yeshurun journey started in 1963 when its founders, Jack Barsh, Mark Bernstein, Ellis Bor, Gordon Davies, Sydney Friedland, Clifford Glancy, Barry Halpern, Phil Kanas, John Koffler, Yitz Jaffe, Alan Reins, Abe Rhodes, Harold Solomons, and their respective families, bought a house called Chaseley on Gatley Road. Thus, the Yeshurun Community began!

Three years later, in 1966, the old Stockport community merged with the new Yeshurun and in 1968 with a fast-growing membership the community built the main shul complex, containing the main Synagogue, the halls, and the classrooms.

It plans to mark this very special milestone with celebrations and commemorative activities over the coming year, with the input and support of the many different committees and individuals that make up the Yeshurun family.

The celebrations will begin with a Diamond Rosh Hashanah Kiddush on the first day Yom Tov. A Gala Dinner in December and a visit by the Chief Rabbi sometime early in 2024 will be two of the other highlights.

Members of the community are involved in developing, planning, and running commemorative activities to make this a truly special and memorable 60th anniversary.

As part of the celebrations, Yeshurun are creating an exhibition with pictures and memorabilia of the last 60 years – from black and white to digital – Yeshurun has moved with the times!

Synagogue Nights Returns

A season of intimate evening performances at the Manchester Jewish Museum, Synagogue Nights are back! Join Manchester Jewish Museum this autumn from October to December for a series of atmospheric evening events in the unique setting of its 1874 Spanish and Portuguese synagogue.

Immerse yourself in captivating shows and concerts which celebrate Jewish art in all its diversity. From eclectic grooves and mesmerising vocals to lesser-heard stories from the past, this year's programme brings together artists from a wide range of genres.

Book on the Manchester Jewish Museum

website: Manchesterjewishmuseum.com or e-mail tickets@manchesterjewishmuseum. com

Apologies to Ernie Hunter

Some inaccuracies in an article published in our last edition, concerning Head of the Northern Holocaust Education Group, Ernie Hunter, were published. JLife apologies for these inaccuracies and issues the following corrections: Throughout the article, Ernie is described as a Holocaust survivor. In fact, his mother was the survivor and Ernie was born after the war was over; in stating that he has “made a huge contribution to the NorthWest over the last ten years” should have stated that Ernie contributed to Holocaust education including in Germany; the article also incorrectly identified Ernie as non-Jewish. He is Jewish and is a member of an orthodox congregation; a line which stated “he revisited his home in southern Germany” should have said he revisited his mother’s home; Ernie’s father arrived in the UK in 1939 before the war started and did not live out most of the war on a pig farm in Czechoslovakia; when stating: “Returning to his homeland and discovering some of his family history led him, like many second-generation survivors, to discover much about his past and eventually to set up the voluntary speaking group Northern Holocaust Education Group.” This should have stated that it was his mother’s homeland he returned to.

Celebrating the Joy of Jewish Music

World class Chazan Shulem is back following sell out concerts. Bishnat 2021 was founded in memory of Brian Nathanson in order to host concerts for the community, bringing people together to enjoy Jewish music which he so loved. Following last year’s hugely successful concerts, world class Chazan Shulem Lemmer and renowned chazanim Avromi Feilich and Alby Chait are back together for a second year.

Previous attendees have gushed about their experience at the concerts saying: “The concert was absolutely magnificent – I could have stayed all night, it generated such good feelings by all who attended.” Another audience member said: “I suspect more people studied Torah together in our Shul on Monday night than ever before – and really enjoyed it as it was wrapped in song.”

This year a souvenir brochure will be handed out to over 1,200 guests at the concerts, this presents a unique opportunity for businesses, guests, family, and friends to show their support through advertising.

If you ar ane@bishnat2021.org for further information.

Check out our recommendations of places to visit for free as part of Heritage Open Days in September.

Heritage Open Days is England's largest community led festival of history and culture, involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations. Every year in September it brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community, and history, see hidden places and try out new experiences. This year the festival will be taking place between 8th and 17th September, and we’ve laid out some highlights you can visit for free.

Manchester Central Library | 13th September

Take advantage of this chance to see some of the wealth of material held at the Manchester Central Library!

The library and the Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society will be showing off some of the extraordinary documents held at Manchester Central Library that documenting the history of this famous industrial city, including those which explore its Jewish heritage.

The collections include maps, newspapers, directories, Parliamentary Papers, sound recordings and documents of all kinds. Other aspects of the city’s varied history which will be explore include the First World War, the 1996 bomb, and the workhouse. Prebooking is essential. To book contact secretary@landcas.org.uk

HOME | 16th September

HOME will throw open its doors with a series of free fun events and activities as part of Heritage Open Days.

Throughout the day on 16th September the artistic venue will host a wide range of events which include talks, displays, tours, workshops, information sessions, and fun quizzes. There will also be a one-off special food and drink offering to explore on the day. There will be both ticketed and non-ticketed events taking place, with the ticketed events being available to book prior to the event on HOME’s website.

Homemcr.org/event/home-open-day/

People’s History Museum | 16th September

Get in touch with Manchester’s textile heritage and get hands on with it!

While many of the banners in People's History Museum's (PHM) collection are made from silk, the most important material to working people was strong and warm wool, and the museum has multiple pieces on display made of wool, including Union & Victory banner (1889) currently on display in the 2023 Banner Exhibition.

PHM’s expert Conservation Team will show you where the specialist work to care for the museum’s collection takes place, before allowing you to get close up and creative using hands-on conservation techniques and a wet felting activity to explore the journey of wool, from the fleece of a sheep to the yarn used to knit and weave fabric.Phm.org.uk

Museum of Transport | 9th to 17th September

The Museum of Transport is offering free access to its vast collection of exhibits between 9th and 17th September. The museum holds a collection of over 80 vehicles, mainly consisting of buses. However other highlights of the museum include a fire engine, prototype Metrolink tram, lorries, and ancillary vehicles, along with a substantial collection of smaller. This is a must-see for transport fans, petrol heads, and those who just like a good day out. Motgm.uk

Snap Shot

Kate Swerdlow has a long history in photography, but it wasn’t until several years into her career that she set up her own business: “I started shooting in 2009, but I’ve been in the photography industry since leaving school. I’ve worked as a Picture Editor and Picture Researcher. In 2009 I was made redundant during the recession so that was the start of a new chapter in my career. I wondered what was I going to do next and maybe it was a sign to finally pick up my camera and start a business."

Kate tried out a variety of forms and genres of photography: “The first paid assignment was in the music industry but it took me a couple of years to try all the genres, from music to children, families, and portraits. But really, I was trying to make something that felt natural and authentic to me.”

Little did she know that her niche as a photographer would actually lie in her roots: “I’m Jewish, originally from Liverpool, a King David High pupil, then spent time in London before returning to the area. The twist in my career came when I recognised

someone in a restaurant I was working at to subsidise my income. We started talking and they suggested that I have a go at Bar Mitzvah photography. I gave them my card that I had in my apron, and before I knew it, I was booked in to photograph a Bar Mitzvah. It was the most serendipitous conversation, and I’ve not stopped shooting Bar Mitzvahs ever since.”

Having started a business from scratch, Kate is rightfully proud of what she’s

achieved over the last 14 years: “I really started from zero to to being one of the most respected Bar Mitzvah photographers in North West London. I feel really proud of what I’ve done."

Kate has also begun branching out into different areas of photography: "Over lockdown, I started shooting portraits of families on their doorstep. I photographed well over a hundred and raised over £3,000 for a local food bank in Hertfordshire, and then when we were allowed to go into people’s gardens, I began to take more interest in the portrait side of my job. So much so, I now have a working

studio in Liverpool for families and pets! Every Bar Mitzvah starts with an hour of family portraits. I always start with the core family, and then add in grandparents and first cousins. I'm very family focused. Occasionally, when parents tell me they don't really want the formal portraits, I tell them that it isn’t just for them. I want the kids to understand that these images are their legacy and history and for the grandparents to be able to stand in front of their grandchildren and be proud.”

One thing that is very important to Kate is ensuring that the photos from each event are unique: “Even though I go to the same venue multiple times a year, I want every family to have a unique experience. For me, every picture needs to look different, so I keep it very central to the family.”

On Instagram

@kate_swerdlow_photo

@kateswerdlowphotography

kateswerdlowphotography.com

07809 771 143

Kate Swerdlow provides expert photography for all your simchas across the North-West.

Whitefield House Residential Care Home promises to add a touch of luxury to your loved ones’ experience through its topquality facilities and engaging community activities. The family-run home is set within a beautiful Victorian building, located opposite Whitefield’s grand Stand Church. Its interior boasts a tasteful blend of modern and traditional décor with plenty of large windows flooding the home with natural light.

Home is the Heart

to aid mobility. Whitefield House always finds an excuse to celebrate by dressing the home in decorations and creating themed menus whether it is for a birthday or a festive time.

The surrounding areas also allow great opportunities for residents to explore with short walks and offer the perfect excuse to stop for a coffee and cake at one of the many cafés around.

to ensure a sense of wellbeing that their room is their own.

Communal areas include spacious lounges to socialise, quiet areas to read or rest, elegant dining rooms, enclosed gardens and patios – especially beautiful in the summer months, and even an in-house hair and nail salon for residents of the home to enjoy. The layout compliments Whitefield House’s person-centred approach to care, giving residents control over how and where they spend their time and live their day-today lives.

In addition to full-time residency, Whitefield House also offers day-care and respite care, which enables a full-time carer to take a break and helps to gradually ease loved ones into a residential home environment.

A social home, Whitefield House has 40 bedrooms all of which are single en-suites with many having garden views, and some with direct garden access. Residents are encouraged to bring items of furniture which would make them feel more at home

Its ambition to deliver a feeling of independence and happiness also extends to its home-cooked meals. A menu is curated for residents to enjoy using fresh produce and tailored to specific dietary and nutritional needs including vegetarian options. Upon request, family members and friends are welcome to dine with their loved ones to help them feel more at home.

In-house activities provided within the home include flower arranging, a variety of games, wine and cheese tasting, guest theatre and music productions, and exercise classes

Whitefield House offers a homely and caring environment for all its residents making them feel part of the family.

AVI DEMPSEY WAS RECENTLY CALLED UP AND HAD A CELEBRATION AT WHITEFIELD SHUL HALL.

AVRAHAM HASSAN (LEFT) HAD HIS BAR MITZVAH AT OHR YERUSHALAYIM.

LUBAVITCH WHITEFIELD HOSTED LEORA BAKER FOR HER BAT MITZVAH.

WHILE ELISHEVA SCHEFTZ CELEBRATED HERS AT FAIRWAYS LODGE.

DEXTER LEVER CELEBRATED HIS BAR MITZVAH IN STYLE AT WHITEFIELD GOLF CLUB.

RAFFI SHNECK WAS CALLED UP AT THE SHRUBBERIES.

AND TALI SCHERER MARKED HER BAT MITZVAH WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

ALL PHOTOS: TANYA DUMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Hotspot!

Try these great new spots for dining, drinking, and shopping in and around town and the South side of Manchester.

Vintage Threads | Manchester Central and Trafford Centre

Monkey Trio | Oxford Road

Situated in the Circle Square complex, Monkey Trio is a Japanese Pub otherwise known as a Sake Bar which also serves sushi and sashimi. Adding to the phenomenal selection of Asian cuisine in Manchester’s centre, and Circle Square’s lot, it sits aside

Hello Oriental – a multilevel food hall and supermarket specialising in Asian street food. At Monkey Trio you can enjoy a whole host of original beverages including a matcha beer, a Pineapple Tsuiri (punch), or a lychee highball.

Monkeytrio.co.uk

CoffeeB | Hale

Owned by the same team behind beloved Spanish restaurant La Bandera, CoffeeB recently opened with a special Barbie event, a perfect match for its floral and pink interior. CoffeeB is bringing breakfast, brunch, and lunch to Hale Village. Perfectly decorated for special occasions, the café also has an alcohol license and is serving a stunning cocktail menu. Coffeeb.co.uk

Public | Manchester Central

Two of Vintage Thread’s stores have opened in Manchester in its first expansion outside London. Supposedly a favourite of Popstar, Ariana Grande and Influencer, Emma Chamberlain, the retailer sells vintage and reworked clothing. Popular for its handpicked vintage designer, streetwear, and sportswear clothing the new stores are a welcome addition to Manchester’s trendy second-hand clothing scene.

Vintage-threads.com

Send Noods Ramen | Macclesfield

Send Noods ramen is built around a small menu of delicious and authentic flavours, with each dish delivered to perfection. Fresh and seasonal ingredients are at the centre of Send Noods’ ethos with a menu that changes according to the availability of the very best produce. The cheekily named noodle bar offers guests a choice of four ramen dishes, including a veggie and vegan option, along with five small plates including classic Japanese flavours such as edamame beans with a sweet chilli glaze, Karaage chicken with a sweet chilli garlic mayo and pumpkin korokke. Macclesfield is the first Send Noods site to open so worth the trip, many more ramen shops across the region will be announced over the next couple of years.

Sendnoodsramen.co.uk

Recently opened on Stevenson Square is Public, the same team behind Northern Quarter’s The Daisy and Evelyn’s, this New York inspired bar is a great spot for cocktails and delicious snacks. Notable items on its food menu include Hot Oil Gun Gun noodles, buttermilk chicken sando and its own in-house prawn toast, while notable drinks are the bar’s Pina Colada with its own in-house rum blend and a Margarita Seltzer made with tequila, Cointreau, sour mix, and CO2. Publicmcr.com

The Blanchflower | Chorlton

Replacing beloved local café, The Creameries, is this dog-friendly bakery and café selling handmade Viennoiseri, Roman pizza, and decadent brunch dishes. Known for its beautiful Edwardian architecture, the building was a former dairy. Phil Howells, Co-owner of The Blanchflower, said: “We think reopening the space is important for Chorlton’s dining scene because it’s such a great space. It’s so stylish and it has one of the loveliest shopfronts in the whole of Manchester.” Blanchflower.co

Community Heart of the

MILESTONE CELEBRATION

Menorah Synagogue’s 60th anniversary celebration brought together graffiti art, delicious food, and nostalgia.

Welcomed by Menorah Chair, Dr Laura Cohen MBE, over one hundred guests were entertained by the shul choir led by Deborah Cohen and Jewish Encore, a stunning West End entertainment trio while feasting on the Sophie Fox catered banquet of a lunch.

Avant garde design and graffiti art met religion on the cover of Menorah Synagogue’s 60th anniversary commemorative brochure when it was launched at the Gala Lunch in August.

Graffiti art, collected from all over the world, including Israel, was combined by member Helen Conway with fragments

from the ‘Ma Tovu’ welcoming prayer, a letter ‘samech’ signifying 60 and a flame, all incorporating the Menorah logo. History and nostalgia could be found within the brochure with messages from all Menorah’s previous Rabbis and articles about every aspect of the congregation’s activities.

“I am thrilled to be surrounded by so many people who have played key roles in building our vibrant community over the last 60 years,” declared Laura, clearly moved by the occasion.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

New content on the We Were There Too website provides a touching look at life during World War One.

We Were There Too, a unique cross community project created to capture, record, and preserve the contribution of Britain's Jewish communities during the First World War era has recently added new material to its website according to its most recent newsletter.

The organisation has managed to acquire a special collection of postcards exchanged between Eva and Myer Newman. Most were sent by Eva (‘little Eva’), typically starting with a variation of “glad to hear that you

are well, same as it leaves the kiddies and myself.”

While the postcards rarely contain much more than assurances that all is well at home, brief messages from Eva and Myer’s children Sydney and May, and well wishes from wider family, they are intimate in their tone and capture the anxiety of a young family separated by war. In one postcard Eva writes: "I feel quite well, especially when I receive a letter or card from you, those days I enjoy best so write as often as you can."

One postcard, dated 30th January 1918, mentions a welcome visit by Eva’s cousin Louis and “his young lady”. Louis made a big impression on the children: “They came Friday afternoon and go back Sunday night. I was glad to see him. He took us all to the Empire and had a good time. Sydney loves him because he is a soldier like his daddy.” This refers to Louis Allonowitz, who died eight months later of pneumonia and malaria and is buried at Damascus Commonwealth War Cemetery.

House Proud

Sam Cooper’s is local business which now sits in the heart of Whitefield and has been providing quality fitted furniture for homes since 1994. The brand is more than just a furniture business; it's a family-run endeavour built on a foundation of passion, expertise, and a commitment to providing exceptional customer experiences.

The business is a true family affair. The eponymous Sam Cooper, along with his partner Rachael, has transformed his passion for design and furniture into a thriving business. Sam's expertise goes beyond that of a regular furniture designer –he is also a qualified fitter, which means he possesses the unique ability to envision how each piece will harmonise within a space and how to best utilise the available room, whether bedroom, media room or lounge.

What sets Sam Cooper’s apart is not just its remarkable products, but also its dedication to cultivating long-lasting relationships with its customers. The business has been built predominantly on reputation and word-of-mouth recommendations, a testament to its unwavering commitment to delivering both exceptional furniture and top-notch workmanship.

One of the cornerstones of its success is its unparalleled aftercare service. Sam and Rachael believe that their relationship with clients doesn't end when the furniture is installed. Instead, it's just the beginning of a journey of care and support, ensuring that each piece continues to shine in its intended space.

every component is chosen with utmost care to ensure durability and longevity. The brand’s exclusive door styles and an array of colours are a testament to their dedication to customisation, allowing clients to express their individuality through bespoke made furniture and create a space which is truly theirs.

Sam Cooper's isn't confined to just crafting furniture; it’s also in the business of turning houses into homes. Its close collaborations with interior designers, architects, and builders highlight its commitment to seamlessly integrating their creations into the overall design and functionality of a space. This collaborative approach has allowed it to spread to Cheshire and beyond.

Quality is the cornerstone of Sam Cooper's. From the hinges to the finishes,

Behind the scenes, the business is driven by a dynamic duo – Sam and Rachael, who live in Whitefield with their children. While Sam's expertise lies in design and fitting, Rachael's background in hospitality and customer relations brings a unique touch to the business. Her dedication to expanding the family business and their shared values regarding exceptional customer care have transformed them into a formidable team.

In a world of mass production and fleeting trends, Sam Cooper’s Rightstyle stands as a testament to the enduring power of craftsmanship, family values, and customer relationships. With its legacy spanning nearly three decades, and a new showroom recently opened in Whitefield, the brand continues to go from strength to strength, providing quality bespoke fittings to all areas of the house.

Samcoopersrightstyle.co.uk

Sam Cooper’s Rightstyle offers quality bespoke fitted furniture to make your space your own.

“Quality is the cornerstone of Sam Cooper's Rightstyle.”

working at an electrical engineering company, working on semiconductor chips in mobile phones. When their project came to an end, with the encouragement of global leading migraine specialist Professor David Yarnitsky, they decided to use their expertise to tackle the world’s leading cause of disability, migraines. COO Ronen Jashek, tells us about the non-invasive migraine device, Nerivio.

Hello Ronen! So how does Nerivio work to combat migraines?

Hi! So, the Nerivio wraps around the upper arm and uses the technology we developed called Remote Electrical Neuromodulation to activate nociceptive nerve fibres in the arm to send signals to the brain which trigger a mechanism in the brain called conditioned pain modulation. Conditioned pain modulation is a very strong, pain inhibition mechanism in the part of the pain regulation centre in the brainstem, by externally stimulating this we can turn off migraine pain and other symptoms without medication.

In simple terms, the upper arm is stimulated to unleash a natural process in the brain to relieve migraine headache and other associated symptoms. Each treatment is controlled by a smartphone app and is selfadministered lasting 45 minutes every other

Head Liners

Revolutionising migraine treatments, we spoke to Ronen Jashek from Israeli bio-tech company Theranica about how Nerivio could be your next lifesaver.

day for prevention, or it can be used at the start of a migraine attack to ease the pain.

What does the device feel like to use?

I would describe the sensation as close to something like a tingling on your skin, like you have little ants walking on your arm. The device doesn't apply pressure or break the skin, it just applies electrical stimulation, or neuro modulation as we call it. Obviously beyond a certain level, it can be painful, but the patient can control the intensity level themselves on the app. What we tell patients is: “Increase the intensity up to the point that it starts feeling a little bit uncomfortable and then just take it down a notch or two.” We’ve found after more than almost half a million treatments in the US, that these simple instructions are very effective.

And what’s good about the app working with the device is that everything that the patient does inside the app is logged and recorded automatically into a migraine diary. Migraine is a very complex disease which has many triggers, patients are often asked to diarise their migraines so their doctor can monitor their triggers, and the app does this. We ask the patients questions and record their treatment sessions, which, once you start using the product regularly, will start to build your own migraine diary which you can

When will the Nerivio be available in the UK?

I can tell you that we are now very close to launching in Europe. Definitely in 2024, and the UK will be a part of that launch. How the product will be accessible is dependent on our partners but there’s a good chance that it will follow the steps of the US release.

In the US Nerivio tends to be prescribed but depending on the local authorities and regulation, it may also be available over the counter. You can go either to your physician and tell them that you want it, or, through telemedicine or telehealth which is becoming more popular. So, a patient can go online, get a consultation, and after about 20 minutes, they can get their prescription and the device is shipped to their home.

For more information click Theranica.com

share with a doctor with a click of a button.

DOWN TO BUSINESS

Blockbuster Films Used to Teach Students

Israeli startup AcadeMe+ has created a study platform which turns films from major film studios – such as Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox, Disney, and Sony –into interactive lessons. Though especially helpful for younger children to begin visualising new concepts, AcadeMe+ has lessons that are appropriate for a range of ages reaching up to college and key stage 12 students.

The startup has partnered with US-based educational nonprofit Journeys in Film to curate its lesson plans. Journeys in Film is an organisation with a self-described mission to educate the next generation to be globally competent and socially active by amplifying the storytelling power of film, making the two organisations a perfect fit.

AcadeMe+ utilises an AI search facility which helps teachers find lesson plans with appropriate resources which also align with their curriculum. A demonstration of the platform provides an example with the film Wonder, a story about a child with a facial deformity, the film pauses for a moment to ask the children a prompt to discuss in the lesson: “Think about an event that made you feel different or judged by appearance. Describe this event.” Children can then openly share their experiences having seen the example.

Steering Wheel Grips Lead to Safer Driving

How tightly you hold onto your steering wheel could be a matter of life or death, according to research from Yotam Sahar, a doctoral student in Industrial Engineering and Management at Ariel University in Israel. The index he curated uses 60 sensors in the steering wheel to calculate a driver’s stress levels depending on how tightly they’re gripping the wheel and how much sweat they produce while driving.

In a 2018 survey, conducted by Waze, analysing Israeli drivers 79% said that traffic is the largest cause of stress in their everyday life. Yom Sahar says: “Road accident investigation and observational studies indicate that about 90% of all road accidents result from human error.” He adds: “Stress is one of the factors that most affects human performance.”

The next step Sahar proposes is to make the car a more calming environment, a task which will take cooperation from car manufacturers. Building upon his research, Sahar suggests a strong grip on the

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

steering wheel could automatically trigger air conditioning to cool the environment as heat is also a leading cause of stress and anxiety.

Scanner Detects Cancerous Cells in Surgery

As a result of his several cancer treatments, Dov Cohen created a handheld device which tracks traces of cancer cells in real time during surgery. Several cancer patients must go through repeat operations to remove tumour cells, endangering their lives sometimes without achieving the desired result of the surgery – Dov’s aim is to improve this life-threatening process.

In 2019 Cohen co-founded the startup NuTek to start developing the Rainbow Probe handheld scanner allowing surgeons to detect in real time whether there are any remaining cancerous tissues. The probe uses hyperspectral imaging technology which sheds light on the body part under operation. Cohen explains that different tissue reacts differently to light, therefore analysing the reflected light will reveal the remains of tumours.

In 2020 NuTek was selected to win a grant of £100,000 from the Merage Institute out of 400 competing startups giving it the exposure and funding it needed to continue developing the Rainbow Probe.

Wearable Migraine Prevention Available in Europe

A new device which treats migraines has been approved for use in Europe. Israelbased prescribed digital therapeutics company, Theranica, developed the Nerivo as dual-use therapy for both acute and preventive treatment of migraine for adults and adolescents.

Controlled by a smartphone app and self-administered, Nerivio wraps around the upper arm and uses sub-painful Remote Electrical Neuromodulation (REN) to activate nociceptive nerves fibers in arm to send signals which trigger a descending pain management mechanism in the brain called conditioned pain modulation (CPM), which turns off migraine pain and associated symptoms without medication. In simpler terms, the upper arm is stimulated to unleash a natural process in the brain

to abort or relieve migraine headache and other associated symptoms. Each treatment lasts 45 minutes and is applied every other day for prevention or at the start of a migraine attack for acute treatment.

“With more than 50,000 prescribed Nerivio patients now in the US, we receive numerous requests, on a weekly basis, to bring the device to Europe," says Alon Ironi, CEO and Co-Founder of Theranica. "We have been waiting for the prevention indication approval, and with that are now preparing for making Nerivio available for people with Migraine in Europe starting 2024. Our focus is to empower underserved populations, particularly adolescents, to safely and effectively prevent and treat migraines, and be fully present in everyday life."

AI Avatar Translates Video into Sign Language

According to ASL service provider Languagers, deaf people prefer sign language to subtitles or closed captioning due to its grammatical structure and ability to convey expression. This is why Israeli startup, CODA, aims to create AI generated avatars which can translate spoken word into sign language almost instantly.

CODA Co-Founder, Shani Bibi gives an example: “[Sign language is] beyond just the alphabet. We can take a sentence and change the essence just with our voice, right? Like I can say ‘I want to go home’ very calmly or very intensely. It’s the same thing in sign language. Our approach is to make the AI understand this in creating the language.”

An estimated 70 million people use sign language as a primary form of communication globally, leading to accessibility in the form of subbing and dubbing becoming a regular feature of social media platforms such YouTube and TikTok. Though CODA appreciates these advances, many forms of media remain inaccessible to those who use sign language.

The company recently won an award as a part of MassChallenge Israel’s 2023 Early-Stage Accelerator Program. It also received a grant from the Israel Innovation Authority, a Jerusalem-based branch of the government that supports high-tech and industrial R&D.

COMING UP IN YOUR NEXT JLIFE

THE ACCOUNTANTS FOR ENTREPRENEURS

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R&D TAX CREDITS

Murray Patt, Founder of accountants Alexander Knight & Co, says changes

R&D Tax Credits are designed to encourage UK companies to invest in ‘research and development’. Correctly administered they can reduce your tax bill or you can claim payable cash credits as a proportion of your R&D expenditure.

Since the scheme was launched, our team has claimed back thousands of pounds for clients. The successful claims we’ve made on their behalf range from £5,000 to hundreds of thousands, and many businesses across the UK are missing out on this valuable tax break worth hundreds of millions of pounds.

Shifting criteria

The R&D scheme is part of the government’s drive to boost innovation. It means that businesses investing in the research and development of new products and processes get a tax deduction on qualifying expenditure, including staff wages, materials, overheads, software, and utility bills, as well as the ability

to claim cash back from HMRC.

The scheme is under continuous review and there are more changes to come. The rules and criteria can be complex for inexperienced claimants in terms of identifying what kind of business expenditure actually qualifies. This is particularly true in cases where clients employ or subcontract work overseas.

For example, the government soon intends to implement a new change whereby only R&D activity being performed in the UK (subject to specific exemptions) will qualify. This will come into effect from 1st April 2024.

A new digital application process became mandatory this summer where project and expenditure details need to be supplied in a specific format as well as a variety of other administrative changes.

The government have helpfully extended the scope of what costs can be claimed as qualifying R&D expenditure and this includes

With Murray Patt, founder of Hale-based accountants

Alexander Knight & Co.

artificial intelligence (AI) an area in which more of our clients are investing and exploring the possibilities.

Do it properly… and professionally!

The key to making a successful claim is to correctly identify what expenditure qualifies, when it was spent and record it accurately for HMRC in the newly updated prescribed manner. The process can be complex which is why we have a specialist R&D tax credits team managing the claims to a successful conclusion on behalf of our clients.

If you want to understand more about how your business can claim ‘R&D tax credits’ email me at murray@ alexanderknightaccountants.co.uk or call me on 0161 980 8788.

Your Tax Bill

Vinodh Josh, Client Director at Handelsbanken, gives some advice on efficient tax planning.

Whether you’re celebrating Rosh Hashanah or preparing for the new school year, this is a great time to get organised and plan for the future. Why not build efficient tax planning into your new year’s resolutions?

If your income is just over a particular threshold for a given rate of income tax, there might be sensible ways to reduce it. If you’re married/in a civil partnership and your spouse/civil partner receives less income than you, it could be worth transferring some income-producing assets to them, making the most of their tax allowances. (Seek professional advice first, particularly if it relates to shares in your private company.)

Making personal pension contributions is another option. Pensions offer tax relief on the money you pay in, as well as tax-free growth, and the ability to withdraw a taxfree lump sum on retirement. Naturally, limits and constraints apply – make sure you are fully appraised of these before making any big decisions.

An old favourite for tax planners is the Individual Savings Account, or ‘ISA’. This year, you can invest up to £20,000 in any combination of cash, stocks & shares, or innovative finance ISAs. Any dividend or interest income earned will be tax-free. Your annual ISA allowance cannot be carried forward from one tax year to the next: if you do not use it, you will lose it!

We’re often asked about capital gains tax (CGT), and most taxpayers will be entitled to a CGT exemption of £6,000 this tax year (2023/24). This has been reduced from previous tax years and will reduce again to £3,000 from 2024/25. Capital losses can also be offset against capital gains in your annual tax return, as well as capital losses claimed (but unused) from previous tax years. A professional adviser can help you unpick this.

If you’d like to learn more about managing your wealth, your local Handelsbanken branch, Manchester Trinity Way, would love to help. Contact them on 0161 834 7166 or manchestertrinityway@handelsbanken.co.uk.

made by HMRC to the popular ‘R&D Tax Credits’ scheme are a reminder to check if your own business qualifies.

Blue Moon

Residents of Belong Morris Feinmann got an unforgettable surprise from Manchester City FC.

Residents of Belong Morris Feinmann, the not-for-profit care village in Didsbury catering for Manchester’s Jewish population, were over the ‘Blue Moon’ following a showcase of all three trophies from Manchester City’s recent Treble winning season.

Lifelong City fan Geoffrey Rothband (aged 102) was treated to a private viewing of UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup trophies. The club arranged for the trophies to be brought to him after finding out he was one of their oldest supporters through his son, Nigel, who hosts a weekly Manchester City podcast, The Man City Show.

Geoffrey, who witnessed all of

Geoffrey passed away two weeks after the trophies were brought to him. Geoffrey’s son, Nigel, said: “My dad was a City fan all his life, and all of us are City fans because of him. He was incredibly excited about the day and to see his face when the trophies were brought in was wonderful. I’m so grateful to the club for bringing such joy to the last days of his life. It is a memory that we will treasure forever.” Belong Morris Feinmann General Manager, Carolyn Ball, added: “We are very sorry that Geoffrey passed away only a couple of weeks after the trophies visit. He is missed by the team at Belong Morris Feinmann, and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.

“Seeing the three trophies together is rare, and it was particularly special for our die-hard Manchester City fans. It is very rewarding when we can be involved in the best days of people’s lives, even at the age of 102. We’re very grateful to the club for this gesture and bringing the Belong community together and to the Rothband family for their part in making this happen.”

Curing the blues

Manchester City’s top-flight wins in the past 100 years, was joined by his son, Nigel (aged 65), two grandchildren, Harry and Oliver (who are aged 28 and 31 respectively), and great-grandson Jacob (aged 14), bringing together four generations of City fans for the occasion.

Sadly, the visit was made all the more poignant for the Rothband family after

Other residents shared in the joy of the experience on the day as the trophies were displayed for all to see in the village’s venue, and Geoffrey wasn’t the only Belong Morris Feinmann resident with a passion for Manchester City who was present. Among them was Norman Luft, who lives with his wife, Jackie, at the village and was the club’s doctor from 1976 to 2005. Born in Crumpsall in 1936, Norman followed his father, who was a City fanatic, and started supporting the club when he was eight years old. He went on to become a general practitioner, and a chance acquaintance

with the club’s manager, Tony Book, at a New Year’s Eve party resulted in him being offered a role as the club’s first doctor. “He asked me if I would like to be the club’s physician but said that he couldn’t offer me a position without the chairman, Peter Swales’, approval,” says Norman: “The chairman later called me and told me to come to the Maine Road stadium. We got on well, and he said that they’d like to offer me the role, but they didn’t have any money. Well, I wasn’t interested in the money – this was my dream job.”

Norman wasn’t just a doctor to the players, but everyone who worked for the club, including management, board members, and cleaning staff. In his nearly 30 years as club doctor, he worked with over 20 coaches and managers and says that he enjoyed every moment. He struck up friendships with some of the biggest names in football over the years. Asked what he thought of the Treble win, he said: “It was wonderful. What an amazing achievement.”

Contact Belong Morris Feinmann on 0161 804 4200, or email Enquiries@ belong.org.uk for more information. Belong.org.uk

DEMENTIA CARE AT ITS BEST

As dementia specialists, Belong villages and services are designed to maximise wellbeing, independence and quality of life for people living with dementia.

At Belong Morris Feinmann we see the person, not the dementia, and tailor our support to respond to individual needs.

Small households for 24-hour support ensure a homely environment

Specialist training means colleagues are alert to customers’ changing needs

Belong Companions work in partnership with customers and their families

Active and independent lifestyles are promoted within a vibrant community

Life stories are gathered, ensuring continuity, understanding and wellbeing

Free Admiral Nurse service provides specialist dementia support to family

Relative’s Gateway and use of various technology to support families

B’s dementia cafés, hosted monthly, providing opportunities to enjoy a range of experiences while accessing support

For further information about our approach to dementia or about moving into Belong Morris Feinmann, please call one of our friendly team. Locations: Atherton

DAY TRIP

Take a trip with our recommendations of the best things to do this season.

Shania Twain | AO Arena | 25th September

Whisky Tasting Evening | Whitefield Synagogue

6th September

Join Camp Simcha for a whisky tasting evening led by renowned expert Simon Aron from Cask Trade. During the evening you’ll be treated to delicious food, a selection of great raffle prizes, an auction, and the star of the show, incredible whisky samples. Book your place on Camp Simcha’s website, both food and drink are included in the price of your ticket. Campsimcha.org.uk

Visiting Manchester for one night on her The Queen of Me Tour, Shania Twain will be singing her greatest hits alongside songs from her latest album, Queen of Me. The five-time GRAMMY Award winner will also be donating £1.50 from every ticket sold on the tour to her children’s charity, Shania Kids Can. Be sure to order your tickets now because all fans who pre-order Queen of Me before 4pm on 1st November will receive a presale code for 2023 tour tickets.

Ao-arena.com

Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder | HOME

5th to 21st October

In this comedy musical, best friends Kathy and Stella are hosts of Hull’s least successful true crime podcast. When their favourite author is killed, they take it upon themselves to become involved in a whodunnit of their own. Cracking this case might mean global podcasting fame, but can they do it before the killer strikes again? From the Olivier Award winners behind Fleabag, this musical is a perfect match for fans of true crime.

Homemcr.org

Popuppainting |Seven Bro7hers Beerhouse

17th September

Popuppainting’s sip and paint event invites you and your friends to have a tipple while learning a new skill! Have you always wanted to paint but haven’t had the confidence or supplies to get started? Well, in this laidback workshop you will be guided through the whole process to create your own Monet inspired masterpiece.

Popuppainting.com

ABBA Disco | The Deaf Institute | 22nd September

Here we go again! Get ready for a night of ABBA’s most famous songs in this 70s themed party. Along with 80s, Disco, Disco House, and Funk hits, become a dancing queen for the night with the help of the ABBA Disco crew! The party starts at 10pm and lasts until 2am, tickets range from £3.60 to £7.70 for this over 18’s only event. Skiddle.com

42nd Street | Manchester Opera House | 16th to 21st October

The production which has been dubbed as (forty) second to none, this showbiz musical features breathtaking tap dance routines, heartwarming romance, and backstage gossip. Peggy Sawyer arrives in New York City hoping to become a star, when she catches the eye of a famous director her journey begins in the chorus line of a big Broadway show. After the leading lady suffers an injury, Peggy must take the stage with a shot to live her wildest dreams.

Atgtickets.com

PHOTO: DAVID SWALES

PHOTO: ROBERT PARMA

BROADWAY PRODUCTION

Good Taste

Caterers is taking its stylish unique kosher dishes from London to Manchester.

Cohen’s Caterers has been committed to making events special for over 14 years, with a reputation exuding style through all it provides. The London-based company creates lavishly displayed dishes turning a simple buffet table into an ornate banquet. Now Cohen’s will be taking its expertise and passion for flair and high-quality catering to Manchester with a new kitchen opening soon.

The favoured kosher catering company of several hotels, Cohen’s stylish dishes don’t stop at presentation, they continue through its mastery of many different cuisines. Choose your ideal menu from a selection of Italian, Mexican, Indian, and Chinese dishes. If you love the style of Cohen’s catering, then watch out for its upcoming event planning services to help take the hassle away completely.

As a family run business Cohen’s Caterers provides a very bespoke and personal service for each event. Currently certified by Beth Din of London and soon to be licensed here in Manchester, Cohen’s can deliver on any request, from traditional

to contemporary menus with vegetarian, vegan, and allergen-free options all tailored to clients’ dietary needs. To make the process easy for their clients, Cohen’s can provide a tasting session at your home or at your chosen venue.

Dean Lesser gave Cohen’s Caterers a glistening five-star review saying:

We recently hired Cohen’s to cater our son's Bar Mitzvah party for 150 guests. They were absolutely brilliant! So easy to deal with, always easy to get hold of and happy to give open and honest advice. The food itself was just perfect –tasted great and loads of it. As first time Bar Mitzvah parents we were nervous, and she was calming and reassuring the whole way through. Thank you Mazi!”

Of utmost importance to Cohens Caterers is the value of its service. Cohen’s Caterers is delivered at high quality at a budget cost. Its produce, skill, and presentation compete with London’s high standards of catering with linen, crockery, and personalised service all included. The current offer of £79.99 per head for a three-course meal including all equipment, staff, linen, crockery, and fees based on reception sizes from 120 people. And for just £10 more per head you can include one of our venues that we work with and take advantage of our amazing relationships we are building with top venues in the area.

Visit Cohen’s Caterers’ website to read more about kosher catering for weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, and private and corporate events and to arrange an initial consultation about your event.

Click Cohencaterers.co.uk or call 07853 721 787

cohenscaterers.co.uk

07853 721787

to your budget

With 14 years experience wowing our London clients, we now have kitchens here in Manchester. High standard unique worldwide and traditional menus served with a twist.

Cohen’s

CHIEF RABBI SIR EPHRAIM MIRVIS VISITED KING DAVID HIGH SCHOOL, HAD INFORMAL CHATS WITH STUDENTS, AND ATE CHIPS AND PIZZA.

NORTH MANCHESTER LUBAVITCH SUMMER DAY CAMP OFFERS A FUN SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITY FOR THE YOUNGSTERS.

JOE FLACKS AND COL MARTIN NEWMAN OBSERVED UK ARMED FORCES DAY AT THE WHITEFIELD WAR MEMORIAL.

THE GLANCY TEAM GOLF TOURNAMENT 2023 TOOK PLACE AT WHITEFIELD GOLF CLUB WITH TEAMS FROM ACROSS THE UK COMPETING.

THE WINNING TEAM WAS MOOR ALLERTON OF LEEDS, LED BY CAPTAIN JONNY LAWRENCE.

ALL PHOTOS: LAWRENCE PURCELL PHOTOGRAPHY

Community Heart of the

Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester brought two communities together for a summer day out.

On 30th July the Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester held its annual picnic which brings Muslims and Jews together in a casual environment. This time the picnic went to a new location, Clowes Park (aka Broughton Park) in Salford.

The picnickers came from locations in Greater Manchester as far apart as Rochdale and Cheadle, as well as those local to the park. They included people of all ages, drawn from the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian faiths, as well as people of no faith. As well as Britons, there were people

born in Pakistan and France.

There was a warm and friendly atmosphere throughout with new and old friends getting re-acquainted. People brought food for themselves and to share, with Salford Council lending the picnic the use of a trestle table.

The event was organised by the Muslim Jewish Forum’s Co-Chairs, Mohammed Amin, and Cllr Heather Fletcher. Despite July being a very wet month, fortunately the rain held off for the duration of the picnic.

Several local councillors attended. The chief guest was the Ceremonial Mayor of the City of Salford, Cllr Gina Reynolds and her husband and Consort Cllr Neil Reynolds. After being introduced by her Salford Council colleague Cllr Heather Fletcher,

WALK IN THE PARK OUTSTANDING QUALITY

Cllr Gina Reynolds gave a short speech praising the work of the Forum.

Izzy Din, who is Muslim and attending for the first time said: "Everyone was lovely and welcoming. The picnic was very well organised, and the food was lovely too. I would definitely attend future events and am passionate about promoting and developing relationships within the Muslim and Jewish communities of Greater Manchester."

Jackie Harrison who is a Jewish member of the Forum’s Executive Committee stated: "This was a lovely afternoon sharing tasty food and meeting new people."

The Focus Foundation has been rated as outstanding following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

person-centred care.

“Staff provided culturally appropriate care and support respecting family traditions, ways of living and communicating.

with the Friendship Circle.

The Focus Foundation has been rated as outstanding following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission. Only 1.8 % of CQC regulated organisations in England are rated as outstanding and new organisation are very rarely given this grade. Focus is the largest Jewish provider of supported living to disabled people outside of London.

The CQC Report on Focus stated: “People were at the heart of the service and were respected and valued as individuals. They received exceptional care because staff and the management team were passionate about providing people with high quality

“Staff continuously looked for ways to enhance the quality of people’s lives. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests.”

The Manchester based organisation was set up just under two years ago to provide Jewish people with learning disabilities, autism, and physical disabilities individual support to live fulfilling and high-quality lives in the community. This includes help with independent living skills, access to employment and training, full social lives and participation in Shabbat and Yom Tov activities. The charity also works closely

Chief Executive Ivan Lewis stated: “We are proud of our wonderful care team led by Paige Neal who go the extra mile for our members and their families. It is their dedication, care and professionalism which has been recognised by this outstanding grade. We have been providing care for less than two years which makes this recognition particularly special.

“This outstanding grade will strengthen us in our determination to strive for continual improvement in all aspects of our services.”

Focus Founder Jonny Manson stated: “The report makes clear that the level of service is exceptional.

“The demand for our service has exceeded all expectations and we will need the community’s continued generosity and support to expand and deliver on our commitment to excellence.”

Electric Charge

Electric vehicles (EVs) are paving the way to a more sustainable future of transportation and with the looming 2030 ban on buying new petrol and diesel cars its important to stay informed on the advances in EVs. The London to Paris EV rally disproves the biggest concern about EVs, that the range just isn’t there yet.

The inaugural London to Paris EV rally concluded with remarkable success after 100 electric vehicles – including self-builds, Teslas, hydrogen cars, buses, and more –embarked on an exhilarating journey from London to Paris. The event, founded by EV enthusiast Bill Murray (no, not that Bill Murray) marked the first large-scale international rally of its kind, showcasing the astonishing potential of electric vehicles.

Spanning the distance between two iconic European capitals, the rally captivated participants and spectators alike, leaving an enduring mark on the global EV community. With a focus on combating range anxiety, the rally aimed to demonstrate the accessibility, diversity, and limitless possibilities of EVs.

Teams were free to choose their own routes and challenged to make the journey using as little energy as possible with awards given for the most efficient vehicles in each category. There were eight categories, including self-built vehicles and, for the first time, a Hydrogen Fuel Cell category.

Vehicle efficiencies were recorded either directly from the vehicle's own mile/kWh report, or by a calculation based on the vehicle's start and finish status reports and charging records.

The route commenced in Westminster,

London, before reaching the mid stop in Brighton. Upon reaching Brighton, participants and visitors were treated to the vibrant atmosphere of the e-Village, a hub of excitement and innovation. Attendees had the opportunity to explore stands from the race’s sponsors and partners, including BYD, Hendy, Motability, Tesla, and more. They could enjoy live music, test drive vehicles, and even experience the thrill of riding electric bikes and scooters.

The second stage took participants from Brighton to Paris via Newhaven and Dieppe, covering a total distance of 170 miles. The unique route design of the London to Paris EV rally made it easier for participants to get involved without undertaking excessively long and tiring journeys, setting it apart from other events.

Serving as a beacon of hope and inspiration for the world, the event showcases how we can all embrace the electrified future of transportation, demonstrating the diversity and accessibility of

electric vehicles but also reinforcing the collective determination to drive towards a greener, more sustainable world.

Londontobrightonelectricvehiclerally.com

If you’re thinking of buying an electric vehicle, why not take one of these for a whirl? These are the winning vehicles in each of the categories:

London to Brighton City Car Winner

Motorbike winner

Saloon Car winner

VOLKSWAGEN - EGOLF

ZERO- S

4.4 miles per KWH (Kilowatt/Hour)

10.4 miles per KWH

6.2 miles per KWH SUV winner

Van winner

HYUNDAI - IONIQ PREMIUM

KIA - NIRO

2 - 5.9 miles per KWH

3.7 miles per KWH Bus winner

Dieppe to Paris City Car winner

Saloon Car winner

VOLKSWAGEN - ID BUZZ

HIGER - STEED

1.0 miles per KWH

BMW - I3 42KWH

5.3 miles per KWH

5.7 miles per KWH SUV winner

Van winner

HYUNDAI - IONIQ PREMIUM

KIA - NIRO 1

5.1 miles per KWH

3.9 miles per KWH Bus winner

VOLKSWAGEN - ID BUZZ

HIGER - STEED

1.1 miles per KWH

The London to Paris Electric Vehicle Rally is a milestone in sustainable driving. If you’re considering an EV, these are the ones to watch!

attention to each member and to allow for the extra equipment needed for assistance. They consist of easy, repetitive exercises designed to help regain balance, hand eye co-ordination, strength, flexibility, to elevate heart rate and stimulate voice activation.

Andrew says: “Regular exercise can slow down the progression of some neurological

home. It can definitely help with neuro protection to slow down the progress of a

and benefits from the sessions, says it has

he finds it to be a fun and quite a caring environment to challenge his abilities. There is also a support group for those partners of sufferers who can share their thoughts while

Chani Berger, who attends the Tuesday morning ladies’ session finds the whole hour: "Good fun, good companionship and good exercise, while many are just glad that this facility is so local and that they are able to access good instruction without having to

Adam Jackson, Maccabi's new Centre Manager, is keen to offer these classes in this new and inviting environment and eagerly anticipates the re-opening of the centre in its new splendour, a place which is all ready to be brighter and more flexible in its outlook. In time it will be able to offer its popular cafe and recreational facilities to the group and a wide variety of Manchester’s

If anyone is interested in joining the

Located in Tel Aviv just minutes from the renowned Rothschild Avenue, The George will delight locals and temporary locals alike with 170 rooms, 40 of which are designed for extended stays, four unique dining experiences, open work areas as well as a blend of leisure and relaxation zones, all centred around an inspiring one-of-its-kind members club.

Conceptualised by the leading local architect firm YMS and designed by the globally renowned acclaimed studio of designer Lazaro Rosa Violan, the opening of The George will be a pivotal moment for the city of Tel Aviv and will offer the ultimate wonderland for those who live, work, and visit the city.

Set to open in October, the launch of The George will bring an exciting lifestyle destination to the heart of the vibrant city of Tel Aviv. The development will be the first property in the city to manifest and capture a new SevenEx hospitality approach developed by Elco Hospitality, a leading holding company based in Tel Aviv.

Focusing on seven urban experiences

of daily life, The George will be home to a collection of spaces, that will seamlessly integrate experience and hospitality. All guests will be able to live, work, meet, celebrate, dine, stay, and relax throughout all areas bringing to life a holistic microcosm of urban life, a first-of-its-kind experience.

The George Spa invites you to leave the world behind and re-center in its peaceful haven. Its specialty treatments emphasise restorative energy, detoxing the mind, and re-emerging as your personal best. The spa menu includes a Classic Swedish Massage to reduce tension and soothe sore muscles; a Body Peeling and Aromatherapy Massage to remove dead skin cells and open the body’s pores; and a Hot Stone Massage, a traditional tool to massage the body and access deeper muscle layers. The George Spa also contains an outdoor pool which looks out onto the backdrop of Tel Aviv’s urban skyline while being secluded and private due to its flourishing plants, creating your personal paradise.

Prioritising guest experiences above all else, The George will offer a Friends

Lap ofLuxury

New Tel Aviv hotel The George provides a luxury getaway for tourists and a culture and entertainment hub for locals.

of The George members’ club, designed to foster connections between locals and visitors. In line with the growing trend of members clubs within hotels, it will become one of the city’s most exclusive destinations. The concept aims to provide a vibrant environment where individuals can seamlessly network and access a myriad of experiences and amenities available within the club. Amenities and experiences

available to those with Friends of The George membership include access to a weekly program of live entertainment with culture, music, lectures, and surprise sessions it also grants access to workspaces and meeting rooms, the wellness center and pool, and a luxurious gym.

The George is more than just a hotel, it provides guests and locals with a refreshing new lifestyle in Tel Aviv, all of which can be read about in The George’s magazine The Conversation, which discusses the latest happenings of Friends of The George and continuous observation on curious people, places, and things.

If you want your hotel to reflect the vibrant energy of Tel Aviv and are looking for a room fit with beautifully crafted details and a welcoming feel, visit The George. Thegeorgetelaviv.com

A month ago, my grandmother, Hasida Ribon, the eldest daughter of Menachem and Sarah Feldman, bid her final farewell.

Growing up in Isarel since 1932 – she not only spoke Hebrew, nurtured the land, and contributed to its statehood – it was as if my grandmother was the embodiment of the Land of Israel itself.

Warm, wise, affectionate, and dearly loved, she taught me about the land's eternal beauty — from steadfast rocks to meandering streams, melodious songs, and kind-hearted people. The foliage, the

FAMILY VALUES

UJIA Manchester Shaliach, Or Ribon, shares her love for her family and homeland.

oaks and cypresses that struck roots on its land. the enduring mountains and gorges, especially the Carmel Mountain — on which she spent much of her life. Her stories of KKL-JNF and bygone eras resonated deeply.

She taught me the power of a smile, the simplicity of sincere eye contact, the strength of family bonds and belonging. Now, more than ever, living her legacy while engaging with Israel from afar, their profound embedding within me becomes clearer. Like my grandmother, I am rooted deeply in this soil.

Physically and spiritually, she was entwined with this nation, this land, its people. Her life story converged with the state's birth. She grew up in a home that

usually had almost nothing, but what they had – was always shared. Through her gentle blue eyes, she witnessed legendary history.

After 93 cherished years on the land she loved so much, she left quietly, calmly, surrounded by love. She persists within us, in this land, atop the "evergreen" mountain, amid violet blooms.

As Rosh Hashanah approaches, for the first time for us – without her, I think we can all learn something from my Savtoosh. I hold dear the value of family. My hope is to embody her spirit— with a bit more compassion, tenderness, humility and love for our homeland, and above all, for each other.

OUR COMMUNITY

Representing the Community

facing and work closely with those elected to represent us. Simultaneously, this does not prevent all our different communities celebrating their own culture, festivals, and traditions.

At the JRC, our opinion has always been that our successes are closely tied to that of our neighbours. We are fortunate to live in Greater Manchester, a place where everyone is welcomed irrespective of their race or religion.

As High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, our Chair Mark Adlestone perfectly epitomised these values. As a proud Jew who held his induction at Hale Shul, he was warmly welcomed by all communities. Mark has a mantra that communities should “integrate but not assimilate”. This means that we should be welcoming, open

We have a vibrant interfaith network and the JRC are regularly invited to attend and participate at a myriad of different events. We have always been included in civic ceremonies across Greater Manchester comprising Mayor Makings, religious celebrations, panel events and Remembrance Sunday.

We have also made a special effort to reach out to other communities. This is made extremely easy by the fact our community is clearly held in the highest possible regard. Upon the sad passing of Her Majesty the Queen, Mark was invited to represent the community at Manchester Cathedral. Later that evening, we held our

own service that was attended by the Lord Lieutenant, Lord Mayor and Metro Mayor. We were also proud to host many MPs and dignitaries at a civic reception in the Lord Mayors Parlour which was addressed by the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP. This year, we are holding an interfaith Sukkot dinner bringing together too many dignitaries to name alongside representatives from all communities across Greater Manchester. I also have the pleasure of meeting politicians with a focus on unity and fighting prejudice.

At a time when there are many schisms in society, we should not take for granted the invaluable contribution of many who work tirelessly to bring people together.

Jewishmanchester.org.uk

With Marc Levy, Chief Executive of the Jewish Representative Council

Outandabout

before the first meeting, I bumped into Eve, who I hadn’t seen for a few years, and she was so excited about our new group. At the first meeting, I was absolutely petrified that no one would show up.”

The Queer Jewish Collective (QJC) is a new social group providing a space for LGBTQ+ Jewish people to come together and celebrate their identity. We spoke to members of the group Hannah Salter, Stacie Cohen, and Eve Ginnsberg, to find out what it’s all about.

The group was established back in April and aimed to fill a blank space which the trio felt existed, as Stacie shares: “About nine months prior to us setting up, I was involved in a songwriting group at the Manchester Jewish Museum, and I was totally enjoying that. Then one day Gemma, who ran the song writing group, asked if I would go to their artists’ network. There was going to be a workshop by Homos and Houmous. It was an absolutely fantastic meeting, which Hannah attended as well. For some reason, it really brought together Jewish queer people. I was sat there thinking: ‘Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could use this space more often for Jewish queer people to meet each other?’” The idea was put to Gemma, who proposed it to the management of the museum, and received the go ahead.

Stacie continued: “A couple of days

Having the group operate on equal footing was something that became a priority from the get-go as Eve explains: “On the first meet up, we made it really clear that the group wasn’t going to have a hierarchy. We called it a collective for a reason; and wanted to make sure that everyone was going to be equal and have an equal chance to speak up.”

The collective holds a few events a month, including meetings every six weeks. “We’re still in the early stages of finding our rhythm with it, but at the moment we’re definitely putting on at least two to three events a month, between the regular meeting at Manchester Jewish Museum and other socials around Manchester and the NorthWest, where we can find an overlap between queer and Jewish identifies, customs, and practices,” says Hannah.

The main aim of the QJC was to give people a space to embrace both aspects of their identity, as Stacie expounds: “It’s about the intersectionality of being both Jewish and queer. Most people when they realise that they’re queer, have to kind of go on a journey with where you’re at with both your queer identity and also your Jewish identity. What we’ve found in the group is that there are a multitude of ages.

We have people ranging from 18 upwards, and they’re all at different stages with their identity, so we have to be very mindful of that. I came out a very long time ago, but even back then it was really important to me that I didn’t lose my Judaism, because people who realise they’re queer, they often just drop their religion so that they can be queer.”

The group have a few events coming up to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, starting with a social in The Gay Village on 14th September. On the 17th September a Rosh Hashanah brunch will be taking place, and on 25th September the group are hoping to hold an event for the breaking of the fast, though this has not yet been confirmed and further details will be available soon.

To get in contact about joining the group, and for further information about future socials QJC can be found on Instagram @queerjco

We spoke to members of the Queer Jewish Collective, a new group offering a space for queer Jews to celebrate both aspects of their identities.

ATTENDEES OF YESHURUN LADIES DISCUSSION GROUP –WHO MEET FORTNIGHTLY – TOOK A BREAK FOR A POSED PHOTO!

YESHURUN’S YOUTH SPENT THE FIRST THREE DAYS OF THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS IN SHUL COMPLETING A MITZVAH MARATHON.

THIS INCLUDED THE BAKING OF TREATS FOR THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE SERVICES, MAKING TIE-DYE CHALLAH CLOTHS & TZITZITS & DISTRIBUTING THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.

DURING THE WEEK BEGINNING 4TH JULY THE CHILDREN FROM Y1-6 AT BURY & WHITEFIELD JEWISH PRIMARY SCHOOL TOOK PART IN A ‘CAREERS WEEK’.

PARENTS, GOVERNORS, AND FRIENDS OF THE SCHOOL CAME TO TALK TO THE CHILDREN ABOUT DIFFERENT CAREER PATHS AND HELD HANDS ON SESSIONS WITH THEM.

THE KIDS EVEN GOT TO TRY ON SOME OF THE GEAR THE PRESENTERS BROUGHT ALONG!

LEFTON theirJoy,Mark,JakeandZakwishall healthy,familyandfriendsahappy, wellsweetNewYearand over the fast.

LEVY

Janice wishes her dear family and friends a happy, healthy and sweet New Year and well over the fast.

LEWIS DoreenandNorman Lewiswishtheirdearfamily andfriendsahappy,healthy NewYearandwellover thefast.

LEWIS

Happy New Year! Best Wishes from Hilary and Malcolm Lewis and family.

NOYEK

PINSLEY

MINSK

Wishingallourfriends andfamilypastandpresent averyhealthyhappyRosh Hashanahlotsoflove. YvonneandMartin xxx

Wishing all our family and friends a very happy New Year and well over the fast. Love, Theo, Lisa, Gabby & Adam Noyek.

SAIPE

Jakki and Elliot wish their gorgeous children, adorable grandchildren, mechutanim, dear family and friends, Chag Sameach and well over the fast.

PURCELL

Nicki and Lawrence wish family and friends Shana Tovah for a healthy and happy New Year.

QUINN andWishingourfamily friendsahappy NewYearandwelloverthe fast.FromMichelleand LeonardQuinn.

Sara, Andrew and family wish our extended family and friends a happy and healthy Yom Tov.

SALKIE Erica,Adam,Hannaand Jackwishallfamilyand friendsahappyand healthyNewYear.

SIMPSON dearHilarywishesher happy,familyandfriends,a healthyandgoodyearahead.

SMITH

opticalHayleyatMODSwouldliketotake alltheopportunitytowishyou NewaChagSameachandasweet seeingYear!Welookforwardto Eyewearyouinournew Studioverysoon!

TAYLOR Gail,IanandAdam togetherwithNeil,Abbi. Zack,AriandMaxTaylor wishfriendsahappy, healthyNewYear.

WILLIAMS Giselle,Robert,Benjamin,Tash and Max wish all their friendsandfamilyShanaTovahand well over the fast.

WOLFSON

Wishing our family and friends a happy and healthy New Year and well over the fast. Norman

YESHURUN COMMUNITY

Cheadle & Gatley

May the new year bring health, happiness & peace to all of Yeshurun’s community, their family & friends.

Family Business

As Lesters Nurseryworld prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary next year

Co-Owner Liran Bowers speaks with celebrity Pram Brand iCandy owner Bradley Appel about the iconic Jewish owned company

Bradley recently to discover more about their story and success.”

LB: Hi Bradley. Tell us about how iCandy began its life back in 1933?

BA: iCandy has its roots in London’s Art Deco fashion design and manufacturing scene – founded by our grandparents, Rachel and Charles Appel, the company was originally known as ‘SCS’, (London) LTD crafting tailor-made motor accessories.

name. The fruit theme has continued throughout the range and includes the Orange, Strawberry, Raspberry, and the iconic Peach which is now in its seventh iteration.

In 2005 you launched one of the first single to double pram systems, an innovation copied by many other brands today. What gave you the foresight for this?

“'Time flies' and 'enjoy them while they’re young…' are often words we hear or say to new or expecting parents,” says Liran.

“Next year Lesters Nurseryworld will be celebrating its 40th birthday; a business founded by my parents Marion and David in 1984 and now managed by myself and my brother Michael. Based in Cheetham Hill we are proud to have served our community across generations, it is quite amazing how many times customers tell us their parents bought a pram from Lesters when they started a family.

"Family is such an important part of our business, but we are not the only Jewish family run company in the nursery industry; iCandy owned by Jewish brothers Bradley and Warren Appel are a global leading brand based here in UK, whose prams can be seen with royalty and many celebrities, (most recently by Molly-Mae) and available here at Lesters. A business success started by their grandparents and now with a multimillion pound turnover, this year celebrates 90 years.

"I had the pleasure of catching up with

When did you and your brother Warren join the company?

We both spent a lot of time during our younger years at our East-London factory so in that sense we have always been a part of the company. School holidays were spent at the cutting tables and the sewing machines, carrying bales of cloth off lorries from Italy and helping with the deliveries. We officially joined the company in the late 1970s.

When did the company change its name to iCandy and what was the inspiration for the name change?

We became ‘iCandy’ in the noughties– it was a light-hearted take play on words, which was also inspired by the launch of the iPhone.

iCandy prams are known for being named after fruits, how did this idea come about?

Our first pushchair was called the Apple, which was inspired by its newness symbolism of the cycle of life, its wholesomeness, and of course our family

It was in the early 2000s that Bugaboo brought to market a high price point ‘travel system’, which was then seen on cult tv show, Sex and the City. We spotted an opportunity to innovate with our own design with a revolutionary single to double pushchair, called the Pip, to convert the Apple to a Pear for twins or baby and toddler.

What has been your proudest achievement in your career?

That has to be our two visits to Buckingham Palace for two receptions, one given by the late Her Majesty the Queen, and the second by His Majesty the King. iCandy is the only pushchair brand to have been awarded not only one Queen’s award, the first for International Trade, but also a second one, which on that occasion was for Innovation.

Thank you very much Bradley, we wish iCandy continued success! We look forward to seeing all new and returning customers soon, from all our families we wish everyone a Shana Tova and well over the fast.

Lesters-nurseryworld.co.uk

LIRAN BOWERS

BRADLEY & WARREN APPEL

Your home i s w her e y ou f ee l t he most c omf or t able and the happies t It is t he place y ou k now t he bes t. If you want to st ay li v ing comfor t abl y at home, Home Ins t ead ® can help make t ha t possible.

Your home i s w her e y ou f ee l t he most c omf or t able and the happies t. It is t he place y ou k now t he bes t. If you want to st ay li v ing comfor t abl y at home, Home Ins t ead ® can help make t ha t possible.

Home Help

Home Help

Companionship

Companionship

Per sonal C are

Per sonal C are

Dementia C are

Dementia C are

Home Instead shares New Year’s

Where the Heart Is

Where the Heart Is

Instead, introducing just a few hours a week of our support to help your loved one adjust to having a care professional in their life.

The New Year’s holiday is always a time of reflection when families come together perhaps for the first time in-person for some time. It’s great to visit Mum, Dad, Aunty or Uncle to talk about old times and plan for the future, but one of the hardest conversations to have with a loved one is perhaps their need for a little help.

It’s a subject that can cause worry and concern as most families know little about care, until they are faced with a crisis. At this point action is often taken in panic mode, with trial and error to get suitable support in place. At Home Instead we are here to help you when those conversations need to take place.

You may notice your loved one is struggling with some everyday tasks, perhaps not being as active as they once were. Many people have become more isolated over the past few years, and it can be difficult to feel motivated when you’re alone. This is the best time to start to talk to us at Home

The first step, picking up the phone to make the enquiry to us, is often the hardest. Home Instead can assure you that you’ll talk to someone from your local office who lives in your area and is trained to answer your questions. We can provide lots of information on our service and what we do for our clients, and best of all, we will come and meet you in your own home at no cost. At Home Instead our motto is to us, it’s personal – so you can meet one of our care management team members, who knows the local area and can advise on the most common problems.

People often say: “I don’t need to talk to anyone, I will be fine, I’m not ready yet.” and we understand, it can be a hard thing to admit you’re not as able as you once were. At Home Instead we find that our personal touch can really help to overcome these

barriers. We have many conversations with clients who literally say they don’t know why they didn’t contact us sooner."

One client recently told us: “My care professional is like a breath of fresh air, I love having Jill in my life as we laugh all the time; it’s given me something to look forward to. The last two years have been so boring, so having a Jill has changed my life.”

We smile a lot in our Home Instead offices, because of the feedback we get from clients and their families. So, if you are perhaps this New Year finding that you might need to have that conversation with a loved one. Pick up the phone and get a little help and advice from one of our professionals. There is never an obligation to sign up for anything, but a little knowledge goes a long way to addressing any anxiety.

Homeinstead.co.uk

greetings and its advice for knowing when to consider full-time care.

REACHING OUT

Outreach offers a safe space for those struggling with mental health issues, as Elaine Bermitz finds out.

more than public toilets could provide. There are whiteboards, a computer bar, Zoom screens and a piano – looking a little old-fashioned in such hi-tech surroundings – but well used and loved for sing-a-longs. A bank of computer screens are also available for clients use.

It seems it is very much a win-win, as many volunteers have become paid members of staff, or gone on to return to paid work, which they may have left through illness. Clients have also found appropriate roles which suits their abilities, so that a mutually beneficial circle has been formed.

Since the subject of mental health has come out of the closet there has been a burgeoning of new providers who offer their services to the young, as well as a few who continue their care through to adulthood. Outreach, however, has never stopped offering consistent support and social care since its founding nearly fifty-five years ago.

At its present new premises, it runs craft events counselling and support services and an inexpensive cafe where anyone can drop in for a conversation or to meet new people.

Situated on Blackburn Street, Radcliffe it is easily accessible from the main shopping area and is light, bright and welcoming. Carers can bring their charges, or people can make their way there alone: "No matter how they arrive, or in what state of mind, they will leave happier," says Norman Shaw, Outreach's Volunteer Programme Manager.

The organisation has diversified over the years due to the necessity of raising funds from many different sources and now also accommodates non-Jewish clients, but it keeps to the Jewish calendar, holds regular Shabbat morning services, and has a good understanding of Kashrut and the festivals. In addition, the facilities in this lovely new building are outstanding. There are meeting rooms for both formal and informal or confidential discussions, an excellent activities room, which was hosting a wellattended Zumba class when I visited, in addition there is a brand new well equipped "Changing Places" room, accessible to anyone for whom travelling necessitates

The crowning glory is a cafe, light, bright and inexpensive, and where I came across several customers, both clients and carers, old and young enjoying coffee and cake or light meals with ample opportunity to mix with others or talk to volunteers specially trained to give advice where required.

There are of course residential homes for some, in and around the Prestwich and Whitefield area, all staffed by experienced qualified helpers who know their charges needs and are available for safeguarding and appropriate help to maintain independent living.

While Outreach has to restrict volunteers to the over 18s, due to the vulnerability of some clients, there are opportunities for people in higher education, Yeshivas or Sem's who may want to make caring a career, to shadow paid workers-observing how to communicate with, for example, a non-verbal client, or one who needs only encouragement and confidence to live perfectly independently. So many volunteers do so simply because they have a love of empowering those who lack help to achieve way beyond their own expectations.

Others go along in order to challenge their preconceptions and surprise themselves by the satisfaction they get from accompanying people with enduring needs. No-one knows exactly what is in store for them in life and many times helping people with huge adversities can give volunteers a completely new view of their own lives.

There are also regular shabbat and festival services, run by Rabbi Hymanson and attended by both members and the wider community.

Norman, the Training Manager, who met me while an aerobics class was in progress in the studio supports the volunteers in respect of their aims within the organisation: "The training of volunteers is a big undertaking for us," he told me. “At all levels, whether it be residential, social, or advisory we take extreme care to match the volunteer with whoever he or she comes into contact with. Both sides have to benefit from one another's company and talents or interest in order to facilitate the client as then they will learn naturally from one another."

Outreach CEO Akilah Akinolah is dedicated to improving, restructuring, and redeveloping services. She also feels strongly that the world should be a better, safer, more caring environment, for everyone, not just those who are fortunate enough to afford it.

It is easy to see why those that attend love Outreach, and how richly it deserves the community's support.

If you are interested in volunteering or simply want to call in for a coffee and a chat, call 0161 740 3456, or email info@outreach.co.uk

I was just seven or eight years old sitting on the backseat of the car and my dad was at the wheel.

Have mercy upon me – I can still vividly remember it; the feelings, the emotion, the shame; it still lingers with me to this very day, I told my dad a lie!

I was completely overtaken (probably, my first experience of true guilt) but just a few moments later, or what felt like an absolute eternity, I couldn’t hold on any longer and I came clean and told my dad that: “No, I didn’t get an A Star from Mrs Balkind in my Maths test but instead I had been given a disastrous F.”

Unsure what my dad’s response would be to my untruth and wrongdoing (the lying I could tell upset him most), at the very next traffic light on red, he simply turned his head, looked me in the eye as I sat sheepishly in the back and said in a soft but straight voice: “Alby, I’m surprised at you, the first time you’ve told me a lie, you need a little thinking time.”

On Reflection

Rabbi Alby Chait MBE Yom Kippur, the day of repentance which follows the new year.

Oh, how I burst into tears!

You know, it’s a funny thing how powerful words can be when sometimes our natural instincts are to shout or raise our voice or “lose it” when we’re faced with something we really don’t like.

I also think it was the first time that I’d ever truly reflected on something that I’d done.

You know, as I get older, I actually look forward to the High Holy Days and even the onset of Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year for the Jewish community.

Yom Kippur is the Day of Repentance.

A time where Jewish people fast for 25 hours (no food and no drink) and as well, we all know, we gather together in the synagogue for deep prayer, contemplation, and reflection.

We reflect on the year gone by and give much thought and focus toward the year ahead with all of its opportunities – or crucially how and in what areas we can

improve our lives and ultimately make a difference.

It’s precisely because we live in a world where we rarely switch off from all the things around us, phones, screens, social media etc and rarely switch on toward our true own inner self that I think it is so vital.

For me, Yom Kippur is perhaps as if we are today not allowing the modern world to overtake or overcome our traditional and soulful needs. The need to look inside and understand myself.

A reminder to often exercise in the art of reflection – to appreciate or challenge my existence, to be more aware, to be more responsible and ultimately find how we can all – truly shine like A STAR!

Gila, Arielle, Emily, and Olivia join me in wishing each and every member of our Leeds Jewish community and their respective families a Shana Tovah and an easy fast.

“When

we feel a myriad of emotions.

The Chai Art

Group (Artist Etty Debourcieu)

Celebrate

In the bustling heart of Manchester, a city that thrives on diversity and embraces cultures from around the world, there stands a venue that epitomises the essence of love, tradition, and celebration – Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel.

At the heart of this extraordinary venue lies the ballroom, the International Suite – a jewel in Manchester's crown. The very name, International Suite, serves as a testament to the venue's dedication to inclusivity and unity, values that resonate deeply within the Jewish culture. As marriage brings two people together the International Suite symbolises unity, embracing the harmony of diverse cultures coming together. The space is beautiful, with its chandeliers and recently upgraded décor, and can fit up to 400 seated.

A Jewish wedding is not merely an event, it is a sacred celebration of love, heritage, and commitment. At Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel, we understand the significance of these moments. Imagine stepping into the International Suite, where the chuppah stands as a symbol of the

home you will build together – a canopy of dreams under which promises are made and futures are shaped. The Suite sets an intimate ambiance, wrapping you and your loved ones in a feeling of connection and happiness.

Experience the magic of the venue as sacred traditions unfold. Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel is renowned for its exceptional service. Every member of staff is dedicated to ensuring that your special day is nothing short of perfection.

Their passion for excellence is evident in every gesture, from the moment you step through the doors to the final dance of the evening. With meticulous attention to detail and a warm, welcoming spirit, the hotel's team becomes an extension of your family, ensuring that your wedding day is flawlessly planned with genuine care and consideration.

And with all the facilities of a top class city centre hotel, there are many reasons why you should make an appointment to speak to the dedicated events team.

PRIZE DRAW

For your chance to win your wedding venue worth £7,500, please answer the following question:

What is the name of the ballroom at Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel and how many people can it fit for a wedding?

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 competition will close on: 22nd December 2023 The winner will be randomly selected on: 2nd January 2024

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 Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel’s databases to be contacted about news, promotions, and special offers. Postal entry data will not be saved. Competition prize is for free venue hire only. Date of redemption is subject to availability and must be confirmed with the venue first. Publisher’s decision is final.

love and tradition with our special Yom Tov opportunity to win a free wedding venue hire worth £7,500 at Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel.

ALL PHOTOS: KATE SWERDLOW PHOTOGRAPHY

EDEN GARNETT WAS CALLED UP AT MENORAH SYNAGOGUE!

THE AFTERPARTY TOOK PLACE AT ALDERLEY EDGE FESTIVAL HALL

MUM AND DAD, JUDE AND NICK GARNETT POSED WITH THE BAT MITZVAH GIRL ON THE BIG DAY.

AS DID EDEN’S BROTHER DAN AND SISTER ORLI

FRIENDS AND FAMILY FLOCKED TO SUPPORT EDEN AT THE PARTY.

WITH SOME COMING FROM AS FAR AFIELD AS MONTREAL, SAN FRANCISCO, AND BERLIN.

SafeandSound

Life is unpredictable and ever changing, we never know what new blessings or challenges, opportunities, or setbacks every new day will bring. We struggle with this; we wish that we could foresee our future and we expend huge efforts and resources on predicting and forecasting that which will be. We may no longer read coffee granules or treat our horoscopes with great seriousness but instead we often assiduously follow their modern counterparts, forecasters, pundits, and economists! Yet, as everyone knows who has ever attempted to plan a trip around next week’s weather or who has tried to calculate what their mortgage will cost at its next renewal: “Trying to predict the future is a mug's game.”

Yet we continue trying, with ever more sophisticated but no less reliable methods in the hope that somehow, if we can predict enough and plan enough, we can control the vagaries of our future. That somehow, we can render ourselves less vulnerable. We try but we try in vain.

Sukkot offers an alternative perspective, at the beginning of the Jewish year, immediately on the heels of the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the days when we contemplate our upcoming year and pray for it to be good and sweet.

It is characterised by its eponymous Mitzvah – commandment – to spend the weeklong festival living not in our comfortable, secure homes but in a temporary booth – a sukkah – with only a flimsy roof of vegetation between us and the sky. There, exposed to the elements and the reliably damp Manchester climate, we contemplate our own mortal fragility.

Yet Sukkot is the festival most associated with joy, it is known as “The Time of our Rejoicing” and indeed sitting in a sukkah together with friends and loved ones is a beautiful and uplifting experience that no one should miss out on. We rejoice because on Sukkot we remember another time when we were even more fragile, when the newly redeemed Children of Israel travelled, vulnerable and exposed, through the cruel and unforgiving desert between Egypt and the Land of Israel. We remember our ancestors experience of vulnerability and we remember and give thanks for the Divine protection that shepherded them, safe and secure to the promised land.

We remember and we heed the lesson. Just as the Almighty cared for and protected us then, so He cares for and protects us now. We are not subject to capricious fate but rather everything that we experience is decided and directed by G-d.

We cannot escape the unpredictable nature of life or its challenges. But we can still rejoice, and find the security and calm that we so crave, in the knowledge that whatever our future brings is from the Loving Hand of G-d.

Rabbi Daniel Walker, Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation, discusses how Sukkot teaches us to find security even in the unpredictability of life.

Helping Hands

In a world where access to quality healthcare is paramount, navigating the complexities of the healthcare system can often be overwhelming. For many individuals and families, finding the right medical care, understanding the available options, and advocating for their needs can be a daunting task. Fortunately, RefuahCare, a non-profit organisation, has emerged as a beacon of hope, providing invaluable support to hundreds of people in need.

The charity understands the challenges faced by individuals seeking medical care, whether it be within the National Health Service (NHS) or the private sector. Its dedicated team of highly trained professionals work tirelessly to ensure that individuals receive the guidance, support, and advocacy needed.

From the moment a person reaches out to RefuahCare, they are met with compassion and a commitment to individualised care. The organisation takes the time to listen attentively to each person's unique situation, understanding their concerns, and seeking to address their specific needs. By doing so, RefuahCare ensures that individuals feel heard, respected, and empowered throughout their healthcare journey.

The team of experts excels at demystifying the intricacies of healthcare,

assisting individuals in understanding their options, and making informed decisions about their medical care. They can help individuals identify appropriate specialists, clinics, or hospitals, ensuring that they receive the best possible care. Moreover, they provide assistance with appointment scheduling, medical paperwork, and even accompanying individuals to medical appointments, ensuring that no stone is left unturned in the pursuit of comprehensive healthcare support.

Through education, information dissemination, and advocacy, RefuahCare equips individuals with the tools and knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about their health.

Furthermore, the charity goes above and beyond by providing emotional support and a sense of community. The organisation nurtures a warm and inclusive environment, fostering a sense of belonging and dedication.

Through its continued dedication and commitment, RefuahCare brings hope and healing to individuals navigating the healthcare system, echoing its unwavering belief that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare.

If you or anyone you know needs help or can help us deliver our services, please get in touch.

Refuahcare.org.uk

MARK BAMBERGER

DAVID BRANDIES

RefuahCare is a non-profit organisation helping patients in the community to navigate to the complex healthcare system.

Outdoor Living

Find out different ways to build your sukkah ready for the festival later this month.

Though the Sukkot tradition of making a sukkah, a shelter made from natural materials, is the same for all of the Jewish community, depending on where you live your sukkah can look very different.

According to The Sukkah Project, your sukkah should follow these four guidelines to be considered kosher:

1) It must have a minimum of three walls (the bottom of which should be no more than nine inches above the ground).

2) Everything is made of organic materials which (if fabric is used) are securely attached to the frame and do not flap in the wind. The roof should also be made of a compostable material.

3) You can see the sky through the roof.

4) It is decorated beautifully inside.

Of course you can gather the materials and build it yourself or you can buy a sukkah kit. Prices can range from £100 to £1,000 so there are plenty to choose from. Sukkahmart’s Super Sukkah is £789 and fits eight to 10 people with a Schach included, and a five year guarantee so you can bring it out year after year. For big family celebrations it can be bought in a 28-person size for £1,534!

Depending on how handy you are with your chosen materials you could opt to make a wooden lattice and reed sukkah as outlined on the website MyKosherHome or you could try a more tent-like structure with PVC pipe on the website Instructables.com. Its easy to build your own if you follow the instructions and regulations!

To make your sukkah beautiful and comfortable you can draw inspiration from several countries. Ashkenazi Jews were known to use food as inspiration for their decorations using hollowed gourds, or some locals of Israel sweep the Christmas decoration sales after the holiday and use Christmas lights to decorate their sukkah. Whatever you choose you must also ensure your sukkah is temperate, in Canada this means bringing a heater into their sukkah (something we could take inspiration from in the UK!), or in Florida it’s common to bring your air conditioner into your sukkah! Sukkot.com

Sukkahs have appeared in some strange places..

On the back of a bike

The Pedi Sukkah created by Levi Duchman in 2009 is an adult tricycle with a platform behind the seat which can support a sukkah large enough for one person.

On a boat

In 2018 a sukkah on Venice canal caught the attention of many passersby. It was large enough for two (small) people complete with a branch canopy roof.

Out of a window

For many in apartments it is difficult to find the space to build a sukkah, which is why residents of New York and Jerusalem high-rises have taken to building their sukkahs on the small balconies outside their windows. Some may even look a little too precariously balanced!

How Odd Of G-d

The rain pounded on the car windows as we pulled out of a trampoline park in Morecambe. We felt that we were already back in Manchester, and in our children’s minds, we would be back there in just over an hour. However, after one and a half hours, our daughter saw a sign welcoming us to Scotland, and innocently asked if Scotland was on the way home. We pulled into a B&B shortly after, surprising the kids with a night away, followed by a full day at their favourite place in the UK – Mabie Farm Park.

I was rather breathless after a thrilling game of hide and seek with my ten-year-old son, and I sat down next to my wife Sephy, who had been watching the two youngest in their tractors, busy transporting hay around the yard. She turned to me with a smirk, and said that she had overheard a young girl ask her mother why those little boys were wearing little hats.

We are so strange. Stopping for a moment to contemplate, the girl was correct. My only consolation – thank G-d she doesn’t know a fraction of our oddities. Take this time of year, I thought to myself. Come into our shuls – you can see professionals, intellectuals, people who do seem to possess a fantastic level of wisdom, shaking some branches and a fruit in all directions. Odd! After the service, they sit down in their cold and claustrophobic cabins and eat their meal. When you squeeze in to inquire the reason for their bohemian behaviour, they smile and tell you that it is the festival named “Time of

our Happiness.” Odd! Odd! Odd!

When we left incredible Israel eight years ago, I called my mentor in Bnei Brak and related to him that we would be working in education, primarily with teenagers. I asked him what the single most important and crucial message was, that we should plant into our students. He paused – I could sense his deep eyes close as he thought for an eternal ten seconds, and then he responded softly with the statement that would shape our mission for the foreseeable future: “Doniel, educate your dear students that the body is a mere vehicle transporting the soul through the brief journey of life, and the years we are given are for the sole purpose of attaining spiritual growth, through learning and living the Torah, bettering the self, helping others, while speaking to the One Above through formal and informal prayer. The more successfully the job is done, the more incredible the eternity.”

I heard in a lecture given by Rabbi Dr Akiva Tatz, that the religious Jew is often accused of being narrow-minded. He points out that the secular individual may say that he is broadminded, following wherever the truth may lead with no limits, but a little thought will illuminate the falsehood of his position. If he has negated the spiritual option before he begins, how broad-minded is he really? Sure, he is prepared to follow where the truth leads, but only within the bounds which he has already defined. He has decided that there can be nothing beyond the physical – he has limited his possibilities to the world of the natural, and yet he claims to be totally open! He has set himself totally safe boundaries, defining reality

very narrowly, and yet fails to see that. That is not broadmindedness, that is deliberate blindness.

We live in a society that is caught up in the rat race; fighting fiercely for wealth, gorgeous houses, fancy cars. We are swamped by a pervasive feeling of entitlement, where people jump from one source of entertainment and pleasure to the next. People live such narrow lives. And then the strange religious fanatic walks in and spoils it all.

Sukkot is the time when G-d wants us to broaden our horizons, to see beyond our own stomach, to impress upon ourselves and society that we are part of something so much bigger, so much more meaningful. We shake the four species to and fro to acknowledge that our entire world, all four directions, are His. We sit in the temporary sukkah in order to inculcate with absolute clarity that our entire existence here is temporary – we have a mission in our hands, and we must not lose sight of the objective. For the moment one lets go, one is sucked into a narrow chasm where true satisfaction, fulfilment and happiness are impossible.

My wife turned to the mother of this young girl, smiled and explained. Jewish men may look odd. Many are too. However, the small hat worn on the head is there to be a constant reminder that G-d is always above the head, and though man may forget about G-d, He never forgets about man. Then Sephy added, “In case you are wondering, women don’t need the little hat, because we are more spiritually aware, and don’t need the constant reminder.”

The young girl grinned, and skipped inside as it began to rain.

Rabbi Doniel Stern offers some thoughts on the oddities of Sukkot traditions and why these are necessary.

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JUMP IN

The best upcoming books, tv, film, and podcasts to keep you company on the sofa.

Everybody Loves Diamonds | TV Amazon Prime | 13th October

Before We Say Goodbye | Toshikazu

Kawaguchi | Book | Picador | 14th September

The latest installation of Kawaguchi’s heartwarming Before the Coffee Gets Cold series sees more customer’s stories from the mystic café. What would you do if you were given the chance to go back in time? Well, at the Cafe Funiculi Funicula you can, but the condition is you must return before your coffee goes cold or risk becoming a ghost of the café for eternity. Readers are introduced to a new set of visitors including, the husband with something important left to say, the woman who couldn’t answer a proposal, and the daughter who drove her father away…

An Italian heist series with a comedic twist inspired by the 2003 Antwerp Diamond Heist, dubbed the world's largest theft of diamonds by media around the world. The eight-part series will follow a team of small-time Italian thieves, led by Leonardo Notarbartolo (Kim Rossi Stuart), who manage to deceive top-level security with a genius mastermind plan to steal millions of dollars’ worth of precious stones from the Antwerp Diamond Centre.

Choose Love | Interactive Film | Netflix

August 31st

Cami Conway (Laura Marano) has it all until she comes face to face with a kaleidoscope of tempting but tough choices. What she chooses depends wholly on you, the viewer. But be careful! Things don’t always play out like you think! She’s got the job she wants and is headed towards engagement, marriage and kids with her wonderful boyfriend, Paul (Scott Michael Foster). And yet. She feels something is missing. Is it just FOMO and the fear of commitment that goes with it? Or is she actually missing out on an even better career, perhaps the long abandoned singing career she once dreamed of? And is Paul the love of her life? What if it’s Rex Galier (Avan Jogia), the sexy British rock star, who walks into her studio? Or could it be Jack Menna (Jordi Webber), her first love, the one that got away?

McCartney: A Life in Lyrics |Podcast iHeart Podcasts | 20th September

A must-listen podcast for Beatles lovers, A Life in Lyrics is a combined masterclass, memoir, and improvised journey from Paul McCartney. Each episode centres around a song from McCartney’s iconic repertoire, from the beginnings of The Beatles to his solo works. Giving listeners a fly on the wall experience, the podcast also contains conversations between McCartney and Paul Muldoon in which they examine the people, experiences, and art which inspired McCartney’s globally renowned songs.

PHOTO: RAPH_PH

Rabbi Greg Bank of Yeshurun Cheadle and Gatley Synagogue offers a lesson from Barbie for Rosh Hashanah.

It is worth noticing the responses of men to the question of whether they have seen the new Barbie film. Some answer with an emphatic no and gag at the thought. Others insist they were dragged along to the cinema and some men actual secretly admit to enjoying it. I am not a film critic, so it is not my place to comment but I will say that the opening scene is significant.

The new Hollywood hit opens with Ruth Handler’s idea to create a new type of doll in the late 1950s. After watching her daughter play, Handler made an interesting observation. When it comes to dolls, you don’t have to pick on someone your own size. Until Barbie, kids were used to interacting with dolls that were like them – childlike figures that had the simple aspirations of small kids. A baby doll gets its bottle, it is pushed in its pram, fed some pretend food, and then made snug in its cot.

Barbie dictated that when it comes to play you don’t have to pick on someone your own size because Barbie’s success was in the fact that she was a grown up. She had a life with aspirations, a living to make and world to affect. Children were mesmerised with Barbie and all her accessories. She was a figure that interacted with the adult world.

Ruth Handler’s creation was profound. It stated that even if you are small you don’t have to dream small. In the imaginative state

UJIA Shaliach, Sahar Sazgar discusses Shlichut, fostering a love of Israel

of pay, you can think forward and dream. A playing child does not mirror him or herself. They should insist on using their creative drive to think of what big people do and in doing so, strive for greatness themselves.

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

(Devarim 7:7)

As a Shaliach

shaped my growing up

Enter the synagogue this Yom Tov with a Ruth Handler mindset. The Jewish founder of Barbie tells us that we can aspire to spiritual heights. We need not make ourselves feel meek in reflecting on our flaws. Too often, our response to our shortfalls is to feel small and interact with ourselves in disdain or disgrace. That is not a healthy repentance model. We want to change our ways because we are great, and we can look at achieving even greater things. Hashem has confidence in us and that is why he gave us the High Holidays. He wants us to build even better versions of our already grand selves.

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

Are Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur days of dread? No. True, there should be an inner tension as we may not be where we want to be. The antidote to this is to map out our goals of greatness and not to retreat in an image of failed identity.

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

Rosh Hashanah marks the anniversary of creation of mankind. God created us and He wants us here! Don’t pick on someone your own size; pick on the you that is one or two sizes bigger because that is where is best version of yourself lies.

Yeshurun.org.uk

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

Still, the challenge remains: educate young people who to love Israel and have these towards the Jewish state? Some unconditional love is achieved accept the occasional negativities. I have the privilege to educate Jewish generation to love Israel. explaining the facts. The fact perfect country, it’s young learning. At the same time, accomplished so many achievements last 71 years, a fact that shouldn’t granted.