Community news round-up: 9-16 April

A visit to Cardiff, Elvis impersonations, a £50k fundraising dinner and a reception with the Chief Rabbi: this week’s community news round-up. 

Thirty one members of Edgware Reform Synagogue went on a fact-finding community weekend away to Cardiff. Enjoying a guided tour around the city, they also visited Cardiff Reform Synagogue (pictured) where they had an informative talk about the history of Jews in the capital and the south Wales communities. Their trip included a visit to Caerphilly and its ‘castle’.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis was guest of honour at a reception held at the home of Jeffrey and Nicola Rubinoff, whose daughter Evie attends Kisharon’s Tuffkid Nursery. The evening was arranged for key supporters of Kisharon’s gala dinner in July, which the Rubinoffs will be dinner chairs. The Chief Rabbi said: “Kisharon is a wonderful organisation.” Guests also heard from Kisharon chief executive, Dr Beverley Jacobson, who outlined the organisation’s achievements in providing services for children and adults, while Kisharon chairman Philip Goldberg closed the proceedings, thanking the Chief Rabbi “for his time and his passion for Kisharon”.

Elvis Shmelvis, the only Jewish Elvis tribute artiste in the UK, made an appearance at Pinner Synagogue, where he entertained the maturians, the active over 60s group and their guests. The successful evening resulted in a donation of £1,000 towards synagogue funds, which was presented by maturian chairman Stan Conway to shul chairman Howard Freeman.

JCORE held its biennial fundraising dinner in central London, raising more than £50,000. Journalist Jonathan Freedland, a winner of the 2014 Orwell Prize, addressed more than 100 guests, telling them: “When we [the Jewish community] speak about racism, people listen. And with that power comes a Jewish responsibility to speak out against all forms of racism”. JCORE executive director, Dr Edie Friedman, said: “When JCORE was established [39 years ago], it was to remind ourselves that social justice must be at the heart of our Jewish identity. Today, this principle is much more widely recognised.” The money will enable JCORE to reach out to more communities in the UK, Jewish and non-Jewish, and provide funding for the charity’s existing projects.

Norwood received funding from the Big Lottery’s Awards for All to deliver 16 specialist recreational sessions in the summer holidays for children aged five to 11 with learning disabilities, sensory impairments and complex health needs. The charity’s Elaine Kerr, said: “The funding will enable us to give these children the chance to experience something new, have fun, socialise, and develop in a meaningful, life-enriching way.”