Community news roundup: 14th-20th March

This week’s community news roundup. Got a story to share? Email your news and photos to community@thejngroup.com

All aboard the Purim bus!

Nearly 500 people attended Camp Simcha’s Purim rally in Golders Green to enjoy the hospitality of the party bus, complete with ballpool and slides as well as jugglers, balloon modelling and a stilt walker. People dressed in an array of colourful costumes, including Superman, Batman, pirates and princesses to show their support for the charity, which supports families with seriously ill children.

News in Brief:

• Eastern Education

A  Shabbaton dinner was attended by more than 60
congregants at the Highams Park & Chingford synagogue. Conducted by Rabbi Avraham Kahan, guest speaker Jeffrey Leader offered insight into his life and experience in Jewish
education.

•     Shul’s peer review

Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue hosted ‘An Evening with the Lords and Ladies’ in aid of the Synagogue Hardship fund. The panel comprised Baroness Ruth Deech, Baroness Helene Hayman, Lord Daniel Finkelstein and Lord David Pannick, while The ‘Question Time’ style event was chaired by Clive Coleman, legal correspondent and radio and television broadcaster and writer. More than 250 attended the event, which raised approximately £3,000.

• From Megillah to Matilda!

Sinai Primary school celebrated Purim by holding a Sinai’s Got Talent competition – mirroring the format of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent. There were more than 40 acts on display, which was won by Molly Freedman, who
performed a scene from Matilda. Leanna Miller, together with Jack Davies Black and Aaron Freedman, won prizes as runners-up.

• School’s new vision

A permanent site has been confirmed for Alma Primary, a new Jewish state primary school that opened in September 2013. From September 2015, the school will be located on the site of a former police station on the
corner of High Road and Friern Barnet Lane in Whetstone. Headteacher Marc Shoffren said: “This is a site where I am confident we can deliver Alma’s unique educational vision. The site means we can continue to deliver our philosophy of nurturing each child through small group and individual work, as well as the creative and outdoor aspects of our curriculum.”

• Sabrina’s poetic gift

Immanuel College schoolgirl Sabrina Miller performed her own poetry at Jewish Book Week, before being hailed as a “new poet being born” by BBC Radio producer Patrick Kavanagh. Sabrina, nine, has already won the Bobby Fisch Memorial Essay Prize at Immanuel College, writing an imaginary Shabbat dinner conversation between great Jews from history. Headteacher Charles Dormer said: “Sabrina has the gift to imagine, create and give expression to poetry through words, dance and drama, among her many abilities. She’s a great asset to our school and community.

• Norwood heroes hear the Megillah
  Norwood’s Purim celebration

More than 200 young people and adults from across Norwood celebrated Purim at the Jewish Community Secondary School (JCoSS). At Ravenswood, Norwood’s home for adults with learning disabilities, more than 100 people donned fancy dress as they heard a Megillah reading in the synagogue. Norwood’s Rabbi Stanley Coton said: “Purim is a wonderful opportunity for those with learning disabilities to come together and take part in the chag.”