Jewish community manifesto launched for Manchester

The Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) and Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester have released a manifesto containing 20 pledges on issues such as schools, security and housing, ahead of a husting event for the city’s mayoral election.

The Jewish Community Manifesto for Greater Manchester highlighted why the city continues to be an attractive place to live for around 30,000 members of the community.

But it adds they are “not immune from the difficulties and challenges being faced by other minority groups.”

Amongst the manifesto pledges is a call to provide more Jewish school places, to continue funding for youth organisations, and due to the increase security threats to the community to ensure combating hate crime remains a priority.

The manifesto also calls for the IHRA definition of antisemitism to be upheld, and a call to engage in and foster good inter-community relations.

It was released ahead of a joint JLC-The Fed-Jewish-Representative Council of Greater Manchester hustings taking place on Thursday evening at 7pm and streamed live over social media.

The hustings saw incumbent Andy Burnham of the Labour Party go head-to-head against the Conservative candidate Laura Evans, Liberal Democrat Simon Lepori and Green Party candidate Melanie Horrocks.

It is chaired by Mark Adlestone OBE DL who leads the Jewish Strategic Group for the city.

Commenting in the Manifesto foreword, Mark Adlestone OBE DL, Rep Council Chair Russell Conn and JLC North West Regional Manager Marc Levy said:

“The current climate makes strong relationships between the community and elected politicians crucial.

“It is hoped that the key tasks highlighted in this manifesto will become the foundation of the work to be undertaken following this election. Furthermore, we commit to working alongside all communities to deliver a safe, cohesive, inclusive and shared Greater Manchester that everyone can enjoy.”