JLife Manchester January-February 2024 by nutsforprint1

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JAN / FEB 24

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

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Health & Wellbeing New Year Resolutions

PLUS Israel’s Heroes Education Essentials Love is in the Air T S E

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CONTENTS: JAN / FEB 2024

IN THISISSUE YOURREGULARFEATURES Education Essentials

A look at how extracurriculars can help young people develop and check in with the latest news from local schools. Starts page 15.

Health & Wellbeing

Meet your New Year’s resolutions with a look at food addiction, get fit at home, and explore the benefits of meditation on a busy mind. Starts page 26.

Valentine’s Day

Spoil your someone special with our top date destinations. Page 63. And the winner is… Amanda Lange won a bundle of goodies from the Groovy Food Company. Congrats to Simone Pressman who won hyperbaric oxygen therapy session and an infrared sauna treatment from Your Health Bank.

JLife Meets…

Co-Chair of North West Friends of Israel, Raphi Bloom, discusses how the organisation is advocating for Israel. Page 6. Founder of interactive theatre company Riptide, Alex Palmer, tells us about an interactive WhatsApp performance. Page 24. Brian Teeman, Founder of Joomla, explores the uses AI could have for Judaism. Page 58.

Community

Check out the latest news, events, and simchas across the community. Starts page 9.

Three Months On

We catch up with Rob, who is currently in Israel and has two children serving in the IDF, and Zoe tells us why she’s marching in support. Page 12.

Puzzle It Over

Its World Puzzle Day on 29th January, so we’ve put together some brainteasers for you to mull over. Page 20.

Fashion

We explore how runway fashion influences the high street and keep you warm with some outerwear recommendations. Page 22.

Competition

Win a £200 voucher to spend on treatments at Dr.S Clinic and The Nail Lounge. Page 30.

PUBLISHER'SNOTE

We continue to pray for those in war, for peace, and for safety of civilians and more hostages to be freed, while hearing emotional stories from our community as they come to terms with the ongoing situation. We also commemorate International Holocaust Memorial Day this month. Lifting spirits is our aim and getting you off to a healthy start to the year and challenging you to maintain your resolutions. Simchas are wonderful,

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and we are packed with many. Mazeltovs to Lesters Nurseryworld on its 40th anniversary and to Yeshurun Shul celebrating 60 years! Love is in the air this Valentine’s Day, and we travel around Europe for some mini breaks with a twist. In business we caught up with Brian Teeman, Co-Founder of Joomla, about AI in Judaism. Plus you can win beauty treatments at the new DR.S Clinic and The Nail Lounge in Prestwich. Am Yisroel Chai, everyone should be safe and well.

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January / February 2024

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).

Copyright JLife Manchester. Any reproduction of content whole or part strictly forbidden without written consent by the editor. JLife Manchester is a commercial publication and is not the official voice of the Jewish community. Editorial policies & magazine layouts are purely at the publisher’s discretion & no debate will be entered in to.

Beauty

Help the planet with some sustainable makeup tips. Page 31.

Travel

Get away for the weekend with our mini-break itineraries for Europe’s most interesting cities. Page 36.

New Openings

The latest hot spots in town to check out. Page 62.

The Appliance of Science

In honour of World Science Fiction Day on 2nd January we explore the Jewish authors past and present who have made an impact on the genre. Page 65.

PUBLISHER Elliot Landy

GRAPHIC DESIGN Richard Shawcross

FEATURES EDITOR Emily Stone

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Katerina Hough

DIGITAL MARKETING Tracey Cleminson

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kate Swerdlow: Kateswerdlowphotography.com Lawrence Purcell Photography Rob Clayton: Robclaytonphotography.co.uk Simon Marcus: Addictive.media Tanya Duman: Tanya Duman Photography Ruthless Images Jorge Franganillo David Dixon Leon V010

CONTRIBUTORS

Contributors Alex Palmer Alexander Knight & Co Amanda Dee Brian Teeman Elaine Bermitz Handelsbanken Harold Soloman Jen and David

Unwin Judith Stone Marc Levy & Mark Adelstone Or Ribon Rabbi Greg Bank Raphi Bloom Richard Stone MGS Zoe Ornstein & Rob

PUBLISHED BY: JLIFE LTD. UNIT 7, GEMINI PARK, SHEEPSCAR WAY, LEEDS LS7 3JB. TEL: 0845 052 2911 FAX: 0845 052 2912 EMAIL: JLIFE@NUTSFORPRINT.CO.UK WEBSITE: WWW.JLIFEMAGAZINE.CO.UK Printing PNG Print Management

ISRAEL

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL

Raphi Bloom, Co-Chair of North West Friends of Israel, discusses what the organisation does and how it has stepped up since the Simchat Torah attacks.

on an on-going basis depending on their own availability and what we’re doing. We are the largest pro-Israel grassroots organisation in the North West. We operate on three pillars, which is to advocate positively for Israel, to combat antisemitism, and to fight BDS. In 2014 and 2018 we also organised two national ‘Say No To Antisemitism’ rallies in Manchester.” After a period of calm while tensions between Israel and Hamas eased, the attacks on 7th October have led to a resurgence of activity for NWFOI: “Since 2014, the battle to delegitimise Israel and the battle to counter that, moved very much online. When 7th October happened, what we did online went into a much higher gear, whether that was working intensively with other UK and international advocacy groups and activists with whom we have close relationships to take on the media and amplify Israel’s case and message along with sharing information within our closed Facebook group so people have the tools they need to advocate, sharing information on our public Facebook page about events and how Israel was responding, and asking people to get involved in online campaigns. Just last week through an online campaign we made Etsy backtrack and reinstate the account of Manchester girl who was trying to raise money for Israeli victims of terror. We also updated and reshared an Advocacy Toolkit booklet I wrote which helps people of all ages answer the ten accusations often thrown at Israel. And we also organised a communal vigil a week after the attack in the centre of Manchester, which attracted 700 people to it. Since the initial vigil, we’ve organised a further three vigils, where we engaged with passersby and handed out leaflets to raise awareness about the hostages. We are proud of the fact that of all North West based pro-Israel organisations our history, track record and following means we can galvanise the community in the most dynamic and significant way. I am also contacted directly all the time by people asking how to respond to issues at work or

Stepping Up

While many of our readers will know Raphi Bloom as Director of Fundraising over at the Fed, that certainly isn’t the only community role he enjoys, as he’s also a member of the Management Board for the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester. But that’s not all! Raphi is also the Co-Chair of another organisation, founded to advocate for Israel, and that’s been keeping him busy since the atrocities of 7th October. North West Friends of Israel (NWFOI) was established by Raphi and several other individuals back in 2014, to oppose the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which was targeting a Jewish business in Manchester at the time: “We were formed during the conflict between Israel and Hamas then, Operation Protective Edge. As a result of the war, the pro-Palestinian BDS movement decided to target a shop in the heart of Manchester city centre called Kedem. It was Jewish-owned and was selling Dead Sea products. The BDS movement decided to target the shop by demonstrating outside of it, intimidating customers, intimidating the staff and owners, and effectively trying to shut down the shop. “At the time, a number of us felt the established organisations of the Jewish community weren’t quick enough to act to protect the shop and to advocate for Israel. So we set up North West friends of Israel, and galvanised the Jewish community to come down to the shop on a daily basis and to counter demonstrate against the BDS protesters to protect the shop and advocate publicly for Israel.” Counter-protesting isn’t the only activity which NWFOI took to protect Kedem. The organisation also engaged with the local authority and Greater Manchester Police, working very closely on an ongoing basis with them, to have the protesters removed under Section 14 of the Public Order Act, an endeavour which succeeded six weeks after they began protesting. NWFOI’s membership has drastically increased since its initial single figure membership: “We have about 3,000 members who support us

online that relate to the delegitimisation of Israel or antisemitism.” Readers may have even caught Raphi recently speaking on BBC Radio Manchester and BBC Radio 5 Live: “I’ve done a lot of TV and radio work over the past eight or nine weeks, explaining Israel’s case and advocating for Israel, both nationally and in the North West. I’m always happy to appear in any forum. It doesn’t scare me personally, to appear and debate and advocate on Israel’s behalf.”

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January / February 2024

MUST SEE THE ELAINE PAGE

JLife’s Elaine Bermitz provides a rundown of some of the best films from the UK Jewish Film Festival, available to watch online now. Unable to get to the UK Jewish Film Festival in-person this year, and not without regret, I reverted to my COVID strategy, which was to buy an online pass to the festival. This gave access the films selected to be shown from 20th – 27th November, via the Eventive app for a flat fee of £45, including all 38 short films, which ranged from three to 16 minutes in length.

I bought a package during lockdown and decided to retain the membership, which has the added advantage of giving 20% off both the pass and any additional films I chose to book. This provided me with a wide choice to dip in and out of, watching several shorts at a time or a longer film at a time of my choice – once you open a film, you have 72 hours to finish watching it – a flexible way of absorbing more films than I would had I gone in-person. The opening gala film “One Life”, detailed the life of Nicholas Winton. The film is already included in independent UK film listings and retells the story well documented by his daughter Barbara and further televised by Esther Rantzen. With Anthony Hopkins as Winton and Helena Bonham Carter as his mother, this retelling of their heroic and altruistic actions can only enhance the story for a younger audience. The Animation Gala film this year, ‘My Father’s Secrets’, was by Michel Kichka – a version of his father Henri Kichka’s drawn revelation of his suffering in Auschwitz. Unable to express his grief in words Henri’s story was only unlocked by the Eichmann trial in 1961. Voiced by David Baddiel, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Miriam Margolyes, and Elliott Gould, this graphic film showed the older man’s way of using drawing to convey deep emotions caused by his experiences and how his talents resulted in an example for his son to follow.

the greed of property development through the story of Margalit, whose efforts to protect those who have no one else is a thought provoking piece of social commentary. Sasson Gabai, the Israeli actor best known for his comic roles (including that of Akiva's irascible Uncle Nuchem in the series Shtisel) plays a more sensitive role in the closing night gala. The character reacts to the way his daughter's marital crisis mirrors that of his own past infidelities. How much of her current behaviour is due to her insecurities is open to interpretation. Dana Ivgy, a well-established Israeli TV and film actress, stars in movies in both the docudrama and exclusively online sections. In Savoy, she eloquently embodies the fate of Kohava Levi, a woman who, as a Yemenite and therefore second class Israeli, while meeting her lover, is caught up in an attack by Palestinian terrorists. Using all her ingenuity and instinctive heroism she tries to save her lover, bind the wounds of victims, negotiating with both sides to save as many lives as possible. However, when an inquiry into events seeks to apportion blame, the courts simply assume her guilt, because of her Palestinian origins and adulterous affair, leaving her reputation permanently ruined. And in the exclusively online The Other Widow, she plays a young wardrobe mistress obsessed with the director of a theatre company. He becomes her lover and when he dies, her only means of coming to terms with her grief is to compulsively attend his shiva. A very dark comic study mines the contrast between fiction and reality though idealised and real love, family, and work. Director Ma’ayan Rypp invites us to explore their tensions by allowing us to witness their own deepening relationship. Both Dana Ivgy and Ania Bukstein’s performances are electrifying. Catch these films and more at Ukjewishfilm.org

“Matchmaking” shows hilarious attempts by an Ashkenazi Yeshiva bochur to follow his heart and marry his sister’s friend – against his family’s wishes that he accepts a shidduch with an rich American – makes a heartwarming point about family manipulation. A happy tale with a cautionary message, while “Children of Nobody” sets the value of human compassion against

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IN THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY

BEING KIND

November was a month of kindness at The Fed’s care home Heathlands Village with events spreading the message of doing good deeds to improve the lives of others.

As part of November 2023’s Economic and Social Research Council’s (ESRC) Festival of Social Science, The Fed organised a Festival of Kindness at its care home for older people at Heathlands Village, with Dr Eve Blezard. The festival took the form of an intergenerational day on November 8, when residents were joined by the charity’s Mums ‘n’ Tots group in the morning, and in the afternoon by pupils from Butterstile Primary school. Behind the shared games, songs, laughter, and plentiful carbs there was a serious purpose which is key to Dr Blezard’s area of study as she explained: “Every year the university takes part in the UK-wide Festival of Social Science which gets the academic world to help people understand what social science is and how it is applied. “One of this year’s themes was ‘Lifelong Wellbeing’little and I saw an opportunity for a piece of work at Heathlands Village. “My research interests are in how people connect to each other and where they live and the importance of healthy, vibrant communities and to me Heathlands Village and the community around it really embodies this. So, it was an ideal place to host a Festival of Social Science event to celebrate community spirit and help build intergenerational connections. “The highlight of the day for me was stepping back and watching the children and the residents enjoying each other’s company,” Dr Blezard added. The Festival of Kindness was followed by Mitzvah Day, on 19th November, when Heathlands Village teamed up with the charity of the same name and PJ Library, the Jewish children’s book programme to create opportunities for story-sharing and brightening someone’s day. The care home opened its doors for a story-time session in its activity centre when young visitors – both from the community including The Fed’s Project Smile Play & Learn group – stopped by to read a story with residents – learning that as well as looking after older generations, we have a lot to learn from them too.

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See more photos on pages 25, 34, 46 and 54

PHOTOS

ALL PHOTOS: ROB CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPHY

BIANCA MARKS AND LEON SARAGOUSSI RECENTLY TIED THE KNOT!

THEY HAD A BEAUTIFUL CEREMONY AT THE MIDLAND HOTEL. KODY KELLER RECENTLY CELEBRATED HIS BAR MITZVAH.

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January / February 2024

HE WAS JOINED BY FAMILY ON HIS SPECIAL DAY.

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ISRAEL

Marching On Zoe Ornstein offers her thoughts on challenges as an Anglo Jew and why she joined the 100,000 plus gathering in London to march in support of Israel. Growing up in London in the 90s, my dad always raised me with the mantra that if you wanted to get along with everyone in polite society, the topics to avoid were religion and politics. It wasn’t from a shame perspective, far from it, but from a “don’t look for trouble” perspective. That option was easy at a multifaith school where we all made friends at eleven, but at university I discovered it to be much harder. It felt like concealing something – the tricky inner question of when exactly to confess my Jewish identity to new friends. There were the occasionally awkward, unexpected conversations – the father of a friend who asked me to justify Israel’s position on the territories at her 21st birthday party. Then later in my twenties, there was the elderly German neighbour who took in a package one day while I was at work, and when I collected it she observed: “Hmm, Ornstein. What kind of name is that? Sounds like a medieval peasant name?” There was the uncomfortable morning a colleague greeted me as I walked into the office with “I see the Israeli army have been pulling down Palestinian houses again.” But the reality remains that being Jewish in modern Britain – or indeed anywhere outside of Israel – has become much harder. I am fifth generation British, my children sixth. I have a full family tree here with roots in Scotland and Bristol. I have sent three children to nonJewish schools and have mixed half and half in Jewish and non-Jewish friendship circles all my adult life. I received many messages of love, support, and friendship in the aftermath of 7th October, going back to my university days and up to mum friendships made at school gates. The shape-shifting nature of antisemitism of “It’s not antisemitic to be against the Israeli government” here (as elsewhere) has been clear for all those willing to see it since the Corbyn years, but the majority of non-Jews I know didn’t vote for him he made Labour unelectable: bad for the economy, weak, not a statesman for the international stage and tainted by bad associations. Likewise, my nonJewish friends gave me words of support after 7th October because they wanted me to feel their essential humanity and decency, to let me know that what happened was utterly appalling and devastating in their eyes, too. I went to

the first vigils because I wanted the hostages home and I wanted the Qataris to leverage their influence, not because I was worried that trouble in the Middle East would affect me or my kids. I didn’t feel afraid or take down my mezuzah, or tell my kids not to get involved in difficult conversations (unless there was an obvious danger involved): I wanted them to speak up and have the difficult conversations, and to feel Jewish pride and own their identities, however hard that might be. But now, as the weeks wear on and as the war in Gaza has unfolded, it has been impossible to see those terrible scenes of human catastrophe without deep compassion and heartache, too. And I march now for a different reason. I want those fair-minded, intellectually strong, good people here to understand what they are seeing through my eyes: a horrible war with a terrible human cost brought about as a result of a brilliantly strategic publicity campaign masterminded over 20-plus years in creating a revisionist history that is underpinned by Jew hatred: a propaganda war of “alternative facts” which has fused militant Islamist jihadi theory with 1970s Communist dogma.

The reframing of the historical narrative, of seeing the emergence of Hamas as a legitimate resistance movement, of ripping down posters of missing Jewish babies or children in Israel in the belief that the public seeing their faces somehow negates the heartache of innocent children suffering and dying in Gaza. Maybe that’s why I feel obliged to march now: for a less vitriolic, less hateful, more emotionally mature society. Those organisations marching with us in solidarity have recognized that what they saw on 7th October was a pure hate crime, designed to inflict maximum atrocity. Some of us marched to counter the simplistic, misguided, wishful narrative that the fault lies with Israel’s current government or that

this will not have happened had there been a two-state solution. That 7th October and the conflict since wasn’t ever about Palestine and Israel, or the type of viable land share that I’ve grown up discussing since I was 12 years old. They marched because Jewish life has value: and none would wish that upon their British daughters, or anyone else’s, anywhere – and because children don’t deserve to be taken from their beds and kidnapped. I march because there is no justification, no contextualization, no whataboutery on this planet that will facilitate resolution to any political conflict without a basic understanding that training for, practicing, and then committing those hate crimes came from an ideology of naked hatred towards the Jewish people. And I march because I believe terrorism has to be defeated: because I believe that deradicalization is at the heart of the problem. We cannot have another generation of children being brought up in Israel/ Palestine or anywhere else on this earth to believe that jihadism and martyrdom are values to die for. I march because I want the foundation of what made this country home to my ancestors to remain tolerant, fair and enlightened: tea drinking, weather obsessed and decent, regardless of a changing demographic of who lives here. There is a place for us all, and good lives to be had, if we subscribe to values of tolerance and respect. I march as much to express my Jewishness as my Britishness and to reassert the deep and abiding gratitude I have for my life in the UK – an imperfect but free, democratic society which grants inclusion to all its citizens with laws that do not allow for incitement of hatred. I march because keeping my bloody head down and not marching isn’t an option any longer, because I want to see an end to these ideologically extremist, racist, misogynistic, politics of division that afflict many regions of the world – with their attendant lies and the resultant human cruelties and failings they engender – and a return to politics of moderation, or else an alternative: a new era of modern politics which grants lives of peace, prosperity, hope. That would be a march worth attending.

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Wrapping Fun for Camp Simcha Group Twenty-five girls from Camp Simcha’s Bat Mitzvah programme volunteered their time to wrap and pack gifts for seriously ill children the charity supports. The toys were collected as part of a Manchester community toy drive with MCT and Gift charities for children in need this Chanukah. Camp Simcha Community Relationship Manager, Michal Black, said the girls made light work of the task, commenting : “As the first volunteering opportunity of the programme, it was a lovely event. They also made beautiful Chanukah cards for each family that Camp Simcha supports. They are a great bunch of girls, super enthusiastic and were pleased to be there.” The Bat Mitzvah programme offers two different group opportunities to volunteer and a sponsored walk in the girls’ bat mitzvah year. Since the launch of the programme, more girls have signed up to enhance their milestone year. To find out more email Michal@ campsimcha.org.uk

Challenges of Old Age with The Fed This year’s BBM'rs – Fed Bar-Bat Mitzvah programme participants – have been finding out how it may feel to be elderly and living with physical and sensory difficulties or dementia – and though they had a lot of fun there was plenty of frustration, fear, anxiety, and irritation! Programme leader, Natasha Harries, organised games, and activities which gave the 12- and 13-year-old participants a chance to actually experience the challenges of ageing. These included: a very frustrating blank jigsaw puzzle race which highlighted how people may struggle to carry out a seemingly simple task; Read My Lips – a game demonstrating how tough it is to live with hearing loss; blindfolded guided walk and wheelchair ride – illustrating how older people have to put their trust in the people who help them; kaleidogolf – playing while wearing kaleidoscope glasses to illustrate how difficult life becomes when you have sight loss; Operation – the classic kids’ game which tests hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills but wearing gardening gloves – to highlight the challenges due to loss of dexterity as we age. Natasha was helped by volunteer coordinator colleagues Lydia Lewis and Debra Foster and a team of volunteers. The sessions made a great impact on the youngsters who later reflected on their experience in their programme journals: one wrote that the session made them “feel truly sad for them”, and another said that the session meant that in the future it would “make me want to make life happier and

better for people living with dementia”. The programme runs until the end of the school year when a graduation celebration will be held.

Dr Toby Simpson, Director of The Wiener Holocaust Library also addressed the audience along with My Voice Project Manager, Juliette Pearce, and Raphi Bloom, The Fed's Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications Raphi observed how fitting it was that the books, encompassing the whole life stories of the storytellers: “Who settled in Greater Manchester and the North West, and contributed hugely to making Manchester the great city it is, now have a permanent home in our city's most prestigious library.”

Boxing Clever

Chair of JRC Urges United Front

Maccabi recently hosted a white-collar boxing event at Vermillion raising vital funds for MDA UK while entertaining and lifting people’s spirits in a difficult time. The boxers began their training in July this year and put their blood, sweat, and tears into the project. Those taking part included Alyx Glazer, Oli Kersh, Marc Balaban, Jamie McManus, Daniel Brecker, Yoni Levy, Sam Cohen, Matt Jacobs, Matt Ralph, and Simon Lachs.

Mark Adelstone, Chair of theJewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester & Region spoke to JLife on the ongoing war in Israel and its effect on the community, and urged for a resilient outlook. He said: “We are naturally concerned by the rise in hate crime targeting our community. However, we remain united, strong, and resolute as we continue to live as proud British Jews. “We are fortunate to be part of a society which deeply cares for our community, and I would like to thank our elected representatives and Greater Manchester Police for all they do to keep us safe. “The situation in Israel and Gaza is painful and we mourn the loss of all innocent lives. We must remain resolute in our determination to stand up for the State of Israel during these challenging times and we will continue to do so without fear."

Kristallnacht Anniversary Presentation The 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht was poignantly marked by an emotional event hosted by the Manchester University John Rylands Research Institute and Library when The Fed’s My Voice project presented the My Voice Book Collection to the library. Guests, who included nine My Voice Storyteller Survivors, were welcomed by Library Director, Professor Chris Pressler, who expressed the sense of privilege felt by him and his team in accepting the collection. Three My Voice Storytellers – Ike Alterman BEM, Marianne Phillips, and Anne Super – read powerful and deeply moving extracts from their books.

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EVENTS

IT’S ALL HAPPENING! From great shows to interactive workshops, Manchester has some amazing events coming up over the next few months.

Foodie Group: Inherited Recipes | Manchester Jewish Museum | 12th January

Madagascar the Musical | Manchester Opera House 8th to 11th February

Manchester Jewish Museum is inviting you to a special edition of its Foodie Group where you can share recipes passed down through your family and find new ones in return. To mark the museum’s 150th anniversary of its synagogue it will be creating a time capsule for which it wishes to include a recipe book. So, pass down your recipes now and make history for centuries to come. Manchesterjewishmuseum.com

Fun for all the family as this beloved Dreamworks animation hits the stage. Join Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe, and Gloria the hippo as they escape from New York’s Central Park Zoo to find themselves wild and free on King Julien’s Madagascar. Showcasing excellent costumes, music which will have you up and dancing, and bizarre comedy this show is unmissable. Atgtickets.com

PHOTO: JORGE FRANGANILLO

PHOTO: DAVID DIXON

Magic at the Midland | The Midland | 13th / 27th January / 18th February Just because all the occasions are over in the dawn of the new year doesn’t mean there’s no magic left! One of the UKs top magicians, Steve Price, is here to give you an evening of wonder and delight as you marvel at how he does the impossible, turning ordinary objects into extraordinary memories. Keep your eyes on the stage because you won’t want to miss a thing! Eventbrite.co.uk

Chinese New Year in Manchester | City Centre 10th and 11th February Join the celebrations in Manchester this Chinese New Year with several events to welcome the year of the Dragon including the famous red lanterns, live performances, stalls, funfair, and the spectacular return of the city’s legendary Dragon Parade. Visitmanchester.com PHOTO: LEONV010

Pasta Masterclass with Salvatore | Deansgate Square 27th January / 16th February You can achieve your new year’s resolution to learn a new skill in one evening with this delicious and decadent masterclass. Homemade pasta is unlike any pasta you can make at home from a packet, especially when you have Chef Salvatore guiding the way. Over the evening you will make three incredible pasta dishes which you can eat in the dining room at the end of the night. Dishes you can make include tagliatelle with a seasonal pesto dressing, crab and smoked haddock ravioli with wild garlic and samphire, or quadretti with puttanesca dressing, anchovies, rocket, and pecorino. Visitmanchester.com

January / February 2024

Manchester Open Exhibition 2024 | HOME 3rd February to 28th April Taking place once every two years, Manchester Open Exhibition has returned to Manchester HOME celebrating the areas artists far and wide. The HOME gallery walls will be covered in artwork created by you and selected by a panel of art experts and community representatives. See artwork from people who identify as artists, and people who don’t, in this true representation of our local talent and community. Homemcr.org

EDUCATION ESSENTIALS

Beyond the Classroom The Manchester Grammar School shares how co-curricular activities help students to develop outside the classroom.

Education is not confined to the four walls of a classroom; it extends far beyond textbooks and exams. Extracurricular, or co-curricular, activities play a pivotal role in shaping a child's overall development, offering a myriad of benefits that go beyond academic achievements. From improving social skills to fostering a sense of teamwork and discipline, participating in extracurriculars contributes significantly to a child's holistic growth. There are over 100 clubs and activities available to pupils at The Manchester Grammar School, and pupils also have the opportunity to start their own. Across the school, there are over 70 regular clubs and society activities, over and above those connected with Music, Sport, Outdoor Pursuits and Volunteering, mainly taking place at lunchtime and after school. It is a

joy to watch pupils duelling at chess while eating their sandwich lunches or challenging each other’s vocabulary during Latin Scrabble Club! Allowing students to organise their own activities is an excellent way to engage then in their own development. Pupils often organise new activities, for example, the new Year 7 Engineers are currently dreaming of launching a rocket. For our older Senior School pupils, MUN is very popular and busy as pupil prepare for conferences taking place at MGS and other local schools in the area, while clubs such as Pi Shop (Mathematics), Doc Soc and Eng. Soc, which are all led by pupils, flourish. Activities Week is also a long-standing tradition at The Manchester Grammar School, allowing children to develop outside the classroom. For one week in the summer term, all teaching stops and every pupil in the school elects to do a week-long activity. Typically, around 450 pupils go on residential trips, which include visits to: Bassenthwaite Camp (watersports activities); Borrowdale Camp (walking activities); Grasmere Camp (mountaineering activities) and Wye Camp (multi-activity). There is a range of other opportunities for

pupils to be active and adventurous beyond their daily life at the school, encouraging students to try new activities and experiences. Every Saturday during term time, there are free Mountain Activity Days (MAD days) which regularly take pupils to the Lake District and Snowdonia National Park, plus a wide range of education trips, in the UK and overseas as well as three annual treks – Scottish, Foreign and Desert – which offer pupils the chance to learn more about their subjects and themselves. Life beyond the classroom is one of the special things about The Manchester Grammar School, and it is a key part of what we are about. The vast and diverse programme of co-curricular activities enables all boys to explore and develop new interests: it offers them opportunities to challenge themselves, develop teamwork and leadership skills, make friends and have fun. For many MGS boys, what they experience beyond the classroom is as important and life-enhancing as what they learn in it.

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Checking In

SCHOOL NEWS

We find out the latest education news from the area. Inspire 321 Provides Bespoke Special Needs Services

Inspire 321 is a leading provider of bespoke Special Educational Needs (SEN) services within and outside of the Jewish community, dedicated to transforming the educational landscape for vulnerable and at-risk students. Specialising in school improvement, parent advocacy, and 1-1 therapeutic support, our team collaborates with parents and carers, education providers, local authorities, and children's services to enhance SEND policy, provision and practices. We passionately engage with parents and carers, guiding them on their SEN journey with their child. Our therapeutic intervention and coaching has empowered several young people to thrive in mainstream schools and beyond. Over the past year, we've successfully transformed the SEN provision and practice of multiple schools and have delivered impactful workshops to over 100 families and professionals. Trusted by organisations like UK Fostering, we are dedicated to our mission of collaboration, inclusion, and improving the attendance, behaviour, engagement and educational outcomes of children and young people, despite their starting point. Contact us for more information at Inspire321.com

Bury & Whitefield Students Support Charities

This term, the pupils at BWJPS have been incredibly busy raising money and awareness for a variety of different charities. We have held bake sales in support of terror victims in Israel and in support of Children in Need. Everyone gave a donation to wear red for Remembrance Day, with proceeds going to AJEX. Great fun was had and an abundance of creativity shown when pupils took part in a ‘Mad Hair Day’, raising money for Chai Cancer Care. A huge box was filled with brand new toys, bought by pupils, for the annual Camp Simcha Toy Drive. This enabled many poorly children to receive brand new gifts for Chanukah. At BWJPS, our staff, pupils and families are always thinking about how they can give back to the community. Giving back to charity is embedded in our school ethos and, therefore, in the hearts of our pupils. Soon, our heads of houses will be given time to plan their own charity event for a charity of their choice to allow some independent thinking and wider world considerations. We look forward to updating you with what they choose.

Shortlist Announced for Bolton Children’s Fiction Award

Bolton School is delighted to announce the shortlist for the 2024 Bolton Children’s Fiction Award. Following consultation with local participating schools, the award will have a different format from previous years, with a celebration of the books and reading at Bolton School in March and then the winning book to be announced at the end of the summer term in an online event. The three books are When I See Blue by Lily Bailey, While the Storm Rages by Phil Earle and Tyger by SF Said. While all quite distinct titles, they do have common themes running through them – developing a sense of identity, friendship and overcoming adversity.

MGS Flies Flag for Antarctica

MGS Lower School pupils took part in an internal school competition to design a flag for Antarctica as a celebration of Antarctica Day, which marks the signing of the Antarctic Treaty on December 1st 1959. Pupils across Year 7 and Year 8 were given free rein to design their flags taking inspiration from the natural environmental and geopolitical landscape in Antarctica – many designs included flags that have signed the Antarctic Treaty. Across 11 classes, 12 winning designs were chosen to produce an MSG Flag that will be sent to Antarctica as part of the UK Polar Network Antarctica Flags Project 2023. The school will be paired with scientists and personnel travelling to the continent who will fly the flag before returning photos and certificates to school when their expeditions conclude in February.

January / February 2024

PROMOTION

Smooth Sailing The Manchester Grammar School celebrates one of its star students, who won the Junior Sports Achiever of the Year at the MCR Sports Awards 2023. Congratulations to Year 8 pupil Jasper from The Manchester Grammar School who recently became the winner of the Junior Sports Achiever of the Year at the MCR Sports Awards 2023 for his windsurfing achievements. The MCR Sports awards recognises the talent of sporting stars, local athletes, local coaches, and clubs to Manchester for a special celebration of their achievements. Jasper started windsurfing at Manchester Watersports Club, while he was attending The Manchester Grammar School as a Junior School pupil. Since then, he has represented Great Britain at the Youth World Championships in 2022 and 2023, where he was the top performing GB sailor in his age group. He has also previously won the Regional Championships and the Eric Twiname Championships, and is currently top of the GB National Windsurfing League in his league. Alongside his regular training and

competing, Jasper has volunteered his time over the summer holidays to help teach others how to windsurf. Speaking about his experiences as an athlete, Jasper said: “I started windsurfing after the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, I have represented Great Britain in the Techno Windsurfing World Championships in 2022 and 2023 in Cyprus and France. Over the past year I have won the Regional Championships, Eric Twiname and the National Championships and also the UKWA cup series. I enjoy the sport due to the community within windsurfing and the vast competition. I enjoy the challenge of dealing with different elements of nature such as the wind, size of the waves and the tide whilst racing round a course. “On 4th November I won the Manchester Sports Awards 2023 Junior Sports Achiever of the Year. When I arrived at the ceremony, it was exactly how I had imagined; it was just like the award ceremonies you see on

television. There were round tables with candelabras and several celebrities with lots of TV cameras. There was even a red carpet to walk along. It is a night that I will remember for a long time.” Jasper concluded: “My windsurfing journey has not been without its share of challenges. I have faced tough competitors, unpredictable weather conditions, and moments of self-doubt. It has taken countless hours of practice and commitment that has helped me become resilient and more determined to succeed in the future. My peers and competitors have pushed me to continuously improve, providing the necessary challenges for me to reach new heights in my windsurfing career. This is what makes the camaraderie and sportsmanship in the windsurfing community so special.” Well done Jasper! Mgs.org

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Education for life Encouraging a love of learning for ages 7-18 For Admissions information and important dates, visit MGS.org mgs_1515

The Manchester Grammar School

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Puzzle it Over

Medium Puzzle #1

In honour of World Puzzle Day on 29th January, and World Logic Day on 14th January, we’ve put together some brainteasers for you to mull over. CUPID VALENTINE HEART

ROSES

COUPLE DATE

LOVE PINK

PRESENT FLOWERS

SWEET FEBRUARY

9 1

2 4

9 7

2 1 1 9

4 5 7

Fill in the puzzle so that every row across, ROMANCE column down Fill in the puzzle so that every row across,every every column down and every 9 by 9 box contains the numbers 1 to 9. and every 9 by 9 box CELEBRATE contains the numbers 1 to 9 once. SCAN ME FOR

CHOCOLATE

THE ANSWERS

PROMOTION

Life Begins at

40!

Lesters Nurseryworld is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year since it was founded back in 1984. Founded by Marion and David Bowers in 1984 and named after David’s late father the business has been a staple in the Manchester area and the Jewish community for generations. Now the business is run and managed by Marion and David's two sons Liran and Michael and this year is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Adaptation plays a major part in longevity, say Liran and Michael: “In the last fifteen years alone so much has changed in retail and you shouldn’t be afraid to diversify. Retail is no longer just about your four walls; you carry it in your pocket everywhere you go. During the pandemic we had to find new ways of reaching our customers and online demonstrations became the new ‘normal’. “However, nothing can beat the enjoyment of meeting our customers face to face and it has been a welcome return to the ‘old normal’ these last 12 months. Shopping for your newborn baby is one of the most exciting experiences, but it can also be quite daunting. However much we adapt we always remain true to the business values that our mum and dad set out.” Lesters is so passionate about the in-store experience that they choose to keep their best prices for store visitors: “We really want the in-store shopping experience to be something special,” says Michael. “Best service, best prices and best experience.” Lesters are stockists of the most renowned childcare global brands, and also source new and niche products that may not be as easily found online. Furnishing your house for a baby takes

January / February 2024

up quite a lot of storage space, especially if you want to buy furniture during your pregnancy. As part of the in-store service Lesters will store your items until it’s convenient to come and pick them up, load all the heavy boxes straight into your car, and the trained team of car seat fitters will ensure your car seat is fitted correctly. “As the business has grown, so have we as a family,” says Liran. “Growing up, the business was always part of the family. The favourite child as our dad likes to say! In the early days, our grandma worked in the shop and her seemingly sweet, frail and timid nature was not to be underestimated, no one left without a purchase once she locked onto you! Only just recently I was buying a new suit for my son’s Bar Mitzvah and a conversation with the sales assistant ensued about life and work. As the conversation moved onto Lesters, the gentleman became very excited to learn it was our family business and enjoyed telling me his story of visiting the store over 30 years ago.” “Over the last 40 years it has been our pleasure to serve the community with new wheels for their newborns,” say Liran and Michael. “Nothing can beat the feeling when customers tell us their parents bought a pram from Lesters when they started a family. We now look forward to the next 40 years and perhaps it will not be too long before we welcome the next family generation as customers!” Lesters-nurseryworld.co.uk

WINTER FASHION Warm In Winter

Warm In Winter Wrapping up for winter has never looked so good! Here are our top pieces to say cosy through the cold weather. Panelled Faux Fur Coat | £95

Stay warm and look good while doing it! This faux fur coat is the epitome of elegance and is sure to keep you warm even through the worst of the British winter. While it does also come in black and grey, we recommend the cream colour for a stylish vintage look. The panels of this coat show off just how thick the fur is, so you can be toasty all winter long. Riverisland.com

Christian Lacroix – Men’s Bonnieux Gilet | £135

Bundling up for winter can often mean our clothing becomes restrictive, which is why gilets are a great compromise. Stay warm and retain free movement of your arms. Water repellent and stylish, this particular piece will be a versatile favourite for your wardrobe this season. This bodywarmer is made with feather-free premium synthetic down insulation, with an inner zipped security and map pocket, two zipped chest pockets, and two lower zipped pockets. Regatta.com

Tory Apron Ankle Boot | £89

Icy paths and snow-covered drives will be no obstacle with these sturdy yet stylish boots. Made from suede with fleece detailing on the ankle, they can handle the soon to be freezing temperature without a problem. They also offer a block heel which is comfortable and easy to walk in while still giving you that little lift. Fatface.com

Fairisle Knit Hat | £25

A good hat is a winter essential; the only thing standing between you and freezing your ears off! So why not invest in one that’s a little bit special? Designed exclusively for the National Trust, this knit hat is made by Robert Mackie of Scotland, putting a modern twist on a traditional Fairisle pattern by incorporating contemporary colours, with a self-coloured rib turnback. Robert Mackie is a premium accessory manufacturer established in 1845 and who still use time-honoured methods today. This hat is made from 100% pure new wool, meaning it’s both soft and sturdy. Shop.nationaltrust.org.uk

Blue Lofty Stripe Cosy Scarf | £38

Add a pop of colour to your outfit with this snuggly scarf. With a cosy blue, orange and brown striped pattern, heavyweight fabric, and slim tassels, this is the perfect accessory to not only keep you warm, but also tie your whole look together. Made from polyester, getting it wet in the rain or snow isn’t a worry, and with the gorgeous alternating striped patten, you’ll be sad to put it away in spring. Oliverbonas.com

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IN THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY

SING OUT LOUD Didsbury dementia specialist, Belong Morris Feinmann, celebrated Christmas and Chanukah with a concert from its own choir.

The Tomforte Community Choir held a special performance to celebrate both Chanukah and Christmas. Older people of all faiths residing at the care village will come together for their special seasonal performance - with a little help from Manchester choir master extraordinaire, Dan McDwyer. The choir formed at the beginning of 2023 in preparation for His Majesty The King's coronation. Since January, the choir have met weekly to practise their harmonies in preparation for the royal event which saw the ensemble, many of whom are living with dementia, perform for fellow residents, family and friends as part of the coronation festivities programme. Belong enlisted the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) alumnus Dan McDwyer after being inspired by his work with Ariana Grande, Emeli Sandé and Katherine Jenkins, along with musical direction of thriving community projects focusing on singing for mental health and wellbeing: Manchester Proud Chorus, Altrincham Garrick Show Choir, and The Choir Project - Northenden Choir. Angela Luckett, Religious and Cultural Coordinator at Belong Morris Feinmann, shares more: "I think our customers are the most engaged I've ever seen. Many may not recall the previous week's rehearsal but when they come, everything just clicks; they remember what we're doing, the words and the melodies. Thanks to our new best friend, Dan, dementia leaves the room for an hour – it's remarkable." In addition to the pleasure of companionship earned from the gatherings, the workshops benefit cognitive ability, having been designed to challenge the participants gently. Dividing them into subgroups to sing their own ‘rounds' simultaneously, for example, requires much concentration at the individual level. Dan McDwyer, Musical Director of The Tomforte Community Choir, explains: "This goes further than a sing-along: we've created a choir who are performers. By using less-familiar songs, our singers have really got to work hard and actively use their brains to learn new melodies to make a beautiful sound, rather than simply repeating songs they already know. "Though most have little or no experience, we wanted to give all residents the chance and I've been pleasantly surprised by the quality of their work. People take joy from the sound they create together and that

January / February 2024

makes them proud, walking away knowing they've produced something special." Made possible by Tom Einstein and named in his memory, the choir aspires to continue his legacy by singing forte, meaning ‘loud' in musical instruction, and also giving rise to the choir's name. Tom's father was one of the founding members of the original Morris Feinmann Home, set-up at the end of World War II to support Jewish refugees settling in Manchester. Today, a state-of-the-art village on the former Palatine Road site is operated by the not-for-profit care provider to continue its support primarily for the Jewish community. Elaine Newman, Tom's long-term partner, adds: "At the end of each session, everyone leaves with a sense of achievement, of joy and lifted spirits. Tom always had a smile on his face and he would have been delighted with the project. We're very grateful to Dan for imparting his talent, charisma and an exuberance which impresses wholeheartedly on the singers."

ARTS INTERVIEW

Alex Palmer, Founder of interactive theatre company Riptide tells us all about their interactive WhatsApp performance, Project Intimacy.

Alex Palmer, Founder and Creative Director of interactive theatre company Riptide developed the Lost Connections series in response to our disconnected modern world, speaking up about us being the loneliest generation ever to live. Though he argues we are more “connected”, studies have shown we are lonelier than ever, and depression is on the rise. When asked ‘How many people can you turn to in a crisis?’ studies show in the UK and US the most common answer is now zero, a number which has been dwindling for the past 20 years. Project Intimacy is the antidote to our modern loneliness crisis, Riptide has curated a carefully structured fortnight experience which promotes empathy and encourages people to look beyond their own four walls to find a meaningful connection with a stranger from across the world.

Hi Alex! What can audiences expect of Project Intimacy if they’ve never been a part of interactive theatre before?

Hello! Our audiences are the centre focus of our work, so we don't put on plays, we create experiences that put you at the centre of them. They definitely do have a story, but we don't put on Hamlet, for example. After the first lockdown we created Project Intimacy, which is a 14-day long WhatsApp experience where two anonymous strangers are paired together. So, you know nothing about your partner, but you are paired based on shared beliefs and values. It's a curated journey to find connection with someone you would have never otherwise met. Interactions with your partner will vary from five to 30 minutes per day and will include daily instructions,

prompts, and conversation starters created using scientific evidence on how we make friends and connections. You're not a voyeur in our work, we definitely see you. A Riptide trope is that we make each performance bespoke to our audience members, we know a lot about you before you start by using a pre-show questionnaire usually and that's how we tailor the experience to you.

What effect has Project Intimacy had on people?

Project Intimacy is the longest-running WhatsApp-based experience in the UK. In total, it has seen over 2,000 audiences connect from across 28 countries. The response from that in terms of audience response from that in terms of audience has been phenomenal. People sign up again to do it. It's still running now. It still sells out now. There's still a need for that work. And to put it in perspective, I think over half of the people we put in contact with each other are still in contact. We got one lovely message from a couple who are now best friends, and they holiday together. They sent a text from Croatia saying: “We were project partners; we've now become best friends. We would never have otherwise met, thank you so much.” So, I think that seeing the impact of that work and seeing also seeing the statistics. We worked with the centre of loneliness studies based out of Sheffield Hallam University to do a report on the work and the effect on loneliness it's having, in just across 14 days. They found the sense of loneliness dropped significantly. I think seeing the impact of that type of work has shifted us to use our skills in building

audience experience for much more of like a socially conscious purpose.

How does Riptide offer a health and wellness aspect with its work?

I started Riptide with the goal of giving audiences extraordinary experiences. Questioning what does it feel like to become part of an art heist when you take a painting off the wall of an art gallery? That kind of adrenaline rush experience, but for this one the experience is ‘What does it feel like to feel seen, and to feel genuinely cared for?’ I don't think those experiences really exist, other than maybe if you do therapy or if you have a close-knit community, friends or religion that has that community aspect. But I think other than that, if you don't have those things, where else is there that you feel connected? So, for me Riptide is now becoming much more about giving audiences that feeling of being special and important and the star of the show. If you have the skills, why wouldn't you want to make a genuine impact on how people live and also try and entertain them on the way? Book your ticket for the next Project Intimacy on: Theriptide.co.uk/projectintimacy

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See more photos on pages 11, 34, 46 and 54 PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL

PHOTOS PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL

HOW YOU CAN ADVOCATE FOR ISRAEL EVENING AT MANCHESTER KING DAVID HIGH SCHOOL HAD ANGELA EPSTIEIN AS CHAIR SPEAKING TO PANEL, RACHEL RILEY, IVAN LEWIS, JAKE WALLIS SIMONS AND JOSHUA ROWE IN A PACKED HALL. THE FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE RECENTLY HOSTED A MITZVAH DAY WITH RABBI DANIEL WALKER TO SUPPORT ISRAEL.

PHOTO: RUTHLESS IMAGES

THE SERVICE WAS FOLLOWED BY BRUNCH AND A PARTY WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

SHAI BOWERS RECENTLY CELEBRATED HIS BAR MITZVAH WHERE HE WAS CALLED UP AT WHITEFIELD SHUL.

PHOTO: KATE SWERDLOW PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO: RUTHLESS IMAGES

HE WAS JOINED BY HIS MUM, ABBY, DAD, LIRAN, SISTER, GEORGIA, AND BROTHER CHARLIE.

January / February 2024

GABRIEL BOOKBINDER CELEBRATED HIS BAR MITZVAH BACK IN MARCH.

MA NCH ES T ER

Health & Wellbeing

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Meditation Station

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Meditation has become a hot topic in the past five years after many celebrities, CEOs, and athletes have popularised the practice after doting on it to improve their performance. Create a lasting meditation habit as a healthy resolution this new year. With many benefits including stress reduction, increasing self-awareness, improving self-esteem, increased tolerance to chronic pain leading to better performance, meditation has been on the rise. Among this pop science, celebrity endorsed, podcast fuelled craze the original message of meditation has been buried and can feel like another item on your dutiful ‘I should do this because it’s good for my health’ list. Which everyone who adds ‘exercise more’ to their new years resolutions each year knows, rarely gets done.

Be realistic

Douglas M. Burns wrote: “When asked, ‘What have you gained from meditation?’, the answer should be: ‘It is not what I have gained that is important but rather what I have diminished, namely, greed, hatred, and delusion.’” This quote is famously varied throughout texts on meditation and sets up one of the biggest pieces of advice about beginning a meditation habit, leave behind any former ideas of meditation or how meditation will benefit your life. If you want to commit to a consistent meditation habit then

do it because you wish to observe your mind, not out of a forceful sense of obligation or in hope of miraculous transformation.

your attention to the anchor you have not ‘stopped meditating’ or ‘failed to achieve the goal of the practice’.

Start small

Choose your path

When you begin meditating you may want to start small with only 10 minutes or less per day since this is a new experience for you. Every moment counts so even if you only start with a one-minute meditation you will be building your habit. If you’re struggling to insert meditation into your day, try keeping the practice short and attach it to something you already do regularly. This could mean you meditate after brushing your teeth, after you’ve had dinner, or after getting out the shower. During a meditation practice you frequently focus your attention on a particular sensation, most frequently the breath or the body, this is called an anchor. By keeping your focus on the anchor, when the mind starts to wander (and it will) you can bring it back to your anchor. Remember, you are not trying to clear your mind, this may happen for moments at a time, but when distracted as long as you gently return

I go to Chai for the big

Find a meditation inspiration or resource which resonates with you. If you want beginner daily guided meditations where you can try many different types of meditation in one place, a meditation app such as Calm or Headspace is a great option to consider. Or if you want simplicity with just you and a timer on your phone, you may wish to read about meditation first. Many leading meditation teachers have books in which they describe their approach to meditation and mindfulness. Great starter books include Wherever You Go There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, and The Headspace Guide to Meditation and Mindfulness by Andy Puddicombe. There are a number of local meditation centres you can visit too here in Leeds. Check out Calm.com and Headspace.com

*Care is at the heart of everything we do.

We are providing face-to-face counselling, therapies and complementary therapies at Chai centres across the UK. This is in addition to all the specialised support and care that we continue to offer our clients through telephone, Skype & Zoom. For more information please call 0808 808 4567 or visit www.chaicancercare.org. Together we can cope. Together we will care.

Registered Charity No. 1078956

January / February 2024

COMPETITION

Enhanced Beauty COMPETITION

Win £200 of beauty treatments with £100 at DR.S Clinic and £100 at The Nail Lounge.

Two fantastic Prestwich businesses, DR.S Clinic and The Nail Lounge, have joined forces in one fantastic all-in-one location. The new shop is a modern state-of-the-art, one stop shop in the heart of Prestwich, serving the community with all their aesthetic and beauty needs. DR.S Clinic is a leading aesthetic clinic in the heart of Prestwich. The clinic enhances your natural beauty, aiming for subtle changes that promote a positive body image. It provides a range of services tailored to your unique needs and goals, helping you feel confident in your own skin. The clinic is a safe and welcoming space where the team prioritise your mental health and wellbeing and has been nominated for the Aesthetic Clinic of the Year Award by the International Aesthetics Awards 2023. The clinic owner, Dr. Sadeh, has a distinction in Advanced Aesthetics from the prestigious No.1 Harley Street and brings his expertise to the North. The clinic uses premium products from UK pharmacies

to guarantee quality and safety. Treatments include anti-wrinkle injections, dermal fillers, fat dissolving injections, skin boosters, vitamin injections, and tailored luxury facials. The Nail Lounge is an independent nail salon located in the centre of Prestwich, owned by Angela To. The highly trained team cover everything from nails through to professional beauty treatments and will ensure that you will feel relaxed, pampered and indulged at every visit. Just some of the services on offer include dipping powder, gel nails, and acrylic nail. Head to the grand opening on 28th January, with further details to be announced shortly. With a combined 25 years of experience between Angela and Dr. Sadeh, you can guarantee you won’t leave disappointed.

To win a £200 voucher (£100 for DR.S Clinic and £100 for The Nail Lounge) simply answer the following question: How many years of experience does DR.S Clinic owner Dr. Sadeh and The Nail Lounge owner Angela have together? Enter online at Jlifemagazine.co.uk/ competitions-manchester or by post to JLife Ltd, Unit 7, Gemini Business Park, Sheepscar Way, Leeds, LS7 3JB. Please ensure your entry includes your name, address, daytime telephone number, and email address. The winners will be randomly selected on the closing date: 16th February 2024 Terms and conditions apply: One entry per person. Prize must be redeemed in one appointment. When entering the competition online you have the option to not be entered in JLife Magazine, DR.S Clinic, and The Nail Lounges databases to be contacted about news, promotions, and special offers. Postal entry data will not be saved. Publisher’s decision is final.

Be Confident In Your Own Skin

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Nominated for the Aesthetic Clinic of the Year Award by the International Aesthetics Awards 2023 DR.S Clinic; where science meets art. We believe that true beauty comes from within. We combine our knowledge and expertise to offer a holistic approach to skincare that focuses on enhancing your natural beauty. We offer a range of services tailored to help you reach your skin goals, using premium products. Dr. Sadeh brings his expertise to the north from the prestigious No. 1 Harley Street. Book a FREE consultation now to find out how we can help you.

With over two decades of experience, Angela has built a reputation for delivering high-quality, long-lasting nail care with her loyal customer base in Whittaker Lane, and now opens her 2nd salon. The expert team are on hand with the best products from Nugenesis dipping powder, gels and Biab products that help to preserve the health of natural nails. Book your treatment now.

0161 900 4270

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COME ALONG TO OUR GRAND OPENING 28th JANUARY

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HEALTH & WELLBEING ADVICE

Made Up The beauty industry hasn’t always been known for being the most sustainable, with 95% of cosmetic packaging being thrown away according to the British Beauty Council. So how can you recycle what you’re not using and make better beauty choices?

better for your skin as they forego harsh chemicals. You can now even get dry hair shampoo and hairspray in an aerosol-less format so you can skip the cans completely!

Refills

Natural Packaging

Some zero plastic brands are now going for a strong cardboard packaging which means they’re recyclable in your usual recycled paper or cardboard bins. They’re mostly used for natural deodorants which aren’t only proven to be better for the planet, not being a difficult to recycle aerosol, but are

January / February 2024

Refills are a gamechanger when it comes to makeup, since the usable product we’re using is often only a small proportion of the overall packaging. For example, a lipstick contains the bullet and its twist up packaging but when we finish the bullet, we also throw away the holder. Big and small beauty brands are getting on board with providing refills, at Charlotte Tilbury for its bullet lipstick shades they sell a reusable case and a refill bullet you can put into it when you’ve run out – meaning you throw away next to no waste when buying a lipstick. Bobbi Brown does the same with its Long-Wear Brow Pencil, and so do Hermès with its powder blushes, to name a few. You can even buy refills for your deodorant now by investing in the holder once and buying refills of the deodorant when you need.

Help the planet with some considerations to your makeup choices.

Recycle

Recycling isn’t just putting empties in the right bins, what about the endless untouched products you have lying around at home? Try break up old makeup products to make new ones. Create your own lipstick shade by melting down stubs or whole bullets of lipstick which you don’t use. Play around with which shades you include and create something you really want. To set the product you can either find a lipstick bullet mould on Amazon or you can simply reuse an old lip balm tin! For powder products like blush, eyeshadow, or bronzer, you can crumble the product in an appropriately sized makeup pan for what you’re making. Combine it with another crumbled powder and crush the two until fine. Add a small amount of rubbing alcohol to the powder and create a paste. Compress this paste into the pan, soaking up a little of the rubbing alcohol, and leave to dry overnight. And voila!

HEALTH & WELLBEING

It’s not you, it’s the food and the way you’re wired to want it. Experts Dr Jen and Dr David Unwin explore how you can change your body and mind in the year to come.

New Year’s Resolve Combining psychological expertise on food addiction and medical experience in providing a drug-free alternative to type two diabetes treatment with a low-carb diet, Dr Jen and Dr David Unwin are at the forefront of health professionals boycotting sugar. Beyond earning them a combined X (formerly Twitter) following of 123,300, they have also had their work covered in the BBC documentary The Truth About Carbs which was viewed by four million people and have collaborated on advising in five low carb cookbooks. It’s commonplace to have a tumultuous relationship with food which cycles between craving, satisfaction, guilt, repeat. David even admits its common for him to see patients cry with relief after discovering food addiction knowing that they haven’t just suffered a series of failed diets, but they have an overriding issue which provides the answer to everything. Jen recommends the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) six criteria for substance abuse to describe food addiction: “If you had to ditch all the other criteria, the last would be the most important which is continued use despite knowing it’s doing you harm.” David interjects: “But even just identifying with three out of the six, you would be considered to have an addictive relationship with food.” This continuation of harmful habits is often the time we introduce self-criticism and judgment, but what we should be turning our judgements towards is our food companies and cultural perceptions of food. David provides the tip: “Don’t eat anything you ever saw advertised. If you can’t even guess what the ingredients are, it’s a monstrous Frankenfood.” His argument is a sound one;

when was the last time you saw an advert for eggs? Our inclinations for sugar are also deeply rooted in our survival instincts. Jen reflects on our brain function on sugar, saying: “We have these urges which are non-verbal, we just feel them without thinking. They get combined with a message to your frontal lobes, the intelligent bit of your brain, to quiet it down.” This might not make sense that our brains would dumb us down when making decisions, but as Jen adds: “Sometimes we would have to do dangerous stuff to get food, so it’s a good idea that we’d be driven to do it without thinking or else we wouldn’t have done it and starved.”

If you can’t even guess what the ingredients are, it’s a monstrous Frankenfood. Acknowledging that our brains switch off our better judgement means it’s not our fault for misunderstanding our eating habits. David advises: “You can’t moderate something you’re addicted to” which Jen joined with: “The four times it’s really easy to make poor food choices is when you’re hungry, angry, lonely, or tired which you can remember with the acronym HALT.” Being prepared for these times is what the Unwin’s provide as their biggest tip – “Plan for success,” they both say. Don’t forget your relationship with food is a lifelong experiment to which everyone’s path will be different. Even after over 10 years of axing sugar Jen says she still feels the

cravings creep in, admitting: “I will always be a hardcore sugar and carbohydrate addict. For many years they were, in some way, the best thing in my life. Now I realise that one is too many and 1,000 is never enough so I just don’t have the first one.” Whereas David had a different experience with withdrawal confessing: “It took at least a year to get over Christmas. But now I don’t really think of biscuits or bread as food anymore, I just look at them dispassionately.” Shop.caldesi.com/cookery-books On X @drjenunwin and @lowcarbGP

WHO crite ria fo r ad dict io n: 1. Do you ha ve co m pu lsion s to co ns u m e? 2. Do you ne ed m ore th an you us ed to? 3. A re you alwa ys thin ki ng about th e next ti m e you ca n ha ve it? 4. A re you un able to st ic a m ou nt you’ ll sa y you’ llk to th e ha ve? 5. Do you ex pe rie nce ph ys sy m pt om s w he n you do n’ ical t ha ve it? 6. Do you ke ep m ea ni ng st op but ca n’t? to Jlifemagazine.co.uk

Picture of Health

David Jacobs Physiotherapy CONDITIONS TREATED

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David Jacobs has been a physiotherapist for over 20 years and after seeing a gap in the community, has recently started running exercise groups for men. Although there are many gyms and fitness establishments, few run male only classes. David provides different classes, including a falls prevention and beginner’s exercise group for over 50s and two intermediate exercise groups for younger age groups. There may well be further choice of days and times depending on the demand for the service in the future. The classes combine cardiovascular work for the heart and lungs with a section of stretching and strengthening work incorporating David’s Pilates training. The exercises generally are adaptable in the sense that most exercises shown will be taught with differing levels from easier to harder. These classes are suitable for weight loss, improving fitness, strength, or flexibility. With his background in physiotherapy and exercise therapy, David is able to rehabilitate people with different kinds of injuries and take into account differing health conditions. These exercise groups are fun and engaging and create a sense of camaraderie and community as you embark on your fitness journey together. Call now to book your first class!! 07779 132 157

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DAVID JACOBS 07779 132 157 Chartered Physiotherapist and Pilates Instructor For regular updates and to book your session please contact David Broughton Hub, Rigby Street M7 4BQ

January / February 2024

PHOTOS

THE SHRUBBERIES SHUL HELD ITS ANNUAL CHANUKAH PARTY WHICH SAW A MASSIVE TURNOUT OF 550 PEOPLE.

LEADER OF BURY COUNCIL, COUNCILLOR EAMONN O’BRIAN, JOINED MEMBERS AND STAFF AT THE NICKY TO MARK THE FIRST CANDLE LIGHTING OF CHANUKAH.

See more photos on pages 11, 25, 46 and 54

WITH SWEET TREATS AND PLENTY OF ACTIVITIES, THE EVENT WAS A HIT!

MANY MEMBERS OF THE NICKY LIVE IN THE BOROUGH OF BURY AND COUNCILLOR O’BRIAN WAS DELIGHTED TO TOUR THE BUILDING, SEE THE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES, AND JOINED THE MEMBERS, VOLUNTEERS, AND STAFF FOR LUNCH.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE NICKY, DAVID DELEW, LATER LIT THE FIRST CANDLE OF CHANUKAH. THE CHILDREN AT BURY & WHITEFIELD JEWISH PRIMARY SCHOOL HAVE BEEN BUSY IN THE KITCHEN, HOLDING TWO BAKE SALES: ONE FOR CHILDREN IN NEED AND ONE FOR ISRAEL.

THEY ALSO HELD WEEK-LONG CHANUKAH CELEBRATIONS INCLUDING A LASER LIGHT SHOW AND A VARIETY OF GUESTS TO LIGHT THE NEW MENORAH – HANDMADE BY THE SCHOOL’S CARETAKER LIAM.

THE SCHOOL’S CHOIR ALSO WENT TO MORRISONS AND GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE HEADQUARTERS TO SING OVER CHANUKAH.

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Weight Off Your Mind

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Have trouble sticking to a diet? Struggle to lose weight only to gain it back? Tried countless diets which don't work long-term? Experienced a hopeless feeling about never being healthy? Well, you are not alone and it’s not your fault! The reason you haven’t been able to do this successfully is because you don’t know how, yet.

Solve your underlying weight loss issues. Before starting a diet or eating plan , find out how to lose and maintain a healthy weight forever by learning the key tools and skills that no-one ever taught you. (From someone, who has received training from the best and worked with many happy clients.)

Get your health goals back on track this new year with The Health You Deserve online programme.

You will learn

The reasons why you have previously struggled with losing weight, how to manage emotional eating, dealing with cravings, being kind to yourself, mindful eating, how to stay on track and getting back on track when you’re struggling, and many more techniques. If you’d like to see whether CBT is

UPCOMING COURSES Don't Diet, Do This Instead! The Essential Life Skills for Optimum Emotional & Physical Health Free Health You Deserve Masterclass | 29th January Subscribepage.com/dietsdontworkdothisinstead

for you, Gary offers a free masterclass to introduce you to his techniques and how you can regain back the control it takes to reach your ideal weight and be able to stay there. Gary Janit is an experienced CBT therapist having worked several years for the NHS and in private hospitals as well as now being the Director of the Manchester Holistic Centres (Prestwich & Whitefield) and CBT Therapy Manchester.

‘Learn HOW to Diet’ online course – the essential tools and skills you need to be able to stick to any eating plan forever! 5th February | four weeks with recordings available Cbttherapymanchester.co.uk/health-matters/

Be in touch with Gary on 07931721637 or Gary@cbttherapymanchester.co.uk for the above links, further information and to book

TEN FEET TALL REFLEXOLOGY ARE YOU SUFFERING FROM • Stress, anxiety or depression • Having a decreased immune system • Respiratory problems • Digestive problems • Circulatory problems • Pain of any kind • Bacterial infections • Lack of energy

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Mobile service (home-based) available www.tenfeettallreflexology.com christopher.jones@tenfeettallreflexology.com January / February 2024

COMMUNITY

Quick Getaway

Popular cities have plenty to offer even during the winter months! Here are our 48-hour mini break favourites within easy reach.

PARIS

PARIS Day one Morning: have coffee at Café Le Procope

The first coffee house in France to call itself a café in 1686, this café has been attended by several historical figures including Voltaire, Chopin, Napoleon Bonaparte, Benjamin Franklin, and Victor Hugo to name a few. This a great place to have coffee and spot all the famous portraits of the café’s previous clientele you can find. Procope.com/en

Afternoon: take a class at Le Cordon Bleu

Take a class at the iconic French cooking school to learn some French staple recipes, courses such as The Secrets of Macarons or The Secrets of Choux frequently turn up on the company’s website and are all English speaking. The short two-hour courses only cost £130, and you will receive a certificate from Le Cordon Bleu for completing the course. Cordonbleu.edu/paris

Evening: take a Bustronome

On this double-decker bus you will tour all of Paris’s greatest attractions while eating a sixcourse meal. Starting at the Arc De Triumphe and ending at the Eiffel Tower where you can get off to take pictures as it sparkles and shimmers against the evening sky. Six courses without a drinks pairing is €120 and with pairing is €150. Bustronome.com

Day two

put in its dishes and can be bought at its store, Maison de la Truffe has been in Paris since 1932. The restaurant is also situated in a beautiful area near the Palais Garnier, the opera house in front of which couples gather to waltz in the street. Maison-de-la-truffe.com

VIENNA JARDIN DE LUXEMBOURG

Morning: walk through the Jardin de Luxembourg

Some of Paris’s most beautiful attractions are free, starting your day by walking through one of Paris’s lovely central parks is a great way to slow down your short and fast paced trip. Better yet, you can pick up a takeaway coffee and croissant for your stroll and have breakfast on the go.

Afternoon: see incredible art installations at the Centre Pompidou

Everyone has heard of the Louvre and its incredible artworks such as the Mona Lisa, but if you want to dodge the crowds and see some less traditional pieces of art then the Centre Pompidou is for you! As a gallery of modern art, the Centre Pompidou is filled with ever changing art installations. Centrepompidou.fr/en

Evening: eat at Maison de la Truffe

This restaurant is for truffle lovers only! Famed for its variety of truffles which are

VIENNA

Day one Morning: have breakfast at Café Central

Cafe Central was frequented by some of the greatest historical minds of modern history including Sigmund Freud and Leon Trotsky. At the counter you’ll find a selection of Viennese cakes and pastries and you can even order some boxed chocolates or preserves to take home as a souvenir. Cafecentral.shop/en

Jlifemagazine.co.uk

TRAVEL Afternoon: take a horse and carriage ride through the city

Seen waiting by the side of many streets in central Vienna, horse and carriage rides are a romantic and idyllic way to see the highlights of the city and you just might get a driver who can tell you some facts about the architecture and history too.

Evening: eat an authentic Viennese Sacher Torte for dessert

Vienna is home of the Sacher Torte, a chocolate cake which has a thin layer of apricot jam sandwiched between the two halves and is coated in dark chocolate icing all around the cake. For an authentic Sacher Torte, try Café Sacher or Café Demel, the two cafes which fight for the title of The Original Sacher Torte. Sacher.com or Demel.com

Day two Morning: take a cruise tour on the Danube

So scenic it has its own classical piece, Blue Danube, taking a tour down this river to see the sights is a great way to fit a lot of sightseeing into your morning. At weekends cruise provider DDSG Blue Danube Schiffahrt GmbH offer a Sunday Brunch Danube Cruise with Live Music so you can get your breakfast in on the go! Getyourguide.co.uk

BUDAPEST

BUDAPEST Day one Morning: visit the parliament building The largest building in Budapest at 193,800 sq. ft, the Hungarian Parliament Building represents the uniting of the three cities Buda, Óbuda, and Pest to create Budapest in 1873. 45-minute guided tours are available to look around the historic building which even has two chambers still in use today. Parlament.hu

Day two Morning: visit the children’s railway

One of Budapest’s most unique attractions, this railway is operated entirely by children (except the train driving). The train journey provides a beautiful tour up to the highest point of Budapest, Jánoshegy. Jump off at an appealing station or stay for the whole journey! gyermekvasut.hu/en

Afternoon: visit Dohány Street Synagogue

The largest Synagogue in Europe, this sacred building seats 3,000 people. It was built between

OUTDOOR THERMAL BATH

SCHÖNBRUNN PALACE

Afternoon to Evening: visit Schönbrunn Palace

This beautiful palace was home to several Hapsburg rulers including Empress Elisabeth ‘Sissi’ and Franz Joseph I of Austria who was born and died at the palace at age 86 in 1916. As well as exploring the many rooms of the stunning palace you can also see classical concerts there in the evening in the palace’s orangery, giving you a taste of what it would have been like to be entertained as a royal in its hay day. Schoenbrunn.at/en/

January / February 2024

Afternoon: visit an outdoor thermal bath

1854 and 1859 and was restored in 1998 after being bombed in Nazi aerial raids. Take a tour around the synagogue complex to get professional guidance by a guide authorized by the Hungarian Jewish Community, expert in Hungarian history and the Jewish religion and culture. Greatsynagogue.hu

Evening: take an evening cruise

Evening: take in the Hungarian State Opera

Known as the City of Baths, Budapest has over 400 thermal baths to choose from. The heated pools can vary in décor and heat depending on where you go and you can also book spa treatments at most sites during your visit.

Sail down the Danube to view the picturesque lamplit city from the water. Depending on which cruise line you choose you can also have dinner and champagne while on you watch the city go by. Headout.com

See an opera or take a guided tour of this gorgeous theatre which was even visited by Hapsburg royals Franz Joshep I and Queen Sissi. Where better to see a show than a building home to ballet and opera for over one hundred and thirty years? Opera.hu/en

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Service with a Smile Principal Dentist at Love Teeth, Dr Ilana Pine, describes how the family dental practice goes the extra mile to provide healthy and beautiful smiles.

Focusing on maintaining healthy and functional teeth just as much as cosmetics, the team at Love Teeth has now provided thousands of patients with quality and affordable dental care since first opening on Kings Road in 2016. The highly trained and qualified team has quickly grown to around 30 dentists, dental nurses, hygienists, therapists, and reception staff. The recent addition of two new surgeries makes six now available and this means there is the capacity to cater for more patients with shorter waiting times. Having been a dentist for 25 years and with a daughter who has now qualified as a dentist; there is a lovely family feel to the place. Ilana reminisces about her father who was a dentist for over 50 years, who passed away

Not a fan of the dentist? Love Teeth is known for its caring approach to nervous patients, providing a comforting environment. due to COVID-19. Dr Pine says : "He was so passionate about dentistry and I think that is definitely something he passed on as well as a wealth of experience and techniques." Love Teeth’s latest dental equipment and materials allow the provision of top-quality treatment while making your visit stress free and convenient. Same day crowns can now be made using CEREC technology, which are ready within the same visit, removing the requirement for multiple visits. Made with porcelain rather than metal, each crown gives a more natural look with maximum aesthetics. Ilana said: “Several fears prevent people from booking dental treatment, but at Love Teeth we’re dedicated to providing a kind and

caring environment to keep all patients at ease, with our staff dedicated to delivering a warm and friendly service for everyone. There are a wide range of options for “Due to recent limited access to dental improving the appearance of teeth as well as care many people have not visited a dentist for complete smile makeovers with an emphasis on some time, and we understand that they may preserving natural tooth tissue. now feel that it is difficult to return to routine With free consultations and 0% to help appointments." spread the cost and make paying for treatments Ilana specialises in caring for the elderly, easy, now is the time to chat with the team at ensuring a longer and healthier life through Love Teeth. tailored dental solutions. The clinic is able to Their popular maintenance plans are provide care for the entire family, with children available to help keep routine dental care receiving free care on some membership affordable and if needed after-hours emergency plans. Love Teeth puts a strong emphasis care is only a phone call away. on preventive dentistry, urging everyone to As we step into the new year, develop prioritise regular dental check-ups and hygiene new habits with a focus on looking after your therapy for lasting oral health. No matter your dental health, preventing further dental and budget, the team is committed to finding gum problems as well as making changes to solutions for functional teeth. your confidence with smile improvement and When it comes to dental implants, an makeovers: "If you're happy with how your excellent and natural-looking way to replace smile looks, you're more likely to look after it," missing teeth, they have the most up-to-date as Ilana says. cone beam CT scanner at Love Teeth, to On Instagram @dr.loveteeth examine teeth and jaws quickly and effectively. On Facebook @Love-Teeth Dental Practice Ltd Top brand Straumann implants are used for excellent long term success rates and durability. Investment in Airflow Master technology also ensures that CARING | AFFORDABL our patients receive the gold Testimonials standard of dental hygiene “Honestly if anyone reading this has treatments. This technology a fear of the dentist, please get in removes the biofilm layer of contact with Love Teeth. bacteria and stains over the They are all amazing.” teeth and gums and is a highly effective method to treatEnsure gum your teeth are in great shape with our “Excellent dental practice, disease and keep the oral cavity caring staff, highly in a caring and professional latest technology feeling fresh and healthy. recommended. I wouldn’t be a The family friendly waiting room patient anywhere else…” is inviting for patients of all ages, while in the 0% Finance available (ask for wri clinic headphones are provided to watch your “I recently moved to Wales and still favourite Netflix shows on the ceiling TV. If return for my treatment. I wouldn’t needed, intravenous sedation is offered to help trust anyone else.” patients stay calm and relaxed during their appointment.

Enjoy a Healthy New Smile

Caring & trusted experts in: Smile Makeovers

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Rapid access eye service: preserving your vision is our mission Do you suffer for macular degeneration?

We are offering our JLife readers a FREE CONSULTATION with our Consultant Ophthalmologist Mr Arun Sachdev. This offer is available if booked before 31st January 2024. Please contact us on the number below.

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

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• Macular degeneration – early diagnosis, nutritional advice, and Valeda light therapy treatment

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OPTIMAL VISION

HEALTH & WELLBEING

JLife spoke to Mr Arun Sachdev from Optimyze Health about how using the latest technology light therapy can improve patients with macular degeneration. Mr Arun Sachdev is the first clinician in the North West to offer a new advanced light therapy for dry macular degeneration and is one of the leading proponents of this treatment in the UK. Macular degeneration occurs most commonly in later life and can cause long-sightedness, light therapy is currently the only approved treatment for people with this progressive condition. As a leading UK proponent of light therapy, Arun has treated many patients with different stages of macular degeneration with promising results. With his extensive experience with light therapy, Arun, in his opinion, believes that this treatment may have potential benefits in patients with retinal conditions. To bring his work in the advancement of light therapy treatment to public attention he is in the process of publishing the results of some of his data and was recently invited to talk and present his recent results on light therapy to a panel of top American surgeons at a meeting in San Francisco. Although a diagnosis of dry macular degeneration is potentially worrying and daunting, Arun says that there are things you can do to protect you eye health.

Hi Arun! Firstly, can you explain what macular degeneration is?

Hello. Your macula is the centre part of the eye, so it's the part of your retina responsible for reading, focus, and colour perception. Macular degeneration happens when this part of the eye begins to weaken. There are two types of macular

January / February 2024

degeneration, dry and wet. If diagnosed with the dry form your symptoms can either progress as dry macular degeneration or convert to wet macular degeneration, where fluid develops at the back of the eye. Until now there had been no treatment for dry macular degeneration, only the wet form, which has a treatment of injections in the eye. Whereas, if we can catch the signs early while still dry then the new non-invasive light therapy treatment may be beneficial.

What are the symptoms of macular degeneration, can it be prevented? In the early stages, people can be asymptomatic but still have macular degeneration. But as the condition progresses it can start to affect the quality of vision, and reading, close-up in particular. Though it’s most common in those over 60, due to advancements in scanning technology over the last few years, we can now pick up the signs of degeneration in younger patients. Preventing the condition is where the treatment comes in. If we detect you have clear signs of developing dry macular degeneration, you can have the light therapy treatment to potentially prevent its progress. Otherwise, preventing the condition is all about living a healthy lifestyle. All the usual measures, not smoking, eating a nutritious diet full of fresh fruit, leafy dark greens and vegetables. Being healthy doesn’t just aid macular degeneration but all eye health in general.

What is the procedure for the light therapy and how long does it take?

It’s a very straightforward therapy which can be performed in a relaxed setting. When it’s a problem with the eyes people often think of lasers and painful procedures. But it’s a very easy-going process which can be performed in an office room environment rather than a clinical setting. What happens during the therapy is, over about a four-minute period, a sequence of lights is delivered into each eye in turn. You do not have to have drops in your eye beforehand, there is no pain, and your vision recovers fairly quickly after it’s done. So, patients can drive themselves to and from their appointments. The treatment will be made up of nine of these 10-minute appointments at three sessions a week for three weeks. After the treatment has been done the patient will be reviewed two to three months later to see the effect of the therapy.

Optimyzehealth.co.uk Optimyzeinfo@gmail.com 07921 836 207

HEALTH & WELLBEING Cast Iron Dumbbells | £49.99

Weight training is one of the easiest forms of exercise to do at home. This set is particularly convenient for at home use because it’s easy to store away when you’re done! Threaded bars and collars keep the weights safely in place in a convenient storage case, which is easy to transport if you want to take your weights on the go. Decathlon.co.uk

Home Treadmill | £229.99

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Feel the Burn

No one wants to go jogging when it’s raining! This treadmill features a compact and ultra-thin design that saves space and is specifically designed for home use. With a non-slip and shock-absorbing running belt, the treadmill will effectively reduce the impact while running, therefore protecting both your knees and your flooring. For £299.99, you can also get the treadmill with a handrail for extra stability, and a mat to avoid slippage on the floor. Homefitnesscode.com

NordicTrack Rowing Machine | £999.00

A rowing machine is a great way to work out the entire body! This one is perfect for your home as it can be easily stored away when you’re done. It’s also easy to use, even for beginners, with oversized, pivoting pedals and adjustable foot straps, the RW300 can safely keep you secure even during the most intense workout. Nordictrack.co.uk

With the weather turning colder, it’s harder to motivate yourself to head out to the gym than ever. Our guide to home gym equipment means that this winter, you won’t have to go far to carry out your new year resolutions. Resistance Bands | £19.99

Resistance bands are a useful and inexpensive addition to your home gym set up. These particular bands are made of high-quality specially engineered thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), resistant to wear and tear with tubing that is eco-friendly because it is made of non-toxic recycled biodegradable plastics. Each weight is clearly colour-coded on the resistance band, so you know the weight you are using in training, with weights ranging from 10 to 50 lbs. Simbaworkout.com

Freestanding Punching Bag | £189.99

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A punching bag is a great workout for both your arms and your core muscles and also helps you build the endurance and agility skills and improve your overall fitness level. The high-density base can be filled with water to keep the bag in place while exercising and the durable spring neck creates a quick bag rebound. Unlike traditional punch bags this once doesn’t need drilling in so there’ll be no messy holes in the wall. Sportsdirect.com

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

Hilton House is a private GP in Bury offering a more efficient GP experience and a monthly membership plan with an annual health check unlimited appointment. Are you tired of trying to call your doctor’s practice at 8am on Monday morning only to get nowhere? If you have a medical issue and are struggling to get seen by your NHS GP or getting the health care you need is taking longer than expected, like many others in our community, you could benefit from seeing a private GP. Hilton House is a private GP practice in central Bury offering you all the services of a standard GP but with faster appointment times, referrals, and results. You don’t have to deregister from your NHS practice, Hilton House can work alongside your current GP and medical history. Booking an appointment at Hilton House comes with several benefits such as appointment times being usually handed out within 24 to 48 hours of your call, you are also guaranteed to be seen by a fully qualified general practitioner, no assistant physicians or associates, and you will always be seen face-to-face. Only three GPs work at the practice, two males and one female, so you will know who you are speaking to each

time. Hilton House also will chat about other health queries you may have under a single half an hour appointment, so you don’t have to book different appointments for different issues or worry about not having the time to get answers to all your questions. No need to book a separate appointment for blood tests as there’s a phlebotomist on-site to take blood samples to a specialist private laboratory which ensures you get your test results within 24 to 48 hours. These speedy result times are true of most tests at the practice and as soon as the results are available to the practice it ensures someone will come back to you rather than you having to contact your GP. The private practice can organise any necessary scans, prescriptions and immunisation jabs and also works with specialist treatment partners within easy reach. Plus it now also offers an amazing monthly affordable membership scheme wherein you receive a gold standard health

The Doctor WILL See You check hour long appointment (worth £495) with a half an hour follow up appointment discussing your results and unlimited access to the GP for the next 12 months. Depending on whether you require a single person, couple, or family rate, prices can vary between £60 to £80 per month. Included in the gold standard health check you get your height, weight and measurements taken, an ECG, blood pressure, and a blood test which tests for over 12 different checks including vitamin D, iron, CA125 (a cancer antigen which can indicate ovarian cancer among other types), and blood sugar levels. With an easy to find location in central Bury just 15 minutes from Whitefield, and a private car park, too Hilton House makes your health care as smooth and easy as possible. To book an appointment contact Hilton House on 0333 900 0150 or visit its website at: Hiltonhousemedical.co.uk

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See more photos on pages 11, 25, 34 and 54

PHOTOS

CAMP SIMCHA BROUGHT SOME CHANUKAH LIGHT TO FAMILIES WITH SERIOUSLY ILL CHILDREN IN GREATER MANCHESTER. ACTIVITIES INCLUDED A BOUNCY CASTLE, FACE PAINTING, BALLOON MODELLING, ARCADE AND VIRTUAL REALITY GAMES, ARTS AND CRAFTS, AND PLENTY OF CHANUKAH TREATS.

THE RECENT HPHC LADIES EVENT INCLUDED AN EVENING OF ENTERTAINMENT BY THE GREENBERG SISTERS AND DEBORAH FINLEY, WITH MAGIC BY IAN LAVIN. OVER A THOUSAND POUNDS WAS RAISED AND SENT TO ISRAELI CHARITIES WITH EMERGENCY APPEALS TO HELP VICTIMS OF WAR.

HEATHLANDS VILLAGE FAMILIES ATTENDING FEDLINGS GROUP WERE DELIGHTED BY THE SURPRISE ARRIVAL OF THE HIGH SHERRIF OF GREATER MANCHESTER.

Advertisers on photo pages have not necessarily been involved with events shown.

WORSLEY-BASED MARY-LIZ WALKER JP DL. IN WHITE GLOVES, FRILLED BIB AND CUFFS, AND OSTRICH-PLUMED HAT GREETED AND CHATTED TO MANY OF THE ATTENDEES. FOLLOWING HER TOUR, SHE SAID: “IT WAS SUCH A PLEASURE TO MEET YOU, YOUR COLLEAGUES AND VOLUNTEERS TODAY – YOU ALL DELIVER SUCH INCREDIBLE SUPPORT TO SO MANY PEOPLE RIGHT ACROSS THE JEWISH COMMUNITY.”

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

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

IN THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY

LAW OF THE LAND

The Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester held its first “Loose Lawyers” panel event since the pandemic. On the afternoon of 26th November, the Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester held its first “Loose Lawyers” panel event since pre- pandemic. At the event Muslim and Jewish lawyers give their responses to a single question, before taking comments and questions from the floor. This year’s question was “Does English matrimonial law betray Muslim and Jewish women?” Then the panel was chaired by the Forum’s Jewish Co-Chair, Cllr Heather Fletcher, who is herself a solicitor, and comprised: • Erimnaz Mushtaq, Barrister, Doughty Street Chambers • Jeremy Dable, Barrister, Normanton Chambers • Adil Navaid, Barrister, St John’s Buildings • Alexandra Goldrein, Solicitor, Slater Heelis In the case of Muslim women, the main problems arise from the fact that very few mosques as registered as places for the conduct of marriage ceremonies, and do not have someone who is authorised by the government to register a marriage. Accordingly, the Muslim religious marriage ceremony, called a “Nikah,” is not recognised as a marriage under English law if it is performed in the UK. (A nikah performed overseas will be recognised by English law, if it constituted a valid marriage in the overseas country, which will be the case in Muslim majority countries.) This means that if the marriage breaks down, the women typically finds herself with no legal claim against the husband for maintenance for herself, although children can be claimed for while minors. Similarly any property claim is limited to property that she can prove she contributed to from her own resources. Within the Jewish community, synagogues that perform marriages are typically registered for that purpose, so Jewish marriages are normally valid marriages under English law. However, while under English law a woman can divorce her husband, she cannot do so under Jewish religious law. Under religious law, her marriage ends only if the husband gives her a divorce, known as a “Get,” or if it can be proven that her husband has died. Otherwise even if divorced under English law the Jewish woman is

still married under Jewish religious law and cannot remarry. Such women are known as “chained women.” Furthermore, Jewish law does not allow a husband to be coerced into giving a “Get”, so Jewish Rabbinic courts cannot order him to grant the divorce. After the formal proceedings the participants shared tea, coffee and kosher cakes, since the Forum aims to get Muslims, Jews, and people of other faiths to get to know each other better. About 30 people attended, with strong turnout from Muslims, Jews, and people of other faiths and none. Guy Otten, Humanist, said: “Today’s Forum Loose Lawyers event focused on the way Muslim and Jewish women are negatively impacted by the UK’s unreformed marriage laws. The same problems also affect other groups such as Humanists, whose weddings are also not automatically recognised.

SHARING HISTORY

Bury and Whitefield children recently learnt all about the poppy and the Jewish contribution to this country from We Were There Too.

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

January / February 2024

PROMOTION

Planning Ahead Ben Tyer of GLP Solicitors shares why it’s important to keep your legal affairs up to date. It is often the case that people don’t think about their wills or potential lack mental capacity until it’s too late. Ben Tyer, a Partner specialising in Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning from GLP Solicitors has helped with many such cases over the years and offers some cautionary tales from his experience. Paul, a successful business owner, suffered a sudden massive stroke leaving him in need of 24-hour care. His three adult children, despite being next of kin, lacked legal authority to manage his finances or make decisions about his care. It took almost 12 months and £2,000 in fees to navigate the Court of Protection – a specialist Court that makes decisions about incapacitated and vulnerable individuals – before they were able to deal with his financial affairs. As for his health and welfare, although they could have an input the final decision maker was the social worker or doctor. If Paul had created Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) – a legal document giving someone you trust the authority to make decisions on your behalf if you're no longer able to make them yourself – the family could have avoided the court process, dealt with his financial affairs

promptly and could have made decisions about Paul's welfare. A marriage cancels an existing Will. So John's failure to update his Will after his second marriage to Julie resulted in his previous Will becoming null and void. When John died, Julie inherited his estate, including his house, leaving his daughter from his previous relationship with nothing. John could have safeguarded both his wife and daughter by creating a new Will after marriage that included a trust arrangement for the home. This would have allowed Julie to reside there for life securing her housing, while ensuring his daughter was the ultimate beneficiary of the property and savings. Lorraine and Peter, in their 70s, created Wills with discretionary trusts to protect their children's inheritance from potential ex-spouses. However, they overlooked the inheritance tax implications resulting in an £80,000 tax liability on their deaths. Had they sought legal advice, they would have known about the combined inheritance tax allowance of £1 million for a married couple but the couple's trust structure limited their allowance to £650,000, exposing £200,000 to a 40% tax. A different trust type could

have preserved the full allowance and saved £80,000 for the next generation. The underlying lesson is to take proactive measures now to avoid future complications. Seeking legal advice and creating documents, such as LPAs and updated Wills, can prevent emotional toil and unnecessary costs. Acting before it's too late ensures a smoother process for managing finances, addressing changes in circumstances, and planning for death. Ben Tyer, a Partner specialising in Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning at GLP Solicitors advises clients across the UK, presents seminars, and has featured in the national press. Get in touch with Ben at enquiries@glplaw.com 0800 138 6061

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ISRAEL

New Normal

In our last edition, we spoke with Rob, whose children are serving in the IDF and who is currently in Israel himself. Two months down the line, we check in on what the situation looks like for him now.

When we last spoke to Rob, the attacks by Hamas on 7th October had extended his and his wife’s stay indefinitely. Rob described to us the state of daily life where he was in Israel, noting that people were worried, but generally carrying on with their lives as best they could. Now, he offers us a perspective on how things have changed over the last two months: “Generally, life has become a bit more normalised, in the sense of, I go work, I meet with friends. Every so often when you’re out, the sirens will go off and everyone will get up and go inside the restaurant, down to the basement, where it’s secure. I get alerts on my phone when there are attacks. Life has reached a sort of normal, but behind it all is the ongoing situation which is the dominant thing.” The state of mind of people in Israel has changed in the face of ongoing hostilities: “Even when you’re sitting out and about, people think: ‘Should we be enjoying ourselves? Not easy because we’re quite preoccupied with what’s happening. Most

people have got some connection to the situation. People have died, people have been going to funerals. In the first few weeks after the attacks, I heard of a woman who went to 48 funerals that week. “It’s all that’s talked about, most of the time. When you see people, you’re catching up on where their kids are at, or somebody you know has been killed, or you hear of somebody who has been injured. And the young people who are out on a break from the army still have to carry their weapons with them. So that’s the dominant theme going on.” Rob’s son Gidon and daughter Ma’ayan are both serving in the IDF and both know people who have been killed. As Gidon is deployed down south in a combat unit, contact is sparing: “We got to see my son about three weeks ago. We had four hours with him at the base, in the dark. We’d not heard from him at all for about four weeks and we hadn’t seen him for six or seven weeks in-person. The conditions they’re in for very long periods are really quite

difficult. They aren’t really offered much opportunity to change clothes, and it can be two or three weeks before they have a shower. So at the base they were getting fed, and having a shower, and maybe some people got a chance to have a quick haircut. “My daughter moves around a lot to different places, guarding various areas. There are chat groups on WhatsApp with army representatives who will give periodic updates. And the updates are very brief. Just ‘everyone’s ok’. But it’s reassuring to see the message come through.” Rob and his family have received support from people outside of Israel, including from the community here in Manchester: “My daughter received a message that was from one of the pupils at King David Primary School with a picture and a message, and she absolutely loved that. And of course, we’re getting support from our family and friends who are periodically checking in. Though one friend keeps getting confused by the time difference!” PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL

KING DAVID PRIMARY PUPILS POSE WITH MESSAGES THEY SENT TO IDF SOLDIERS.

January / February 2024

COMMUNITY

OUR COMMUNITY Community Pride

With Marc Levy, Chief Executive of the Jewish Representative Council Our community is remarkable. It is no secret that the last two months have constituted an extremely difficult time for Jewish people across Greater Manchester. We have experienced a well-documented surge in hate crime that inevitably leads to a feeling of vulnerability. However, rather than shying away, we are proud and stand tall. I was inspired by the Chief Rabbi during his recent visit to Manchester. The JRC worked alongside CST to orchestrate a packed day of engagements. He started by meeting with the team and volunteers at CST to thank them for all they do to not just secure our community but also protect the Jewish way of life. He then had an excellent discussion with the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester

Police, Stephen Watson. The Chief Rabbi expressed his gratitude for his personal support and that of his officers. We then met with the Metro Mayor, Andy Burnham prior to an in-depth discussion with Jewish students at Manchester University. The visit concluded with two meetings at Hale Shul where the Chief Rabbi addressed hundreds of people. Throughout all the discussions, the Chief Rabbi focused on the unity that has been displayed in Israel and Diaspora communities following 7th October terrorist attacks. He has seen the Jewish people come together in an unprecedented and inspiring manner to support each. In addition, individuals have started engaging with their Judaism for the first time. Shuls are reporting record attendances along with restaurants and community centres being full. The festival of Chanukah perfectly encapsulated this message as we celebrated the victory of good over evil. Greater Manchester hosted a record number of public Chanukah events as we celebrated light overcoming darkness. We live in challenging times but we will prevail. I am so certain of this given the

support we have received from our elected representatives. Alongside my Chair, Mark Adlestone, we have met numerous cross-party MPs. This includes Conservative Ministers like Penny Mordaunt and Tom Tugenhadt and also the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Angela Rayner and Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Without exception, they have expressed their unequivocal support to Jewish people across the UK. This has also been heard clearly from Greater Manchester Police and the leaders of local authorities. I was fortunate to attend the Magen David Adom dinner in Manchester. Hearing from the brave paramedics who ran into danger to save their fellow citizens has greatly inspired me. To hear their stories of courage and selflessness is truly humbling. It has once again reiterated my belief that you must stand tall during adversity. The JRC are in the process of planning further events to celebrate our community in 2024 and it is our hope to see you all and get your support. Jewishmanchester.org

DAROM ADOM

Or Ribon, UJIA/JAFI Community Shlicha, explains a Southern Israel custom for Tu B’Shvat. Before my army service, I did my Shnat Sheirut – a gap year of living communally and volunteering in the south of Israel – at the Gaza border communities. For the first time in our lives, we took part in “Darom Adom” (red South) festival. Imagine endless carpets of red anemone flowers, colouring every piece of land that the eye can see. The Kibbutzim are setting up activities, food trucks, and whatnot – and for two months thousands of visitors come from all over the country to celebrate the “Birthday of the Trees” and enjoy Israeli nature at its best. Every year since, my Commune gathers around this time, and together we go down south – we go on a hike, have a picnic, visit the communities we used to work in and are always accepted with open arms, good memories and plenty of good food. This year, our beloved second home was coloured red for different reasons, as we know. Since October 7th, the communities have been evacuated, many friends are gone

or still held hostage, and the rest are fighting their fight and trying to heal. 50 years ago, in the Yom Kippur War, Kibbutz Beit Hashita lost 11 of their sons. A year later, Dorit Tzameret, a member of the kibbutz, wrote a song called “Hahita tzomachat shuv” – “the wheat still grows again”. “It’s not the same old house now, it’s not the same old valley, You’re gone and never can return. And yet the wheat still grows again.” And in the south too, although it

might not ever be the same home it once was – the anemones will blossom still, as nature doesn't stop to grieve. And we too will be there, not like we usually are – but in our spirit. And we’ll come back as soon as we can, and every year after that. Ujia.org

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IN THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY

MAKING A DIFFERENCE The recent Chai Campaign raised £2.8 million in a jam-packed weekend of events and matched funding campaign.

Kicking off the campaign with a huge impact, 10,000 sponsored shopping ‘Bags for Chai’ were distributed to kosher bakeries and grocery stores across the UK. Chai Committee events included; Young Chai’s ‘Spin for Chai’ and Forever Chai’s ‘90s Quiz night’ in Manchester. On 1st December, thousands of children from 17 schools and nurseries took part in Chai’s annual ‘Mad Hair Day’. An Israeli flag and gravity defying styles, including ramen noodles, were highlights of the day, which raised awareness of the ‘Chai in Schools’ programme. Into Shabbat, over 100 synagogues and universities, took part in the ‘Chai Shabbat’ complete with campaign branded recyclable whisky shot glasses. On the morning of 3rd December, the 36-hour matched funding campaign began with a phenomenal £1 million raised by 1pm. More than 100 children, who have a family member supported by Chai, piled into Chai’s flagship centre in Hendon. The ‘Chai Kids Family Fun Day’ gave the children a chance to capture happy memories with a photo booth, face painting, jewellery making, cookie decorating, hair braiding and so much more. Dudley and Toby, our ‘Pet Therapy’ dogs made a guest appearance, highlighting one of Chai’s many complementary therapies. By 10pm 4th December, the 263 Team Hosts and close to 8,300 donors from across the world had raised over £2.8m, a truly monumental feat. Funds raised will be used to support Chai’s existing 68 services and the additional demand following the rollout of the NHS BRCA testing for the Jewish community.

Chai Chairman, Louise Hager said: “We are blown away by the response from the whole community. Given the impact of the tragic events on 7th October and the general economic climate, the result was simply remarkable. This is due to the recognition of the vital services Chai provides and the high regard in which Chai is held. I want to pay tribute to all our fantastic Team Hosts, many of whom are clients whose firsthand experiences of our support touched so many and to our wonderful loyal supporters. We do not charge for any of our services and without any statutory funding, this campaign was crucial to us meeting our annual running cost of £3.7m. Our heartfelt thanks to each and every person for their generosity which helps ensure that Chai can continue to be here for everyone who relies on us.”

15 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP!

The Friendship Circle celebrated its 15-year anniversary dinner, alongside 600 guests and an array of entertainment raising an astonishing £250,000 for the charity! A stunning evening of fundraising took place at Vermillion recently to celebrate 15 years of The Friendship Circle. Guests entered the room to an upbeat performance by The Friendship Circle Drummers, who set the scene for an incredible evening. Members took centre stage throughout the night, kicking off with member Hannah Levy officially welcoming guests, assisted by Programme Director Esty Bruck. Friendship Circle member Elliot Sayers received a well-deserved standing ovation for his amazing rendition of Joe Cocker’s ‘With a Little Help from My Friends’, followed by two Frank Sinatra classics, ‘My Way’ and ‘That’s Life’. During the evening, Dance Syndrome, an all ability dance group, together with some of our members, mesmerised the audience with an uplifting dance routine which focussed on friendship and inclusivity. The MC for the evening was TV and Radio presenter Andy Crane (best known for presenting Children’s BBC in the late 80s) who also conducted an exciting auction including a Terry O’Neill lifetime signed portrait of Frank Sinatra, a Quooker Tap and two bespoke meals for 10 people catered by Masterchef Finalist, Olivia Burt, set about raising additional funds for the charity. Guest speakers included Quooker MD Stephen Johnson, Patron of the Charity, and Hannah Mendell, Friendship Circle Ambassador who spoke on behalf of all the members. Mimi Lyons, Friendship Circle Finance & Operations Director commented: “We were overwhelmed by the level of support and generosity

January / February 2024

we received on the night. To have over 600 of our loyal donors, members, and supporters in one room to celebrate with us was humbling beyond words. It shows just how far we have come since the charity was set up 15 years ago and gives us great optimism for the future. The money raised will help ensure that we can sustain our life-changing services for our members.” Patron and Sponsor Mark Davies said: “Once again you managed to produce an inspiring evening that showcased the members’ wonderful talents. The Friendship Circle events always exceed other charity events as the members are at the forefront.” The evening came to a close with Friendship Circle member Aaron Walker benching, and Rabbi Guttentag singing Acheinu, Hatikva, and the English National Anthem.

HANNAH LEVY AND ESTY BRUCK

HOMESTYLE

g n i o g for With gold predicted to be a major home interior trend in 2024, get ahead of the curve with our gold product recs. Elton Medium Round Wall Mirror Gold | £449

An eye-catching colour such as gold often does better in small hints, especially when it comes to furniture. The Elton mirror is a stunning example of classic design with a round frame that exquisitely incorporates sectioned borders. This versatile mirror is available in a timeless gold finish, making it the perfect addition to elevate the aesthetic of both classic and modern decor styles. Danetti.com

Gershwing Gold Wallpaper | £150

If you’re more of a “go big or go home” type, this striking wallpaper is for you. The decadent, feathered, Art Deco influenced print will bring unapologetic glamour and depth to any interior. This is modern take on a classic style. The paper has a luxurious pearlised sheen to give a subtle exuberance to your room, and this design is daring enough to create your own bold new look for 2024. Divinesavages.com

Gold Glitter Table Runner | £14.99

Add a touch of sparkle to your dinner party set up and dazzle your guests! This eye-catching gold glitter table runner from Talking Tables is the perfect centrepiece for any occasion and can make even a weekday family dinner feel like a special affair. Everything is better with glitter, right? Littlebigparty.co.uk

Decca 5 LED Chandelier | £839

Light up your dining room, living room, or entryway, with this light fixture that doubles up as a decoration too. The Decca chandelier adds a touch of vintage sparkle to your living space. The distribution of the five LED lights is complimented by elegant, fluted glass light shades. The classic matte gold colour is elegant with being overwhelming. The iconic Decca chandelier brings back the glamour of the past while retaining modern vibrancy. Peppersq.com

Ophelia Nero Marquina Marble and Gold Center Table | TBC

Looking for a piece for furniture which leaves an impression? This is it. Returning to history, Ophelia means "help" or "assistance", in addition to the name's connection to beauty and altruism. Honouring its name, the Ophelia Nero Marquina table was created to assist and elevate any living room and certainly makes a striking statement piece. Bocadolobo.com

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PHOTOS

See more photos on pages 11, 25, 34 and 46

ALL PHOTOS: TANYA DUMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

YAEL BLACK RECENTLY CELEBRATED HER BAT MITZVAH!

MARKING HIS UPSHERIN AT BNEI AKIVA WAS EYAL HALPERN.

SHE WAS CALLED UP AT BNEI AKIVA AND WAS SURROUNDED BY FAMILY ON HER SPECIAL DAY.

EZRA ROWE CELEBRATED HIS BAR MITZVAH!

SARA DUMAN WAS ALSO CALLED UP RECENTLY!

HER CEREMONY WAS HELD AT CHABAD LUBAVITCH BEFORE A BEAUTIFUL RECEPTION AMONG FAMILY AND FRIENDS, INCLUDING MUM TANYA, OUR AMAZING PHOTOGRAPHER! MAZELTOV!!

HE WAS CALLED UP AT STENECOURT SHUL AND SUPPORTED BY HIS FAMILY.

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HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY Established in 2000, Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) marks the anniversary of the liberation of Nazi concentration and extermination camp, Auschwitz. On this day it is important to remember and to learn about victims of the Holocaust, lest we forget the universal pain and suffering it caused. See how you can be involved in community events.

HMD Webcast | Holocaust Educational Trust | 23rd January

Hosted by the Holocaust Educational Trust, its annual HMD webcast invites individuals and schools alike together online to hear a Holocaust survivor share their story. Send in your questions to make this an interactive and meaningful way to mark your remembrance this Holocaust Memorial Day. Register on its website to receive log-in access. Het.org.uk

Salford City Council Memorial Day Event | Swinton Masonic Hall Salford | 24th January

Salford City Council is hosting a Holocaust Memorial Day Event at Swinton Masonic Hall this year for an evening of community, readings, music, and acts of remembrance focused on The Fragility of Freedom theme. Acccess from 6.15pm. Hmd.org.uk/activity/salford

Never Forget

This year’s Holocaust Memorial Day theme is the Fragility of Freedom, an exploration into what freedom means to different people and how it cannot be taken for granted. Find out how you can get involved on 27th January.

Memorial Day Event 2024 | Robert Bolt Theatre | Trafford | 25th January The event will begin at 1pm at the Robert Bolt Theatre, more information will be released on the JRC website on its event calendar. Jewishmanchester.org

HMD 2024UK Ceremony Curated Moments | 27th January | 7:30pm

Register your virtual attendance on the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust’s website where you will be sent a link to watch the ceremony in advance of the event. The HMD ceremony takes place in London and includes a combination of live music, statements from the Mayor of London and supporting charities such as the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust and the Holocaust Educational Trust, as well as showing survivor testimonials and a reflection from religious leaders.

HMD.org.uk

Light the Darkness | 27th January | 8pm

Something you can do from home is to light the darkness by lighting a candle in your window at 8pm to show solidarity and remembrance for all to see. Special commemorative HMD candles can be ordered off its website or you can share your Holocaust Memorial Day

January / February 2024

candle with the nation by uploading a picture to social media using the hashtags #HolocaustMemorialDay and #LightTheDarkness HMD.org.uk

Holocaust Centre North | University of Huddersfield | Ongoing The Holocaust Centre North was founded in the mid-1990s by survivors in Leeds with the aim of providing friendship and community support It has had a permanent home on the University of Huddersfield campus since 2018. Its archive contains the collections of around 120 families who rebuilt their lives in the North of England following persecution and genocide. The stories preserved are ones of discrimination, displacement, migration, forced labour, making new lives and difficult decisions. The centre works to ensure that the atrocities of Nazi persecution are never forgotten. Hcn.org.uk

MEDIA PREVIEW

Get Going Get your year off to a good start with a whole host of new tv, books, and films.

One Day | TV | Netflix | 8th February

One Day tells the story of Emma Morley and Dexter

One Day tells the story of Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew who, on 15th July 1988, the night of their graduation, speak for the very first time. The next morning, they go their separate ways but where will they be on this one ordinary day the next year, and the year after that, and every year that follows? Each episode finds Dex and Em, one year older, on this one particular date, as they grow and change, move together and apart, experience joy and heartbreak. One Day is a decadesspanning love story, based on the worldwide bestselling novel by David Nicholls.

Arthur’s Whisky | Film| Sky Cinema | Available January

James May: Our Man in India | TV | Amazon Prime | 5th January As the third instalment of the series after traveling Japan and Italy, James May takes on his greatest adventure yet: a 3,000 mile coastto-coast epic across India. The most populous – and perhaps most extraordinary – country in the world. Starting by the Arabian Sea and finishing at the Bay of Bengal, his journey will encompass incredible landscapes, from the baking deserts of Rajasthan to the dramatic Himalayan foothills and explore environments as diverse as the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans, through to the global megacities of Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata.

The Fury | Alex Michaelides | Book | Penguin | 1st February Alex Michaelides, Author of The Silent Patient, has a new crime release this year which is already critically acclaimed by authors such as Stephen Fry. Described as a Greek tragedy in the guise of a postmodern thriller, the novel takes place on a private Greek island wherein film star Lana Farrar invites a group of her old friends to stay. Seven people are trapped on the island. One of them is a murderer. But which one?

No Hard Feelings | Film | Sky Cinema Available January

This Sky Original film is a charming feel-good comedy about living in the moment. When Joan’s (Patricia Hodge OBE) husband dies she discovers he had invented an anti-aging elixir that literally takes the years off. Sharing it with her two friends Linda (Diane Keaton) and Susan (Lulu) the three rejuvenated women waste no time in painting the town red, but they soon realise it’s a very different world to the one they remember.

Coming to Sky Cinema in January is No Hard Feelings starring Jennifer Lawrence. On the brink of losing her childhood home, Maddie discovers an intriguing job listing: wealthy helicopter parents looking for someone to “date” their introverted 19-year-old son, Percy, before he leaves for college. To her surprise, Maddie soon discovers the awkward Percy is no sure thing.

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IN BUSINESS Blast Proof Panels Save Israeli Lives Since 1992, Israeli law has dictated that a mamad (a bomb-proof space) – must be installed in all new residential and industrial buildings. But there are still millions of Israeli citizens living in homes constructed prior to that, who are left vulnerable to air strikes, and have been exposed in the recent middle eastern conflict. Israeli startup Ortech Defence Systems has developed patented wall panels that which can protect any room in any kind of building against blast hits, fragmentation, and even forced entry. The panels, which can be fully applied to a room within just a week, are made of a combination of polymers and fiberglass that are constructed over steel beams and will bring safety to many families in war zones.

English National Opera to Move to Manchester English National Opera (ENO) and Greater Manchester have announced a new working partnership to develop a new home for the opera company. The partnership will see ENO and Greater Manchester work together on plans to bring the company’s globally renowned cultural offer to a main base in the cityregion by 2029. Following a rigorous assessment process to decide on this new city base, ENO was excited by the close strategic alignment of Greater Manchester’s values and vision with its own, the potential opportunities to collaborate with the region’s vibrant arts ecology, and the chance to inspire and create work with and for new audiences and communities in the area. This emerging shared vision with partners in Greater Manchester will focus on the development of new innovations in opera, with ambitious creative collaborations in performance, public health and the development of local talent, in partnership with a range of venues and organisations across the city-region.

Israeli AI Tech Helps Businesses Monitor Production Senser, the Tel Aviv based pioneer of zeroinstrumentation production intelligence, has announced the launch of its AI-powered product suite to continue supporting

January / February 2024

BUSINESS NEWS

A look at local and international business news and initiatives. enterprises in the cybersecurity, financial services, and software and technology sectors effectively manage service level agreements (SLAs) and service level objectives (SLOs). SLAs and SLOs are critical benchmarks companies use to ensure the delivery of high-quality services and maintain optimal system performance. Senser's new SLA/ SLO suite offers enterprises the following: Workflows to quickly import SLAs and SLOs from other systems for a single source of truth, automatic generation of SLIs based on service incidents, along with recommended benchmarks and alerting thresholds driven by ML-powered analysis of a customer's environment, continuous tracking of performance and machine learning (ML)-powered predictive notifications when a customer is in danger of exceeding the error budget for a given SLA or SLO – along with automated root cause analysis pinpointing exactly what's driving the variance. Senser harnesses technology to continuously and non-intrusively collect data on a company's production environment; automatically create a topology of their infrastructure, network, applications, and APIs; and deliver automated insights into root cause and business impact when issues like outages or service degradations arise.

Independent Study Endorses Israeli Cancer Treatment Am independent study, in which Israeli company ProSense was one of two cryoablation systems analysed, was overseen and conducted at the Breast Centre of Excellence and the Department of Surgery, School of Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Centre. A total of 32 early-stage breast cancer patients with a median age of 70 (range of 50-91) were treated with cryoablation, a treatment that uses intense cold to freeze and destroy abnormal areas of tissue. Six of the 32 patients (18.5%) received adjuvant radiation, and 31 of 32 patients (97%) received adjuvant endocrine therapy. The mean follow-up was 15 months, with 20 patients (62.5%) completing two years, and 12 patients (37.5%) completing more than three years.

All patients were disease-free at the last follow-up visit, and no major complications from the procedure were reported. The patient population in this study is similar to the population in IceCure's ongoing ICE3 study, the largest controlled multi-centre clinical trial ever performed in the U.S. for liquid nitrogen-based cryoablation of small, low-risk, early-stage malignant breast tumours as an alternative to surgery. The article stated: "Clinical trials have determined not only that cryoablation is just as effective as surgical resection for early-stage, low-risk tumours, but that cryoablation also provides a superior alternative when it comes to financial implications."

University of Manchester Awarded £1.3 Million The University of Manchester has been awarded £1.3 million by the UK Atomic Energy Authority for the development of lithium technologies for fusion. The research will deliver a method to produce enriched lithium in the quantities needed to make breeder blankets for deuterium-tritium fusion reactors. This allows tritium, which is an extremely scarce resource, to be produced inside the reactor. Thereby solving the challenge of how to fuel fusion reactors. Dr Kathryn George will lead the project in collaboration with The University of Manchester’s Chemical Engineering department, University of Leeds and Global Nuclear Security Partners Ltd. Dr George said: “I am excited to be leading this ambitious, collaborative project to produce the fuel needed to make fusion power a reality. “By bringing together a range of skills in chemical engineering and regulation, we will deliver a solution that not only solves the technical problem of fuelling fusion power plants but also ensures that the process will have minimal environmental impact and meet regulatory requirements.”

BUSINESS PHOTO: SIMON MARCUS, ADDICTIVE MEDIA

Brian Teeman, Co-Founder of Joomla! and OpenSourceMatters, knows a thing or two about tech. Here he discusses what uses AI might have for Judaism, and whether it's ready to replace the rabbi just yet! In the face of groundbreaking technological progress, many of us are questioning the ways which AI might be of use in all aspects of our life. The rise of artificial intelligence has ignited conversations regarding its potential influence on many new areas, even including religion. Brian Teeman, the founder of website building platform Joomla, was recently asked to speak on how AI might be used in Judaism at a Chagigah event for Jews in the North. We caught up with him to explore his thoughts on the subject: “To put a Jewish spin on AI, one of the things that I did as a demonstration at a conference recently was that I asked AI: ‘Can you tell me about the Shema?’ It came back and told me that it’s the central prayer of Judaism, the words mean this, this, and this… and started describing it. And that was very good, so I asked it to tell me the same thing in a way that’s suitable for five-year-olds. And it gave me a really nice story explaining exactly the same thing. Then I asked it to

do it again, but for teenagers, and it chose another style and way of saying it.” Despite this, Brian says we don’t have to worry about AI replacing rabbis just yet:

“Right now there’s no aspect of empathy." “There are two different types of limitation. The first is trust. How do you know that what it is saying is correct. If you ask it a question about a thing that you personally know about, you can verify yourself. But if you were to say: ‘Is the following food item kosher,’ can you trust it? If you went to a rabbi and asked, you would 100% trust their answer. Or, if the rabbi didn’t know, you would go and ask a different rabbi. AI systems won’t do that. The AI system will confidently tell you, it is or it isn’t, but

potentially incorrectly. “The other limitation is that right now there’s no aspect of empathy. If you were to say: ‘I’m having trouble with my relationship, what should I do?’ It can give you advice but it isn’t empathising with you, and it isn’t personalising it. If the rabbi knows you he is able to empathise and customise his answer for you specifically. AI systems can only work on their existing knowledges, which is twofold: the content and the style of writing it.” Despite these limitations, Brian does see some use for AI in Judaism in the future: “I can definitely see how it can be used in teaching, especially with the example I used earlier of explaining things in different styles for different audiences, especially children. In terms of adult learning, it can access more sources than you probably can yourself, and it can do so much more quickly. You might have a few books on a subject, but AI can access thousands of books!”

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PROMOTION

Golden Opportunity

Alan Kinnaird of Walker Crips Investment Management explains which gilts may make a fruitful investment opportunity for you. A gilt is a bond issued by a government, typically with a fixed interest rate and a maturity date. The term "gilt" is often used in the context of British government bonds and can also be referred to as "sovereign bonds" or "Treasury bonds" in other countries. The name "gilt" is derived from the fact that the original bonds had a gold edge, indicating their high quality. These bonds are generally considered low-risk investments, making them perfect for investors looking to play it safe. Walker Crips Investment Management recently launched a UK Gilt Portfolio Service for clients that are looking for a relatively

high after-tax return on their investments of £100,000 and above. This type of investment can be highly tax efficient. Take an example of a UK Short Dated Government Bond with a low coupon which is priced below par, also known as below £100. There is no Financial Services Compensation Scheme limit of £85,000 on gilts which may prove useful if there are any disruptions to the UK Bank system. If an individual buys a UK Government Bond at say £95 and holds it to redemption in a years’ time at £100, the capital gain of £5 is tax free. Accordingly for the first time in

decades, the above-mentioned types of UK Government Bonds are priced below £100 and attractive to Higher Rate and Additional Higher Rate Taxpayers, as the capital gain to redemption is tax free. In order to provide a similar net after tax yield Walker Crips estimates that a UK Bank deposit account would have to generate a gross return (before tax) of 8.16% p.a. To discuss gilts further or receive our brochure and examples, please contact Alan Kinnaird. Tel: 020 3100 8130 or email alan.kinnaird@wcgplc.co.uk

UK Gilt Portfolio Service – offering a potential net return of 4.49% after tax. Looking for a relatively high after tax return on your investments of £100,000 and above? If you would like more information or a brochure, please contact me on the details below. Alan Kinnaird

020 3100 8130 alan.kinnaird@wcgplc.co.uk

Walker Crips Investment Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The value of your investment can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you invested. The rates of return quoted are for illustrative purposes only and not guaranteed and are based on current legislation and rates of taxation.

January / February 2024

Est. 1914.

ADVICE

STAFF BENEFITS

January is often a time when businesses welcome new people into their teams or say goodbye to others. Murray Patt of accountants Alexander Knight & Co takes a look at key tactics to retain staff. Companies nowadays recognise the pivotal role of staff benefits in attracting and retaining top talent, fostering a positive work environment, and driving overall success. They also understand the financial and practical pain of losing key people. Comprehensive benefits packages, including health insurance, retirement plans, and flexible work arrangements, not only demonstrate an employer's commitment to holistic support but also offer tax-efficient advantages for both employers and employee. One of the primary reasons staff benefits are indispensable for businesses is their impact on talent acquisition and retention. In a competitive job market, attracting skilled professionals in 2024 will require more than a ‘competitive salary’ and employers are introducing tailored benefits.

Appealing workplace

Comprehensive benefits packages, including health insurance, retirement plans, and flexible work arrangements, demonstrate an employer's

dedication to supporting their employees holistically, making the company a more appealing destination for prospective talent and enhancing employee loyalty. Promoting health and wellbeing is a universal concern amongst modern entrepreneurs. By addressing the physical and mental health needs of their staff, they are not only improving overall employee satisfaction but also seeing tangible returns in terms of increased productivity, reduced absenteeism and a positive workplace atmosphere. The ability to ‘buy’ extra holiday and offering enhanced maternity pay are other good examples of schemes that innovative entrepreneurs are adding.

Flexibility is key

Flexibility in work arrangements is obviously a highly sought-after benefit in the contemporary workplace. Companies that offer flexible working hours or remote work options provide employees with the means to balance professional and personal responsibilities.

With Murray Patt, founder of Hale-based accountants Alexander Knight & Co. This flexibility often fosters a positive worklife balance, enhances job satisfaction, and contributes to higher levels of employee engagement. The tax-efficient nature of certain benefits is a key consideration for both employers and employees. Offering benefits such as pension schemes and cycle-to-work programs not only supports staff but also allows employers to optimise their tax liabilities, creating a win-win situation. If you have any queries about setting up employee benefits for your staff you can reach me on (0161) 980 8788 or murray@ alexanderknightaccountants.co.uk

Plan for the Unexpected Cheryl Thomson, Head of Protection at Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management explains how to safeguard yourself against unexpected setbacks. Thinking about worst case scenarios can be uncomfortable, but we’re firm believers in planning for the unexpected. Whether you earn an income, own a business, have significant financial liabilities or have built up some wealth, protection insurance could offer some much-needed financial security in the most testing of times. A safety net, creating a cushion for you, your loved ones, or your business (and sometimes these are all connected) could also provide you with valuable peace of mind. For individuals, protection insurance policies can offer financial support not only if someone passes away, but also in the face of long-term or critical illness. By taking good advice on protection insurance, you could find a policy designed to safeguard your income, secure your family home, pay off outstanding debts, or simply ensure that your loved ones remain financially secure. If you’re a business owner, it’s worth thinking about the impact that the death or illness of a key person – such as a customer-facing director, or a highly skilled member of the team – could have on your company’s ability to continue operating smoothly. With the right policy, you could cushion against this impact. A protection policy could also ensure stability in the company’s ownership (for example if an owner or key person passes away) and safeguard against financial concerns from creditors, suppliers and customers.

Taken together, protection insurance can play a hugely important role in providing you with peace of mind and a safety net in the face of the unexpected. If you’d like to talk through some options about protecting yourself, your business, and those closest to you, your local Handelsbanken branch at Manchester Trinity Way is here to help. Contact 0161 834 7166 or manchestertrinityway@handelsbanken.co.uk.

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THE ACCOUNTANTS FOR ENTREPRENEURS

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January / February 2024

Top Spots NEW OPENINGS

Our pick of where to go for your Veganuary meat free fix and a few new cafés and restaurants to look out for. Veganuary Hotspots

New Openings

Bundobust | Oxford Road

This locally beloved vegan hotspot serves a great Indian street food-style meal. So good it’ll make you forget it’s vegan, Bundobust has been on many a ‘try before you die’ list in the press with its spicy okra fries and vada pav burger, a deep-fried mashed potato ball in a bun, as standout menu items. Bundobust.com

The Allotment| Lloyd St

The Allotment Vegan Eatery is a great eveningout restaurant for an all vegan three-course meal. They also serve a vegan afternoon tea with chilled sandwiches, scones, and an option to upgrade to a prosecco afternoon tea. Allotmentvegan.co.uk

Herbivorous Vegan at Hatch | Oxford Road Herbivorous Vegan has its own mini restaurant at popular street food park hotspot, Hatch. Don’t miss out on Hatch’s atmosphere, live music events, and bars just because you’re worried you can’t find anything to eat. Herbivorous Vegan has you covered with its American inspired comfort food menu, including chilli cheesesteak and buffalo wings. Herbivorous.co.uk

Ice Shack | Wilmslow Road

No meal is complete without dessert. At this all vegan dessert parlour you can satisfy your sweet tooth with ice cream, cookies, and cake! Special Ice Shack flavours have previously included vanilla and pomegranate cupcakes, chocolate orange cake, raspberry and pistachio cake, vanilla, and peach cake, and many more. Watch out for seasonal special flavours at annual occasions too. On Instagram @iceshackm20

Blank Street Coffee | Piccadilly Gardens

Moving in from the US, this Brooklyn-based coffee shop Blank Street has opened its doors in its first Manchester location after launching in London last year. This stylish coffee shop offers all your classic espresso coffees and a couple extras such as the blueberry matcha latte, with seasonal special hot chocolates, coffees, and teas on annual occasions. And if you just can’t get enough of Blank Street Coffee then it has a selection of coffee and hot chocolate for you to buy on its website. Blankstreet.com

The Beacon | Altrincham

Formerly known as Pi Bar before its closure in November, the beloved bar is being reopened and renamed The Beacon. Chris Bardsley and Will Brown worked for five years at the bar before setting up their independent bottle shop, Batch. The Beacons name is an ode to the olde English connections to Batch, linking The Beacon to the bottle shop. Stop by here for a cosy pub with great beer and music. On Instagram @Batch.Bottlestore

Parla | Northern Quarter

Vegan pizza parlour Purezza, which recently opened two years ago, has recently gotten an upgrade by adding a small bar under the restaurant. The bar will be serving an all-vegan cocktail menu while collaborating with Desert Island Dumplings on a food menu. The bar’s name Parla meaning ‘speaks’ in Italian sets the tone of the bar as an Italian inspired speakeasy. Parlabar.com

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VALENTINES

Get Loved Up Be adventurous this Valentine’s Day with this selection of some wow factor romantic spots. Valentines Day is a special occasion which calls for an equally special location. Whether your priority is a quiet private bar, a decadent afternoon tea, or a flashy themed restaurant we’ve got options for you to create your perfect date night, and even pop the question!

Mana | Ancoats Six by Nico | Northern Quarter and Deansgate

With two Manchester venues to choose from Six by Nico is an exciting and adventurous Valentine’s date. The six-course tasting menu, which gives Six by Nico its name, is changed every six weeks and will be sure to include some love-ly bites. If you want to be surprised on your date book ahead and await the theme on your arrival (or you can check beforehand) Previous themes have included a Tokyo theme, a storybook inspired menu titled Once Upon a Time, a Circus theme, a Thai theme, a theme inspired by the Amalfi Coast, and an Alice in Wonderland themed menu. Sixbynico.co.uk/manchester

If you want to go the whole nine-yards with your dining experience visit one of Manchester’s Michelin-starred restaurants’, Mana. Experience British produce like never before with Chef Simon Martin’s take on British seafood staples with Asian influences. This beautifully decorated, polished dining room also has an open kitchen so you can see the chefs crafting the delicious fayre. Manarestaurant.co.uk

Three Little Words | Deansgate Sexy Fish | Spinningfields

This newly opened restaurant and bar is a luxurious and exclusive unique spot for your special date. A Japanese seafood restaurant, Sexy Fish is also host to the largest champagne collection in the country. Its dramatic interior features large aquatic themed artwork and lighting, a mini waterfall, and art by renowned artist Damien Hirst specially made for the space. If you’re looking for a glamorous and impressive location, this is it! It even has an aquarium of exotic fish in its private dining room as a proposal backdrop. Sexyfishmanchester.com

Tattu Manchester | Spinningfields

The atmosphere in Tattu is just as good as the taste of the stunning food. This contemporary Chinese restaurant is decorated with trees and twinkling lights in the main restaurant making it a modern sanctuary while you eat your meal. Its menu is something to be experienced serving a mixture of vibrant contemporary and traditional Chinese dishes. Tattu.co.uk

January / February 2024

Nestled under the historic Grade II listed is this cocktail bar and distillery. Its brick walls and low lighting with modern furnishings make this venue a stylish and alluring spot to have post-dinner drinks from its extensive menu. This bar has something to satisfy everyone’s taste with room to experiment and find new favourites. Threelittlewordsmcr.co.uk

Grand Pacific Manchester | Central Manchester

This elegantly decorated restaurant with art deco décor, floor to ceiling windows, and grand chandeliers is a romantic hot spot. Experience this setting with dinner, drinks, or a high tea which promises a plethora of bite-sized sweet delights and sandwiches accompanied by aromatic beverages from faraway places. Grandpacific.uk.com/manchester

FASHION

High Fashion to High Street How runway shows and their avante garde and exaggerated looks affect your everyday clothes. We’ve all seen a picture from a runway and thought: who would wear that? At times even the models, whose careers rely on them being unattainably attractive, can’t seem to pull off these wacky designs. When these weird and wonderful outfits hit the catwalk it’s easy to think of high fashion and high street fashion as two separate entities, but if you can learn to read the subtleties from the most popular fashion shows then you’ll be on track for the next year of fashion trends.

Look your best with

Nothing starts nowhere

“But what you don’t know is that that sweater is not just blue, it’s not turquoise, it’s not lapis, it’s actually cerulean. And you’re also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar de la Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns.” Meryl Streep’s famed monologue in The Devil Wears Prada captures this concept perfectly, it may take time to get down to high street prices but every colour, cut, and fabric has its roots in a top designer’s collection. We may have attributed this year’s pink craze to the 2023 release of the Barbie film but much sooner, in 2022s autumn/winter fashion shows, designers such as Chanel included multiple pink pieces in its show and Valentino went so far as to have a completely pink venue with monochromatic pink outfits.

What to choose?

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Of course, the answer to this question is anything you like the look of! Fashion shows are inspiration for your style, to see clothing be pushed to its limits so you can be inspired to try wearing your clothes in new ways. But if you want to predict which styles are going to stick, then its best to watch as many shows as possible and look for common threads. You can often find livestreams of fashion shows online, London fashion weeks will be shown under Vogue World for example, and you might want to look at this handy website: Thesocietyfashionweek.com/fashion-week-dates, so you know when all the upcoming fashion weeks are.

Finding the right piece

Being ahead of the curve leaves you with one problem, you might be too early to a trend to find an affordable version of it. Shops like H&M are known for runway knockoffs, but it takes time to get to them. It’s the curse of being too fashionable, so it’s best to keep an open mind when looking for clothes that fit your inspiration and get savvy and experimental with what you can find. Our biggest tip is to shop vintage, though this may seem counterintuitive shopping for your new look through old styles, fashion regularly takes inspiration from eras gone by. You might just find the fabric, silhouette, or colour you’re looking for by looking back.

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NATIONAL SCIENCE FICTION DAY

The Appliance of Science Believe it or not, it was National Science Fiction Day on 2nd January, so that got us thinking about some Jewish connections to the genre.

Science fiction imagines the impossible, placing us within reach of the stars and the most terrifying alien species. What’s more, it gives us a different perspective and space (literally) to question our relationships between races, countries, and even faiths. It imagines how we would react if we had to collaborate against uncharted planets, species, and moral dilemma. From science fiction icon Isaac Asimov and his genre defining books, to more recent and unique Jewish authors, we take a look at Jewish science fiction authors and their best books.

Foundation | Isaac Asimov

A series by iconic science fiction writer Isaac Asimov is the place to start if you’re interested in sci-fi. After 12,000 years of domination, the Galactic Empire is dying. Only Hari Seldon, creator of the revolutionary science of psychohistory, can gaze into the future to look upon a dark age of ignorance, barbarism, and conflict. In an attempt to save the galaxy from destruction Hari assembles the Foundation, a group of the best minds in the Empire – consisting of scientists and scholars – to save humankind. Foundation has recently been adapted into a TV series by Apple TV+.

I, Robot | Isaac Asimov

Another infamous science fiction novel by Asimov, depicting an all too familiar portrayal of the future where man and machine struggle to create boundaries between life, love, and consciousness. The invention of the first positronic man brings with it unforeseen risks as the scientists who created them become dissatisfied that they are only seen as programmed helpers, companions, and semi-sentient worker machines. And soon the robots themselves, aware of their intelligence, power, and humanity, aren’t either. This sci-fi classic was adapted into a film starring Will Smith in 2004 and can be streamed on Disney+.

Wandering Stars | Edited by Jack Dann

A pivotal book in Jewish science fiction writing, Wandering Stars is an anthology of Jewish fantasy and science fiction stories, collated and edited by Jack Dann. Originally published in 1974, Isaac Asimov comments in his introduction that Jewish authors felt the need to hide their Jewish birthnames and replace them with pen names which were more ‘palatable’ and ‘business-like’ to the contemporary sci-fi scene. Wandering Stars is therefore a celebration of Judaism in the genre and possibly the first anthology of Jewish sci-fi writers to openly identify themselves as such.

January / February 2024

Starglass | Phoebe North

A great series for younger readers, this young adult sci-fi tells the story of a spaceship of entirely Jewish passengers seeking a new homeland in space. While all onboard are committed to Jewish ways of living, many of the mitzvot have been interpreted in twisted and darker forms. With little time left before landing on the long-promised planet a revolution is rising to set things right.

Central Station | Lavie Tidhar

This collection of interconnecting short stories by Israeli author Lavie Tidhar is a World Fantasy Award Winner. It tells the story of a future of Tel Aviv where the city is has fallen into disarray. Everything is connected by the Others, powerful alien entities who, through the Conversation – a shifting, flowing stream of consciousness— are just the beginning of irrevocable change.

COMMUNITY

Shining Bright In honour of Yeshurun Cheadle and Gatley’s diamond anniversary, we sat down with Rabbi Greg Bank and five of the synagogue’s members to find out what the community means to them.

Yeshurun Cheadle & Gatley synagogue was first established 60 years ago from a desire to have a shul close at hand for Jewish families in the area, as one of the founding members Harold Solomon tells: “10 of us set up the synagogue 60 years ago. I was the baby. The others were established members of synagogues in North Manchester, but I had just moved into South Manchester, and they wanted a younger member on their committee. Every Shabbat we used to have to walk all the way into Northenden. So we decided to form a synagogue in Cheadle & Gatley.” The founding members each contributed £1,000 to buy the house the shul now sits in. The synagogue wasn’t always going to be named Yeshurun. In fact, the founding members had initially decided on the name King David, which the Chief Rabbi did not approve. After some further consideration, the name Yeshurun, derived from a word

meaning ‘song’, was chosen. The synagogue not only served the existing Jewish community in the area, but also drew more Jews into the area, as Trustee Judith Stone shares: “When my husband and I married in 1965, we chose to purchase a house in Gatley, because it was convenient to walk to shul. We were choosing between that and Sale. A rabbi had just been appointed to the shul, which in 1965 was beginning to operate on a more formal basis.” Judith’s son Richard Stone grew up in Yeshurun’s community and shared his experience of that: One thing that I liked about it was that it was always a very open place. You had people who were Shomre Shabbat, and people who would drive straight to the match after shul, and they all sat next to each other, and nobody looked down on anyone.” Amanda Dee is on the Shul Board and Events Committee and joined the shul a few years ago when moving into the area with her young family: “When we moved to Manchester, we were actually part of a different South Manchester community, but we came to Yeshurun one time, and I just loved it. It had a really warm, open, welcoming feeling. I remember the first time we came, the person doing security on the door was so pleased to see a young family in shul." Such is the shul's commitment to a welcoming environment, that there are no set seats for congregants, allowing everyone to sit wherever they choose.

From Bar and Bat Mitzvah groups, to discussion groups for both men and women, to summer programmes for the kids, there’s so much going on. Rabbi Greg and Hannah Bank feel its important their role to be constantly engaging with the shul’s congregation: “The main thing is that I want the Jewish experience to be both meaningful and fun, especially for the younger members. When they walk into the shul building, I want them to feel that they want to be there, that it's not a drag to be taken to shul. I’m very much of the opinion that the role of the rabbi is not to be up there on the podium and separate to the community, but more to be part of the community.” Find out more about the 60th anniversary celebration plans at Yeshurun.org.uk

Jlifemagazine.co.uk

The Last WORD

BEING HUMAN

Rabbi Greg Bank of Yeshurun Cheadle & Gatley Synagogue, discusses the values of the Torah to our heroes.

Why is JewishCOMMUNITY law so particular about this issue? Surely with all the perils of war, there are more pertinent issues that the troops need to be focussed on. The Torah’s lesson is critical to the attitude of the Jewish soldier. War is a fight for survival. It isUJIA a conflict that determines life and Sazgar d Shaliach, Sahar death in its rawest form. When the soldier is out there defending his Shlichut, fostering a love of Isr life, it is easy for animal instincts to set in. Animals in the wild will do anything to avoid falling prey. They enter into a mode of survival and shaped “For the Lord your pounce on their predators to ensure their basic existence. There is my verygrowing up proc During trips throughou G-d is bringing you to little that separates the combat soldier from the beasts in theknow wild.every mountain and a good land, a land The Torah warns the soldier not to lose human Hestories dareand traditions, and withhis brooks of water,touch. an integral part of my life. T fountains and basics depths, of human drift into an animal that has become numb to the thatmess Israel is my home alwa that emerge valleys living. He is mandated to take a shovel with him inand bury his enhance my knowledge of t and mountains” because he is blessed to be human and no matter how thick that the formed cloudsmy identity. As (Devarim 7:7) of war are, he must remain human at all cost. and knowledge advances, a follows. As a Shaliach The greatest weapon in the Jewish’s solders arson is his humanity. the challenge rema that spends of his with the young He goes out to battle activemost with thetime highest moral radar. He is Still, acutely educate young people who generation of the Jewish community, my primary aware of avoiding civilian loss, mustThe usereal hischallenge arms inofthe purist to love Israel and have thes responsibility is tohe educate. fashion and he has to be sensitive to the human spirit thatthe heJewish state? So towards my Shlichut is the understanding that my role of those unconditional love is achie is not just to educate towards a certain formal encounters. acceptof the occasional negat butmoral also tostandard. enhance and promote Israel’s army behaviour, sets a high We are the antithesis I have the privilege to ed a particular feeling – ‘ahavat ha’aretz’, love of the terrorist thugs that do battle against us. Those that question our Jewish generation to love Is country. humanity, need to But simply at the spirit of the IDFand and the values the of facts. The fa explaining how look does one educate those feelings perfect country, it’s young a morewhere specifically, a love of Israel? As a young the Torah to know we stand. learning. At the same time, Israeli, a ‘chanich’ in a youth movement and a Yeshurun.org

A LOVE OF

Can you guess what one item the Torah mandates every soldier to take with him into battle? It isn’t a gun or a sword that provides physical defence. It isn’t a prayer book, Tefillin or Tztizit that ensure the necessary spiritual success on the war front. It isn’t food for nourishment or appropriate clothing. The one thing that the Torah requires of each soldier is to carry a shovel in his rucksack. Of all utensils critical for victory on the battlefield, it is a shovel that is deemed most necessary. The reason for this is pragmatic. Out there in the field, the solider does not have the luxury of a toilet. He is forced to adapt and make use of his environment and it is precisely here that Jewish law kicks in. It tells the soldier to take a shovel to dig a hole and cover up his business.

high school student who was extremely motivated before and during his army service, ‘ahavat ha’aretz’ had been an instrumental value that

accomplished so many achi last 71 years, a fact that sho granted.

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