Not Your Average Jewish Family

Not Your Average Jewish Family: Leeds Workshop for those with Non-Jewish Family Members

It is now a well-acknowledged fact that more and more Jews are in long-term relationships with non-Jews. Many non-Jewish partners do not wish to convert to Judaism, and that leaves couples and families having to deal with a variety of issues relating to mixed faith relationships. There are also many single people who, having converted to Judaism, or having embarked on that course, have non-Jewish family members.

On Sunday afternoon, 31st January, there will be a workshop for singles and couples who have non-Jewish family members. The aim will be to enable people to share experiences and to develop support systems for such families/couples/individuals, if that is what they would find helpful.

If you would like a booking form please email annadyson@googlemail.com or if you wish to call and discuss it, please call me on 07814 682 613. Booking will be essential as spaces will be limited. There will be a charge of £5 per head to cover costs.

If you know of someone else who may be interested in this idea, please feel free to pass this information on to them.

Pamper Evening

Hannah Sennesh Wizo's 3rd Pamper Evening

Wednesday this week, 2nd December from 8pm - Turnberry Avenue- 07811 204113

Come along and get your nails done, or have a head massage and some reflexology. Peruse the many stalls and afterwards see if you can win one of our excellent raffle prizes, which include Daniel vouchers, skin care vouchers and other goodies. Doughnuts and hot chocolate too.

We would love to see you - £15 on the door which includes a treatment, refreshments and a raffle ticket!

Communal Diary: 29th Nov - 6th Dec

The system that sends out the weekly newsletter to the mailing list is currently down. Hopefully, this will be up in time to send it out Saturday night- motzei Shabbat.

In the meantime, you can find the communal diary here which details all the events that are taking place within the Leeds Jewish Community between the 29th November and 6th December. It is a busy week with events from UHC, LJWB, WIZO, The Zone, Jewish Women's Aid, Talmud Torah and Brodetsky. Please take a look.

Also, be aware of some important events that are taking place the following week including the UJIA Annual Dinner with Israeli Ambassador, Dan Gillerman, and the Limelight AGM

Limelight AGM

LIMELIGHT DRAMA GROUP will be holding its AGM on WEDNESDAY, 9 DECEMBER at 8 pm at LIMELIGHT HOUSE, 399 Street Lane (top of the driveway in grounds of BHH Synagogue).

The group looks forward to seeing all current members on that evening but would also welcome any new interested people over the age of 18. If you enjoy theatre and would like to get involved with, not only acting, but backstage (eg. costumes, props, technical) we would love you to come to the above AGM and meet like minded people. As well as putting on our main productions twice a year we have other theatrical activities on a smaller scale. Come and find out what we are all about.

UJIA Annual Dinner

UJIA Leeds Annual Dinner

Tuesday 8th December 2009
The Reuben Vincent Banqueting Suite
Etz Chaim, 411 Harrogate Road, Leeds LS17 7BY

Guest of Honour
Ambassador Dan Gillerman

Contact Howard Foreman for more details
Tel: 0113 2693136
E mail: leeds@ujia.org

Ambassador Dan Gillerman

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, 2003-2008 Ambassador Dan Gillerman served as Israel’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations from January 2003 – August 2008. His appointment marked the first time that Israel nominated someone from the private sector to this post.

Under Ambassador Gillerman, Israel saw a number of notable and unprecedented achievements in the realm of international politics and diplomacy at the United Nations. He was instrumental in passing numerous resolutions in the General Assembly and Security Council, including the first successful Israeli resolutions ever adopted by the United Nations. As a restament to his leadership, his colleagues elected him a Vice- President of the General Assembly in 2005, making Ambassador Gillerman the first Israeli representative in 53 years to serve the position, ever since Abba Eban in 1952.

Make Drama Work

Dear Friend,

You will hopefully have heard about the first Leeds Community Chanukah Show, being led by Nicky Smith, Jonathan Sumroy and myself. The performances will take place on Sunday 13th and Monday 14th December this year – you might even know somebody involved.

This is a landmark event for the Jewish Community of Leeds. Never before has there been an opportunity for youngsters from all the shuls to take ownership over an event that they are all involved in.

As with most community projects, the show is unsubsidised. As with all theatrical projects, there are some necessary expenses – sets, props and costumes do not come entirely free, no matter how skilled we are at the beg, steal and borrow game! Our aim will be to raise the funds to cover these costs and be able to feed something back into the community via the shuls and The Zone from ticket sales.

And that is where, we hope, you come in…

We will be having full colour, glossy programmes printed and would like to offer advertising space for either business promotion, or personal messages. The brochure will be

A5-sized and adverts start at £25 for a quarter page.

I would also like to take this opportunity to invite anyone with an interest in the Arts, to become Patrons of the event by making a single donation of £12. Patrons will be listed and thanked in the programme and associated with future ventures of this nature.

Of course there is always the option of sponsoring a specific part of the event; making a donation specifically for musical contribution, costumes, props or set construction perhaps.

All contributors will be acknowledged in the programme (unless they wish to remain anonymous) and will receive one free ticket to their preferred performance.

If you would like to be a part of this innovative project and feel you can offer your support in any way, please get in touch with me as soon as possible – any assistance will be greatly appreciated! E-mail emma@makedramawork.co.uk or telephone 07538 089 899.

All the very best,

Emma Gordon- DIRECTOR / TRAINER / FACILITATOR

Iran: Our Greatest Threat?

Dear Friends

You are invited to hear Neil Lazarus speak at the MAZ Community Centre, 311 Stonegate Road, on Tuesday 17th November 2009 at 8.30pm. Neil Lazarus is an internationally acclaimed expert in the field of Middle East, Israel advocacy and effective communication training.

He is emerging as one of Israel’s leading keynote speakers. His presentations are fun, informative and entertaining. His seminars are causing a sensation internationally. He is a favoured speaker for Jewish Federations, Community Leadership as well as student leadership groups. He is a welcomed guest at many Christian friends of Israel organisations.

Neil Lazarus has helped train a new generation of Israeli diplomats as well as Israel’s army and airforce spokespeople.

Neil acted as the Israel advocacy policy advisor for Israel’s leading reality television program, “The Ambassador”.

Born in Britain he received his first degree in Political Science at the University of Wales. Neil immigrated to Israel in 1988 and soon after received his Masters Degree at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

We are delighted that he has accepted an invitation to speak in Leeds. We hope that you will join us for what is sure to be an instructive and enlightening evening.

Please let us know if you will be attending this important meeting. Contact Sandra or Marilyn on 0113 2185865 or email info@leedszf.org

Thanks,

Phil Margolis