Organisations of the community: The Zone

The Zone is a cross-communal and all-inclusive Jewish youth organisation who cater for children aged between 5 and 18. They provide a range of exciting and inspirational activities- sports, art, drama, music, dance, Jewish identity, interfaith and more- suitable for Jewish children regardless of their background, religiosity or ability. The Zone is a real asset to the Leeds community and a shining Jewel in the crown of Northern Jewry. Newly refurbished, The Zone not only looks stunning but contains a tennis table, a computer suite, table football, a cafe, a games room, a sports hall, as well as a comfortable seating area.

With Jewish children attending a variety of schools in the area it is essential to provide and support a place for them to socialise. The Zone is this place! It is a youth centre that provides a safe, stimulating and secure place for all these children to get together, including others who have otherwise opted to leave the core community. As well as providing purely social activities, one of their objectives is to welcome children into the community to enable them to make choices about getting involved in Jewish life. Through discussion, debate and ulpan they have the opportunity to consider their Jewish identity. Their success in providing this unique balance of services can be attested to with over 400 children coming to see The Zone's new premises!
Examples of activities include:

• Karate- work your way through the colour chart
• StreetSound Project- record, edit and mix radio shows, podcasts, music and blogs and maybe they will appear on Radio Jcom (our community radio station)
• Junior Football (Mini Maccabi)- start here and progress to a Maccabi team
• Poland Trip- a trip for 15 year olds (in conjunction with Makor) allowing them to see the concentration camps and hear Holocaust Survivor Arek Hersh
• Dinky Drama and Art- fun activities for 5 – 8 year olds
• Fundraising- such as this year's Chanukah 24 hour Dance-A-Thon!
• Leadership programmes- including one or many of 'Zone and Maccabi'; Duke Of Edinburgh; Millenium Volunteers; and The Arts Award
  

Another major plus-point of The Zone is its good working relationship and partnerships with other organisations in the community. It raises awareness of local communal organisations through its leadership programmes, puts on joint events with the Talmud Torah and is pleased to work in conjunction with the various youth movements that operate in the area. It is always willing to open its doors to be used as a venue by various groups such as the university JSoc.
To find out more and get involved email info@1zone.org.uk or call 0113 217 2532