Discover a world of Jewish objects, while enjoying the sounds of traditional and contemporary sacred Jewish music in this free one-off musical performance in The John Rylands Library’s historic Reading Room on 7th November.
Join researcher Dr Stefania Silvestri as she introduces her current project, 50 Jewish Objects, an exploration of Jewish culture through items from across the globe. Included in this collection is a unique musical manuscript that has been reinterpreted by local composer Ruti Worrall, and will be performed live by the Menorah Synagogue Choir.
MUSIC
Vessels of Song: Journeys into the Worlds of Klezmer
Vessels of Song is the latest show created and performed by Klezmorim of Manchester, the troupe bringing the Leeds University-based Michael Kahan Kapelye (MKK) band alumni together with klezmorim in the wider community.
Through live music and narration, the event at Cross Street Chapel on 1st December explores the journeys made by klezmer over the years. In addition to the classics, the show incorporates songs from Yiddish theatre, swing crossover numbers, and exploration of the ways in which classical composers have worked Jewish themes into their music.
THEATRE
Joseph & The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
Junior Stage 80 (JS80) returns to the Waterside Theatre from 5th to 10th November for its annual theatrical production. Expect dazzling costumes and classic songs such as Close Every Door and Any Dream Will Do performed in show-stopping style by the community’s hottest young talent.
Marking the 50th anniversary of one of the world’s most beloved musicals, the award-winning South Manchester youth theatre group will illuminate the biblical tale of Joseph, charting his journey from prison to the heights of the Egyptian pharaohs as he tries to right his wrongs.
SHOWBIZ
Ladies’ Lunch with Maureen Lipman
Join The Fed for its annual best-selling afternoon of entertainment on 12th November, with beloved British actor Maureen Lipman, CBE.
Known to many as Beattie from the British Telecom adverts and most recently Evelyn Plummer in Coronation Street, the Jewish Hullensian has enjoyed a career spanning stage, TV and radio; her most acclaimed role coming in 1983 when she starred as Trish in the film Educating Rita.
Last year’s sell-out Ladies’ Lunch saw a capacity crowd at the Heathlands Village Purple Room. This year’s fundraiser hopes for the same reception as Maureen regales the crowd with showbiz anecdotes, all in the name of raising money for the community care charity.
FAITH
Northern Chagigah
From 1st to 3rd November, The Movement for Reform Judaism is hosting its annual northern community meet at The Hawkhills in Easingwold. Whether you’re looking for a spiritual recharge or simply a Shabbat without the washing up, the Northern Chagigah promises a relaxing weekend of learning, praying and fun, with RSY-Netzer on-hand to take care of the kids.
The stately home on the southern edge of the Yorkshire moors will accommodate a variety of educational sessions hosted by community leaders from across Leeds and Manchester, from a meditative wellbeing workshop led by Rabbi Reuven Silverman to an interactive study of Jewish texts on the topic of belonging with Rabbi Robyn Ashworth-Steen.
LITERATURE
Being Jewish In Victorian Fiction
The Centre for Jewish Studies at The University of Manchester is hosting a Victorian fiction reading group seminar on 14th November at Manchester Central Library.
This free-of-charge session led by local author and university lecturer Sherry Ashworth, will serve as an introduction to Children of the Ghetto by prolific Zionist author, Israel Zangwill. Through focusing on the characters of this late 19th century novel about Jewishness, participants are encouraged to debate the way in which cultural identity is constructed.