In a bid to infuse Jewish ethos, values, and content into the lives of its tenants, the Manchester Jewish Housing Association (MJHA) has unveiled a series of innovative engagement programmes at its sheltered housing accommodation, Gan Eden, located in Salford.
This initiative marks a significant step forward in maintaining a vibrant and inclusive community where residents can connect, celebrate, and embrace their cultural heritage. Among the initiatives introduced are regular meetings with tenants to discuss matters close to their hearts, special events commemorating Jewish holidays, and communal gatherings designed to foster a sense of belonging.
According to David Mintz, Chief Executive of MJHA: “The Jewish calendar allows many opportunities for communal togetherness, and our residents are all part of the wider MJHA family, and so it is our pleasure and privilege to be able to celebrate key events with them and to spend time getting to know them.
“The feedback that we received to our initial renewed efforts at communal outreach to celebrate Rosh Hashanah was that many of our residents welcomed more traditional Jewish content and programmes. We have carefully built on this theme, keeping in touch with our residents with monthly newsletters reporting on progress and communal activities.”
Examples of the initiatives implemented include the delivery of honey cake to residents to mark Rosh Hashanah, a Chanukah party complete with festive mince pies and donuts, and a Friday Night Kiddush programme where members of the board join residents monthly to make Kiddush, serve chicken soup, and share challah.
“The Friday Night Kiddush has been really well received by our residents and allows us an opportunity to interact with our residents in a familiar and relaxed setting,” commented Phil Geller, Chair of the MJHA.
Jane Blank, Vice Chair of the MJHA, who helped to organise the Shabbat activity, remarked on the Friday Night Kiddush, saying: “It is a superb evening, and it is so nice to see so many smiling faces and a lovely atmosphere. It is a feeling that stays with you.”
At the tenant meetings, topical issues are covered, and recently, MJHA arranged for Jonny Basger, a representative of CST, to provide a security briefing in light of recent events in Israel. David added: “We are very grateful to CST for its input and for taking the time to come and meet our residents and answer any questions. Recent events have been unsettling, but the organisation is doing an excellent job of keeping our community safe.”
Most recently, on Purim, tenants were treated to a reading of the Megillah by volunteer Aryeh Hassell and his family, accompanied by Brackman’s Hamantaschen, further enhancing the festive spirit within the community, as David explains: “The response from our residents has been overwhelmingly positive. These programmes not only celebrate our shared heritage but also strengthen the bonds within our community. We are committed to continuing to enrich the lives of our tenants and providing them with opportunities for meaningful engagement.”
MJHA’s dedication to enhancing the living experience at Gan Eden underscores its mission to continue to offer supportive and inclusive environments for all residents. As the programmes continue to evolve, they are set to become an integral part of the fabric of communal life within the MJHA community.
For further information about MJHA and its initiatives, visit Mjha.org.uk or contact 0161 740 0001.