The Jewish Women’s Aid (JWA) Domestic Abuse Helpline has been a vital part of its service as the first point of contact for many of the women JWA supports.
The helpline is a confidential, sympathetic, non–judgmental listening service. It is staffed by fully trained and supervised volunteers from around the country. The helpline number is a freephone number, this means it is free to call from all landlines and mobiles and will not show up on phone bills. The helpline also offers advice and information to concerned family and friends of a woman who is in an abusive relationship.
Here is a recent reflection from one of the helpliners: “I have been on the helpline for almost eight years now and the last few months during lockdown have been like no other we have experienced. The feeling from the callers during this time has been one of gratitude and relief that we are here for them. For many of our callers we are a lifeline to freedom and for some, just a kind and helpful voice at the end of the line. Many, especially during lockdown, have no one else to talk to, so we become their safe space where they can talk and offload, and know it is confidential and the helpliner only has their best interests at heart.
“We create for them the start of the journey to a better and safer life! Many have feared the pandemic has condemned them to stay where they are and endure their life, but we have shown them that with our help, they can find safety and peace!”
The JWA Domestic Abuse Helpline is open Monday to Thursday from 9.30am to 9.30pm and the number is 0808 801 0500.
Ros Proves It’s a Piece of Cake
Ros Michaelson of Radcliffe found an ingenious way to raise money and stay connected with her neighbours during lockdown…through cake-baking! She was able to raise a whopping £1,001 within three months of lockdown, and Ros will donating the total to NHS Charities Together fund.
By setting up a stall in her driveway, passersby and local residents in her area were able to pop by and choose from slices of traybakes, cupcakes and favourites like Victoria sponge cake in exchange for a suggested donation. “The baking gave me a purpose,” Ros explained, “I love baking anyway, so it was a great experience. I was very chuffed at the support we had from neighbours and friends and family.
It proved to be a great way for Ros to keep in touch with her community, with the freshly baked cakes serving as a means to check in with one another for a chat during an isolating time: “Many came for a little chat at the end of our driveway while on their daily walks, so we got to know our neighbours a bit more which was lovely. I even got a few gifts in return, including a thank note from a little girl who lives nearby. It was very touching.”
Ros, who makes cakes and bakes for special occasions regularly, made sure all treats were individually wrapped and that the stall operated with social distancing in place to keep everyone safe. Ros’s husband even made signs to encourage their neighbours to visit the stall!
Ros is available to create wonderful cakes and bakes on commission, so give her a call on 07812 633 426 to put your tasty order in!
Muslim Jewish Forum Commemorates 25th Anniversary of Srebrenica Genocide
This July marked the 25th anniversary of the greatest crime committed on European soil since the Holocaust, when over 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were murdered by Serb forces in and around Srebrenica, after United Nations forces failed to protect them.
The Muslim Forum of Greater Manchester noted this solemn date with an online commemoration event on 19th July, chosen to avoid clashing with the UK’s national commemoration event the week before.The speakers were Elinor Chohan, chair of Remembering Srebrenica North West, Ann Algar, co-chair, Women of Faith, Afzal Khan CBE, MP for Manchester Gorton, Kate Green, MP for Stretford and Urmston and Aldin Zilic, who came as a refugee from Bosnia aged nine.
Forum co-chair Cllr Heather Fletcher, also chaired the event and introduced the showing of the seven-minute film “Srebrenica Revisited:25 Years on” which can be seen on the website of the charity Remembering Srebrenica. Forum executive committee member Cllr Rabnawaz Akbar gave the vote of thanks, and after the formal speeches, forum co-chair Mohammed Amin chaired a discussion among the 22 people attending.
After explaining how in the Srebrenica genocide political leaders whipped up hate to divide communities, Kate Green MP shared her concerns about the present day: “That is why I think it is so important that we proactively work together in every part of our society to prevent any chance for hatred or division to thrive. We have to act early because we realise how easily hate can come in and tear apart, with the most appalling consequences, communities that look successful, settled and harmonious.”
Former Prestwich Hardware Shop to Become Mediterranean Eatery
Prestwich precinct will welcome a new Mediterranean restaurant and bar, Paloma, in September and will feature outdoor seating and a menu of small plates.
Taking over the former Prestwich Paint and Paper hardware store at the Longfield Centre, the restaurant will take its influences from Spain’s Balearic islands as well as Portugal, Italy and North Africa. Paloma will also serve cocktails and a carefully curated list of wines. Paloma – which roughly translates as ‘dove’ in Spanish will also be the name of the eatery’s signature tequila cocktail.
Diners can expect a menu of freshly prepared tapas plates as well as huge paellas on Sundays, and Spanish-style breakfasts with dishes including huevos rancheros. Owner Andy Pope, a Prestwich local, has hired a dedicated pastry chef to prepare daily batches of past is de nata as well as ensaïmada, a traditional pastry from Majorca.
Support JWA With Walnut Tree This September
Throughout the month of September, shoppers at Walnut Tree, an online kosher confectionery gift shop, will be supporting Jewish Women’s Aid (JWA) with every purchase made.
By using the code ‘JWAID’ at the checkout, you can order something delicious and beautiful for friends and family in time for the Jewish New Year and help to support a vital organisation that is much needed, especially during lockdown. With every purchase, Walnut Tree will make a donation to JWA on your behalf as part of this charity partnership.
JWA is one of Walnut Tree’s chosen charities to support this year and it has a wide range of London Beth Din certified gifts and treats made especially for Rosh Hashanah.
Visit Walnut.gifts to redeem the code ‘JWAID’ in September.