This year Altrincham Interfaith Group had a new venue for their Annual Picnic -  Denzell Gardens on the A56 – and it was an absolute gem. There were tree stumps for tables, shade if required, and a lovely flat grassy area for the children to run around.  The sun shone and it was the perfect day for a picnic.  Unfortunately, only a handful of people turned up -  such a pity. But those that did come shared delicious food and had a goodtime.  Hopefully, more people will come next year, when they see what a lovely place this is -  and there is no charge for parking!

On Sunday 2nd August, 2015 at 2.00pm

at Denzell Gardens, Dunham Road WA14 4QF

(150yds past the Vegetarian Society sign)

Meet at X on the map at 2.00 pm. Eating from 2.30 pm.

Bring enough food for yourself or your family, plus a little more to share. Don’t worry about dietary rules – people can choose what they like. Simple labels on food, saying what they contain would be a great help

Children – bring along balls and games!

Park near Denzell House or in Green Walk where

there is a small black and white Lytch gate entrance.

If the weather is uncertain, please contact 07989860769 (Carolyn Jones) to confirm that the picnic is still on

If you get lost on the day, call 07989860769

Once again, South Manchester Synagogue hosted the Altrincham Interfaith Group’s Grand Quiz, which was a most enjoyable event held on Wednesday 3^rd June 2015 and attended by about 50 people from a variety of faith traditions. Each table had a mixture of faiths and the Quizmaster had prepared a variety of questions on all sorts of topics, one round of which was based on religions, and one with answers containing the letters G – O – D, as well as giving each table a verbal and a picture quiz to ponder over.  Our brains were certainly taxed but the results at the end were surprisingly close, and everyone had a good time. Thanks to the ladies of the synagogue for providing refreshments, to the Quizmaster for his challenging and thought-provoking questions and to South Manchester Synagogue for their excellent venue.

It was a big success. See some pictures of a winning table and our Chair Gordon Levy
giving a vote of thanks.

On the evening of March 12th, about 35 members of Altrincham Interfaith Group gathered in Rabbi Amir Ellituv’s house adjoining the Sha’are Hayim Sephardi synagogue, still under construction, to hear local historian and writer Basil Jeuda talk about his book “World War 1 and the Manchester Sephardim.”  After a welcome by Rabbi Emir (see photo) Basil (see photo) introduced us to the history of the Manchester Sephardi Jews who are of Spanish and Portuguese origin and who settled in the middle east prior to coming to the UK where they form a small minority of the Jewish population. Many became British citizens and enlisted at the beginning of the war, several being killed at the Battle of the Somme, for instance; notable among these was Joshua Cansino (photo) who died saving an officer. The photo of the battlefield shows members of the Red Cross looking for personal effects so as to be able to inform the families. The most famous name was that of Isaac Leslie Hore-Belisha (photo) who, after the war, introduced the Belisha Beacon, though he was sacked from his position as Minister of Transport for being Jewish. Basil then went on talk about the restrictions placed on the Manchester Sephardim, especially those who were not British citizens and who came from Turkey, Baghdad and Aleppo. Some were interned in the Isle of Man and others were limited in their personal movement. Some aliens had to continue signing on at police stations right up to 1929 (see photo of Freha Leon’s Alien Registration Card). This applied to Turks, Greeks and Armenians of the Christian faith, also, and it was a very difficult time for these communities.

After the talk, we were shown plans for the new synagogue before being treated to delicious snacks (photo) and a chance to mingle and chat.  It was altogether a most pleasant and interesting evening for which we thank the Rabbi and Basil Jeuda.

Carolyn Jones

Hon. Sec., Altrincham Interfaith Group