Local councillors learn about the Manchester community at Board seminar

Local councillors from around the North West spent their Sunday gaining in-depth knowledge of the area’s Jewish community at an all-day seminar.

Bury South MP and shadow cabinet member  Ivan Lewis and Police Chief Superintendent Chris Sykes were among the speakers at the event, organised by the Board of Deputies in association with the Jewish Leadership Council and the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region.

Mr Lewis urged councillors to work to keep their Jewish communities protected by working with the Police and the Community Security Trust. He added: “Education is very important. Our communities have more in common that dividing us. Inter-faith relationships and contact between communities are crucial.”

There were sessions on antisemitism, Israel, housing, media, social care and education at the event, one of  a series being held around the country which are designed to give councillors an insight into the make-up, characteristics and issues of community.

Also speaking at the event were Board of Deputies Chief Executive Gillian Merron, the Jewish Leadership Council’s Chief Executive Simon Johnson and Jonny Wineberg of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region.

Gillian Merron said: “We were delighted to see so many councillors from across the North West giving up their Sunday to engage with us and to receive such positive feedback. It’s a vital part of our work to build constructive relationships with those  in local government and give them the background and knowledge they need to interact with, and serve our community.”