www.jhcc.org.uk
The UK’s first Jewish Heritage Centre for Children opened its doors to the public this weekend. The centre, in North Leeds, has been made possible by a £275,000 Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant and will focus on the fascinating heritage of the Jewish community in the UK for all audiences.
Created as an extension of the Lubavitch Centre, the Jewish Heritage Centre for Children is a unique project which aims to teach children from all backgrounds about how Jewish traditions, heritage and culture have survived through the ages into the modern day.
Key attractions and education resources in the new building include a recreated 19th century Eastern European farm village where Jewish festivals are brought to life in a fun, “hands on” way, as well as a children’s kosher supermarket and kids’ kosher kitchen. Other displays include a series of mini films depicting Jewish traditions, food and festivals in which children from the local Brodetsky Primary School took part.
Ruth Bell, Project Co-ordinator, explains: “We’ve consulted with schools, faith groups, after school clubs and women’s groups and the response has been very enthusiastic. We already have quite a few bookings, and are looking forward to many more. The centre is educational on many levels and although it’s primarily for children, there is something of interest for everyone.”
The centre, run by Bnos Chabad – the Jewish voluntary organisation behind the project and based at the Lubavitch Centre in Leeds – will utilise arts & crafts, cookery, music and drama to bring Judaism and its heritage to life for the general public. Open to the public on Sundays from 12noon until 4pm it will also be available for group bookings from Mondays to Thursdays.
Fiona Spiers, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “This is a remarkable project delivered by a voluntary group exploring and offering educational resources on the heritage that is important to them. What is really special about it however, and the reason HLF has supported the venture, is the fantastic permanent resource that now exists in the UK for children and people of all ages and backgrounds who want to learn more about the heritage of Judaism.”
Ruth Bell continued: “We are very excited about the opening of The Centre and we are sure it’s going to be a great asset not only to Leeds but to the whole country.”
Among some of the volunteers who have helped with the project to date, Susy, who helped with the art-work, said: “I am incredibly impressed with the centre – it is an amazing teaching facility and an incredible insight into our past.” And Yanina, mother of 4 year old Josh, said,”You feel when walking into the village that you are stepping right back into the past. It looks so real and authentic and Josh doesn’t want to leave.
The modern kitchen looks amazing; the children will love it.”
i know you cant see Rabbi Sufrin but if you go into the shul in the shtetle you can hear Rabbi Sufrin doing Chazanos…
Ive been there–loved the shtetl!! Loved it all–the stable(my fave room)the succah, the lifecycle, the village shop–and the massive seder plate and kitchen/supermarket!! Great work, everyone! Well done, Mrs bell! GO CHAYALE PINK!!
alot of people commented on ure plaques 🙂
amazing.it looks like a tremendous educational project and I have no doubt that hundreds of Jewish and non Jewish kids will take allot out of it in a fun and educational way. I’m also shaw that this will be an amazing way of educating the non Jewish world to add in the’re mitzvos-Sheva mitzvos bnei noach through using every possible chance when groups or singles visit to tell them about one power that runs the whole world and how each and every one of us can make this world a better place through adding in goodness and kindness making the… Read more »
Go Mom Go!!! it looks amazing!!!
U ROCK AND THE SITES ALMOST READY LOVE U MOM
keep up the good work from the bochurim at wilkes-barre
You wow us each and every time.
may you go from strength to strength.
An ex-student!
go aunty ruth
WELL DONE!!! WERE VERY PROUD OF YOU!
SCRANTON USA
YOU MAKE US ALL PROUD!!!!
Mazal Tov what a great Peulah, well done to the whole team in Leeds, Mechayil el Choyil
chayale – i bet ur the most interactive display!! and cutest!!
luv you loadsss
anyway it all looks incredible
kol hakavod
LEEDS LEADS!!!!!!
Go chayale pink -the only pic of a child
MIss you!!!!!
Rabbi Mendel Sufrin – where are you!? I WHATCHED you grow up! ahhh nachas! Your the best rabbi ever!
wheres rochel?!?!
What an inspiration for the whole Leeds community and beyond. Hatzlocho, all the Brochos.
Hi there! You really did it! Looks pretty good – and I can see the lanterns made it to Leeds! Lots of success, lots of people, and lots of money! Keep up the good work! Dream high and you really made it go!
Firstly the pix dont capture the magnificence of the jhcc. I’ve been a few times and it’s brilliant. Kol hakavod mrs bell. U rock! Adina u also rock for doing to pix u da best! Yanina and josh, way to go. Come for shabb some time, u not been for ages! Bnos chabad volunteers u r gonna be amazing. G’luck wiv ur trial run. Finally this place is completely original and unique and a state of art. This shud bring only mazal and brocho to the entire leeds jewish and non-denomimational communities. Hatslacha.
Thanks for the positive feedback. Can No 4 tell me how we can polish up the website/give some constructive technical help. Ruth Bell
wow looks beautiful! we cant wait to see it in real !kol hakavod!
This is really going to bring Moshiach sooner!!!
This is AMAZING!!! Well done to all those involved! Leeds Shluchim you make us proud! Looking forward to seeing this when we are next in town! Wishing you much Hatzlacha with it all!
Great job, Ruth! As always, you bring your creativity & innovation to every project you undertake. Leeds should be very proud!
Warmest regards!
What a fantastic pe’ulah.
Mrs Bell you are a whizz. Kol hakavod.
Coming round to see it in action.
looks amazing, wish i could get to see it. hope there will be some videos too.
Just one point: the website is most people’s point of entry and it is important that it should be professional. At the moment it looks very amateurish which is a great shame. The logo too has very rough edges and needs some proper design adjustments.
Hatzlocho
hey i live in china and here in shanghai (china) there is the shanghai expo the other coutries just want to copy shanghai.