Copyright thejc
A new project has been launched aimed at strengthening Jewish identity in young Glasgow residents who might not be inclined to attend or live too far from a traditional synagogue, Twenty people aged between 20 and 40 attended the debut gathering of the West End Project last Sunday where they studied Jewish history while meeting fellow Jewish Glaswegians. The project’s founder, Paul Ginsberg, 46, said the initiative was born after realising that lots of Jewish people in that age group express a desire to connect with one another and grow their Jewish identity but are resistant to the commitments or pressures that come with being affiliated with a synagogue. “There was a thirst to engage in Judaism, but a Shabbat morning service isn’t everyone’s cup of tea,” he said. “With the West End Project, we seek to create an inclusive space where younger Jews, their friends and partners can get to know each other better, get to explore some lesser well-known aspects of Judaism, and have fun.” After arriving in Glasgow himself two and a half years ago, Ginsberg learnt a recent census had revealed more than 1,400 people in Scotland said they are ethnically Jewish but not Jewish by religion or affiliated to any synagogue. “I was moved by that census,” Ginsberg said. “These people were saying that Jewishness was part of their identity but many of them had nowhere to express or grow in it.” [Missing Credit]Participants in the first meeting of the West End Project in Glasgow (Credit: courtesy) Participants in the first meeting carried out Jewish practices and learnt the meaning behind them, as well as the life and efforts of Gracia Mendes Nasi, a 16th-century Portuguese Jewish philanthropist known as “the lady” who utilised her vast wealth and influence to save thousands of Jews fleeing Spain and Portugal during the Portuguese Inquisition. One participant at the West End Project was 30-year-old Aline Meyer Oliveira, who is originally from Brazil and arrived in Glasgow six months ago. Living in the city’s West End, she says there are no synagogues within an easily commutable distance. “Often normal synagogue services are spent mostly praying, and there can be a lack of actually studying about Judaism,” she said. “I really liked that with this there was a structured programme to learn more about Jewish identity and history, and everyone was very warm. “And because I just arrived here it was a great opportunity to meet other Jewish people without obligation; that’s the best part of it.” The next meeting of the semi-regular project is in December. It is assisted with funding from Progressive Judaism and the Netherlee and Clarkston Charitable Trust, which was established with funds from the sale of a synagogue of that name south of Glasgow. To sign up to the next event, you can do so here.
