MIDLANDS

BIRMINGHAM

KING DAVID Primary pupils, staff and parents enjoyed an interactive performance from internationally acclaimed Israeli violinist Lior Kaminetsky during his UK tour. Pupils heard him play Bach, followed by Israeli, Ladino and Yemenite melodies. Asking pupils to suggest a song which they could sing to his playing, a Muslim pupil chose the Jewish hymn Yigdal. Later that evening, Mr Kaminetsky performed to a mixed audience of over 120 people at Central Synagogue, improvising with several local musicians. His visit was organised by the Israel Informationcentre. Mrkaminetsky’s tour included recitals in Leeds, Oxford, Manchester and London.( Seepicture.)

MORE THAN 50 people, including refugees from Middle Eastern and North African countries, attended Birmingham Central Synagogue for a showing of The Forgotten People, a film about the million Jewish refugees from Arab lands. After the film there followed a discussion led by Lyn Julius, co-founder of Harif, an organisation for Jewish refugees from the Middle East and North Africa. The vote of thanks was given by Dr Henry Cohn, vice-president of the local Representative Council which organised the event.

RABBI SHMUEL Arkush was among faith leaders at the NEC centre for the launch of a website detailing the Birmingham religious education syllabus. The website — www. faithmakesadifference. co.uk — is designed to make it easy for schools, religious groups and parents to access 400 lesson plans and other resources for teaching the Birmingham Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. Rabbi Arkush said: “There is much national interest in this new approach to religious education. This dynamic approach to interfaith activity has been welcomed by teachers and other faith leaders.”