Our gallery
Community Activity Groups
FOR LOVERS oF WORDS
MOVE YOUR BODY!
OPERA, DRAMA and Film
FOR THE YOUNGER ONES
READING GROUP
For adults who like to think
Our reading group is not a book club. Rather we discuss a short passage on a particular topic of interest. Previous topic have included the American Declaration of Independence, yiddisher psycho-geography and Peoplehood Religion and Zionism and the Health Gap.
Meetings are held by Zoom on a Monday at 2pm once per month, lead by a different member each time. Meetings are an hour long. All members are encouraged to introduce a subject of their choice, but it’s equally acceptable to just join in what is always a lively conversation.
BOOK CLUB
For adults who enjoy reading
It would take more than a pandemic to stop the booklovers from meeting on the third Monday of every month. Swiftly morphing to meeting on zoom, the Club hasn’t missed a single meeting. Very occasionally, the High Holydays interrupt its regularity but, otherwise, the get togethers are a must for a group of Menorah members, non members and those of any religion or ethnicity. we welcome both men and women.
Books are decided upon democratically well in advance and usually, but not always, have a Jewish theme or author. There has been a tacit decision to avoid Holocaust themed books which have proliferated in the bestseller lists. The advance notice ensures that the slowest of readers will have time to prepare but, in fact, the Group welcomes those who haven’t read the book. If they are enthused by the discussion, someone will always lend them a copy.
WALKING GROUP
From time to time our walking group arranges communal trips to the countryside for exercise, good company and pleasant views.
FLORA MENORAH
Our members with green fingers enjoy organising afternoon gatherings at which we can enjoy light refreshments and the delights of their gardens.
ISRAELI DANCING
Shake off your preconceptions of Israeli dancing, and join us in dancing to a wide variety of music. This is not simcha dancing, it’s modern Israeli dancing to music from many sources, some slow and lyrical and some more upbeat.Classes alternate weekly between a class on Wednesday afternoon at 4pm, and a class on Tuesday evening at 7:30pm, each class runs for 90 minutes and we ask for a £5 donation per class.
WEDNESDAY – At the Wednesday class, we take more time to teach, especially some of the core repertoire that those who have been dancing for a while are already familiar with. We primarily dance the slightly easier, slightly slower dances, though not entirely! All are welcome, and this class will particularly suit beginners, anyone who is returning to dancing after a break, or just wants a slightly slower paced class.
TUESDAY – The Tuesday class is aimed more at intermediate dancers, we teach more new dances, and include some of the faster and more challenging dances as well as some old favourites.
Email dance@menorah.org.uk to find out more.
MAD
“Menorah Arts ‘n’ Drama (MAD) is a theatrically performing group which has its base at Menorah.
“Menorah Arts ‘n’ Drama (MAD) is a theatrically performing group which has its base at Menorah. We have been staging plays since 2010, creating a studio theatre space in the Menorah Hall.
The group aims to draw people from the wide Manchester Jewish Community to develop their talent for acting or working backstage. Many people would like to try their hand at performing but either lack the initial confidence to step forward or don’t know where to start. MAD is keen to support adults of all ages to undertake this often very rewarding journey. Most of all we aim to make rehearsals fun, sociable and yet serious in attending to detail as each production takes shape.
As time passes we are increasing the number of plays in one year to give more opportunity to more actors and continue to search for the slightly unusual to entertain our varied audiences.”
ACT II: Drama Matters
Read and Listen to Playwrights and authors
To satisfy the needs of theatre and literature lovers, Muriel Cohen and Leila Glancy formed ACT II: DRAMA MATTERS, some 13 years ago.
On the 4th Thursday morning of each month at 10.30 a.m. we meet in the library at Menorah for a couple of hours to both read and listen to a rich variety of material sourced from the world’s best playwrights and authors.
The choice is yours – whether you listen or read – or do both! In any case, a very warm welcome is guaranteed for all attenders.
For more information please contact act2@menorah.org.uk
OPERA APPRECIATION
This popular group was born following the death of Glyn Davies and the demise of his Opera Appreciation group, Opera For All, which met at a church in Fallowfield. The Group re-emerged at Menorah with Joyce Kennedy in the lead. Joyce presented a different opera each month, delving into the life of the composer, the story of the opera and screening excerpts live at Menorah and, subsequently, on zoom for four years until her death in the summer of 2021. Her enthusiasm, knowledge and sheer force of personality kept us mesmerised.
Now, in 2022, we are thrilled that these sessions continue with Diana Rosenthal in a different format. Diana presents a single opera from a musical angle in order to deepen our appreciation of the work. Appropriate contextual information, anecdotes, audio clips and substantial video clips add considerably to an enjoyable and enlightening experience.
FILM CLUB
Bringing Jewish Film to Manchester…
Our aim is to bring you the best of films, with a Jewish/Israeli link or theme, from around the world.
All showings are on Tuesdays and begin at 7.45 pm. Enquiries to filmclub@menorah.org.uk
Guests can be admitted to each show for £5.00, subject to availability.
ISRAEL GROUP
The purpose of the Israel Group is to promote Menorah’s connection and engagement with Israel. Our relationship with Israel is an important component of our Reform Judaism. The Israel Group works to increase members’ commitment by bringing challenging speakers and arranging meetings designed to encourage reflection and debate on vital issues of concern regarding our Diaspora relationship with Israel. We also support the organisation of Israel events, such as Yom Hazikaron and Yom Haatzmaut, and welcome more members helping us plan our future programmes.
We are currently planning new events. Please get in touch if you have ideas and would like to help.
Any enquiries please contact: israel@menorah.org.uk
YOUNG FAMILIES
Menorah Young Families Group
Menorah Synagogue welcomes you to join our Young Families Community.
Our Young Families programme runs events, such as Menorah Bubbala’s Sensory Play and Shabbatots which is aimed at children between the ages of 0-5 years. Get involved to give your little bubbalas a taste of our wonderfully welcoming and fun family events, a fantastic opportunity to meet other young Jewish Families.
For all event dates, times, info and sign-up, please visit and LIKE our Facebook page:
Menorah Young Families Group