Items of Interest

From Ash Alexander

As most of you likely know, I’m a transgender man, and have been awaiting vital affirming treatment for many years.I finally got my surgery date for next month, and my dear friend and fellow fiber arts enthusiast, Kas at Seattle Sky Dyeworks in the USA, has made a special limited edition trans pride project kit, featuring my artwork, to help raise money to alleviate the impact of my surgery & recovery costs, featuring her gorgeous luxurious hand-dyed wool, unicorn stitch markers, and a cute project bag & sticker with ‘Self-Made’ sheep design, drawn by me!

Here’s the shop page with all the details:

https://seattleskydyeworks.com/products/self-made-trans-pride-kit

Preorders have been extended all the way through Pride month until the 30th of June, with an estimated shipping date of August 12th (she has to hand dye and spin all the yarn herself).

If the kit isn’t of interest but you still want to offer support, here’s how you can do that directly:

Paypal: @mrashalexander
Cashapp: £Kn1ghtofcups
Bank Transfer: Bank of Scotland, Mr Ash Alexander, Acc 10555467, SC 80-46-07

I know times are tough, so if you can’t help just now, that’s ok. I completely understand. If you know anyone who might be interested, please pass this on.

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Read Liberal Judaism's FAQ on assisted dying here

These were framed when LJ became a founder member of the the Religious Alliance for Dignity in Dying in June 2021. The other two founder members   are the Quakers and Unitarians – bringing back together the grouping that helped to change the law on equal marriage. Other respected religious leaders, including former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey and Reform Judaism’s Rabbi Jonathan Romain, have joined in a personal capacity.

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Occasionally we get messages about events or commercial services or products that might be interesting to members, but don't have a place anywhere else on the website. We don't endorse these in any way, but we provide their information here as a service to members. 

From: Sharon Kivity <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Subject: The ELJC book club
Date: 30 November 2023 at 18:10:18 GMT

Dear friends
 
I wonder if you would share this information with your book club members and wider community?
 
Ruth Jordan, my late mother, was born and grew up in British Mandate Palestine. My brother and I are republishing her award-winning autobiography Daughter of the Waves – Memories of Growing Up in Pre-War Palestine and I’m hoping to connect with Jewish readers by contacting various organisations, such as yours.
 
Ruth’s autobiography, which depicts a young girl growing up in a nascent country, is very readable and shot through with my mother’s characteristic dry humour.  The publication will be available on Amazon and similar platforms as a paperback and e-book. Meanwhile, we have a newsletter and mailing list that potential readers can join: 
 
https://orankivity.com/dotw/
 
In light of current events, I believe it is a very timely moment to republish our mother’s book.
 
I do hope you will share the link and my request with people who might be interested and thank you in anticipation of your kindness.
 
Best wishes 
Sharon Kivity
(the late Ruth Jordan’s daughter and Ruth’s literary executor). 

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From: Info - Latouritalya <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Subject: LATOUR I-TALYA “Jewish emotion and beyond”, a new way to discover Jewish Italy and much more !
Date: 5 May 2021 at 09:11:56 BST
 
 
Dear all,

We are “LaTour I-Talya”, an Italian tour operator focused on the amazingly rich Jewish historical and cultural heritage found throughout Italy and on the profusion of historic, artistic and beautiful landscapes Italy has to offer.

Thanks to a joint-venture among Italian Jewish Communities and a renowned local tour operator, we both have knowledge of the Jewish culture and of the Italian excellences, where through personal connections we can access special areas that are not open to the public, such as hidden Jewish archives and private houses of Jewish families.
 
We believe that our tours, that are always customised to clients’ needs, can be very appealing and appreciated by the members/congregants of your group as they offer the perfect opportunity to enjoy a wonderful holiday filled with “Jewish emotion” and a perfect mix of Jewish heritage, culture, arts, discovery and fun in a mesmerizing country like Italy.  

Finally, please consider that the prices of all our tours include a 10% fee to be donated to your institution to promote your commendable activities or for Tzedakà purposes to individuals, families or institutions of your choice. 

For more details and info on who we are, our Mission and our Tour Packages please visit our web site at www.latouritalya.com

We will be very happy to answer any question or request you may have. Please feel free to reach out to us anytime!

Kind regards, 
Susanna Sorci

TRAVEL CURATOR – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
LaTour I-talya - Ancona - Italy
Tel: +390712089301

 

Received from LINKnet Mentoring on 27/10/21

Received from Adam Bracki on 1st November 2021

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

I hope the information below will be of use to you.

 

Jews in Old Postcards and Prints

 

From London to Casablanca—A History of Jews in Europe and around the Mediterranean in Old Postcards and Prints.

 

London, United Kingdom. Vintage Press Ltd is proud to announce the release of Jews in Old Postcards and Prints, a collection of vintage postcards and antique prints annotated by Lars Fischer. The book sheds a thoughtful light on the history of Jews in Europe and around the Mediterranean, mainly in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and invites readers to reflect on the ways in which both Jews and non-Jews used postcards and prints to portray Jews, their communities, culture, and institutions. Above all, the book celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of Jewish life and culture in the “golden age” of the postcard, of a world largely extinguished by the Shoah and the expulsion of Jews from Northern Africa.

 

As the author notes in the introduction, “it seemed more worthwhile to put together a book that replicates only some of what is already well known and instead offers readers less widely circulated material. I have doubtless come up with a more modern and secular selection than other authors might. …While some readers may be familiar with many of the images and many will recognize some, I am hopeful that everyone will come across something new in this book. Above all, I hope that readers will find it both informative and entertaining, our knowledge of the shadow of destruction hanging over so many of the images notwithstanding.”

 

About the author: Lars Fischer’s scholarship and publications focus on the history and conceptualization of antisemitism, Jewish/non-Jewish relations, and Frankfurt School Critical Theory. Fischer has taught at UCL, King’s College London and the University of Cambridge and served as Secretary of the British Association for Jewish Studies and Councillor of the Royal Historical Society.

 

 

Jews in Old Postcards and Prints

208 pages, 380+ images

Hardcover, 23.5 x 33.5 cm

ISBN: 978-1-8381978-0-3

Compiled and annotated by

Lars Fischer

 

For more information, please visit www.vintage-press.co.uk

 

Look inside the book: https://www.vintage-press.co.uk/sample

 

Postcards and Prints from the book: https://www.vintage-press.co.uk/postcards



--

Kind Regards
Adam Bracki
Vintage Press Ltd - The Publisher of Jews in Old Postcards and Prints
 
 
Received from Shelter Scotland 2nd December 2021

SHALOM! Welcome to the latest news from Shelter Scotland. My name is Georgia Ramplin and I work for  Shelter Scotland in Edinburgh, speaking about our work and inspiring people to support our cause. Since we’re  now into November, it feels appropriate to wish you a happy Hannukah and best wishes for 2022.  

This year, like 2020, has been a trying and an unusual time for everyone, not least those who are homeless, facing  homelessness or housing problems. Shelter Scotland exists to defend the right to a safe home and fight the  devastating impact the housing emergency has on people and society. We do this with campaigns, advice and  support – and we never give up. We believe that home is everything. 

Over the decades, governments have failed to build enough social homes. Without access to safe and secure  housing, thousands of families are living in temporary accommodation. Many others are forced to sleep on the  streets and some of them die there. 

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN EDINBURGH AND BEYOND… 

Information sessions – I can provide free information sessions to your organisation. I speak about Shelter  Scotland, our work and homelessness across Scotland. If you are interested in something like this, please do  email me on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Walk for Home - Take on Shelter Scotland’s winter walking challenge and walk your way to fight the housing  emergency. Your organisation can choose to walk 3km,5km or 10km and it’s free to sign up. People will be  walking on Friday 10th December, but you can walk any time from 6-12 December. Sign up for free here. 

Recipe for Change - Join us to cook, learn and share! This December, share food with a story. Download one of  our Recipe Stories to cook or host a bake sale in the week 13-19 December. Each recipe has been created by  someone who has experienced the impact of the housing emergency. Get together and raise money to help us  make sure everyone here in the UK has a safe, secure, and stable home this winter. Choose your Recipe for  Change now.  

One Voice Carol Concert - Watch online on Wednesday 8th December, 7pm Registration is free and you can do  so here. Last year, 1.5 million people were denied the right to a safe home, and over 7,000 children in Scotland  are stuck in temporary accommodation. That’s why it’s time to sing as one powerful voice. Wherever you are,  join us for our online singalong carol concert. You can expect some of your favourite carols, celebrity guest  readers and more! 

Gifts and cards – do visit our Shelter Scotland charity shops to buy gifts, cards and chocolate. You can see our  range here.  

HOW TO GET INVOLVED We would love to hear from you! Shelter Scotland is very much part of the community,  much like your organisation. We would like to collaborate to ensure that no one has to face housing issues or  homelessness alone. Here are few ideas, but we would love to hear from you… 

• We can provide pre-recorded messages about our work 

• We can write pieces for newsletters  

• Let me know you’d like to be kept up to date through newsletters 

For many of us, winter time is a celebration full of love and generosity, it is a time of year to give gifts as a way  of being thankful for what you have and to share with those that don't have as much. Would you help us by  gifting your time, rallying your community, and supporting Shelter Scotland? Join the fight for home today.  

We look forward to hearing from you. Best wishes,  

Georgia Ramplin 

Community Fundraiser 

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Phone: 07920 829 490 

You’re receiving this email as your organisation is on our database from historical activity. However, if you no  longer wish to receive emails from us, please reply to this email to let us know.

 

Received from JWeb, 15th February 2022

 

Beyond Mother Love is an upcoming documentary film produced in partnership with Vue Cinemas. The film follows a family's quest to find organic friendships (outside of family ties or paid caring roles) that have formed between people with learning disabilities, cognitive impairments or neurodivergence with those who have none of these. The film is being made in partnership with King's College London whose Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience are conducting a qualitative research study among the film's participants on the same subject.

It's really important to everyone involved in the film to find stories from a diverse range of communities within the UK and we would love to find some examples of mixed ability friendships among people within Jewish communities. Please do get involved with the creation of the film and also help us spread the word among your networks.

The website - www.beyondmotherlove.com - provides an overview of the film, the teaser video and also includes a form so that anyone who is interested can contact the team directly. They can also provide details on their safeguarding policies, data protection or answer any questions you might have.

 

 Received from Elizabeth Shane on 15th March 2022

I am member of a Kehillah Synagogue in London and a survivor of childhood sexual abuse.  I have published my first book of poems based on my personal struggle to unlock the pain to reclaim my voice through the power of poetry.
     

 

 

Email received 10 July 2023

I have six Chagall 'Bible Stories' lithographs which I should like to sell. I could make them available for your members to see, in case any of them might like to buy one or more. The address is:

10 Merchiston Avenue, Edinburgh EH10 4NY.
 
I would be most grateful if you would make this information available to your members.
 
Kind regards,
Michael Hutchings
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.