Manchester kicks off Jewish leadership training programme

A select group of young professionals and lay leaders gathered on Wednesday 10 February to launch a new 12-month training programme to create the next generation of leaders for Manchester's Jewish community.

At the event held at JS Restaurant, participants in UJIA Manchester's Lay Leadership Development Programme got to know each other during an evening of good food and conversation. The 12 leaders-in-the-making listened to guest speakers, Andrew Joseph, Manchester UJIA vice chair, and Mark Adlestone, chair of the Manchester Jewish Federation, explain how and why they became lay leaders.

The main programme started on Sunday 14 February looking at the history of the community at the Manchester Jewish Museum followed by a Heritage Tour with a Zionist leadership focus led by Merton Paul. The group also met Brian White, another prominent lay leader, as part of the Meet the Leader programme running alongside the main schedule.

The programme's participants are between 26 and 40 years-old and come from all walks of life - including doctors, lawyers, bankers, HR managers and businesspeople. But they all share a common commitment to leading their community into the future.

Sally Halon, Manchester UJIA UK programme director, said:

"It is really exciting to be launching this new initiative. We are looking forward to seeing the participants grow into the next generation of movers and shakers in Manchester's Jewish community. Through this programme we can help fill the gap in lay leaders under 50."