Yeshurun Synagogue hosts twinning event (Photo courtesy of We Stand Together)
Nadine Osman
Yeshurun Synagogue in Cheadle hosted a special twinning interfaith event on December 21. The event was attended by 20 Muslim and Jewish women from Cheadle and Didsbury mosques and the Yeshurun and Menorah synagogues.
The Twinning event was organised by novelist and co-Chair of Faith Network 4 Manchester and We Stand Together Qaisra Shahraz.
The event celebrated and promoted unity and the common elements of both faiths, Islam and Judaism. Muslim women learnt about Hanukkah and Jewish religious rituals during the tour of the synagogue.
A peace poem was read by Sue Stern, a local Jewish author while Marilyn Berg delighted the guests with funny stories and jokes including about Greggs the bakers.
Shahraz said: “I am delighted that this Twinning event of Jewish and Muslim women from two Mosques and two synagogues went exceedingly well. We could not stop talking, smiling, hugging and sharing our stories-and happily posing with ‘We Stand Together’ and ‘Spread Hummus Not Hate’ peace banners.”
She also thanked Yeshurun Synagogue for their “superb hospitality, including providing us freshly baked festive latke potato pancakes, hot from the oven to celebrate the Jewish festival of light, Hanukkah”.
Berg, Vice-Chair of the Yeshurun Synagogue said she was “delighted to host this twinning event. It was full of laughter, friendship and helped to break down any barriers. We found out more about what united us than divided us. And we respected our differences.”
Rubbiah Hamanyu representing Cheadle Mosque said, “As people of faith, we have much in common. It is important therefore that our common values of neighbourliness, justice and love for humankind always shine through.”
