Really enjoying this. I used to live around the Prestwich/Crumpsall area and wish I'd found out more about the Jewish community while I was there, though I don't think you can just go into a synagogue at will (am willing to be corrected!)
I find the traditions fascinating and beautiful, and I love how everything is just charged with meaning.
I have to say that some of the comments about it all being pointless and silly traditions are a bit dismissive and narrow-minded. I think you can always learn from an insight into a different way of life, whether you agree with it or not.
Edit: Case in point - Jack finally getting a chance to have his bar mitzvah after being unable to because he was in Buchenwald. I don't think you can call something that clearly means so much to someone pointless.
..Very strange for Jewish people to have a programme like this, they are usually a very guarded and insular community..which I actually respect a lot and out of all Abrahamic religions probably the one that doesn't actively seek new recruits.
Really enjoying this. I used to live around the Prestwich/Crumpsall area and wish I'd found out more about the Jewish community while I was there, though I don't think you can just go into a synagogue at will (am willing to be corrected!)
I find the traditions fascinating and beautiful, and I love how everything is just charged with meaning.
I have to say that some of the comments about it all being pointless and silly traditions are a bit dismissive and narrow-minded. I think you can always learn from an insight into a different way of life, whether you agree with it or not.
I've found it very instructive... Could be used in schools to show how the Jewish religion works...
..Very strange for Jewish people to have a programme like this, they are usually a very guarded and insular community..which I actually respect a lot and out of all Abrahamic religions probably the one that doesn't actively seek new recruits.
I think it's good that the Manchester community is willing to let people in to understand the religion, and show all aspects of it.
This has been marketed as a new series... Is it?? I`m sure it`s been on before.
Just confirms what I always thought anyway. Jews are bonkers, completely pointless traditions left right and centre.
They seem to prefer Isreal to here though, wouldn`t it be an idea for them to go live there instead of Prestwich?
They're not bonkers at all. Over the centuries they've found that they have to pull together because they've been persecuted. They've got wonderful close communities.
Edit: Case in point - Jack finally getting a chance to have his bar mitzvah after being unable to because he was in Buchenwald. I don't think you can call something that clearly means so much to someone pointless.
I was in Israel 22 years ago, and saw the Bar mitzvahs at the Wailing Wall. They are many and varied - some strictly Orthodox, and others far more modern. There was one American man who hadn't had a chance to have his Bar Mitzvah - he was in his 60s - and his wife had arranged for him to have it at the Wailing Wall as a surprise. I felt privileged to be able to witness it (and I'm not Jewish).
out of all Abrahamic religions probably the one that doesn't actively seek new recruits.
I don't think they want new recruits! It's not easy to convert to Judaism. You can't just say "I believe" and that's that.
On the Kibbutz I spent time on there was a man who married a Jewish woman, and he was converting. It took ages and lots of studying.
There were quite a few holocaust survivors on the kibbutz. Mealtimes were always in the communal dining hall, and the survivors would take in tupperware type containers and fill them with food to take back to their houses, then eat in the dining hall. The food they took back would fester, but the memory of the starvation they'd suffered in the camps never left them. Interestingly the least understanding of their need to do that was the young Israeli Jews.
It is new. You must have seen something similar...
The bit in particular where Jack picked up a luggage label from the floor, I have definitely - definitely - seen before (and not in a clip or trailer).
The bit in particular where Jack picked up a luggage label from the floor, I have definitely - definitely - seen before (and not in a clip or trailer).
AFAIK, Jack wasn't in the last series Is the picking up of a luggage label, a typical Auschwitz scene ??
Really enjoying this. I used to live around the Prestwich/Crumpsall area and wish I'd found out more about the Jewish community while I was there, though I don't think you can just go into a synagogue at will (am willing to be corrected!)
It's a security thing, if they don't know you, you'll get the third degree and may not be let in. Best thing is to contact the synagogue during the week before you go, then you'll get a proper welcome.
My heart broke for Jack when he was talking about his little brother who didn't deserve to die, then when he met the school kids and the girl was almost in tears at meeting a survivor
So glad he got his Bar Mitzva in front of his family
It's a security thing, if they don't know you, you'll get the third degree and may not be let in. Best thing is to contact the synagogue during the week before you go, then you'll get a proper welcome.
Ah, cheers for that, that's interesting. Don't live round there any more but would like to visit a synagogue one day
It's a security thing, if they don't know you, you'll get the third degree and may not be let in. Best thing is to contact the synagogue during the week before you go, then you'll get a proper welcome.
My heart broke for Jack when he was talking about his little brother who didn't deserve to die, then when he met the school kids and the girl was almost in tears at meeting a survivor
So glad he got his Bar Mitzva in front of his family
The bit in particular where Jack picked up a luggage label from the floor, I have definitely - definitely - seen before (and not in a clip or trailer).
Me too. I definitely remember seeing him pick that up before and as you say not in a trailer or clip. Maybe from this:
I really love this programme- interesting and entertaining without being tawdry!
I grew up as a Catholic in an area with an incredibly high Jewish population so this show is a great way for me to find out what was actually behind the traditions I saw but never understood!
Found this really interesting. For some reason I've always been quite interested in the Jewish Religion and culture and love stuff like this when it's on. Jack seemed like an amazing man and glad he got his Bar Mitzva in the end. At one point a few years ago I wanted to go on a Kibbutz but it didn't happen, this has sort of made me want to do it again. Would also love to visit Israel and see the old city and stuff. Tel Aviv sounds pretty cool as well.
Comments
I find the traditions fascinating and beautiful, and I love how everything is just charged with meaning.
I have to say that some of the comments about it all being pointless and silly traditions are a bit dismissive and narrow-minded. I think you can always learn from an insight into a different way of life, whether you agree with it or not.
Edit: Case in point - Jack finally getting a chance to have his bar mitzvah after being unable to because he was in Buchenwald. I don't think you can call something that clearly means so much to someone pointless.
I've found it very instructive... Could be used in schools to show how the Jewish religion works...
I think it's good that the Manchester community is willing to let people in to understand the religion, and show all aspects of it.
They're not bonkers at all. Over the centuries they've found that they have to pull together because they've been persecuted. They've got wonderful close communities.
I was in Israel 22 years ago, and saw the Bar mitzvahs at the Wailing Wall. They are many and varied - some strictly Orthodox, and others far more modern. There was one American man who hadn't had a chance to have his Bar Mitzvah - he was in his 60s - and his wife had arranged for him to have it at the Wailing Wall as a surprise. I felt privileged to be able to witness it (and I'm not Jewish).
I don't think they want new recruits! It's not easy to convert to Judaism. You can't just say "I believe" and that's that.
On the Kibbutz I spent time on there was a man who married a Jewish woman, and he was converting. It took ages and lots of studying.
There were quite a few holocaust survivors on the kibbutz. Mealtimes were always in the communal dining hall, and the survivors would take in tupperware type containers and fill them with food to take back to their houses, then eat in the dining hall. The food they took back would fester, but the memory of the starvation they'd suffered in the camps never left them. Interestingly the least understanding of their need to do that was the young Israeli Jews.
It is new. You must have seen something similar...
Are you thinking of the series that was on last year?
AFAIK, Jack wasn't in the last series
It's a security thing, if they don't know you, you'll get the third degree and may not be let in. Best thing is to contact the synagogue during the week before you go, then you'll get a proper welcome.
So glad he got his Bar Mitzva in front of his family
Ah, cheers for that, that's interesting. Don't live round there any more but would like to visit a synagogue one day
They also have open days for things like European Day of Jewish Culture or Doors Open Day.
I know, Jack was the star of the show.
Me too. I definitely remember seeing him pick that up before and as you say not in a trailer or clip. Maybe from this:
The Orphans Who Survived The Concentration Camps
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8597635.stm
After last years 'one off' doc, you wanted more, now after two more, you want even more.
A little gem of an all to short series.
I grew up as a Catholic in an area with an incredibly high Jewish population so this show is a great way for me to find out what was actually behind the traditions I saw but never understood!