Liberal Judaism Officer Owen Power and community campaigner Pete Simms brought the Jewish Living Experience Exhibition to Salford, in Greater Manchester.

The Board of Deputies’ mobile travelling roadshow helps to educate non-Jews about the Jewish way of life and enables visitors to gain an insight into Judaism as a living faith. Designed by education experts, it covers areas including the Jewish calendar and festivals, lifecycle events and diversity within the community both ideologically and geographically.

Owen and Pete piloted a different approach – catering to adults rather than the usual focus on schoolchildren, and putting an emphasis on diversity and inclusion. They worked in partnership with Steve McAnulty and the team at Salford City Council’s Pendleton Gateway.

Owen, the Deputy for York Liberal Jewish Community, said: “The Board’s new approach is to empower Deputies to do things in their communities. I wanted to give our Salford roadshow a different focus and everyone was delighted with how it went.

“It is important to show people of all ages that the Jewish community is as diverse as any other… there’s every shape, size and different interpretation.”

The week-long exhibition at the Pendleton Gateway culminated with a civic reception on the last day (pictured), attended by the Ceremonial Mayor of Salford Councillor Tanya Burch, the Bishop of Salford, Salford councillors and representatives from community organisations including the NHS, Salford Council, the Doosti community, Salford Disability Forum, Salford Food Parcels, Salford Youth Zone and Salford Poverty Truth Commission.

Inclusion and diversity were at the heart of the speeches at the civic event delivered with passion by the Ceremonial Mayor, Councillor Andrew Walters from the Haredi community and Deputies Sheila Gewolb and Judith Prinsley.

Rachel De Silver, Josh Aro and Janet Taylor were there to answer any questions about Judaism, with the Board’s Engagement Manager Sara Radivan and Education Officer Anna Silver speaking about taking the exhibition to other communities throughout the UK.

During the week, the exhibition was visited by members of the public and supported by visitors including Rebecca Long-Bailey MP and Board of Deputies Vice President Jeremy Michelson.