PURIM 2026

Ladies and Gentlemen – welcome to the Purim Festival of joy and feasting.  Any excuse, some might say! Hopefully the feasting has so far met with your approval, and now we’re about to administer the joy. There’s a story behind today, let me brush up on some history. 2500 years ago – The local press, The Daily Slater,  shouted out in major headlines that there was a cat amongst the pigeons.  That is - a really naughty black sheep causing havoc to the monarchy.  Rising antisemitism, riots, marches were rampant, and the word was that all Jews were to be disposed of.  What’s new, eh !  The King was in a dilemma – what to do about this trouble maker threatening to destroy the very fabric of his reputation and bring down the monarchy..   Unsurprisingly, it took a woman to step forward with a plan.  The King was forced to take action and eventually he thrust the cause of all the trouble into...
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Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 at St. Annes

Over 200 people attended this years HMD at St Annes Hebrew Congregation. Dignitaries included the Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary Sacha Hatchet, High Sheriff, Helen Broughton MBE DL, John Barnett MBE DL, faith leaders and Mayors from across the local towns including Wyre, Fylde & Kirkham. Thank you to Ernie Hunter from the Northern Holocaust Education Group for sharing his families story and children from St Mary’s Catholic Academy, Baines High School and LSA High School who contributed to the programme. A particular poignant moment when Dr Andrew Winter played the Theresenstadt violin. CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO https://vimeo.com/1161573771?fl=pl&fe=cm PASSWORD : 4624...
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The President Visits St. Anne’s

No, not Donald Trump, the 47th president of the USA, but Philip Rosenberg, the 49th president of the Board of Deputies for the whole of the UK. Phil Rosenberg, at 38, is the 49th President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews. and the youngest ever President in the Board’s 264-year history.  A consultant specialising in government relations, media, faith and diplomacy, he has served as an elected local councillor in the London Borough of Camden and was previously Director of the Faiths Forum for London After completing an internship at the Foreign Office, Rosenberg worked at the Ministry of Defence, providing him with insights into government operations and international relations. His presidency is seen as part of a broader effort to encourage younger people to become involved in the organisation. As President, Rosenberg has outlined several key priorities including fighting antisemitism, standing up for peace and security for Israel and the Middle East, defending religious freedoms and making the Jewish community more...
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A Time to Say Thank You

On Christmas Day 2025 - an intrepid group of volunteers gathered in the cold morning air at the St. Anne's Synagogue and set out to join the magnificent incentive founded in 2018 by Rabbi Albert Chait MBE. Along with 5000 or so volunteers across UK and Australia, St. Annes Synagogue volunteers visited hospitals, care homes and a fire station across the Fylde Coast to hand out a 'goody bag' to the hard working staff and care workers who were on duty on Christmas Day. Rabbi Chait, who started the initiative in Leeds, where he is the senior minister of the United Hebrew Congregation (UHC), said 2025 had been its biggest year yet. "It maybe was an opportunity to introduce a little bit more widely who the Jewish community is and what they are about, and the kindness which really epitomises what we are about as a people," he added. "This project has no agenda, there's no politics, no boundaries - it's nothing but love." ...
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On the 8th Day – Chanukah 2025

The St. Anne's Synagogue annual Chanukah Party was well attended and declared well enjoyed by all. Ladies & gentlemen, we are delighted to see so many people joining us to celebrate Chanukah.  This year, it was a sad start to Chanukah with the horrific massacre at Bondi Beach in Australia.  But here we are, still strong. Still saying Never again ! On this, the shortest day of the year, things can only get brighter and lighter from now.   Welcome to our visitors from Southport, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester ....  as well as our native St Annes residents and surrounding areas - many of whom made Aliyah from Manchester in recent years, including my husband and I.  Might I just be permitted to insert a promo at this point aimed at our visitors – to say that immigrating...
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Chanukah 2025 in St. Annes

Third night Chanukah lighting was  hosted by the mayor at the Fylde town hall for the fourth year running. Attending were councillors, St Annes Jewish Community, members of the Preston Jewish community, general friends and supporter, local primary school children, the heads from Kirkham Grammar, and the Chair and Vice chair of Freckleton. In light of the attack in Sydney the attendance was even greater that usual with over 80 people as so many local residents wanted to show their solidarity and support with the Jewish people. Rabbi Danny spoke of “Chanukah as a Jewish symbol of defiance against tyranny and persecution of people based on their religious beliefs and practice. The light of Chanukah reminds us of the importance to stand tall and proudly express our identity. … The  recent release of video footage of 6 of the hostages in Gaza (2024) lighting the menorah, singing Jewish songs and discussing religious faith is an inspiring reminder that the spirit of the Maccabis...
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Remembrance Day 2025

We had a good turnout joining the local community at the cenotaph in Ashton Gardens, notwithstanding the weather,  As usual it was raining, but by some amazing quirk of fate ...[or was it ??], .... the rain stopped just in time for our Rabbi Danny to sing the Memorial Prayer, which has never been recorded before.... CLICK ON LINK FOR VIDEO =   .https://www.youtube.com/shorts/IF8_n5vNKcE?feature=share I'm sure everyone's thoughts today were for, as well as those who gave their lives so we could live the life we do today, but also for the tragic loss of all those in Israel at the Nova on 7 October, and some before, and especially of the 4 hostages still not returned, to give their families peace and honour them with the dignity of a home burial. I'm proud to say that we, the Jewish community who live in UK join all religions to come together to remember,  and never forget. ...
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St.Anne’s Does Lake Windermere

Sukkot 2025 and the time has come to cast aside our sins. As luck would have it - we are not too big a stone's throw from Lake Windermere, which is well deep enough to hold a whole guilt-fest of sins. There was no shortage of takers when everyone was invited onto the Good Ship 'Tomfoolery' - ably steered around the lake by Captain Robert, excellently assisted by First Officer Ingrid, who provided wonderful refreshments from the galley. We were a motley crew and we were all exhausted and hungry after all that sin casting. I must add a short note about Captain Roberts commentary of the sites as we sailed along - which was not to be missed. (Oh, actually, it was !) :-) Here's  message from Rabbi Danny : Members of St Anne’s enjoyed a boat ride on Windermere - reciting Tashlich “throwing our sins into the depths of the sea - well lake Windermere is deep enough!Thank you to Robert and Ingrid for...
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LJW – A Musical Extravaganza

Wednesday 13th August - the Shul was host to the Fylde Group of the League of Jewish Women's Annual Afternoon Tea. And what a Musical Extravaganza it was !  Elaine Green on violin accompanied by Graham Barber on keyboard entertained with what can only be described as A Class Act. The music - popular tunes from the musicals as well as old standards, and included a fabulous Gershwin section. It was beautifully played and thoroughly appreciated by the spellbound audience. In addition to the scrumptious 3 course Afternoon Tea provided by the Ladies Social Circle, there was a table quiz, an interactive game, and our notoriously famous raffle. We were delighted that so many people supported the event from Manchester, Southport, Leeds and even Leicester. ...
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