Another year, the EDJC has gathered a large public in 21 different European countries.
From the first reports we have received, the different activities and events, held under the motto "Jewish Heritage and Nature", have counted on an enthusiastic and numerous participation.

While we are awaiting the detailed participation numbers, we present you here the first of the reports, which has been sent to us by the organizers of the EDJC in the United Kingdom:

“Great start to B’nai B’rith’s fortnight-long European Days of Jewish Culture & Heritage activities
Sunday 15th September :
Despite the bad weather, B’nai B’rith UK’s 13th annual European Days of Jewish Culture & Heritage got off to a great start on Sunday 15th September with a wide range of activities and events, with many of the synagogues following this year’s theme of ‘Judaism and the Natural World’, by opening up their Succah to the public and explaining the meaning behind the Succah, and the lulav and etrog.
20 eager walkers gathered outside the Hampstead Theatre to embark on a fascinating journey around ‘Jewish Hampstead’, which took them through streets that echoed with the tales of Jewish refugees, who escaped from Germany and Austria and came to live in the area. Guide, Rachel Kolsky, enthralled the group with her detailed knowledge and enthusiasm, interweaving her talk with B’nai B’rith history. She pointed out key buildings and monuments each accompanied by choice anecdotes, including the Central School of Speech and Drama, Belsize Square Synagogue, Freud Museum and much more. At the end of the tour, the group were warmly welcomed at the premises of Leo Baeck Lodge, where refreshments were laid on for them and President Alex Faiman explained a little of the history and the humanitarian work that the Lodge funds. Jean Etherton, who took part in the walk said: “Our sincere thanks to Alex Faiman and Philippa Strauss for organising the hospitality, which provided such a perfect ending to our walk.”
Bevis Marks Synagogue reported a good turnout of visitors, better than in previous years, with a group of almost 40 people attending their open day.
The LJCC had a very busy day with visitors to their ‘Art House’ exhibition at Ivy House, showcasing artists in the community. The exhibition runs until the 18th October.
Ivor Nadel reported that Hampstead Synagogue had a small group of visitors, 3 of whom weren’t Jewish and he was pleased that he was able to talk to all of them and answer individual questions.
West London Synagogue had a particularly lovely service on the first day of Succot, which was also attended by about 25 representatives from various church organisations. The Succah itself looked beautiful and, other than the usual display of vegetables, fruit and flowers, 'lanterns' with 'shalom' in different languages had been suspended from the roof. After the kiddush, Rabbi Helen Freeman took the visitors back into the synagogue for a talk about Judaism and the significance of the Succah.
Around the UK, Cheltenham Hebrew Congregation were delighted that 250 visitors came for their synagogue’s open day. There was a great buzz of conversation and discussion between the guests (of all ages) and the team of hosts.
Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation local historian and guide, Gordon Franks, reported almost 170 visitors to their open day, most of whom were not Jewish. Gordon said: “There was a real buzz all day and many visitors stayed on after the open day to ask questions.”
Tony Reese, President of Exeter Synagogue, was very pleased that 100 visitors attended their open day straight after Yom Kippur. They had secured coverage for their event on local radio and publicised it through the Devon Faith & Belief Forum and via the Christian Friends of Israel’s database.
Reading Hebrew Congregation had an excellent attendance of nearly 150 people at their synagogue’s open day, which was well publicised in local libraries. Visitors included the Chair and Honorary Secretary of the Berkshire Historical Society.
Higher Crumpsall and Higher Broughton Synagogue were pleased to have over 50 visitors, most of whom were not Jewish, to their open day, including a large coach party.
In Oxford, three walking tours took place during the day, “Jewish Oxford: Medieval and Modern”, held in conjunction with Oxford Heritage, each fully booked and attended by 40 people. Heritage tours of Jewish Oxford are incredibly popular and are also run throughout the year. Oxford Synagogue also held an open day, including a display about Succot for schools, which attracted over 100 visitors.
Gabriel Lancaster MBE, Life President at Chatham Memorial Synagogue reported: “Despite the fact that our open day was the day after Yom Kippur, over 100 people attended, including a wonderful group of 10 people from a nearby African church, who came dressed in fantastically colourful ceremonial robes! It was one of our most successful open days to date.”
Liverpool’s Old Hebrew Congregation reported that their open day was very successful as they had 200 visitors spread over 3 tours at the shul. Unfortunately, their other site, Deane Road Cemetery, only received about 15 visitors as the weather was very challenging.
Ramsgate Montefiore Synagogue reported a good show of almost 90 visitors. There was a steady stream of guests on the day, 95% of whom were not Jewish.
Wednesday 18th September:
The Wiener Library ran a special tour and a talk, ‘Laying down new roots: the Wiener Library 2 years on’, to mark the second anniversary of the Library’s move to their new premises in Russell Square. They were delighted with the response and attendees enjoyed exploring some of the Library’s new acquisitions and learning about their expanding education and outreach work.
Sunday 22 September:
Edgware and District Reform Synagogue held a wonderful talk which was filmed for the only Jewish-interest TV channel, ‘Jewish News One’. Heritage Days co-ordinator, Barbara Nathan, gave an excellent interview to the journalist. Tea was served in the Succah after an explanation about its purpose and the Rabbi is now keen to put on an event for next year for the ‘Women in Judaism’ theme.
Bevis Marks synagogue took part in Open House weekend and over 1,000 people visited during the day. The majority of visitors were not Jewish.
Abraham Lewin Lodge held a ‘Tea in the Succah’ event at Enfield and Winchmore Hill Synagogue, which was very successful and attended by almost 40 people. Rabbi Suffrin gave a short talk on the signifigance of the Lulav and Etrog, and the group arranged music with the guitar and singing from Max Witriol. The weather as so warm that tables and chairs were also set out in the garden.
Leon Silver at the East London Central Synagogue reported that the turnout on Sunday 22nd September was very good. It coincided with Open House weekend and over 250 people came. A large group also attended the shul’s interfaith celebration on Sunday 29th September to mark the shul’s 90th anniversary. Speakers included the Mayor of Tower Hamlets, the Bishop of Stepney and representatives from the Muslim and Hindu communities.
Around the UK:
Bradford Synagogue had a wonderful open day, to which 100 people came and almost 50 came on a walking tour of Jewish Bradford. The shul also launched the Bradford Jewish Heritage Trail which was a great success. They were so delighted with the response that they hope to do something again next year - maybe a different walk and a chance to explore the historic Reform Jewish Cemetery.
The photos will be uploaded to their website: www.bradfordjewish.org.uk. They also secured coverage in the Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
Monday 23rd September:
Stanmore Synagogue were delighted to welcome the Stanmore Little Gems nursery group to their open day, with members of the B'nai B'rith Yitzhak Rabin lodge in attendance, to help them perform the mitzvah of the lulav. They thoroughly enjoyed the slices of apple and honey cake they were offered. The Succah looked very colourful and fortunately the weather was clement!
Later in the day, a group from the Stanmore Shul Art Class, and some non-Jewish visitors from the Bushey Baptist Church came along, who were well informed and delighted to be in a Succah. They hope to arrange a visit from their church to the synagogue at some time in the future, which fulfils one of the aims of the Heritage Days: bringing the outside community in and helping to improve interfaith relations.

Tuesday 24th September:
A tour of the magnificent 9-acre Garden at Lambeth Palace, arranged by the Shlomo Argov Lodge, was oversubscribed. Led by the Head Gardener, Alastair Cook, the group was shown the historic buildings, learning about the contribution of each Archbishop to the development of the beautiful gardens and the large lawn used for receptions, helicopter landings (for its neighbour, St. Thomas’s Hospital) and by the Archbishop’s family! At the end of the visit, the President of the Lodge, Doreen Wolf, presented the assistant to the Archbishop’s Inter-Religious Affairs Adviser, with Alan Webber’s book on the history of First Lodge.
Sunday 29th September:
The New West End synagogue reported that their open day went extremely well with 124 people attending. They had posted leaflets in local streets and the vicar had announced it in the local church. They also put an "open day" notice outside. Some members also came as it is the one occasion when the treasures of the synagogue are brought out. Henry would like to know asap the date for next year. The previous week, during Open House weekend, they received 317 visitors.
Sandys Row synagogue reported that 56 people came to their open day. For Open House weekend the previous weekend, 667 people visited.
Barbara Nathan, joint B’nai B’rith UK Coordinator for EDJCH with Valerie Bello, for the past 13 years, commented: “We believe that heritage plays an increasingly significant role in our national life, strengthening people’s connection with their locality, making them conscious of their history and identity, and forging bonds between individuals and their communities.
We're encouraged that many people enjoyed the events on Sunday. Some events received non-Jewish visitors of all ages and, of course, we're always delighted when this potential for interfaith understanding is achieved, while providing a rare opportunity for our own community to explore our heritage. We're looking forward to welcoming large crowds to events, open days and guided walks taking place across the next two weeks, when even more Jewish heritage sites will be open in London and around the UK. Details of all the events are listed on the downloadable PDF from our website: http://www.bbuk.org/heritagedays.html”. “