So what can you recall about your time in the J-Soc at Bradford Uni?

Bradford Jewish life, from the perspective of the students.
I remember the J-Soc been ‘non-denominational’, and irreligious, which was a good thing, but taught us nothing about Judaism…which wasn’t its function I suppose.

-We went to York in Feb 2003 on a Jewish Guided walk with French Florian and Helen Abrams
-I saw the Pianist film with Helen at the light in March 2003

- A week later I met Amanda, whom I would go on to marry and have two beautiful children with at a J-Soc bagel lunch at the Courtyard Pub at Bradford Universities Communal Building.
-We went to Sheffield J-Soc too around this time, and to the Orthodox Schull near the Uni area.
-In 2005 we went to Hull and visited their J-Soc, I remember a really tall girl called Bethany who was really friendly and nice.
-We had a bowling trip to Hollywood Bowl in Bradford.
-Daisy cooked a Friday night Dinner in the Fairtrade Cafe.
- We held a Friday night dinner at mine and Amanda’s house in our living room at 6 Vine Street, Great Horton Road.
There was that German guy Gil, a South African dude, an Israeli guy…

Hi Ben,

Wow, this is going to be a test of my memory! I think I might have to just do a list as well!

I remember the important thing was not to be a religious group per se, but rather a group for those who identify themselves as Jewish. We had great links with the J-Soc and Rabbi in Leeds as well as the Reform Synagogue on Bowland Street, so anyone who wanted to attend a proper service there were ways. My maternal grandmother was from Bradford so I still had family attending the Bowland Street synagogue when I was living there.

- Helen Abrams and I lived at 26 Howard Street, where we had a Kosher kitchen. We often held a Friday night meal here.

- We had great ties with the J-Soc in Sheffield, Hull and York visiting them throughout the year and sometimes hosting them.

- In my freshers week of my first year I think Helen and I went to a hypnotist show organised by the J-Soc in Leeds.

- We worked well with the other religious student groups, organising a Holocaust Memorial Day service one year (can’t remember which) and never had any trouble from them. Quite the opposite, if there was even the hint of trouble on campus we all came together. I can’t remember of any actual incidents.

- There was a trip to the National Media Museum to watch a film about an Israeli woman running a drama group with Palestinian children.

- I was on a National Union of Jewish Students (or what ever it was called) the week before freshers week of my second year…this was the week of September 11th 2001. I remember they coped with the news very badly in regards to telling us what had happened. There was no phone signal and people had relatives involved.

- I went on another national J-Soc getaway at Alton Castle (near Alton Towers), but I mostly remember the alcohol from that!

- I had some issues with the national J-Soc and their views on Zionism and the Israeli state, I had a few discussion with people on that front. But not with those from Bradford.

- As a society the J-Soc had good support from the Student’s Union. We didn’t have enough members to be an official society, but they made a special exemption for us. I also held the position of President of the J-Soc, at the same time I was Secretary of the Music Society and Treasurer of the Bowling Club. The Student’s Union didn’t like this as apparently you’re only allowed to hold one money post at one time (all three positions are the ones that can authorise the release of funds).

That’s all I can remember at the moment, if something else springs to mind I will let you know. I’m sorry but I cannot remember any names.

Hope this helps.

Jon