The Brighton and Hove Jewish Community (BNJC) project is running a cultural programme as part of the lead up to the opening of its centre in Hove next year.
Recent events have included an online speaker panel for International Women’s Day, chaired by Brighton-based barrister and BNJC trustee Natasha Isaac, and a screening of the film The Impressionists and the Man Who Made Them, plus a Q&A with the movie’s director, Phil Grabsky, and art historian Flavie Durand-Ruel, the great-great-granddaughter of the film’s protagonist.
BNJC CEO Marc Sugarman said the offerings reflected the diverse nature and ambitions of the centre. “We aim to programme a variety of events that appeal to a broad audience, Jewish and non-Jewish. From social equality to art, from food to football, we really want to offer something for everyone and bring in a Brighton and Jewish link to every event.
“We’re delighted to have already welcomed over 1,000 people to our events.” Future activities will include a virtual remembrance ceremony for Yom Hazikaron and a Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration. “We are interviewing a Brightonian who recently made aliyah and an Israeli who recently emigrated to live in Brighton. Because it’s on Zoom, everyone is invited.”
The ambitious centre project incorporates 45 units of housing, a synagogue and mikveh, a kosher café, restaurant and deli, co-working space, a social area for events and educational facilities including a nursery.
Mr Sugarman is eager to share his love of the city and the potential for the growth of its Jewish community.
“I listened to an interview this morning with Legal & General CEO Nigel Wilson talking about a study of how people want to work going forward given Covid. It really resonated with me and I thought: ‘He’s describing the BNJC model’.
“People want to live in a great area, be able to work at home or close to home and want access to great facilities,” Mr Sugarman added. “Our site is located 500 yards from the sea and we will have outstanding food and a rich programme of events. We will have a beautiful modern shul and mikveh, working with Brighton and Hove Hebrew Congregation. We hope to attract young families to our city.”
The virtual events programme was helping to heighten awareness of BNJC. “When the new homes go on the market in the very near future, we hope people from across the UK will consider Brighton as a place to live and to bring up a family. We also want the UK Jewish community at large to know that in just over a year, there will be an outstanding venue to visit and enjoy wonderful kosher food by the sea in sunny Brighton, with all the Jewish infrastructure they will need.”
