By, Jonathan Kalmus
1 min read
An exhibition celebrating the history of Leeds Jewry is being heralded as a major success after attracting well over 1,000 extra visitors to the Leeds City Museum on Sunday.
Around 1,800 people, including 300 children, attended the Jewish Heritage Day display. It was arranged as part of a two-year community project to document the Jewish contribution to the city since the founding of its first purpose-built synagogue 150 years ago.
One-hundred volunteers from the community helped to produce 30 stalls to tell the story. They also distributed traditional black bread, challah and matzah. Retired milliner Lynda Ross taught people buttoning needlework and the grand finale saw the circular exhibition hall full to capacity for a mock wedding under a white chupah.
The exhibition reflected that Marks & Spencer and Burton were among high street names founded by Leeds Jews, as were kosher food firm Rakusen's and tailors Berwin & Berwin. Children from Brodetsky Jewish Primary created life-size figurines depicting a barmitzvah, a wedding and brit milah.
