MP Ivan Lewis, Board of Deputies leaders Laura Marks and Alex Brummer and the UK's senior Sephardi rabbi, Joseph Dweck, were among the speakers who drew a crowd of 600 to Manchester Limmud on Sunday.

The programme at William Hulme's Grammar School covered subjects as diverse as antisemitism, meditation and circus skills.

Co-chair Rebecca Lewis said feedback had been overwhelmingly positive. "We've got a team of people who really pulled together and that's the starting point to make any event work. The venue was fantastic, the food was good and the presenters put on great sessions.

"It's wonderful to be able to bring the Manchester community together."

She added that "a real appetite" had been created for Manchester Limmud events. "There is loads of potential for growth."