Greater Manchester's new community shaliach has a wider goal - "to see Manchester United win at Old Trafford".

An eighth generation Jerusalemite, Eyal Goldman can draw on considerable experience of working with young people in Israel and the diaspora. He comes to Manchester after serving as division head at the Ramah Camping Movement in New York, where he organised summer camps and gap years to Israel for Conservative Judaism members.

Mr Goldman came up through Tzofim, the Israeli scouts, and has worked as a leader for teenagers on programmes in Israel. He was also part of the volunteering effort in New Oreleans following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

He has been getting to know staff and pupils at local schools and is preparing sessions on Israel and the festivals.

Initial plans include a big Purim party, co-ordinating the UJIA Magic Moments week in May where Israeli teens experience Jewish life in the UK and events that bring Jewish youth together in Manchester.

"Despite the cold, which as an Israeli I'm not so used to, I have received a nice warm welcome from the Manchester Jewish community," Mr Goldman said. "I'm really excited to be part of Jewish life in Manchester."