Reverend Keith Rosen is the new religious director of Heathlands Care Village in Manchester and will focus on training staff in Jewish religious practices.

Succeeding Rabbi Arnold Saunders, Mr Rosen arrives in the wake of the local welfare merger which has seen Heathlands became part of the Federation of Jewish Services.

His role will expand as FJS adds new care services at the Heathlands site, increasing staff levels beyond the current close-on 300, who are mainly non-Jewish. With a background in corporate training in his native South Africa, he will also draw on his experience as kashrut administrator for the Cape Town Beth Din to maintain the Heathlands kosher kitchens.

The 62-year-old moved to the UK in 2004 to be a kashrut supervisor for the Manchester Beth Din. He says he wants to further develop understanding of residents’ religious needs.

“I spent 25 years as a human resources manager in corporations with up to 500 employees.
“Heathlands already provides a Jewish awareness course for staff when they join, but I would like to have rolling courses if logistics permit,” Mr Rosen added.