A first nationwide get-together for Scottish Jews will bring together those from all denominations and none for a weekend of social, cultural and educational events.

Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation will host Scotland’s Jewish Gathering at the end of October.

Ephraim Borowski, director of the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities (SCoJeC), said the original idea had been for a joint Shabbaton between Glasgow and Edinburgh. “But we thought why restrict it? Everybody should be thinking about what we can do to connect people.”

It is being promoted from “Arran to Aberdeen and from Stranraer to Shetland” and the organisers are hoping to engage Jews from far-flung areas of the country.
More than 30 people have already booked and a turnout in excess of 100 is anticipated.

The provisional speakers list includes Scottish Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf and Marion Carlton, head of Calderwood Lodge in Glasgow, Scotland’s only Jewish school.

A key session will be a panel discussion on the Sunday involving the chairs of Scottish shuls.

Entertainment will include a jamming session for Jewish musicians and there are also plans for a guided walk through Jewish Edinburgh.

“And this is a Jewish event so there will be a lot of food, around which people will socialise,” Mr Borowski added.

Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation chair John Danzig said the concept was “something close to my heart — Jewish communities, and the affiliated and non-affiliated, coming together.

“I feel strongly about people getting to know one another and identifying with those beyond their own communities.

“It will invigorate people into dealing with all sorts of issues, such as antisemitism and ageing communities.”

Mr Danzig also wanted to involve some of the Israelis living in Scotland who might not normally attend communal events. 

There will be a separate programme for children and organisers want to boost enrolment by making the event free for under 17s and students.

For those requiring accommodation, “we are blessed with a lot of guest houses near the shul”, Mr Danzig pointed out. “We have excellent relations with them and they are offering discounted rates.”

Mr Borowski added the hope that “this model will become an approximately annual event”.

The 2011 Scottish Census showed around 6,000 people identifying as Jewish. Mr Borowski says informal research suggests the true number could be near 10,000.

Small communities were operating in areas such as Dumfries and SCoJeC was coming across more Jews in rural areas.