This year was a Chanukah to remember as numerous events and parties filled up our calendar for the first time since the pandemic. These included:

149 community clients at TWO fantastic Chanukah parties in North and South Manchester.

For some attendees it was their only chance to celebrate Chanukah in a social environment. All guests were served a three-course meal, enjoyed the Menorah lighting as well as the entertainment provided by Brian & Maxine Warner and North Cheshire School Choir.

FIVE school choirs entertaining our residents and clients.

Broughton Jewish, Butterstile Primary, Jewish Grammar and Bury and Whitefield Primary School all visited Heathlands Village during Chanukah and brought much joy into the building to the delight of residents, tenants and staff.

100 Chanukah Winter Warm Packs given to community clients. All guests at the community Chanukah parties were give a gift of a Chanukah Winter Warm Pack – containing soup, chocolates, socks and handwarmer pack.

Some of the most vulnerable people – who were not able to attend – were also sent a winter Warm Pack which included woolen scarves and some chocolate Chanukah gelt!

47 children and 25 parents at THREE Project Smile Chanukah Parties. New sensory room – ‘the snozelem’ – was officially opened at the first Project Smile Chanukah celebration, the children threw themselves into the games and entertainment provided by Mr. Dreidel Man from L’Chaim Chabad Manchester. Every child also went home with a gorgeous gift, hand-picked especially for them by the centre’s staff, according to their individual abilities. The gifts had been generously donated by The Fed’s supporters for the successful Chanukah Toy Drive campaign earlier in the month.

The Fed also threw two Chanukah Parties for Project Smiles’ Mums & Tots group which meet on a Monday and Wednesday. Guests tucked into loads of yummy goodies and every child went home with chocolate gelt and a lovely Chanukah gift. The group caters for children up to five years old who just love its brightly painted, cheery design, the fabulous range of toys and games and themed play areas.

ONE Heathlands Village Residents’ Choir Concert,

Perhaps the highlight of the winter season came from the Residents’ Chanukah Choir which performed for over an hour on the afternoon of the 19th December. The choir is always one of the most eagerly anticipated events on The Fed’s calendar but this year it had an extra-special feeling due to the Covid restrictions of previous years.

The choir duly sang their hearts out for over an hour with a range of classic songs such as: Que Sera Sera,The Dreidel Song, When You’re Smiling and Hatikvah – the latter leaving the house with few dry eyes. There were lovely solos by several members, including Centenarian Joyce Hyman. For the finale, a crowd of Fed staff gamely joined in with Heathlands’ favourite earworm – ‘Eight Days of Chanukah’.

21 clients at the Mental Wellbeing Group’s Chanukah Party

As with the groups regular meetings, the party was organised by our CAST (social work) Team. With ages ranging from 30 to 70+ and men and women from a spectrum of the community, the group enjoyed a lovely meal followed by a karaoke disco 🎤🎤🎤

THREE Professional Singers.

Entertainment was also provided by singers Maxine and Brian Warner as well as young Benji Salomon who played a concert at a packed hall in Heathlands village.

ONE Heathlands Village Residents’ Blackpool Illuminations trip

Towards the end of Chanukah, tenants and residents enjoyed a trip to Blackpool to look at the lights.

An unlimited supply of latkes & donuts and arts and crafts everyday

Heathlands Village was in full creative mode for Chanukah this year with arts, crafts or cooking activities on every day.

Donut decorating, latke making classes, dreidel painting and Menorah crafting workshops were some of the activities on offer and the results are on display for all to see.

…one Mr Dreidel Man!

We loved providing so much Chanukah joy and companionship for hundreds of people in our Manchester Jewish community. Thank you to all our amazing colleagues, volunteers, donors and partners who helped us make it all happen! We could not do it without you!