Religious societies, University of Manchester

Why not find out more about the Sikh society? Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh! This is a society formed to unify the Sikh community and spread the message of Sikhism - love, compassion and humility being at its forefront. Events range from socials to Gurdwara trips to talks and workshops - so there's a vast range of activities to get involved with and it gives you a chance to meet like-minded individuals! Membership is FREE so it is definitely worth signing up - we'll be able to add you to our mailing list and keep you updated with the latest events and socials! Further information.

Religious societies, University of Manchester

Why not find out more about the Islamic Society?  A student run welfare organization. It is responsible for providing services for students (both Muslims and Non-Muslims) and aids to improve the image of Islamic cohesion on campus. The Islamic Society is dedicated in helping Muslims and Non Muslims on campus to develop academically, spiritually and socially. The Islamic Society provides the social psychology and wherewithal for students to benefit themselves, the community, both nationally and globally in every sphere in life. Furthermore, the Islamic Society is there to help promote a true understanding of Islam and Muslims on campus and in the wider community. This is achieved by creating an environment that would facilitate dialogue, mutual understanding and respect. The Islamic Society endeavours to facilitate for the spiritual needs of all Muslim Students on Campus. Further information.

Reporting live...

Worship in the age of COVID. The coronavirus and the lockdown that followed have created considerable challenges for how religious communities conduct their worship. Here is a brief report on how CJS honorary research fellow Rabbi Dr Reuven Silverman (Manchester Reform Synagogue) has coped with the challenges for religious leadership in the age of Covid-19: When lockdown struck we began broadcasting our services on our community Facebook Page followed by Zoom and Facebook. Some rabbinical authorities in Israel permitted the use of this technology despite strictures against electricity on Sabbath and festivals, provided the computers were turned on beforehand and left on all day. As Progressive Jews we welcomed this means of communication for overcoming our social and spiritual isolation. Passover Seder was observed in homes around the world with families in lockdown yet connecting with many more than they would usually have at their table.  I, together with many other colleagues, broadcast services weekly from my home with a virtual background of the synagogue sanctuary or, during the most recent festival of  Succot (Tabernacles),  my home Succah booth. Screensharing of texts, online liturgy, and videos enhance the broadcasts, and the greatest boon is showing the reading from the Torah scroll by webcam, making it accessible to many more than usual. We are becoming ever more interactive with our Zoom audiences, maintaining a curious blend of home comfort and community intimacy.  The Facebook audience is enormous, including people following from abroad. The idea of muting Jewish people, however, though often necessary, is absolute anathema!

Religious societies, University of Manchester

Why not find out more about the Jewish Society? The aims of the Society are: To provide a quality Jewish experience for every Jewish student on campus, regardless of affiliation. To provide social, educational, cultural and religious events and activities throughout the year. To be proactive and lead the way in volunteering and raising money for a variety of different charities.  To help students combat anti-semitism on campus.  To give students the chance to lead a society themselves and play a large part in the running of their Jewish society. Further information.

Religions & Theology Research Seminar

Jewish Studies. Rob Kanter (University of Manchester) “Interactions between British Converts to Islam and Anglo-Jewry, c.1900-39” 16:00 - 17:30 12 November 2020. Further information.

Ehrhardt Seminar

Biblical Studies. Prof. Richard Burridge (King’s College, London) ‘Is “NT Ethics” A Genre Mistake? Methodological Reflections in debate with Gustafson and Hays’ 14:00 - 16:00 12 November 2020. Further information.

Reading group, Jewish-Muslim

Jewish Muslim Research Network. The next session of the JMRN reading group is on 15 October 2020, 4-5pm. Facilitated by Zoë Roth (King's College London). Readings: Derrick A. Bell’s “Who’s Afraid of Critical Race Theory?” (1995), Kimberlé Crenshaw’s “Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics” (1989), and W. J. T. Mitchell’s “The Moment of Theory: Race as Myth and Medium in Seeing Through Race” (2012). Further information.

Religious societies, University of Manchester

Why not find out more about the Christian Union? We are a group of Christian students at the University of Manchester with one aim: to give every student an opportunity to hear and respond to the message of Jesus Christ. We meet regularly on Tuesday evenings and hold events where the Christian message is explained from the Bible in a simple and approachable way. Hall groups meet every Friday all across campus and there are regular prayer meetings throughout term. Further information.

East Asian Studies webinar, Folk Daoism

East Asian religion. 'Taiwanese Concepts of Animation: The Intersection of Pili Puppetry and Folk Daoism' (Teri Silvio, Academia Sinica, Taiwan). 4pm GMT,  Wed 14 Oct 2020. Further information.

Religious societies, University of Manchester

Why not find out more about the Buddhist Society? Its aim is to provide an opportunity for those who wish to learn about Buddhism, however much or however little they already know. The Society is not confined to any particular school, and is interested in theoretical and practical aspects of Buddhism. Whatever the interest everyone is very welcome! Further information.

Your daily poem, 50 Jewish Objects Project

Jewish Studies. Manchester Poet (and R&T alumnus) Leo Mercer presents 'Scroll', a new sequence of animated Twitter poems. This series of one-a-day poems was specially commissioned for the Centre for Jewish Studies' 50 Jewish Objects Project, which draws on the collections of Manchester University's Rylands Library, amongst others. Read the CJS tweets or watch and listen to the twelve poems.

Ehrhardt Seminar

Dead Sea Scrolls. Prof. Charlotte Hempel (University of Birmingham) ‘The Community Rules: Florilegia from a Forthcoming Commentary’ 14:00 - 16:00 05 November 2020. Further information.

Social responsibility

Widening participation. PhD student and Secondary History teacher Rob Kanter has been appointed as a University Widening Participation Fellow. In addition to writing his thesis on 'A History of Jewish-Muslim relations in the UK, c.1900-1999', his new WP duties will include preparing and delivering materials (that highlight the relevance and value of university-based research) for groups of under-represented high school students. Further information.