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What is Ignite the Soul?

Ignite the Soul is a non-profit making organisation dedicated to providing for the needs of young Jewish adults across the North of England.

By co-ordinating creative programmes, group events, festival gatherings and educational trips, our aim is to create a warm non-judgmental environment where young Jews can meet and feel a stronger sense of their Jewish identity irrespective of their backgrounds and opinion. More importantly, it will give people an opportunity to explore and embrace their Jewish Heritage.


Who are Ignite the Soul?


Rabbi Danny Bergson grew up in Manchester where he received a thorough Jewish education. After School he spent three years in a traditional ‘Yeshiva ’ in Jerusalem where he further intensified his Jewish studies.

Upon returning to university to study computer science, Danny was confronted with the reality of Jewish assimilation. No longer just a statistic but something he saw with his own eyes.

Danny decided that on completion of his degree he would take up Rabbinic studies in order to secure a future in helping inspire the young Jews of today. Danny uses his musical talents as well as his unique ability to relate to people from all different ‘walks of life ’ to regenerate a thirst for Judaism..

Anna grew up in Hale, Cheshire. Coming from secular background she embarked on a journey back to her roots in her late teens. She consolidated this by attending a Women ’s seminary in Jerusalem and returned with a passion to give back to her community.

Today, pressures of work and the consumer society mean that traditional community ties have been weakened. Young Jews are finding it harder and harder to meet other Jews. We aim to provide time and space where young professionals can develop and deepen their Jewish identity.


What does Ignite the Soul do?
Shabbatons

In addition to organising regular Friday night Shabbat meals at Anna and Danny ’s house, every 6 weeks a communal Shabbaton is arranged. This tends to be on a much grander and structured scale, involving over a 100 people. The Shabbaton is a forum for young members of the Manchester Jewish community to get together socially for a ‘chemise ’ Shabbat meal.

Festival Gatherings

Pure joy and a festive atmosphere pervade the Jewish Calendar each year with Purim, Sukkot, Pesach, Lag Bo ’omer and Chanukah parties attracting over 150 people to each event.

Other social events

Alongside the Shabbatons and festival get-togethers, ad hoc evenings are arranged including Jewish Film nights and music evenings. In addition monthly lunch and learn sessions are organised.

All these events serve as a platform for developing strong communal bonds amongst young Jewish adults.


Group and individual learning
Ignite the Soul can accommodate all learning and discussion requirements, whether it is on a group level or an individual basis.

For groups of people, educational programmes are arranged involving weekly classes where contemporary issues are discussed along with what ’s on the mind of young Jews today. Exclusive to women, Anna also provides a women ’s learning programme.

For the needs of the individual, one to one learning is organised where personal relationships can be fostered in private surroundings at the same time as giving individuals the opportunity to stretch their intellectual horizons with the full range of Jewish literature.


Educational Trips
Each year, a trip to Israel is organised. The primary objective of the trip is to help young Jewish adults visit Israel for the first time and experience an extended Shabbaton set in the golden city of Jerusalem amongst other educational visits including Macadam and Ein Gedi.

The Israel trip is a valuable part of Ignite the Soul ’s constant effort to instill Jewish identity and connect people to their heritage.

Trips to Poland and Eastern Europe are also in the pipeline. As well as exploring the subject of the Holocaust, we hope to show how rich our Jewish history was in Europe and what lessons can be learnt and brought into our modern lives.