The Fed

@FED_Manchester's My Voice Project has launched an education resource and travelling exhibition to inspire empathy. Read more at JLife: jlifemagazine.co.uk/news-mancheste… #JLife #Magazine #Manchester #Jewishlife #JewishCommunity

Our U13 & U14 players took part in a powerful session led by @fedmyvoice Director Raphi Bloom, learning the remarkable life story of Holocaust survivor Ike Alterman BEM. This is 1 of 5 sessions on Holocaust education, connected to the @PremierLeague’s Football Remembers program, helping young people build understanding, empathy and awareness.

𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐢 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐤𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐅𝐂'𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐲 – 𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐲 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 Fed My Voice Director Raphi Bloom delivered a powerful presentation on the life of Holocaust survivor Ike Alterman BEM to Wigan Athletic’s Academy – first speaking to the U15/16 squads, then the U13/14 groups – as part of the My Voice Guardian programme. The players heard Ike’s extraordinary journey – from a childhood shattered by the Holocaust, through ghettos, concentration and death camps, to the resilience that helped him rebuild his life with dignity and purpose. They listened with maturity and respect – recognising they were hearing a story that demands empathy, reflection and responsibility. Raphi stressed that Ike’s testimony is a vital educational tool – helping young people understand the consequences of unchecked hatred, discrimination and dehumanisation. Holocaust education, he explained, is not just about the past – it equips the next generation to recognise prejudice, challenge harmful narratives and protect the dignity of all people. He highlighted values the players can live out daily – tolerance, hope, kindness and resilience – on the pitch, in school and in their communities. A key message was the responsibility to challenge intolerance wherever it appears. Prejudice often begins subtly – jokes, words, comments, exclusion – and silence allows it to grow. Raphi urged the players to challenge it in every space, choosing courage over comfort. He also addressed the dangers of Holocaust denial and inversion – where facts are distorted or twisted. By hearing Ike’s story, the players have now listened to a survivor’s testimony. They have become witnesses to a witness – carrying Ike’s story forward and standing up to denial, distortion and hatred whenever they encounter it. Feedback after the sessions showed the deep impact of the presentation – the players left with stronger knowledge of the Holocaust and a renewed commitment to stand up to prejudice. If you would like to have Ike's presentation delivered at your school, club or business contact info@myvoice.org.uk @LaticsOfficial @HeritageFundUK @JewishMCR @EFL @EFL_Comms @FED_Manchester

A single act of kindness can change a day. Complex care can change a life. The Fed delivers both - supporting thousands of Jewish people every year across Greater Manchester, and we do it with you, our donors and volunteers - your partnership and support make it happen. #GivingTuesday

Fed My Voice Director Raphi Bloom had the privilege of speaking at @LancashireCC Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration, sharing the extraordinary My Voice life story of Holocaust Survivor Ike Alterman BEM - a man whose courage, resilience and humanity continue to guide us toward a better world. Telling Ike’s story is never easy, but it is always necessary. His voice lives on in every reminder to stand against hatred, prejudice and indifference. The ceremony was made even more powerful by the moving reflections of former British soldier Sergeant Richard Brock, aged 101, who was present at Bergen‑Belsen shortly after it was liberated. We also heard from Council Leader Stephen Atkinson who spoke with clarity and conviction about our shared responsibility to challenge hatred wherever it appears and the ongoing importance of Holocaust education. Rabbi Danny Bergson shared music and prayers and the candle lighting was led with dignity by the Lord Lieutenant. Also present was the @JewishMCR CEO Marc Levy. @HeritageFundUK @HeritageFundNOR @FED_Manchester #HolocaustMemorialDay

Thank you to Bury Libraries for showcasing their My Voice Holocaust Survivor Storyteller collection. Every Bury Library has a set of the My Voice books which are available to all Bury residents to borrow and read. Many of the life story books are of Survivors who settled in Greater Manchester and contributed greatly to making Manchester the great city it is. We encourage everyone to read the My Voice books to learn about these incredible Survivors and bear witness to the Holocaust. @HeritageFundUK @HeritageFundNOR @JewishMCR @yadvashemUK @BuryCouncil @BuryLibraries @FED_Manchester

"𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐈𝐬 𝐀 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞" Today on Holocaust Memorial Day listen to Holocaust Survivor and My Voice Storyteller Ike Alterman BEM - who survived Auschwitz Birkenau - speak powerfully about why we must always remember the Holocaust, be welcoming to others and always remember that hate is a disease. @AndyBurnhamGM @JewishMCR @FED_Manchester @HMD_UK @UKHMF @ManchesterUP @Everton @HeritageFundUK @HeritageFundNOR

Yesterday Fed My Voice Director Raphi Bloom had the privilege of sharing his dear friend and Holocaust Survivor Ike Alterman’s My Voice life story - through an interactive presentation he has created as part of the My Voice Guardian programme - with @gmpolice at their Holocaust Memorial Day event, arranged by the Jewish Police Association. It was an important opportunity to deepen understanding of the Holocaust and to pass on Ike’s powerful message that “hate is a disease” - an especially powerful one from someone who survived Auschwitz-Birkenau. His words continue to inspire us all to challenge prejudice, build empathy, and strengthen our communities. Our sincere thanks to Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson for his warm words and his ongoing commitment to being extremely tough on anti-Jewish racism; to Deputy Mayor @KateGreenSU; to the many GMP officers and staff who joined us; and to the JPA for organising such a meaningful event. Once again, thank you to GMP for everything you do for the Greater Manchester Jewish community. @JewishMCR @HeritageFundUK @HeritageFundNOR @FED_Manchester

The Fed supports more Jewish people - and delivers more complex care - across Greater Manchester than anyone else. 2025 highlights: 1 in 7 homes supported • 35,000+ volunteer hours • 23,910 instances of support • £520k benefits/grants • 8,300+ befriending/shopping/escort sessions. Join us: thefed.org.uk #CommunityImpact2025 #TheFed #VolunteerPower @JewishMCR @BuryCouncil @SalfordCouncil @ManCityCouncil @Christian4BuryS @AndyBurnhamGM

Every Christmas morning, our Chief Exec Mark Cunningham visits our amazing colleagues who are working today to care for our Heathlands Village residents and tenants 🎄 A heartfelt thank you to those who are spending time away from their own families to look after our community ❤️

Wishing all our colleagues, residents, tenants, stakeholders and supporters - and indeed the wider Greater Manchester community - who celebrate a very Merry Christmas.

𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝐓𝐨𝐲𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐤𝐚𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 This Chanukah and Christmas, our community came together in the most beautiful way. Thanks to our incredible donors, 500 handpicked toys - worth just under £6,000 - were bought for the children The Fed supports through our Children’s Centre and community services, including our Smile, Community, and Mum’s & Tots groups. Many of these children live with a range of complex needs, so every gift was chosen with real care and love. We also shared the joy beyond our community, sending toys to children of all faiths and none spending Christmas in the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and the Royal Bolton Hospital children’s ward. A message from a staff member at Royal Bolton said it all: “All the team are chatting about how amazing your donations were and how organised and easy it was.” They added that these toys will last all year - for Christmas, birthdays and other celebrations. A special shout‑out to The Fed Bar and Bat Mitzvah project participants, who visited to learn about our Children’s Centre and the vital work we do, then wrapped Chanukah gifts and made cards for our Smile group. You inspired us with your kindness and teamwork. Thank you to every donor, volunteer and partner who made this happen. You turned generosity into smiles - across our Manchester Jewish community and across Greater Manchester’s hospitals. From all of us at The Fed - thank you for making magic happen! @JewishMCR @boltonnhsft @RMCHosp @Christian4BuryS @BBCNWT @GranadaReports

"Ike Alterman - a Survivor of Auschwitz and a death march, whom we sadly lost last week was a symbol of hope and light... and who always said hate is a disease." Metro Mayor Andy Burnham at the Heaton Park Synagogue Chanukah lighting in Manchester speaking about My Voice Storyteller Ike Alterman BEM z'l @AndyBurnhamGM @JewishMCR @FED_Manchester

𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥, 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 A group of Year 13 students at King David High School have proudly become 𝐅𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐲 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬, dedicating themselves to preserving and sharing the stories of Holocaust Survivors through the My Voice Project. On Monday, 8 December, the school welcomed three remarkable Survivors - Marianne Philipps, Gerda Rothberg, and Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines MBE. They were deeply moved by the respectful, well-prepared Year 13 Guardians, who had read each Survivor’s life story and came ready with thoughtful, heartfelt questions. A special thank you to Rabbi Schwartz for coordinating this meaningful project and to Headteacher Mrs Basger for warmly welcoming our guests. We can’t wait to see the incredible work these students will produce for Holocaust Memorial Day at the end of January - a powerful contribution to Holocaust education for the entire upper and lower school community. If your school would like to take part in the Guardian project please emails michelle.sallon@thefed.org.uk @HeritageFundUK @HeritageFundNOR @JewishMCR @yadvashemUK

The Fed and My Voice are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend Holocaust Survivor and My Voice Storyteller Itzick Ike Alterman BEM z'l "Whilst we stand here today to accompany him on his final journey on this earth - and we are heartbroken that he is no longer with us - I believe we must also celebrate his life, his resilience and his contribution to the Manchester Jewish community, the Jewish people, our city, and society as a whole." His dear friend and Fed My Voice Director Raphi Bloom delivered this emotional "hesped" - eulogy - as we accompanied Itzick on his final journey. @FED_Manchester @JewishMCR @45AidSociety @TheAJR_

Happy Birthday to @TNLUK ! A huge thank you to The National Lottery Community Fund for their multi year grant to The Fed's Community Services which helps us ensure we can continue to support one in seven Jewish homes and more than 6,500 people across Greater Manchester and our region - and remain as the Jewish community's safety net. #BecauseOfYou

Trustees Week 2025 We’d like to pay tribute to our fantastic Fed trustees. Each trustee brings knowledge, experience, skills, professionalism, perspective and passion that empower us to continue to transform – and often save - lives across the Jewish community of Greater Manchester. We are truly thankful for their time and commitment to The Fed. #TrusteesWeek

Raphi Bloom, The Fed's My Voice Director, delivered his Guardian presentation on the life story of My Voice Storyteller Ike Alterman BEM to the playing, coaching and management team at @ASFCofficial Football Club. Ike was born in Poland and survived 4 Nazi concentration and death camps including Auschwitz Birkenau and a death march before coming to the UK as one of the Windermere Boys and then creating a successful life in Manchester. Ike's powerful life story and Holocaust testimony alongside his impactful messages of hope, resilience, kindness and tolerance resonate with audiences of all ages and leave those listening to it moved and inspired. If you want to book this interactive presentation for your school, college, club, place of worship or workplace send us a message or email info@myvoice.org.uk @HeritageFundUK @HeritageFundNOR @yadvashemUK @FED_Manchester

Wishing a Shana Tova u'Metuka - a good and sweet New Year - to all of our residents, clients, supporters and friends across the community and the wider world. May the coming year be a happy and healthy one for us all and may we see the release of the hostages as soon as possible.

The Fed’s Heathlands Village held its hugely popular annual Sports Day this week. Mixed teams of residents, tenants, staff and some of our trustees took part in many of our favourite sports day events such as the egg and spoon and three-legged races alongside some innovative new ideas involving balloons! We had a full gallery watching on who enjoyed strawberry and cream in the sunshine. Benjamin, a care colleague, said “It’s been such an amazing Sports Day today! 🏅✨ The spirit all around was just wonderful, so much laughter, joy, and togetherness. Our residents and tenants were simply incredible and made the day so special.” We can’t wait for next year! @CareEngland @JewishMCR @JewishTelegraph @BuryTimes @NCFCareForum @Christian4BuryS @JLC_uk