Author: Cally Gunn

On Sunday the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust sadly announced that Henry Wuga had died, just a month after celebrating his 100th birthday.

Henry Wuga has lived an extraordinary life. At just 15 years old Mr. Henry Wuga was evacuated from Nazi Germany, escaping to Glasgow where he became instrumental in educating people about the horrors of the Holocaust. He spent the majority of his life working to preserve records of the Holocaust; enabling people to learn about his remarkable life while guiding the community that had taken him in as a child refugee.

He later married and raised a family with Ingrid Wolffe, a fellow German-Jewish refugee. The couple continued to play an active role in engaging with schools, delivering speeches and classes on the Holocaust.

“When Henry and his wife attended Jewish Care Scotland clubs from time to time it was a great privilege to have them here.” Jewish Care Scotland’s Honorary President, Maureen Solomons reflects on Henry and Ingrid’s relationship with JCS.

At one point, Wuga worked as a ski instructor for the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association where he taught veterans who had lost limbs to ski, for which he was named a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1999.

JCS’s Head of Community and Wellbeing, Lynsey Allan recalls: “In later years Henry supported his wife, Ingrid. Ingrid was a great character at the club and I remember she particularly enjoyed sitting in the sunshine, as well as an occasional afternoon snooze! I was always touched by the sight of Henry waiting to collect her from the bus at the end of the day. They were clearly a great partnership and a loving couple.”

As renowned figure in the Glasgow-Jewish community Henry was a dedicated Holocaust educator whose light shined on many. His story lives on in everyone who was lucky enough to hear it.

JCS celebrate International Women’s Day with a ladies’ discussion panel

13 March 2024

To celebrate International Women’s Day JCS hosted their first Ladies’ Discussion Panel on Wednesday 13 March – together Lennie Wilson, joined by panellists Rebbetzin Rubin, Deborah Haas and Madeleine Black.

After JCS’s drop-in style café, Welcome Wednesday the all-ladies discussion garnered an engaged group to hear the panellists discuss topics relating to the achievements of women and girls in the community.

(L-R) Deborah Haas, Madeleine Black, Rebbetzin Rubin.

When asked what changes she’d like to see in society Madeleine Black stated: “Equality. Whether that’s through education or breaking the glass ceiling. Equal pay and career opportunities, being treated the same regardless of your age, gender or race. That’s what I’d like to see.”

The next panel, titled, ‘Where are we going as a community and congregation?’, will be held on Wednesday 10 April, discussion panellists to be confirmed. All are welcome and invited to come and be part of the conversation.

5 March 2024

Yesterday, JCS and pupils from Calderwood Primary School attended Generations Working Togethers’ intergenerational learning roadshow in Govanhill.

The Intergenerational project, which sees Calderwood Lodge Primary School pupils spend time with attendees of Jewish Care Scotland’s Wellbeing Hub throughout the school term, was a resounding success in 2023. The children and older people work together to have meaningful interactions and learning experiences.  The project has gained positive feedback from everyone involved.  After receiving a Highly Commended Award at the Generations Working Together Awards in 2023, JCS was invited to the roadshow to showcase the successful project.

 

JCS’s Registered Manager, Vicki McPhee: “What a fantastic opportunity to share the story of our Intergenerational journey with Calderwood Lodge Primary School whilst networking and learning from others. It was a pleasure to have been invited to speak at this event! Bringing younger and older generations together to learn from one another, share stories and building connections is a such meaningful project for Jewish Care Scotland, benefiting the wellbeing of everybody involved.”

 

The collaboration comes after a longstanding partnership with Calderwood Lodge Primary School working on smaller projects, the two local Jewish establishments came together to work on Intergenerational Projects with the aim of connecting people through shared culture and experiences.

 

For more information, please contact Cally by emailing Comms@jcarescot.org.uk

 

JCS want everyone to have the opportunity to observe and celebrate important times in the Jewish year. Once again, we are delighted to be able to offer our annual Pesach grants for anyone struggling to meet additional costs associated with this time.

This is a one-off grant, aimed at households with a limited income, of £80 for individuals increasing to £120 for households with children. Applications close Thursday 28 March at 5pm.

Upon application, you will be put in touch with one of our Community and Wellbeing Team. Any support offered will be dependent on individual circumstances and applicants may be asked to provide supporting documentation. All applications are treated in strictest confidence and with discretion. Successful applicants will receive their grant by Thursday 18 April.

If you would like more information, or to apply for a Pesach Grant, please contact us on 0141 620 1800 or email hello@jcarescot.org.uk.

 

Jewish Care Scotland are offering one-off Chanukah grants to individuals and households with limited income who are struggling to meet additional costs associated with this time of year.

Deputy Chief Executive, Robyn Friel, said of the grant, “We know that people are continuing to struggle with the increasing cost-of-living and we want to make sure that everyone is able to celebrate Chanukah this year.  During such difficult times it’s important for everyone to celebrate the light and take part in Chanukah festivities.”

This is a one-off grant for households with limited income.  Members of the community are invited to get in touch for more information or to apply for a grant by calling Jewish Care Scotland on 0141 620 1800 or emailing hello@jcarescot.org.uk.  All enquiries and applications are handled with discretion and treated with the strictest of confidence.

Calderwood Lodge Chanukah Cards

13 November 2023

 

Each year the pupils of Calderwood Lodge are invited to design Chanukah Cards.

Last month JCS’s Wellbeing Hub group deliberated hard over selecting winners for their annual Chanukah card competition with Calderwood Lodge Primary school. The Wellbeing Hub spent an afternoon pouring over the cards and were proud and delighted to select the winning designs. The JCS team attended assembly at Calderwood Lodge Primary to celebrate all the entries and the winning designs. Congratulations to the individual winners from primary two through seven and the collective class of primary one winners.

This year boasted a host of beautiful designs. Much the same as previous years, the decision-making process was very difficult as so many pupils deserved commendation and thanks. The pupils families were able to order the winning designs on a variety of items to celebrate Chanukah, with proceeds going towards Jewish Care Scotland services and fundraising for school activities.

 

JCS Registered Manager Vicki McPhee adds: “Each year it’s so rewarding getting involved in such a creative, collaborative project. When Autumn rolls around the JCS team really look forward to the project with Calderwood Primary. We are so proud of all the artistic pupils who put in so much effort to make their cards shine this Chanukah and look forward to sharing them with the community.”