We hold three Welcome Days each school term. At the start of the school year we circulate details to some 260 schools and local Education Authorities with the programme.

School parties are welcomed in groups of about 60 pupils and go firstly into our beautiful Synagogue. The features of the building are explained and they are told how Jews pray. The high point is when the Holy Ark is opened to oohs and ahs of wonder! A Sefer Torah is taken out, its importance and holiness is explained, it is carried to the Bimah and back.

After about 30 minutes the visitors are divided into groups of about 20. They are escorted into our hall with a speaker, where we have set up a Sabbath Table, a Passover Seder Table, a Succah, a table for Chanukah, a table with the outward signs of Judaism, and a table for the Cycle of Jewish Life.

The guide spends about 9 minutes at each table talking about its meaning, and they move from table to table, concluding their visit with a taste of traditional Jewish foods: Challah (Shabbat), Matzah (Pesach), Apple and Honey cake (Rosh Hashanah), Latkas (Chanukah) and a glass of orange squash.

There is time for the pupils to visit the Judaica shop, and purchase their momentos.

When the pupils depart they will have a better understanding of the Living Tradition of Judaism, and had an opportunity to meet warm and friendly Jewish people.