Humans of The Fed

Growing up in apartheid South Africa, the young Keith Rosen knew little of England or of organised religion. Today, as The Fed's Religious Director, Reverend Rosen plays one of the most crucial roles in the pastoral care that the organisation carries out.

How this transformation came about is as fascinating as any story we've told on the podcast, and one which will surprise even the many people who count Revered Rosen as a colleague and friend.

Told in his warm, lilting Cape Town accent, Reverend Rosen takes us through his sports- and outdoor-mad upbringing under the shadow of Table Mountain, through the years of reintroduction to his Judaism and finally to an almost entirely spontaneous move to the UK.

Meaningful and emotionally charged, this episode of Humans of The Fed shines a light on one of the individuals whose work - often behind-the-scenes - is so vital to The Fed's success.

This week we present one of the most moving podcasts we've recorded, and so poignant coming just after Yom HaShoah.

Simon Hill HonFRPS was given his first camera at the age of four. 

In the intervening half century, his photography career has sent him around the world, allowed him to mingle with royalty, and become the president of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain.

And yet were it not for a sequence of unexpected events he would possibly not have ever returned to the UK, reconnected with the society of which he had been a member for so long and risen to its highest position. He also would have almost certainly never have heard of The Fed.

Simon's involvement with The Fed's My Voice Project opened his eyes to the experiences and testimonies of Holocaust survivors across the north of England, and the photographs he contributed to the 'Generations: Portraits of Holocaust Survivors' exhibition at the Imperial War Museum brought him into contact with those cherished and honoured Survivors which the My Voice project serves.

Part tech-heavy and part humanities-focused, Simon's conversation provides a window into the world of one of this country's most esteemed photographers, with a healthy dose of humour and self-deprecation along the way. It also offers a reminder, if it were ever needed, how honoured The Fed is to preserve the life stories of our Survivors, and how invaluable and timeless the work of the My Voice project is.

Today we've got a bit of a first...

We have a volunteer, a fundraiser and a member of The Fed's Bar and Bat Mitzvah program all rolled into one, and just 12 years old!

Ben Sarak is the son of Natasha, a member of The Fed's fundraising team, but far from talking about his mum's experiences, Ben has already got a wealth of Fed history all of his own.

Throughout today's episode what was apparent was Ben's genuine admiration and love for this organisation, and if we can get that strength of feeling and sense of ownership into a 12 year old, we must be doing something right! 

Very entertaining and often moving, enjoy Humans' youngest guest so far as he shares memories of his grandpa, his first impressions of Heathlands Village, and why supporting The Fed is a passion so close to his heart, helping him raise thousands of pounds towards our essential services.

In 1975, a young man was invited to lead the services for the fledgling Heathlands Village shul.

That young man, Chaim Rose - known to all at The Fed as Rabbi Rose - could never have imagined the chain of events that accepting this invitation would set off.

In the nearly half a century since, the shul has grown in stature and function, often attracting more than 150 people for services on Shabbat and Yom Tov and becoming a warm, loving environment for anyone who crosses its threshold.

But more than this, the shul and its members have become essential to the very fabric of The Fed. Whether visiting ill residents, ensuring no-one is left out at the most joyous times in the Jewish calendar, strengthening the intangiable atmosphere of yiddishkeit around the site, or ensuring that everyone receives a proper Jewish funeral, today the Heathlands shul is a beacon of faith and friendship.

A place where everyone is welcome, where everyone is greeted with a smile, where everyone is made to feel part of a community, and where everyone is treated alike, the Heathlands shul community is today so much more than simply prayer services held at the Village.

Part family history, part tribute to five decades of devotion, this episode of Humans will surprise everyone with it's warmth, it's emotion, and the generational links that have unfurled thanks to those who call the shul their home.

Dan Rosenberg is the founder and host of the hugely popular Sod’s Law Podcast, which at the time of its conclusion had delivered 150 episodes and over 1 million downloads. Quite some going!

So whilst this might mean that this Humans of the Fed episode is a busman's holiday for him, we actually think our listeners - and I hope by extension the loyal followers of Sod’s Law - will find that by being a guest this time, they will learn more about Dan's life and what makes him, in our opinion, such an extraordinary human being. 

Join us as we discuss mental health, fertility, raising children, the importance of work-life balance, giving of your time to charity and so much more.

We really enjoyed chatting to Dan and we know you will too.

The Fed relies on the dedication and tireless work of staff across a huge range of professions. From carers to caterers and maintenance to marketing, the full makeup of the organisation is the product of almost every conceivable skill and talent imaginable.

But for some, those talents often go unnoticed and without fanfare, and Lucy Edwards is one of those.

As The Fed's Trusts, Foundations, and Bids Fundraiser, Lucy's skill is sourcing new and ongoing sources of income to fund a multitude of the services we provide.

Far from simply writing letters and asking for financial support, this complex, involved, and often long-term responsibility lies at the heart of everything The Fed does, as it carries with it a need to understand every aspect of The Fed's long-term strategy, service provision, and community development.

If you're interested in the inner-workings of The Fed, or have wondered for some time about what and how fundraising involves, this episode is the one for you.

As a bonus, it's also very, very funny.

The year 1950 saw the start of the Korean War, James Dean get his first acting break, and a few new, trendy houses in the UK be designed with indoor toilets.

It was also the year in which a young Leslie Kay was first introduced to the 'Old Home' - the forerunner to our modern Heathlands Village.

It was the start of lifelong relationship between Leslie and Heathlands Village - and today The Fed as well - which has covered more than eight decades, numerous senior positions of responsibility, and an infectious enthusiasm for caring, community, and continuity which exists to this day.

From a round-the-world trip in the 1970s chasing the latest innovations in watch manufacturing, to fending off a chorus of dissenters - not once, but twice - in pursuit of the goal of industry-leading social care in Greater Manchester, Leslie is "the last one" of a generation who dedicated their lives to the flourishing and self-sufficient community we have today.

It's a story as enjoyable to listen to as it is important to the history of our great organisation, and one which Humans of The Fed is thrilled to present and preserve.

We are indebted to the Steinberg family for agreeing to us publishing this week's podcast.

What seems just a very short time ago, Humans co-host, Raphi Bloom, sat down with Lady Beryl Steinberg, The Fed's Honorary Patron, in her home, to record an episode of our podcast.

Although brief, the conversation was full of her usual wit and sparkling charm, showcasing her love for The Fed and her passion to do whatever she could for others.

In February 2022, just a few months later, we were heartbroken to learn of the passing of our dear friend and supporter.

This week's episode is a tribute to Lady Beryl, a testament to her devotion to our community, and a lasting record of our thanks for everything she, her late husband Lord Steinberg, and the entire Steinberg family have done for The Fed and Anglo-Jewry.

Though united with the whole community in our shock and grief, Lady Beryl's untimely passing should not take away from the legacy of the outstanding service she gave to our community and the example she set which we can all aim to replicate.

In her own words: "I'm not a leader, I'm a soldier."

May her memory be for a blessing.

George Carlin famously said that it's the quiet ones you have to watch out for.

Although Carlin was making a lighthearted comment on crime and punishment, his joke couldn't be more true for today's episode.

Phil Costin is The Fed's Buildings Manager, responsible for the development of the site and it's maintenance. A much-loved and respected figure across the organisation, Phil exudes calmness and good cheer and can always be relied on for a smile and a friendly greeting.

This cheerful exterior, however, masks a lifetime of tragedy and hardship that almost defies belief.

Phil shares his extraordinary life story with Humans, revealing the mystery of his origins, the tragedy that rocked his family, illness and suffering that have shaped his adult life, and - perhaps most importantly - how he came through it all to be the positive and delightful colleague everyone at The Fed knows.

Not content with carving out a successful career amid his many challenges, Phil's life has taken him into the world of professional rugby, to the slopes of Mount Everest, and to the very summit of the martial arts world, as a five-time kickboxing World Champion.

Bernie Yaffe qualified as an accountant in 1981 and became Chair of Trustees of The Fed in 2018.

In between those two major events, Bernie found himself living in South Africa, carrying out secret work for the Jewish community in the Soviet Union, clocking up a significant career with one of the world's most famous brands, and cultivated a music collection that almost defies belief.

As someone for whom success is "...making sure the organisation can deliver on its goals and targets and to plan for the future", Bernie speaks from the heart about the journey that took him from ordinary man to community insider, his pride at seeing The Fed ride out the most perilous waves of Covid-19, and how he envisages the future of the organisation - one he describes as "...less an old-age organisation, more an all-age organisation."

With plenty of laughter and an intense focus on community development and sustainability, this is one episode of Humans of The Fed you don't want to miss!