Norwood is pleased to announce that it has appointed Shoshana Bloom as its new Jewish Cultural Manager. Shoshana will have responsibility for developing, supporting and encouraging a vibrant Jewish atmosphere, both culturally and spiritually, for the people who use Norwood’s services, as well as its staff and volunteers.
Shoshana has previously worked for a number of organisations within the Jewish community, including Jewish Care, UJIA, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Holocaust Centre. Her roles have ranged from fundraising and marketing to community development and informal education. She is also involved as a volunteer with Limmud and chaired the Limmud Conference in 2005.
Shoshana said: “Norwood has very deep roots in the Jewish community and I am delighted to be part of such an incredible organisation. I look forward to introducing myself to as many people as possible over the next few weeks and months.
“My role is to empower Norwood’s services users, staff and volunteers to make their own decisions about how to express their Jewish identity. Whether someone wants to learn to read Hebrew, have fun at Israeli dancing classes, prepare for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah or attend the many great events that the Jewish community has to offer, we will support our service users in their cultural needs and their desire to be fully participating members of the community.
“I also want to help those people involved with Norwood who are not Jewish to understand many of the aspects of Community life which we may take for granted.”
Norwood started life in 1795 as a small trade boarding school for children of poor members of the Jewish community in the East End of London. Through a process of amalgamation, growth and diversification, it has developed into the comprehensive welfare organisation it is today – supporting thousands of people with learning disabilities and children and families in need, in the Jewish and wider community, each year.
Philip Bunt, Norwood’s Director of Corporate Services, said: “At Norwood we believe people should live the life they choose and we work with individuals to change their lives and achieve their goals.
“That includes helping people to live a Jewish life, and we are delighted that Shoshana has joined us to help people understand what is special about a Jewish lifestyle and make choices that are right for them.”
