Amateur film that records a number of events within the Jewish community in Newcastle upon Tyne in the 1950s as follows: a WIZO (Women's International Zionist Organization) bazaar for Israel during the annual celebration of Shavuot (Festival of Weeks, or Reaping, concluding the season of the grain harvest in Israel, Whitsun); a birthday party for two elderly Jewish women; the laying of the foundation stone of the new Gosforth and Kenton Synagogue in 1954 with Lionel Jacbson; a ceremony...

Amateur film that records a number of events within the Jewish community in Newcastle upon Tyne in the 1950s as follows: a WIZO (Women's International Zionist Organization) bazaar for Israel during the annual celebration of Shavuot (Festival of Weeks, or Reaping, concluding the season of the grain harvest in Israel, Whitsun); a birthday party for two elderly Jewish women; the laying of the foundation stone of the new Gosforth and Kenton Synagogue in 1954 with Lionel Jacbson; a ceremony for the dedication of a new ambulance to Chief Rabbi Israel Brodie, who was born in Newcastle. This film is one in a collection of films recording life in the Jewish community of Newcastle, made by five independent film-makers between 1937 and 1962. The first section of the film documents a bazaar organized by local members of WIZO (Women's International Zionist Organization) during the week celebrating Shavuot, probably held in 1954. Women are buying and selling at the stalls of a bazaar. Portrait shot of two women, one in a hat decorated with flowers. The camera pans left where a number of women pose in front of a table decorated with flower arrangements. Some are holding small bunches of flowers. Brief shot of the mayor in ceremonial chains walking through the hall with another man. A woman examines an item of clothing from a bazaar stall. Men and women have a cup of tea at the event. A young woman makes a speech at the microphone set up on a stage, a number of men seated across the stage. On the wall to one side, a poster advertises "Bazaar Cinema [...] Coronation in Colour". The young woman previously on stage speaks a few words to camera. Group portrait of some of the women at the bazaar, smiling and chatting. One young woman displays a large doll inside a box to camera. A small boy with his mother spoons something out of a box. Various group portrait shots of people at the event including a number of women in catering (?) uniforms. Two different women give speeches from a stage. A young girl presents a bouquet to one of the women. An audience of women attending the event gather around the hall to listen to the speeches, some smoking a cigarette as they listen. In the next section, a birthday party takes place for two elderly women, presided over by honorable members of the Representative Council for Newcastle Jewry(?) Various shots of men and women guests at a large party, eating and drinking in a hall full of tables, many of them older women. One woman smiles and poses with a tea urn. Portrait shot of a distinguished man and woman. The scene changes and a succession of speakers stand at a trestle table set up on a stage and make speeches, including the Mayor in ceremonial chains, all somewhat good humoured, raising smiles from the large number of invited guests or VIPs also seated on the stage. Lionel Jacobson may be one of the guests.(?) On 4 April 1954, a large crowd are gathered in a field in the rain, attending the foundation stone laying ceremony for the new Gosforth and Kenton Synagogue in Newcastle, (opened and consecrated on 21 November 1954 by Chief Rabbi, Israel Brodie). There are shots of the speakers and audience. Reverends E Drukker and M. Kahn conduct a ceremony. Reverend S P Toperoff delivers the address. A crowd are gathered in front of a marquee, including a number of school children in uniform hats and caps. Close shots of Lionel Jacobson in bowler hat, suit and tie performing the official laying of the foundation stone in a new wall.  A plaque commemorates the occasion. Further shots of the crowd at the ceremony follow. In the final scene, the ceremony takes place outside the Mansion House of the dedication of a new ambulance to Chief Rabbi Israel Brodie from the "Friends of Israel". The ambulance was donated by Newcastle Bnai brith to Magen David Adom, Israel’s only medical emergency response and ambulance service. There are shots of VIP guests leaving the Mansion House including Mr and Mrs Nusenbaum, Dr Henry Russell, the Mayor, Ruth and Lionel Jacobson, Reverend S P Toperoff and Chief Rabbi israel Brodie leaving the Mansion House. Umbrellas are held over some of the guests at the dedication.