Agenda and minutes

Councillor Cheryl Barnard, Chair of SACRE, welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked the Nottingham Liberal Synagogue for hosting the meeting.

A minutes silence was held in memory of those who have died in the recent Hamas attacks.

Martin Bennett

Leanne Harwood

Samia Iqbal

Councillor Angela Kandola

Councillor Farzana Mahmood

Deb Martin

David Wand

None.

Norman Randall from the Nottingham Liberal Synagogue thanked everyone for attending the meeting and welcomed everyone to the Nottingham Liberal Synagogue, and provided the following information:

(a)  It is a very concerning time for the Jewish and Muslim community.

(b)  The Synagogue has been in the building for 50 years and is in the process of buying the freehold from Nottingham City Council.

(c)  It is a multi-use space, with plenty of storage to keep sacred items safe during events. The word Synagogue comes from a Greek word for gathering, so it is a place for prayer, a place for learning and a place for meeting

(d)  In the Ark (the ornate cabinet) are the holiest of things – the Scrolls of Torah, and the first 5 books of Moses. It isn’t referred to as the Old Testament, because in Judaism there is no New Testament, it is just the Bible.

(e)  Above the Ark is a lamp (Ner Tamid) which is always lit as it is an expression of eternal nature of the devine as God is with us all the time. The Hebrew writing is right to left and says ‘Know before whom you are standing’. The other Hebrew writing is the first 10 of 613 commandments in the Torah.

(f)  On the raised dais there is a readers desk.

(g)  The community loves modern art and it is celebrated and displayed throughout the Synagogue, including the stained glass window.

(h)  The bookcase contains prayer books and bibles.

(i)  The Star of David is a repeated symbol throughout the Synagogue, which comprises two interlocking stars which represents the link between people and the divine. In Hebrew it is called Magen David, which translates to the Shield of David.

There was a 10 minute interval for members to speak to another member that they didn’t know to introduce themselves and explain their role.

Of the meeting held on 20 July 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 July 2023 were confirmed as a true record.

Councillor Cheryl Barnard, Chair of SACRE, and Heidi Shewell-Cooper, SACRE Lead Officer, presented a report detailing the changes to membership, progress made in appointing new members, changes in group category representation and confirmation of the current membership.

Resolved that

(1)  M Qasim Hussain, Ezekiel Alewale formally join Group A.

(2)  Andrea Burrows formally join Group B.

(3)  Ioakeim Oureilidis is formally co-opted into Group A.

(4)  Kirsty Lacey and Sarah Peek move from Group C to Group B, if they and their nominating body, Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham, Church of England, are in agreement.

(5)  All seven nominations for Group C listed in the report are accepted into Group C, with a combination of full and co-opted positions, to be agreed.

Councillor Cheryl Barnard, Chair of SACRE, and Heidi Shewell-Cooper, SACRE Lead Officer, informed members of the following:

(a)  The membership of NASACRE has been renewed since the last meeting, and will become a professional member of RE Today.

(b)  There is an invite to attend the NASACRE East Midlands Regional event online on Tuesday 14 November 2023 from 6.30pm until 8pm. The event is being chaired by a NASACRE Executive Member, Claire Clinton. It will cover SACREs local context, concerns and successes, national developments and opportunities and will enable attendees to represent their SACREs perspectives and views at a national level.

(c)  It would be useful for everyone to look at what training is coming up on the NASACRE website and attend where possible to build on knowledge. Feedback on training sessions attended can be given at the next meeting.

Heidi Shewell-Cooper, SACRE Lead Officer, informed members of the following:

(a)  A meeting has been held with the Lead Officer for Nottinghamshire SACRE to discuss the work being undertaken and membership.

(b)  It is intended to have a joint Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire SACRE meeting in the next academic year.

(c)  It is important to create opportunities for joint working on the syllabus to create consistency in religious education across the county.

Dr Anne Lumb, Schools Adviser, Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham, delivered a presentation on National RE Developments, copies of which were circulated with the agenda.

Members noted the presentation.

Nick Lee, Director of Education, Nottingham City Council, delivered a presentation on Key Stage 4 and 5 Religious Studies in Nottingham Schools and Colleges, a copy of which is attached to the minutes.

Members noted the presentation.

Actions include:

(a)  For contact to be made with members that haven’t attended or responded for a while.

(b)  Group D members to be confirmed by Nottingham City Council.

(c)  To arrange for a joint Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire SACRE meeting to be held in the next academic year.

(d)  To revise the Constitution.