Last Saturday evening there was a lovely, informal atmosphere at the synagogue’s sellout annual Burns Supper and Ceilidh, chaired by Eileen Carroll. The Selkirk Grace was recited by her husband Michael, as was the Address to the Haggis.
The Toast to the Immortal Memory of the Bard was given by Henry Wuga, who spoke about his immigration to Scotland in 1939, having escaped Nazi Germany on the Kindertransport at the age of 15. Having made Glasgow his home, he spoke warmly about how very welcome he has always felt here. He also spoke about Robert Burns’ egalitarian views, which led to his books being amongst the first to be burnt when Hitler came to power in 1933. Henry finished with an emotional rendition of an extract from ‘A Man’s a Man for A’That’.
The ‘Toast to the Lassies’ was given by Stephen Vallance; the reply, by his sister Debbie Barnett. Michael Carroll then gave a superb rendition of ‘Tam O’Shanter’ and Julian Feuchtwang led Grace After Meals. The evening was interspersed with communal singing of Burns songs led by Howard Brodie, and ended with a ceilidh with a live band…and a lot of enthusiastic dancing!
The event was organised and catered by Linda Wolfson and her team, including Wendy Taylor, Julian Feuchtwang and Eileen Carroll.