Perhaps a word or two about the structure and organisation of the community today is in order here. As can be imagined, there is a multiplicity of different communal bodies which cater for its various needs - be they religious, welfare, cultural, or educational. Most are affiliated to the Leeds Jewish Representative Council which, inter alia, can speak with one voice on behalf of the Leeds Jewish community to the outside world.
The main communal institutions include the Jewish Welfare Board which, amongst a varied range of services, runs four day centres, two hostels for the mentally and physically handicapped, and meals on wheels. There is a Jewish Housing Association which has a stock of more than 450 dwellings, and Donisthorpe Hall, the communal home for the elderly, has approaching 170 residents. Apart from some state and local authority help the latter organisations are funded by the community itself. There is a fine school campus which houses a nursery and primary school, and, of course there are the synagogues - four large ones and a similar number of smaller ones. They not only provide regular religious services but provide the venues for many different social groups and gatherings. In 2005 a communal centre was opened which has proved extremely popular.
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