Humans of The Fed GoldBean Studios

Growing up in apartheid South Africa, the young Keith Rosen knew little of England or of organised religion. Today, as The Fed's Religious Director, Reverend Rosen plays one of the most crucial roles in the pastoral care that the organisation carries out.


How this transformation came about is as fascinating as any story we've told on the podcast, and one which will surprise even the many people who count Revered Rosen as a colleague and friend.


Told in his warm, lilting Cape Town accent, Reverend Rosen takes us through his sports- and outdoor-mad upbringing under the shadow of Table Mountain, through the years of reintroduction to his Judaism and finally to an almost entirely spontaneous move to the UK.


Meaningful and emotionally charged, this episode of Humans of The Fed shines a light on one of the individuals whose work - often behind-the-scenes - is so vital to The Fed's success.

This week we present one of the most moving podcasts we've recorded, and so poignant coming just after Yom HaShoah.


Simon Hill HonFRPS was given his first camera at the age of four. 


In the intervening half century, his photography career has sent him around the world, allowed him to mingle with royalty, and become the president of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain.


And yet were it not for a sequence of unexpected events he would possibly not have ever returned to the UK, reconnected with the society of which he had been a member for so long and risen to its highest position. He also would have almost certainly never have heard of The Fed.


Simon's involvement with The Fed's My Voice Project opened his eyes to the experiences and testimonies of Holocaust survivors across the north of England, and the photographs he contributed to the 'Generations: Portraits of Holocaust Survivors' exhibition at the Imperial War Museum brought him into contact with those cherished and honoured Survivors which the My Voice project serves.


Part tech-heavy and part humanities-focused, Simon's conversation provides a window into the world of one of this country's most esteemed photographers, with a healthy dose of humour and self-deprecation along the way. It also offers a reminder, if it were ever needed, how honoured The Fed is to preserve the life stories of our Survivors, and how invaluable and timeless the work of the My Voice project is.

Today we've got a bit of a first...


We have a volunteer, a fundraiser and a member of The Fed's Bar and Bat Mitzvah program all rolled into one, and just 12 years old!


Ben Sarak is the son of Natasha, a member of The Fed's fundraising team, but far from talking about his mum's experiences, Ben has already got a wealth of Fed history all of his own.


Throughout today's episode what was apparent was Ben's genuine admiration and love for this organisation, and if we can get that strength of feeling and sense of ownership into a 12 year old, we must be doing something right! 


Very entertaining and often moving, enjoy Humans' youngest guest so far as he shares memories of his grandpa, his first impressions of Heathlands Village, and why supporting The Fed is a passion so close to his heart, helping him raise thousands of pounds towards our essential services.

In 1975, a young man was invited to lead the services for the fledgling Heathlands Village shul.


That young man, Chaim Rose - known to all at The Fed as Rabbi Rose - could never have imagined the chain of events that accepting this invitation would set off.


In the nearly half a century since, the shul has grown in stature and function, often attracting more than 150 people for services on Shabbat and Yom Tov and becoming a warm, loving environment for anyone who crosses its threshold.


But more than this, the shul and its members have become essential to the very fabric of The Fed. Whether visiting ill residents, ensuring no-one is left out at the most joyous times in the Jewish calendar, strengthening the intangiable atmosphere of yiddishkeit around the site, or ensuring that everyone receives a proper Jewish funeral, today the Heathlands shul is a beacon of faith and friendship.


A place where everyone is welcome, where everyone is greeted with a smile, where everyone is made to feel part of a community, and where everyone is treated alike, the Heathlands shul community is today so much more than simply prayer services held at the Village.


Part family history, part tribute to five decades of devotion, this episode of Humans will surprise everyone with it's warmth, it's emotion, and the generational links that have unfurled thanks to those who call the shul their home.

Dan Rosenberg is the founder and host of the hugely popular Sod’s Law Podcast, which at the time of its conclusion had delivered 150 episodes and over 1 million downloads. Quite some going!


So whilst this might mean that this Humans of the Fed episode is a busman's holiday for him, we actually think our listeners - and I hope by extension the loyal followers of Sod’s Law - will find that by being a guest this time, they will learn more about Dan's life and what makes him, in our opinion, such an extraordinary human being. 


Join us as we discuss mental health, fertility, raising children, the importance of work-life balance, giving of your time to charity and so much more.


We really enjoyed chatting to Dan and we know you will too.

The Fed relies on the dedication and tireless work of staff across a huge range of professions. From carers to caterers and maintenance to marketing, the full makeup of the organisation is the product of almost every conceivable skill and talent imaginable.


But for some, those talents often go unnoticed and without fanfare, and Lucy Edwards is one of those.


As The Fed's Trusts, Foundations, and Bids Fundraiser, Lucy's skill is sourcing new and ongoing sources of income to fund a multitude of the services we provide.


Far from simply writing letters and asking for financial support, this complex, involved, and often long-term responsibility lies at the heart of everything The Fed does, as it carries with it a need to understand every aspect of The Fed's long-term strategy, service provision, and community development.


If you're interested in the inner-workings of The Fed, or have wondered for some time about what and how fundraising involves, this episode is the one for you.


As a bonus, it's also very, very funny.