Meet our Marketing & Events Officer, Ally Goldberg. Ally comes from a background in events and business development, and is a passionate advocate for the Jewish community. She is excited to be helping BNJC create a Jewish hub by the seaside and develop a diverse programme of events for the community. She loves living in Brighton, and can often be found walking by the sea or enjoying the many activities the city has to offer.
We asked Ally about her new role as Marketing & Events Assistant and what she’s looking forward to most when BNJC opens next year.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your role at BNJC
My background is primarily events, which I discovered a passion for at University when I started running them for the Student’s Union. Since graduating I have developed experience in this through working at an events agency, and expanded my skillset through freelance work in writing, research and business consultancy. In my role as the Marketing and Events Assistant at BNJC I hope to support in as many areas as I can, from helping raise awareness of our growing Jewish community here in Brighton, to creating a vibrant programme of events and activities for our members.
How did you become a Brightonian?
I moved down from London to attend the University of Sussex and just couldn’t bring myself to leave! I love Brighton (and Hove, actually) and can’t think of a better commute to work than a stroll along the seafront.
What’s it like being Jewish in Brighton & Hove?
It was definitely jarring for me to move from a city with such a large Jewish community to a place where most of the people around me hadn’t met a Jewish person. I think that the opening of BNJC will be a game-changer in terms of the experience of Brighton Jews. It will not only provide us with a strong community hub, but also will go a long way towards the education of non-Jewish Brightonians about our culture.
What are you looking forward to most when BNJC opens later this year?
Everything! I’m particularly excited about the bakery – I cannot wait to be able to buy fresh challah in the morning. I’m also really forward to helping create a variety of interesting, inclusive events that will hopefully cater to the interests of the whole community and beyond.
What’s your favourite thing about Brighton? Any insider knowledge/Brighton secrets you can share?
My favourite thing about Brighton is the creativity, open-mindedness and endless opportunity for new experiences. I think there really is something for everyone – it feels like a holiday destination, yet still has a thriving business community. You’ll find street food and Michelin-level restaurants a stone’s throw from each other, stunning graffiti next to fine art galleries, and every type of entertainment from sports to theatre to nightclubs, all right next to the sea. What more could you ask for?
My favourite place to eat in Brighton is Bincho Yakitori – a tiny but very highly regarded restaurant specialising in yakitori grills, and inspired by the back streets of Tokyo. There are also a lot of weird and wonderful lesser known museums scattered around the city, and most of them have free entry. Depending on your interests, you could spend an afternoon looking at the palaeontology exhibits at The Booth Museum of Natural History, graffiti left by the Mods and Rockers at the The Old Police Cells Museum, or many others.