The world’s first Jewish vegan centre has opened in Golders Green after a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Conservative MP for Finchley and Golders Green Mike Freer.

“We are delighted to open the doors to the world’s first Jewish vegan centre at just the right time, when community centres are in short supply, and when the production of animal products is crueller than ever,” said the centre’s Lara Balsam.

“We hope to inspire the creation of many more such hubs around the world, servicing the ever-increasing demand for and interest in Jewish veganism.”

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The launch was attended by over 300 people, including Britain’s first vegan MP Labour’s Kerry McCarthy.

It follows a crowdfunding campaign to transform the Jewish Vegetarian Society’s building on Finchley Road with a large hall, kitchen, garden and meeting rooms.

The event featured cookery workshops, children’s gardening and a panel discussion on food ethics in Judaism with rabbis Jonathan Wittenberg and Debbie Young-Somers.