It was ten years ago when Judy Karbritz, Harrow's Community Poet, and Pattie Greenberg met for lunch. Judy had come from the studios where she had interviewed the late Danny Abse for a radio show she was presenting about Jewish poets and poetry. Pattie asked her whether there was a Jewish Poetry Society and Judy replied that there was about to be.

They invited a few poets and met monthly at Starbucks, which generously provided them with coffee and cakes. However, after several months, the noise of the coffee machines proved more than a match for the poets and new premises were found in Glebe Hall, Glebe Road, Stanmore.

Over the years the membership has evolved and now the JPS welcomes members of all faiths to Glebe Hall on the first Thursday afternoon of each month. People presume it is a female gathering and are surprised to discover there are almost as many men as women.

The afternoon starts with refreshments (Judy’s apple cake goes down well) and there is a free raffle for members with prizes from possibly a bottle of wine to September’s prize, which will be two tickets to a top West End show.

Each meeting has a theme. Previous subjects have been Reflections or Down the Chimney. September’s subject is Bad Taste and members invariably rise to the challenge and have written something on the topic during the month. After that, the twenty plus members read any of their poems they wish.

The society also publishes a comprehensive bi-annual Review and the editor, Frimette Carr, invites all members to submit a poem for inclusion.

Sadly, over the years the JPS has lost several members but with a thriving and sociable membership, it continues to inspire the love of writing and listening to poetry.

If you would like more information, please contact Judy or Pattie at jewishpoetrysociety@yahoo.com