Approximately 400 people are expected to pack the East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf on 24 February to celebrate the Jewish festival of Purim.

The gathering features live music and a spectacular buffet lunch and will include members of Jewish community groups from around London and employees working on Canary Wharf. The Stepney, Dennis, Brenner, Schonfeld Square, Sam Beckman and Nightingale House Centres and Homes will be represented, along with the East London Orthodox Synagogues Association. Students from Menorah Girls High will also be attending in fancy dress.

Canary Wharf Group plc (CWG) is providing buses to transport elderly to and from Stepney Day Care and sending gifts of food, packages known as Mishloach Manot, to the various Homes and Day Centres. Pupils from Menorah Primary School will be distributing the packages at the Stepney Day Centre.

Danny Seliger, Associate Director - Administration for CWG, said:

“Purim is one of the most cheerful festivals in the Jewish calendar and it’s great to be able to bring all of these groups together to celebrate at Canary Wharf. These festivals are an important part of our ongoing programme to support the local community in a wide range of ways.”

Purim is told in the Book of Esther which is read from a scroll called a Megillah. The one day festival begins on Saturday evening, 27th February. It tells the story of an evil man called Haman who tried to destroy the Jews of the Persian Empire. Customs include eating Hamantaschen, small pastries filled with poppy seeds, sending gifts of food, known as Mishloach Manot and sending gifts to poor people.

The Canary Wharf Purim celebration runs from 12.00-2.00pm on Wednesday, 24 February at East Wintergarden, Bank Street, London E14.

About Canary Wharf Group plc (CWG)

CWG is an integrated property development, investment and management group of companies. It is focused on the design, construction, leasing and management of Grade A office space and high quality retail and leisure facilities on its 97 acre Estate in East London.

Over the past 20 years CWG has regenerated derelict wharves into one of the world’s premier business districts, constructing over 15 million sq ft of office and retail space - more than any other company in London.

Canary Wharf is home to some of the world’s leading business organisations, including in the professional services; media, law, energy, financial services and transport sectors. It is also home to over 200 shops, bars, cafes and restaurants - including many of Britain’s leading brands. The working population is approximately 93,000.

The Estate includes 20 acres of landscaped parks and plazas. Canary Wharf hosts over 180 events a year and has one of the UK’s largest collections of public art.

As at 30 June 2009 the Canary Wharf Group investment portfolio was 97.7% let. The weighed average unexpired lease length was 16.9 years.
CWG was named one of the Sunday Times Best 60 Green Companies in the UK in 2009.

Canary Wharf is set for further expansion. In 2009, CWG commenced work on the Canary Wharf Crossrail Station and has continued work on a new European Headquarters for J.P. Morgan. The opening by KPMG, State Street and Fitch Ratings of new office buildings on the Estate in 2009 and 2010 will also bring thousands of new workers to Canary Wharf on a daily basis.