Radio Jcom is on the air

Radio Jcom is now on the dial

Leeds is now host to the North's first Jewish community radio station.

After operating online for around two years, they have made the leap to having a presence on the radio dial.

Broadcasting live on 1386 AM, the station was launched on Sunday 6 September 2009.

A dedicated team of local community members has been set up to ensure that Leeds' Jewish community have a real presence on the airwaves.

Its team consists of community members with broadcasting, media, communal and business backgrounds from a cross-section of the 9,000 strong Leeds Jewish community putting together programmes that make up a 24 hour schedule.

The station's Chairman Terry Stowe, of Wigton Moor, is the architect of the initiative and has seen his pet project grow from a small idea into a huge undertaking:

"I have long thought our community would benefit from a local radio station. We have been spurred on by the government stance in encouraging community radio stations throughout the country."

"This will be the first Jewish radio station licensed by the government in the UK and that is a huge plus for the Leeds Jewish community."

"This is an historic moment for our community. Radio Jcom will be broadcasting on all aspects of community life. It is open to all the community and we have instructors who will teach the art of broadcasting and editing."

Presenters will be involved in programmes on music, drama, cultural and religious topics. There will also be debates, youth programmes and a half-hour slot devoted to West Yorkshire police news.

Organisers are keen to stress that the station is about interacting with the whole community and not restricted wholly to the Jewish Community, although obviously there will be a Jewish angle to most aspects of the station.

A large number of volunteers have been recruited to make sure that there's something going on continuously to bring the news and views to the people.

But it's not just about community views, music is also important - folk, traditional, modern... diversity is the key as far as Radio Jcom is concerned.