Opinion

AJEX marks 40 years since Falklands war

Bushey shul thanking their volunteers

PHOTO: DAVID LAKE PHOTOGRAPHY

AJEX held a special service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire during National Armed Forces Week.

Over 80 members marked Jewish service to the Crown ahead of Armed Forces Day last Shabbat. AJEX Standards were led by National Chairman S/Sgt Dan Fox and Rabbi Major Reuben Livingstone.

The commemoration remembered Jews who served in the Falklands War and continue to serve.

The ceremony highlighted Jewish paratrooper, Pte Jason Burt, 17, fatally shot by an Argentine sniper in the Battle of Mount Longdon. He was Britain’s second youngest fatality of the conflict.

Fox said, “Pte Burt showed great courage in the battle by attending to an injured comrade hit by a landmine.” He added, “It was a great honour to remember Jason and 254 British personnel who were in the South Atlantic. Their commitment to our nation’s security and freedom will never be forgotten”.

Memorials were laid by Fox, Major Danny Yank, Brig. Christopher Coles and JFS Combined Cadet Force.

Fox noted, “Having cadets remembering highlights the importance of ensuring the AJEX legacy continues.”

Fox was delighted senior officers attended. “The military community is an increasingly welcome place for everyone. This makes our army, air force and navy stronger, and country safer.”

AJEX also marked 125 years since the first official annual Jewish religious service. Rev. Cohen obtained a sanction from the British Admiralty and War Office for Jewish men in 1897.

Hendon Adath’s historic new Sefer Torah

Hendon Adath Rov, Rabbi S Y Bixenspanner with his son Sofer Naftuli Bixenspanner Hendon Adath Yisroel enjoyed an historic first when a Sefer Torah was presented to the Shul.

The Sefer written by members was commissioned at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic when many members of the were hospitalised and in need of prayers.

Funds were collected in 36 hours and an expert Sofer in Israel commenced writing the Sefer Torah.

Celebrations started with a packed shul hall resounding to the Kol Torah as members undertook a communal learning of Masseches Taanis followed by Kabbat Shabbat led by Shliach Tzibbur, Rabbi Eli Segal, accompanied by the shul choir under direction of Alan Freedman.

There was standing room only in the men’s and ladies’ sections of the shul.

The final Osiyos were written in the home of the Rov, Rabbi S Y Bixenspanner. Sofer for the day was the Rov’s son Reb Naftuli Bixenspanner. The Sefer Torah initially carried by Dr Heschil Lewin was taken through Hendon’s streets accompanied by members, friends and families to the shul. Singing was led by Shayale Glick. The new Sefer was met at the gates of the shul by existing Sifrei Torah and brought onto the premises by sons of the late Harold Smith, a victim of the pandemic. The Sefer was brought into shul by the Klein family. After a round of Hakofos, Rov and Rabbi Segal led prayers. A buffet reception took place in the evening. Celebrations ended with another Siyum of the Shul Omud Yomi shiur of Rabbi Y Royde who concluded Masseches Bovo Basra that day.

Refugees minister praises response of organisations to Ukraine war

Minister for Refugees Lord Richard Harrington has hailed the response of Jewish and Israeli organisations around the world to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, following Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Speaking at Magen David Adom UK’s annual Patrons’ Dinner he said, “Every border I’ve been to is full of Magen Davids”. The event, which took place on Sunday 26 June, saw MDA UK welcome 80 of its supporters to The Grove in Watford. Attendees heard from Lord Harrington, judge and broadcaster Rob Rinder and MDA paramedic Katya Korshenbaum, who helped treat patients at the field hospital Magen David Adom established in Ukraine. Lord Harrington, who shared that he undertook his role because he believes in the duty of British Jews to welcome refugees, revealed that 87,000 refugees have now arrived in the UK under the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme. He told guests that he hoped the programme, which sees vetted Britons take refugees into their homes, “will be a model of resettling refugees for the future. For me, it’s setting up machinery that can be used for any tragedy which the world throws up.” He also praised MDA UK’s Chief Executive Daniel Burger for the charity’s role in Project Light, which helped to facilitate the rescue of dozens of Ukrainian orphans to the UK alongside Dnipro Kids, Sally Becker and Rob Rinder. In a moving address, Rob Rinder described Magen David Adom as “the most articulate expression of what Israel is and can be”, telling supporters that MDA is “a critical tool against anti-Jewish racism.” “What more poetry than an ambulance service that isn’t funded by the state but by international diaspora, knows no borders, blood or nationality but shares everything it

Lord Richard Harrington

has. Across all of the challenges into Palestine, into hostile territory. It does so because it believes in the fundamental mission of what Judaism has at its heart which is whatever we do chai - life - is at the centre. “MDA speaks to that better than any charity, better than any poetry, better than any example. That’s its enduring value,” he said. Rinder reported from the Ukrainian border as Magen David Adom – Israel’s only national blood and emergency service - provided medical training to locals and sent ambulances to help patients on the front lines. Daniel Burger, Chief Executive of Magen David Adom UK, said: “The Patrons’ Dinner provided a great opportunity for us to talk to some of our closest donors and supporters about how Magen David Adom is saving more lives. Not just in Israel, but in Ukraine and across the world.” The event raised over £100,000 and was the first in a series of events which will include an audience with Fauda’s Lior Raz and an exclusive reception hosted by Bloomberg.

Bayis Sheli Welcomes Mayor

Opening of the new Young Adults’ Unit at Bayis Sheli Mayor of Hackney Philip Glanville has opened the new Young Adults’ Unit at Bayis Sheli in Stamford Hill.

Glanville paid tribute to the founders and community for creating the home. “What you have created is probably the best facility of its kind anywhere” he said. Glanvilee praised Chaya Spitz for securing building finance loans among others.

Leah Stern, a founder trustee, paid tribute to Leo and Susan Noé then spoke movingly about her own challenges in finding the right care for her daughter.

Shimon Cohen, Bayis Sheli trustee, welcomed guests who included the Rosh Hakohol Rabbi Binyomin Stern, chairman of the UOHC, and Shlome Sinitsky.