NJA hosts inaugural Yom Ha’atzmaut event Belmont cricket chat with Rafiq

Former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq attended a fundraising event at Belmont & Edgware Cricket Club in Mill Hill featuring, interviewed by Nigel Rothband interviewed Rafiq, who represented England U15s and 19s, on topics relating to his career.

Rafiq, who now lives in Dubai, spoke frankly about his relationship with Yorkshire CCC when there was racism directed towards him in the dressing room, which left him mentally scarred especially after the stillbirth of a son. He took numerous questions to offer a clear picture of the racism directed towards him and where he stood in this respect.

Rafiq acknowledged his error in making antisemitic comments in the past for which he apologised. He has met Jewish community leaders and visited Auschwitz concentration camp on March of The Living where he met Holocaust survivors, visited synagogues and the Jewish Museum.

Questions also covered Jewish cricketers who played in England and elsewhere, particularly South Africa.

Rafiq mentioned his forthcoming book due for publication in August.

Belmont is one of the two remaining Jewish cricket clubs in London.

The evening, which raised around £2,000 was compèred by Jonathan Evans, chairman of the cricket club. He said: “It was a fantastic night. Azeem was a compelling speaker and we raised a significant sum to keep costs low to provide ongoing opportunities for Jewish cricketers.”

Hundreds of boys across Manchester, London and Gateshead, greeted Shabbos with the weekly Shir Hashirim. In Manchester at the Machzikei Hadass Shul, led by Rabbi Dovid Weisfish. Guest speaker was Rabbi Y Marmorstein.