FROM THE EDITOR

This time of year is always one of reflection. As we mark the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of World War Two the Jewish community has come under the sort of pressure from rising anti-Semitic rhetoric that we haven’t experienced since the days of Oswald Mosley and his thugs.

Once again we are hearing insinuations that we don’t understand British irony; that we have dual loyalties and even worse Jews don’t serve this country. We know differently and the fact that our wider military Jewish family existsfrom veterans to serving regular and reserve servicemen and women and even as members of our cadet forces – combats these dreadful lies. Menorah, our magazine, is just one device that we can use to raise public awareness that British and Commonwealth Jews did serve, with great distinction and continue to serve to this day.

L ooking back since the last edition we now have a new team at the helm of AJEX. It was a privilege to serve as National Chairman for two interesting years when we re-developed the brand and many of the ways that we do business. The chair is now in the very capable of hands of Mike Bluestone, a former TA and IDF soldier himself, with Dan Fox, a serving Army Reserve sergeant as his deputy. They have already been working with veterans and serving personnel to take the message out to synagogues, school and community groups and they are generating great interest.

The serving members have also been active under the leadership of Air Commodore Phil Lester and Lt Col Danny Sharpe and you can read their updates in full in this edition.

Education is an important part of our work and our education officer, Paula Kitching has written an informative update and an appropriate piece on the battles of Monte Casino and Kohima which are being marked this year.

Major Danny Yank and the head office team have worked relentlessly to change the format of the after parade tea into a pre-parade lunch to make life easier for those who have to travel distances for our important annual Ceremony of Remembrance on 17th November. Details are included in the magazine.

We have been honoured by a number of leading community personalities who have agreed to become patrons of AJEX and undertake ambassadorial roles to highlight our work for the benefit of veterans and the serving community. More information is included.

I am delighted to welcome SLt Ashley Sweetland to the editorial team to represent the serving community and again may I remind you that this us your magazine. Our readers want to hear your news so keep the articles and photographs coming in. Material can be submitted to editor.menorah@ajex.org.uk

The editorial team wishes all our readers and their families a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.