THE JEWISH COMMITTEE FOR HM FORCES CHAIRMAN

’S NOTES

BY AIR COMMODORE PHILIP LESTER RAF

Doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun?

It’s been a year since I assumed the role of the Chair of the Jewish Committee for HM Forces (JCHMF) and it’s been a busy one at that. The Committee has worked tirelessly to codify a new constitution; one that puts the serving community at the heart of everything we do. As many know, through Facebook and WhatsApp, we now have a two-tiered governance structure. The first level is two subcommittees one looking after our community interests, the second our Endorsing Authority responsibilities for Jewish Chaplaincy. The second tier is the cohering and executive body and this provides the interface with the Ministry of Defence, the Chief Rabbi, the synagogue denominations and AJEX. The latter we grow ever closer with to inculcate a ‘cradle to grave’ approach for those who are serving and those who have served. It means we can do so much more for both groups, maximising expertise and sharing resource where and when it is needed. Martin Newman, Mike Bluestone and Danny Yank have been at the heart of that endeavour - and we thank the three of them wholeheartedly.

On the community front, there is lots to report and those tracking social media will be up to speed on most of what we have done. Danny Sharp the community dynamo and chair of the AFJC along with Rabbi Reuben our illustrious Chaplain and stalwart Jeffrey Fox delivered a first class moral leadership event at Amportexcellent food, wine (and some other more dubious alcoholic beverages) along with first-class presentations and discussions made for a truly fantastic weekend. Such weekends only come with hard graft, eager participation (I won’t ever forget Simon Soskin’s eloquent oration on Britannic Star and the newly purchased chalice) and, of course, sponsorship.

B’nai B’rith and AJEX did us proud once again - thank you. Danny Sharp and his committee have done so much this year to increase internal connectivity through several events and gatherings - keep it up guys.

So, as I move into my second year as Chair, we are establishing an Armed Forces Jewish Covent - along the lines of the Armed Forces Covenant - with each of the synagogue groupings to ensure Jews are not disadvantaged through their Service. We have also established a cross-denominational Rabbinic Panel with all the major UK denominations to assist Rabbi Reuben with maximising faith-specific support to our wide and diverse serving community. These two steps are big leaps forward for us and demonstrate maximum inclusivity. Furthermore, we have two potential candidates for endorsement as Chaplains. If these rabbis are successful we could see another rabbi in the Army and one in the RAF. If we achieve this, we will be

‘punching well-above our weight’. So, thank you to Stuart Taylor for leading the Endorsement sub-committee so well.

So, what for the coming year? Well, Let’s see...but if it’s anything like the last, it won’t be boring!! But off the top of my head I’m thinking of Belsen Liberation Remembrance, potentially another Staff Ride, potentially a heritage-related event (any volunteers to help?), greater civilian community outreach (well done Dan Fox) and taking every opportunity we can to promote what serving Jews do - to both the wider MoD and to our civilian communities. We now have a very strong, truly representational committee structure, with clear constitutions, committed members and a collective determination to do our very best for every serving Jewish woman and man. So, to close, thank to everyone who supports us and to every serving Jew for ‘flying the flag’ in the service of our country