January/February 2020 VOL. XLVII No. 1
Liberal Judaism is a constituent of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
www.liberaljudaism.org
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Harry honoured by AJEX
Rabbi Richard Jacobi and Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi laying a wreath of honour for their father
By Rabbi Richard Jacobi WHEN a representative of AJEX - now formally named The Jewish Military Association UK - reached out to me to ask if we’d be willing to lay a special wreath to honour the memory of our father, Rabbi Harry Jacobi MBE, the answer was obvious. So it was that my sister Margaret and I, together with our families, once more joined the annual gathering outside the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Speeches at a pre-event brunch reminded us of the incredible service given in the past and present by Jewish army, navy, air force and other uniformed staff. The speakers emphasised the narrative of Jews not being victims but active agents, especially in the context of World War Two. They also committed to support all efforts to combat the rise in far-right and far-left anti-Jewish hatred.
At the AJEX Ceremony and Parade itself, it was very moving to see so many people of all ages respectfully remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who risked all to do their duty in times of conflict. Remembrance carries with it the responsibility to do all we can to prevent recurrences of the wars, bloodshed and destruction that marked the 20th century. When our turn came, and we heard AJEX vice president Jeffrey Fox read out the name of “the late Rabbi Harry Jacobi MBE who helped officiate this event over many years”, we felt great pride and humility in stepping forward to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph. Stepping back to bow our heads and pause to reflect, we both appreciated how fortunate we are and how vigilant we need to be to ensure our country retains and strengthens its liberal democratic culture. Dad would expect nothing less of us!
Rabbis unite on Mitzvah Day
LIBERAL JUDAISM’s senior rabbi, Rabbi Danny Rich, was part of a moving Mitzvah Day event that saw all sections of the Jewish community in Finchley showing support for their Muslim neighbours. Danny teamed up with Finchley Progressive Synagogue’s Rabbi Rebecca Birk – as well as Rabbi David Mason of Muswell Hill United Synagogue, Rabbi Miriam Berger of Finchley Reform Synagogue and Rabbi Jeff Berger of the Spanish & Portuguese Sephardi Community – to plant bulbs at the Somali Bravanese Welfare Association (SBWA). The new SBWA centre opened only recently. The community’s previous home was destroyed in a racist arson attack six years ago, when the letters EDL were found sprayed on the side of the building. Danny, Rebecca and their rabbinic colleagues joined Jews and Muslims of all ages at the centre to plant bulbs, attaching labels with notes, which will now go to brighten up a local care home. Danny said: “The friendship between the Somali Bravanese and Jewish communities has brought so much to both of us. Love and friendship always wins over hate and division.” He added: “If the Sabbath was the Hebrew culture’s gift to the ancient world, Mitzvah Day may well rank as the Jewish community’s gift to the modern world.” • Pages 6-7: Mitzvah Day picture special