Lord Levy still has security protection

Sixteen months after ending his role as the Prime Minister's envoy to the Middle East, Lord Levy continues to have security protection. He was last week seen travelling to synagogue accompanied by a bodyguard.

Cabinet ministers and senior government officials do not normally continue having official protection after they leave their positions, with the exception of the Prime Minister and, during the "Troubles", former Northern Ireland Secretaries.

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Palestinian envoy to speak at Reform shul

The Palestinian Authority's UK envoy has been invited to address a meeting of Reform synagogues next month.

Professor Manuel Hassassian will speak at the North Western Reform Synagogue (Alyth Gardens) in London at an event jointly hosted by the synagogue, Finchley Reform Synagogue and the Progressive Zionist movement, Pro Zion.

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Jewish values will help us through crisis, says Brown

Gordon Brown told an 800-strong audience on Monday night that the Jewish community's ethic of "goodwill and moral purpose" and its "investment in hope" had a resonant message for getting through the financial crisis.

The Prime Minister told UJIA's annual dinner that "successful market economics need trust, which can only be built through shared values".

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Exclusive: Shul-goer denies terror plot role

A man facing extradition to the United States on terrorism charges has spoken of his nightmare at being linked to attacks on coalition troops in Iraq.

Farshid Gillardian, 39, from Hendon, North-West London, is accused by US authorities of being part of a network that allegedly supplied components used to make roadside bombs which have killed soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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Kellogg's in 'kosher' crisis

Kellogg's has apologised to a Jewish man who ate a cereal bar containing pork gelatine because its wrapper incorrectly stated it was suitable for vegetarians.

Oberon Gardner and his family bought the Rice Krispies Squares bars at a supermarket in Colchester, Essex, last week.

Labels on 5,000 multipacks carried the words "suitable for vegetarians", even though the full ingredients list explained that around one per cent of the marshmallow bar contained pork gelatine.

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Murder in Golders Green

The death of a man on Monday brought the heartland of Jewish north-west London to a sudden halt.

Dozens of police - many of them armed with automatic weapons - sealed off Highfield Road in Golders Green after receiving an emergency call saying shots had been fired.

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Gordon Brown's cabinet reshuffle yields a mixed bag

Prime Minister Gordon Brown's reshuffle this week yielded a mixed bag as far as Jewish and Israeli interests were concerned, with some appointments greeted with quiet satisfaction and others with mild concern.

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The chaplaincy that students rely upon

As the range of issues dealt with by University Jewish Chaplaincy rises, so does the strain on its resources.

Executive director Rabbi Yoni Sherizen warns that UJC faces "a real challenge" to maintain the services of its nine-chaplain network to an estimated 3,500 Jewish students.

The charity has been forced significantly to increase fundraising efforts over the past year, and Rabbi Sherizen acknowledges that generating almost £1 million will be difficult in the prevailing financial climate.

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Prince Charles to be patron

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BNP man fails in election

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