The Chief Rabbi has expressed his support for an initiative which brings people together from different communities across the Commonwealth.

Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, who is Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, has given his backing to Commonwealth Big Lunches, at which people can come together and celebrate their connections.

Although the lunches have been taking place across the Commonwealth since last month, events in the UK will be held around the meeting of Commonwealth heads of governments in London this week. 

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Rabbi Mirvis said he was “delighted to send my very best wishes to all those ‘breaking bread’ with one another.

“In Jewish tradition, when we make a blessing over bread, we thank God, ‘who brings forth bread from the earth’. Yet, as we know, God Himself does not provide the bread. He provides the grain and the natural conditions from which people are able to make bread.

“The blessing teaches us the powerful lesson that the Almighty expects us to meet Him halfway.

“If we take responsibility for investing the effort into growing the crops, processing them into ingredients and then taking the time to mix and bake them, only then will we be rewarded with the staple food for our physical sustenance.”

Representatives of other religious groups, including Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Zoroastrians and Baha’is, have also expressed support for the initiative.