Lord David Wolfson visits survivors at Jewish Care’s Holocaust Survivors’ Centre

“I am proud of playing my part in a multi-cultural society,” he said.

Lord Wolfson studied for a year at Yeshivat HaKotel in Jerusalem, a religious Zionist yeshiva in the Old City, and then read Oriental studies together with Law at Selwyn College Cambridge, getting involved in the Union debating society, some Conservative political groups as well as serving as president of both the Jewish Society and the Israel Society.

“Debating was part of public life at Cambridge,” Lord Wolfson told members of the centre, “I wanted to become a lawyer and I wasn’t keen on going into politics as a career, but I was interested in politics for a long time.”

He went on, “When I was introduced to the House, I took the oath on my grandpa’s Tanakh which he had been given in Tredegar in South Wales – my family immigrated there and that’s why I used Tredegar for my title. I thought to myself: when they arrived in the United Kingdom, the thought that this book would one day be used in the House of Lords in this way would have been unimaginable.”

[Missing Credit]Lord David Wolfson KC speaks to members of Jewish Care's Holocaust Survivors' Centre

Members raised concerns about Glastonbury festival and rising antisemitism in the UK, to which Lord Wolfson responded: “Be alert to threats but thank God … we live in a society where we can live freely and express our Judaism.”

Speaking after the visit, Lord Wolfson said: “It was a pleasure to meet the members of the Holocaust Survivors’ Centre and to see the way that our Holocaust survivors and refugees are supported by the staff and volunteers with such dedication, respect and love. I really enjoyed the visit.”

Daniel Carmel-Brown, CEO of Jewish Care, said: “We were privileged that Lord Wolfson was able to take the time to share fascinating anecdotes and insights in an enjoyable afternoon with us at Jewish Care’s Holocaust Survivors’ Centre. It is so important for our Holocaust survivors to stay connected with those in our community who are members of both Houses of Parliament and to ensure that their voices and concerns are heard by those in public life who represent us.”

HSC caters to approximately 300 members in total, many of whom travel to its premises in Golders Green at Jewish Care’s Michael Sobell Jewish Community Centre.