Queen wishes the United Synagogue a happy 150th birthday

“Synagogues reach out regularly to support homeless shelters, asylum seekers and vulnerable members of society. To me, this is what it means to be British and Jewish in 21st century Britain.”

Mr Goldstein continued: “We had the pleasure of welcoming Your Majesty at our centenary dinner in 1970 alongside His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh.”

He congratulated the monarch ahead of her completing the 68th year of her reign this week and wished her more years of good health.

In reply, Andrew Paterson, director of operations at the private secretary’s office at Buckingham Palace, wrote that the Queen had seen Mr Goldstein’s message and conveyed “warm thanks”.

She was pleased to be reminded of having attended the centenary dinner and sent best wishes “for a most successful and enjoyable year celebrating this significant milestone in the history of the United Synagogue”.

Covering the centenary event at London’s Dorchester Hotel in June 1970, the JC reported that it was the first occasion since the resettlement of Jews in Britain more than 300 years previously that a reigning monarch had been present at a specifically Jewish function. She was presented with a “Jerusalem” Hebrew-English Bible with a cover in silver filigree.

The US is organising a number of events and programmes to mark its special anniversary.

A spokesman reported “dozens of inquiries” for its offer of £150 first year membership for newcomers to US congregations.