Prime Minister Boris Johnson led tributes from politicians and celebrities who joined in to celebrate the Jewish Chronicle's 180th year in print.
Founded in 1841, The JC is the oldest continuously published Jewish newspaper in the world and people lined up to pay tribute to the way it has represented the Jewish community in Britain for more than a century.
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Ceremony: Boris Johnson lights a menorah at Downing Street as Yair Lapid and Tzipi Hotovely look on
Mr Jonson said: "From the moment its inaugural edition was published in 1841, the Jewish Chronicle has been an indispensable voice on the issues that matter most to the Jewish community, and a vital contributor to our wider public discourse."
He praised the paper's long history of "campaigning against antisemitism," and describe it as "an advocate for the deepening of our relationship with Israel, and has documented and celebrated the extraordinary and diverse contributions British Jews make to our country and society.
"On this important milestone, I want to congratulate the Jewish Chronicle for its tireless and brilliant journalism and look forward to seeing it continue to flourish for many years to come."
He was joined by leader of the Labour party Sir Keir Starmer, who congratulated the paper for 180 years of publishing.
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Sir Keir Starmer with young litter-pickers outside South Hampstead Synagogue (Photo Tom Pullen)
"Your paper has been at the forefront of heralding, informing and supporting the Jewish community and beyond," he said.
“To reach such a milestone is testament to the integrity and importance of your reporting. Long may it continue.”
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Naftali Bennett greets Boris Johnson at COP26
From Israel, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said of The JC: "As the oldest Jewish newspaper in the world, the JC has been an indispensable part of the Jewish community in Britain and all it has achieved. For 180 years, it has celebrated the community, its vast contribution to British society and its close bond with Israel. I wish you b’hazlachah for the next 180 years!"
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President Isaac Herzog walks into Downing St. to meet Boris Johnson
Israel's President Isaac Herzog, also paid tribute to the JC's longevity: "The JC is a treasured historic institution. For 180 years, it has diligently reported on the incredible story of British Jewry, even before its emancipation, and of the whole Jewish world.
"On a personal note, it is a great honour to be the fourth generation of my family mentioned in the JC’s pages. Mazeltov to the whole JC family!"
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Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said "it is a truly remarkable milestone" to be celebrating 180 years of the JC.
"Interestingly, 180 is a multiple of the numerical value of the Hebrew word for life, ‘chai’ - so my blessing to the JC is that it should provide us with a veritable celebration of Jewish life in this country for another 180 years and beyond,” he said.
President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews Marie van der Zyl wished the Jewish Chronicle "a hearty Mazel Tov" on reaching 180 years old.
She said the paper had played a "key role in British Jewish communal life. May its next 180 years be even more successful."
The JLC joined communal leaders wishing the paper Mazal Tov on its 180th birthday.
"As the oldest continually published Jewish newspaper in the world, it holds a special place in Anglo-Jewry’s hearts," a spokesman said.
"So often in its history, it has punched well above its weight and beyond our own community as it has led the national and international conversation."
Lord Ian Austin, former Labour MP and chairman of Mainstream UK
Lord Ian Austin, former Labour MP and chairman of Mainstream UK
Former MP Lord Ian Austin said it was "extraordinary" to think about the historical events the JC has covered over the last 180 years "and the crucial role it has played in not just informing the Jewish community but bringing Jewish people together and helping build such a strong community.
The UK’s trade envoy to Israel, described the paper as "required reading" every week and paid tribute to "the brilliant team of editors, reporters and columnists for the fantastic work they do.
"Here’s to another 180 years of brilliant journalism"
Michael Gove
Michael Gove
While Housing and Communities Secretary Michael Gove said his Friday was not complete without his copy of The Jewish Chronicle.
He praised the paper for representing "the very best in journalism, scoop-getting, news-breaking, comment-provoking," content.
He also praised the paper for serving the community and "generating smiles and hopes" for British Jews.
The MP for Harlow Robert Halfon recalled what it was like growing up reading the JC each week.
"I grew up with the JC in my home and the Rabbis would be pleased to know I read it religiously," he told the JC.
"It is as much part of my life as any other part of my Jewish heritage. Thank you JC for 180 years of keeping the flame alight for so long."
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Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely
Israeli Ambassador, Tzipi Hotovely, said she was "constantly impressed by the JC’s role as an integral institution in the Jewish community, bringing people together and campaigning for important causes; most recently with regards to combatting the rise of antisemitism, which affects us all."
She thanked the paper for standing by Israel and said it "has been a vital source of information, via its reporting of Israeli news to the Jewish community. In doing so, it has brought the community closer to Israel. Mazal tov."
The Jewish Labour Movement joined political figures to send "a hearty mazal tov to the JC for 180 years of keeping everyone informed about what’s happening in our community and beyond.
"We know that you will always join us in our opposition to antisemitism, wherever it occurs in politics and society, and ensure that British Jews have a balanced, informed reporting of the issues of the day”.
Parliamentary Chair of JLM Margaret Hodge joined in to celebrate the JC's birthday "a year after we at JLM welcomed in the centenary of our affiliation to the Labour Party," she said.
"Alongside the Jewish Chronicle, we all work hard to reflect and represent the Jewish community and Jewish values, and long may we all continue to work to achieve these aims.”
Former JC columnist and BBC presenter Vanessa Feltz wished the paper "Mazeltov" on its milestone anniversary.
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Robert Peston
ITV News' political editor Robert Peston said the JC was "like that annoying uncle who always has a view and always has to be right. Mazel tov JC."
While television judge Robert Rinder described the paper as "the epicentre of our cultural and community life."
In a video message he said: "I want to thank you for decades of activism but for also being really the heart of our community. Knowing who is born, who has passed away and what simchas to celebrate, you are our politics, but also our joy."
Similar sentiments were shared by actress and outspoke antisemitism campaigner Tracy Ann Oberman.
She said the JC "embodies the Jewish spirit to survive ... to be able to bend and stretch when it needs ; but to be a rod of iron in knowing who it is and who it represents.
"It’s been brave challenging celebratory and healing. Particularly over these last few difficult years. Here’s to another 180 years."
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Maureen Lipman in Windsor
Household name Dame Maureen Lipman said: "180 years ago the Jewish diaspora in England felt in a safe enough position to start their own ‘in house- newspaper.
"It has flourished as we have flourished as a wide and varied community and as loyal citizens of the UK."
She thanked the paper for reporting on "our place in a changing society with grace, humour, solidarity and muscularity through two world wars, a blackshirt movement , a reform and liberal schism and changing degrees of acceptance and assimilation.
The JC has always ‘had our backs’. It always will. We may be facing a time ahead when our backs are more vulnerable than they have been since the thirties. The enemy changes but the sadly, the scapegoat remains the same.
"We may not be blowing out candles for you but we are grateful that you continue to light them for us."
