Theresa May welcomed dozens of Jewish community leaders, volunteers and religious figures to Downing Street today for what was thought to be the first ever Rosh Hashanah reception held at Number 10.
The Prime Minister said she wanted to thank British Jews, and show her “personal support and appreciation for everything that you contribute to our country”.
She told guests: “Here today, we have people from all parts of our Jewish community and all parts of our society – from business to the arts, from politics to our public services.
“We also have some of our country’s greatest philanthropists, leading charities and some of our most outstanding volunteers.”
Among those attending were Marsha Gladstone, the Jewish Volunteering Network’s volunteer of the year, and Avi Dubner, who was awarded a Point of Light award for his scheme which encourages people to walk to visit hospital patients on Shabbat.
Members of the Jewish community joined the Prime Minister at No 10 to celebrate the upcoming Jewish New Year #RoshHashana 🕍 pic.twitter.com/dEs8pnfLbl
— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) September 13, 2017
Mrs May also discussed policy matters, stating that she was pleased the government had ensured state schools would be able to claim gift aid on voluntary contributions.
“This is something that can benefit not only Jewish state schools – but all state schools,” she said.
Members of the Jewish community from business, arts, public services and charities joined PM to mark #RoshHashana 🕍 https://t.co/sYkmwA8KP2 pic.twitter.com/tU5N5lxPEX
— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) September 14, 2017
Ahead of the centenary of the Balfour Declaration, Mrs May said Britain would do “everything we can to support efforts towards building a two-state solution – and the lasting peace that we all want to see.
“But as Prime Minister, I am proud to say that I support Israel. And it is absolutely right that we should mark the vital role that Britain played a century ago in helping to create a homeland for the Jewish people.”
Ahead of next week’s announcement on the winning design for the national memorial to the Holocaust, Mrs May said: “Whichever design team is chosen, this national memorial and educational centre will stand next to our Parliament as a permanent reminder of what can happen when a civilised, democratic society allows hatred to go unchecked.
“It will say to the world: we will never forget. And it will bring our country together in a national mission to fight hatred for generations to come.”
She urged British Jews to mark Rosh Hashanah with “confidence that together we will keep Jewish people in our country safe and defeat the scourge of antisemitism.
“And confidence that it is the values that we share – Jewish values, British values - that will in the end prevail. Let me wish you and all your families a sweet New Year.”
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis thanked Mrs May for the work she has done to protect the community, and said British Jews would be reciprocating her wish, by praying for her as she led the government through Brexit negotiations.
