Ms Lawson is set to receive a damehood for leading the UK’s vaccine drive and was praised in the Honours List for her “decisive action and exceptional leadership that instilled a relentless focus nationally, regionally and locally on delivering the vaccine”.
In April, she told the JC that her sense of “Jewish responsibility” had grown more important to her over time and spoke of the influence of the teachings of Lord Sacks. Ms Roden, who helped to internationalise Jewish cuisine and make British palates more cosmopolitan, said she was “thrilled” to be made a CBE.
She added: “It was a complete surprise, it’s a wonderful thing to get.”
The 50th anniversary of her Book of Middle Eastern Food, which was published in 1968 and established her reputation, was marked by a BBC Radio 4 series starring Tracy-Ann Oberman.
Ms Roden was away receiving other awards in France and Turkey when the letter notifying her of the gong arrived. When officials followed up with an email, she still had to be persuaded it was not a hoax.
Professor Anthony Finkelstein CBE, a former chief scientific adviser for National Security and now president of City, University of London, will be knighted for his public service.
He said: “A great honour, clearly, and also faintly ridiculous! Obviously, it is the outcome of work with a fantastic HM government team: hard-working, brave, and imaginative.
“The real honour is the opportunity to work with them in the service of a mission I passionately believe in.”
Mr Horowitz, the writer of popular children’s and young adult books, several James Bond novels and TV series such as Foyle’s War, was made CBE.
London’s first victims commissioner and anti-stalking campaigner Claire Waxman was appointed OBE, as was Rabbi Alby Chait, of the United Hebrew Congregation in Leeds, whose broadcasts during Covid-19 brought a smile to many faces.
Reacting on social media, Rabbi Chait said: “Whilst this is something I will treasure and cherish for the rest of my life... I would however like to dedicate and share this award with the whole UHC Leeds and wider Anglo-Jewish community.”
Henry Lewis, aged 101 and a resident of Jewish Care’s Wolfson Assisted Living in Sandringham, Hertfordshire, was made a CBE. He received his award as honorary vice president of the Magic Circle, for his services to fundraising and charitable causes.
A number of Holocaust survivors are also set to receive honours from Buckingham Palace. They are: Frank Bright, OBE; Agnes Kaposi, OBE; Freddy Berdach, BEM; Lieselotte Gerta Lily Bruml, BEM; Harry Kessler, BEM; Anne Marie Lever, BEM; Ruth Posner, BEM; Ivan Peter Shaw, BEM; and Bronia Snow, BEM.
Karen Pollock CBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: “Huge congratulations to all the survivors recognised in this year’s list. We wish each of them a hearty mazeltov for an honour well-deserved.”
Mr Shaw said: “I am overwhelmed by the honour. It is the culmination of an English journey, which my parents in Auschwitz could not have imagined in their wildest dreams!
“The honour is recognition of the work being carried out by the Holocaust Educational Trust.
“This is more relevant than ever in today’s intolerant times. I am grateful to the Trust for giving me the opportunity to share my story.”
Joseph Freedman is to receive a BEM for his work during the pandemic on behalf of the Glasgow Jewish community, as will Zarah Ross for similar service to the community in Liverpool.
Barnet United Synagogue member Natalie Shaw, of Borehamwood, was also made MBE “for services to Seafarers during the Covid-19 Pandemic”.
