closeicon
News

Jewish philanthropists, scientists and artists honoured on New Year List

articlemain

A Holocaust survivor, a Nobel physicist, a Hollywood actress, a poet and fundraisers for charities as diverse as CST and Asylum Aid are some of the Jewish names on the 2012 New Years Honours.

Founding chair of the CST Gerald Ronson receives a CBE for his charitable work. His wife, Gail Ronson, also known for her active charity work, especially for Jewish Care, was made a dame in 2004.

Philanthropist and businessman Professor Naim Dangoor receives a CBE. Professor Dangoor, an Iraqi-born Jew, received an OBE in 2006.

Major awards have gone to the former Lord Mayor of London Michael Bear, who has been knighted, and former Lord Speaker of the House of Lords, Baroness Helene Valerie Hayman, who receives the Knight Grand Cross for services to the House. Civil engineer Sir Michael said: "As an engineer you have a great chance to make a tangible difference to people’s lives and create prosperity, growth and jobs – and I would encourage any young person to take up the profession; it will take you around the world.

"I was an unusual Lord Mayor in being a client of City services – someone from the demand side – and I hope I have made a small contribution to showing how construction, engineering and finance can work together to regenerate cities and build the infrastructure of development."

Physicist Professor Andre Geim, Manchester University’s Nobel Prize winner, who suffered antisemitism in his native Russia, has also been knighted.

Anne Frank’s stepsister, 82-year old Holocaust survivor Eva Schloss, receives an MBE. A founding trustee of the Anne Frank Trust, Mrs Schloss has spoken to hundreds of schools, students and groups about her experiences in the Holocaust.

Actress Helena Bonham Carter, who is halachically Jewish, receives a CBE. She recently portrayed a 1960s Jewish mother in the film Sixty Six, to date her only specifically Jewish role.

An MBE was awarded to Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust. She said: “I am absolutely thrilled that the work of the Holocaust Educational Trust , to which I've been privileged to contribute, has been recognised in this way. This is a tribute to my dedicated colleagues at the Trust as well as the incredible and inspirational Holocaust survivors I have the honour to work with.” Ms Pollock has worked with HET for more than 10 years.

Michael Whine, government and international affairs director at the CST, also receives an MBE. He has worked with CST and the Board of Deputies for more than 25 years, is a member of the hate crimes advisory board at the Ministry of Justice and represents them at international conferences as an adviser.

The New North London Synagogue member said his award was “a tribute to the contribution the Jewish community makes in a number of specific areas. We make a very substantial impact on advising this government and others on hate crimes.”

Hendon Reform Synagogue council member, Malcolm Ozin, who received a MBE as president of Jewish Blind and Disabled, said: “It’s a fantastic feeling, and it’s a real reward for the time spent with JBD, which has been so rewarding in itself.” Mr Ozin, 77, was co-founder of the charity, and has been involved for 42 years.

Other awards included Running Late poet Dr Dannie Abse, who receives a CBE, an MBE for Debora Singer, the policy and research manager at the Islington charity Asylum Aid, and OBEs for Matthew Slotover and Amanda Sharp, the co-founders of Frieze Art Fair.

Share via

Want more from the JC?

To continue reading, we just need a few details...

Want more from
the JC?

To continue reading, we just
need a few details...

Get the best news and views from across the Jewish world Get subscriber-only offers from our partners Subscribe to get access to our e-paper and archive