4 min read
Deputies questioned
A number of members of the Board of Deputies wrote to the Financial Times disassociating themselves from the policies and actions of the government of Israel. As one is a member of the Board only as a representative of a member organisation, can we know which organisations these people belong to and did they consult with those whom they represent prior to signing the letter?
Shimon Cohen
London N2
In all the furore over that letter, can someone explain why the Board of Deputies of British Jews needs to have no less than 300 elected members, who nominates them to this “conclave” and are they there for life?
Anthony Green
Modiin
Israel
Arab rights
In his piece in your April 11 edition, Phil Rosenberg states that “British Jews want to see Israel … as a state for all its citizens, including Arab citizens”. This could imply that Arab citizens are excluded from this democracy.
Arabs living in Israel are full Israeli citizens and have unfettered voting rights.
There are Arab members of the Knesset. Arab parties have formed part of recent government coalitions (the United Arab List). There are Arab members of the Supreme Court. Arab communities are flourishing in places such as Haifa and Jaffa and towns such as Fuiredis (near Zichron Yaacov). Arabs play for leading Israeli football clubs, and indeed the Israeli national team.
These are just a few examples of the active Israeli Arab contribution to Israeli society, applying to both Christian and Muslim Arabs.
Sweeping generalisations such as Mr Rosenberg’s can be dangerous and misleading and need to be corrected.
Jonathan Metliss
Chairman Action Against Discrimination
Member Board of Deputies of British Jews
Brighton heritage
I read Jane Prinsley’s articles about the Brighton and Hove Reform Synagogue Grade II listing and am puzzled by their board of trustees’ insistence that the building is not a Holocaust memorial. They published a booklet in 2017 to celebrate the building’s 50th anniversary. In this booklet are several photographs of original documents that confirm the intention to build the synagogue as a Holocaust memorial.
The foundation stone, laid just one month after building started, was to read: “The foundation stone of the Brighton and Hove New Synagogue was laid by Rabbi E S Rosenblum…in dedication to the glory of God and in memory of the six million Jews who perished in the concentration camps during the 1939-1945 war ‘In honour of the dead as a warning to the living’.”
The Board of Deputies intervened, as they felt that the wording might become “the focal point of of any racist and antisemitic activity” and advised that this dedication should be put in the entrance hall, where it is today.
Rabbi Rosenblum’s address at the laying of the foundation stone is in the pamphlet. It is an inspirational message that includes this paragraph: “My friends, this synagogue is also being dedicated to the six millions Jews who perished in Nazi concentration camps during the last World War. We do so to honour the dead and as a warning to the living. God forbid that this should be misunderstood and believed to be done to perpetuate hatred towards anyone in the world. For I believe with all my heart that hatred breeds hatred and the world cries out for goodness and kindness.”
Furthermore, the pamphlet confirms that the shell of the synagogue building was almost completed while the architect was still negotiating with the artist who was then commissioned to produce the windows. The windows were clearly an expression of the initial vision of memorial.
So, I am puzzled with so much evidence and more not included here, why a nuclear group of long standing trustees would want to destroy such a noble vision in order to build flats on its prime location.
The lack of income is no reason at all, especially as there have been generous amounts available for failed redevelopment attempts covering more than a decade. We only have to look north to the National Holocaust Museum for a splendid example of how we might proceed.
Barbara Bell
Horsham
Whitechapel history
What will be the future for the Jewish buildings and Jews in Whitechapel?
The shul I grew up with, East London Federation, has had its doors closed due to structural damage and I see no progress of any repairs coming or plans in the future in the place as a museum .
Will the greatness of many of the people in the East End, people including the great Yiddish poet, Avram Stencl, be forgotten ?
Will the people of north London look down on the East End and forget our roots there?
Andy Strowman
Harpenden
Seder speed
Like Maureen Lipman, my childhood Seders evoke fond memories of mismatched Haggadot and a service delivered at breakneck speed in order to get to the food as quickly as possible (Unfortunately we cannot all fit into Douglas Murray’s cellar, April 18). If the children of Israel had crossed Sinai with the enthusiasm of the celebrant to reach the meal, the Exodus would not have taken 40 years.
Stan Labovitch
Windsor
Jews in the village
Just a minor correction to Mark Solomon’s delightful piece (Oy gevalt! I’m no longer the only Jew in the village, April 11) His parents were actually not the only Jews in Llanddewi Brefi. Daffyd Thomas was not just the only gay in the village but presumably the only Jew as well. Shout out to Matt Lucas!
Martin Kalson
Eilat,
Israel
Seeking family
AJEX Archives are seeking families of the following men with a view to having a Star of David placed on their graves – instead of a cross/no emblem: Lewis Feldman RA, born Spitafields, KIA 7/11/18, brother of Barnet Feldman: Pte I. Snook, MGC, buried in a war grave at Marlowe Road Jewish cemetery, London but no Star of David.
Martin Sugarman
AJEX Archivist
To get more from opinion, click here to sign up for our free Editor's Picks newsletter.