Barnet Council to bestow civic award on CST, Hatzola and Shomrim
Mayor of Barnet: 'Their dedication, professionalism and compassion have made an immeasurable difference to the lives, safety and wellbeing of residents'
Barnet council has announced that it will award its highest civic honour to five Jewish organisations, in acknowledgement of their “extraordinary service to the borough”.
The Community Security Trust, Shomrim NW London, Hatzola Edgware, Hatzola HBS and Hatzola Northwest will receive the Honorary Freedom of Barnet, after councillors agreed to a resolution tabled at the council’s extraordinary general meeting this week.
The three Hatzola organisations, which between them cover areas of Barnet including Golders Green, Hendon, Edgware, Southgate, Hadley Wood, Whetstone and Totteridge, will be honoured for their exceptional contribution to the health and wellbeing of Barnet’s communities, providing a free, rapid-response emergency medical service to all. The award will pay tribute to their resilience and steadfast commitment following the arson attack on Hatzola Northwest’s ambulances on 23 March 2026.
The Community Security Trust (CST) will be recognised for its tireless work to safeguard Jewish communities across the borough, while Shomrim NW London will be commended for its dedication and bravery, including the actions of its volunteers in assisting to apprehend the person following the stabbings on Golders Green Road on 30 April 2026.
The Mayor of Barnet, Cllr Zahra Beg, described herself as “delighted” at the council’s resolution.
“Our Jewish communities sadly have been the focal point of high-profile antisemitic hate crimes”, she said.
“These organisations have played a vital role in protecting our communities and this award sends the message that we will stand up to hate and those who seek to divide us.
“Their dedication, professionalism and compassion have made an immeasurable difference to the lives, safety and wellbeing of residents across Barnet.”
Responding to the announcement, a CST spokesperson told Jewish News: “Barnet is home to one of the largest Jewish communities in the UK, and the appalling arson attacks earlier this year struck at the heart of the cohesion that makes Barnet such a wonderful place to live and work. We are delighted to receive this honour from Barnet Council, alongside other important Jewish community partners, and to be recognised for the work we do to protect and support Jewish life and the wider community across the borough.”