Chief Rabbi’s annual conference focuses on engagement and reassurance
Over 100 rabbis from across the UK gathered in London for the Chief Rabbi’s Annual Conference this week, to hear how they can encourage engagement with Israel and reassure their communities at a time of rising anti-Semitism.
In a letter to participants, Prime Minister David Cameron acknowledged that the theme of the conference would likely revolve around security, following this summer’s Gaza offensive, which has inflamed passions across the country.
“I know that many in our Jewish communities are feeling anxious at this time,” the prime minister wrote. “As we reflect on events this summer, it is now more important than ever to say that there can never be any excuse for anti-Semitism.”
Get The Jewish News Daily Edition by email and never miss our top stories Free Sign Up
He added: “A Jewish friend once asked me whether it will always be safe for his children and grandchildren to live in Britain. The question to that question will always be ‘yes’.
I hope that in years to come that question will not even need to be asked.”
The Chief Rabbi welcomes Chief Rabbi of Israel David Lau to address his annual conference of Rabbis #PYN pic.twitter.com/xw3VV19myv
— Chief Rabbi Mirvis (@chiefrabbi) September 10, 2014
The conference, which takes place in the run-up to Rosh Hashanah, helps rabbis to prepare for the High-Holy Days, with the Chief Rabbi providing sermon material for the upcoming festivals.
“This year, the Chief Rabbi will use the gathering to address the key areas of communal engagement with Israel and the ongoing challenge of anti-Semitism,” said a spokesperson.
“He believes these should be a focus.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
-
By Brigit Grant
-
By Laurent Vaughan - Senior Associate (Bishop & Sewell Solicitors)
-
By Laurent Vaughan - Senior Associate (Bishop & Sewell Solicitors)
-
By Laurent Vaughan - Senior Associate (Bishop & Sewell Solicitors)
-
By Laurent Vaughan - Senior Associate (Bishop & Sewell Solicitors)