Jewish News co-publisher Justin Cohen awarded MBE in New Year Honours List
Philanthropist Gerald Ronson is knighted as awards go to Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, Brighton Football Club chair Tony Bloom and head of Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel Gavin Stollar
Jenni Frazer is a freelance journalist
Jewish News co-publisher Justin Cohen has been awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours List in recognition of almost a quarter of a century of tireless work on behalf of the UK Jewish community.
Cohen has left an indelible mark on the field of community journalism and has been instrumental in elevating the Jewish News‘ prominence and profile.
During his 22-year career in journalism, which began with inputting Maccabi football scores into the paper’s website, the 43-year-old from Borehamwood has conducted interviews with five prime ministers, six leaders of the Opposition, three Archbishops of Canterbury, two Chief Rabbis and notable figures in Jewish history including Elie Wiesel, Shimon Peres and Sir Ben Helfgott.
Cohen’s MBE, the first given to a journalist working in Jewish media for at least three decades, honours his contributions to Holocaust remembrance and the Jewish community. Over the past decade, he has expanded his role beyond traditional journalism to benefit both his community and the entire country.
Justin’s most notable achievements include:
• Initiating the Generations project, which featured HRH the Princess of Wales photographing some of the last Holocaust survivors in the UK to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in 2020. The project, in partnership with the Royal Photographic Society and Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, led to exhibitions at IWM in London and UNESCO in Paris and garnered international attention. In the same year, he brought together players from more than 10 Premier League clubs for a first collaborative film to mark the anniversary.
• Leading a successful campaign to honour British hero Sir Nicholas Winton with a Royal Mail stamp, resulting in a petition of 106,000 signatures and the release of stamps featuring the late stockbroker who rescued hundreds of Czech children before the Holocaust.
• Pioneering the world’s first collaboration between media outlets of different faiths by bringing British Muslim TV and Church Times together with Jewish News to identify and honour young people leading the way in interfaith cooperation in the UK.
He also helped raise more than £100,000 as part of a campaign he initiated to honour the late Lord Sacks with an ambulance for Israel, brought together the ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco for a ground breaking Chanukah lighting event months after the signing of the Abraham Accords, and led a project to honour inspirational figures over 80 in the community – a twist on the popular 40 under 40 format.
Reacting to the honour, Cohen — who outside his work for JN co-founded the Asian-Jewish Business Network — said: “I’ve had the opportunity to ask dozens of people for quotes about their gongs over the years, but never expected to be writing one of my own. Not least because it’s been honour enough to meet and quiz such inspirational individuals and to have had a front-row seat for the moments that matter most to friends and family, in good times and bad.”
Cohen also highlighted the importance of the Jewish News’ mission: “Given that journalists don’t tend to be recognised in this way, I’d like to think this award is testament to our determination to be more than just a newspaper, to make a difference beyond our own community and to the potential for a small media outlet to think big while remaining intensely proud of its roots.”
Remembering his late father Cllr Melvin Cohen, he said: “My delight is tempered by sadness that my dad is no longer with us to enjoy this award — recognition I felt he deserved for his work as Barnet’s longest-serving councillor and two-time mayor. I recall him joking that being a Freeman of the City of London enabled him to drive sheep across London Bridge, and as a lover of all things royal and quintessentially British, I know that he would have revelled in the traditions of the investiture.” He added that the citation felt especially fitting given that his grandmother Marion came to Britain on the Kindertransport and was determined that her family were in a position to pass on the memory of the Nazi era.
One of the community’s most prominent philanthropists, Gerald Ronson, has been knighted. Sir Gerald, 84, was made CBE in 2012 for charitable services; his wife, Gail, was made a dame in the 2004 honours list.
British Jewry’s newest knight is best known as the founder of the Community Security Trust, which maintains high-level contacts with government and police in order to give protection to the Jewish community. Sir Gerald has been knighted for his services “to philanthropy and the community”, reflecting his long-time support for a wide range of charitable and educational initiatives in the UK. He told JN : “What matters in life is the impact you have had on the lives of others – for me that has been through my foundation, my work for my community, and the charities I have supported. I am grateful for this recognition — if only to prove to others that if events take you off course, you don’t have to continue down that path, but can direct your future and make a difference.”
Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: “We are especially delighted to see Sir Gerald Ronson so rightfully honoured. From a young age he made it his mission to fight antisemitism and with his vision, determination and hard work, he has ensured that we have a leading body protecting the Jewish community in the CST. Today, he is a revered leader within our community, a respected and valued philanthropist, a pillar of integrity and strength. He continues to campaign for the welfare of the Jewish community and as a key member of the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation, he is the driving force in progressing plans for a permanent place for us to remember the Holocaust for generations to come”.
Brighton Football Club chairman and philanthropist Tony Bloom, who spearheaded the project to create a new Jewish community complex in Brighton, receives an MBE. He said: “I’m incredibly proud and truly humbled to receive this recognition, and while I’m honoured personally, it would not have been possible without so many people who’ve helped us achieve what we have.
“I’d like to thank my fellow directors, our staff, coaches and players who have been vital to the progress we’ve made. It has been an historic year for the club and this is a wonderful way to cap off a truly unforgettable 12 months.” Reflecting on the club’s journey “from the depths of the football league to the top echelons of the premier league and European football”, Chief Executive Paul Barber said: “There are not many fans who sing the chairman’s name with the same affection that our fans sing for Tony. His incredible love for the club was handed down to him from his grandfather Harry and father Ronnie.”
Also from the world of entertainment, lyricist Don Black has been upgraded from OBE to CBE for his services to music. Now 85, the man born Donald Blackstone has provided lyrics for people in the music industry as disparate as Andrew Lloyd Webber and Michael Jackson. With composer John Barry, Black co-wrote three James Bond theme songs — Thunderball, Diamonds Are Forever, and The Man With the Golden Gun.
Also upgraded is Ruth Miskin, CBE, who has now been made a dame for her services to education.The children’s reading expert and founder of Read Write Inc, she has made it her life’s mission to teach every child to read, regardless of their background. Ashley Tabor-King, the founder of the Global media brand, picks up am OBE.
Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, senior rabbi at Masorti Judaism, has also been made OBE for his services to the Jewish community and to interfaith relations. He received the news of his honour after concluding shiva for his late mother, Isca, “who made it to 100 — I wish she could have known about it”, he told Jewish News. Rabbi Wittenberg, Glasgow-born, is the son of two refugees from Nazi Germany. His mother became a celebrated child psychotherapist and was vice-chair of the Tavistock Clinic. Rabbi Wittenberg’s most recent book is “Listening for God in Torah and Creation: A weekly encounter with conscience and soul”.
Josie Dobrin, co-founder and executive chair of Creative Access, founded in 2012, has been made OBE for services to the creative industries. A former press adviser to the Mayor of London, she said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to receive this honour. This is public recognition for the many people who have helped us along the way; our staff and trustees (past and present); our mentors, employer partners and of course our phenomenal intern and alumni community.
“I’m so proud of the impact that Creative Access has had — not just helping people access the creative industries, but ensuring that they really thrive once they’re in. This award is for everyone who is really helping to shape the creative industries to become stronger, more vibrant and more inclusive.”
Gavin Stollar has been awarded an OBE for his voluntary services to both the UK Jewish Community and as the honorary chair of the Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel.
Gavin has dedicated over 25 years to advocating for the UK Jewish Community within his own political party, the Liberal Democrats, and British politics as a whole.
A former elected parish and district councillor, a member of Western Marble Arch Synagogue and a school governor, Gavin has also been a supporter for Maccabi Great Britain since his teens and in 2008 managed the men’s Open Football team that won the gold medal for Great Britain in Madrid.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said: “Gavin has been a fantastic advocate for the British Jewish community and has contributed a huge amount of time to the Liberal Democrats over the past 25 years. His work has been instrumental in the Liberal Democrats, from the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism to tying the formal link with Israeli sister party Yesh Atid.”
Yesh Atid’s leader, former Israeli premier Yair Lapid, said: “On behalf of the state of Israel and Yesh Atid we wish to thank him for his service to the special relationship between the UK and Israel.”
The two co-founders of the Spread A Smile charity, Josephine Segal and Vanessa Crocker, have both been made MBE for their work in helping seriously and terminally ill children and their families. They began Spread A Smile in 2013, after seeing the impact of a magician’s visit on Josephine’s then nine-year-old nephew, Aaron, when he was receiving intensive cancer treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Now, from beginnings at their kitchen tables, the charity has become the UK’s leading provider of hospital entertainment for children and teenagers, with 34 NHS hospital and hospice partners and more than 1,000 bedside hospital visits every month.
The women said: “We feel truly honoured and humbled to have received an MBE. We dedicate this to all the brave children and their families we have met over the years.
“We have seen so many children experience months or even years of gruelling hospital treatment, unfairly losing their childhoods, while their parents have to watch their child suffer in pain and miss out on so much — not to mention the effect this has on siblings. It has been and remains our top priority to bring them all smiles, laughter, and some relief from their pain and suffering. It is always an honour and privilege to be a small part of their journey”.
William Salomon, senior partner of the financial conglomerate Hans Capital Partners, has been made OBE for services to education. He is president of the Young Enterprise charity, founded by his father, Walter, in 1962. The charity works all over the country in schools to help young people realise their potential. Salomon, whose family originally came from Germany, described himself as “half-Jewish — my mother was Lutheran — but I am an ardent supporter of Jewish causes”. Young Enterprise’s most recent project is to teach “basic financial management” to students aged from five onwards. The new honoree said he was proud to be involved in the charity’s work, which enabled him to travel around the country, visiting schools and talking to pupils, in a way he would not have been able to do in his business life.
Lorraine Bushell has received an OBE for my work with estranged grandparents. She told Jewish News: “I have been doing this work for over 20 years and about 14 years ago I started a group for Jewish alienated grandparents. People always imagine Jewish families are so united. I have been amazed and saddened by the number of Jewish grandparents who are not allowed to see their grandchildren. This is such a heartbreaking story, we need to find a way for families to unite once again.”
Dr Benjamin Marc Ellis, founding trustee of KeshetUK, the Jewish charity “with a vision of the world where no-one is forced to choose between their Jewish and LGBT+ identity”, has been made MBE for his services to healthcare, equality and the Jewish community. Brought up in Leeds, he is a rheumatologist at Charing Cross Hospital in London and also works as senior clinical policy adviser to a national non-profit, Versus Arthritis. He studied for two years at Yeshivat Har Etzion before completing degrees at Cambridge and then University College London.
He became chair of KeshetUK’s board, and in that role worked closely with Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis on the Guide for Orthodox Jewish Schools for the Wellbeing of LGBT+ Pupils. He told JN: “It’s wonderful to receive this honour, and it makes me think what a huge privilege it has been to work with amazing friends and colleagues, contributing to the Jewish and wider community in areas I feel passionate about — particularly making our community a better place for LGBT+ people like me; and raising awareness about chronic pain and its impact and the need for society to do more to support people who live with it”.
Also awarded OBE is Paul Burger, founder and partner, of the creative music company, Soho Artists. Burger received his honour for services to the music Industry and to charity. He is chair of Belsize Square Synagogue and was a director of the London Jewish Cultural Centre which became part of JW3. Meanwhile, Aryeh Leaman is the honoured for services to young people and to the community in Hendon.
Among those recognised for services to Holocaust education and awareness are Antony Lishak, chief executive, of the Learning from the Righteous charity, Sabit Jakupovic, a member of the Genocide Survivors’ Consultative Group, Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, and Daniel Herman of Altrincham, Greater Manchester. All have been made MBE. Antony Lishak said he was “surprised and grateful” at the honour and said that he had been “really touched, since working with survivors is a major part of my life”. He has been closely involved in supporting the bid for the permanent Holocaust Memorial in London’s Victoria Tower Gardens. Joking that the honour had been “a great secret”, Lishak said he was celebrating his 65th birthday with a party — and his wife had iced “MBE” on the cake.
Paying tribute to those who had been recognised for their services to Holocaust remembrance, Karen Pollock of HET said her charity was “thrilled” at Justin Cohen’s honour —“his utter devotion to our cause and community deserves this recognition.” She added: “We are also delighted to see our dear friend and ally Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP awarded a knighthood. Sajid is a steadfast champion of our cause, a cherished friend to Holocaust survivors, a valued voice against antisemitism and a strong advocate for Holocaust education. Sir Sajid, Mazel Tov!”
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