WATCH: Birthday surprise for Holocaust survivor Ivor at Young Jewish Care dinner

More than 400 guests surprised Holocaust survivor Ivor Perl with a rendition of ‘happy birthday’ on the eve of his 90th.

During one of the largest communal gathering since the start of the pandemic, a record-breaking 450 people attended Jewish Care’s Young Patron’s dinner, at which more than £150,000 was raised to support the charity’s services.

The event has not been held for two years due to coronavirus, and included a video explaining the work of Jewish Care’s Holocaust Survivors’ centre, which supports more than 300 survivors and refugees from Nazi persecution.

Guests also sang happy birthday to Perl, who was born in Hungary in 1932, and who lives at Jewish Care’s Selig Court Retirement Living apartments.

He spoke about the importance of the charity after he arrived in the UK following the Shoah, saying “at every difficult point in my life, Jewish Care has been there for me” he said.

“It started in 1945 when I was just 13 years old. I was sent here after being liberated from Auschwitz where many of my family, including my parents, had perished.

“I was young and scared – I couldn’t speak a word of English. Alone and in despair, it was the predecessor of Jewish Care, the Jewish Welfare Board, which took me in – I don’t know what I would have done without them.”

He told guests how the charity housed him, taught him a trade and helped him learn English, saying he will “never forget the kindness they showed me. They were my family”.

Perl recalled how the Centre supported his late wife Rhoda when she received a severe dementia diagnosis. The charity “stepped in and cared for her” until she sadly passed away.

After receiving a standing ovation from guests, he encouraged donations to support the charity’s work.

Rob Sher, Chair, Young Jewish Care said: “It’s fantastic to see a record breaking 450 people here tonight after two years without the Young Patrons Dinner. Whether guests were hearing about Jewish Care for the first time or are already a young patron, volunteer, or part of a committee, we are so grateful for their generous contributions.”

Adam Overlander-Kaye, Director of Fundraising and Community Engagement said: “We are delighted that so many young people care so deeply about Jewish Care and the services we provide.

“We were so pleased that there were so many young people who came out to show their support for Jewish Care.”