Jewish News co-publisher receives MBE from Prince William
Justin Cohen was recognised for more than 20 years of dedication to Holocaust remembrance and the Jewish community at a ceremony in Windsor Castle on Tuesday
Jewish News co-publisher Justin Cohen received his MBE for services to Holocaust remembrance and the Jewish community from the Prince of Wales on Tuesday, after being named in the New Year Honours list.
Receiving his award, Cohen, 43, from Borehamwood, spent two minutes in conversation with the future King about his work and the challenges facing the Jewish community in the aftermath of 7 October.
Speaking to the media at Windsor Castle, Cohen, who has also been a prime mover in interfaith relations over the last 15 years, said: “Thinking at this point that Jewish-Muslim relations have failed because there are issues with it is a dereliction of duty. For anyone who’s a proud Jewish Brit or Muslim Brit, we are going to be living together for many more years to come so there is a responsibility to continue those relations going forward.”
He added: “Despite some reports to the contrary, Britain remains a very good place to be Jewish, far from the suggestions that people are running away or packing their bags.”
Cohen, who has worked tirelessly for Jewish News for 24 years, previously teamed up with the Princess of Wales on a photography exhibition in which Her Royal Highness helped take pictures of some of the UK’s last remaining Holocaust survivors, and said Kate “went so far above and beyond” to help with the project.
Reflecting on his career with the newspaper, he said: “To be a journalist working within a community that I’m part of, and covering on a daily basis issues that are of interest to my family and friends and affects them directly very often, is something quite unique.”
On a more personal level, Cohen added: “To receive this award in such an historic setting was the honour of a lifetime and a tribute to the talented team I’ve worked with past and present and especially to my co-publisher Richard. That he so determined to see my work recognised will always mean a lot to me. It is recognition of our joint aim that Jewish News is far more than just a newspaper passively reporting news.”
My grandma came to Britain on the Kindertransport 85 years ago and was determined that her family were able to pass on the memory of what happened. The fact this award was partly for services to Holocaust remembrance and was presented by a member of the Royal Family who has done so much in this arena made it all the more poignant. I just wish my grandparents and dad, who did so much to serve his country and community, could have been there with me.”
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.
