PICTURE EXCLUSIVE: King’s ‘deeply moving’ conversation with Bermuda rabbi over horrific rise of antisemitism
Charles introduced to Rabbi Chaim Birnhack, director of Chabad of Bermuda
This is the moment King Charles engaged in a “deeply moving” conversation with Rabbi Chaim Birnhack about the horrific rise in antisemitism during his first-ever visit to Bermuda.
The King was introduced to Rabbi Birnhack, director of Chabad of Bermuda, at a garden reception at Government House on May 1.
Onlookers told Jewish News the pair spoke at length, and that Charles was “visibly upset and concerned” after last week’s Golders Green terror incident was discussed.
In a statement, Rabbi Birnhack said he had told the king: “How deeply grateful so many in the Jewish community, and beyond, are for his clear and compassionate stand against antisemitism, and for his long-standing friendship toward the Jewish people.”
He then added, “What he shared with me in response was deeply moving.”
Charles then spoke warmly about his grandmother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, who hid Jews in Nazi-occupied Athens, risked her life to save them, and quietly helped feed those in need.
Rabbi Birnhack added that the King emphasised her humility. “His Majesty shared that she never made a big deal of it, and that the family did not speak about it much,” he said.
Princess Alice was later named Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem and is buried on Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives, as she requested.
The rabbi posted about the meeting on social media, adding: “In a world where hate can be loud, acts of courage, kindness, and moral clarity echo even louder.”
There was no official statement from Buckingham Palace on the meeting.
Birnhack and his wife, Menuchy, had moved to Bermuda from London during the Covid-19 pandemic.
As co-directors of the Chabad-Lubavitch they serve the community of Bermuda and host weekly Shabbat dinners at their home.
The King had a three-day royal trip to the island on the back of their state visit to America.
Charles and Camilla were waved off from Washington by President Donald Trump and a few hours later, the King touched down in Bermuda for a solo tour.
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