Mental health campaigner and doctor receive reform shul award

One of the country’s largest Reform synagogues has praised a mental health campaigner and a doctor who helps stroke victims learn to walk and eat again.

Dr Jackie McRae and Jonny Benjamin, who was talked out of taking his own life by a stranger in 2008, were recipients of the inaugural Edgware & Hendon Reform Synagogue Awards last week.

Also acknowledged was Gideon Futerman, 15, for his “amazing” efforts in combatting global warming, and Shelly Dannell, for “turning young lives around,” while senior Rabbis Danny Smith and Steven Katz were honoured for lifetime contributions to their community.

Keith Price, the joint president of EHRS, said: “By honouring these members of EHRS, we can be so proud to know each and every one of them a little better and to understand how selfless they all are.”

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