Queen’s Platinum Jubilee: Monarch makes a meal of it!
Following Lord Jakobovits' appointment as chief rabbi, he sent a list of kosher caterers to the Palace, to solve a problem for Jewish guests in the future
Brigit Grant is the Jewish News Supplements Editor
When Lord Jakobovits was inducted as Chief Rabbi, he was quick to send a list of kosher caterers to Buckingham Palace.
According to C.S. Teitelbaum of Ami Magazine, Rebbetzin Jakobovits had been told by her husband’s predecessor, Chief Rabbi Israel Brody, that he used to come home from royal occasions with indigestion because he was only served fruit. But Lord and Lady Jakobovits would have none of that and the palace gladly complied, alternating between choices of permissible caterers.
Lady Amelie also told Teitelbaum that their first exclusive invitation to Windsor Castle clashed with Passover, so they had to decline with a a letter of apology while explaining that “Jewish families stay home on the seventh day of the week, as well as on Jewish holidays”. The Rebbetzin begged her husband not to make them sound like such fools, “and just tell it like it is –that it’s Passover”.
The Palace took this on board and, now acquainted with the Jewish calendar, sent them an invite to a party 10 days later. It stated: “According to the diary of Her Royal Highness, there appear to be no Jewish holidays scheduled for that date.” Best of all, within the envelope was another card with a choice of three kosher menus from which they could reserve meals to their liking and, when they finally arrived at the Castle, all the other guests had a non-kosher version of their dish.
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