Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner calls for ‘Jews to return to Labour in numbers’
The former senior Reform rabbi told guests at a packed Jewish Labour Movement Chanukah event 'Jewish values and Labour values' under the the leadership of Keir Starmer were now 'the perfect match or shidduch'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner lit up the Jewish Labour Movement’s Chanukah reception event with an impassioned plea for the packed audience to”turn to our own Jewish communities and bring Jews back in numbers into the Labour Party.”
In an unashamedly partisan speech, the former senior rabbi to Reform Judaism suggested “Jewish values and Labour values” under Keir Starmer’s leadership were now “the perfect match or shidduch.”
Rabbi Laura continued by suggesting the first of three Chanukah candles represented the belief in “comradeship” and the “duty to look after each other.”
The second candle represented equality and the fact that “whatever religion, or none, gender, background, race or sexuality, or even what stream of Jewish community” we are all “profoundly equal.”
While the third candle, said Rabbi Laura, represented the need to “pursue and relentlessly campaign for justice .. even when it’s hard, when it’s frightening, even in our darkest times.”
She then added:”Despite these darkest times, through Maccabean-style telling truth to power… we rekindled the light of Jews in the Labour Party, reestablished the happiness and safety of Jews with our party.
“We were not alone, thank you to party comrades here and to the present leadership. Thank you.”
Rabbi Laura added:”But it’s not enough. I believe now’s the time to take our Jewish and Labour values and to turn to our own Jewish communities and say the Labour Party is the natural place for Jews. Jewish values are Labour values.”
Over 250 people attended the event at London’s Central Synagogue, including Labour general secretary David Evans, Board of Deputies president Marie van der Zyl, Lord John Mann, Jewish Leadership Council co-ceo Claudia Mendoza, the GMB union’s Warren Kenny, and numerous Jewish Labour councillors.
Rabbi David Mason, who is leaving Muswell Hill Synagogue to take up a new role at HIAS/JCORE, gave the Chanukah blessings.
The Labour leader had been scheduled to be the main speaker on the night, but was forced to pull out due to illness, leaving shadow northern Ireland secretary Peter Kyle to address the crowd.
The MP for Hove spoke of the party’s determination to continue to root out antisemitism from the party. But he also urged Jewish activists to campaign in numbers for the party in the months ahead.
Ruth Smeeth, in her new role as Baroness Anderson of Stoke on Trent, also received loud applause as she spoke of how the attempt by the far-left to destroy JLM had failed.
Meanwhile Mike Katz, JLM’s national secretary, reminded those in attendance about JLM’s forthcoming annual conference event on January 8th, at which shadow health secretary Wes Streeting, former foreign secretary David Miliband, shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell are all scheduled to take part, along with numerous other Labour heavyweights.
The event at JW3, also features Israeli MKs and virtual appearances from US politicians.
https://www.jewishlabour.uk/one_day_conference_2023
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