Student interviews D-Day hero for £150k military fundraising campaign

A JFS student has interviewed a 98-year old D-Day veteran as part of a fundraising drive for the Jewish Military Association.

Forming part of the 36-hour campaign for AJEX, 18 year old cadet Edgar Santos and Mervyn Kersh met at the House of Life, Willesden Jewish Cemetery and discussed Mervyn’s time as a soldier.

Called up to serve at the same age Edgar is now, the two spoke about the importance of keeping Remembrance alive through the annual AJEX parade & ceremony and education in schools. Mervyn stressed how it is vital that today’s young people continue the legacy of so many Jewish servicemen and women who fought for our freedom.

Additionally, this Sunday, 26 February, AJEX will host an exclusive interview with Rachel Riley MBE. AJEX national chair, Dan Fox, will discuss with Rachel her thoughts on combatting antisemitism and what she has faced in the public eye.

The interview will be broadcast from www.charityextra.com/ajex at 6pm on Sunday.

The two interviews are part of an urgent fundraising campaign to raise £150,000 in 36 hours, to ensure the charity can continue their vital work in Remembrance, welfare services for veterans and their families, as well as education and outreach work.

Mervyn said: “Connecting the older generation with the newer generation is very important. In ten years time there will be nobody who is left who was in the War [Second World War]. It is important education is passed onto a younger generation, so it can be continued.  It mustn’t be allowed to disappear”.

Edgar shared: “Meeting Mervyn was an experience of a lifetime. Not only to hear his fascinating stories but to recall the once again precious value of memory and Remembrance moved me and made me feel proud to be the continuation of this memory. Mervyn’s indisputable Jewish pride made me feel invincible in light of today’s challenges – his courage and determination throughout the war years are true witnesses to this pride. To interview someone who has exactly 80 years of life between us both feeling such a poignant sense of pride was indeed something I will remember forever.”

AJEX JMA chief executive, Fiona Palmer, said, “Our duty at AJEX is to care and we are immensely proud of our work. People rely on our help and we can’t do all of this without the care and help of people from across the community. We hope many will support us this weekend.”

The fundraising campaign, “Our Duty is to Care”, illustrates the importance of remembrance, education, welfare and combatting antisemitism. During the 36 hours, all donations will be doubled through generous match funding.

Watch the film here.