‘You are and were the best of us’: poignant service of remembrance on 80th anniversary of VJ Day
US President Saul Taylor, Chief Rabbi Mirvis, veterans, Holocaust survivors and communal leaders attend AJEX and New West End Synagogue memorial
AJEX led a moving service remembrance and thanksgiving service on Sunday, commemorating 80 years since Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day), with the new President of the United Synagogue describing his grandfather’s contribution as a senior officer in the Burma campaign.
Newly appointed United Synagogue President, Saul Taylor, shared his passion for AJEX – a charity that he has been closely connected to since a young age.
“My late grandfather, Lieutenant Colonel Mordaunt Cohen, is perhaps one of our most well known Burma veterans”, he told the audience.
“When he passed away just a few years ago, in his 103rd year, he was one of the last surviving senior officers of the Burma Campaign.
“By the end of the war, he was leading 6,000 allied troops. Shortly before his passing, he received his MBE personally from the Queen, largely for his work promoting the 70th anniversary of VJ Day, 10 years ago. I am reminded today of one of his quotes ‘we saw the horrors of war, so that our future generations could live free and at peace in this country’.
“Today as a community we come together to say thank you to these brave men and woman. You are and were the best of us.”
17th August 2025. Co hosted by AJEX – The Jewish Military Association
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis
Held at central London’s historic New West End Synagogue in partnership with its community, the service honoured the Jewish men and women who served in Southeast Asia, often under harrowing and inhumane conditions.
Many continued to fight, or suffer as prisoners of war, for months after Europe celebrated its victory in May 1945.
17th August 2025. co hosted by AJEX – The Jewish Military Association
Photograph by Elliott Franks
Mosaic Voices, the award-winning in-house choir at New West End synagogue, performed music by Rossi, Verrinder, Blumenthal and the shul’s resident composer, Benjamin Till. Conducted by Michael Etherton, their beautifully-performed new setting of Adon Olam, sung to the melody of The White Cliffs of Dover (which, it was revealed, was written by two American Jews), was both witty and highly-moving. A genuine highlight of a thought-provoking service.
Chief Rabbi Mirvis delivered a compelling keynote address to a room full of veterans, serving personnel, Holocaust survivors, communal leaders and members of the public.
17th August 2025. Co hosted by AJEX – The Jewish Military Association
Barry Davey, Royal Army Veterinary Core WW2, Royal Hospital Chelsea (Pensioners). With Mike Bunce Royal Engineers. Photograph by Elliott Franks
AJEX National Chair, Dan Fox said: “While VE Day brought relief to much of Europe, the war raged on in the Far East, where Allied forces including many Jewish personnel continued to face danger and despair.
“We do not gather today to exceptionalise the Jewish contribution, but to illustrate the breadth of the Allied effort and the depth of courage it demanded. At AJEX, we remain committed to telling these stories and ensuring that the sacrifices made for our freedom are never forgotten.”
Calling the service “hugely powerful”, AJEX chief executive Fiona Palmer said: “AJEX continues its mission to honour and preserve the legacy of Jewish military service in HM Armed Forces – then, now and always.”
- To sign up to march in the AJEX Parade visit www.ajex.org.uk
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