On Shabbat morning 16 November 2024, Central Synagogue was delighted to host this year’s flagship AJEX Remembrance Day special choral service. This was followed by a Kiddush.
An audience of over 150 comprising congregants, senior Jewish military personnel and AJEX veterans listened to addresses from AJEX Senior Commissioned Officer Hon VAdm The Rt Hon Lord Sterling of Plaistow GCVOCBE and AJEX National Chair Dan Fox VR.
Both talked at length about the history of AJEX and the historic contribution of the UK Jewish Community to the British armed forces from the Resettlement and the Napoleonic Wars to modern wars such as Afghanistan. They also touched on the 7 October massacre in Israel and the overriding issues of war and warfare.
The Exhortation was read by Hon Col Sir Lloyd Dorfman and The Kohima Epitaph by Tor Amber Pinto The AJEX National Standard was carried into the Synagogue by Ms Fiona Hancock and the Union Standard by Council member Jonathan Metliss, member of the advisory board of AJEX, who was instrumental in organising the event.
A significant contingent of Central members participated in the Remembrance Day march on the following day, Sunday 17 November, and marched to and from the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
Rabbi Barry Lerer said: “Central Synagogue was proud and honoured to host such an important service. We were delighted to play such an important role in the AJEX Remembrance Day weekend. It was a splendid occasion.”
Chairman Lloyd Keisner said: “This was a most prestigious and significant event for the synagogue, which we were thrilled and delighted to support The event was an immensely dignified one and credit should be given to all those involved.”
Dan Fox, Chair of AJEX, said: “We thank Central Synagogue for hosting us The Serving Personnel felt very much graced by the honour and the welcome we received.”
By Craig Levison