To begin the new series of Sunday Night at Kenton (SNAK), members were delighted to welcome Dan Fox Chair of AJEX and the Jewish Military Association.
Dan is a serving Army Reservist, currently appointed to the role of Company Sergeant Major, seeing operational duty in Afghanistan. He was accompanied by Fl. Lt. Sam Hildenrath based at Cranwell.
Dan’s talk was titled ‘For Honour’s Sake’- Jews in the British Armed Forces since 1745. Illustrating this with a look at the British Jewish Military History and how it has marched in step with our Community’s wider contribution in the United Kingdom. From the beginning of the Resettlement to the Seven Years War, the Napoleonic era, to World War One, and World War Two to operations and theatres in the twenty first century. There were great tales of heroism through the ages.
Together with Sam, Dan discussed what is means to be British and Jewish in the modern Armed Forces. It is interesting to note that Jews have served since 1745. The first depiction occurs in William Hogarth’s painting of 1750 entitled march of the Guards to Finchley where Jewish men volunteers to oppose together with Guards, the invading Jacobite Army of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Jews participated in the Bower War. An illustration of the numbers serving in the First World War as around fifty thousand of which sadly two thousand died. Five Jewish men received the Victoria Cross. Across all theatres of war Jewish participation can be seen together with incredible acts of bravery.
Later there was the development of Rabbinic Chaplaincy, beginning with Reverend Francis Cohen, twenty serving in WW1 and fifty six in WW2. The highest point was the three hundred and fiftieth Anniversary of Jewish Military Service and the one hundred and twenty sixth year of Jewish Chaplaincy in March 2018 when three Rabbonim were appointed as Padres and Chaplains in a multi faith role.
Both Dan and Sam spoke of their experiences serving in the Armed Forces and the fact that they had not experienced Anti Semitism in their respective roles. Following an interesting Question and Answer session refreshments were served.
Members were enthralled by Dan’s encyclopaedic knowledge and impressed by the way in which he has led AJEX in the past three years with such dedication and vision particularly encouraging younger participation.
By Rachelle Goldberg