A trip home from university would not be the same without spending time at Pinner Shul, and over the last couple of weeks I have enjoyed participating in three special events.
Yom HaShoah is always poignant, and during an evening of reflection and remembrance, I was privileged to share the story of Eugine Black. Born in Czechoslovakia in 1928, he was just 16 years old when he was transported to Auschwitz–Birkenau. I was the same age when I went on a school trip to see the camp, an image seared into my memory. While Eugine survived the war, I cannot imagine the horrors he witnessed.
The evening was filled with testimonies originating from many people, including stories of heroic members of the British Army who liberated the camps. It was an opportunity to honour the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust and pay tribute to those fortunate to survive.
A week later it was Yom HaZikaron, and against the backdrop of rising antisemitism across the globe, I shared the story of the late Nathanel Young. Nathanel was just a couple of years above me at JFS, and when he left school he decided to join the IDF. On October 7th 2023, he was killed while defending his base and a nearby Kibbutz. We were close in age and backgrounds, making the story especially raw and real for the Pinner community. During the evening, and in conjunction with other young members of Pinner Shul, we paid tribute to many fallen IDF soldiers, remembering their sacrifice for our freedom.
Later that evening, our tears turned to joy as we celebrated Yom Ha’atzmaut with a traditional Pinner shul barbeque. Blessed by wonderful summer weather, we enjoyed tucking into delicious food and drink. Rabbi Kleiman led a Hebrew singalong and many members of the community participated in some very lively Israeli dancing. Thank you to Pinner shul and the wonderful community for inviting me to participate.
By Charlie Solomon
1 May 2025