P F ap re er e o We f th ek e ly Y ea r
Paris remembers Tier-iffic Olympic ceremony marks the murder of 11 Israelis in 1972 P9
tea time!
Where to indulge your sweet tooth in London P28
PROUD VOICE OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY 8 August 2024
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4 Av 5784
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Issue No.1379
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@JewishNewsUK
Hopes for happy returns Raise the roof!
Our theatre reviewer’s verdict on the opening night of Fiddler on the Roof in Regent’s Park P27
Hundreds mark hostage Kfir Bibas’ fifth birthday, Page 18
‘Hatred and violence staining our nation’ Chief Rabbi appeals for unity as far-right targets Muslims
Mob rule: a vehicle set alight in Sunderland
The Chief Rabbi has led a coalition of faith leaders in a powerful call for unity and understanding following race riots across England and Northern Ireland, writes Jenni Frazer. Sir Ephraim Mirvis, along with other prominent figures including the Archbishops of Canterbury and Westminster and two senior Muslim leaders, signed a letter, published in Tuesday’s Times newspaper, urging “constructive and compassionate dialogue on immigration and social cohesion”. The group added that they have “watched in horror as a small minority has brought hatred, violence and vandalism to towns
and cities across the country” in behaviour that is “a stain on our national moral conscience”. In Southport, the “small but tight-knit” Jewish community has said prayers and taken part in the town’s vigil for those killed and wounded in last week’s tragic knife attack on a children’s dance class. Victor Isenwater, chair of Southport Hebrew Congregation, told Jewish News: “It is a difficult time for the Southport community right now. “Although, thank God, none of our members or our families were victims of the tragedy, we are all impacted by the horror inflicted on our community. Our hearts go
out to the families of the bereaved and the injured. “We have contacted our members to ensure that they feel safe and have asked if they need any support. On Shabbat in shul we recited special prayers. We pray that the injured make a full and speedy recovery. We attended the vigil on Tuesday to remember the victims.” Isenwater added that the community, which has had good relations with Southport’s mosque and its imam, had sent a message to the chair and written formally from the community to offer support. “For several years the imam has spoken at the Holocaust Memo-
rial Day service, which we help to organise,” he said. “Inter-community relations are important to us and we don’t need people stoking tensions at this difficult time.” The Southport Jewish community is donating funds to the Alder Hey hospital in Liverpool, where those injured in the attack were treated. Following the Southport deaths, there have been outbreaks of far-right riots and attacks on Muslims across the country. Jewish communal organisations have expressed their horror at the violence on Britain’s streets, though Simon Myerson KC, who Continued on page 2