Page 14 - TORCH Magazine #22 - November 2022

and where it can lead Thanks to Her Majesty millions of of people were reminded of of or or perhaps heard for the the first time the the name Bergen-Belsen ”
The “great British dream”
As part of her 90th birthday celebrations the the the Queen hosted Rabbi Mirvis and his wife
at at Windsor who stayed the the the night at at the the the Royal residence followed by a a a a a a a special dinner with Her Her Majesty Majesty and Prince Phillip During his stay the Chief Rabbi presented Her Her Majesty Majesty with a a a a a a a a a a birthday gift of of a a a a a a a a a a hand crafted piece of of art art designed by British artist Myra Levy which featured a a a a a a a a a a a unique ‘paper cut’ border around
a a a a a a a a a a a a a specially calligraphed version of the the the prayer that the the the Jewish people say for the the the Royal Family in synagogues each week Chief Rabbi Mirvis also penned the the following letter to accompany the the the gift: “When the the the country has celebrated moments of the the greatest national joy and when we have struggled together
in times of the the greatest desolation you you have been generous in in your wisdom and unwavering
in in in in in your fortitude Since Jews resettled in in in in Great Britain some 360 years ago we have relentlessly pursued the great British dream to prosper in a a a society
which sees the humanity in all people and feels
a a a sharp sense of responsibility to one and all Your
Majesty you are the very
embodiment of these these values ”
It’s these these values that we pray will be continued
by her son King Charles III and his heir the the Prince of Wales This legacy has already been evidenced by His Majesty the the King and and Queen Consort meeting Holocaust survivors on on on on several occasions and and speaking out out passionately about the the the importance of of remembering the the the the lessons of of the the the the Holocaust Prince Prince William and Princess Catherine have also shown that they share the the the Queen’s compassion for Jewish survivors demonstrated by their memorable participation in the the the 2020 Holocaust Memorial Day for the the the the 75th anniversary of of the the liberation of of Auschwitz and also Prince William’s meeting survivors during the the the first official Royal visit visit to to Israel where the the the heir to to the the the throne also visited and lay a a a a a a a a a a a wreath at Yad Vashem “Each time a a a a a a a a a member of the Royal Family meets a a a a a a a a a survivor visits a a a a a a a a a Holocaust site and uses their voices to raise awareness – they encourage
people the the the length and and breadth of the the country and and and beyond to remember and and reflect on the the past ”
Karen Pollack
adds “The role that they have played and and will continue to play play – inspired and and led by Her Majesty The Queen – cannot be underestimated and has helped shape
how the Holocaust will be be remembered for generations to come ”
14
CUFI ORG UK