Prime Minister Boris Johnson and senior Conservatives including London Mayoral Candidate Shaun Bailey, have sent their wishes to Britain’s Jewish community ahead of Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New Year.
In a video message, Prime Minister Johnson spoke about the strength of the Jewish community during the Covid-19 pandemic, stating: “I was not in the least surprised to see you responding to the challenges of Coronavirus with typical vim and vigour and ingenuity. Reaching out to support one another. Offering spiritual, practical and financial help to friends and neighbours of all faiths and none. And finding new ways to come together as a community for education, prayer and celebration. And that is why I believe we can look ahead to 5781 with great hope and with optimism”.
Referencing the Jewish prayer Avinu Malkeinu (“Our Father, Our King”), the Prime Minister said: “Avinu Malkeinu puts it with prescient topicality, ‘remove the plague’ from all our people. When it comes to totting up good deeds from the year gone by, I can’t think of anything greater than doing what was needed, however tough that was, to save the lives of your fellow citizens. Shana Tova – and may you be inscribed and sealed for a good year”.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab sent his warmest wishes to Jews around the world in a message, emphasising that there are “reasons for hope”. He said: “My recent visit to Israel, our valued partner, gave me hope that there is a bright future and new dynamic for Israel across the Middle East. We need to grasp that opportunity with trade, technology, business, and science to expand peace and prosperity in the region”.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick met members of the Jewish community in Finchley Road yesterday and said in his message: “In the spring, Passover Seders including my own, were held over Zoom across the country. We hope we wouldn’t need to repeat that for the high holidays, but the virus is still with us, and we must protect our loved ones once again – this time by respecting the rule of six and dipping our apples into honey remotely”.
He added: “Whilst a limited number will be able to go to synagogue, thanks to the enormous efforts of the community to reopen them safely, many others will be listening to the call of the Shofar through the wonders of technology”.
Mr Jenrick also made reference to the peace deal struck between Israel, and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain this week, saying: “We think of our friends and family in Israel, themselves in another lockdown, but we also see in the accords signed in Washington this week, a fitting sign of peace and reconciliation to give us hope for the future”.
Conservative Candidate for Mayor of London, Shaun Bailey, said in his video message that the community “should be proud of its response to Covid-19, helping those in the community and beyond”.
Mr Bailey said: “At this very special time at New Year, please do have a good time. Have a blessed New Year and enjoy your time with your family”.
