The Chief Rabbi revealed today that on her last night before becoming Prime Minister, Theresa May honoured a long-standing dinner arrangement at his North West London home.
The Chief Rabbi said that he was “delighted to have the opportunity to give her my blessings at this very auspicious time”.
He added: “The fact that she did this in the midst of critically important preparations before taking up office is a reflection of her strong desire to keep to her commitments and the esteem in which she holds the British Jewish community”.
The Chief Rabbi thanked David Cameron “for his deep friendship and for his unwavering commitment to promoting the values of decency, respect, liberty and responsibility, which we all hold so dear”.
He said he had been privileged “to have worked alongside Mr Cameron to ensure that Britain remembers the Holocaust and educates generations to come about the lessons we must learn from it”.
“He is a man who not only speaks with great principle and conviction but who acts upon what he believes. I know that the strong relationship he enjoys with the Jewish community will endure for many years to come”, the Chief Rabbi said.
The Chief Rabbi welcomed new Prime Minister Theresa May at what he described as “a time of great political, social and economic uncertainty”. He said that she has “proved herself to be a friend and champion of our community and of other faith communities who share her values of tolerance and understanding”.
He continued: “few people are more talented or better qualified to tackle these immense challenges”, recalling the “speed and the sensitivity with which she reached out to the Jewish community following the terror attacks on Jewish targets in Europe last year”. He noted: “as she made clear then – ‘Without its Jews, Britain would not be Britain’”.
The Chief Rabbi concluded: “She has proved herself to be a friend and champion of our community and of other faith communities who share her values of tolerance and understanding. I wish her every success as Prime Minister and look forward to building upon our warm relationship over the coming years”.
