Centenarian celebrates at shul he helped to found almost 80 years ago

Known affectionately as the “doyen of the Welwyn Garden City Jewish community”, Sam Ostro celebrated his 100th birthday at a kiddush arranged in his honour by the local United synagogue, where he has been a member for almost 80 years.

He is the last survivor of the 14 young refugees from Nazi Germany who founded the community in 1939.

It was the year Mr Ostro arrived in Welwyn, thanks to the efforts of a Dutch Jew, Wim Van Leer, who had been dispatched on a rescue mission by the Quaker community in the Hertfordshire town.

He employed Mr Ostro and his companions in the sheet metal factory he owned in Welwyn on essential war work, enabling them to avoid the internment endured by other refugees.