The service at the Cenotaph was conducted by Chief Sir Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis KBE, Rabbi Major Reuben Livingstone, and Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg.
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Earlier at the reception, Rabbi Mirvis called the annual AJEX parade “one of my favourite days of the year”, adding: “We are so exceptionally proud of everything that our servicemen and women have done over so many years. Some of them paid the ultimate sacrifice. And we’re also so very proud to be part of a country that recognises that contribution.”
Referring to the current conflict Israel is fighting in Gaza and Lebanon, he said that while we pray for peace, "tragically and sadly... sometimes in order to achieve peace, we do need to engage in war”.
While the future of the state of Israel and the wish for the return of the 101 hostages still held captive in Gaza was “at the forefront of our minds today… we also pray for the peace and stability and the wellbeing of every single innocent civilian, Jews in Israel, Palestinians in Gaza, those in Lebanon”.
Calling the steep rise in antisemitism in the UK and around the world “very sad and worrying”, Rabbi Mirvis said: “We pray to the Almighty for the future stability, safety and peace of Jews wherever they might be.”
Holocaust survivors Henny Franks, who is 101, and Mala Tribich laid wreaths at the Cenotaph, joined by 99-year-old D-Day veteran Mervyn Kersh and Defence Minister Lord Coaker. JFS, JCoSS, Immanuel College and Hasmonean students laid poppy posies.
Henny Franks, who is a member of Jewish care’s Holocaust Survivors’ Centre, said afterwards: “It was a great honour to be chosen to lay a wreath and stand together to remember. I enjoyed my time in the armed forces, but many had more challenging experiences, and we will always honour and remember them.”
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National Chairman Dan Fox hosted Reviewing Officer Vice Admiral Andy Kyte CB FCILT, Lord Coaker, minister of state and Adrian Cohen, senior vice-president of the Board of Deputies. Lord Mayor of Westminster Cllr Robert Rigby attended too.
The Parade marked significant anniversaries, including the 80th anniversaries of D-Day, Operation Market Garden, the Battles of Imphal and Kohima, and the end of the Battle of Monte Cassino. Victims of the Holocaust were remembered during the service.
AJEX Chief Executive Fiona Palmer said: “Today’s Parade was truly inspiring, a powerful reminder of the strength of our community. We came together to honour the sacrifices of Jewish veterans, showing our unwavering pride in being British and Jewish. We are proud to celebrate our community's significant contribution to the fabric of our society.”
The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Robert Rigby, called the parade
“a landmark in the Jewish calendar, saying: “Jewish men and women have served in the armed forces with pride and distinction, and this day recognises their sacrifice in securing our freedoms.
“In the presence of the Chief Rabb,i this was both a poignant and inspiring day marking so many individual stories of bravery that we need to keep telling.”
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AJEX’s Remember in Red campaign saw pupils at Jewish schools wear red to mark Remembrance Week, plant poppies and hear from veterans. The day before the parade, AJEX Shabbat had been observed in synagogues and memorial prayers had been said.
AJEX has existed for nearly 100 years, supporting both veterans and those who continue to serve.
The Charity is organised across three pillars: welfare, remembrance and education, all of which play a role in combating antisemitism.
To watch the Parade, click here
