Events across the community are taking place over the weekend to celebrate the Queen’s official birthday, which falls on June 11.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis took part in the national Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral today, attended by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the royal family.
Rabbi Mirvis has also sent his good wishes to the Queen in a video message, which was circulated on social media this week.
In the message, he described Her Majesty as “an outstanding leader and role model,” adding that she “has brought honour to us, the citizens of Great Britain and the Commonwealth.
“We thank her for her tireless devotion and selfless commitment and also, her innumerable acts of chesed which have touched the hearts and moulded the minds of millions of people right around the globe. She has won our affection, our respect and our deep admiration.”
He added: “In wishing her Mazal Tov on this significant milestone in her life, we pray that the almighty will bless her with continuous good health, happiness and lots of strength.”
A Message to Her Majesty The Queen on the occasion of her 90th birthday @RoyalFamilyhttps://t.co/GeIRRrMIJV
— Chief Rabbi Mirvis (@chiefrabbi) June 9, 2016
Meanwhile, Jewish communities across the country are planning patriotic kiddushim, with some combining it with their Shavuot celebrations.
Some 60 communities will display a banner specially distributed for the occasion – bearing the message “Happy 90th Birthday to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II”.
They will also recite the specially amended Prayer for the Royal Family acknowledging the Queen’s landmark birthday.
Street parties and royal-themed Shavuot lunches will take place across London, while the community in Southport is holding a special “Red, White and Blue” Kiddush and Etz Chaim Synagogue in Leeds is arranging a celebratory tea.
In Redbridge, the community is set to host a tea and cheesecake Kiddush, followed by a talk titled: Long to reign over us; sovereignty in Jewish history.
Belmont will tie its 50th birthday celebrity with a Shavuot tea for the Queens. Members will sample classically British treats – including scones with jam and cream and Pimm’s.
Meanwhile, Sutton synagogue member Stanley Roth, who turned 80 in April, will sponsor his synagogue’s Kiddush in honour of the Queen’s 90th birthday.
In Cockfosters and N. Southgate, a “street party” will be brought inside the synagogue hall.
Meanwhile, West London Synagogue is set to mark Shavuot with a “big royal Iftar”. Alongside members of the local Muslim community, the Reform synagogue is set to host an event to mark Shavuot, the Iftar (a breaking of the Ramadan fast) and the Queen’s birthday. A spokesman said: “We will celebrate the end of Ramadan fasting with Muslim friends and have red white and blue cakes, confetti and bunting for her Majesty's 90th birthday weekend.” He said they will also show “pictures of each decade of her life around the hall”.
