With the increased fear of antisemitism in recent years, for the first time in generations many British Jews have questioned their safety and security.
In the midst of this difficult period, the then Prince of Wales invited 400 people to Buckingham Palace for a Chanukah reception in 2019 to celebrate UK Jewry’s contribution to British life, declaring: “The connection between the Crown and our Jewish community is something special and precious.
"I am thinking not just of the most prominent members of our Jewish community but, crucially, of those who are not household names but who are the cornerstones of their own local communities.”
In 2017 Neil was privileged to meet King Charles at three separate events in the same week, the lasts event being his own investiture of his OBE
Neil Martin receiving his OBE from Prince Charles in 2017
It sparked reminiscences of the halcyon days of Anglo-Jewry and I heard someone say: “It’s a shame we’ve already peaked as a community.” Ever the optimist, I replied: “But what if our best is yet to come?”
It led to JLGB inquiring if HRH might consider giving his patronage to mark our 125th anniversary. It wasn’t a cold ask as he had already seen us in action and been impressed.
For in 2017 I found myself involved directly with three events with the future King Charles in the same week.
The first was at Buckingham Palace with the Youth United Foundation, which he created and is the umbrella body for national uniformed youth groups. There, he presented awards to JLGB groups, our band played and he said to me: “I hear I’m seeing you tomorrow, too.”
He was referring to his visit to Yavneh College to witness how faith communities give back to society through youth social action.
There, we demonstrated JLGB’s age-progressive framework of national volunteering awards and a display of skill-based activities, led brilliantly by our young JLGB leaders and focusing on British citizenship and Jewish identity.
He was elated to hear that JLGB had been running his father’s award, the Duke of Edinburgh’s award, within the Jewish community since it began 60-plus years ago.
On the Friday, he invested me with my OBE back at Buckingham Palace, saying he had been pleased to witness JLGB’s “amazing” work.
Through these and many other interactions, JLGB has been proud to have links with King Charles. Through the Youth United Foundation, the Step Up To Serve campaign and various Jewish community events, it is clear he is passionate about the future — and especially the potential of young people.
I have seen that he shares our determination to help the next generation of British Jews thrive, building upon their proud heritage and community legacy and fully equipped to give service back to their local community, wider society and to make the world a better and more sustainable place for all.
To take on our cause when he did; to be excited about what young British Jews will do next for our society — that is the reassurance we needed and the true measure of the man to whom we now loudly declare: God save the King.
Neil Martin is CEO of JLGB
