There were laughs aplenty as comedian, writer and broadcaster David Baddiel was interviewed by journalist Jonathan Freedland at JW3's gala dinner, which raised a record £330,000.
Asked by Freedland, a friend since their Jewish youth movement days, how he balanced his strong Jewish identity with his “fundamentalist atheism”, Baddiel responded: “I don’t believe in God but I do believe in Larry David.
“I’m really interested in and connected to the culture, the comedy and obviously the identity, which is core to my being. It’s also why I like JW3.’’
JW3 chief executive Raymond Simonson told the 180 guests that the Finchley Road centre’s “unique role in the community is more important than ever”.