Political leaders, including the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, praised the “hard work, dedication and commitment of the Jewish community” at an awards ceremony in Manchester.

The Jewish Representative Council hosted the Jewish Community Awards, which shone a light on the contribution of communal charities, their staff, volunteers and trustees.

The JRC received a record number of nominations for the 11 award categories, which included awards such as the Crisis Response of the Year, won by L’Chaim Foodbank and Volunteer Team of the Year, won by the Community Security Trust.

Winners were presented with awards by members of the community alongside dignitaries, including Metro Mayor Andy Burnham and Christian Wakeford, Labour MP for Bury South.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sent a message, which said: “It is always essential to highlight the selfless volunteers and community activists, who are the bedrock of our third sector.”

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Sir Keir Starmer addressing the event by videolink (Photo: Ruthless Images)

Leader of the Opposition Sir Keir Starmer sent a video message, which was played at the event.

He said it was “a special day to celebrate the hard work, dedication and commitment of the Jewish community in Manchester”.

Mayor Andy Burnham said it was “a source of great pride to me personally and everyone connected with the GMCA [the Greater Manchester Combined Authority] that we have so many dedicated individuals from the Jewish community”.

“I am regularly left inspired by how, without hesitation, people here go above and beyond to care for those in distress. This is done out of pure generosity and without seeking recognition.”

Mark Adlestone, chair of the JRC, said it would have been “an unenviable task for our judging panel to arrive at their decisions.

“I congratulate all nominees and hope this recognition inspires them to continue positively contributing to our community.”

Recipient of the Special Recognition Award, Holocaust survivor and educator Itzick (Ike) Alterman BEM, 95, told the 300 guests at the Hilton Suite: “I am incredibly proud that I have been awarded this fantastic honour in recognition of the work I undertake in Holocaust education and remembrance.

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Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham speaking at the ceremony (Photo: Ruthless Images)

“When I remember the destruction of the Jewish communities in my hometowns of Ozarow and Ostrowiec in Poland, and the rest of European Jewry by the Nazis, it is fantastic to stand here and see so many Jewish organisations representing such a vibrant Jewish Manchester community. It tells me that Hitler did not win.”

Raphi Bloom from The Fed, which runs the My Voice Holocaust educational project, told the JC: “This is yet further, well deserved recognition for Itzick and the crucial work he undertakes in the field of Holocaust education.

“Through a wide range of speaking events we facilitate, he has been able to educate thousands of people of all ages.”