Birthday Honours

Doctors, scientists, philanthropists, community workers and artists were among Jewish recipients of awards in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list announced this week.

They ranged from some of Britain’s most senior medics to the founder of one of London’s best-known Jewish youth and community centres.

Professor Nicholas Wald, director of the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine at the University of London, was knighted.

A member of the Oxford Jewish Congregation, Prof Wald is a world-renowned expert on antenatal screening for birth defects. He developed tests for such conditions as Downs’ syndrome and spina bifida.

Recognised: Bernard Sinclair outside Sinclair House

He also played a major role in developing the so-called polypill, a cocktail of drugs which, according to research, could cut the rate of heart attacks and strokes by more than 80 per cent.

Prof Wald, a member of the Hebrew University School of Public Health International Advisory Group, said he was pleased by his award “particularly since it reflects on preventative medicine, an important field that can be quite neglected”.

Hilary Blume, founder of the ethical-consumer charity the Good Gifts Catalogue, has been made a Dame.

A member of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, she also founded the Charities Advisory Trust and Card Aid before launching the Association of Charity Shops.

CBEs were awarded to Professor Anthony Cohen, principal and vice-chancellor of  Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh; and Lloyd Dorfman, chair of the Travelex Group and backer of a number of Jewish and non-Jewish charities including the Princes Trust, Ort, Jewish Care and Norwood,

Also appointed a CBE was Professor Anthony Goldstone, consultant haematologist at University College London Hospital Trust and director of the North London Cancer network. Prof Goldstone, a founder member of Radlett United Synagogue, is also medical patron of Chai Lifeline.

Among others appointed CBE were composer and music critic Michael Nyman; Heather Schroeder, director of schools and families at the London Borough of Camden; and Professor Peter Liss, chair of the Royal Society’s Global Environmental Research Committee. Prof Liss, who lives in Norwich, said his award reflected “not only on an individual but on the team they work with”.

Maurice Djanogly, a key supporter of the building of monuments in
London, was awarded an OBE for services to business and the arts.

A fundraiser for the building of a monument to Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat who helped thousands of Hungarian Jews to escape the Holocaust, he served on the committee to raise funds for the Battle of Britain monument on London’s South Bank.

Another OBE went to theatre designer Professor Pamela Howard for services to drama. A visiting professor of drama at Tel Aviv University, she is a member of Brighton and Hove Synagogue.

An OBE was awarded to a Rachel Pinter, headteacher of the Yesoday Hatorah Senior Girls’ School in Hackney, for services to education in London.She said: “I feel humbled and privileged. This accolade belongs to my very special staff and unique student body.”

Other OBEs were awarded to former Sunday Express editor Eve Pollard for services to journalism and broadcasting; Sara Nathan, a former chair of the Ofcom fairness committee, for services to broadcasting and the communications industry; and Julian Woolfson, chair of governors at the Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication. An MBE was awarded to Bernard Sinclair, a founder of Jewish Care’s Redbridge Jewish Youth and Community Centre. Mr Sinclair, 82, recalled that he had been chairman of Ilford Jewish Youth Club, the centre’s predecessor. Jewish Care director of community services Neil Taylor said it was “well deserved”.

An MBE went to Martin Neville, executive officer of the Child Support Agency, for public and voluntary service. Mr Martin is a warden at Milton Keynes and District Reform Synagogue. Diane Scott was also made MBE for voluntary service to the North London Hospice.

Newcastle Lawyer Barry Speker, 60, was awarded the OBE for Services to business and the community. His wide involvement in the area includes the chairmanship of the City Centre Business Forum and the Local Strategic Partnership. He is also President  of the North East Council of Addictions and is a Trustee of Age Concern Newcastle.

Shirley Rodwell received an MBE for her work with the Westminster Society for people with learning difficulties. She lives in East Finchley, and runs her own PR company.

Andrew Brown MBE received his award for services to charity. He is the chairman adviser on the board of World Jewish Relief. His Lancashire firm, Beaverbrooks Jewellers, gives 20 per cent of its net profits to charity.