Boris pays tribute to Stamford Hill activist

BORIS JOHNSON and other London political and police leaders visited the home of Stamford Hill activist Rabbi Osher Schapiro last Thursday to celebrate the work of his Kol Boniach charity, helping troubled teenage boys in London, Manchester and Gateshead.

Mr Johnson first encountered Rabbi Schapiro during the 2012 mayoral campaign and the two have since held private meetings. Last week’s event was an appreciation of the charity’s achievements over 12 years, during which it had supported some 350 boys.

Rabbi Schapiro’s son, Levi, a Kol Boniach volunteer, said that “so many kids don’t fit into the educational system, having come from deprived back- grounds, or been abused or neglected. They leave school, go on the streets and get into trouble.

“We give them opportunities through counselling, therapy, private teaching, employment help and social gatherings.” Although there were some council and police referrals, such was the charity’s reputation that many boys came directly to Kol Boniach.

Some of its success stories were on hand to meet the mayor.

“[The Mayor] said that Stamford Hill’s contribution to London was well above the average,” said Levi Schapiro.

“And he was proud to know that people like my father could be relied upon to help out in the community.”