Prime Minister hails ambulance ‘driver’

COMMUNITIES SECRETARY James Brokenshire was among 100 MPs and peers at a reception in Parliament to launch resources for Holocaust Memorial Day 2019.

Reflecting on the new HMD theme of “torn from home”, Mr Brokenshire said: ‘Home usually means a place of safety, a place of comfort, a place of security. But in the case of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides, this safety, this comfort, this security was lost for ever.

“Holocaust Memorial Day goes from strength to strength each year. I am proud that my department continues to support the [HMD] trust to deliver the annual commemoration and the thousands of activities across the country, which the launch of today’s materials will help support even further.”

Labour MP and HMDT trustee Tulip Siddiq hosted the reception at which Shoah survivor Helen Aronson urged MPs to support HMD activities in their constituencies.

“Children must be allowed to grow up safe and secure and not be wrenched from their homes, like I was,” she said.

“That’s why it is so important that you, as Members of Parliament, are here today and that we make a commitment to mark Holocaust Memorial Day every January.”

HMD is on January 27, the anniversary of the liberation of AuschwitzBirkenau.

It remembers the six million Shoah victims and those killed in subsequent genocides.

A RETIRED surgeon from London whose efforts have enabled Magen David Adom to buy 11 ambulances for its life-saving work in Israel has been recognised through the Prime Minister’s Points of Light award.

Norman Rosenbaum, 83, has spearheaded fundraising at Cockfosters and North Southgate Synagogue to purchase the £60,000 vehicles, which have attended 63,000 medical emergencies. He is currently fundraising for a 12th ambulance.

In a letter, Theresa May wrote that Mr Rosenbaum’s dedication to MDA was “inspirational. The ambulances you have purchased are saving lives.”

Mr Rosenbaum said the award was “unexpected and overwhelming. I am inspired by the fact that MDA provides treatment to everyone, regardless of race, creed or ethnic affiliation.” Norman Rosenbaum with one of the ambulances he has helped to buy