Mirvis joins the Great Get Together
CHIEF RABBI Ephraim Mirvis and his wife Valerie hosted a Big Iftar event as part of the Great Get Together programme, marking the first anniversary of the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox.
Rabbi Mirvis said afterwards: “Bearing in mind the devastation that hatred and division can cause, recent events in the UK have shown how crucially important it is for us to strengthen the bonds of warmth and friendship between communities and faiths.
“In this spirit, Valerie and I were delighted to host an iftar. The guests were determined to emulate the words of the late Jo Cox, that there is far more which unites us than that which divides us. It was an unforgettable occasion.”
Another Big Iftar gathering at Alyth Reform in Golders Green incorporated a session titled “Anything you wanted to know about Islam but were afraid to ask”, hosted by Julie Siddiqi and Rabbi Josh Levy.
Local Muslims joined the kabbalat Shabbat service, at which Ms Siddiqi delivered the dvar Torah. Jewish and Muslim leaders then discussed the similarities between their beliefs, traditions and communities.
The evening ended with a shared Shabbat and iftar meal.
Rabbi Mark Goldsmith said: “One member said to me that the Alyth iftar was the antidote to the horrendous events of the past two weeks.”
As part of its Shabbat service, Muswell Hill Synagogue opened its doors for a Great Get Together “street kiddush” for around 200 people. Popular local chef and restaurateur Chris Honour had baked cakes beforehand in the shul kitchen, under Rabbi David Mason’s supervision.
Mr Honour said afterwards: “It is remarkable that over the simplest of cake we somehow all become equal and find that one thing we all love and have in common is great food.”
Rabbi Mason added: “Many who were there, both our own members and local individuals, expressed how important this get together was given the recent traumatic events in our county.”
The Duchess of Kent was guest of honour at the JW3 event, which was addressed by local MP Tulip Siddiq and Fiyaz Mughal, founder of Faith Matters.
Ms Siddiq said of Jo Cox: “She wanted us to change the world, make a difference, and that is what JW3 does.”
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham addressed the Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester’s annual ifta at Khizra Mosque in Cheetham Hill Road. Mr Burnham spoke of the togetherness of Mancunians following the terror attack at Manchester Arena.