The United Synagogue

PM Celebrates Israel's 60th Anniversary At Synagogue

PRESS COVERAGE

London, 15th May, 2008

PM CELEBRATES ISRAEL'S 60TH ANNIVERSARY AT SYNAGOGUE

PRIME Minister Gordon Brown visited Finchley United
Synagogue last week to mark Israel’s 60th anniversary.
It was just one of the events held across the borough to
mark the creation of the state which was established in
May 1948.

Speaking at the synagogue in Kinloss Gardens, Mr Brown
called Israel one of the greatest achievements of the last
century and prayed with more than 1,000 members of the
Jewish community, along with Britain’s chief rabbi,
Jonathan Sacks, at a special ceremony to mark the
milestone.

He said: “The British Jewish community has such a long
and distinguished history, not only in building our country,
but also helping to create the state and then, in the past
60 years, in helping to establish Israel, to develop it, to
enhance it, to defend it and to help it ensure peace and
security.

“I have always seen that deep connection between the
community here and the state of Israel.”

He added that Britain will continue to be “a true and
constant friend of Israel in good times and in bad” and that
the UK will continue to help Israel find a secure place in a
peaceful Middle East.

Schoolgirls from the Independent Jewish Day School, in
Green Lane, Hendon, dressed in Israel’s national colours
and performed traditional Israeli dances before residents
at Jewish Care’s Clore Manor residential care home in
Great North Way.

Sharon Arad, social care co-ordinator at the care home,
said: “It was really sweet. The girls got some of the
residents up and taught them a few steps and everyone
really enjoyed it.”

-END-

Article Credit, Barnet Press, www.barnetpress.co.uk