Mr Hunt was given a tour of the synagogue by Rabbi
Benji Stanley, President of the Board of Deputies of
British Jews, Marie Van Der Zyl, and synagogue Chair
.
Speaking during the visit, the Foreign Secretary said:
It’s a great privilege to be here in Westminster
Synagogue for Passover, a festival that celebrates
freedom and liberation.
At Passover we look at the arc of history from
ancient Egypt, to the Holocaust and the freedom of
the modern state of Israel, a thriving democracy, and
a huge achievement for all humanity.
As once again we face rising anti-Semitism, we must
redouble our efforts to build mutual understanding,
compassion and respect in our society, and honour the
universal human right of Freedom of Religion or
Belief for all.
Chaag Sameach.
The Foreign Secretary was also shown the synagogue’s
collection of ancient Torah scrolls from Eastern Europe
by Jeffrey Ohrenstein Chairman of the Czech Scrolls
Museum. The scrolls saved during the Holocaust were
from the Jewish communities of Bohemia and Moravia once
centres of Jewish culture and completely devastated by
the Holocaust.
Westminster synagogue chair said:
Westminster Synagogue was delighted to welcome the
Foreign Secretary to our sanctuary and the Czech
Scrolls.
This is a very important time for the Jewish
community as we celebrate Passover, our festival of
freedom from tyranny, and the first steps towards the
establishment of a Jewish home in Israel.
The Foreign Secretary has played his part in
remembering the victims of the Holocaust and
protecting Israel from unfair attacks. His warm
greetings for Passover are greatly appreciated.
Following the visit, the President of the Board of
Deputies of British Jews Marie van der Zyl said:
We are delighted that Foreign Secretary came to Westminster
Synagogue today to meet us and show his deep
solidarity with the Jewish community.
His Passover address to our community and his warm
words mean a lot to us.
FCO Minister of State responsible for Human Rights and
the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Freedom of
Religion or Belief, Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon,
visited the UK’s oldest synagogue, Bevis Marks on
Friday 12, April.
Lord Ahmad was given a tour of the synagogue by Senior
Rabbi of the S&P Sephardi Community Rabbi Joseph
Dweck and synagogue chair Sabah Zubaida.
