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Date: Thursday 15 November 2007

Ninety Jewish Care residents took part in a Remembrance Day service

Jewish Care joined forces with the Royal British Legion and AJEX (Association of Jewish Ex-Serviceman and Women) for a Remembrance Day service at Edgware war memorial. Ninety care home residents took part in the event, organised for the third year running by Sharon Arad, Clore Manor’s social care co-ordinator.

Some 90 residents took part in a service conducted by Rabbi Daniel Smith of Edgware and District Reform Synagogue, and the Rector of Little Stanmore Church. A wreath laying ceremony took place after two minutes silence and Frank Silverman, a resident of Ella & Ridley Jacobs House in Church Road, Hendon, laid a wreath on behalf Jewish Care.

Those attending included residents of Clore Manor and Ella & Ridley Jacobs House, Kay Court, Leo Baeck House, Rubens House, Lady Sarah Cohen House, Rosetrees, Vi & John Rubens House and The Princess Alexandra Home, who arrived by care buses.

During the war, Mr Silverman, 85, was a cook for the RAF and was stationed around the country as well as at their London headquarters. “Remembrance Day makes me think of my father who died as a result of injuries he received in the First World War,” said Mr Silverman, who was clearly feeling emotional. He spoke of the bombs that fell in London and of the sad occasion when he pulled a young boy who had died out of the rubble.

Following the service, the care home residents had lunch at the Yeshurun Synagogue in Stonegrove where members of the Jewish Lads and Girls Brigade made a “Guard of Honour” as they entered the hall. This was followed by a service led by Rabbis Lionel Rosenfeld and Alan Lewis together with Cockfosters and North Southgate Synagogue choir.

“There are no words to express my gratitude for your part in the war effort,” event organiser Sharon Arad told the audience. She added: “I admire your wonderful courage which adds to my determination to mark Remembrance Day each year. The contributions of our residents must never be forgotten.”

John Coleby, Jewish Care’s director of care services, praised the residents for their “courage, tenacity and strength.” He also paid tribute to Mrs Arad and the staff and volunteers who had made the day possible and noted the support of the Yeshurun Synagogue and the Hebrew Order of David.