Members of Progressive Jewish congregations have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List for their outstanding achievements and contribution to life in the UK.
If you have a community member who has been honoured, please send their details to media@progressivejudaism.org.uk so we can feature them too.
Clare Apel of Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue received an MBE for services to the voluntary sector, to local government and to Holocaust education. Clare has been a councillor in Sussex for nearly 40 years. She founded Chichester Marks Holocaust Memorial Day to spread recognition and education of the Holocaust. She was also a founding trustee of Stonepillow, a homelessness charity, and has been involved with several other local charities. Speaking of her work helping those in need, Clare said: “I just feel very strongly that a lot of people get a tough bite of life, and if you can help them a bit, you should.”
Mark King of Finchley Reform Synagogue – a Fellow of the Institute of Tourist Guiding, and Life Fellow and Chair of The British Guild of Tourist Guides – was awarded an MBE for services to tourism. Mark guides tours all across London, especially the City, with themed walks and coach tours allowing people from all around the world to learn about and enjoy the history, culture and architecture of the capital. His tours include ones dedicated to Jewish London and the East End.
David Leighton of Manchester Reform Synagogue, an Administrative Officer with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), was awarded an MBE for services to the community in the North West. He said: “I have worked at the Crown Prosecution Service for 37 years and have always been passionate about what we do. I feel privileged to play a small part in delivering justice for the communities we serve. I was both surprised and deeply honoured to receive this recognition. It reflects the collective efforts of so many dedicated colleagues.”.
Michael Levy of Beth Shalom Reform Synagogue Cambridge, a volunteer educator with Holocaust Educational Trust (HET) and Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR), has been awarded an MBE for services to Holocaust education. Mike has long experience in Holocaust education and holds a fellowship in this subject with the Imperial War Museum. He runs history projects with schools and is the author of Get The Children Out! Unsung Heroes of the Kindertransport, as well as a researcher for Anglia Ruskin University and Director of Harwich Kindertransport Learning. His new book about Jewish partisans in Belarus will be published later this year.
Stephen Rubin, who was a Vice President of The Movement for Reform Judaism, received a CBE for services to interfaith relations and to charity. Stephen is the Founding President of the Holocaust Educational Trust (HET). Karen Pollock CBE, Chief Executive of HET, said: “We are all absolutely delighted. For decades, Stephen has helped to guide and shape the Trust’s work with wisdom, generosity and unwavering commitment. His loyalty to our mission and dedication to ensuring the lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten have had a profound impact on countless young people across the UK.”
Raymond Simonson of Finchley Reform Synagogue, who has served as the Chief Executive of JW3 since it opened its doors in 2013, received an MBE for services to Jewish communities and community cohesion. He said: “I’m the son and grandson of immigrants and refugees who survived persecution and the Holocaust and came to Britain with almost nothing. Their values of hard work and giving back to the community shaped me from an early age. I never imagined receiving an honour such as this, and I am profoundly grateful. What gives me the greatest pride is the opportunity to work alongside remarkable colleagues, volunteers and trustees.”