Central Synagogue Hosts Kindertransport 85th Anniversary Event

Central Synagogue welcomed King Charles and the Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis to an event hosted by the Association of Jewish Refugees (“AJR”) to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Kindertransport on Thursday 9 November 2023.

This was followed by a commemorative Kristallnacht service conducted by the Chief Rabbi and Rabbi Barry Lerer and Chazan Steven Leas both of Central Synagogue.

Keynote speakers included Michael Newman, Chief Executive of AJR, and a number of Holocaust survivors. Memorial candles were lit at the service by members of the Kindertransport.

Chairman of Central Synagogue Mervyn Druian said “this was a unique and special occasion for the Synagogue and attendees were honoured by the presence of King Charles who was able to talk to a number of Kindertransport survivors at a reception held in the Alan and Caroline Howard Community Central before the service”.