Thank you very much, Lord Levy, for your extremely kind introduction and, to Lionel, for giving your time to entertain us this evening. I imagine this crowd is a lot rowdier than what you will have at Glastonbury.
Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for inviting me to join you this evening for your birthdaycelebrations. Nearly two hundred years ago, in 1819, there were two quite monumental births.The first was monumental for my family – the birth of my great, great, great, greatgrandmother, Queen Victoria, who went on to live 81 years and whose daughter-in-law,Alexandra, gave her name to this amazing building.
The second remarkable birth was of an organisation, which later became known as the JewishBlind Society. Over the next two centuries, the world changed considerably. Yet there hasalways been one constant in the United Kingdom – a Jewish community which has organiseditself to support those who need help and support. Whether in the time of the Jewish Board ofGuardians, or the Jewish Welfare Board or, in our generation, Jewish Care, there is a proud storyto be told of self-reliance and communal responsibility.
This common thread through history – of caring for one another and generosity of time andmoney – is something that many sectors of British society can be rightly proud of. But you inthis room deserve particular praise. The results of your commitment to one another withinthe Jewish community are obvious – the real and loving care that thousands of elderly andvulnerable people receive, among the many works that you carry out.
Your care for one another has another, less tangible value. During a year when many in theJewish community have had cause to feel under threat, for no reason other than simply thefact of your Jewishness, your unity is all the more precious. Your commitment and loyalty toone another, and to society more widely, is ultimately what keeps you strong.
I was reminded before I came here tonight that an ancestor of mine, a previous Duke ofCambridge in fact, visited the Great Synagogue in London in 1809 and attended a Sabbathservice there with his brothers.
It is a matter of great pride that these bonds in our society run as deep as they run long.
Your care for one another is not just a feeling, but it is – as we are reminded tonight – amaterial fact. I know that Jewish Care is viewed as a leader in the social care field and uses itsknowledge, expertise and experience to engage in the debate on high-quality care, especiallyin relation to dementia.
Your Holocaust Survivors Centre is a second home for many people who were liberated 70 yearsago from those evil places.
All of you in this room, in some way, play your part in making all this happen through thisoutstanding organisation. Through your generosity and commitment, I am sure Jewish Carewill continue to thrive and grow for the next 25 years.
Once again, congratulations on everything you have achieved. I wish you a wonderful eveningand a happy birthday.
Mazel tov.
