The Indian Jewish Association (IJA) on 15th November hosted 'Our common values' at the Western Marble Arch Synagogue where members of both the Indian and Jewish communities came together to celebrate this year's Inter-faith week.
The event was celebrated in the presence of House of Lords member Lord Jitesh Gadhia, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis among various others. The Hindu community celebrated Diwali last week and the Jewish community is preparing itself for Hanukkah. On this momentous occasion, Lord Gadhia said-
“It's an opportunity to celebrate the strong ties between our two communities: 1.5 million British Indians and 300,000 British Jews. I speak as someone who grew up in North London side-by-side and in harmony with the Jewish community.”
Talking about togetherness and unity Lord Gadhia said how it “pains” to see “the ugly rise of anti-Semitism in Britain and around the world. I would like to reiterate that British Indians resolutely stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Jewish community until anti-Semitism is eradicated in all its forms."
The event highlighted four central common subjects between the Indian and the Jewish community faith, food, family and spirituality aside from Business itself.
Mike Whine, founding treasurer of IJA “This association essentially came together because friends from Hindu and Jewish communities who work together and collaborate their businesses needed to establish a formal association where we allow members from these communities to come together and network!”
While business and cultural integration formed part of the event the Chief Rabbi spoke about his “Ben Azzai Programme”, which is an annual initiative taking university students on an immersive international trip to India or Ghana:
"In 2015, Valerie and I visited 19 Jewish communities in 5 cities over 11 days. We also made a point of visiting the slums of Kolkata and Mumbai. Ben Azzai Programme, was established to empower the Jewish community to reach out to the people of India and others around the world who require help and assistance. Next month, we are sending 16 Jewish students to Kolkata who will return to the UK as our social responsibility ambassadors.” the Rabbi said.
Zaki Cooper, IJA's trustee said- “Our small charity, the Indian Jewish Association, was founded in 1996. We do not have a paid staff and we rely on the goodwill of our volunteers. We exist to strengthen relations between Britain's Indian and Jewish communities.”
