On Thursday 9 November, His Majesty The King met with groups of Kindertransport refugees from The Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR), at The Central Synagogue, in commemoration of the 85th Anniversary of Kristallnacht.
His Majesty The King was greeted on arrival to The Central Synagogue by Lord-Lieutenant for London, Sir Kenneth Olisa. His Majesty then proceeded to meet The Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, President of the United Synagogue, Michael Goldstein, The Senior Rabbi at Central Synagogue, Rabbi Barry Lerer, Chair of Trustees for The Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR), Michael Karp and Chief Executive of The AJR, Michael Newman.
Mike Karp and Michael Newman introduced His Majesty to groups of Jewish Refugees who escaped Nazi persecution via the Kindertransport, gathered in the Atrium, ahead of a commemorative Kristallnacht Service.
The Kindertransport refugees in attendance were some of the earliest members of The AJR, which was formed in 1941, as a support group for Holocaust refugees and survivors in the UK.
Before departure, His Majesty unveiled a plaque to mark the visit, before bidding farewell to a small gathering of the Kindertransport Committee (first and second generation Kinder) and AJR Trustees.
Michael Newman, CEO The Association of Jewish Refugees said:
“The Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) is immensely grateful to His Majesty for once again finding time in his demanding schedule to meet with AJR Kindertransport refugees, this time on the 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht. The Kindertransport refugee,s who met with The King, were some of the earliest members of The AJR and it was an honour to watch those personal encounters, as His Majesty meaningfully engaged with each Kind. As living memory of the Holocaust recedes and we grapple with its legacy, we are incredibly appreciative for the national platform he has so graciously given to the remembrance of the Holocaust and to the AJR. His Majesty’s support for our work inspires us redouble our dedication to honour those whose lives were ripped apart by the Nazi regime and to combat Holocaust denial and antisemitism.”
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