Woodside_park Synagogue

Marching in the AJEX Parade

On Sunday, 20th November 2011, a week after Remembrance Sunday, Jewish veterans and civilians marched by The Cenotaph on Whitehall as part of the AJEX (Association of Jewish Ex-servicemen and women) Parade. I represent B'nai B'rith UK on the Board of Deputies, which had been invited to participate. I took up the invitation and felt privileged and honoured to be marching in the 2nd Battalion, 4th Contingent with some of my fellow deputies, including Jonathan Hoffman, who represents Woodside Park Synagogue. We were all, of course, there representing our respective constituencies, so I was marching wearing my B'nai B'rith UK hat. Other organisations were marching too, including the JFS, which was ably led by its Assistant Deputy Head and our Synagogue Choirmaster, Simon Appleman.

With what seemed like thousands of onlookers lining Whitehall, we marched in time behind the Board's banner to the beat of the rousing brass band music. "Left, right, left, right!" cried our battalion commander in time to the music. "Eyes front!" as we moved off. "Eyes left!" as we approached the Cenotaph. "Eyes right!" when we walked past the many dignitaries. "Left, right, left, right!"

It was really touching to see veterans in wheelchairs, pushed along by loving family members. While many veterans had walking sticks, most were able to march unaided. I was next to fellow deputy Hermann Hirschberger, who had been brought to the UK by the Kindertransport shortly before the war broke out. He needed no assistance. What a role model! Many veterans were proudly wearing medals earned by their wartime bravery; surviving relatives were wearing medals of family members who had sadly passed away. It brought a lump to my throat as I remembered those wartime heroes who had given their lives for the peace and freedom we enjoy today.

Particularly poignant was the wreath laying ceremony at the Cenotaph. This included the Laying of the AJEX National Wreath and the Laying of the Wreath for the Armed Forces Jewish Community. The ceremony included a short service conducted by the Chief Rabbi and others. Amongst the highly relevant prayers was a Prayer for Peace and one for the Safety of the British Armed Forces.

At the meeting of the Board earlier that day, we were addressed by 2 deputies about the Parade. One was a wartime veteran in full military regalia who was proudly sporting his medals. The other was the deputy for HM Armed Forces, a serving soldier dressed in army uniform. He told us he had recently returned from Afghanistan, where his life was at risk every day. He is clearly one of life's courageous and very special individuals.

Most moving was the two minute silence, when we remembered and honoured the 3,024 British Jews and 694 Jews in British Mandate Palestine, totalling 3,718 servicemen and women, who were killed or injured in World War II. Were it not for them, many of us would not be here today. It is so important to remember them and to honour them, as well as those who were injured or lost their lives in more recent conflicts. I cannot think of a more apt way to do this.

Deanna Levine
B'nai B'rith's UK's Representative on the Board of Deputies