Mazeltov! Jews celebrated on Queen’s Birthday Honours List
Britain’s Ambassador to Israel, the former editor in chief of Haaretz, a founder of disability charity Langdon and a leading talent agent to the stars were among those celebrating after being recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Matthew Gould, David Landau, Barry Welck and Jonathan Shalit can all look forward to picking up their gongs at Buckingham Palace after featuring on a list of 1,149 people honoured for their outstanding contribution across a range of fields.
Gould, the UK’s first Jewish envoy to Israel, said: “It means a great deal to me, as it is both a celebration of all the progress we have made in building UK/Israel relations, and a wonderful endorsement of that partnership.
It is to the credit of my amazing team at the Embassy and the British Council, as well as of my astonishingly supportive wife, and of the committed and excellent partners with whom we work.”
Honoured with the CMG in the Order of St Michael and St George for his efforts in promoting trade and scientific cooperation between the countries, the 51-year-old took up his role in 2010 and following year established the hi-tech hub which aims to foster economic growth by linking up British and Israeli companies to benefit from each other.
Gould, meanhile, paid tribute to Landau’s contribution to English-language journalism after he picked up an OBE for services to advancing Israeli-British understanding and middle East peace.
The founding editor of the Israeli daily’s english edition said: “I’ve always felt lucky. Growing up in victorious postwar Bratin and living now in the reborn Jewish state, helping it, as a journalist, reach peace with its neighbours. For me, this award powerfully and poignantly vindicates that feeling.”
The list also features new knights Daniel Day-Lewis, who this year became the first person to win three Oscars for best actor, and classical pianist Andras Schiff, while fashion designer Zandra Rhodes becomes Dame Zandra.
On the communal front, Barry Welck, who co-founded the Langdon Foundation, receives an MBE for services to education for people with learning disabilities.
He said: “It is a great honour and I am absolutely delighted. I started the work with three other parents 22 years ago because we had a son with mild learning difficulties.
“Over the years it has given me more pleasure than you can imagine and so many young people and their wider families have benefitted. To see Langdon grow into what it is today is a delight and the MBE is icing on the cake.”
The Rev Reuben Turner was awarded an MBE for services to the Anglo-Jewish community especially to Jewish Music and Herman Martyn, Governor North West London Jewish Day School, was awarded an MBE for services to Education.
Council of Christians and Jews vice-chair Maurice Ostro said he was “truly humbling” to be recognised for what he loves doing after his work in the fields of interfaith relations and charity led to an OBE.
“First and foremost I believe this to be a recognition of the importance of business,” he told the Jewish News. “I hope it signals to aspiring entrepreneurs the vital contribution they can mae to society as changemakers whether in commerce or charity.”
Ostro added that he would celebrate by “doing more of the same”, revealing plans to open an interfaith hub in central London to host charitable startups.
Also awarded an OBE is Shalit, whose ROAR Global represents stars from the worlds of music, television and sport including Myleene Klass, Kelly Brook and former Spice Girl Mel B.
The Norwood supporter, who celebrated with a weekend break with his wife in the Cotswolds added said: “I am privileged to work in one of the most exciting industries in the world with amazing talented people.
“So often I find myself in situations where I have to pinch myself to make sure it is not a dream. Being honoured with an OBE is one of those moments.”
Also among those honoured are Pears Foundation co-founder Mark Pears, who receives a CBE for services to business and charity, journaliast Martin Lewis (OBE), creator of website Money Saving Expert.
Acclaimed lawyer Lady Ruth Morris, the president of Habonim and trustee of several charitable trusts, picks up an CBE for services to the community in London.
“I am most proud of the fact that it is the Jewish Community that taught me those values and instilled in me the importance of the community,” she said.
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