Phil began his seaside tour by attending Yellow Ribbon Campaign meeting – a Brighton-based campaign to highlight the plight of the hostages. Maintaining his focus on the hostages, the next day, he attended the Board of Deputies’ Adopt-A-Hostage Campaign vigil at the vibrant newly built BNJC Jewish community centre in Hove.
The vigil has particular resonance for him as he came up with the idea when he was a Deputy for Brondesbury Park Synagogue shortly after the October 7 terrorist attacks. It was quickly adopted by the Board of Deputies as a national campaign. The local vigil, organised by the Sussex Jewish Representative Council, held extra significance and poignancy as the community has ‘adopted’ Tsachi Idan – cousin of Board of Deputies’ staff member Adam Ma’anit who also lives in Brighton. Tsachi Idan’s eldest daughter Ma’ayan (18) was murdered on October 7 and Tsachi was abducted to Gaza by the terrorists.
President Rosenberg speaking at the Sussex Jewish Representative Council’s weekly Adopt-A-Hostage Vigil at the BNJC for hostage Tsachi Idan. ©BOD
After emotional speeches by the BNJC’s Matt Marks and Adam Ma’anit, Phil thanked the diverse community of Brighton & Hove for coming together in such an inspiring way. He hosted a community Q&A at the BNJC with representatives from across the community where he also summarised the Board’s three-year action plan and five key priorities.
President Rosenberg with CEO of Mitzvah Day and Brighton resident Stuart Diamond at the BNJC Q&A.
Constructive meetings were held with representatives of Sussex Police and community members as well as a separate meeting with Brighton & Hove City Council representative for Communities, Equalities, and Human Rights Leslie Pumm to discuss points of concern with regards to antisemitic incidents and hate crime, policing of protests and events, community cohesion, and terrorism legislation.
Speaking about his family friend Nathanel Young at the Hove Memorial to the Victims of October 7.
Phil attended the Memorial to the Victims of October 7 in Palmeira Square, Hove for their evening service. The community organises a daily service, each dedicated to one victim of the October 7 terrorist attacks. The Friday night service was devoted to Phil’s family friend Nathanel Young Z’’L who was killed in action on October 7 near the Re’im military base close to the Gaza border.
An uplifting and packed Friday service at the Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue capped off the day. After a Shabbat morning service at the Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation, and a quick spell with a dynamic Tribe Shabbaton, hosted at the BNJC, Phil addressed members of the Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue and held a brief Q&A.
Michael Levy speaking about his sister-in-law Eynav who was murdered on October 7. Michael Levy’s brother Or Levy is hostage in Gaza. Speaking at the Memorial Service to the Victims of October 7 at Palmeira Square in Hove. Nivi Feldman from the Hostages & Missing Families Forum UK and Phil Rosenberg President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews in the background. ©BOD
Returning back to the urgent issue of the hostages, Phil attended the nightly vigil at Palmeira Square where guest Michael Levy – whose brother Or Levy is currently a hostage in Gaza – dedicated the evening’s service to the memory of Or’s wife Eynav Alkayam-Levy who was murdered on October 7.
Concluding his trip, Phil expressed his:
“Profound admiration and respect for the energy, dynamism, and diversity of Brighton & Hove’s Jewish community. The commitment they have shown to come together across the community, after the horrific events of October 7, is a shining example we should all be inspired by.”
He also expressed his deep gratitude to the “Fab Four” co-chairs of the Sussex Jewish Representative Council, the community’s rabbis and communal leaders who work tirelessly and selflessly for the betterment of all. He said:
“I will be delighted to return to Brighton & Hove in 2025 with the entire Board – its’ Honorary Officers, Deputies, and staff – to have a regional weekend in July so that they can be as excited as I am about this vibrant and diverse community.”
After successful visits to the Jewish communities of Bournemouth, Manchester, Southport, Glasgow and Edinburgh, President Rosenberg will be continuing his tour in the coming weeks with planned visits to Liverpool and Birmingham.
Ends