‘While some of our other supporters, have had to reduce the level of their contribution in the last couple of years, Bnai Brith, has continued its support undiminished.  We are enormously grateful to Bnai Brith, who are one of our long standing supporters,’ said Stuart Taylor, Vice Chairman of the Jewish Committee for HM Forces 

Stuart was speaking at the BBUK AGM: 'The Jewish population of the United Kingdom has a proud history of service in the armed forces, and it was estimated that some 60,000 Jews served in the armed forces during the Second World War, including a number of senior officers.  Large numbers of Jews continued to serve in the forces until the end of national service in 1960.  Today there are approximately 200 Jews in the armed forces of the UK, and together with their families they form what is now referred to as the Armed Forces Jewish Community.

Of the 200, approximately two thirds are in the army, and the rest spread over  the RAF and and the Royal Navy.  People tend to think that Jews in the military must be in professional or specialist trades, while in fact there are only currently eight medics, including one dentist, and one lawyer.  The majority are a mix from all other areas, including infantry, logistics, engineers, the guards and two Royal Marine Commandos. 

  The highest ranking officer who currently identifies as Jewish is a TA Brigadier named Simon Bell.  At any given time, a significant proportion will be deployed in theatre, including Afghanistan and Iraq. 

'Recently I had the sad duty of attending the tombstone setting of Lt Mervis, who was killed last year in Afghanistan.  The family, who are members of Wimbledon Reform Synagogue, chose that he was to be buried at Aldershot Military cemetery along with his comrades.  Lt Mervis was the first Jewish soldier in the British army to have been killed in action since the Falklands campaign, when we lost one Jewish soldier, who is also buried at Aldershot.

 'Members of the Armed Forces Jewish Community come from all sections of Anglo Jewry, from across the whole religious spectrum and from all areas of the UK.  Not all Jews identify themselves as such, as there is no obligation to state  religion  on enlistment, so our such so our figures may be on the low side.

 'Recently, more Jews have been coming forward and identifying, as diversity is becoming more acceptable and fashionable.   As one senior officer said to me, there is nothing like the proximity of danger, to make people more spiritual.

 In my role as Judge of the Armed Forces Compensation Tribunal, I am often told by senior officers how they value the role of the chaplains, as a social service to the troops and a way of identifying those in need of additional support.

'The JCHMF is the body which recommends and supervises the religious role of the Jewish chaplain on behalf of the Jewish community.  While the Chief Rabbi retains the role as religious authority, he does so recognising the needs of non-orthodox members of the forces.  The chaplain acts for all members of the Armed Forces Jewish Community, but will arrange for the services of a non-orthodox minister of that is appropriate.Our current Chaplain is Rabbi Arnold Saunders, who lives in Manchester and is based at Preston Barracks.  From his base, he covers the whole of the UK, and has recently visited personnel in Europe and has travelled as far as the Falkland Islands.

'Rabbi Saunders took over from Rev Malcolm Wiseman, who served with distinction, initially as an RAF Chaplain from, and then as an all services chaplain until he retired last year.    

 'We provide a pocket sized siddur, pre-printed with the armed forces prayer, and an army kippa for each soldier, as well as a bencher.  We also produce a six-monthly magazine, called Menorah, which is very well received.  In addition, we send Yom Tov and Pesach parcels to our personnel so that they have extra kosher food and wine for Yom Tov.

 'With our funds we are also able to sponsor one or two of our soldiers to attend Limmud to create a greater link with the wider Jewish community.  Some of our soldiers have devised a programme in self-defence and survival, which they put on at community youth schemes such as FZY and RSY Netzer.

'Our annual budget is in the region of £12-£15,000, which is not large by Jewish charitable standards, but makes a considerable difference to our personnel and is greatly appreciated.  We thank you for your help and we look forward to your continued support for our important work for many years.'