The Queen has hosted the UK’s Chief Rabbi at her Windsor residence where Her Majesty was presented with a special framed prayer for the Royal Family.
Chief Rabbi Mirvis and his wife stayed the night at the Royal residence following the special dinner with Her Majesty and Prince Philip, the Earl and Countess of Wessex and a small number of other high-profile guests including Tate museums director Sir Nicholas Serota and author Simon Sebag-Montefiore.
The Jewish News reports that the Chief Rabbi presented Her Majesty with a birthday gift of a hand crafted piece of art, designed by British artist Myra Levy, which featured a unique ‘papercut’ border around a specially calligraphed version of the prayer for the Royal Family.
An accompanying letter said: “When the country has celebrated moments of the greatest national joy and when we have struggled together in times of the greatest desolation, you have been generous in your wisdom and unwavering in your fortitude. Since Jews resettled in Great Britain some 360 years ago, we have relentlessly pursued the great British dream, to prosper in a society which sees the humanity in all people and feels a sharp sense of responsibility to one and all. Your Majesty, you are the very embodiment of these values…”
The Chief Rabbi said: “The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were very warm and gracious hosts. Their understanding of and fondness for Jewish communities both in the UK and right across the Commonwealth was evident. That fondness is very much reciprocated by so many in our community and that will be clear when the national celebrations of The Queen’s 90th birthday begin.”
