Jewish Care

A record £3.5m is raised at Jewish Care's campaign dinner with Lord Attenborough

“Perhaps I am Jewish by adoption,” Lord Richard Attenborough Kt, CBE, told the 900 guests at Jewish Care’s campaign dinner which was held on Tuesday 1st July at the Grosvenor House Hotel, sponsored by Investec Private Bank.

After an entrance accompanied by the theme tune of A Bridge Too Far, the 85-year-old actor and director spoke of his affection for Jewish people. “I admire so much the many battles that you have fought, not only morally but physically.”

He spoke fondly of his parents who had taken in two sisters, Helga and Irene, whom they had brought from Berlin before the Kindertransport began. “My parents demonstrated the wonderful devotion that Jewish people feel for their families and the responsibilities of caring for them.”

Lord Attenborough also spoke of his mother's concern for the children who had been orphaned in fascist Spain, under President Franco’s regime and explained that she was responsible for bringing hundreds to safety. “She brought 50 children to Leicester, where we lived and was scrubbing the floors [of the refuge she created] on her hands and knees to welcome them.” He went on to say that “what is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men and women do nothing. All of you here [in this room] are absolved from that situation. You are here to support this wonderful cause.”

Earlier, Jewish Care president Lord Levy spoke of the community’s “incredible support” for the organisation and for the capital fundraising appeal for the charity’s new Golders Green care campus. “Jewish Care could not exist without all of our supporters’ generosity,” he said. Lord Levy went on to praise Alison Goldberg, the new dinner chair, who had done a “spectacular job” in taking over from Dame Gail Ronson, calling the latter “an inspiration”.

Following a film on ageing which revealed that the Jewish community’s demographics are 20 years ahead of the national picture, chairman Stephen Zimmerman said: “This [film] shows how vital it is for Jewish Care to plan for the future – we have no option but to meet these challenges head on.” Narrated by Jon Sopel, the film included contributions from Dame Julia Neuberger, Baroness Susan Greenfield, Lord Robert Winston and Gordon Lishman of Age Concern.

Of the record £3.572m raised on the night, campaign chairman, Steven Lewis said, “In such financially challenging times, the community’s ability to understand the importance of what we do and offer their overwhelming support is truly outstanding.”