Kol Chai joins other faith institutions and schools to launch Harrow Citizens
On Tuesday 24 April 2018, members of Kol Chai Hatch End Jewish Community joined members of Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue (NPLS), St. Alban’s, St. Peter’s and St. John Fisher Churches, Stanmore and North Harrow Mosques and the parents and students of Northwood School for the launch of Harrow Citizens.
Harrow Citizens is part of Citizens UK, a charity whose work is based on the principle that when people work together, they have the power to change their neighbourhood, cities and the country for the better.
The launch was attended by the Leader of Harrow Council, Cllr. Sachin Shah, and Cllr. Norman Stevenson, the Conservative Group Chief Whip, the MP for Harrow West, Gareth Thomas as well as representatives from some local businesses and other leaders from the voluntary sector in Harrow.
Cllr. Shah and Cllr. Stevenson were quizzed on whether the two main political parties would support a number of proposals for change. The proposals were presented by four Harrow Citizens ‘action teams’ on Mental Health, Low Wages, Affordable Housing and Supporting Refugees. The proposals were put together by the teams after months of research and consultation and members of Kol Chai and NPLS were represented on every team.
The evening ended with a presentation to Rabbi Michael Hilton, Emeritus Rabbi of Kol Chai for his hard work and dedication in starting the group of Citizens UK in Harrow.
Rabbi Lea Mühlstein, of NPLS and Co-chair of Harrow Citizens said: “The launch was a resounding success with over 300 local residents from across the diverse communities in Harrow coming together with one aim in mind – they want to make Harrow a better place to live in for the sake of the health and well being of all its residents”
Rabbi Naomi Goldman of Kol Chai said: “This is only the beginning. I know that after the election, the dedicated action teams will press Harrow Council Leaders to work with Harrow Citizens to make those positive changes. Social justice and tikkun olam, repairing the world, lie at the heart of Judaism, so as a Jewish community it is fantastic to be part of an interfaith alliance, making real change in our neighbourhood”.
