As we start to enter Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, not one of the major political party leaders has issued a New Year message to the Jewish community.
Update: Looking at the Jewish News, I noticed messages from all of them, so oops! oops! and oops! I guess dear readers you can make up your own mind as to my own importance :) or lack of it... But hey, I still had a greeting from Ken Livingstone.
But still, going to the respective websites of the party leaders, nothing can be found either. So if they have issued these messages, why are they not on their own websites, so all can see and indeed read.
And of the messages, Charles Kennedy is the winner for the most weak and lack of understanding the UK Jewish community.
Kennedy referenced Sir Jonathan Sacks, but not other Jewish communal leaders leaving the impression that Sir Jonathan is a leader for everyone, when in fact he is not.
He said of Sir Jonathan: "active role the Chief Rabbi has played with other faith groups."
Note to Charles: What exactly has Sir Jonathan done to build bridges within his own community?
He goes on: "He (Sir Jonathan) provides outstanding spiritual leadership for the Jewish community and beyond."
Another note to Charles: Speak to the many people who feel he provides a poor service to the community and then make up your mind as to whether Sir Jonathan is of any use to the community or merely just milking it as much as he can.
Only London Mayor Ken Livingstone has issued a message which said: "I am pleased to take this opportunity to send best wishes to London's Jewish community for a Rosh Hashanah of happiness, and a New Year of lasting peace."
In years gone by, Points of Jew sister site, SomethingJewish would have to prompt all the parties to get their message from each respective leader and it would work. This year, SomethingJewish decided to let the leaders do it voluntariliy. And the result, there is no message from any of the party leaders.
Feel free to make up your own mind as to what Messrs Blair, Howard and Kennedy will give as a reason for not yet wishing the Jewish community a happy New Year.
Maybe, they all just forgot or just had other things on their mind?
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