In Conversation: David Bernstein & Lord Triesman with Anthony Clavane

David Bernstein, Rabbi Ariel J Friedlander, Evelyn Friedlander (MST Chair), Lord Triesman

Photo:  Marc Morris Photography

Last Monday, the Memorial Scrolls Trust was delighted to host an evening of conversation as a fund-raiser for our work. David Bernstein and Lord David Triesman were interviewed about the current state of Association Football in England by the writer and sports journalist Anthony Clavane.

Around 70 people were in attendance to hear about the relevance of their Jewish identity to the speakers' lives and work in football, the grass roots work of the Football Association in support of minorities such as non-white coaches & managers, gay footballers and women's football; and the politics of international football governance. 

The Davids were relaxed and in response to questions from Anthony and the audience they spoke passionately about matters close to their hearts. However, since the Chatham House Rule was not in effect, there were certain opinions that they felt it not prudent to share, particularly in response to questions about FIFA.

The MST began the evening with a brief film about its work and an appeal to the audience. After a fine football discussion, it concluded with each guest explaining why he felt the Scrolls were important. 

All of us at the Trust are filled with gratitude for the support we have received from David Bernstein and Lord Triesman. Thank you to Anthony Clavane for moderating the conversation so flawlessly. We would also like to thank Westminster Synagogue, the Jewish News, and an anonymous sponsor for their assistance in the creation of a wonderful evening.

MST in the Jewish News!

The Jewish News, co-sponsors of our evening in conversation with the former football Czars, recently posted this report:

Exhibition marks 50th anniversary of scrolls rescue

October 16, 2014

The Memorial Scrolls Trust is launching its travelling exhibition at Camden’s Jewish Museum on 7 December, writes Joseph Millis. 

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis will be the guest of honour at the launch of the exhibition, which marks the 50th anniversary of the rescue and subsequent restoration and return to use of 1,564 Czech Torah Scrolls.

The scrolls are part of a unique collection brought to Prague from every corner of Czechoslovakia by the Jewish community at the height of the Second World War.

They are now owned and loaned out to synagogues around the world by the Memorial Scrolls Trust, which is housed at the Reform Westminster Synagogue.

Rabbi Mirvis will be the first Chief Rabbi to view the collection since Lord Jakobovits, whose relative Tobias Jacobovits worked at the Prague Museum before he died in the Holocaust in 1944.

Backing the exhibition are two former chairmen of the Football Association, Lord Triesman and David Bernstein. Lord Triesman told Jewish News: “Rabbi Tomas Salamon [Westminster’s Czechoslovakia-born minister] came to see David and asked for help to spread the word.

David asked me and I’m pleased this is working. We must carry these memories across the generations.”

Rabbi Salamon recalled visiting the Czech town of Horažďovice, home to one of the scrolls. “I met the mayor and he told me, unprompted: ‘Our town is poorer for not having Jews. They contributed so much’.”

Trust chairman Evelyn Friedlander said: ”The launch of our educational resource and travelling exhibition means even more people will hopefully be inspired to take action.”

• Tickets for ‘The Other Jewish Religion: the ultimate insiders’ guide to football and the Jews’ on 3 November from bit.ly@SpursAndCity, priced £15 for Jewish News readers.

This event is in aid of the Memorial Scrolls Trust’s 50th anniversary year.

The Other Jewish Religion: Football

Jewish interest in football in the United Kingdom has always been strong. The background to this situation was explored earlier this year in the Four Four Jew exhibition at the Jewish Museum in London. Encouraged by the current enthusiasm, as a fund-raising event during the MST's 50th Anniversary year, we invite you to join two machers of English Football in conversation at Kent House. The event will take place on Monday 3rd November at 7  for 7:30 pm.

For further details please contact Westminster Synagogue via the link here.

We all believe - this event's gonna be magic!