THE delight at surprising someone with the news they have been nominated for a Local Heroes award does not diminish year on year.
When the Gazette called Rabbi Andrew Goldstein, of Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue, last week to tell him he was the first of our Local Heroes nominees for 2013, he did not disappoint.
“I’m very surprised,” he said, quickly adding: “And very gratified.”
For more than 40 years, Rabbi Goldstein was at the helm of the synagogue in Oaklands Gate, Northwood, and still plays an active role, although his son, Aaron, is now the synagogue’s rabbi and his father has time to tend to other matters, such as his role as rabbinical adviser to the European Union of Progressive Judaism.
Rabbi Goldstein senior also has 20 years to his name on the Council of Christians and Jews, Hillingdon branch, which gives him a role in bringing the religious and ethnic groups of our communities together.
For that reason he was nominated and his nominator explained the reasons behind his choice.
David Simmons, of Highfield Avenue, Pinner, said Rabbi Goldstein was not only adept at inspiring people from the Jewish community but had done great work to improve relations between the different religious groups of the area.
“He has a presence that seems to affect everybody, and everybody seems to feel at ease with him straight away,” said Mr Simmons.
His nomination reads: “For more than 40 years, Rabbi Goldstein has not only inspired generations of Jews but, through his involvement with the Council of Christians and Jews, has made a major contribution to the better understanding of different religious groups, including Muslims and Hindus.”
He nominated Rabbi Goldstein in the Community Champion category, our first nomination of many we anticipate for Local Heroes 2013.
