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Reform Jews Get Everywhere

Written by Rabbi Dr. Tony Bayfield Friday, 05 February 2010

Just over three years ago I got a message to phone David Miliband’s office. I spoke to Matthew Gould, his Principal Private Secretary.  We did a bit of business, chatted and, after a while, Matthew ‘confessed’ that he had grown up at Middlesex New, read Theology at Cambridge and then gave up religion for the world of diplomacy.

I suggested lunch – the Foreign Office canteen isn’t bad – and that’s how a friendship began.

Matthew was alarmingly young – then only thirty-four – but clearly outstandingly able.  He’s a lovely bloke as well.  I gradually realised that being the Foreign Secretary’s Principal Private Secretary is a plum job and two previous occupants of the post had gone on to be British Ambassador in Tel Aviv.

Some months later I met Matthew’s fiancée (now wife) Celia and quickly discovered that she had travelled on the same 102 bus to Latymer School (the Edmonton one) as my son Daniel.

We discussed synagogues – they live in Docklands. Would that there was enthusiasm for a Reform synagogue in Docklands or the City – it would do very well and could make use of some existing Jewish premises as part of a process of renewal! The Gould’s are now regular attenders at West London.

In October of this year Matthew takes up the post of British Ambassador in Tel Aviv – the first Jew ever to occupy that office. As I say, he is outstandingly able, a real high-flyer and still only thirty-eight.

Matthew and Celia are now preparing themselves for the posting – intensive Hebrew and familiarisation with the leadership of the British Jewish community being part of that preparation. He has already been in touch with the Editor of the English edition of Ha-Aretz, Charlotte Halle, a graduate of North West Surrey Synagogue.

He will be the guest speaker at the Reform Movement’s Annual Dinner on Tuesday 28th September 2010 – Chol Ha’moed Succot. We can be sure that Matthew Gould will not be wandering in the wilderness. One hopes he will play a significant part in helping Israel towards the promised land of peace with the Palestinians.