UHC Senior Minister Alby Chait speaks to JLife about receiving an MBE for his commitment to the Jewish community.
Rabbi Alby Chait is preparing visit Buckingham Palace after he was named an MBE in the Queen’s 2022 new year’s honours. Recognised for his services to the Leeds Jewish community, the award also highlights Alby’s efforts in his roles as senior minister for the United Hebrew Congregation and Jewish chaplain for the Leeds Teachings Hospital Trust during the COVID pandemic.
“It feels out of this world to receive this MBE and it should be a surreal day in London when the time comes!”, said Alby. “But I’m also deeply humbled and proud. I genuinely don’t think my initial shock will settle down.
“I want to share the accolade with the whole Jewish community, who’ve trusted me with a sacred task I never take for granted. Thank you for believing in me to strive to take our wider community to the best of its abilities.
“It’s unbelievable how the congregation stepped up and found ways to support each other through the pandemic. It’s what Judaism is all about – making a difference.”
After the impacts of lockdown forced Alby to close the UHC’s doors, the recently ordained rabbi continued to hold morning services online and broadcasting songs of prayer and modern pop music on social media with the help of UHC member Andrew Ullmann and pianist Jon Chamberlain.
“Andrew and Jon were with me every Friday and instrumental to the success of our online services”, said Alby. “It gave me a huge sense of wonder to see that we were all socially distanced but could still somehow come together through social media.
“I think the online services helped touch those who isolated themselves even before the pandemic and helped them find a new lease of life. It shows that technology can be embraced when used in the right way and let us think creatively to ensure the UHC family felt more cared for than ever before.”
On Christmas Day Alby was once again marshalling a trip to the children’s hospital with a sack full of presents as Shabbat ended, one of many initiatives from the Liverpudlian turned Leodensian minister that included not just the inner community.
The team here at JLife wishes Alby a huge Mazeltov for this well-deserved honour!