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May 2, 2002/Nisan 30, 5763 Vol. 55, No. 36
Prince Charles inaugurates London synagogue
ANDREW MORRIS
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
LONDON - The heir to the British throne has reinforced his close relationship with the Jewish community by inaugurating a new syn-agogue in Manchester.
Britain's Prince Charles inaugurated a synagogue in Manchester on April 28. In addition to unveiling a plaque and planting a tree at the Bowden Shul, he attended a service and two receptions.
A spokesman for St James' Palace - the Prince of Wales' official residence - emphasized the importance Queen Elizabeth's eldest son places on such events.
"The prince's diary always aims to reflect the wide variety of groups, religious and ethnic communities there are in Britain and to celebrate the success of the rich culture they bring to the country."
Traditionally, the British monarch is known as "Defender of the Faith" - referring to his or her role as head of the Anglican Church of England.
But, to the umbrage of some traditionalists, Charles has described himself as "Defender of the Faiths" - signaling his intention to embrace all the major religious communities in Britain, not just the State's official religion.
It has become increasingly common to see the prince donning both Jewish and Muslim skullcaps in visits to Jewish and Muslim com-munal events and putting on religious ceremonial garb for the openings of Sikh and Hindu temples.
Jewish leaders praised his latest official duty in inaugurating the Bowden Synagogue.
A spokeswoman for the London-based Jewish Council for Racial Equality described the prince's visit as a positive endorsement of a multi-cultural Britain.
"In the royal family, Charles is the one who identifies most with a pluralistic communally diverse society. He recognizes that Britain is certainly not just a white, Christian country and being seen in a synagogue is putting his money where his mouth is."
In addition to the synagogue inauguration, the prince also attended a reception at the adjoining community center for both Jewish and non-Jewish people involved in his volunteer development program for underprivileged youth, the Prince's Trust.
The close involvement of a number of synagogue trustees in the Prince's Trust helped convince the prince to travel to Bowden for the event, a local Jewish official said.
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