Solihull Shluchim Honored by Her Majesty the Queen

The Solihull Hebrew Congregation’s Thursday Club, run by Rabbi Yehuda and Dinie Pink, has been awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for groups of volunteers who work in their local communities for the benefit of others.

This prestigious annual UK National Honor recognizes outstanding voluntary contributions by groups of volunteers who regularly devote their time to helping others in the community, improving the quality of life and opportunity for others and sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, with the work of those awarded being judged to be of the highest standard.

The Solihull Thursday Club received the Award in recognition of the excellence of the work and dedication that its volunteers give in helping to provide support and a social hub to senior citizens in Solihull and the surrounding area. The Club will receive a certificate personally signed by The Queen and an exclusive commemorative crystal, presented by Her Majesty’s representative in the West Midlands at a special ceremony arranged by the Lieutenancy office.

In further recognition of their work Rabbi and Rebbetzin Pink were invited along with two representatives of the Thursday Club to the first of the three Garden Parties that the Queen holds annually at Buckingham Palace.

Rabbi Pink is the Rov of the Solihull Hebrew Congregation in the West Midlands of the UK. Rabbi and Rebbetzen Pink have been Shluchim in Solihull for almost 19 years. During this time the community has more than doubled in size and the Solihull Jewish Community Center has developed into a vibrant base for a whole host of activities catering to all ages.

Rabbi Yehuda Pink said: “I am delighted that the hard work and dedication of the volunteers at the Solihull Thursday Club have been recognized nationally through this important award. Our work would not be possible without the help and support of the many charitable trusts who support us financially in particular Birmingham Jewish Community Care who work hand in hand with us in this venture.”

Jon Gouldman, Chairman of the Solihull Hebrew Congregation commented: “The Thursday Club has grown to be a cornerstone of our community. This award acknowledges the wonderful service it provides and the high standards of volunteering that support it.”

The Award is overseen by the Office for Civil Society, in the Cabinet Office. Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society, said: “It gives me great pleasure to congratulate all this year’s winners of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The work of our volunteers makes a huge difference right across society, and they are an inspiration to others to get involved and make their own positive impact.”