MEMBERS of Bournemouth Reform Synagogue (BRS) marked Israel’s Memorial Day in a special service this week.

Yom ha-Zikaron was marked by a ceremony at the Synagogue on Tuesday evening.

Rabbi Maurice Michaels recited Yizkor and the Memorial Prayer while other appropriate readings were led by members of the community.

He said at a time of celebrating Israel’s 70th anniversary it was fitting that those whose lives were sacrificed for the establishment and survival of the Jewish State were remembered.

A tree was planted in the grounds in their memory along with a second tree in memory of Sergeant First Class Nadav Ezra, the Rabbi’s grandson, who died during active service in 2016.

Deborah Tendler, BRS chair, detailed Bournemouth’s links with Israel through twinning with Netanya. She also explained that the holes for the trees had been lined with soil from the Reform congregation in Ra’anana, which is twinned with BRS.