Honour for Marjorie at interfaith service at Bradford Synagogue

At the annual Chanukah Civic and Interfaith Service, which celebrated the 150th anniversary of Bradford’s Jewish congregation, Marjorie Black was presented with the British Empire Medal for her long service with West Yorkshire Police and her work in animal welfare.

The service was attended by the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire Ed Anderson; High Sheriff of West Yorkshire Dr Zulfi Karim DL; the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bradford, Cllr Jerry Barker and Jean Barker; the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire John Robins; Deputy Mayor of West Yorkshire Alison Lowe; Professor Shirley Congdon, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford; Bradford Council leader Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe and Bradford faith leaders.

Plaque commemorating the 150th anniversary of Bradford's Jewish congregation (Image: Bradford Synagogue)

The guests also included the sixth generation of the Stroud family, descendants of the founder of Bradford’s Jewish community, Rabbi Joseph Strauss.

The service was led by Rabbi Dr Douglas Charing and Guest Rabbi Elisheva Salamo. The four candles of the Chanukah menorah were lit by civic leaders. The late Dr Rudi Leavor, Chairman and Life President of Bradford Synagogue, was remembered during the service.

Chief Constable John Robins lit the Chanukah candles and a commemorative plaque was presented on behalf of the Bradford Hindu Council. During the service a collection was made for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal for Bradford Cinderella Club, which helps children in poverty.

The British Empire Medal, awarded to Marjorie Zoe Black in the 2023 King’s New Year’s Honours, was presented to her by Lord Lieutenant Ed Anderson.

Marjorie receives her medal from Lord Lieutenant Ed Anderson (Image: Bradford Synagogue)

Marjorie, who lives in Bradford, works in the West Yorkshire Casualty Reduction Partnership, which looks after road safety and speeding enforcement across West Yorkshire. She is a great ambassador for West Yorkshire Police and has been a mentor and support for many colleagues.

She received a West Yorkshire Police Long Service and Good Conduct award in 2004 and a Force lifetime achievement award in 2016. She also received a Chief Constable’s Commendation in October 2021 for more than 50 years’ police service in various public facing roles.

Marjorie has run Knine Kittycare, established with her late husband, from her home since 2006, rescuing unwanted and abandoned dogs and cats. She often goes out of her way to locate animals that have been discarded, bringing them to safety and enabling them to be rehomed.

West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable John Robins said: “Marjorie’s incredible energy and commitment to public service is remarkable. She is dedicated to making lives better for people and animals alike and is a true ambassador for West Yorkshire Police.

Very few people give such an incredible amount of their lives over to public service and this award is extremely well deserved. I congratulate Marjorie and thank her for all that she has done and continues to do.”