GILAD SCHALIT is to visit Londonnext month for the first time sincebeing freed from captivity.

The former soldier, who was kidnappedin a cross-border raid in 2006 and washeld for nearly six years in Gazauntil last October, has accepted aninvitation to join hundreds ofother young people from acrossEurope at a major conference innorth London.

The 26-year-old (pictured) –who now writes a weekly sportscolumn for one of Israel’s biggestnewspapers – is also expected toattend a Premier League footballmatch during the course of his privatevisit. The trip, which will see himaccompanied by a friend from hisvillage, is due to last forseveral days.

“He’s never been toLondon,” the 26-year-old’s father Noam toldthe Jewish News.“He’s very muchlooking forward tohis visit to the UK –especially to attend

the football match.”The B’nai B’rith Europe Young Jewish

Adult Forum, held in association withB’nai B’rith UK and attended by delegatesfrom 25 countries aged 25 to 45, willinclude workshops, services at a localsynagogue and a gala dinner with live

band. The former captive, who haslisted travelling the world as

one of his top priorities forthe during the next year,will be presented withhonorary membershipof B’nai B’rith duringthe event.

Countless BritishJews campaigned

hard for Gilad’s releaseand for him to be

granted visitsfrom

the Red Cross. At the 2010 Young AdultsForum, participants signed a petition tothe UN urging action on the issue. JohnReeves, international VP of B’nai B’rithInternational and chair of the Young AdultCommission of B’nai B’rith Europe, said:“Gilad’s visit to London is a ‘thank you’for the long and intensive campaign forhis release pursued by members of B’naiB’rith along with other organisations.

“Gilad is the true embodiment of theindestructible survival of the Jewish spirit.His service to the army and country is ademonstration of the young in thesupport of Israel, which is the pre-eminent aim of the forthcoming B’naiB‘rith Forum in November.”

Expressing delight at the presence ofthe special guest, BBUK President JeanEtherton said: “It will be a wonderfulopportunity for Gilad to be together withyoung Jews from all over Europe for aweekend of information, education,inspiration, fun and entertainment.

“We extended this invitation to Gilad inthe hope that his presence at the Forumwill inspire those who are attending

from around the world as an exampleof someone who has overcome great

adversity in his life.”

• To book tickets for the forumcall 01923 776669

Channel 4’s new four-part series, following the Jewish News’heart-warming search to find a woman uniquely qualified tobe crowned Jewish Mum of the Year, begins at 9pm onTuesday night. Episode one sees our eight mums given thedaunting task of organising the key aspects of a barmitzvah.

Full story and preview on pages 4 and 5

MEET OUR MUMS!

GILAD TOSEE YOU!BY JUSTIN

COHEN

Israeli hostage hero to visit London...and he’s got Premier League tickets!

4 October 2012 • 18 Tishrei 5773 • No 762

A fun new guide – from ‘Mensch’ to ‘Mishegass’ SEE PAGE 16

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