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From Julia Neuberger, Senior Rabbi at the west London Synagogue:

Last Thursday, we were guests at an extraordinary event. It was Her Majesty the Queen's birthday, but that wasn鈥檛 the reason. Rather, this was a gala concert at the Wigmore Hall in London, 鈥榓 centenary celebration鈥� of Irish culture in Britain. It was timed to coincide with the centenary of the Easter Rising in Ireland in 1916. But it marked the loss of life on both sides, AND the huge casualty list of over a million dead or wounded during the Battle of Somme in 1916, during World War I. For the first time in my life, I stood there as BOTH national anthems were sung, God Save the Queen, marking Her Majesty's birthday as well, and then the Irish national anthem, the Soldiers' song, once sung by the rebels in 1916. Looking round the Hall, people were in tears. Both national anthems, both flags on display, goodwill on all sides- it felt magical, healing, and deeply moving whether you were Irish or British, or a bit of both.

When the Queen visited Ireland five years ago, the first British monarch to do so since Irish independence, she decided to go on a walkabout, chatting to people in the English Market in Cork. That decision of hers to be informal delighted everybody. For it takes ordinary conversations, familiarity with common humanity, and a sense of humour to establish a peace and make it last. And it takes an understanding of what everyone can bring to the table, from the most unremarkable of people to the most gifted artists.

Last Thursday鈥檚 glorious concert celebrated great Irish singers and composers, and the Irish contribution to European culture. But the early emotion stayed with us all evening- two national anthems, two flags, and a hand of friendship. "And they shall sit every man under his vine and his fig tree, and none shall make them afraid,鈥� said the Biblical prophet Micah. More than that- last Thursday showed people not only unafraid, but as close friends, over music, drinks, conversation and, above all, a profound belief in peace.