In 1939 as a twelve-year-old refugee Joe Lobenstein arrived in England with his parents and sister carrying a single suitcase and a dismal ten marks each. Now more than seventy years later Mr. Lobenstein — former borough councilor mayor Agudah and kehillah activist long-time askan and journalist — remains an astute communal campaigner and his political acuity age notwithstanding appears to have dulled not a whit. He is by turns both inviting and steely. His face with his clipped gray mustache is vibrant; his sharp blue eyes and arched brow reveal his rich past.

Mr. Lobenstein is particularly renowned for his election as mayor of the London borough of Hackney for an unprecedented four terms and for having been one of the first frum Jews honored by the Queen with the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire). The royal award hangs in pride of place on his dining-room wall with the Queen’s strong black signature — Elizabeth R — across the top. Three other awards flank it — his “Chaver” title from London’s Adass Yisroel Shul; an elegant “Guest of Honour” plaque in black and gold from Ponevezh Yeshivah; and the “Freedom of the Borough” an honor bestowed by Hackney Borough Council in recognition of his lengthy service.

A forest of photographs — both personal and official — crowds walls tables and bookcases. In one he greets the Queen resplendent in his golden mayoral chain at the opening of a local hospital wing. In another he and his wife smile proudly outside the gates of Buckingham Palace after receiving his MBE. And alongside are the photographs with gedolim: a handclasp with Rav Shach ztz”l; a smile shared with Rav Shmuel Wosner shlita; hearing Havdalah on Motzaei Yom Kippur from an ethereal white-clad Manchester Rosh Yeshivah. 

To read the rest of this story please buy this issue of Mishpacha or sign up for a weekly subscription.