UK Jewish community marks 350 yrs with gala event

Conductor Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra traveled to Britain on Wednesday for a gala event celebrating 350 years of Jewish life in Britain. Diplomats, politicians and business leaders were scheduled to attend the event, the Israeli Embassy said in a statement. The exact guest list and the location have not been publicly disclosed due to security concerns. The program, which includes a speech by Mehta, will feature a performance of Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 5. Two-thirds of Britain's 350,000 Jews reside in London. Golders Green, an area in northeast London boasting kosher restaurants, bakeries and supermarkets, has long been considered the heart of the Orthodox Jewish community since the 1900s.