Silver Cross of Merit for Filip Ślipaczek

Filip has been recognised for his service in the field of Polish-Jewish relations in Great Britain. For more than 10 years now Filip Ślipaczek has been initiating numerous events with the aim of bringing the Polish and Jewish community closer in London, dedicating his own time and resources to the work. His home in High Barnet has become a place of meetings for an ever- growing number of representatives of both communities. Filip sponsored restoration of mykwa in one of the old Jewish culture centres in Nowy Sącz. He invited Rabbi Maciej Pawlak to London - the first Polish-born Rabbi since the end of the Second World War - as proof that the Jewish life in Poland is rebuilt and flourishing. In order to spread the word about modern Poland, he also co-organised two study visits in Poland for the representatives of the Jewish community in the UK. The ceremony at the Polish Embassy was attended by the Head of Board of Deputies of British Jews, Mr Vivian Wineman and the President of United Synagogue, Mr Stephen Pack. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radosław Sikorski was represented by his envoy for contacts with Jewish diaspora Dr Sebastian Rejak.