An unforgettable afternoon unfolded at Hammerson House, Wohl Campus on Thursday 23rd April when Rob Rinder addressed a packed hall of Residents. The acclaimed criminal defence barrister, TV personality and proud member of the Jewish community captivated his audience from the moment he entered the room. Greeting Residents with genuine warmth, he made each one feel like the most important person in the room. His approachable, affable manner quickly won hearts, prompting one delighted Resident to remark, “What a handsome fella!”
Despite a tube strike on the day, he arrived promptly and within minutes stated that he felt he had found an answer to a profound question: how a community cares for its most vulnerable. “If anyone asks me how we treat people in our community,” he reflected, “I will say, come here. I’ve only been here seven minutes, yet being here feels like a gift. This is the most extraordinary place, I’ve ever walked into, the warmth, the joy, it’s overwhelming. It represents the true essence of Jewish ideology, giving people dignity and independence at this last stage of life.”
Deeply personal reflections followed. Rob spoke movingly of his grandfather, a Holocaust survivor whose family perished in the Treblinka extermination camp. He arrived in Britain after the war and was one of the 742 children relocated and rehabilitated at Windermere. Welcomed by a community that had never before met a Jewish person, their story remains a powerful reminder of compassion and kindness.
Growing up in Southgate, Jewish life was at the epicentre of Rob Rinder’s upbringing. He described a childhood rich in community, faith and family, influenced by wonderful grandparents who embedded him with a love of Jewish culture and tradition. He studied history and politics at Manchester University but was drawn to drama. Should he become an academic or an actor, was a question he frequently asked himself, until the day he auditioned for a play with Benedict Cumberbatch and decided his true calling lay, not in the field of drama, but in the law!
As a defence barrister, he found purpose in standing “between the individual and the state,” driven by a deep commitment to justice. “A legal career is about being a forensic academic, you gain an understanding of complex issues,” he explained.
His inspiration comes from great Jewish intellectuals such as Rabbi Hugo Gryn and Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. Their writing and teachings continue to inspire his outlook on life, ethics and responsibility. Despite challenging past experiences these great thinkers had a limitless understanding of lived experiences and instructed us to find the humour, positivity and Jewish pride to greet our world with Tikun Olam, repairing the world, with a sense of mission and purpose. “These are my people,” he states.
Rinder spoke passionately about another hero, Leonard Bernstein, whose huge body of work and educational children’s concerts in the 1960’s, enriched with melodies from Bach to the Beetles, inspired generations of young people to appreciate music.
Responding to a Resident’s question about his role with the Jewish Music Institute, he highlighted the importance of preserving and celebrating the rich tapestry of Jewish melody throughout the ages, from Ladino and Klezmer to Band music. “Music is stamped on us like a handprint,” he said, emphasising its power to connect people, challenge prejudice and build bridges. “The one thing we can all share is the passion for music of all types and its capacity to fight all forms of prejudice and build bridges across communities.”
He is still a fully-fledged member of chambers and juggles his legal working life with engaging audiences through television, including the popular series Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby. His mission, he explained, is to help people feel they belong and to enrich their lives through storytelling.
The afternoon was met with huge enthusiasm and joy from Residents, many reluctant to see it end. “You could keep us entertained forever, we really don’t want to let you go!” one remarked. Following the talk, Rob generously spent time speaking with Residents and Hammerson House care teams, posing for photographs, sharing anecdotes and connecting on a personal level. His generosity of spirit, creative brilliance and boundless energy left a lasting impression on everyone he met. This inspiring visit was a true celebration of community. Through his insight, humour and immense compassion, Rob Rinder brought immeasurable joy to his audience, leaving them with new memories of a wonderful afternoon and a renewed sense of pride, connection and purpose.
Amanda Weinberg, Copywriter
