Board of Deputies responds to Royall report leak

International Shalom Festival to provide platform for Israeli performers at Edinburgh

The International Shalom Festival is making its debut at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe as a platform for Israel’s vibrant and diverse culture. There will be two Israeli musical acts and a comedienne at this fantastic festival at the heart of the Fringe. Actress Maureen Lipman has agreed to be an honorary patron and the event takes place on August 17 at Central Hall, Tollcross, Edinburgh.

The Board of Deputies are supporting this initiative. Senior Vice President, Richard Verber and his wife Naomi will be attending, as well as Grassroots Consultant on Israel Steven Jaffe, who will be providing practical support to the organisers.

You can donate £5 to support the event by texting SHLM49 £5 to 70070. To visit and «like» the Shalom festival Facebook page, click here.

To buy your ticket, click here.

Steven Jaffe and Ambassador Mark Regev address Christian supporters of Israel

Grassroots Consultant on Israel Steven Jaffe joined Ambassador of Israel, HE Mark Regev,  to address over 3,000 Christians attending Faith Camp at the Peterborough arena.

This is the second year that Steven has spoken at Faith Camp. Steven said: «the positive interest in Israel is phenomenal. There was a long queue at the stall manned by Israeli embassy staff for information regarding Israeli innovation and contribution to the world».

Steven handed out several thousand postcards for the Postcard for Jerusalem campaign which you can find out more about on the Shalom Declaration’swebsite.

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EDUCATION

Education Development Manager Sara Perlmutter participated in the Kisharon specialist new Jewish school consultation event.

INTERNATIONAL

Chief Executive Gillian Merronmet with Steve Scott, Director of Trade Union Friends of Israel, to discuss the future of Israel advocacy within the trade union movement. 

Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg met with the Head of the Levant team at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to discuss geostrategic issues, the Middle East Peace Process, the Balfour centenary, Hezbollah and UK-Israel bilateral relations.

Vice President Sheila Gewolb attended the 25th anniversary gala for Zichron Menachem at the Hive in Edgware. This Israeli children’s charity, with branches worldwide, runs a week-long camp in the UK every three years for children aged 6-25 years who are suffering from cancer. They also support parents and siblings with events in Israel.

Steven Jaffe met with John Levy of the Friends of Israel Educational Trust to discuss projects and priorities for the next 12 months regarding Israel.

INTERFAITH

Phil Rosenberg met with Elizabeth Harris-Sawczenko, Deputy Director of the Council of Christians and Jews, to discuss how to further advance Christian-Jewish relations in the coming months.

COMMUNITY

President Jonathan Arkushaddressed Bushey United Synagogue last Shabbat on the work of the Board of Deputies. 

POLITICAL

Phil Rosenberg and Government Affairs Officer Dawn Watermanmet with Felicity Appleby from the Office of the Leader of the Opposition to raise issues relating to the Chakrabarti Inquiry, the Royall Inquiry and relations between the Jewish community and the Labour Party.

Phil Rosenberg andParliamentary Officer Joel Salmon met Danny Stone and Amy Wagner from the All Party Parliamentary Group Against Antisemitism to discuss the changing political landscape.

HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE

Senior Vice President Richard Verber and Phil Rosenbergattended the Roma Genocide Remembrance Day event in Hyde Park.

Joel Salmon and Phil Rosenberg met Samantha Abrahams and Michael Paul from the Holocaust Educational Trust to talk about advocacy around post-Holocaust issues at both UK and devolved administration levels.