| Community urged to follow Government Covid guidance as zero deaths are recorded in the week before Passover |
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| For the first time since last year, there were no funerals reported to the Board of Deputies in which Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate in the week leading up to Passover.
The ‘zero’ figure should be taken with caution, as smaller burial societies do not report on a weekly basis to the Board of Deputies. However, Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl welcomed the news.
Marie said: “Covid-19 has taken at least 900 members of the Jewish community. Seder this year will have been difficult for many, not just because they could not meet with wider friends and family, but also as they reflected on loved ones they have lost in the last year. Our hearts go out to all who have suffered bereavement.
“However, as we know with this virus, complacency can still be deadly. While this week’s news is welcome, we urge the community to continue to scrupulously follow the Government’s guidance on social distancing so we can prevent further tragedy.”
Marie also welcomed data from the Office of National Statistics which indicates that 90 per cent of over 70s in the Jewish community have been vaccinated.
She said: “We are very pleased at the high take-up of the vaccine in the Jewish community. We believe that the very strong messaging from both the rabbinate and communal lay leadership has boosted confidence. The vaccine is a life-saving intervention that will help us return our lives to something resembling normality. We urge everyone to take the vaccine when it is offered to them.”
You can read the JC report here and the Jewish News story here. |
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| To celebrate the Board of Deputies 260th year, we are sharing some of the time capsule entries submitted by Deputies. First up, Deputy Gillian Moonman from Southport Hebrew Congregation. If you would like to see more of the entries we have shared, click here |
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| VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Rosa Niema Slater |
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Rosa Niema Slater is a mentor with The Kids Network. The Kids Network connects young professionals with young people from their local communities to create positive social change. Rosa’s mentoring helps to build resilience and confidence as children transition from primary to secondary school. The Kids Network exists because, with increasing pressures, children can be more stressed, depressed, anxious and angry. Added, to this, disadvantaged kids are affected disproportionately. Rosa loves mentoring in Hackney and has found it to be an exciting and meaningful way for her to give back to her new community.
To read the full article, click here |
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| This week, Hidden Treasures shared images of family heirlooms relating to Pesach sent in by members of the public. This fabulous Seder plate was made by Staffordshire potters Ridgways around 1925. To see more Hidden Treasures, click here or follow @seethetreasures on social media. |
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| ACTIVITY REPORT |
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| YOM HASHOAH |
| The UK’s National Holocaust Commemoration, ‘Remember Together, We Are One’ will this year take place on Wednesday 7th April at 7.30pm and will once again be an online event. You will be able to watch online here. |
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| INTERNATIONAL |
| International Relations Officer Talia Ingleby spoke with Evan Hochberg and Samantha Wynne from the World Jewish Restitution Organisation about priorities of ongoing cases of Holocaust restitution.
Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg and International Relations Officer Talia Ingleby spoke with colleagues from partner organisation the American Jewish Committee, Simone Rodan, Director of AJC Europe and Julie Decroix, Associate Director of AJC Europe, about mutual area of interest, including combatting global antisemitism, the adoption of the IHRA definition and Online Harms and interfaith engagement following the Abraham Accords.
International Relations Officer Talia Ingleby spoke with Robby Hoffman, General Secretary of the Commonwealth Jewish Council, about the promotion of EcoSynagogue and the IHRA definition of antisemitism in the Commonwealth.
International Relations Officer Talia Ingleby attended Magen David Adom’s celebration event for its 90th anniversary. Talia is also on the Youth Magen David Adom UK Committee. |
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| INTERFAITH |
| Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg and Interfaith and Social Action Manager Anthony Silkoff met Hadiya Masieh and Sam Rosengard from the Groundswell Project to discuss peace and community cohesion projects. |
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| ARCHIVES AND HERITAGE |
| Archives and Heritage Manager Dawn Waterman met Caroline Catchpole of The National Archives at Kew to discuss Hidden Treasures; celebrating Jewish archives in Britain.
Archives and Heritage Manager Dawn Waterman met Tudor Allen of the London Borough of Camden’s Archives to discuss Camden’s involvement in the Board of Deputies’ initiative Hidden Treasures; celebrating Jewish archives in Britain. |
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| EDUCATION |
| Senior Vice President Sheila Gewolb was a guest speaker at the Barking and Dagenham’s Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) workshop providing RE support knowledge professional development for teachers. The theme of her talk was ‘My home- what makes it Jewish?’
Senior Vice President Sheila Gewolb attended a working group of the National Association of Standing Advisory Councils for Religious Education (NASACRE) which is developing its new website to provide enhanced support for teachers of RE.
Education Policy and Youth Engagement Officer Jake Berger attended a meeting of the Department for Education’s Relationships, Sex and Health Education Working Group.
Education Policy and Youth Engagement Officer Jake Berger attended a meeting of the Faith/BAME Involvement Group in Wales, discussing inclusive relationships education in schools. |
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| YOUTH ENGAGEMENT |
| Education Policy and Youth Engagement Officer Jake Berger attended an event for young adults about the importance of taking the Covid-19 vaccination. The event was organised by the London Jewish Forum, proudly supported by the Board of Deputies, other community organisations and youth movements. You can watch the recording of the event on our Facebook page here. |
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