|
|
| ACTIVITY REPORT |
|
|
| PARLIAMENT |
| Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg and Public Affairs Officer Daniel Sugarman virtually met Harrow East MP Bob Blackman to talk about tackling racism both online and offline, confronting local government boycotts of Israel and ending uncertainties around coroners’ services for Jewish and Muslim families.
Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg and Public Affairs Officer Daniel Sugarman virtually met Northwood, Ruislip and Pinner MP David Simmonds to talk about the importance of the adoption of the international definition of antisemitism by local authorities and social media companies, addressing local council divestment from Israel, and reforming coroners’ services to better support Jewish and Muslim families.
Vice-President Edwin Shuker, Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg and Interfaith and Social Action Manager Anthony Silkoff met Naz Shah MP to talk about her work as Shadow Minister for Community Cohesion. They thanked Naz for standing with the Jewish community on the 48 hour Twitter walkout, and discussed how we can empower communities to fight hate together. |
|
| INTERFAITH |
| Interfaith and Social Action Manager Anthony Silkoff met Jeremy Rodell, national dialogue officer for Humanists UK, to discuss Jewish-Humanist relations, freedom of religion and belief, and combatting hate crime.
Interfaith and Social Action Manager Anthony Silkoff met Stephen Tunstall to discuss the launch of the UK Freedom of Religion or Belief Forum.
Interfaith and Social Action Manager Anthony Silkoff joined the CPS Virtual Community Accountability Forum to explore the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on the health of ethnic minority communities, as highlighted in the Public Health England Report. |
|
| INTERNATIONAL |
| Senior Vice President Sheila Gewolb, Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg and International Relations Officer Talia Ingleby held a virtual meeting with Vanja Filipovic, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to talk about the 25th Anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide and the 75th Anniversary of the Holocaust and how to promote remembrance and tackle denialism. |
|
| LOCAL GOVERNMENT |
| Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg spoke to Alan Moss, the Chair of Northwood United Synagogue, about the failure of Three Rivers District Council to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism and wrote to the leader of the District Council, Cllr Sarah Nelmes, to express concerns.
Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg liaised between the London Borough of Camden and Rabbi Dr Michael Harris from Hampstead United Synagogue about the possible use of outdoor space for religious services and ceremonies during the upcoming Jewish festivals. |
|
| RACIAL INCLUSIVITY |
| Stephen Bush, Chair of the Board of Deputies’ Commission on Racial Inclusivity in the Jewish Community, chaired the second Evidence Gathering Meeting with Black Jewish participants. Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg and Interfaith and Social Action Manager Anthony Silkoff attended as observers.
As part of its initiative for inclusivity, the Board of Deputies held a two-hour unconscious bias training session attended by more than 60 Deputies and staff. It was led by Linbert Spencer, the founder director of the Centre for Inclusive Leadership. |
|
| COMMUNITY |
| Regional Coronavirus Advice Capacity Help (Co-Ach) Manager Sara Radivan attended the Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation Covid 19 Advisory Group meeting, and offered advice and guidance on the reopening of Edinburgh Synagogue to hold services safely.
The Regional Jewish Representative Council meeting, convened by the Board of Deputies, was held this week, chaired by President Marie van der Zyl. Chief Executive Gillian Merron spoke about tackling antisemitism in the Labour party and Public Affairs Officer Daniel Sugarman spoke about antisemitism on social media. Communities represented were Belfast, Birmingham and West Midlands, Bournemouth, Glasgow, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, Greater Manchester and Region, Newcastle, SCoJeC, South Wales and Sussex and the Jewish Small Communities Network. Vice President Edwin Shuker, Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg, Community Engagement Officer Lauren Keiles and Regional Coronavirus Advice Capacity Help (Co-Ach) Manager Sara Radivan were also in attendance.
Senior Vice President Sheila Gewolb was interviewed by Rabbi Mordechai Wollenberg for his series of podcasts. You can listen here. |
|
| THE BODCAST |
| The Board of Deputies has broadcast the first two in its BoDCast series – online webinars for the Jewish community addressing current key issues in our community. You can see George Floyd and Racism against Black People: How Should Jews respond here and Not All Black and White – An Introduction to the Charedi Community here. |
|
|
|
Clara Bernstein, 23, is a member of Bowdon Synagogue in Manchester. She has been volunteering during the lockdown to support her friend Arabella’s mum, Wendy, during her cancer treatment.
