Board of Deputies of British Jews – Community Briefing

Board of Deputies Vice President Marie van der Zyl has renewed her call for Hezbollah to be completely outlawed in the UK, after Police Minister Nick Hurd cast doubt on the likelihood of a ban for Hezbollah’s political wing.

Marie said: “People waving Hezbollah flags at an anti-Israel rally are clearly not supporting any agenda other than that of Hezbollah’s murderous attacks against Israeli Jews and Arabs, and Jews in other parts of the world. Hezbollah itself makes no distinction between its military and political wings. It is nothing more and nothing less than a terrorist organisation. If the Government is to be taken seriously on extremism, it cannot allow terrorist flags to be waved in our streets. It must urgently follow the example of the USA, Canada and the Arab League by outlawing Hezbollah in its entirety.”

Read the JC story here.

Vice President Sheila Gewolb, Vice Chair of the International Division Edwin Shuker, Past President and Deputy Vivian Wineman, Deputy Roger Gewolband Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg attended a kosher barbecue with Polish Ambassador Arkady Rzegocki to build Polish-Jewish relations. The barbecue was hosted by Filip Slipaczek in Barnet, with local MP Theresa Villiers and Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Serbia also in attendance. After the barbecue, the Ambassador headed to the airport to support the Royal Visit of Prince William and Princess Catherine on their visit to Poland this week.

Vice President Marie van der Zyl had a letter published in the Guardian on why the cultural boycott against Israel is not only unjust but laughable. Read the letter here.

Grassroots and Advocacy Consultant Steven Jaffe spoke at an evening to celebrate Israel at Poole in Dorset. Over 300 attended the event including representatives of the Bournemouth Jewish community and Bournemouth Action for Israel. The event is organised by Les and Margaret Burbidge and by Christian supporters of Israel.

Steven Jaffe met with Lana Melman, CEO of USA-based LiberateArt, to discuss the steps taken to counter the cultural boycott of Israel.

CAMPUS

President Jonathan Arkush and Parliamentary Officer Joel Salmon met Baroness Amos, Director of the School of African and Oriental Studies, to convey the Jewish community’s strong concerns over how the university has dealt with antisemitism and extreme anti-Israel sentiment. They were joined by David Brown, Executive Director of UJS.

POLITICAL

Chief Executive Gillian Merronand Joel Salmon convened a meeting of Jewish community representatives including ScoJeC, the JLC and the CST with Ian Blackford MP, the SNP’s Westminster Group Leader. They outlined the main issues facing the Jewish community, including antisemitism, Israel and issues relating specifically to Jews in Scotland.

EDUCATION

Phil Rosenberg and Education Policy Adviser Dawn Watermanmet Peter Taylor and Marie Southall from the Catholic Education Service to discuss the common interests of Jewish and Catholic schools.

Sheila Gewolb attended the 3FF ParliaMentors Graduation 2017 at the Palace of Westminster. University students are supported by MPs to work on various projects, and one of the successful participants was Josh Holt from the University of Nottingham and president-elect of the Union of Jewish Students. Keynote speaker was Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, 79th Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons and Chaplain to Her Majesty the Queen.

SOCIAL CARE

Phil Rosenberg, Government Affairs Officer Daniel Elton and Joel Salmon met Daniel Casson and Lisa Wimbourne from Jewish Care to discuss the Board of Deputies’ Jewish Manifesto series and current public policy issues facing the Jewish social care sector.

COMMUNITY

Gillian Merron chaired the Chief Executives Forum, bringing together chief execs from across the community. There was a presentation by Michael Wegier, Chief Executive of UJIA,  and Brian Smouha, Founder and Trustee of the Coalition for Efficiency on ‘Measuring the Good– how do we measure the impact of what we do’? There was also a presentation by Neil Martin, Chief Executive of JLGB, entitled ‘The reinvention of JLGB and evolve, JLGB’s response to the ever-changing needs’.

Gillian Merron attended a farewell reception for Rael Goodman, head of the Jewish Agency mission to the UK and shlichim.

Sheila Gewolb was one of several people who presented awards for the Yoni Jesner Award event at The Camden Centre, which recognised young people aged between 11-13 years who have spent a minimum of 20 hours volunteering in various capacities. The audience was addressed by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Marsha Gladstone, mother of Yoni Jesner, who was killed by a suicide bomber in Israel 15 years ago.

Jonathan Arkush attended a special service at Edgware & Hendon Reform Synagogue to mark the merger of the two communities.

Jonathan Arkush addressed seudah shlishit at Borehamwood & Elstree United Synagogue.

Jonathan Arkush addressed a breakfast meeting of Ealing United Synagogue.

COMMEMORATION

Gillian Merron met representatives from AJEX, JLGB and We Were There Too to discuss plans for Armistice Day commemorations.

CONGRATULATIONS

Mazal Tov to Senior Vice President Richard Verber and his wife Naomi on the birth of their daughter Rachel Rosa.

STAFF

We would like to welcome our new Government Affairs Officer Daniel Elton. We wish him much success at the Board of Deputies.