The Board of Deputies of British Jews- Community Briefing 8 FEBRUARY 2018 23 SH’VAT 5777

by Comunidad Judía · 30 Shevat 5778 – 15 February, 2018

Concern over new law which will make it illegal to blame Poland for Holocaust crimes

Board of Deputies Vice President Richard Verber has commented on the new Polish law which will make it illegal to attribute Holocaust crimes to Poland, rather than Nazi Germany.

Richard said: “Although it is historically inaccurate to use the term Polish death camps – they were clearly established by the Nazis – we are concerned that this new law may be trying to play down the fact that many Poles were also perpetrators during the Holocaust. We of course acknowledge that Poles were victims too, and indeed there are many Polish righteous gentiles – more than any other nation. However the facts are clear that Poles were involved directly and indirectly in the murder of many, many Jews. It also appears to be a law that is almost entirely unenforceable, suggesting that it is more for political capital than historical truth.”

The Board of Deputies is making representations to the Polish Government on this issue.

Read the Jewish News story here.

Joel Salmon led a tour of the BBC studios in London with the Board of Deputies Students and Young Professionals Group. The group also had a discussion about the media, free speech and the role of advocacy organisations like the Board of Deputies. If you are 18-35 years old and would like to join the group, you can do so here

Prime Minister thanked for her intervention on coroners’ services

Board of Deputies Vice President Marie van der Zyl has thanked Prime Minister Theresa May for her answer to a question about coroners’ services during Prime Ministers Questions at the House of Commons.

In answer to a question from Rehman Chishti MP, Mrs May said: “It is important we take into account specific requirements of faith, particularly when someone has lost a loved one. Coroners are an independent judicial office. The Ministry of Justice is speaking with the chief coroner to see what more can be done.”

Marie commented: “We thank the Prime Minister for her intervention on faith-sensitive coroner services today and we are happy that the Government is taking the issue seriously.”

Board of Deputies applauds Chelsea over promise to ban antisemitic fans

The Board of Deputies have applauded Chelsea Football Club over its determination to find and ban fans guilty of antisemitic abuse.

The club’s statement follows reports of abuse, intimidation and antisemitic chanting at the club’s away game with Watford this week.

A Board of Deputies spokesperson said: ‘Following on from Chelsea FC’s “Say No to Antisemitism” campaign launch last week we applaud the club for its promise to ban fans found to have used antisemitic language in the game at Watford. We hope that the perpetrators will be prosecuted and punished.’

Board of Deputies Activity

CAMPUS

President Jonathan Arkush and Parliamentary Officer Joel Salmon met UCL Provost Michael Arthur and his senior leadership team to express their serious concerns about UCL’s handling of various incidents this year, including invitations to extremist speakers and violent protests at Israel-related events.

INTERNATIONAL

Senior Vice President Richard Verber issued a statement condemning the brutal murder of 29-year-old Itamar Ben Gal in Ariel on Monday. Read the statement here.

Richard Verber welcomed Saudi Arabia’s decision to allow direct flights between Israel and India to overfly the country. He said: “This is a welcome development. It will not only have positive economic consequences for Israel but is also indicative of the thaw in relations between the two countries as they both seek to counter the threat of Iranian-sponsored terrorism.”

POLITICAL

Chief Executive Gillian Merronheld a meeting with Wes Streeting MP, Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Jews.

Gillian Merron held a meeting with Peter Kyle MP.

Joel Salmon and Government Affairs Daniel Elton met the Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, Richard Burgon MP, to brief him and his team on the ongoing issue in the North London Coroner’s Office.

Joel Salmon held a conversation with Alex Sobel MP, member of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Jews, where they discussed the main issues affecting the Jewish community including antisemitism, organ donation and interfaith activities.

Jonathan Arkush and Gillian Merron attended the launch of the Foundation for Jewish Heritage at Speaker’s House, Houses of Parliament. The event was attended by historian Simon Schama and journalist Natasha Kaplinsky.

CORONER SERVICES

Jonathan Arkush and Vice President Marie van der Zyl,along with Sidney Sinitsky of the Adass Yisroel Burial Society, met the Chief Coroner, His Honour Judge Mark Lucraft QC. The Chief Coroner repeated his commitment to help ensure that coroner services are sensitive to faith communities. The current legal case involving the Inner North London Coroners Service was not discussed.

ANTISEMITISM

Joel Salmon attended am APPG Against Antisemtism event which looked at how to effectively police social media. It featured comedian David Baddiel and a representative from Facebook.

Jonathan Arkush participated in an Anglo Israel Association conversation on antisemitism in British politics at the House of Lords.

EDUCATION

Pikuach Director Jeffrey Leaderlectured the Heads of Jewish Studies Forum on the topic of ‘Preparing for a Pikuach Inspection’.

INTERFAITH

Interfaith and Social Action Officer Anthony Silkoff met Zain Hussain, a Muslim graduate who teaches Hebrew at Wimbledon Synagogue, to discuss ideas for interfaith projects between Muslims and Jews in London.

Anthony Silkoff met Daniel Jonas, founder of the Sephardic music group Los Desterrados, to discuss opportunities for engaging Sephardic communities in interfaith, social action and other areas of the Board of Deputies’ work.

Anthony Silkoff spoke to Professor Matthew Feldman about the professor’s current work, with Tell MAMA, to produce scholarly research on a definition of anti-Muslim prejudice.

Anthony Silkoff and Daniel Eltonmet Sharon Booth, Director of Solutions not Sides, to discuss ideas for interfaith cooperation to support Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilding.

SOCIAL ACTION

The Board of Deputies is holding an International Women’s Day event entitled The XX Factor: Women’s role in peace-making. Guest speakers include: Jessica Elgot (Chair), Political Correspondent for The Guardian in Westminster; Sharon Booth, Founder and Director of Solutions Not Sides; Baroness Helić, Member of the House of Lords International Relations Committee and the Board of Directors of the International Criminal Court Trust Fund for Victims; Rabbi Baroness Neuberger, Senior Rabbi, West London Synagogue; Melinda Simmonds, Head of the Conflict Department at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Sign up for free tickets here.

Anthony Silkoff attended the first session of the René Cassin Human Rights Fellowship Programme, focusing on the links between Judaism and human rights. Anthony is a Rene Cassin Fellowfor 2018.

HOLOCAUST COMMEMORATION

Jonathan Arkush addressed a Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration at the Government Legal Department

COMMUNITY

Vice President Sheila Gewolb and Administration Manager Bernice Black held a meeting at the Weiner Library to finalise arrangements for the Board’s Regional Council meeting on February 18. This twice-yearly event provides regional Deputies the opportunity to discuss and debate issues that relate to communities outside London

Jonathan Arkush addressed Mosaic Reform Congregation, Harrow.

Jonathan Arkush attended Boys Town Jerusalem 70th anniversary dinner.

Jonathan Arkush addressed a Chai Cancer Care support group.

8 FEBRUARY 2018
23 SH’VAT 5777

Shabbat times:

LONDON 4.46pm/5.58pm
MANCHESTER 4.49pm/6.04pm
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