Shana Tova to everyone from the Board of Deputies

por Comunidad Judía · 11 Tishri 5777 – 13 octubre, 2016

Rosh Hashanah message from Board of Deputies President Jonathan Arkush

To read Jonathan’s message click here.

Corbyn urged to be more proactive in the fight against antisemitism

The Board of Deputies has reacted to the re-election of Jeremy Corbyn as Labour Party leader by urging him to pursue «a more proactive approach to tackling antisemitism».

President Jonathan Arkush said: “Nobody could pretend the last year has been easy in terms of relations between the Labour Party and the Jewish community.

“It is imperative that lessons are learned and, in particular, that we see a decidedly firmer and more proactive approach to tackling antisemitism.

“For our part, we will continue to pursue a robust and constructive dialogue on this and all other communal interests and concerns.”

Chief Executive Gillian Merron, Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg and Parliamentary Officer Joel Salmon were all in Liverpool for the conference, attending events including the Labour Friends of Israel reception, the Jewish Labour Movement rally against antisemitism and the associated training session, a Holocaust Educational Trust-Community Security Trust panel discussion on antisemitism and Holocaust discourse, meetings with faith representatives and leading Labour politicians and officials.

Gillian said: «Jeremy Corbyn’s speeches, to both the main conference and to Tuesday night’s Labour Friends of Israel reception, were a marked improvement on previous interventions, and that must be noted. However, a number of antisemitic incidents at the conference itself show that there is still a problem in the party that needs to be tackled with determination. Going forward we need to see firmer action – not just firmer words – to ensure that this really is a new dawn rather than a false dawn. As we approach Rosh Hashanah, we hope that the leadership will take the opportunity of a new mandate to turn over a new leaf in relations between the Jewish community and the Labour Party.»

While in the city, the Board of Deputies team engaged with students and teachers at King David High School, visited King David Primary School and Kindergarten, met community representatives at Princes Road Synagogue, Stapely Residential and Nursing Home and Merseyside Jewish Community Care. Gillian said: «The community in Liverpool is both warm and vibrant. We received wonderful hospitality wherever we went.»

To read Jonathan Arkush’s comment piece in the Sunday Express, clickhere.

Israel’s former President and Prime Minster Shimon Peres, who died this week aged 93. See tribute below

Board of Deputies President Jonathan Arkush meets Pope Francis at the Vatican as part of a World Jewish Congress delegation. Reflecting on the hour-long meeting on Monday, Jonathan said: “It was a great privilege to meet Pope Francis. I am left with a strong sense that he is a man of sincerity, decency, great humour and above all informality. All the evidence is that he is a very genuine friend of the Jewish people.” To read Jonathan’s reflections about the meeting in the Jewish News, Click here

Tribute paid to ‘towering statesman’ Shimon Peres

Board of Deputies President Jonathan Arkush this week paid tribute to Israel’s former president and prime minister Shimon Peres, who has died aged 93.

Jonathan said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Shimon Peres. One of Israel’s founding generation, Peres was a towering statesman and a humanitarian, who served Israel from the time it was a fledgling nation struggling for survival until his retirement as President in 2014.

«He will be particularly remembered for his Nobel Prize-winning efforts towards peace with the Palestinians as a negotiator and through the Peres Centre for Peace. While he will be sorely missed, we hope that his example will inspire a new generation of peacemakers to bring reconciliation to the Middle East and to the wider world.

To read the Jewish News report, click here.

Archbishop’s antisemitism article is ‘powerful and timely’

An article on antisemitism written by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby is ‘powerful and timely’, according to Board of Deputies President Jonathan Arkush.

Jonathan said: “Millennia of theological antisemitism against Jews – including the canard that Jews killed Jesus – permeate European thought. We now see that idea being imported into the Israel-Palestine debate, where you have such incidents as anti-Israel Christians appropriating Jesus as a Palestinian and saying that Israel (or the collective Jew) is crucifying Jesus anew.

«Such language is inflammatory and untrue. It’s not for nothing that antisemitism is called ‘the longest hatred’ and perpetuating themes like killing God will only perpetuate it further. We need to fight back against this new antisemitism. The Archbishop of Canterbury’s leadership is a very helpful place to start.”

To read the BBC’s report, clickhere.

Board of Deputies Activity

INTERFAITH

Phil Rosenberg spoke about Israel’s security needs and concerns about biased activity in churches at a dialogue session at the Hinde Street Methodist Church, organised by Interfaith Officer Anthony Silkoff, who also attended. Earlier in the week, the Board of Deputies had ensured that an exhibition on checkpoints hosted by the church included a panel from the Israeli Embassy and a stand with information from the Zionist Federation to ensure some balance.

Chief Executive Gillian Merron,Phil Rosenberg andParliamentary Officer Joel Salmon met the Catholic Education Service and Catholic Bishops Conference to discuss ongoing cooperation and issues of common interest.

Anthony Silkoff held meetings with Rene Cassin and Olam, to discuss how the Board can contribute to human rights campaigns and social action projects.

Anthony Silkoff represented the Board of Deputies at the Faith Communities Forum, where topics included responding to the recent rise in hate crime, including attacks on Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Jews.

INTERNATIONAL

Senior Vice President Richard Verber was in Kiev to hear President Reuven Rivlin address the Ukrainian parliament alongside President Petro Poroshenko.

Grassroots Consultant on Israel Steven Jaffe‘s work for the Shalom Initiative was centre stage at the Israeli embassy in London on Monday when more than 80 Christian friends gathered from across the British Isles to present the Israeli Ambassador Mark Regev with the Shalom Declaration. Over 200 churches, ministries and prayer groups have signed the Declaration on behalf of thousands of Christians. It calls for the nation’s political leaders to oppose extremism and antisemitism and encourage stronger ties with Israel. Board of Deputies Vice President Marie van der Zyl gave the vote of thanks, saying the gathering was an inspiring show of friendship and support in dark times.

Richard Verber spoke at a Council of Christians and Jews event on the refugee and migrant crisis.

The Embassy of Israel in London is opening a Shimon Peres book of condolence for members of the public to sign. This will be available in the Israeli Consulate, 15a Old Court Place, London, W8 4PL on Wednesday, 5 October 2016 and Thursday, 6 October. For full details of how to sign the book, click here.

Vice President Sheila Gewolb spoke at the Lithuanian Embassy’s reception to mark Lithuanian Holocaust Remembrance Day. The event was also attended by International Relations Officer David Walshand a number of Deputies.

In Paris, David Walsh met AJC Europe’s Julie Decroix to discuss further co-operation between our respective organisations.

In Brussels, David Walsh attended a conference on «The future of Jewish communities in Europe» at the European Parliament alongside European Jewish Congress colleagues and affiliates. The conference was addressed by speakers including Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Bernard-Henri Levy and Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament.

EDUCATION

Education Consultant Sandra Teacher attended the JLGB NCS Graduation Ceremony and presented the awards for the digital project.

Sheila Gewolb visited Bridekirk Dovenby Primary school in West Cumbria to speak to the children about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Sheila Gewolb visited Cockermouth Secondary School to speak to GCSE students on various aspects of Judaism.

COMMUNITY

Sheila Gewolb addressed the Manchester Representative Council and Zionist Central Council (ZCC) event to speak about her recent doctoral research on successful ageing and the work of the Board of Deputies.

President Jonathan Arkushand Marie van der Zyl attended the Reform Judaism annual dinner.