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Scottish politicians come together to support the Jewish community
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Scottish political leaders have united in supporting the Jewish community following the recent recorded rise in UK antisemitism and attacks against Jews in Europe."
Representatives of the SNP, Labour, Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and Scottish Conservative said: "As political leaders in Scotland, we join together to express sadness and concern about the recent antisemitic terrorist murders in Paris and Copenhagen, the rise in antisemitism across Europe that has been highlighted by several recent reports, and the raising of the security level in the UK.
The statement continued: "We celebrate Scotland's traditionally positive relationship with its Jewish population but understand why events elsewhere can undermine their sense of security, belonging and well-being and come together unreservedly to condemn all manifestations of antisemitism in Scotland and to assert Scotland's warm desire that Jewish people living in Scotland should feel safe, completely at home, and a key part of the multicultural Scottish community."
The Scottish Council of Jewish Communities welcomed the "clear message to all parts of Scottish society, along with the excellent work being done by the Police Scotland to ensure the physical safety of the community and by the Procurator Fiscal service to bring the perpetrators of antisemitic hate crime to justice."
The statement was signed by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of the SNP; Jim Murphy MSP, leader of Scottish Labour; Ruth Davidson MSP, leader of the Scottish Conservative party; Willie Rennie MSP, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats; Patrick Harvie MSP, joint leader of the Scottish Green Party and Kezia Douglas MSP, leader of the Scottish Parliamentary Labour Group.
To read the full report, click here and read the JC story here.
A group of French children from Kerem Menahem School in Nice visit Buckingham Palace this week. The pupils explored London with the help of Board of Deputies volunteers
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Exam officials discover Jewish education in action
The Board of Deputies have hosted a visit of a leading examining board to three London schools to enable them to see Jewish education in action.
Education policy and projects manager Sara Perlmutter took officials of the AQA on a day-long visit to JCoSS, JFS and Hasmonean Boys and Girls Schools in order for them to develop a sense of the breadth and diversity of Jewish education and to investigate how national curriculum subjects are taught within the Jewish ethos of these schools.
The officials, Gary Pollard and Andrew Holstead, attended classes and met students.
Teachers at all three school explained about the ethos and religious character of the schools and the effect that this might have on questions set in exam papers.
Mr Pollard commented that the visit had been enlightening: "The English department at AQA is keen to hear from a range of students and teachers. Yesterday's visit was a positive example of such engagement.
Read more about the visit here.
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Board's Phil Rosenberg wins prestigious award
Phil Rosenberg, the Board's public affairs director, has been awarded the prestigious Ralph Goldman award for emerging Jewish leaders by the World Jewish Congress (WJC). The award recognised Phil's contribution to the UK and international Jewish community through his work at the Board, his contribution to interfaith and his recent work as a local councillor in Camden.
The WJC has also made the award to Igor Ujhazi of Serbia, who is involved in local politics and intercultural dialogue at a national and international level.
The award means that next month, Phil and Igor will join a diverse range of emerging political and NGO leaders at a week-long Brussels seminar organised by the German Marshall Fund of the United States.
Commenting on the award, Phil said: "I feel very honoured to have received the Ralph Goldman Award. I would like to thank the World Jewish Congress, the German Marshall Fund and the Board of Deputies for their belief in me and for giving me this opportunity."
Read a full report here.
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Board Activity
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INTERFAITH
Senior vice president Laura Marks was among more than 200 Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Hindu and Sikh participants on the Coexist Pilgrimage - a five hour walk through London to demonstrate solidarity between the faiths. Ms Marks said: "This pilgrimage from a mosque to a synagogue and on to a church showed once again that, at the highest level, our leaders want unity and harmony. Of course the real challenge is to ensure that we can bring these qualities not only to local communities, but nearer to those who are actively seeking to drive division, hatred and disharmony. Read the full story in the Times of Israel.
Interfaith and social action project officer Natan Levy gave a talk on Judaism and fair trade to children at Highgate School.
Natan Levy met Gael Kennedy, an honorary officer at the Australian Board of Deputies, to discuss interfaith issues.
Public affairs director Phil Rosenberg and international affairs officer David Walsh met Action for the Church in Need to talk about the upsurge in persecution of the Middle East's Christians.
INTERNATIONAL
Board president Vivian Wineman attended a memorial service in Copenhagen to honour Dan Uzan, the security guard murdered by a terrorist outside a synagogue earlier this month. Speakers included Danish prime minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt. See Blog of the Week above.
Vivian Wineman, chief executive Gillian Merron and vice president Alex Brummer attended a lunch with the Chinese minister of overseas affairs, Qiu Yuanping, and representatives of the Chinese community in the UK. See Alex Brummer's blog here
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INTERNATIONAL
The We Believe in Israel Conference is taking place at a central London venue on March 22. For more information and to book tickets click here.
Phil Rosenberg and David Walsh met Andrew Connell, head of the Levant Team at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
POLITICAL
Public and governmental affairs officer Marcelle Palmer attended meetings with the Equality and Human Rights Commission and the arbitration service ACAS, to discuss issues that affect Jews in the workplace.
Phil Rosenberg and Marcelle Palmer met Sally Brett, senior equality policy officer at the TUC, to talk about Jewish rights in the workplace and in schools.
Gillian Merron presented the Jewish Manifesto to communities and local government minister Lord Ahmad. See photo here.
COMMUNITY
The Board held a thank you and farewell party for Helen Isaacs who has volunteered at the Board for last 10 years. Phil Rosenberg noted in his speech that Helen had spent 4,000 hours working for the Board, as well as volunteering for other communal organisations.
Harif, the association of Jews from the Middle East and North Africa are conducting a a UK Sephardi Research Project, for Jews from all backgrounds. To participate in the survey, click here.
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