AJC GLOBAL FORUM
Chief Executive Gillian Merron and International Relations Officer David Walsh attended AJC’s Global Forum in Washington DC. Speakers at the forum included Zionist Union co-leader Tzipi Livni MK, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the Presidents of Cyprus and Romania, the Foreign Minister of Singapore and Israel's Minister of Public Security and Strategic Affairs. This year’s Campus Courage Award was received by National Union of Students Vice President Robbie Young for his outspoken support of Jewish students in the UK. Gillian took part in a panel discussion about antisemitism in Europe and led a commemoration event for the victims of the recent terror attack in London together with UJS Vice President Elect and Deputy Josh Holt. As well as attending several other sessions, Gillian and David also met with several key members of AJC staff to discuss upcoming joint projects within the scope of the recently signed association agreement between the two organisations. Later this year the organisations will once again run a flagship event for the diplomatic community in London. Read Gillian Merron's opinion piece in the Jewish News.
INTERNATIONAL
Treasurer Stuart MacDonald, Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg and International Relations Officer David Walsh attended the Israeli Embassy's Independence Day celebration.
SOCIAL CARE
Medical Adviser Professor David Katz organised a meeting earlier this year with Dr Shuja Shafi and Dr Jamil Sherif from the Muslim community, and Neil Taylor (chair of the Jewish Association of Care Homes). The purpose was to explain how the Jewish community addresses the needs of the elderly, and to share the benefit of our experience with them as they face increasingly similar problems. Last week, as a follow-up, Mr Taylor hosted the group (joined by Mansur Safdar), at Amelie House in Golders Green, in order for them to see on site how Jewish Care is currently tackling the complex social and residential care issues that can arise.
INTERFAITH
President Jonathan Arkush visited The Church of Scotland’s principal office in Edinburgh and held talks with Revd Dr George Whyte, the Church’s Principal Clerk (equivalent to Chief Executive), Revd Dr Martin Johnstone, Secretary, Church and Society Council and Andrew Tomlinson, Associate Secretary, Church and Society Council.
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Phil Rosenberg and Interfaith and Social Action Officer Anthony Silkoff met Martin Ashford, Head of Mission and Public Affairs at the Methodist Church in Great Britain to discuss public policy and Methodist-Jewish relations.
Phil Rosenberg attended a meeting with Christian and Jewish leaders convened by the Council of Christians and Jews to talk about how the two faith communities could work together to promote peace and better mutual understanding.
Vice President Marie van der Zyl attended the Big Iftar at West London Synagogue.
POLITICAL
Marie van der Zyl attended the London Jewish Forum Hustings at Chipping Barnet in Barnet Synagogue.
Education Policy Adviser Dawn Waterman attended the Westminster North hustings at Lauderdale Road Synagogue.
COMMUNITY
Jonathan Arkush gave the keynote address to the Association of Jewish Refugees annual Scottish regional gathering in Edinburgh.
Jonathan Arkush gave the Jubilee Lecture at Bromley & District Reform Synagogue.
Jonathan Arkush addressed North Western Reform Synagogue, Alyth Gardens at Shabbat morning service.
Vice President Sheila Gewolb attended Yom Yerushalayim celebrations in Liverpool. Read about her trip to the city here.
SIX DAY WAR COMMEMORATION
Six Day War: 50 Years on is approaching its climax as today, Thursday, we enter the 50th anniversary of the fourth day of the war and the reunification of Jerusalem. The initiative has been posting on Facebook and Twitter stories from the build up to the conflict, the war itself and its impact on the British Jewish community. Over 2,000 people are following the stories which can be viewed on Facebook here and on Twitter here. As well as headlines, photographs and contemporary newsreels the initiative recently featured a remarkable radio recording by BBC journalist Michael Elkins, caught in the midst of a gun battle on the Jaffa Road. The project Six Days War: 50 Years On is supported by the Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council and includes photographs and reports provided by the Jewish Chronicle.
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