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More synagogues, fewer members: new report finds that synagogue membership has declined by 20 per cent in a generation
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There is a record number of synagogues in the United Kingdom today, according to a newly published survey, but synagogue membership numbers have continued to decline.
A new report, Synagogue Membership in the United Kingdom in 2016, has found that despite the fact that there are now 454 synagogues in the UK – the largest number ever recorded – synagogue membership numbers have dropped below 80,000 households for the first time since records began.
These are some of the key findings in the report produced by the Institute for Jewish Policy Research on behalf of the Board of Deputies of British Jews. Synagogue membership figures have been analysed consistently over several decades, and constitute the best measure of Jewish communal affiliation in the UK that exists. They provide the only consistent indicator of patterns of Jewish affiliation and belonging over time, and are thus of particular interest to community leaders and planners.
The new report reveals that 79,597 Jewish households across the United Kingdom held synagogue membership in 2016, down from 99,763 in 1990, the equivalent of a 20% decline over a quarter of a century. The rate of decline has fluctuated over time, but membership has dropped by 4% since the last synagogue membership report was published in 2010, the equivalent of 3,366 households across the country.
Read the full article here
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Jonathan Arkush to Muslims: We need to support each other in the fight against hatred
Board of Deputies President Jonathan Arkush has told an audience at a Birmingham Mosque that Muslims and Jews need to support each other in the fight against hate.
Jonathan made his remarks on a visit to Mehfil E Abbas – KSIMC, Shia Mosque in the city this week. While in Birmingham – accompanied by Interfaith Officer Anthony Silkoff – he also visited Birmingham Central Mosque, Al Burhan - a grammar school for girls, and King David Primary School.
He told a packed audience at the Shia mosque that Jews and Muslims have three challenges they must face together: terrorism, persecution and religious freedom.
Read the full report here. Read Jonathan's article in the Jewish News here.
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Board of Deputies condemnation for this weekend's Palestine Expo
Board of Deputies President Jonathan Arkush has condemned the Palestine Expo, which is scheduled to take place in London this weekend.
He said: “The so-called Palestine Expo features a line-up of speakers characterised by their hatred towards one country – Israel. Some have shown a notable degree of solidarity with terrorist organisations like Hamas. The event shows every sign of being a hatefest which is hostile to British values and totally inconsistent with the government’s efforts to counter extremists. It should not have been allowed to go ahead, especially in a publicly owned building.”
Read the JC report here.
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Board of Deputies Activity
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INTERNATIONAL
President Jonathan Arkush and Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg held talks with Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Terence Nikolaos Quick, Greek Ambassador Dimitris Caramitsos-Tziras, Diplomatic Adviser Victor Maligoudis, and Embassy Consul Sotirios Demestichas. Issues discussed included the recent trilateral summit between Greece, Cyprus and Israel in Thessaloniki, cooperation between the Greek and Jewish diasporas in the UK and issues facing the Jewish community in Greece. In May, the Board of Deputies took part in a trilateral meeting with the Cypriot, Israeli and Greek Missions plus representatives of the respective diaspora communities to map out joint projects.
Phil Rosenberg and Grassroots and Advocacy Consultant Steven Jaffe attended a farewell Kiddush for the Israeli Embassy’s Director of Public Relations, Rony Yedidia-Clein, at Shomrei Hadath Synagogue in West Hampstead, London.
Phil Rosenberg attended a breakfast meeting of the German Marshall Fund of the US to discuss transatlantic ties.
Steven Jaffe spoke at a night to celebrate Israel at Hitchin Christian centre. Speakers included Rony Yedidia-Clein of the Israeli embassy, John Levy of the Friends of Israel Educational Foundation and Canon Andrew White. Over 180 attended the event organised by Annette Powell.
Steven Jaffe joined members of North London Friends of Israel at their stall at the East Barnet festival. Theresa Villiers MP complimented the group on their visible and positive presence at the festival.
Steven Jaffe gave a Middle East update at Staines synagogue.
Steven Jaffe spoke to a cohort of staff members of Israeli embassies from across the world on mobilisation of grassroots support for Israel.
POLITICAL
Parliamentary Officer Joel Salmon and Phil Rosenberg met Paul Masterton, Conservative MP for East Renfrewshire, covering a range of Jewish issues including religious freedom, anti-Israel extremism and faith schools.
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CAMPUS
Joel Salmon met the new UJS Campaigns Team. They discussed priorities for the year ahead and how the two organisations can support each other and Jewish students across the UK.
BALFOUR CENTENARY
If you are holding an event celebrating the centenary of the Balfour Declaration you can upload the details here for inclusion on the Balfour 100 website. When made public, details will appear on the events page and the calendar.
EDUCATION
Vice President Sheila Gewolb and Education Development Manager Sara Perlmutter delivered two days of Judaism education to Year 9 students at St. Thomas More School in Wood Green. This is the culmination of a four day programme with the school.
Education Policy Adviser Dawn Waterman and Sara Perlmutter attended The Department for Education, Faith Providers group regular meeting.
Sheila Gewolb attended the Etgar 2017 Jewish Inter-School Challenge at Wembley Stadium. Over 1,000 pupils from all over the UK took part in the quiz which tests the children’s Jewish general knowledge. Chief Rabbi Mirvis and Israeli Ambassador Mark Regev presented the awards.
INTERFAITH
The Board of Deputies this week issued a statement about former EDL Leader Tommy Robinson. Read the Jewish News story here.
Vice President Marie van der Zyl and Interfaith and Social Action Officer Anthony Silkoff attended the Interfaith Network’s National Meeting alongside Rabbi David Mason, Board of Deputies Vice Moderator of the IFN's Faith Communities Forum, on the theme of “Moving Forward Together”.
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