Dear Members and Friends,

‘The past 6 years of my life at CCJ, have personally and professionally been some of the most rewarding in my career. Working together with CCJ members and stakeholders has provided a unique opportunity to re-energise an organisation with a very important mission and one that has always been close to my heart.

As a Jewish leader committed to Christian/Jewish relations, I have given every ounce of my passion, energy and skills to bring our two communities together in creative and exciting ways. And that’s why it is so rewarding 6 years later to see a vibrant organisation, with meaningful programmes, a dynamic professional team, a new Deputy Director, a strong public profile and CCJ ambassadors in every corner of the UK.

Having completed this exciting chapter in the life of CCJ, I think now is the time to plan my departure. Organisations, like people, need to grow and change and I am pleased that a new Director can now take CCJ forward from a solid foundation for the next generation. It has been a privilege for me to get to know all of you and to work with you all in various different ways. I have received a lot of support for which I’m very grateful. Importantly, as a Jewish person, I’ve developed deep and lasting relationships with both Jewish and Christian stakeholders, some of whom Ive travelled or run programmes with and many of whom are now dear friends. This is the greatest gift of all.

Having travelled up and down the country to visit and speak at CCJ branches over the years, and having created the ‘In Partnership’ forum for CCJ branch chairs, , I feel very much part of the CCJ family and I hope, after I step down at end Sept 2020, I can remain part of that family, in whatever form that takes.’

Once again thank you for your support over the past years. It has been an immense honour to serve CCJ.

Elizabeth Harris-Sawczenko,
Director
 

Bishop Michael Ipgrave, Chair of Trustees of the Council of Christians and Jews said:

We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Elizabeth for the energy, vision and commitment that she has brought to CCJ over the past six years, working tirelessly for the cause of Christian-Jewish relations which is so close to her heart, and building our profile as one of the UK’s leading inter faith organisations. With my fellow trustees, I wish her every blessing in the next stage of her life, and I am glad to know that we can continue to count on her support. Further information about arrangements for the future leadership of CCJ will follow in due course.