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14th March 2024
Community Briefing

Board of Deputies President and Chief Executive attend UN Secretary General meeting

President Marie van der Zyl and Chief Executive Michael Wegier were among the Jewish community representatives from the J7 diaspora countries (US, UK, France, Germany, Canada, Argentina and Australia) who met UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres last week in New York to discuss all UN-related matters concerning antisemitism, sexual violence and the Israeli hostages in Gaza.

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Board of Deputies writes to Michael Gove expressing support for antisemitism advisor Lord Mann

Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has sent a letter to Michael Gove MP, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, regarding the Government's Independent Adviser on Antisemitism, Lord Mann.

She writes: "I wish to put it on record that the Jewish community is overwhelmingly supportive of Lord Mann and very appreciative of his tireless work on behalf of the Jewish community."

She adds: "I believe it would be a retrogade step to dismiss Lord Mann."

You can read the entire letter by clicking below.

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Marie van der Zyl issues plea for female hostages on International Women's Day

President Marie van der Zyl released this statement ahead of International Women’s Day: “Yesterday, we marked five months since Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad carried out a horrific pogrom in Israel, including terrible acts of sexual violence. 19 women and girls remain among those still held captive by these terrorist organisations in Gaza. I join the call to #BringBackOurGirls.”

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London Jewish Forum, along with the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council, hosted the first Jewish Community Breakfast Briefings with the Green Candidate for the Mayor of London, Zoë Garbett, hosted by JW3. Left to right: Zack Polanski, Green Assembly Member, Adrian Cohen, co-chair London Jewish Forum, Zoë Garbett, Green Mayoral Candidate, Andree Freeze, Greens councillor in Richmond, Daniella Myers, Director London Jewish Forum. 
 

Hostage vigils continue at Westminster

Vigils continued this week at Westminster for the more than 130 hostages still held captive in Gaza. The Board of Deputies will be holding two further vigils at Westminster next week. If you would like to participate on Tuesday or Wednesday, click on the link below.

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Activity Report
International
President Marie van der Zyl and Chief Executive Michael Wegier were invited by ADL in America to participate in their annual conference entitled Never is Now. This included special meetings as part of the J7 group of the largest diaspora communities. 

Education
Education Officer Anna Silver and Deputy Sheila Gewolb attended an event hosted by Fiona Bruce, Chair of the APPG for Religious Education, entitled “What should high-quality Religious Education look like?” Speakers included experts, academics, teachers and students.

Disabilities
The Board of Deputies Social Justice Committee hosted an online panel event discussing “Being Jewish with a disability: exploring experiences, challenges and successes”. Co-Chair of the Social Justice Committee, Deputy Amos Schonfield welcomed the many attendees. The panel discussion was chaired by Deputy Judith Prinsley. The panel consisted of Deputies Annabelle Daiches and Owen Power, and Steven Ingram from Founder of Neurodiversity Together.

International Women's Day
Deputy and Community Engagement Manager Sara Radivan hosted an interfaith International Women’s Day event at Stenecourt Synagogue, Manchester. Education Officer Anna Silver spoke about the synagogue. A thread of tweets and photographs can be seen here

Vice President Amanda Bowman was welcomed by Deputy Jane Power and the community at Westminster Synagogue when she spoke at their International Women’s Day Dinner.

Community
Treasurer Michael Ziff addressed the community at David Ishag Synaogue in north-west London.

Vice President Amanda Bowman addressed the community at Muswell Hill Synagogue.

Chief Executive Michael Wegier spoke at Finchley Federation Synagogue about the work of the Board of Deputies in the context of the Hamas attack. He also spoke about the Chief Rabbi’s Shabbat for Israel.

Interfaith
Vice Presidents Amanda Bowman and Edwin Shuker attended the switching on of Ramadan Lights in central London. The event was supported by the Aziz Foundation.

Israel
Director of The London Jewish Forum Daniella Myers attended a breakfast organised by the Israeli Embassy and UJIA. Present were various representatives of the Israel Association of Community Centers (IACC). They discussed the current rise in antisemitism for Diaspora Jews, as well as increasing the working relationship between the diaspora and Israeli officials.

Antisemitism
Director of Public Affairs Daniel Sugarman represented the Board of Deputies at a briefing held by the Religion Media Centre. He discussed the rise in antisemitism since October 7th.

Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire Jewish Forum hosted an online forum meeting. It was addressed by vice-chair of the Hertfordshire Jewish Police Association.
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