Board of Deputies Community Briefing

Board of Deputies launches 'Seder Seat for a Hostage' campaign

This Passover, as every year, Jewish communities around the world will be commemorating the Festival of Freedom, remembering our ancestors being rescued from captivity and going up to the land of Israel.

At the Seder table, the youngest among us will ask the traditional Four Questions. But for many of us there will be another question this Pesach, left unanswered.

How can we discuss being redeemed from slavery, when Hamas still holds 130 men, women and children in the most vile captivity? How can we celebrate our freedom, when our brothers and sisters are not free?

The Board of Deputies of British Jews is therefore launching a “Seder Seat for a Hostage” initiative, urging individuals and families to set an extra place at their seder table for one of the more than 100 men, women and children still held captive by Hamas.

People can download and print a picture of one of the hostages, which can be placed at a special seat at the table set for them. We would also encourage people to share pictures of their laid Seder Table with the seat set aside for a chosen hostage, along with the #SederSeatForAHostage hashtag.

Marie van der Zyl, President of the Board of Deputies, described the initiative as “Commemorating the Festival of Freedom, Remembering Those in Captivity.”

She described how: “As in ancient days, we call ‘Let Our People Go” – Jewish, Muslim, Christian or Buddhist – the hostages must all come home.

“We pray for their release, and for this terrible conflict to come to an end with Hamas uprooted, so that Israelis and Palestinians can together build a better future. And when we recite the words ‘Next Year in Jerusalem’, we will be thinking of all those who are not with us for the Seder this year, hoping for their safe return.”

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Board of Deputies wishes Princess of Wales a 'full and speedy recovery'

The Board of Deputies extends its best wishes for a refuah sheleimah - a full and speedy recovery - to the Princess of Wales. Our thoughts are with her and the Royal Family.

Hustings to take place across the country ahead of Board of Deputies elections

The Board of Deputies will be holding its triennial elections on 12th May to choose a president, vice-presidents and treasurer of the organisation.

Ahead of this date there will be hustings taking place in London, Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow. This is an opportunity for the wider Jewish community to hear from the candidates, ask questions, and participate in the democratic process that underpins everything we do.

For details of dates and how to register, click below.

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On Monday, 8th April, we will gather in Central London for a mass vigil for the more than 100 men, women, and children who have been held hostage for over six months since the 7th October massacre.

CST and police will be present. The event is organised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, The Jewish Leadership Council, UJIA, and The Hostages and Missing Families Forum UK

London Jewish Forum organised a Jewish community breakfast briefing with the Labour candidate for Mayor of London, Mayor Sadiq Khan. It was hosted at JW3 in conjunction with the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council.

London Jewish Forum organised the Jewish community breakfast briefing with the Conservative candidate for Mayor of London, Susan Hall. It was hosted at JW3 in conjunction with the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council.

London Jewish Forum organised a Jewish community breakfast briefing with the Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of London, Rob Blackie. It was hosted at JW3 in conjunction with the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council.