Board of Deputies Community Briefing 22nd October 2020

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COMMUNITY BRIEFING

Board of Deputies President welcomes ruling
which ensures housing provision can be
targeted at Orthodox community

Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has welcomed a Supreme
Court judgement which found in favour of the Agudas Yisroel housing
association in Stamford Hill when it listed its homes for rent with the caveat
of “consideration only to the Orthodox Jewish community”. The court ruled it
was legal because it overcame the social and economic disadvantage faced
by the community of Charedi Jews in the area.

Marie said: “We welcome the Supreme Court’s judgement, which ensures
that faith and culturally sensitive provision can be targeted at those who
require it. The Board of Deputies is grateful to everyone at the Agudas Yisroel
Housing Association and their inspirational Chief Executive Ita Symons
whose hard work and commitment has won this significant victory.”

Jewish community representatives meet Shadow Foreign
Secretary Lisa Nandy

A delegation from the Board of Deputies, the Jewish Leadership Council, Labour Friends of Israel and Sir
Trevor Chinn met today with Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy and Shadow Middle East Minister
Wayne David.

The group stressed the need for Labour to retain an even-handed approach to Israel and expressed
concerns about some recent statements from senior Labour figures that seemed to go against Labour’s
longstanding opposition to boycotts of Israel. Lisa Nandy confirmed that Labour’s position of opposition to
BDS remains unchanged.

The group also discussed the recent Abraham Accords, the threat posed by Iran and the concerning
situation facing the Uyghurs in China.

Marie van der Zyl: 'Westminster is the right place for a
Holocaust memorial'

Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl this week wrote in The Times of her support for the proposed
Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre to be sited in Westminster.

As a planning inquiry considers plans for the centre, to be located in Victoria Tower Gardens, adjacent to
Parliament, Marie wrote: "There is something uniquely powerful in situating a memorial and learning centre
to humankind’s greatest crime right next to the centre of the UK’s democracy in Westminster. It sends an
important message about the importance of the Holocaust to our nation’s history and our collective
memory."

She added: "Despite commitments that this kind of tragedy will never happen again following the
Holocaust, there have been millions murdered in subsequent genocides around the world. It has never been
more vital to have an important, national institution dedicated to preserving the memory of the Holocaust
and as a constant reminder of what happens when hate goes unchecked."

You can read the full article here.

Hidden Treasures has held its second event, entitled Treasures from Britain’s Synagogue Archives. The event
was introduced by Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl and chaired by Chief Executive Gillian
Merron. Our speakers were Professor David Newman, Lizzie Baker of the Tyne and Wear archives and Rachel
Lichtenstein who talked about her archive project at Sandys Row synagogue and showed the magnificent
Torah mantles pictured above. The event can be viewed at https://celebratingjewisharchives.org/hidden-
treasures-from-the-uks-synagogues/ and on the Hidden Treasures YouTube page.

Condemnation for Len McCluskey’s use of antisemitic
trope on Newsnight

Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has condemned Unite Union leader Len McCluskey for
comments he made on Newsnight that senior Labour Party figure Peter Mandelson should go into a room
and “count his gold”.

Marie said: “We are deeply concerned that the leader of one of the most powerful Trade Unions in this
country would go on television and use an antisemitic trope dating back to medieval times. Whilst noting
that Mr McCluskey has now apologised, this serves to demonstrate just how deeply the language of
antisemitism has become rooted among those who would no doubt describe themselves as being proudly
anti-racist.”

ACTIVITY REPORT

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

The Board of Deputies, WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps and S&P Sephardi Community co-hosted Lt. Col.
Jonathan Conricus, the International Spokesperson of the IDF for a briefing on the security situation in the
Middle East in light of the Abraham Accords and ongoing aggressive posturing from Iran. The event was
chaired by Senior Vice President Sheila Gewolb, whilst Deputy, WJC Jewish diplomat and S&P Sephardi
Board Member Efrat Sopher moderated the Question and Answer session with assistance from
International Relations Officer Talia Ingleby. The briefing was closed with warm words by Senior Rabbi of
the S&P Sephardi Community, Rabbi Joseph Dweck.

Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg and International Relations Officer Talia Ingleby held a catch-up
call with Steve Winston from the Zionist Federation to discuss priorities of Israel advocacy and shared
ideas.

Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg and International Relations Officer Talia Ingleby held a catch-up
call with Steve Scott, from Britain-Israel Trade Union Dialogue to discuss ways to continue Israel advocacy
in trade unions, on a digital basis.

SOCIAL MEDIA

President Marie van der Zyl wrote in Grazia about 'How Online Became The New Frontline In The Fight
Against Race Hate'. You can read it here.

President Marie van der Zyl wrote in the Jewish News about the long overdue decision of social media
companies to ban Holocaust denial on their platforms. You can read the article here.

COMMUNITY

Director of Operations Judy Silkoff convened and chaired a meeting of the Community Operations
Forum, which was attended by operations professionals from a wide range of communal organisations. The
next meeting will take place in November.

Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg and London Jewish Forum Co-Chair Andrew Gilbert had a catch
up on political matters affecting the Jewish community in London

Community Engagement Officer Lauren Keiles met Esther Radnor from Light Up A Life to discuss
volunteer opportunities.

Community Engagement Officer Lauren Keiles met Aviva Trup from Jewish Care to discuss Jewish
provisions in Jewish Care facilities and volunteering projects.

As part of the Board of Deputies' Bitesize Training, UJIA Chief Executive Mandie Winston presented to the
Board of Deputies professional staff team on the work and priorities of the organisation.

Community Engagement Officer Lauren Keiles met Tal Ofer, Deputy for Chigwell and Hainault
Synagogue and Ruth Freedman, Deputy for Pinner Synagogue, to discuss Board of Deputies engagement
with their respective communities.

Regional Coronavirus Advice Capacity Help (Co-Ach) Manager Sara Radivan met Bruce Greenberg and
John Josephs, Deputy and President or Northampton Hebrew Congregation, to discuss further Deputy
engagement and future work together.

Regional Coronavirus Advice Capacity Help (Co-Ach) Manager Sara Radivan met Garry Abrams and
Rabbi Avinoam Czitron, Deputy and Rabbi of Childwall Hebrew Congregation, Liverpool, to discuss further
Deputy engagement and future work together.

Regional Coronavirus Advice Capacity Help (Co-Ach) Manager Sara Radivan met Roy Lewis and Rabbi
Yonosan Golomb, Deputy and Rabbi of Sheffield United Synagogue, to discuss further Deputy engagement
and future work together.

POLITICS

President Marie van der Zyl, Chief Executive Gillian Merron, Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg,
Public Affairs Officer Daniel Sugarman and Regional Coronavirus Advice Capacity Help (Co-Ach)
Manager Sara Radivan met Bury South MP Christian Wakeford to discuss issues affecting the local and
national Jewish community, including tackling online harms & BDS and improving the coroners’ system.

Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg, International Relations Officer Talia Ingleby and Public Affairs
Officer Daniel Sugarman held a catch-up call with Toby Davis from Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel to
discuss parliamentary engagement on Israel.

ANTISEMITISM

Vice President Amanda Bowman attended The Morris and Manja Leigh Memorial Lecture -'Antisemitism
today: Can it be combated?' which was delivered by Lord Mann of Holbeck Moor.

E D U C AT I O N

Education Policy and Youth Engagement Officer Jake Berger attended a meeting of the Faith/BAME
Involvement Group in Wales, to discuss the Welsh government's proposals for Relationships and Sex
Education.

Education Policy and Youth Engagement Officer Jake Berger attended a virtual meeting of the
Department for Education’s Faith School Providers Group.

CAMPUS

Education Policy and Youth Engagement Officer Jake Berger met World Jewish Congress’ Campus
Affairs Manager Yoni Hammerman to discuss potential joint work.

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