Board of Deputies Community Briefing 21st February 2019

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COMMUNITY BRIEFING
Marie van der Zyl reacts to decision of group
of MPs to quit the Labour Party
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has
reacted to the decision of a group of Labour MPs to
quit the Party and set up an independent group.
MPs, we stand in solidarity with all those who have
been targeted. Labour has failed to deal with
antisemitism since the Jewish community’s Enough

Marie said: “A group of Labour MPs have
announced their decision to leave the Labour Party
and sit as an independent group in Parliament. In a
searing indictment of the Labour leadership, both
Luciana Berger MP, Mike Gapes MP and Joan Ryan
MP accused the party of being institutionally
antisemitic.
"In the light of the horrific abuse aimed at Jewish
is Enough demonstration called on the Labour
leadership to act against this racism. This is a
moment of great shame for the Labour Party, and a
tragedy for the thousands of Jews who have
supported the Party for generations.”
Read the Daily Telegraph story here.
Photo: Luciana Berger MP
Albanian Ambassador Qirjako Qirko (centre) with Board of Deputies Vice President Edwin Shuker and Chief
Executive Gillian Merron at the "Love Your Neighbour" exhibition displayed at Sunday's meeting
Board of Deputies hosts exhibition which honours
Muslims who saved Jews during the Holocaust
An exhibition which focuses on Albanian Muslims’ efforts to save Jews during the Holocaust was on display
at Sunday's Board of Deputies meeting.
The Yad Vashem exhibition, entitled ‘Love Your Neighbour’, was shown in the presence of Albanian
Ambassador Qirjako Qirko, giving Deputies from around the UK an opportunity to learn about the acts of
bravery by Muslim Albanians during the Nazi Occupation.
In his speech, Mr Qirko told the meeting: “The history of protection of the Jewish population in Albania is
exceptional, an excellent example of humanity and a lesson for the future generations.”
He added: “Albanians chose not to stay indifferent during the unprecedented atrocities of the Holocaust.
They chose the right side, the side of life.”
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl said: “This is an important exhibition which celebrates the
heroism of Muslim Albanians who rescued Jews during the Holocaust. It is a little-known history, and one
which we are happy to be able to share with our Deputies, who can take these stories back to their
communities all around the country. These acts of heroism are a model for how Muslims and Jews ought to
coexist today, challenging antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred together.”

Yad Vashem UK Foundation Chairman Simon Bentley said: “Yad Vashem, as the World Holocaust
Remembrance Centre, is committed to honouring non-Jews who have risked their lives to save Jews during
the Shoah. The BESA exhibition highlights these Righteous Among the Nations by focusing on the Albanian
Muslims who saved hundreds of Jewish lives during the Holocaust.”
ACTIVITY REPORT
INTERNATIONAL
President Marie van der Zyl attended a candlelit memorial service at Bevis Marks Synagogue to
commemorate the Jews who were falsely accused of spying and hanged in Baghdad 50 years ago.
POLITICAL
President Marie van der Zyl and representatives from other community organisations met Sean Bailey, the
Conservative candidate for Mayor of London.
On Wednesday, MPs took part in a House of Commons debate: Antisemitism in Modern Society. Many MPs
spoke very powerfully, including members of the APPG on British Jews. They spoke of the important work
of the Board of Deputies and our communal partners. The work of Parliamentary Officer Joel Salmon was
also mentioned. If you would like to read the transcript of the debate, click here.
EDUCATION
A group of 37 GCSE students from Gowerton School in Swansea visited North West London for their annual
Jewish Living Tour. They had a tour and explanation of the synagogue and Jewish practices at Finchley
United Synagogue (Kinloss Gardens), ate a kosher lunch of fish and chips at White Fish Restaurant, and
were captivated by a spellbinding talk from Holocaust survivor Peter Summerfield. Thanks are due to the
tour volunteers: Leonard Silver, Deputy Syd Braham, Senior Vice President Sheila Gewolb and
Education Projects Administrator Jackie Emery.
COMMUNITY
Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg and Shlomi Isaacson of the Jewish Community Council Gateshead
organised a visit to Gateshead for Jonathan Hellewell, the Prime Minister’s Special Adviser on Faith
Communities, to explore the particular situation of this section of the Strictly Orthodox community. The visit
included a visit to the main Yeshiva, the main Seminary, a meeting with Rabbi Zimmerman, Senior Rabbi of
Gateshead, and a roundtable with the key constituent organisations of the Jewish Community Council of
Gateshead.
Vice President Amanda Bowman and Parliamentary Officer Joel Salmon met Cassie Matus from March
of the Living to discuss their work and ideas for future collaboration.
MEDIA
Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg was interviewed about antisemitism in the Labour Party and the
new Independent Group, on Israeli Channel i24. Watch it here.
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