Board of Deputies Community Briefing 28 November 2019 copy copy

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COMMUNITY BRIEFING
Leading candidates to debate General Election
issues at Jewish hustings
The Board of Deputies, in partnership with the Jewish Leadership Council
and the Jewish News are holding national hustings at JW3 community centre
on Wednesday 4 December.
Debating issues ahead of the General Election will be Robert Jenrick for the
Conservatives, Chuka Umunna for the Liberal Democrats, and Naz Shah for
Labour.
Make your voice and your vote count. For details of how to book your free
ticket for the event, click here.

Local hustings are taking place in constituencies around the country. For full
details, click here.
The Board of Deputies Jewish Manifesto has been designed to ensure that
all the political parties take into account the concerns of Britain’s Jewish
community when setting out their own proposals for government. To read
the manifesto, click here.
Board of Deputies President reacts to Labour claims on
antisemitism
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has responded to the claim of Labour Leader Jeremy
Corbyn, made at his party’s Race and Faith Manifesto launch, that antisemitism “will not be tolerated
whatsoever” under a Labour Government.
Marie van der Zyl said: “Most in our community will find it impossible to trust Jeremy Corbyn and Labour
when they say antisemitism ‘will not be tolerated whatsoever’. Labour’s record under his leadership has
shown that antisemites are indulged by Labour, while Jewish MPs are hounded out without a word of
complaint from him. British Jews are acutely anxious about the proliferation of antisemitism in the official
party of opposition, a point made so eloquently by the Chief Rabbi earlier today. What starts with the Jews
never ends with the Jews. If the Labour Party can show this kind of disdain for our community, then who
will be next?”
Read the BBC report here and the daily Telegraph article here.
UCL adoption of international definition of antisemitism
is ‘an important step’
Board of Deputies Vice President Amanda Bowman has commented on the news that University College
London has adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism in full.
Amanda said: “UCL has taken an important step towards protecting Jewish students, academics and staff
in adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism. After a long process, it is promising to see the full definition
adopted and we hope other universities will follow suit.”
ACTIVITY REPORT
INTERNATIONAL
Senior Vice President Sheila Gewolb has condemned the treatment of China’s Uighar Muslims by the
country’s government. She said: “These reports of psychological torture and brainwashing are just the latest
in a series of disturbing and sinister revelations about the treatment of Uighur Muslims by the government
of China. Because of our history, British Jews will refuse to turn a blind eye to the persecution of an entire
community, anywhere. In the coming months, we will be working with partners in the British Muslim
community to continue raising awareness of this grave issue.”
Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg and International Relations Officer Talia Ingleby met officials
from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to discuss ongoing foreign policy priorities.
International Relations officer Talia Ingleby met Asta Chaladauskiene, political counsellor at the
Lithuanian Embassy, to discuss the importance of Holocaust remembrance and the legacy of Litvak culture
in Lithuania and beyond.
International Relations officer Talia Ingleby attended the Anglo-Israel Association’s Annual Dinner.

INTERFAITH
Vice President Edwin Shuker and Education Policy and Youth Engagement Officer Jake Berger visited
the Aga Khan Centre and The Ismaili Centre in London, meeting with officials from the Ismaili community to
discuss Jewish-Muslim relations.
Senior Vice President Sheila Gewolb attended the Faith and Belief Forum’s Gala Dinner, where the guest
speakers included Michael Sternberg QC and actor and comedian Omid Djalili. Israeli Ambassador Mark
Regev was also present.
Chief Executive Gillian Merron and Interfaith and Social Action Officer, Anthony Silkoff met Iman Atta
OBE, Director of Tell MAMA, and Fiyaz Mughal, Director of Faith Matters, to discuss how the Jewish and
Muslim communities can work together to combat islamophobia, anti-Muslim hate and antisemitism.
Interfaith and Social Action Officer Anthony Silkoff convened a meeting of the Jewish Social Action
Forum, which brings together charities and organisations which work on social justice and social action,
from across the Jewish community.
Treasurer Stuart MacDonald attended the Invest in Peace event which took place at the New North
London Synagogue.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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