Board of Deputies Community Briefing 23rd January 2020 copy

Congress’s Head of Strategy and Programmes, Daniel Radomski, to talk about projects and partnerships
between the two organisations.
Chief Executive Gillian Merron and Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg attended the Moroccan
Cultural Days in London, hosted by the Moroccan Embassy. You can see some relevant tweets here.
Chief Executive Gillian Merron met Sam Grundwerg, the world chairman of Keren Hayesod, to discuss
matters of interest between the two organisations.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg and Public Affairs Officer Daniel Sugarman met their
counterparts at Twitter UK to discuss antisemitism and ways in which the company can deal with it more
effectively. These include the possibility of adoption of the IHRA definition, and antisemitism training for
Twitter employees, including those responsible for looking into complaints.
SOCIAL ACTION
Vice-President Amanda Bowman gave a speech at the launch of “Don’t Forget the Photos”, an exhibition
organised by Rene Cassin at Muswell Hill United Synagogue about the murder of the Roma and Sinti by the
Nazis. Amanda told the audience: “When tabloids print headlines like ‘Gypsy Plague Returns’, people of all
communities - including Jews who know prejudice all too well - have a duty to speak out against this
racism.” Interfaith and Social Action Officer Anthony Silkoff also attended. The event was organised by
Deputy Irene Mansfield, with attendees from across Haringey’s faith community and civic leaders
including MP Catherine West and Mayor of Haringey Sheila Peacock.
The Board of Deputies is proud to support the Eco Synagogue awards on Sunday 9 February 2020 at
7:30pm, at West London Synagogue. Synagogues who have achieved bronze or silver awards will be
presented with their certificates and there will be a talk by special guest speaker Richard Deverell, Director
of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and Chief Executive Gillian Merron. Contact
enquiries@ecosynagogue.org to register.
There will also be another Eco-Synagogue event on Monday 10 February at 8pm – “Let’s Talk Trees”. As Tu
B'Shvat goes out, join Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg plus “Around the world in 80 Trees” author Jonathan
Drori, and a host of others for an evening focusing on practical ways to replant, rewild and save our planet.
For tickets, click here.
INTERFAITH
Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg and Interfaith and Social Action Officer Anthony Silkoff met
Revd Dr Richard Sudworth, Secretary for Inter-Religious Affairs to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Siriol
Davies, National Programme Coordinator for Presence and Engagement, from the Church of England. They
discussed ideas for interfaith collaboration between the Anglican and Jewish communities in Britain.
HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE
Deputy Sir Ben Helfgott, Defence Division Vice Chair Gary Mond and Public Affairs Director Phil
Rosenberg attended the Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony at City Hall, hosted by Mayor of London Sadiq
Khan. See pictures here.
Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenberg met Cathy O’Driscoll from Echo Eternal, about opportunities for
collaboration over Holocaust and Judaism education.
COMMUNITY
President Marie van der Zyl visited the Liverpool Jewish community last week. Organised by the Liverpool
Representative Council, Marie visited and spoke to the communities at Liverpool Reform Synagogue,
Childwall Synagogue, K@LL children’s learning programme, the Orthodox Cheders, Stapely Care (Old Age
Home), King David High School, Primary School and Kindergarten and the Monday Club.