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NEWSLETTER MAY 2008

BOARD OF DEPUTIES OF BRITISH JEWS
BULLETIN BOARD APRIL 2008

Headlines of the Board of Deputies’ activities in the  month. Unabridged news items can be found at www.bod.org.uk

Where will you be on 29 June? – Board of Deputies Gears Up for Salute to Israel
The Board of Deputies, together with UJIA and JNF and other communal organisations, is proud to support the Salute to Israel on 29 June, consisting of parades in London and Manchester and celebrations in Trafalgar Square and Manchester. Don’t miss this opportunity to show your support by joining us with your shul, school, youth group, or with family and friends, or simply being there on the day. For more information click here: www.salutetoisrael.org.

Government gives Board unequivocal support for Jewish schools Stresses need to ‘preserve their ethos’
The Government has reaffirmed its support for Jewish schools following high-level discussions between the Board of Deputies and the Department of Children Schools and Families. After a detailed exchange of letters between the Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Ed Balls MP, and Board of Deputies President Henry Grunwald QC, a meeting was held at the Board on 10 April between Schools Minister Jim Knight and school heads and governors. The assurances came after the Board relayed to the DCSF mounting communal concerns in response to its survey on admissions codes in areas including Manchester and the London Borough of Barnet. In his letter to the Board, Mr Balls affirmed that Jewish schools “play a central role in delivering excellent, publicly-funded education in this country”. Mr Grunwald welcomed the government’s acceptance “of the right of schools to ask for voluntary contributions for security and religious education” albeit separately from the admissions process. At the meeting at the Board, Minister for Schools Jim Knight reiterated the Government's support for Jewish schools maintain their unique character and continuing commitment to the integrity of Jewish education in England. The Minister promised to work with the Board of Deputies, religious authorities and schools to ensure that the admission arrangements continue to preserve their strong Jewish ethos and promote family values, declaring “We are committed to state maintained faith education in this country.” April 2008 – Adar II–Nisan 5768 Following the meeting, Grunwald said, “We welcome the Government’s pledge and will continue to work closely with them to ensure the DCSF understands the Jewish community’s particular needs and concerns. It is precisely because of their ethos that Jewish schools add so much value to education in this country, producing good results and fostering strong citizenship values.”

Blears praises Jewish contribution at Board’s Regional Seminar
In a keynote address to the Board of Deputies of British Jews Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Hazel Blears highlighted the contribution British Jews have made to civic life in the UK and praised the Board’s efforts in creating its Regional Development Project. Speaking at a regional seminar in Salford on 30 March that drew communal activists from around the country, Blears praised the Board’s initiative and its contribution to community cohesion.

Board conveys Charedi concerns over marriage visa provisions In March Board President Henry Grunwald QC and Community Issues Director Alex Goldberg led a delegation of representatives from the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations and Agudas Yisroel to meet Liam Byrne MP, Immigration Minister at the Home Office, where they discussed concerns over proposed changes to the age limit for marriage visas. The proposal seeks to tackle forced marriages in UK’s Asian community and would increase from 18 to 21 the minimum age for all marriage visas. This would inhibit Charedi marriages for many prospective spouses who come to the UK to marry. Mr Grunwald said, “the Minister understood our concerns. We hope and trust that those concerns will have been met.”

Life under the shadow of Qassam rocket attacks from Gaza
Israeli educator Jeremy Maissel visited the Board to talk about daily life in the shadow of rocket attacks on the town of Sderot and the surrounding area. During his hour-long presentation, Maissel showed a series of video clips including scenes from the region targeted by terrorists, illustrating their proximity, sometimes of just several hundred yards, to the rocket launching points in Gaza. Sderot’s 20,000 residents have seen a steady escalation of rocket and mortar attacks in the last three years – a combined total of more than 4,500 since 2005.

Government affirms right to Sabbath observance for Jewish GPs
The Department of Health has reassured the Board that the Government’s plans to encourage GPs to open surgeries in the evenings or at weekends will not infringe on Jewish doctors’ religious rights to refrain from work on the Sabbath. Following a letter written by Board President Henry Grunwald QC to Health Secretary Alan Johnson, Minister of State for Health Services Ben Bradshaw MP explicitly stated the Government’s position affirming the right to Sabbath observance. “I can assure you that under our proposals to extend GPs’ hours, no Jewish doctor would be expected or obligated to break Sabbath Laws. In fact, no individual GP will be under compulsion to work on Saturday.”

Board of Deputies hosts Jewish-Muslim women’s dialogue luncheon
The Board hosted a luncheon for Muslim women contributors to Living Islam Out Loud, a collection of essays on the American Muslim experience. Board Vice President Flo Kaufmann welcomed the writers, whose recently published work explores issues of spirituality, belonging, relationships, citizenship and activism as seen by 15 first generation American Muslim women. "The lunch provided an opportunity for the visitors to participate in a dialogue with leading British Jewish women about gender and religion in the modern world," said Kaufmann, who is also chairman of the Board’s International Division. Guests included poet and lawyer Sham-e-Ali Al-Jamil, editor and American Muslim community activist Saleemah Abdul Ghafur and U.S. Foreign Service Aroosha Roq Zana.

Board of Deputies adds voice to ‘Day for Darfur’ march

L-R: Board of Deputies President Henry Grunwald, Imam Adam Torjok, Rev. Giles Fraser (Photo: Poppy Berelowitz)

Hundreds of demonstrators, including many from Jewish organisations and youth movements, marched to the Sudanese Embassy on 13 April to protest the mass killings in Darfur. They were joined by thousands of protesters demonstrating in more than 30 countries, and calling for an immediate end to the conflict. In a keynote address alongside leaders from the Muslim and Christian faiths, Board President Henry Grunwald QC stressed that the media, politicians and public officials need to be reminded of Darfur’s plight on a daily basis: “As Jews we are particularly affected by the mass killings in Darfur. As Jews we must do whatever we can to make sure that the world does not stand by. We must write to our MPs and write to the government to pressure the UN to make the peacekeeping force happen. It is our responsibility to exert pressure. It is their responsibility to do what is needed.”

Board tackles racism with FA
The Board of Deputies, the Metropolitan Police and the National Association of Muslim Police came together on 3 April at the FA's first 'faith summit' to tackle antisemitism, Islamophobia and racism at UK football matches. The Community Security Trust and Maccabi joined some 60 representatives from a range of other organisations, including the Jewish Police Association, the European Institute for Contemporary Antisemitism, RenéCassin, Kick it Out, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and police constabularies from around the country. Moderated by sports broadcaster Ray Stubbs, the seminar met for more than five hours to explore areas that need tackling such as racial, antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents on the terraces of and near, football grounds.

Date of next Board meeting: 18 May in Liverpool