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NEWSLETTER
JULY 2008
BOARD OF DEPUTIES OF BRITISH JEWS
BULLETIN BOARD JULY 2008
Headlines of the Board of Deputies’
activities in the month. Unabridged news items can be found at www.bod.org.uk
Board of Deputies in First Ever
Salute to Israel
The Board of Deputies, together some 50 communal organisations, participated in the Salute
to Israel Parade through the heart of London on 29 June, with its own specially decorated
London bus. The Parade and rally in Trafalgar Square were organised by the Board and other
major Jewish organisations, and coincided with similar celebrations in Manchester. Some
40,000 people are estimated to have enjoyed the celebration in the two cities. The London
Parade consisted of floats, marchers, cyclists, dancers and bands stretching from The Ritz
Hotel in Piccadilly to Trafalgar Square for the historic event. It began with the sound of
60 shofar blasts sounded by Jonathan Grunwald, son of Board President Henry Grunwald QC,
who marched at the head of the parade with the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Chief Rabbi,
Israeli Ambassador and leading figures from the Jewish community and London life.
Photo: Corey Ross
“Today, the British Jewish community has
come together to send out a powerful message from Trafalgar Square and from Heaton Park:
We are proud to be British, proud to be Jewish, and proud to support Israel…We are
proud of all that Israel has achieved in its first 60 years, of what it has contributed to
the wider world, and we hope and pray that Israel will know the peace that it deserves and
that Israelis and Palestinians will benefit from what peace will bring,” said
Grunwald. “After today let no-one ever again say that this community does not
publicly, proudly, openly and loudly stand up for what it believes in.”
Board hosts founding congress of
Justice for Jews from Arab Countries
BoD initiative culminates with 1st Parliamentary hearing on Arab Jewish refugees
The Board of Deputies hosted a three-day inaugural congress for Justice for Jews from Arab
Countries to draw attention to the issue of Jews expelled from their homes by Arab
governments. Board Vice-President and International Division Chairman Flo Kaufmann
welcomed the campaigning group to the UK. Following the London meetings, Deputy Edwin
Shuker, a member of JJAC travelled to Brussels and a special meeting of the European
Jewish Congress to speak on behalf of the JJAC and the Board of Deputies.
A dinner was held at the Spanish and
Portuguese Synagogue hosted by Rabbi Abraham Levy at which Sir Martin Gilbert gave a
keynote address based on new research for an upcoming book on Jews from Arab countries.
The following evening, Professor Irwin Cotler MP, the former Canadian Justice Minister,
spoke to a meeting at the House of Lords.
Board releases demographic report on
Charedi community
The Board of Deputies of British Jews published an in-depth report on Britain’s
strictly Orthodox Charedi Jewish community, showing an annual growth of 4 per cent.
Written by demographers David Graham and Daniel Vulkan, Population Trends among
Britain’s Strictly Orthodox Jews is a rigorous review of a wealth of data on this
rapidly growing section of British Jewry. The report is available on the Board of Deputies
web site at: http://www.boardofdeputies.org.uk/StrictlyOrthodox.pdf
Romanian ambassador visits Board for
talks
The newly appointed Romanian Ambassador Dr Ion Jinga visited the Board of Deputies for
high-level talks and pledged support for enforcing economic sanctions on Iran. The group
representing the Board was led by Vice-President and Chairman of the International
Division Flo Kaufmann and included Director of the Defence Division Mike Whine,
International Division member Alex Faiman and Director of Public Affairs, Liz Harris. The
meeting reinforced the established strong rapport with the Embassy of Romania in London.
Flo Kaufmann said: “This was a most productive meeting. Given Romania’s place in
the European Union, I am glad the Ambassador recognised the importance of underlining and
enforcing economic sanctions on Iran according to the EU common position.”
Board launches Greville Janner Jewish
Tour of Parliament
Lord Janner, with the support of the Board of Deputies launched a new pamphlet last month
offering a unique Jewish tour of Parliament. Designed to celebrate the 150th anniversary
of the first Jewish MP, Baron Lionel de Rothschild, who was granted permission to opt for
a Jewish oath when he took his seat in Parliament on 26 July 1858. The Greville Janner
Jewish Tour of Parliament explores sites around the Palace of Westminster of significance
to the Jewish community and the history of Jewish life. Henry Grunwald QC, President of
the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: “The Board of Deputies is proud to
support this endeavour, and it is fitting that these tours, and this pamphlet, should be
launched at this time.” |
