"The #BoardofDeputies has officially announced the launch of #JewishCulture Month, a new nationwide celebration set to debut in 2026, with the primary goal of showcasing the diversity, creativity, and contributions of #Jewishlife across the #UnitedKingdom. This momentous event will take place during the #Jewish month of #Sivan (May 16 to June 14, 2026), and registration is now open for event organizers from the Jewish community to participate in this vibrant celebration of #culture, #history, and #heritage."

https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/jewish-culture-month-in-the-uk-a-nationwide-celebration-of-jewish-life-art-and-heritage-set-to-boost-cultural-tourism-and-public-engagement/#google_vignette

"Three #Sydney #MPs, representing electorates where most of the city’s #Jewishcommunity lives, met with #Jewishvoters this week in an online forum hosted by the #NSW #Jewish #BoardofDeputies, confronting tough questions about #antisemitism, #MiddleEast policy, and national unity.

The Board’s October Plenum, moderated by Executive Council of #Australian #Jewry co-CEO Peter Wertheim, brought together Assistant Foreign Minister and Labor MP Matt Thistlethwaite, along with independents Allegra Spender and Nicolette Boele. Held six months after the federal election, the event followed a year of unprecedented tension for Australian #Jews.

Board CEO Michele Goldman opened the evening by acknowledging the mood in the community. “We’ve had a bruising two years,” she said. “This is a chance to hear directly from our elected representatives on what they’ve done, and what still needs to be done.”

https://www.jwire.com.au/sydney-mps-face-tough-questions-from-jewish-community/

British Jews speak out about Israel

Board of Deputies of British Jews write open letter criticising Israel’s actions

April 2025

UPDATE: 24 April

The Deputies who wrote the letter to the Financial Times face disciplinary action which seems to indicate there are many tensions in the British Jewish community over the war in Gaza in which over 51,000 have now died. The vice-chair has been suspended. All those who wrote are subject to the complaints procedure according to a statement by the Board. The Board has received ‘multiple complaints’ it said from the public and Deputies.

This is a brave move by the Deputies. Around one in eight have written the letter published in the Financial Times on 15th. One of their number was interviewed on various channels on 16 April and said they could no longer ‘turn a blind eye or stay silent’ in view of the violence. This is the most extremist of Israeli governments they claim which is openly encouraging violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, strangling the Palestinian economy and building more new settlements than ever. ‘Israel’s soul is being ripped out’ and as members of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, they fear for the future of the Israel they love and have such close ties to. Until now, they have been supportive of the Israeli government.

Not all Board members agreed and a senior member of the Board is quoted in an article in the Jewish Chronicle:

“[…] The publication of the campaign has been met with a divided reaction in the British community. A senior member of the Board of Deputies described the move as “an incredibly badly advised decision,” adding: “[It is] highly divisive and inappropriate in undermining [Board president] Phil Rosenberg so publicly in a national forum. As British Jews, we should not be commenting on what is effectively an Israeli political matter.”

People who criticise Israel face accusations of anti-Semitism and more recently, being ‘supporters of Hamas’. This has been the standard, knee-jerk almost, response to such criticisms. The Board’s spokesman, Baron Frankal, in the Channel 4 interview said he has received a lot of supportive comments. It will be difficult for the Israeli’s to level these accusations against the Board of Deputies.

Over 50,000 have now been killed in the conflict, the majority women and children, and all aid has been cut off for weeks. There are accusations of genocide being perpetrated.

We in Salisbury continue to hold vigils on Saturday in the market square and all are welcome to join.

Salisbury Concern for Israel Palestine’s site.

#BoardOfDeputies #Israel #Jews #Palestine #Salisbury #SCIP