Sukkat Shalom Reform Synagogue

The Board of Deputies of British Jews exists to protect and defend the rights and freedoms of British Jewry. These same rights and freedoms have evolved over many years and are enjoyed by Jews in Great Britain today. But events are seldom static. Changes to legislation, campaigns by special interest groups, outright attacks on Jews and Israel–all require a concerted response.

As the community’s representative organisation, the Board of Deputies is able to engage with government, the media and wider society, providing a vehicle through which British Jews have a voice.

It is with pride that the Board of Deputies represents the rights and interests of British Jews in every walk of life. Below are some of the core things we do every day.

In the area of defence and group relations they:

• combat antisemitism
• foster relations with faith groups and wider society
• monitor moves affecting shechita and brit milah
• consult with Government on proposed legislation
• respond to racist activities

In the Jewish and wider community they:

• promote Jewish schooling and education and run the ‘Pikuach’ inspection service for Jewish Studies;
• create long-term policy strategies through the work of our Community Policy Research Group think-tank;
• engage in interfaith and environmental initiatives; and
• display the pioneering Jewish Way of Life Exhibition to non-Jewish children.

Finally, on the international stage they:

• represent the interests of British Jewry in Europe and around the world;
• consult on areas affecting Diaspora Jewry with the British government and foreign embassies in the UK;
• monitor European legislation; and
• work to enhance the understanding of Israel and its pursuit of peace and security;

It is important to remember that the Board of Deputies does these things by protecting the freedoms of British Jewry everyday. In the last 18 months, for example they

• headed off government proposals to bring in quotas to Jewish schools, and is leading the way on a national faith
schools linking programme;
• launched the Big Green Jewish Website, merging Jewish tradition and environmental concerns;
• protested against the mass murder in Darfur, drawing on the lessons of the Holocaust;
• organised demonstrations and lobbied to free captured Israeli soldiers;
• combating anti-Israel campaigns wherever they emerge, most recently in the Church and academia;
• are directing a voter registration drive against extremism in the run up to the local London elections in May; and
• are spearheading with the CST the Jewish Human Rights Coalition UK, a U.N. Durban Review task-force

But most importantly, they are our Board of Deputies – protecting and defending the rights and interests of British Jews since 1760. With you’re continuing help they will be doing so for the next 348 years as well!