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Addressing the Vaniks Yesterday President Vivian Wineman gave a talk to the National Council of Vanik Associations in the UK. Vaniks are the merchant caste among the Hindus although many of its members are in fact Jains. The subject they wanted to hear about was social cohesion and what they could do to contribute to it. Read More
Board Interfaith and Social Action Consultant launches courseThe Boards Interfaith and Social Action Consultant Rabbi Natan Levy is soon starting a course on the modern applications of the Jewish Sabbatical year, when the land of Israel gets a year of rest. Read More
Board attends Multi- faith celebrationWe recently enjoyed a charity inter-faith dinner at the Muslim Community and Education Centre at the Palmers Green Mosque. Guests included Lord Shaikh of Cornhill, and the Minister for Integration. Read More
Thy Fearful Symmetry-The New Language of Nazification of IsraelThe suffering of the Jews in the Holocaust is increasingly being used as a stick in which to beat Israel- and Jews- today. As well as being deeply hurtful and misguided, it may tell us something about the psyche of some of those who seek to make that link. Read More
Board Votes to Play a Part in Global Hunger ProjectThe Board of Deputies voted 113 to 65 to endorse the ‘Grow Tatzmiach’ project to address the issue of world hunger. A total of 25 volunteers, including Deputies, will attend a training weekend next month which will enable them to embark on a food hunger project with any charity they choose. Read More
Clarification of an inaccurate article in this week’s Jewish ChronicleThis week the Jewish Chronicle ran an entirely inaccurate article regarding a meeting between the Board of Deputies and Oxfam GB. Board President Vivian Wineman clarifies exactly what happened at that meeting and explains the provisos which will guide Board participation in the Grow Tatzmiach social justice programme. Read More
Board meets Methodists and Anglicans in the MidlandsThe Board’s interfaith director Rabbi Natan Levy spent the day teaching Anglican and Methodist trainee ministers about Judaism, and its relationship with Christianity. Read More
Board helps to keep interfaith on the mapLeading interfaith activist Fiyaz Mughal OBE writes about his role and the integral part the Board plays in interfaith work. Read More
Jews and Christians join for day of dialogue on Middle EastLast week 15 Rabbis and 15 members of the Christian clergy gathered together at St Petersburgh Place Synagogue London for a “Jewish-Christian Day of Dialogue and Discussion on Israel, Palestine and the Middle East”. Organised by the Board of Deputies and the Council of Christians and Jews, the symposium was an opportunity for discussion of how those who care about what many refer to as the Holy Land, but are based in the UK, can contribute to a lasting peace for all people of the region. Read More
Lessons to be learnt on a trip to BelfastIn this blog the Board’s Interfaith Consultant, Rabbi Natan Levy, reflects on his recent trip to Belfast. He considers what lessons, if any, can be learnt from Northern Ireland to inform our approach to the Middle East. Read More
Board congratulates new Archbishop of CanterburyThe Board of Deputies of British Jews congratulates the Bishop of Durham, the Rt Revd Justin Welby, on his appointment as the new Archbishop of Canterbury. Read More
Dialogue dinner between Board and Christian groupOn Monday night the Board of Deputies and Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) met for a dinner of dialogue between the two organisations. The Honorary Officers, Chief Executive and Interfaith Consultant of the Board were joined by Trustees of CTBI representing many of the main Christian denominations across the British Isles. Read More
Dialogue with Black ClergyThis week the Board of Deputies hosted a dialogue between Rabbis and Black Clergy, a continuation of a long running process of engagement between the two faith groups during which race and faith sow the seeds of an intriguing dialogue. Click here to read more. Read More
Interfaith Sukkah crawlThis week the home of Rabbi Natan Levy, the Board’s Interfaith Consultant, was the first stop on an interfaith Sukkah crawl organised by the Board and the Council of Christians and Jews. Read about the evening here. Read More
Greenbelt - The intensity that occurs in tentsRabbi Natan Levy, the Board’s Interfaith and Social Action consultant, reflects on the intensity of focus on Israel at some Christian events. Read More
The Olympic Games – A Model of Co-existence Public Affairs and Policy Director, Elizabeth Harris-Sawczenko, is inspired by the co-existence demonstrated in the story of Chariots of Fire and the 2012 Olympic Games. Read More
Muhammad Ali, a Shofar and a Rabbi in pea soupRabbi Natan Levy, the Board’s Interfaith and Social Action Consultant describes the last few miles of the Rabbi Relay Ride, and the motivation that got him through them. Read More
Jewish – Methodist Relations: Concerns Re-SurfaceJonathan Arkush, the Board’s Vice President, outlines his concerns regarding the potential impact on Jewish-Methodist relations of the Methodist Church abolishing its Inter Faith Relations Office Read More
Condolences from the UK Hindu communityThe Board of Deputies has received condolences from the UK Hindu community following the tragic murders in Toulouse this week. You can read their message here. Read More
Rabbis Give Eco-Judaism a Head StartLast night (Thursday 15 March) over 100 people gathered at the offices of PricewaterhouseCoopers to celebrate the launch of Gefiltefest’s Rabbi Relay Ride. The launch, organised by the Board of Deputies began the countdown to the ride in June 2012, when dozens of Rabbis from across the UK and from every denomination, will cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats over the course of three weeks. The Rabbi Relay Ride is the highlight project of the Big Green Jewish Year of the Bike, a year of campaigning on environmentally friendly and sustainable transport. Hosted by the Board of Deputies of British Jews’ Environmental and Social Action Group, guests were addressed by Mr Gregory Barker MP, Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change. Read More
Happy Birthday to ESAG!Yes, the Board’s Environment and Social Action Group (ESAG) is 10 years old! It is surprising that so many in the community still do not know that the Board has its own group dedicated to these two matters, let alone that it is over 10 years old. Read More
Access to Education: Bahá’ís in IranMany faith communities place great value on education. “When you teach your son, you teach your son’s son,” from The Talmud captures the timeless value of education as multiplier of human capacity. Muslims cite the Hadith, “Seek knowledge even unto China” as motivation for the lengths they should go to acquire learning. Bahá’ís also see the acquisition of knowledge as a matter of profound spiritual significance. Read More
Faith Matters: Interfaith week 2011As many people will be aware we have recently celebrated Inter Faith week. First introduced in England two years ago - in Scotland the year before - this has now become an established part of the faith calendar in this country. Read More
Worth the trousers...I’ve learned an important lesson on interfaith at the cost of a pair of trousers. My five-year-old son and I were waiting for the Hendon train on Sunday when his small hand grabs mine. “Abba,” he whispers, “I need the toilet, now!” We race up the stairs, the toilets at the platform are locked, my son is jumping and twisting. “Abba, now!” Down the street we go, an open door at the Baptist Church, voices raised in prayer. I drag him into the foyer, ask for the toilet, point to my writhing boy. The vicar himself is present and ushers us in. My son looks at the vicar, peers into the church, cries out: “Too scary!” and runs. The trousers never stood a chance. Read More
On your bike, President!Last week I participated in a charity bike ride in Thailand arranged by Norwood to raise money for adults and children with learning disabilities. We were joined on the ride by a number of such adults many of them residents of Ravenswood village in Berkshire - a project set up in the fifties by half a dozen Jewish parents concerned that the community made no provision for such children. Norwood is Ravenswood‘s successor and has an annual budget of around £35million. Read More