Board of Deputies of British Jews - Advocacy | Democracy | Community

Who We Are

About Us

The Board of Deputies of British Jews is the voice of the British Jewish Community, the first port of call for the Government, the media and others seeking to understand Jewish community interests and concerns.
DEPUTIES
The Board of Deputies is the only democratically elected, cross-communal, representative body in the Jewish community. It comprises over 300 deputies directly elected by the synagogues and communal organisations they represent, from congregations to youth movements, and social welfare charities to regional councils.

In addition, there are also a number of ‘Under-35 Observers’, appointed by synagogues and organisations to supplement their representation and to ensure that a new generation of communally-minded activists can contribute to our work on behalf of the community.

Each synagogue and organisation elects one or more Deputies, depending on the size of that particular body, with elections occurring every three years.
HONORARY OFFICERS
Every three years, Deputies elect five Honorary Officers, who comprise a President, Senior Vice-President, two Vice-Presidents and a Treasurer. It is these Officers, along with the professional team, who represent the Board of Deputies to external stakeholders. See below for biographies on the current Honorary Officers.
DIVISIONS
Strategy and scrutiny of the Board of Deputies is in part dealt with by its four Divisions, to which Deputies can be elected. Each Division is headed by one of the Honorary Officers. The Divisions are as follows:

The Security, Resilience, and Cohesion Division works to combat antisemitism and extremism, as well as to promote and defend Jewish rights and freedoms in the UK, including Brit Milah, Shechitah, family law, workplace issues, organ donation and issues of bereavement. It also promotes interfaith relations.

The International Division undertakes the global advocacy of the Board of Deputies and seeks to stand up for Jews around the world, whether against antisemitism, Holocaust revisionism or attacks on Jewish religious freedoms.

The Communities and Education Division has a wide remit. It works to engage Jewish communities in the UK, discusses issues of education policy, education for Deputies about Israel, ensures Judaism is accurately presented in education and is responsible for protecting Jewish heritage.

The Finance, Fundraising, and Organisation Division is concerned with the running of the Board of Deputies as a whole. Its work encompasses four crucial and interrelated areas – financial management, fundraising and brand building, organisation and risk management.
report

2024 Highlights

A roundup of some of the events, activities, and ahievements of the Board of Deputies of British Jews in 2024.
Read a summary of our work in 2024
2024 Year In Review

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee brings together a skilled and dynamic group of individuals with wide-ranging professional experience and community insight. They draw on many different strengths, yet are united by a shared dedication to representing the interests, priorities and values of the Jewish community, and to guiding the Board’s work with integrity and purpose.

Claire Morland

Vice Chair of Finance, Fundraising and Organisation Division
Claire is an executive member of the Board of Deputies in her role as vice chair of the Finance, Fundraising and Organisation committee. She is also co-Gender Equality Champion for the Board. She serves on the Board as a Deputy for Golders ...
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Dame Louise Ellman DBE

Independent Chair
Dame Louise Ellman DBE is joint Independent Chair of the Board of Deputies. Louise was leader of Lancashire County Council 1981-1997 and Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside 1997-2019 She chaired the Transport Select Committee 2008-2017. Louis...
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Dilys Tausz

Constitutional Committee Chair
Dilys became a member of the Constitution Committee following her election as one of the deputies by Belsize Square Synagogue in the last triennium. She has been on the Board of Belsize Square Synagogue and a member of the Education Committ...
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Dr Sheila Gewolb

Regional Assembly Chair
Sheila has been the Deputy for Cardiff United Synagogue since 2009.  Elected in 2015 as Vice President, she chaired the Communities and Education Division, and in 2018, she was elected Senior Vice President and chaired the International Div...
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Henry Grunwald OBE KC

Past President
Henry Grunwald OBE KC is a former President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews (2003-2009). He is currently Vice President of the Jewish Leadership Council. Current communal positions include: President, World Jewish Relief; Chairman,...
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Jonathan Arkush OBE

Past President
Jonathan Arkush is a barrister and mediator specialising in property, commercial and probate law.  He has part-time judicial posts as a Deemster (judge) of the High Court of the Isle of Man and deputy Chancery Master in the High Court of En...
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Judith Prinsley

Vice Chair of Security, Resilience and Cohesion Division
Judith Prinsley is an executive member of the BoD in her role as Vice Chair of Security, Resilience, and Cohesion Division. She is also Chair of the Mental Health and Health Working Group. Judith is a member the Haringey Multifaith Forum, c...
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Karen Newman

Independent Chair
Karen Newman, a Deputy for The Liberal Jewish Synagogue in London, is an observer member of the Board’s Executive Committee by virtue of having been appointed in September 2024 as one of two Independent Chairs of the Board’s Plenary meeting...
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Louis Danker

UJS President
Louis Danker sits on the Board of Deputies Executive, and is the President of the Union of Jewish Students for 2025/26. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh in July 2025, having studied Geography. He is a passionate believer in cel...
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Marie van der Zyl OBE

Past President
Marie van der Zyl OBE is the WJC Commissioner for Gender Equality and Inclusion. She also was the second woman to have been elected President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the representative body of the UK Jewish Community. Firs...
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⁠Naomi Ter-Berg

Vice Chair of Communities and Education Division
Naomi grew up within an Orthodox South London community and is now a  Deputy for West London Synagogue. She was elected onto the Communities and Education Division last triennium and is now Vice Chair. An advocate of cross-culturalism, mult...
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Vivian Wineman

Past President
Vivian served as President of the Board of Deputies from 2009-2015. He was also Chair of the Inter Faith Network for the UK 2013-2017, Jewish Vice Chair of the Council of Christians and Jews from 2018-2021 and was a Trustee of Wikimedia UK ...
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Honorary Officers

Our Honorary Officers are a talented and diverse group hailing from many walks of life and professional backgrounds. What unites us is our shared commitment to voicing the needs, and advocating the sentiment of the Jewish Community.

Phil Rosenberg

President
Phil Rosenberg is the 49th President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews. At 38, he became the youngest ever President in the Board’s 264-year history. Phil is the Deputy for Brondesbury Park Synagogue. A consultant specialising in gov...
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Adrian Cohen

Senior Vice-President
Adrian has over 40 years of experience serving on the front line of the community, all in a volunteer capacity. He has held senior positions in the community, including the National Chair of UJS (now termed “President”) and a Trustee of the...
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Jeremy Michelson

Vice President
Jeremy was born in London but has lived most of his adult life in Greater Manchester. Jeremy has been on the Board of Deputies since 2015, when he was immediately elected to the Community and Education Division which he now Chairs. Jeremy h...
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Ben Crowne

Treasurer
Ben is the Board’s Treasurer and chairs the Finance, Fundraising and Organisation Division. He has served as a trustee and director for a number of organisations, including the JW3 community centre, the cross-communal education charity Limm...
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Professional Team

The day-to-day work of the Board of Deputies is carried out by a professional team of staff led by Chief Executive Michael Wegier.

Joe Crossley

Public Affairs Officer
Joe Crossley is the Public Affairs Officer at the Board of Deputies. He is responsible for engagement with political stakeholders, developing policy, reviewing legislation, and countering antisemitism. He provides the secretariat to the Boa...
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Martyn Ellis

Finance Officer

Martyn works in the Finance and Operations Team where he ensures the smooth running of the organisation’s finances. 

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Dr. Toby Greene

Director of Public Affairs
Dr. Toby Greene joined the Board of Deputies as Director of Public Affairs in 2025, building on a career in both public affairs and academia relating to the Jewish community and Israel, including his most recent positions as a Lecturer at B...
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Sara Hussain

Executive Assistant

Sara Hussain is Executive Assistant at the Board of Deputies.

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Noah Katz

Workplace and Inclusion Officer
Noah Katz is the Workplace and Inclusion Officer at the Board of Deputies. They are responsible for the Board of Deputies’ work in addressing the barriers that British Jews face in the workplace and other parts of society, including h...
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Ariella Knoble-Gershon

Campaigns Officer
Ariella is the Campaigns Officer at the Board of Deputies. As part of the Public Affairs team, she leads on creation and implementation of Board Campaigns, including working closely to empower Deputies to drive key initiatives forward. Sinc...
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Andrew Leigh

Director of Operations

Andrew is Director of Operations at the Board of Deputies.

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Victoria Lisek

Religious and Civil Affairs Officer
Victoria Lisek is the Religious and Civil Affairs Officer at the Board of Deputies. She is responsible for developing programmes and policy that safeguard Jewish religious freedoms, and engages with civil society groups to ensure that they ...
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Adam Ma’anit

Communications Manager
Adam Ma’anit is Communications Manager at the Board of Deputies. He looks after the organisation’s day-to-day communications, manages a busy comms team, and is the lead on all of the Board’s digital and print work including the Board&...
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Sara Radivan

Deputy and Community Engagement Manager
Sara Radivan is the Deputy and Community Engagement Manager at the Board of Deputies. She is based in Manchester and is the first port of call for our Deputies, Under 35 Observers, and Jewish communities. Sara offers support, advice and ass...
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David Robinson

Public Affairs Manager

David Robinson is Public Affairs Manager at the Board of Deputies.

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Liat Rosenthal

Director of Culture, Education and Communities
Liat brings extensive expertise as a cultural programmer in Jewish and national contexts, having worked as a Senior Creative Producer for Tate Modern, and Head of Community Programming at JW3. She also co-founded Artists Against Antisemitis...
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Simon Round

Communications Officer
Simon Round is responsible for media, communications and public relations work for the Board of Deputies. This includes liaising with UK and international media,  preparing and distributing press releases and statements, running Board of De...
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Anna Silver

Education Officer

Anna Silver is Education Officer at the Board of Deputies.

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Dawn Waterman

Heritage Adviser
Dawn Waterman is the Heritage Adviser at the Board of Deputies. Dawn leads the Board’s involvement in Jewish heritage matters, including disused cemeteries. She is also responsible for liaising with The London Metropolitan Archives and The ...
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Michael Wegier

Chief Executive
Michael Wegier has been Chief Executive since 2021. He has worked as a Jewish Educator, Strategic Planner and Chief Executive for Jewish organisations in the UK, Israel, and the United States. He has a degree in Jewish History from UCL and ...
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The Board of Deputies relies on the generous support of the Jewish community through individual contributions and donations. Help us be the voice of the British Jewish community by donating today. All funds received go to our core charitable mission.
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