Board of Deputies of British Jews
The Board of Deputies of British Jews is the main representative body of British Jewry. Founded in 1760 as a joint committee of the Sephardi (Spanish and Portuguese) and Ashkenazi (Central and Eastern European) Jewish communities in London it has since become a widely recognised forum for the views of the different sectors of the UK Jewish community.
The Board is currently led by Henry Grunwald QC, who was elected for a three-year term in 2003. A notable past President was the Victorian philanthropist Sir Moses Montefiore, who in the nineteenth century travelled around the world assisting Jews facing persecution. More recently Greville Janner MP was a President.
The Chief Executive of the Board is Jon Benjamin who succeeded Neville Nagler in 2005.
The Board receives Deputies elected by individual synagogues, confederations of synagogues, and other organisations within the Jewish community such as charities and youth groups. It serves as the principal reference point for government, the media and wider society. All matters tending to impact on the life of Jews in Britain fall within the Board's remit, including an active interfaith programme.
The Board of Deputies offices are situated in the family home of Isaac D'Israeli, the father of the British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.
Criticisms and controversies
IIn 2003, the Board accused Interpal of being a terrorist organisation. Interpal threatened to sue for libel, whereupon the Board gave them an out of court settlement. [1]
In 2006, in response to the complaint they made to the Standards Board, London Mayor Ken Livingstone said that the Board of Deputies only represents a small section of the Jewish community. [2]
Left wing columnists have accused the Board of being anti-semitic, despite their claim to represent the interests of British Jews. [3]
The Board believes that the Non-Aligned Movement of 114 predominantly African, Asian and Latin American nations "are largely controlled" by the Arab League. [4]