Youth tells Board: vote for Yachad, or face alienating young
Jewish and Zionist youth leaders have appealed to the Board of Deputies to give representation to political campaign group Yachad to avoid ”alienating” a large section of the younger community.
The appeal, by way of a letter signed by UJS President Ella Rose and movement workers from BBYO, Habonim-Dror, LJY-Netzer, RSY-Netzer and Noam Masorti, urges members to recognise Yachad at the vote on Sunday, 16 November.
It states: “A vote against Yachad’s inclusion will leave many of the next generation feeling alienated from the community, and that their opinions are not valid or welcome. A vote in support of Yachad, will be a vote for democracy, accountability and representation. For the sake of the next generation of the community we urge the deputies to cast their vote in support of the organisation.”
It adds that as representatives of the “next generation of Zionist leadership in the Anglo-Jewish community”, the signatories “value and respect” the range of opinions people hold about Israel.
“The vote on Yachad’s acceptance to the Board of Deputies is a true test of our community and it’s willingness to represent these wide-ranging opinions. Whether one agrees or disagrees with the work of Yachad, we know from our own members, that the organisation represents a significant number of people. We value the contribution the organisation makes, alongside many others, in supporting the work of our youth movements.”
Non-synagogue organisations can only be admitted to the Board on the recommendation of the Constitution Committee and with the approval of two thirds of voting members at an ordinary meeting of the Board.
The vote has been postponed twice – in July, owing to the Gaza crisis, and in September – and all but one member of the Constitution Committee had voted to recommend Yachad be represented on the Board.
Yachad, which was set up in May 2011, is led by Hannah Weisfeld and describes itself as a liberal Zionist organisation that campaigns for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
