Board of Deputies of British Jews

The Board of Deputies of British Jews exists to promote and defend the religious and civil liberties of British Jewry.  For over 250 years the Board of Deputies of British Jews has been at the forefront of safeguarding Jewish life in the UK.

The Board's leaders with Tony Blair, George Osborne, Ron Prosor and Lord Sacks

As the community’s democratically elected cross-communal organisation, the Board connects with government, media and wider society, providing a unique means through which all British Jews can be heard and represented.

The Board works at the heart of British Jewish life, successfully representing every part of our community, from across the religious spectrum, on a broad range of issues and concerns; responding to growing challenges and providing a central voice for all British Jews.

A comprehensive degree of representation is achieved by bringing together elected representatives, the Deputies, from numerous Synagogues, community organisations and charities.  Our dedicated professional staff support the Deputies and both advise on and help formulate policy, whilst maintaining contacts in government, with other faith communities and beyond.

This proven structure, together with our accessibility to unaffiliated members of the public, gives every British Jew a voice, regardless of age, gender or religious involvement.

As in any democratic structure, differences of opinion and lively debate are common, but our greatest strength is our ability to achieve consensus on a range of issues.

The Jewish Way of Life Exhibition at a school

Whether speaking with one voice or helping to explain the differing voices within the community, the Board has earned a peerless reputation at the highest levels of government and in the national media, making us the first port of call on any and all of the issues concerning the British Jewish community.

Our lay leaders and professional staff work in several ways:

• by lobbying politicians, policy makers and opinion formers;
• by responding to government consultations;
• by empowering committed members of the community to engage directly with the political process, the media and grassroots campaigns;
• by initiating partnerships and coalitions (partnerships) within and outside the community to realise our goals.

Whatever the issue of the day, our ultimate objective is to serve and promote the interests of the Jewish community in the UK, both organisations and individuals, and across the religious spectrum.

Updates about the Board of Deputies

BoD Community Briefing

By: JLC|‍‍December 21, 2012 – 8 Teves 5773

Please click here to read the latest editions of the Board of Deputies Community Briefing. Issues covered include: Board helps to secure Brit Milah in Germany Board lights up Parliament for Chanukah Census shows growth in Jewish community  

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