A snapshot of the Jewish community’s main organisations in summer 2011 revealed that women comprise only a fifth of all trustees, a quarter of chief executives and a quarter of members of the elected Body, the Board of Deputies. British Jewish women are high educational and professional achievers: the 2001 Census demonstrated that in the top occupational categories, Jewish women matched and in most cases proportionally out-performed men in the general population. However, the Jewish community is failing to benefit from their skills and expertise at a leadership level, where women are significantly under-represented.
The Commission on Women in Jewish Leadership – an initiative of the Jewish Leadership Council - was set up to strengthen the community by addressing this gender imbalance in Jewish communal leadership.
In December 2011 the Commission published initial research on the current situation of women in the Jewish Community in a report: “Gender Imbalance- the status quo“.
In March 2012 it subsequently carried out a consultation on initial proposals. During this phase the Commission undertook elements of both quantitative and qualitative research. To view the quantitative research report, please click here. To view the research report evaluating the responses of the surveys sent to communal organisations, please click here.
On 2 July 2012 the Commission published its recommendations and findings to help the Jewish community to reach a situation where women are properly and appropriately represented at leadership level.
To view a copy of the report, please click here.
You can support the work of the Commission by donating here.
Updates on the Commission:
Commission member and Vice-Chair of Jewish Care Debbie Fox outlines the Commission’s implementation phase Implementation of the Commission‘s recommendations will start early in 2013. Published in “Inspiring Women Leaders” in July 2012, the report identified key areas for change. These fall mainly into two categories: supporting women with relevant skills to take up leadership roles …
Following its community-wide consultation and extensive research, the JLC’s Commission on Women in Jewish Leadership has now published its recommendations. The report, which supports and encourages community organisations to increase the number of women in leadership positions, contains practical mechanisms and advice to achieve this. It was launched at a reception at the offices of The …
The community needs more women leaders – and many believe that our organisations should be held to account to achieve this, a communal survey has shown. The research, published by the JLC’s Commission on Women in Jewish Leadership (CWJL), reveals a powerful call for change, with 83% of those questioned identifying a need for more …