Dear Friends,

On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the old Chinese curse "to live in interesting times" remains consistently apt.  As the Board completes its annual stock-taking, it is unquestionable that it has been an exciting even dramatic year full of issues, some more taxing than others, some simply resolved, others as yet, unresolved.  We undertook to broadcast our work more energetically than ever to ensure that you, the people we represent, know that your concerns are our priorities.

Without doubt, the JFS school case commanded community and national centre stage, sparking widespread attention, highlighting the existential issue of Jewish self-definition.  The Board continues to lead the community in endeavouring to understand and cope with the new rules and will continue to monitor the situation in order to decide what future action is required.  Equally, as new education legislation emerges regarding Academies and Free Schools, we will assist all our constituents in assessing and understanding any new education policy in order to make informed decisions.

Universal Jurisdiction is another burning priority; threatening innocent Israelis with possible arrest should they visit the UK.  At the time of writing we continue to lobby robustly for a modification of this anomalous law.  In tandem, the Board encouraged community activists to write to their local MPs.  Indeed grassroots activity of this nature was a recurrent theme in 5770 with our renewed appreciation that members of our community should continue to be an integral part of shaping debate.  It was therefore extremely rewarding to witness how thousands nationwide were galvanized by our BUYcott campaign, purchasing Israeli products to counter the Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s boycott of Israeli products at several UK supermarkets.  Similarly, our Hope not Hate campaign paid off handsomely in the election in Barking and Dagenham and showed how much a united community can achieve.

In the latter part of the year and topping our agenda in recent weeks, have been our vigorous efforts to overturn the newly passed, biased Methodist Conference report, ‘Justice for Palestine and Israel’, which lends support to a growing trend of delegitimising Israel and the Jewish people’s historical and spiritual connections to the land.

The age-old Jewish practice of Shechita also suffered a blow when it was banned in New Zealand at the end of May and now faces a ruling by the European Court, which would impose the label, ‘meat from slaughter without stunning’ on all Shechita produce.  Such a move, singling out Shechita and omitting other methods such as electrocution and shooting, would be nothing less than discriminatory. Mis- stunning alone where the captive bolt has to be fired a second time involves far more animals than are dealt with by Shechita.  MEPs cast their final votes this month and the impact on the kosher meat market across Europe could be devastating.

Alongside Shechita UK, (the body formed by the Board) and other European communities, the Board has been lobbying at the highest levels of the European Parliament to avoid this eventuality.

As 5771 begins anew, the Board’s 250^th celebrations are in full swing.  Our work is more relevant than ever and, on your behalf, we will continue to anticipate and plan accordingly for our continued role as an essential and vibrant contributing factor to modern day Britain, ultimately remaining core to the fabric of British Jewish life.  Some of our challenges will remain familiar and some will emerge anew.   Without the financial sustenance that keeps our wheels oiled we are unable to achieve what the community wants and expects us to.  Please therefore continue or renew your support for the Board so that we too can continue to support you.

My new year’s resolution is steadfast; to continue the privileged task of serving and representing the community to the best of my ability, guaranteeing that those issues and challenges of utmost concern are addressed, responded to and resolved robustly.  May the New Year be a happy and sweet one for us all, for the entire Jewish community and indeed, for all of our fellow Jews around the world.  May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.

Warm wishes,

Vivian Wineman