By, Josh Jackman
2 min read
ByJosh Jackman, Josh Jackman
Women and young people have claimed more seats than ever before in the elections for the Board of Deputies divisional committees.
Out of the 64 deputies elected to four divisions, 23 were female - the highest ever proportion of Board seats to go to women - and nine of all delegates voted in were in their 20s.
The committees cover key areas of the Board’s activities – defence, international relations, community issues and finance and organisation.
Former Union of Jewish Students president Ella Rose , who gained a seat in the international division, said it was “fantastic to see our representation being drawn from all demographics of the community regardless of age or gender”.
She said that it was “a real testament” to the work of modernisers in the Women’s Group and the Changing the Board group.
One of new younger members, Amos Schonfield, represents Yachad, which lobbies for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and which secured entry to the Board only in November.
Mr Schonfield, 23, a former movement worker for Masorti youth group Noam, said: “For Yachad to be elected to the international division shows just how far we've come. I'm really excited to spend the next three years representing the views of our supporters and creating meaningful change for British Jews.”
Another UJS representative, Dario Celaschi welcomed the demographic shift after being elected to the defence and group relations division.
He said: “I think it's the reflection of the wider Jewish community and how we are moving toward a more progressive and accepting society than ever before.”
But the Brighton University student warned it was still early in the process, both for the Board and British Jewry in general.
“I would however bear in mind that the Board still has a long way to go. We haven’t had a woman president for a considerable amount of time.”
Ben Lewis, the new 22-year-old representative of youth movement RSY-Netzer, was elected unopposed along with 15 other new members to the community issues division.
He said: “Having been to Jewish primary and secondary schools, seeing very recently from the important perspective of a pupil, I don’t think young people get heard enough in cases that really affect them.
“I’d want to bring that voice to the division. I’m sure everyone in the division has a worthwhile view, but I feel I bring something different to everyone else.”
Richard Verber, the Board's senior vice president, said: “Changing the Board have shown they're not just a flash in the pan but a growing movement working together to modernise the Board of Deputies. Winning even more places on the divisions now than in 2012 despite the huge number of candidates is a tremendous achievement. I look forward to working with them and all deputies interested in improving our Board.”
Jackie Naftalin and Noemi Zell, co-chairs of the Women's Group of the Board said that the results were encouraging.
