What we do

In this section

	Divisional activities
	Examples of our activities

Divisional Activities

The Board was founded in 1760. It is fully representative (indeed it is the primary representative body), drawn from a broad cross-section of the Jewish community throughout Britain today. 

The essence of the Board is its representative character. This is based upon a system of delegates (or Deputies) elected from the great majority of Jewish communal organisations, including synagogues, social and welfare organisations, local community bodies and many others. 

There are currently around 300 Deputies. They work through regular Plenary Meetings, which consider current issues and general communal requirements and arrive at agreed policy decisions.

The Deputies then elect their Honorary Officers, comprising a President, three Vice-Presidents and a Treasurer, on a three-year cycle, to lead and co-ordinate the development of policy. 

These officers each head a divisional structure in which main groupings of issues or activity areas are channelled into appropriate operating divisions. There are currently four Divisions.

The day-to-day working of the Board is carried out through a permanent administration, under the control of a Director General.

The Board of Deputies spans the complete life of the Jewish Community in Britain - its development, its needs and aspirations and above all, its security. For over 240 years our purpose has been to protect, support and defend the interests, religious rights and customs of Jews in the United Kingdom and to promote the development of the Jewish community in Britain.

Finance & Organisation Division
This Division acts as a resource for the Board. 
Activities include: maintaining an efficient Board organisation and full professional facilities, enabling the Board to discharge its functions effectively, maintaining a sufficient revenue flow and arranging fund-raising activities.

Community Issues Division
This Division exists to promote the general development of the British Jewish Community. 
Activities include: monitoring trends in education and the national education system, presenting Judaism to the non-Jewish public, maintaining a Jewish Community database and central information function, carrying out and publishing statistical and demographic research.

International Affairs Division
This Division deals with the Board's international activities, including Israel and the European Union.
Activities include: representing the British Community internationally, connecting with the Foreign Office and foreign embassies, advising Holocaust victims on restitution and working with other Jewish bodies abroad.

Defence Policy & Group Relations Division
This Division deals with the political defence of the Community and its relations with ethnic and other groups. 
Activities include: monitoring proposed legislation, responding to antisemitic and racist activities, liaising with Government and other public agencies and co-operating with other religious and ethnic communities.

Examples of our activities

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