JEWISH COMMUNITY UNITES AGAINST EXTREMISM
 At its March plenary meeting the Board of Deputies of British Jews stood together against racism and extremism to send a message to those that advocate the politics of hate. A new campaign, with the slogan Your Voice or Theirs, was launched to encourage the wider Jewish Community to register to vote in the forthcoming local elections.
The elections due to be held on May 1st across the UK could provide an unprecedented platform to the British National Party, especially if they prove to be successful in the London Assembly.
Henry Grunwald QC, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews said:
"The campaign aims to raise awareness of the history of the BNP and the threats they pose to both the Jewish Community and community cohesion in the UK.
"We are asking everybody to use their democratic right and register to vote by April 16th for the elections on May 1st. The higher the turnout across the country, the harder it is for the BNP to succeed. Every vote for a mainstream political party is therefore a vote against extremism.
"For more information and to join the campaign please visit our new website at: www.fight-racism.co.uk."
BACKGROUND
* The Campaign is a cross community effort organised by the Board of Deputies and the London Jewish Forum
* The Campaign launch was held at the Board of Deputies Plenary meeting at Hamilton Hall, London, on Sunday March 16th 2008
* The British National Party are contesting elections in a range of places across the country, including London, Oldham and Kirklees
* The campaign website and additional details about the campaign can be found at www.fight-racism.co.uk
* For additional information about voter eligibility and how to register to vote please visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
* For further comment please contact Ruth Smeeth on 07979 527883
NEWS COVERAGE
Click here for news coverage of the Your Voice or Theirs campaign.
JEWISH COMMUNITY JOINS ‘SEARCHLIGHT’ FOR ‘WEEKEND OF HOPE’ CAMPAIGN
 LONDON – (17 March 2008) – President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews Henry Grunwald QC returned to the synagogue of his childhood, to highlight the rising threat of the BNP. Nelson Street Synagogue in the heart of the East End of London symbolises the community's fight with the far right and the history of British Jews in the UK.
At an event planned to highlight the contribution that both Henry Grunwald QC and Rev. Malcolm Weisman, OBE have made to the Jewish Community, Mr Grunwald highlighted the fact that it was Searchlight's ‘Weekend of Hope’.
Grunwald said: "I am saddened that we are once again discussing the issues of racism and extremist politics in the East End of London, but I am immensely proud to be associated with such an important campaign.
"Today we launched the communal campaign in conjunction with Searchlight to encourage the community to use their vote on May 1st in the forthcoming local elections. The higher the turnout across the country, the harder it is for the BNP to succeed. Every vote for a mainstream political party is therefore a vote against extremism.
"For more information and to join the campaign please visit our new website at: www.fight-racism.co.uk."
BACKGROUND
* Details of the Searchlight ‘Hope not Hate’ campaign can be found at www.hopenothate.org.uk
* The Campaign is a cross community effort organised by the Board of Deputies and the London Jewish Forum
* Nelson Street Synagogue is formally known as the East London Central Synagogue
* The British National Party are contesting elections in a range of places across the country, including London, Oldham and Kirklees
* The campaign website and additional details about the campaign can be found at www.fight-racism.co.uk
* For additional information about voter eligibility and how to register to vote please visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
* For further comment please contact Ruth Smeeth on 07979 527 883
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