Balfour committee to give £500 grants for local events

The committee organising the Jewish community’s celebrations of the Balfour Declaration centenary later this year has said it will give grants of up to £500 for local events.

While big central events will get more money, the Balfour 100 Committee said this week that its communal activity fund would dish out several smaller grants, providing activities met the requirements of ‘charitable purposes,’ such as having clear educational or cultural content.

Applications were now being welcomed from synagogues, youth groups, schools and other Jewish communal organisations, they said, regardless of whether or not the applicants are registered charities. The deadline is 30 June, and applications are being considered of a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

A range of activities are anticipated, including panel discussions, debates and presentations, meals, Shabbat events or even summer/winter camps.

Michael Wegier, chief executive of UJIA, said: “The centenary of the Balfour Declaration presents an important opportunity for British Jewry to learn more about and celebrate this remarkable event. We encourage community organisations to develop their own educational and cultural programmes and apply to the Fund.”