‘Far-right’ row ahead of vote for new Board of Deputies president
Progressive deputies denounce group backing challenger Jonathan Neumann against incumbent Marie van der Zyl in next month's election.
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
A bitter row has erupted ahead of elections for the Board of Deputies leadership after the group planning a challenge to current president Marie van der Zyl was branded “far-right” in a briefing document.
The memo, prepared by a small group of Deputies as a strategy plan to be shared among the lay leadership of the Reform Movement, claimed that a “far-right wing caucus” was backing challenger Jonathan Neumann, of Shomrei Hadath Synagogue, in his bid to be elected president next month.
The document, titled Reform Deputies to Reform Leadership, also referred to a book written by Neumann that openly criticised the interpretation of tikkun olam, or “healing the world” made by the Jewish left.
Neumann, a director of the Jewish Human Rights Watch group, claims in his 2018 book that “the Jewish left corrupts Judaism and endangers Israel”.
Jewish News has learned that Laurence Julius, deputy for Holland Park Synagogue, and one of the members of the so-called ‘gang of four’ who first sparked the challenge to the current Board president, reacted furiously having been alerted to the existence of the memo.
In a warning emailed to six Reform deputies, Julius wrote that he had “been made aware of a highly divisive and very nasty communication” and labelled the allegation that the caucus is far-right “libellous”.
He added: “I would appreciate if you could ensure that the smear is not repeated and the document is withdrawn and that you personally dissociate yourself from this message.”
But Jewish News understands those behind the document have no plan to retract the memo.
They point to senior figures in the rival caucus, including the Manchester-based lawyer Robert Festenstein, who represents Prestwich Hebrew Congregation.
After appearing in a video put out by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – who is also known as Tommy Robinson – on YouTube in 2017, Festenstein, another Jewish Human Rights Watch director, denied that the far-right activist was his client.
He said: “I was interviewed by Mr Robinson in connection with a matter where I am instructed by a client who has a potential dispute with Sunderland City Council. Mr Robinson is not my client. I have no association with him.”
The pro-Neumann group has sent all supporters a list of their five main principles – including banning any criticism of the Israeli government, calling all forms of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement (BDS) antisemitic, and suggesting the Board should not get involved in issues that do not impact the community.
In further explanation of these principles, it claims: “This caucus does not have political opinions.. Our members have a range of views, including support for, opposition to and agnosticism towards a two-state solution.”
The caucus leaders also claim their principles “accord with the views of the overwhelming majority of Anglo-Jewry”.
The Reform deputies urge their supporters to back current president Marie van der Zyl in the Board election next month. They also urge supporters to back David Mendoza-Wolfson for vice-president in a poll that will be held under the single transeferable vote system.
The rival caucus is backing Gary Mond, the Jewish National Fund’s Deputy, for vice-president.
Jewish News has approached Neumann and Julius for comment. Deputies linked to the Reform Movement refused to comment on the briefing document and its use of the term “far- right”.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
