Five communal organisations accepted on to the Board of Deputies

Five communal organisations have successfully been voted on to the Board of Deputies, bringing the total number over 200.

The groups voted onto the body, ahead of its May triennial elections, include Maccabi GB, the Jewish Association for Mental Illness (JAMI), The Friendship Circle, Mitzvah Day and The Jewish Vegetarian Society.

In addition, two new synagogues, Harrogate Hebrew Congregation and Aberdeen Hebrew Congregation, have joined the Board of Deputies this month, while Manchester North Salford (Vine Street) shul returned to the organisation.

There are now 157 member synagogues and 46 other organisations making up the Board of Deputies 203 representatives overall.

Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl welcomed them, saying they  become part of an “expanding and diverse collection of community organisations representing all facets of the UK Jewish community.”

Maccabi GB’s chairman David Pinnick said the organisation is “honoured” to join, while Jami’s chief Executive Laurie Rackind said its inclusion “recognises the importance of mental health and social care in our community”.

Mitzvah Day’s chief executive Georgina Bye said: “We have a long-standing relationship and, now formalised, this will allow us to support the Board in furthering their social action and interfaith work”.