JLC chief executive steps down on health grounds

The chief executive of the Jewish Leadership Council is stepping down on health grounds, it was announced today.

Jeremy Newmark, who became the organisation’s first full-time head eight years ago, has chosen to leave the role after being diagnosed with Diabetes and related complications which went undetected for some time.

The 41-year-old will still act as a consultant to the JLC “for a period of time” to ensure an orderly succession, according to JLC chair Mick Davis. He wrote in a letter to colleagues: “Jeremy is currently not in a position to work at the pace he has been doing over the past few years and which is demanded by this job given the few resources available at the JLC to the CEO in the proper carrying out of his duties.”

He added: “It goes without saying that Jeremy made an extraordinarily significant contribution to the success of the JLC and in particular the political advocacy work of our community since he became its first full-time Chief Executive – and I am grateful to him for his enormous dedication to the job and wish him well going forward.”

Former LFI director Kate Bearman, who has worked with the JLC in recent months, will work with Newmark and his team in a lay capacity to help the body continue its work while a successor is sought.