More than 50 Deputies attended the Board of Deputies’ first regional weekend since the Covid pandemic.
The venue for the weekend, as in 2019, was Manchester. Honorary Officers, Deputies and staff members enjoyed a full programme, including Shabbat services, meals and the Sunday morning Plenary Meeting, which was held at Bury Town Hall and attended online by many more Deputies.
As well as regular debates and reports, the Plenary featured an introduction by Russell Conn, the President of the Jewish Representative Council of Manchester and Region. There was also a tribute to those who were killed and injured in the Manchester Arena bombing by Jonny Wineberg – a Trustee of Jewish Action for Mental Health – on the fifth anniversary of the tragedy. His talk was followed by a minute’s silence.
Deputies gathered for dinner at Celia’s Kitchen on Friday night where they were welcomed by Jeremy Michelson, Chair of the Regional Deputies Council and Assembly. On Shabbat morning they attended services around the city. Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl spoke at, Heaton Park Synagogue, while Treasurer Ben Crowne gave a talk at Prestwich Hebrew Congregation and International Relations Officer Talia Ingleby spoke at Yeshurun Synagogue in South Manchester. Other Deputies attended Manchester Reform Synagogue. Whitefield Hebrew Congregation hosted a Seudah Shilishit sponsored by the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region. Shabbat was concluded with a musical Havdalah led by Rabbi Ephraim Guttentag.
Following the weekend, Marie van der Zyl said: “It was wonderful to be able to meet Deputies from around the country at our first regional weekend for three years and it was fitting that this reunion should happen in Manchester, the largest Jewish community outside of London and the South East. The weekend cemented our commitment to ensuring that the Board of Deputies is truly the representative organisation for Jews from all over the UK from communities large and small. We are here for everyone.”
You can see the full Plenary Meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASbvmG3ol4s