Board of Deputies President Phil Rosenberg and Deputy and Communities Engagement Manager Sara Radivan have boosted support for the Welsh Jewish community in a two-day visit to Cardiff visiting synagogues and local politicians.
During the visit, Phil announced that the Board of Deputies would be working with the South Wales Jewish Representative Council to produce a Welsh-language Jewish Manifesto for the 2026 Welsh Senedd elections. The Board of Deputies is also planning to develop similar resources for the Scottish Parliament and local government elections due to take place next year, working with local partners to organising hustings meetings.
Phil and Sara began their trip by being welcomed by members of Cardiff Reform Synagogue, including its Deputy (Board of Deputies representative) Eddie Cawston. They learnt about the proud history of the community, including its heritage from the war, and its preparations for Pesach.
At Cardiff United Synagogue, they were welcomed by the Council of Cardiff United Synagogue and its Chair Lisa Gerson, and its Deputy Sheila Gewolb. They were given a tour of the synagogue’s facilities and learnt about the volunteers who power the community. They heard about the aspirations to refurbish Hillel House and attract more Jewish students to the city.
The South Wales Jewish Representative Council, under the Chairmanship of Laurence Kahn, welcomed nearly 100 civic and community guests to a dinner in the Cardiff United Synagogue hall. Civic guests included the Lord Lieutenant of South Glamorgan Morfudd Meredith, Deputy Lord Mayor of Cardiff Cllr Michael Michael and Jane Woodford, Chair of Cardiff Friends of Israel, as well as present and past Deputies including Philip Dennis and Norma Glass of Swansea. Phil began his speech to the gathering by greeting the audience in Welsh.
Together with Cardiff United Synagogue’s Rabbi Michoel Rose and Chair Lisa Gerson and Cardiff Reform Deputy Eddie Cawston, the second day of their visit was spent in the Welsh Senedd where they met with leader of Plaid Cymru Rhun ap Iorwerth and Delyth Jewell, Senedd International Relations Committee Chair. They met Darren Millar, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, who had also joined the communal dinner the previous evening. He arranged for the delegation to watch First Minister’s Questions. Darren Millar explained to the delegation the delight he had when he took a piece of Welsh slate to Jerusalem in exchange for St David’s Jerusalem Stone.
The final meeting in the Senedd was with former First Minister Vaughan Gething who represents the synagogues of Cardiff in the Cardiff South and Penarth constituency.
Each meeting discussed the importance of education and culture in tackling prejudice and promoting celebration, the fight against antisemitism, promoting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians, and championing Welsh Jewish culture through the Board’s proposed Jewish Culture Month.
Phil is on course to fulfil his pledge to visit every part of the UK in his first year as President, with a visit to Northern Ireland planned for next month to complete the set.
Phil Rosenberg said: “I am really proud that I have fulfilled one of my pledges and after next month will have visited all four nations of the UK in my first year in post. The community visits are important in helping us to hear the latest from the communities and give them our support in achieving our shared objectives. Sara Radivan and I had a great two days in Cardiff with its Jewish community, which has a fascinating history, a dynamic present, and the potential for an exciting future”.
Photo (left to right): Sara Radivan, Deputy for Cardiff Reform Synagogue Eddie Cawston, Phil Rosenberg, Darren Millar leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Rabbi Michoel Rose, Lisa Gerson Chair of Cardiff United Synagogue