About Us

The Board of Deputies of British Jews is the voice of the British Jewish Community, the first port of call for the Government, the media and others seeking to understand Jewish community interests and concerns.

DEPUTIES

The Board of Deputies is the only democratically elected, cross-communal, representative body in the Jewish community. It comprises over 300 deputies directly elected by the synagogues and communal organisations they represent, from congregations to youth movements, and social welfare charities to regional councils.

In addition, there are also a number of ‘Under-35 Observers’, appointed by synagogues and organisations to supplement their representation and to ensure that a new generation of communally-minded activists can contribute to our work on behalf of the community.

Each synagogue and organisation elects one or more Deputies, depending on the size of that particular body, with elections occurring every three years.

HONORARY OFFICERS

Every three years, Deputies elect five Honorary Officers, who comprise a President, Senior Vice-President, two Vice-Presidents and a Treasurer. It is these Officers, along with the professional team, who represent the Board of Deputies to external stakeholders. See below for biographies on the current Honorary Officers.

DIVISIONS

Strategy and scrutiny of the Board of Deputies is in part dealt with by its four Divisions, to which Deputies can be elected. Each Division is headed by one of the Honorary Officers. The Divisions are as follows:

The Security, Resilience, and Cohesion Division works to combat antisemitism and extremism, as well as to promote and defend Jewish rights and freedoms in the UK, including Brit Milah, Shechitah, family law, workplace issues, organ donation and issues of bereavement. It also promotes interfaith relations.

The International Division undertakes the global advocacy of the Board of Deputies and seeks to stand up for Jews around the world, whether against antisemitism, Holocaust revisionism or attacks on Jewish religious freedoms.

The Communities and Education Division has a wide remit. It works to engage Jewish communities in the UK, discusses issues of education policy, education for Deputies about Israel, ensures Judaism is accurately presented in education and is responsible for protecting Jewish heritage.

The Finance, Fundraising, and Organisation Division is concerned with the running of the Board of Deputies as a whole. Its work encompasses four crucial and interrelated areas – financial management, fundraising and brand building, organisation and risk management.

report

2024 Highlights

A roundup of some of the events, activities, and ahievements of the Board of Deputies of British Jews in 2024.

Read a summary of our work in 2024

Honorary Officers

Our Honorary Officers are a talented and diverse group hailing from many walks of life and professional backgrounds. What unites us is our shared commitment to voicing the needs, and advocating the sentiment of the Jewish Community.

Phil Rosenberg

President

Phil Rosenberg is the 49th President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews. At 38, he is the youngest ever President in the Board’s 264-year history. Phil is the Deputy for Brondesbury Park Synagogue. A consultant specialising in governm...

Adrian Cohen

Senior Vice-President

Adrian has over 40 years of experience in voluntary communal service. This ranges from participation in youth movements and UJS to work in the interfaith sector along with high-level public affairs work, engaging across political parties an...

Andrew Gilbert

Vice President

When Andrew was first elected to the Board’s executive in 1994 he was one of the youngest executive members ever to have been elected at the Board. He had already been a founding member of RSY-Netzer Makirut, chaired the Soviet Jewry ...

Jeremy Michelson

Vice President

Jeremy was born in London but has lived most of his adult life in Greater Manchester. Jeremy has been on the Board of Deputies since 2015, when he was immediately elected to the Community and Education Division which he now Chairs. Jeremy h...

Ben Crowne

Treasurer

Ben is the Board’s Treasurer and chairs the Finance, Fundraising and Organisation Division. He has served as a trustee and director for a number of organisations, including the JW3 community centre, the cross-communal education charity Limm...

The day-to-day work of the Board of Deputies is carried out by a professional team of staff led by Chief Executive Michael Wegier.

Jack Baldwin

Local and Regional Government Officer

Jack is the Local and Regional Government Officer at the Board of Deputies. He supports the Board’s Public Affairs team and leads on engagement with local councils, devolved administrations, and Jewish Representative Councils. He also works...

Martyn Ellis

Finance Officer

Martyn works in the Finance and Operations Team where he ensures the smooth running of the organisation’s finances.

Sara Hussain

Executive Assistant

Sara Hussain is Executive Assistant at the Board of Deputies.

Noah Katz

Jewish Staff Network Support Officer

Noah Katz Assoc CIPD is the Jewish Staff Network Support Officer at the Board of Deputies. They are responsible for our BoD@Work programming and look after Jewish Staff Networks to ensure that Jews in the UK are able to work in all parts of...

Ariella Knoble-Gershon

Campaigns Officer

Ariella is the Campaigns Officer at the Board of Deputies. As part of the Public Affairs team, she leads on creation and implementation of Board Campaigns, including working closely to empower Deputies to drive key initiatives forward. Sinc...

Andrew Leigh

Director of Operations

Andrew is Director of Operations at the Board of Deputies.

Victoria Lisek

Religious and Civil Affairs Officer

Victoria Lisek is the Religious and Civil Affairs Officer at the Board of Deputies. She is responsible for developing programmes and policy that safeguard Jewish religious freedoms, and engages with civil society groups to ensure that they ...

Adam Ma’anit

Digital and Communications Officer

Adam Ma’anit is part of the Public Affairs team at the Board of Deputies where he heads up our digital communications work, social media and special projects. He has also served as Interfaith Relations and Social Action Manager. He cu...

Sara Radivan

Regional Manager

Sara Radivan, the Board of Deputies’ Regional Manager, is based in Manchester and is the first port of call for regional Jewish communities. Sara offers support, advice and assistance to regional Jewish communities of all sizes, supporting...

David Robinson

Parliamentary & International Relations Officer

David Robinson is Parliamentary and International Relations Officer at the Board of Deputies.

Simon Round

Communications Officer

Simon Round is responsible for media, communications and public relations work for the Board of Deputies. This includes liaising with UK and international media, preparing and distributing press releases and statements, running Board of De...

Anna Silver

Education Officer

Anna Silver is Education Officer at the Board of Deputies.

Daniel Sugarman

Director of Public Affairs

Daniel Sugarman is Director of Public Affairs at the Board of Deputies. Daniel leads on the Board’s policy, strategic relations, advocacy and communications, as well as managing the Board’s talented Public Affairs Team. With a backgro...

Dawn Waterman

Director of Education

Dawn Waterman is Director of Education at the Board of Deputies. She oversees all of our educationalactivities and projects, as well as leads Hidden Treasures; celebrating Jewish archives in Britain, an on-line project featuring archives th...

Michael Wegier

Chief Executive

Michael Wegier has been Chief Executive since 2021. He has worked as a Jewish Educator, Strategic Planner and Chief Executive for Jewish organisations in the UK, Israel, and the United States. He has a degree in Jewish History from UCL and ...

Who We Are