Board of Deputies of British Jews

The Board of Deputies of British Jews is the main representative body of British Jewry. Founded in 1760 as a joint committee of the Sephardi (Spanish and Portuguese) and Ashkenazi (Central and Eastern European) Jewish communities in London it has since become a widely recognised forum for the views of the different sectors of the UK Jewish community.

Related Topics:
1760 - Sephardi - Ashkenazi - London - UK - Jew

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Currently led by Henry Grunwald QC, who was elected for a three-year term in 2003, a notable past President was the Victorian philanthropist Sir Moses Montefiore, who in the nineteenth century travelled around the world assisting Jews facing persecution. More recently Greville Janner MP was a President.

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The Chief Executive of the Board is Jon Benjamin who succeeded Neville Nagler in 2005.

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The Board receives Deputies elected by individual synagogues, confederations of synagogues and other organisations within the Jewish community such as charities and youth groups.

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The Board of Deputies offices are situated in the family home of Isaac D'Israeli, the father of the British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.

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A satirical spoof website was set up by under the name The Board of Guardians of British Jews in 2004 which gives an alternative or satirical view of Jewish life in Britain.

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