Established in 2006, The London Jewish Forum (LJF) is dedicated to the promotion of Jewish life in London.[1] The Forum provides a platform for engagement between London Jewry and the Greater London Authority, Mayor of London, London Boroughs and MPs. It is a joint project of the Jewish Leadership Council and the Board of Deputies of British Jews.

Aims and organisation

It works to promote the full and active engagement of the Jewish community with civic life in London. The LJF works to oppose antisemitism, racism and all forms of discrimination in London. The LJF works with all parts of the Jewish community regardless of religious; cultural or political affiliations or beliefs.

The London Jewish Forum has nine key platforms: Housing, Antisemitism and Community Cohesion, Health & Social Care, Culture & Heritage, Education & Young People, Transport, Social Action, Holocaust Commemoration, and Israel.[2] Its co-Chairs are Adrian Cohen and Andrew Gilbert, and it appointed Daniel Kosky as its Director in July 2020.[3] It was established to engage with London Government after the rift between the Jewish Community and Mayor Ken Livingstone over comments he made to a Jewish reporter. Livingstone apologised at the launch of the London Jewish Forum in December 2006.[4] The London Jewish Forum is apolitical and hosted separate mayoral breakfasts for community leaders with each of the main candidates in the 2008 London Mayoral Election including the eventual winner, Boris Johnson.[5] Boris Johnson commended the London Jewish Forum for its work on housing in the capital.[6]

In 2019, LJF's mandate was extended by the Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council to cover political engagement in Hertfordshire to support the growing Jewish community in the area. It operates as the Hertfordshire Jewish Forum when operating in that county.[7]

The London Jewish Forum hosted Mayoral Hustings for the Jewish community in both the 2016 London Mayoral Election and 2021 London Mayoral Election.[8] It has also regularly produced a Jewish Manifesto for London, the 2021 version being endorsed by Sadiq Khan, Shaun Bailey and Luisa Porritt.[9][10][11]

In 2021, the London Jewish Forum was named as a founding signatory for the Anchor Institutions Charter alongside institutions such as the Metropolitan Police, NHS London, the Greater London Authority and the Church of England. The Charter was signed by major London based organisations with a commitment to help the city recover from COVID-19.[12]

Housing issues

The London Jewish Forum has been working with City Hall and the London Development Authority in City Hall to ensure future housing provision for London's strictly orthodox community. Mayor Boris Johnson publicly recognised the work London Jewish Forum in trying to resolve "the increasing desperate housing situation for the Charedi community in London".[13]

London 2012

The London Jewish Forum is working with other major Jewish organisations to develop community engagement with the Olympic Games Jewish schools and their communities in meeting Jewish Olympians; the development of welfare, culture and religious services for Jewish athletes in the Olympic Village; a London 2012 Jewish website for visitors to the Games; the long-term legacy for the Jewish community within the five Olympic Boroughs and utilising sports to bring groups together and celebrate the cultural diversity of the city.[14]

References

  1. ↑ "London Jewish Forum". ljf.org.uk.
  2. ↑ "Issues". London Jewish Forum. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  3. ↑ "About". London Jewish Forum. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  4. ↑ Jerusalem Post, 9 December 2006 Archived 27 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ↑ Riazat Butt (27 April 2008). "Candidates for London mayor get religion". the Guardian.
  6. ↑ Jewish News, 10 September 2007
  7. ↑ "Hertfordshire Jewish Forum". London Jewish Forum. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  8. ↑ Cohen, Justin. "Jewish News to host London mayoral hustings". jewishnews.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  9. ↑ London Jewish Forum [@JewishLondon] (4 May 2021). "Last month we launched the Jewish Manifesto for London in partnership with @BoardofDeputies and @JLC_uk. We're delighted @SadiqKhan has announced his support for the Jewish Manifesto for London. https://t.co/u8fg1lyD4D" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 13 July 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2022 – via Twitter.
  10. ↑ London Jewish Forum [@JewishLondon] (4 May 2021). "We're delighted that @ShaunBaileyUK has endorsed the #TenCommitments in the Jewish Manifesto for London. Thank you for your support! @BoardofDeputies, @JLC_uk. https://t.co/GDmrZizGNM" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 4 August 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2022 – via Twitter.
  11. ↑ London Jewish Forum [@JewishLondon] (4 May 2021). "WATCH: Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of London @LuisaPorritt welcomes the Jewish Manifesto for London. @BoardofDeputies, @JLC_uk. https://t.co/wU2Mr0qK66" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 13 July 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2022 – via Twitter.
  12. ↑ "Anchor Institutions Charter". London City Hall. 16 March 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  13. ↑ 'Boris Johnson writes for TJ', Jewish News, 10 September 2007
  14. ↑ Jewish Chronicle, 12 September 2008
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