Womenwait for cash to save equality bid
A CAMPAIGN to improve equality for women in Jewish organisations is waiting to see if it will get further financial support from the Jewish Leadership Council.
Women in Jewish Leadership had expected a grant of £15,000 from the JLC for a second year, matching a similar pledge from the Board of Deputies.
But the JLC is still reviewing what level of commitment it is ready to make to the campaign.
WJL was set up to implement the recommendations of the JLC’s own commission on women and Jewish leadership which reported two years ago.
WJL co-chair Norma Brier, a former chief executive of Norwood, said the group was “still hopeful” of receiving the money.
“We recognise they have other priorities as well. But the commission was something the JLC clearly initiated. There were clear recommendations and these will take some resources to see through,” she said.
The report called for training schemes for women and an accreditation system to recognise community organisations that strove towards gender equality.
WJL has also lobbied to end all-male panels at communal events.
Mrs Brier acknowledged that the JLC’s leading training division, Lead, has done some work with women.
But she added that while “some organisations are well ahead of the game, there are some organisations who do not have a woman on their board of trustees.
“It would be wonderful if we could implement the recommendations so it won’t be another failed women’s commission.”
JLC chief executive Simon Johnson said that there were “continuing discussions between us and the members of the women’s commission about the next stage of implementation.
“What we have been discussing with colleagues and Women in Jewish leadership is the nature of that, the best way to get involved and the cost.”