Scot and bothered

THE DIRECTOR of the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities (SCoJeC) has accused the Board of Deputies of failing to back its Scottish members.

Addressing Sunday’s Board meeting in London, Ephraim Borowski asked why SCoJeC had not received financial support from the Board in 18 months. The council had previously been awarded £2,500 annually.

Board president Jonathan Arkush responded that “on the one hand, they are extremely emphatic about SCoJec’s independence… and on the other hand, the hand is out for money. I have to think quite carefully about our priorities and I personally did not see it was appropriate at the moment to continue that payment.”

He added that the Board had funded the Jewish manifesto for the Scottish elections in May.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Borowski claimed Mr Arkush’s reply was “unprincipled” and “a complete obfuscation. We have to be independent. We have to deal with a Scottish government that will not listen to an address in Kentish Town. Consequently, it is quite clear that the Scottish community needs financial help.”

A Board spokesperson said that it continued to back “advocacy efforts in Scotland” and offered “strategic advice”.