Board leader stands down
EDWIN SHUKER, one of the Board of Deputies’ three vice-presidents, will not seek a second three-year term when members of the representative body choose their leaders next month.
Mr Shuker — who spent six days in hospital after contracting Covid-19 earlier this year — said he would not elaborate on his decision to step down until he had spoken to the Board’s education and community division, which he chairs.
Senior vice-president Sheila Gewolb is ineligible to contest the post again, having served as vice-president for a maximum six successive years.
Both Mr Shuker and Dr Gewolb went for the presidency three years ago.
The current president, Marie van der Zyl, is facing a challenge from charity lawyer Jonathan Neumann, deputy for Shomrei Hadath Federation Synagogue.
Candidates for the May 9 election have until Friday next week to muster the 20 nominations needed to enter the contest.
Stuart MacDonald, treasurer for the past three years, is aiming for the vicepresidency in this election, as is Gary Mond, who failed narrowly to be elected to it three years ago.
The third vice-president, Amanda Bowman, who chairs the defence division, is seeking re-election to the post.
A fourth candidate for the vice-presidency, David Mendoza-Wolfson, at 29 would, if successful, become one of the youngest Board officers.
Ben Crowne, chair of the Board’s constitutional working group, hopes to take the financial reins as treasurer.