Jewish Leadership Council

The Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) is a prominent nonprofit organisation in the United Kingdom dedicated to representing and supporting the major Jewish institutions and leadership across the UK Jewish community. Established in 2003, the JLC acts as an umbrella group that connects and coordinates the largest Jewish organisations in the UK, including synagogues, care organisations, education charities, and regional Representative Councils. Its purpose is to ensure the thriving and vitality of the Jewish community nationwide, irrespective of religious, cultural, political affiliations, or beliefs[3][1].

History and Formation

The council was founded in 2003 by Henry Grunwald, who was then the president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, along with other senior UK Jewish leaders. It was originally known as the Jewish Community Leadership Council before adopting its current name. The JLC was created to forward the interests of the organised Jewish community in Britain by acting as a central coordinating body for the various Jewish communal charities and organisations[3].

Objectives and Activities

The JLC works to:

• Connect and coordinate the Jewish charitable sector.
• Strengthen and support leadership across the community.
• Amplify the voices of its members to government, public institutions, and wider society.

It supports long-term community goals through data-led research and maintains strong relationships with governmental bodies and regional authorities, advocating on behalf of the Jewish community across the UK[1][2].

A notable initiative includes the establishment of the Jewish Community Refugee Task Force in collaboration with the Board of Deputies of British Jews in 2022, which was created to coordinate the community's response to the refugee crisis stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine[2].

Leadership Development

The JLC places significant emphasis on developing leadership within the Jewish community through its division called Lead. This division offers various leadership development programs tailored for different levels of leadership, including emerging leaders, senior leaders, and community trustees. Programs such as the Adam Science Leadership Programme, the Dangoor Senior Leadership Programme, and the annual Jewish Community Professionals Conference aim to nurture leadership skills vital for sustaining a vibrant Jewish community[4].

Structure and Governance

The organisation is governed by a leadership team including a chairman and joint chief executives. It brings together senior representatives from major Jewish organisations and acts as a central point of expertise and coordination within the Jewish charitable sector in the UK[3].

Charity Status

The Jewish Leadership Council is registered as a charity under the number 1115343. It provides services primarily to the Jewish voluntary sector, supporting a wide range of charitable activities within the community[5].

Summary

The Jewish Leadership Council is a central institution within the UK's Jewish communal landscape, uniting major organisations and providing strategic support, leadership development, and advocacy. Its work across the community fosters cohesion, resilience, and growth, contributing to the overall wellbeing and sustainability of the Jewish population in the United Kingdom.

Note: Charity registration number: 1115343.

[1] https://www.thejlc.org [2] https://www.thejlc.org/about [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Leadership_Council [4] https://www.thejlc.org/leadership [5] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1115343&subid=0