Marie van der Zyl, at The Blogs

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Feb 15, 2022, 2:15 PM

Counting the cost of the pandemic’s devastating impact

Sanitizing a synagogue. Vladimir Gerdo/TASS (Via Jewish News)

This week we reached a sombre milestone. Two years since the Coronavirus pandemic reached the UK, we have recorded the 1000th death in the Jewish community where the deceased was diagnosed with Covid-19. Covid has had a devastating impact on our community – particularly in...

Nov 3, 2021, 6:40 PM

As a community, we cannot bury our heads in the sand over climate change

Jewish community delegation at COP26, including Rabbi David Mason of Muswell Hill Synagogue – and EcoSynagogue co-chair, alongside Marie van der Zyl, Chief Rabbi Mirvis and Michael Wegier

This week, politicians from around the world have gathered in Glasgow for COP26 – a global conference to discuss nothing more or less than the future of our planet. This is the forum at which global deals are reached, targets are set and a blueprint...

Oct 15, 2021, 1:49 PM

Bravo to students who refused to cower to Professor Miller

David Miller (Screenshot from CST's Twitter via Jewish News)

In the 1970s and 80s, in the wake of an infamous UN resolution on Zionism, far-left activists attempted to ban Jewish societies from campuses around the country, under the guise of ‘anti-racism’. In a couple of cases, they succeeded.” But Jewish students and their allies...

Aug 24, 2021, 4:21 PM

Why is Bristol University refusing to talk to us?

Professor David Miller (Screenshot, via Jewish News)

Universities and all institutions of higher education have an obligation to care for their students. Unfortunately, we believe Bristol University is failing in this most basic duty. Over the past two years, Professor David Miller, a sociology lecturer at the university, made statements that caused...

Jul 16, 2021, 5:07 PM

Abuse of England players was entirely predictable

England's Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling, and Bukayo Saka.

In the wake of England’s Euro202 final loss to Italy on Sunday, social media was awash with anti-black racism aimed at some players. This was hideous – but also, sadly, entirely predictable. Enough racism has been aimed at black footballers via social media over the...

Jun 24, 2021, 4:43 PM

Another virus milestone – this time a happy one

Board president Marie van der Zyl (Jewish News)

There have been many milestones through this pandemic, most of them grim. However, there is some happier news now with this week’s figures marking more than two months since the last recorded Jewish death from Covid-19. This time last year the situation was very different....

Dec 23, 2020, 1:22 PM

Finally, ministers are showing teeth in fight against online hate

Examples of far-right online antisemitism from the CST report in 2018

Throughout the centuries, antisemites have always seized on the key communication mediums of the day and warped these to their hideous purpose. The online space is no different. Antisemites have taken a key advantage of the online era – being able to meet people around...

Nov 17, 2020, 6:08 PM

Here’s to another 260 years of representing the community

A Board of Deputies plenary, with President Marie van der Zyl (second left)

Exactly 260 years ago this week, Deputies were called to order for their very first meeting on November 19, 1760. In the chair was the man who was to become or first President, Benjamin Mendes da Costa. As he addressed the small assembly of Deputados...

Oct 21, 2020, 2:45 PM

Thanks Facebook, but what took you so long?

Facebook (Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire via Jewish News)

There are two potential responses when organisations, after a long period of apparent reluctance, finally decide to do the right thing. You can praise them to the skies, or you can make it clear that, while you are happy they have come to this conclusion,...

Apr 29, 2020, 5:07 PM

Board of Deputies will never apologise for advocating for ALL Jews

Marie van der Zyl, Board president

It’s not easy to simultaneously be accused of being both Conservative shills and “nakedly pursuing…partisan favouritism” in support of Labour. But somehow this is the position the Board of Deputies currently enjoys. A few short weeks ago, the leadership of the Labour Party changed. We...

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About Me

Marie van der Zyl is the President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews