A former Labour Health Minister has been appointed to head the Board of Deputies of British Jews.
Gillian Merron, 55, will succeed in July Jon Benjamin, who stepped down a year ago, as new chief executive.
Aged 55, she served as Member of the British Parliament for the Lincoln constituency for 13 years until she lost her seat in the 2010 election. She has run her own business as an advocate on public health across Europe since leaving Parliament.
She joined the Board of Liberal Judaism two years ago and was appointed a vice-president of the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) last year.
"It is an honour to have this opportunity to serve our community in such a key role. I am proud to be on my own Jewish journey, taking up the exciting challenge of working with the Board to defend and promote the interests of the Jewish community," she said.
She added, “It is important we are proactive, safeguarding of our traditions and values, and speaking with a clear message… to decision-makers, the wide range of Jews across the country and the general public.
The Board of Deputies said her role would “further extend the Board’s influence as the first port of call for government, media and others seeking to understand Jewish communal interests and concerns”.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews is the representative organization of British Jewry.
The institution dates from 1760, when the Sephardi committee of deputados presented a "loyal address" to King George III and were reproached by the Ashkenazi community for acting independently. Both communities then agreed to consult together on matters of mutual interest.
Thereafter meetings were intermittent until in 1835 a constitution was adopted. At this time the Board's representative status was recognized by the government.
In 1838, Sir Moses Montefiore became president and, apart from a brief interval, held office until 1874. Membership was based on synagogues, London and provincial, and it was not until the present century that representatives of other communal organizations were added.