KLBD display at Thompson’s Lane

The Board is heavily involved in education. It runs Pikuach, a government-accredited inspection service for Jewish schools, and has published a definitive resource for GCSE Judaism Religious Studies targeted at non-Jewish schools that are teaching the Judaism GCSE syllabus. More broadly the Board is heavily involved with interfaith work, building bridges with other faith communities in the UK. Anti-Semitism continues to be a problem, both from hard left and hard right political groups. We have had serious problems with the Labour Party, but the anti-Semitic violence we have seen recently around the world has originated from the right wing. Regarding the Labour Party, the Board published its “Ten Pledges” for Labour leadership candidates. These pledges represent the first steps any leader must take rebuild trust with the Britain’s Jews. All the candidates for the leadership have signed up, but two of the deputy leadership candidates have so far refused. The pledges can be read on the Board’s website (search for “board of deputies ten pledges” to find the website).

Jane Liddell-King On Sunday, 1 March, some 50 people from across the Cambridge Jewish community met at 3 Thompson’s Lane to sample kosher food from a display presented by Sharon Feldman-Vazan, Retail Drink and Food Manager of KLBD. KLBD is the Kashrut Division of the London Beth Din and leading UK and European authority on Jewish Dietary Laws.

Sponsored by the Chaplaincy Board in aid of Magen David Adom, the event had been impressively organised by Sarah Schechter. Valerie Berkson and Robert Marks oversaw the MDA stall in the entrance hall.

In an interesting talk, Sharon illustrated her role in widening the choice of kosher food and publicising the results to the community. She explained the meticulous process which ensures that kosher Marmite is kept separate from Bovril. Similarly, she clarified the difference between approved and certified foods. Where companies who certify their products as kosher must give a signed undertaking not to change ingredients or production processes without first informing the KLBD, those opting for approval make no such commitment. A Facebook group (currently boasting 8,500 members), Twitter, and the Isitkosher.uk App, offer up to date information on what’s new as well as on what is no longer kosher.

Following the talk, the audience sampled food, with children relishing candied smoked salmon and chocolate truffles while students needing gluten free diets were clearly in food heaven.

Reuven kept the gin flowing to give the occasion that special simcha flavour.