11 September 2017

LJY-Netzer member Lauren Keiles has been elected as one of Liberal Judaism’s two Deputies to the Board of Deputies of British Jews.

Lauren replaces Gabriel Webber, a former LJY-Netzer movement worker who resigned from the position to concentrate on his rabbinic training at Leo Baeck College. She will serve alongside Stuart Macdonald, who is also the Board’s treasurer.

Lauren – who has been active in LJY-Netzer, Liberal Judaism’s youth movement, for a number of years – has also been appointed head teacher for the York Liberal Jewish Community cheder.

She said: “York is such a lovely and vibrant community and I am so excited to be playing my part in inspiring their youth.”

Fellow LJY-Netzer member Tom Smith, who has just returned from the Shnat gap year programme in Israel, is the new head teacher at Kingston Liberal Synagogue. Tom succeeds his cousin, Rachel Saha, in the role.

Liberal Judaism’s director of youth, Becca Fetterman, said: “It is fantastic to see Lauren, Tom and so many of our young members getting involved with their synagogues and the wider Jewish community.

“In an age where many young people in Britain have no involvement at all with religion, the welcoming, egalitarian and empowering world of LJY-Netzer is really inspiring our Liberal youth.”