Representative? I don't think so

Oh, I don't know about that, Iain. It could be argued that it's as representative as a Parliament of 600-odd members to represent a population of 60 million. And for a cold midweek winter's night, 60 people is jolly good going. I live very far from London, but I was there in spirit, and I'm sure there are many others just like me, who were sitting in their warm living rooms thinking of the protesters and cheering them on - and, if they are anything like me, wishing that they lived close enough to the source of the action to be there in person, flying the blue-and-white flag and exercising our right, as free and true Britons, to peacefully protest against the warped values of some in our and the wider community. I'm also sure that many people are grateful that we have people in our community like Jonathan Hoffman - right there in the middle of the photo - who is not "a trembling Israelite", who does not "whisper softly" like the Olde Tyme "Gentlemen of the Mosaic Persuasion", who is not afraid to stand up and be counted, who has the moral courage to confront those who defame our brothers and sisters in Israel and the will-power and energy to leave his cosy armchair and his fireside in order to do so. We're reassured to have young people in our community like Jonathan Sacerdoti, who is also a valiant defender of his people, and thrilled and grateful for the support of people like the Anglican, Simon, whose wise words are quoted in the report, and the folk who travelled all the way from Wales.

An interesting point, Yvetta. However, the 600 MPs are elected, while the Board and the ZF are self-important bodies which speak for the few. I wonder if you are also proud of the BNP types who seem to join these little theatrical shows of "strength"-and not to hurl antisemitic abuse (although I am sure they do that on other occasions).

Rabbak is wrong as usual.

I was elected as ZF Vice Chair. If he bothered to check his facts he would see that I even mentioned it on the first article on my JC blog.

And of course every Deputy is elected and they then elect their Honorary Officers.

And as for "....but only the 60 usual suspects turned up to protest? That's hardly representative of the community, is it? "

If he bothered to read the report he would see that it was an interfaith protest ... so no it certainly was not "representative of the community"!

It seems that fact-checking is not his forte....

That's all well and good, Jonathan, but who elected you? All the Jews in the community? And who elects the Board's deputies? All the Jews in the community? And as for the jibe about it being an interfaith protest...that's mere semantics. I think Rabbak has got his facts straight.

Come on, Mr Hoffman, who do you think you are kidding? Board deputies are in the main appointed by their synagogue boards, usually because it's Buggin's turn. And your own exalted position was decided by the membership of the (hardly representative) ZF.

Iain, I've no idea what your reference to the BNP in this context is, so I can't answer you on that point.
I think calling the Board and the ZF "self-important bodies" is a trifle rich. It belittles the work those bodies do, and is mean-spirited towards the people who give up their time on behalf of communal causes, and of Israel. The answer might be to stand for election yourself, if you disapprove of them.
In my view, the "self-important" people are those who nay-say everything communal representatives say and do, in a malcontented fashion, and even more "self-important" - and totally regrettable - are the people who have no meaningful links with Judaism or the community but "discover" their Jewish ancestry for the sole purpose of beating Israel and goading other Jews.

Don't feed the trolls

Ah, yes, the usual response when the truth outs.

whats the bet that Honest Blogger will make an impromptu appearance now that Hoffman has pulled out his catchphrase?

Just noticed this one!
So, for Gordon Bennett or is it Bennet? obviously a pseudonym, who spells their own name incorrectly? - and as for the rest of the Trolls, go ahead critiscise the ZF, the Board and every other comunal organisation, but as Yvetta suggests, stand for election yourselves, forgot, sorry you can't you are not Jewish are you?
So, ayribi rabbak or iainl rabbak, whatever your name is? shouldn't you and your friends be trolling on the Guardian or The Independents web site?

DLeigh-Ellis, HB doesn't need to, because he got someone else to do the usual bullyboy schtick for him. Also, I love the attack that we are not Jewish. We are probably more Jewish than he'll ever be. Why would Gordon or anyone else take Yvetta's suggestion to heart? After all, there are no elections to the Bored or the ZF, per se, just appointments of whichever Buggin's turn it is.

Methinks we have some "sock puppets" in our midst!

Sock puppet: Noun; a writer who uses a pseudonym to add friendly comments to his own blog posts; the sock puppet will rise to the defense of the author, pick fights with those who disagree with the author, and frequently praise the brilliance of the author

So............ "Moshe is a fatty too" and Gordon Bennett (or is it Bennet) are "Curse your god's" sock puppets-

"I can see clearly now the rain has gone"

HB, I'd see someone about that, if I were you.

"Troll Alert" Finally "Curse Your God" has been flushed out in the open. I suppose that its just a coincidence that "Curse your God" in Arabic is In al rabbak iainlrabbak"