Board of Deputies presidential contender Sheila Gewolb is calling for a concerted campaign to counter anti-Israel propaganda and “bombard young people with our own messages” on social media.

In her manifesto issued this week, the former senior vice-president of the Board says she will enlist the skills of deputies to “fight back” on TikTok, Instagram and other platforms.

If elected, Dr Gewolb said she would meet leaders of the Jewish Leadership Council, CST,  UJIA and the Campaign Against Antisemitism to co-ordinate action in order to “have our voice heard across every level of government and the deputies. We need positive images to be amplified.”

Her plans include strengthening interfaith connections and collaboration to “promote peace and understanding” with invitations to faith leaders to address plenaries of the Board.

She is one of four candidates vying to succeed Marie van der Zyl as president in the May 12 poll. The others are Michael Ziff, Phil Rosenberg and Amanda Bowman.

Already, they have taken part in five hustings with a further event scheduled for early next month. 

Her manifesto includes endorsements from beyond the community including one from Linda Rudge — chair of the National Association of Sacres (local bodies which supervise religious education curricula for schools) — who said, “Sheila is a dedicated and good-humoured colleague with great perception and inter-personal skills. Her work in schools as a visitor representing Judaism is greatly appreciated by all who encounter her positivity and professionalism.”