The Jewish Leadership Council has launched a community chest to finance cross-communal ventures with plans to raise £1 million in the first year.

It is expected that the chest will build to a £5 million fund with provision for underwriting one-off projects such as rallies for Israel.

As a starter, £100,000 apiece has been allocated to the new leadership training enterprise, Lead, and educational body, Partnerships for Jewish Schools — both currently operating under the wing of the JLC. The London Jewish Forum will receive £20,000.

Allocations are decided by a five-person board chaired by JLC chairman Mick Davis. Its other members are Board of Deputies president and chairman of the JLC’s membership council, Vivian Wineman; JLC vice-president Leo Noe; interfaith promoter Maurice Ostro, who is a vice-chairman of the Council of Christians and Jews; and JLC public relations consultant Kate Bearman. Other applications for funding are under consideration.

Three new members have joined the JLC’s council — Jonathan Goldstein, Adrian Cohen and Lord Young.