In the wake of the biggest recent rise in Covid-related deaths among British Jewry, Board of Deputies president Marie van der Zyl has renewed her plea for community members to take up their vaccination invitations.

Working with communal burial boards and regional organisations, the Board recorded nine funerals related to Covid last week, an increase of four on the previous seven day period. The total number of deaths now stands at 950.

 “With the onset of winter, we are starting to see a rise in the number of loved ones who have died with Covid,” Mrs van der Zyl said. “It is more vital than ever that anyone eligible for a jab takes it, and we follow all appropriate Covid secure measures. The lives of our nearest and dearest rely on it.”

The JC has reported high Covid case rates in the Barnet borough wards with the biggest Jewish populations.