Community
Sheila Gewolb kicks off race for Board vice-presidency
The former vice-president has launched an early campaign for the vacancy left by Andrew Gilbert’s resignation
January 20, 2026 14:09
The former vice-president has launched an early campaign for the vacancy left by Andrew Gilbert’s resignation
January 20, 2026 14:09The race has begun to fill the vacancy left by Andrew Gilbert’s resignation as a vice-president of the Board of Deputies last week, with one candidate already declaring her candidacy.
Former Board senior vice-president Sheila Gewolb is bidding to return to the top table in the by-election, which will be held in March. No reason has so far been given for Gilbert’s departure.
Gewolb, who sits on the Board’s executive as chair of the organisation’s Regional Assembly, served the maximum two terms as vice-president from 2015 to 2021. The deputy for Cardiff United Synagogue from 2009, she contested the presidency in 2024.
During her vice-presidencies, she headed the community and education division and the international division. “I believe at this time, when antisemitism in the UK is at its highest in living memory for our community, the Board needs the experience, knowledge, and expertise that I can offer. I am a safe pair of hands,” she told the JC this week.
Earlier this month, she was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Jewish Volunteering Network annual awards for her communal service.
She is a trustee and executive member of the National Association of SACRES – responsible for local RE curricula in schools – and the RE Council of England and Wales.
A possible challenger is Denise Lester, a member of the Board’s security, resilience and cohesion division, who narrowly failed to clinch a vice-presidency in the 2024 elections. The deputy for South Hampstead Synagogue said she was “considering” standing again.
Also in the frame could be Muswell Hill Synagogue deputy Judith Prinsley, the vice-chair of the Board’s RSE division, who has become its interim head and interim officer following Gilbert’s exit.
One seasoned Board watcher suggested that Karen Newman, former chair of Liberal Judaism, now a trustee of the new Movement for Progressive Judaism, who is one of the independent chairs of Board plenary sessions, would be a strong contender if she decided to stand.
Nominations for the post open on Wednesday.
Board of Deputies president Phil Rosenberg gave a hint of his expectations on Sunday when he told deputies: “May the best woman win.”
At the 2024 elections, an all-male team of honorary officers was elected, but Board leaders moved to restore some gender balance by ensuring other executive posts were filled by women.
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