Another election but within the NSW Jewish community
Voting closes tomorrow in the election of the “parliament” of the NSW Jewish community with an unprecedented number of young adults nominating.
A total of 83 people have nominated for election as General Franchise deputies of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, competing for 70 positions.
· 28 nominees are under the age of 35 (34% of candidates) – the highest percentage ever of nominees under the age of 35
· 33 nominees have never nominated before (40% of candidates)
· 34 nominees are women (41%) – one of the highest numbers of women nominating for election as Deputies.
Board of Deputies president Jeremy Spinak commended the “great response from across the community” in standing for election to the Board of Deputies.
“It is very gratifying to see this great response from all demographics and from young adults in particular,” he said. “It’s an indication that they recognise the vital work that the Board of Deputies does on behalf of the community and that they want to put up their hand, get involved and make a difference. Full credit to all those who have nominated for election.
“The only way to truly be a representative body is to put democratic structures in place that give everyone a chance to get elected. It’s an important contrast, especially in this day and age of self-proclaimed `representative bodies’ springing up on Facebook but representing no-one.”
General Franchise deputies are independent members of the community and comprise 50 per cent of the Board of Deputies plenum, the other 50 per cent representing constituent organisations. They play a role in deciding the policy direction of the community, can nominate as members of Board of Deputies committees and are eligible to vote on key issues, the most recent significant motion being the resolution on same-sex marriage, which was passed by an overwhelming majority at the September plenum.
Only financial members of the Board of Deputies are eligible to vote, and voting closes at 3:00pm tomorrow, Friday 10th November. The election results will be announced at this month’s plenum on Tuesday 21 November. More than 1200 votes are expected to be cast.
