Deputy numbers fall
"This is likely a reflection of a change of process and of the demands the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has placed on members of our community."
THE NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (JBD) says new requirements around eligibility and attendance at meetings are behind a fall in the number of general franchise deputies elected earlier this month.
Following the 2020 election, which saw a number of candidates as well as long-term incumbents miss out as a wave of new deputies swept in, this year there were only 45 candidates, all of whom were elected unopposed.
In 2020, 71 general franchise deputies were elected.
JBD president Lesli Berger said following the 2020 election, “Assurance and integrity was our primary focus.”
“The board recently passed a number of additional measures and mechanisms to safeguard and enhance the electoral process,” he said. “Such mechanisms included a requirement for associates to be active and ‘financial’ for a certain period of time before an election, as well as a requirement for elected deputies to attend a number of plenums, in addition to a range of other eligibility conditions.”
As a result of this, Berger said it was expected there may have been fewer nominations.
“This is likely a reflection of a change of process and of the demands the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has placed on members of our community,” he added.
“Nonetheless, it was pleasing to see active associates put up their hands to become deputies.
“We have an incredibly high calibre group of people who are eager to serve the NSW Jewish community, and I thank each and every one of them for volunteering their time and expertise, and for their dedication and commitment.”
JBD CEO Darren Bark said he was looking forward to working with all deputies, both elected and constituent, “to deliver the best possible outcomes for the NSW Jewish community”.
“This is an extremely challenging time for our community, which has had to overcome unprecedented hurdles. However, it’s also an exciting opportunity to work together with our members to achieve the results our community deserves,” he said.
“The board is in an incredibly strong position and together with our new cohort of elected deputies and constituent deputies, we will go from strength to strength.”
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