The Board welcomes the recent move by United Synagogue Chief Rabbi Dr Jonathan Sacks to donate all proceeds from his next book, If I Was Really A Rich Man to the United Synagogue Pensions Appeal as well as supporting the Board in joint communal United Synagogue fund raising telethon.

He has also decided to show an initiative to the community by donating an additional 10% of his salary and freelance writing/broadcasting activities to the appeal. Dr Sacks has also encouraged other senior executives at the United Synagogue including its chief executive to take a pay cut until the pensions crisis is resolved so that more money can be given back to its loyal retired staff.

The move comes after it was revealed that there will be a major shortfall in the income United Synagogue staff including Rabbis could receive when they become pensioners.

In 1994, the Chief Rabbi was quoted by the Jewish Chronicle as saying it was unacceptable according to Jewish ethics “to make pensioners suffer for investment decisions in which they were not involved” and the Board is delighted that once again, Dr Sacks is a man of his word.

“When the Chief Rabbi says something within the community, we trust he really means it,” said Board appeals manager Debbie Green. “Never in the course of anglo-Jewry have we had a Chief Rabbi who has done so much to bring communal dialogue and that’s why we are delighted to support a cross communal event to raise much needed funds.”

Upwards of £3m is needed to support the United Synagogue pension fund and the telethon aims to not only raise that but also to double it.

“We at the Board are fully behind the community and all sections of it,” added Board president Harry Greenberg. “And we know all community members regardless of background will support this.”

A spokesman for the Chief Rabbi said: “Dr Sacks was really stunned when told that his fellow rabbis would be living a life of hardship unless funds were raised, so that’s why he decided to donate the proceeeds from his next book as well as take part in the cross communal telethon. The Chief Rabbi has done much for the community raising Jewish pride, creating positive Jewish awareness and building bridges with all sections of his own community as well as others.”

The Board is delighted to announce that its annual Purim appeal has raised £224,943.23

The money will be used towards a new state of the art kitchen for the Board’s central London head office - Board House - to be used by staff as well as entertaining guests.

“We are very thankful to the support of the community in funding our new kitchen,” said Board chief executive Jane Gould. “We have been struggling to make do with our kitchen and the new kitchen will mean greater catering facililties not just for the staff but also for our guests and indeed for our meetings.”

Currently the Board has to make do with two microwaves, one for meaty products and one for milky, as well as some outdated cookers.

“We will also be able to use the money to buy a microwave for Jewish vegans,” Ms Gould added. “So whatever diet needs our staff or guests have we will be able to cater for them.”

The new kitchen is set to be ready within the next two months and will be used by the 320 staff who work at Board House.

“Everyone here at the Board wants to thank the community for their help in letting us use this year’s Purim appeal to go towards the kitchen,” said Board catering manager David Brown. “We have needed good quality catering facilities for many years and now we will get them.”

As a service to the community, the Board will also be opening its catering facilties outside of office hours to enable the preparation of food for communal events.

“When we are not using it for our needs, we feel it should be open to anyone in the community to hep them put on an event or function,” said Mr Brown. “This will be free to the community, those who wish to offer a voluntary donation may do so. But its purpose is to give something back. We can also offer guidance on how to cook kosher as well as other food preparation.”

The Board is delighted to announce that for a second time, Matt Lucas has been selected for a positive image award.

The actor and comedian won the full support of the Board for his various entertainment achievements and beat BBC Breakfast presenter Natasha Kaplinsky and Tory Leader Michael Howard to the coveted award.

“When we were looking at who in the community has done much to help others both inside and outside the community, it was obvious that this should go to Matt,” said Board president Harry Greenberg. “With his involvement in Comic Relief, Matt is giving much back to others.”

Mr Lucas said: “I was lucky enough to win this once, but twice is amazing. I just want to say thanks to everyone at the Board who voted. I know there was some tough competition out there. Wow, this month people see me as much better that Michael and Natasha. I’m really flattered.”

Since 1978, the Board has been giving out the monthly which celebrates the achievements that Jewish people make in Britain. Previous winners have included: Nigella Lawson, Lionel Blair, Lady Sarah Levinson, Bernie Winters, Michael Winner, Caprice and Howard Rosen.

The Board is concerned by recent images used by McDonalds which show a bagel being used in connection with pig related products.

“The bagel is universally accepted as being associated with the Jewish community, whether in London, New York or indeed even Paris. The taking of such a Jewish symbol and sticking some slices of bacon in between it with cheese is nothing short of desecration of something important to the Jewish community,” said Board director of communal services Jacob Bloom. “We are concered that people will now associate unkosher products such as bacon with Jewish themes. That is not acceptable and we are urging McDonalds to withdraw the bacon bagel.”

The Board will also be writing to Prime Minister Tony Blair and Conservative Leader Michael Howard so that an early day motion can be tabled at the House of Commons in which this issue can be discussed.

“While, the Board appreciates that people may consume a bagel in any way they like, the overt use of bacon in the advertising and promotion of this product by McDonalds is deemed to be insulting and demeaning to the British Jewish community,” added Board president Harry Greenberg. “We trust McDonalds can appreciate the distress it is causing the community who have to view an image of bacon being used inside a bagel.”