8 January 2006 - In the Board of Guardians of British Jews semi-annual Honours to the Jewish community, which is part of the Queen’s honours, the Board is delighted to recognise members of the British Jewish community for their contribution to work done by inside and outside the community.

Among those who have been honoured are former Conservative leader Michael Howard, Professor Emily Howard and actor Matt Lucas.

“All these Jewish people have one thing in common, they have made a major contribution not to just the work of the Board but also to help the Jewish community,” said Board president Harry Greenberg. “These honours recognise both the well known and the not so well known of the community.”

The Winter awards announced today will be given out at a gala ceremony attended by the Queen on March 23 2006.

The Board’s Honours which are recognised by all sections of the Jewish community were created in 1981 following a meeting between then Board director John Joseph and Queen Elizabeth II. It was then decreed by her majesty that the Jewish community should be allowed to have its Honours during the Queen’s Honours.

Since then, there has been both Winter Honours and Spring Honours.

For Winter 2006, the following Honours are to be given.

Professor Emily Howard - Since 1993, Professor Howard has been head of research at the Jewish Research department of London and Herts University. Her report, “Jews in the Iron Age” which looked at the Jewish contribution to Britain’s Iron Age helped to understand how the first Jews arrived in Britain from Egypt.

Malcolm Wise - Community volunteer, Mr Wise has been a regular helper to the Board funded Jewish Guide Dogs Home. The Jewish Guide Dogs Home helps provide guide dogs to members of the Jewish community where the dogs are specifically trained to deal with part of the Jewish lifestyle which include getting to synagogue. Mr Wise helps to train the dogs and since 1972 has trained over 600.

Matt Lucas - Actor Matt Lucas has risen to popularity with his TV partner David Walliams with the popular BBC TV show Little Britain. Matt himself has been active in the work of the Board as a supporter and hosted the 2004 annual Board dinner which raised £530,000

Michael Howard - The former Conservative leader has been instrumental in supporting the Board and has been a director of it on a number of occasions, both when the Conservative Party were in power and as in opposition. As a Board director, Mr Howard has been on a number of committees and takes a keen interest in the Board’s sports division.