A new Jewish TV station on Freeview, Sky and NTL is to be launched under the auspices of The Board of Guardians of British Jews.

Jew4, a partnership between Channel 4 and The Board, goes on air from October 29 and features a variety of programming from music shows and news to a sitcom and movies.

The community managed station will also feature a number of professional broadcasters and entertainers including: Lionel Blair, Matt Lucas, The Chief Rabbi, Sir Adam Harris, Lord Bloom of Hampstead and Rachel Stevens.

Rachel Stevens will present the weekly Jewish music show, while Lionel Blair will be the host of Come Klezmer Dancing, a dance show with a klezmer twist.

Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks will present Thought for the Week while Sacha Baron Cohen will present a daily cooking show - Oy Kosher.

“We are delighted to have such a talented team onboard for Jew4,” said Board president Harry Greenberg. “Our mix of showbiz, news, culture and religion we believe will have appeal both inside and outside the Jewish community.”

Since Channel 4 expanded its channels to include E4 and More4, the new Jew4 comes as broadcasters look to expand their range of programming aimed at diverse community groups.

The Board which already has a stake in four Jewish radio stations across the UK believes TV is a medium to reach out to Britain’s three million Jews.

“We have been approached by other TV broadcasters but Channel 4 made the best offer to us,” said Board president Harry Greenberg. “As a joint venture, we both help each other, Channel 4 with the transmission and us supplying the programming.”