Difference between revisions of "Council of Christians and Jews"

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{{short description|British interfaith organisation promoting Christian-Jewish relations}}
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{{Infobox organization
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| name        = Council of Christians and Jews
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| abbreviation = CCJ
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| founded_date = 1942
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| founder      = [[Joseph H. Hertz]] and [[William Temple (archbishop)|William Temple]]
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| type        = Registered charity
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| registration_id = 238005
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| location    = London, England (headquartered at Collaboration House)
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| key_people  = [[Maurice Ostro]] (Vice President), Rt Revd [[Sarah Bullock]] (Chair of Trustees)
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| website      = https://ccj.org.uk/
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}}
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'''The Council of Christians and Jews''' ('''CCJ''') is a British interfaith organisation founded in 1942 to promote understanding between Christian and Jewish communities and combat antisemitism.<ref name="CCJHome">Council of Christians and Jews, [https://ccj.org.uk/ Home] ''Council of Christians and Jews'', accessed February 16, 2026.</ref> It operates a network of local branches across the United Kingdom and engages in education, dialogue, and social action programmes.<ref name="CCJAbout">Council of Christians and Jews, [https://ccj.org.uk/about-us/who-we-are Who we are] ''Council of Christians and Jews'', accessed February 16, 2026.</ref> Patronised by King Charles III, the CCJ is one of the oldest national interfaith bodies in the UK. Critics argue that its activities, particularly through leadership ties to Zionist philanthropists and its emphasis on specific forms of prejudice, contribute to laundering and normalising the Zionist entity by fostering dialogues that obscure the settler colony's occupation and apartheid policies in Palestine.
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The organisation's work includes national programmes for clergy, community leaders, students, and policymakers, alongside local branch initiatives.<ref name="CCJHome" /> Its headquarters are associated with [[Collaboration House]], a multifaith hub funded by Zionist philanthropist [[Maurice Ostro]].<ref name="PowerbaseCH">Powerbase, [https://powerbase.info/index.php/Collaboration_House Collaboration House] ''Powerbase'', October 30, 2024.</ref>
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== History ==
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The Council of Christians and Jews was established in March 1942 by Chief Rabbi [[Joseph H. Hertz]] and Archbishop of Canterbury [[William Temple (archbishop)|William Temple]] amid the Nazi persecution of Jews and the Second World War.<ref name="WikipediaCCJ">Wikipedia, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_of_Christians_and_Jews Council of Christians and Jews] ''Wikipedia'', accessed February 16, 2026.</ref> The founding aimed to counter antisemitism in Britain and promote shared ethical teachings between Christianity and Judaism.<ref name="ICCJGB">International Council of Christians and Jews, [https://www.iccj.org/home/member-organisations/great-britain-the-council-of-christians-and-jews-ccj.html Great Britain | The Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ)] ''ICCJ'', accessed February 16, 2026.</ref>
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Catholics initially withdrew in 1954 due to theological concerns but rejoined following the Second Vatican Council. Over eight decades, CCJ has expanded into a network of local branches and professional national programmes.<ref name="CCJHome" /> In recent years, it has faced calls from some Christian leaders to reconsider its partnerships amid the Zionist regime's actions in Gaza, highlighting tensions within interfaith efforts.<ref name="BPP">Britain Palestine Project, [https://britainpalestineproject.org/bishops-call-to-suspend-christian-church-membership-of-council-of-christians-and-jews/ Bishop's call to suspend Christian church membership of Council of Christians and Jews] ''Britain Palestine Project'', July 28, 2025.</ref>
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== Governance and associated people ==
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The CCJ has a tiered leadership structure including a Patron, Presidents (senior religious leaders), Vice Presidents, and a board of trustees.<ref name="CCJAbout" />
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Presidents include major Christian and Jewish denominational heads such as the Archbishop of Canterbury, Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, Chief Rabbi [[Ephraim Mirvis]], and leaders from Liberal, Reform, and Masorti Judaism.<ref name="CCJAbout" />
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Vice Presidents include prominent figures such as [[Maurice Ostro]], [[Stephen Rubin]], [[Zaki Cooper]], [[Henry Grunwald]], and others.<ref name="CCJAbout" />
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The board of trustees is chaired by Rt Revd [[Sarah Bullock]].
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{| class="wikitable sortable"
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|+ Current trustees of the Council of Christians and Jews (Charity 238005)
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! Name !! Role !! Date of appointment !! Other trusteeships
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|-
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| Rt Revd [[Sarah Bullock]] || Chair || 24 March 2020 || None on record
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|-
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| [[Duncan Irvine]] || Treasurer || 13 March 2018 || [[Sandford St Martin (Church of England) Trust]]; [[Brighton West Pier Trust]]
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|-
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| [[Sue Nyman]] || Treasurer || 1 March 2022 || None on record
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|-
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| Dr [[Susan Siegel]] || Joint Honorary Secretary || 31 August 2023 || None on record
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|-
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| Dr [[Edward David Kessler]] || Trustee || 10 September 2024 || [[Woolf Institute]]; [[Spalding Memorial Educational Trust]]
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|-
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| [[Tamara Handler]] || Trustee || 10 September 2024 || None on record
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|-
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| [[Anna Tobin]] || Trustee || 31 August 2023 || None on record
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|-
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| [[Elliot Michael Steinberg]] || Trustee || 31 August 2023 || None on record
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|-
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| Sr [[Teresa Brittain]] || Trustee || 17 December 2018 || None on record
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|-
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| [[Tom Daniel]] || Trustee || 19 March 2019 || None on record
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|}
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== Regional groups ==
 
== Regional groups ==
 
The CCJ maintains a network of approximately 13 active local branches across the United Kingdom, including in Northern Ireland, which organise local dialogue, education, and events to promote Christian-Jewish understanding.<ref name="CCJBranches">Council of Christians and Jews, [https://ccj.org.uk/branches Branches] ''Council of Christians and Jews'', accessed February 16, 2026.</ref><ref name="CCJReport">Charity Commission accounts reference, accessed February 16, 2026.</ref>
 
The CCJ maintains a network of approximately 13 active local branches across the United Kingdom, including in Northern Ireland, which organise local dialogue, education, and events to promote Christian-Jewish understanding.<ref name="CCJBranches">Council of Christians and Jews, [https://ccj.org.uk/branches Branches] ''Council of Christians and Jews'', accessed February 16, 2026.</ref><ref name="CCJReport">Charity Commission accounts reference, accessed February 16, 2026.</ref>
 
Known branches include:
 
Known branches include:
  
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North London branch
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*[[Council of Christians and Jews North London]] branch
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Oxford branch
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*[[Council of Christians and Jews Belfast]] branch
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South East London branch
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*[[Council of Christians and Jews Berkshire]] branch
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Berkshire branch
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*[[Council of Christians and Jews Birmingham]] branch
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Various other regional groups in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
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*[[Council of Christians and Jews Bournemouth]] branch
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*[[Council of Christians and Jews East of Scotland]] branch
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*[[Council of Christians and Jews Leeds]] branch
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*[[Council of Christians and Jews Leicester]] branch
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*[[Council of Christians and Jews Manchester]] branch
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*[[Council of Christians and Jews Norfolk]] branch
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*[[Council of Christians and Jews Oxford]] branch
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*[[Council of Christians and Jews Sheffield]] branch
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*[[Council of Christians and Jews South East London]] branch
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*[[Council of Christians and Jews South West London]] branch
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*[[Council of Christians and Jews West of Scotland]] branch
  
 
== Contribution to laundering and normalising Zionism ==
 
== Contribution to laundering and normalising Zionism ==

Latest revision as of 14:37, 16 February 2026

British interfaith organisation promoting Christian-Jewish relations

Council of Christians and Jews
Type Registered charity
Logo
Founded
Founder(s) Joseph H. Hertz and William Temple
Dissolved
Registration ID 238005
Status
Headquarters
Location London, England (headquartered at Collaboration House)
Area served
Services
Registration
Key people Maurice Ostro (Vice President), Rt Revd Sarah Bullock (Chair of Trustees)
Website https://ccj.org.uk/
Remarks


The Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ) is a British interfaith organisation founded in 1942 to promote understanding between Christian and Jewish communities and combat antisemitism.[1] It operates a network of local branches across the United Kingdom and engages in education, dialogue, and social action programmes.[2] Patronised by King Charles III, the CCJ is one of the oldest national interfaith bodies in the UK. Critics argue that its activities, particularly through leadership ties to Zionist philanthropists and its emphasis on specific forms of prejudice, contribute to laundering and normalising the Zionist entity by fostering dialogues that obscure the settler colony's occupation and apartheid policies in Palestine.

The organisation's work includes national programmes for clergy, community leaders, students, and policymakers, alongside local branch initiatives.[1] Its headquarters are associated with Collaboration House, a multifaith hub funded by Zionist philanthropist Maurice Ostro.[3]

History

The Council of Christians and Jews was established in March 1942 by Chief Rabbi Joseph H. Hertz and Archbishop of Canterbury William Temple amid the Nazi persecution of Jews and the Second World War.[4] The founding aimed to counter antisemitism in Britain and promote shared ethical teachings between Christianity and Judaism.[5]

Catholics initially withdrew in 1954 due to theological concerns but rejoined following the Second Vatican Council. Over eight decades, CCJ has expanded into a network of local branches and professional national programmes.[1] In recent years, it has faced calls from some Christian leaders to reconsider its partnerships amid the Zionist regime's actions in Gaza, highlighting tensions within interfaith efforts.[6]

Governance and associated people

The CCJ has a tiered leadership structure including a Patron, Presidents (senior religious leaders), Vice Presidents, and a board of trustees.[2]

Presidents include major Christian and Jewish denominational heads such as the Archbishop of Canterbury, Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, and leaders from Liberal, Reform, and Masorti Judaism.[2]

Vice Presidents include prominent figures such as Maurice Ostro, Stephen Rubin, Zaki Cooper, Henry Grunwald, and others.[2]

The board of trustees is chaired by Rt Revd Sarah Bullock.


Current trustees of the Council of Christians and Jews (Charity 238005)
Name Role Date of appointment Other trusteeships
Rt Revd Sarah Bullock Chair 24 March 2020 None on record
Duncan Irvine Treasurer 13 March 2018 Sandford St Martin (Church of England) Trust; Brighton West Pier Trust
Sue Nyman Treasurer 1 March 2022 None on record
Dr Susan Siegel Joint Honorary Secretary 31 August 2023 None on record
Dr Edward David Kessler Trustee 10 September 2024 Woolf Institute; Spalding Memorial Educational Trust
Tamara Handler Trustee 10 September 2024 None on record
Anna Tobin Trustee 31 August 2023 None on record
Elliot Michael Steinberg Trustee 31 August 2023 None on record
Sr Teresa Brittain Trustee 17 December 2018 None on record
Tom Daniel Trustee 19 March 2019 None on record

Regional groups

The CCJ maintains a network of approximately 13 active local branches across the United Kingdom, including in Northern Ireland, which organise local dialogue, education, and events to promote Christian-Jewish understanding.[7][8] Known branches include:

Contribution to laundering and normalising Zionism

The involvement of Zionist philanthropist Maurice Ostro as Vice President, alongside the organisation's location ties to Collaboration House which he funded, positions the CCJ as a key platform for faithwashing.[3] By prioritising narratives around antisemitism while maintaining close alliances with pro-Zionist figures and institutions, the CCJ contributes to normalising the settler colony and deflecting from its policies of occupation and apartheid.[9] Reports suggest that such interfaith structures under occupation often serve normalisation rather than genuine solidarity.[10] This critique is grounded in anti-Zionist beliefs as protected in Miller vs University of Bristol (2024).

See also

Collaboration House Maurice Ostro Women's Interfaith Network London Boroughs Faiths Network


External links

Official website

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Council of Christians and Jews, Home Council of Christians and Jews, accessed February 16, 2026.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Council of Christians and Jews, Who we are Council of Christians and Jews, accessed February 16, 2026.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Powerbase, Collaboration House Powerbase, October 30, 2024.
  4. ↑ Wikipedia, Council of Christians and Jews Wikipedia, accessed February 16, 2026.
  5. ↑ International Council of Christians and Jews, Great Britain | The Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ) ICCJ, accessed February 16, 2026.
  6. ↑ Britain Palestine Project, Bishop's call to suspend Christian church membership of Council of Christians and Jews Britain Palestine Project, July 28, 2025.
  7. ↑ Council of Christians and Jews, Branches Council of Christians and Jews, accessed February 16, 2026.
  8. ↑ Charity Commission accounts reference, accessed February 16, 2026.
  9. ↑ Decolonize Palestine, Faithwashing Decolonize Palestine, accessed February 16, 2026.
  10. ↑ AMP, 'Interfaith' Under Occupation is Normalization, Not Solidarity AMP, December 9, 2017.
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