Jonathan Arkush (Photo: Daily Mail)

Milah UK announces Board of Deputies’ Past President Jonathan Arkush as its new Co Chair

Milah UK is delighted to announce the appointment of Jonathan Arkush as its new Co-Chair. He will be taking over from Dr Simon Hochhauser, who announced his intention to step back during the summer after six years in the role. Jonathan will join Professor David Katz, who remains as the other Co-Chair.

Jonathan has an unequalled record in support of the practice of Brit Milah. He has in the past given unstintingly of his time and efforts in response to threats wherever and whenever they occur.  In spite of the enormous time constraints put on him in his past role as President of the Board of Deputies, Jonathan travelled to Reykjavik to combat proposed legislation in the Icelandic Parliament to ban Brit Milah. Jonathan appeared regularly on television, radio and in the press.  He met and lobbied parliamentarians, religious leaders and the media in pursuit of the defeat of this threat to our core Jewish practice and earned the respect of all in leading the defeat of this attempt to ban Milah in Iceland.

Outgoing Co-Chair Dr Simon Hochhauser said, “With more threats to the practice of Brit Milah presently arising, I can think of no better person to co-Chair this essential activity. I will of course not be retiring from my support for Milah UK and I will make myself available to David and Jonathan whenever, and for whatever, they need.”

New Milah UK Co-Chair Jonathan Arkush said, “I am honoured to have been asked to take on this important communal role. I look forward to working with Professor David Katz and I am pleased to be working again with Board of Deputies colleagues who provide the secretariat. I will continue to do my utmost to protect and defend the right to live a Jewish life in our country, and wherever Jewish people live.”

Professor David Katz, said: “I am delighted to be working with Jonathan to support Milah. In addition, I want to put on record our thanks to Simon for his unparalleled dedication since the launch of Milah UK. I am very pleased that he will continue to make his expertise and commitment available to us.”